Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2013

Weekly Workouts 4/8-4/14

Monday 4/8: I ran outside for a mile then it started raining so I ran 2 more miles on the treadmill (about 3 miles total). Then I did some arm exercises with my Kettlebell and did my 15 minute ab workout!

Tuesday 4/9: Busy day at work so rest day. I think the majority of my Tuesdays and Thursdays working will be rest days because it is hard to fit in a good workout.

Wednesday 4/10: Ran on the treadmill for about 1.5 miles then did some arm and ab exercises.

Thursday 4/11: Rest day - I hate calling this a rest day because I had about a 12 hour work day mostly on my feet. So... no workout day?

Friday 4/12: Ran/walked 2 miles on the treadmill and did some arm exercises and stretching.

Saturday 4/13: Did Zumba toning with 3 lb. weights for 30 minutes and did some crunches.

Sunday 4/14: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

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Monday, April 8, 2013

Weekly Workouts 4/1-4/7

Monday 4/1: Went running outside with a friend for about 1.8 miles then did 30 minutes of yoga.

Tuesday 4/2: Played Just Dance Just Sweat for 30 minutes then did some arm exercises with my 7 lb. Kettlebell.

Wednesday 4/3: Rest day.

Thursday 4/4: Ran with a friend for 3.5 miles! She is definitely a good motivator! We did some good stretching afterwards too.

Friday 4/5: Ran for a mile with a friend then we did the "Skinny Bitch" Ab Workout and 20 minutes of yoga!

Saturday 4/6: Rest day. I did dance that night though! :)

Sunday 4/7: Rest day.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

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Monday, January 14, 2013

Weekly Workouts 1/7-1/13

Monday 1/7: Played the Just Sweat part of Just Dance 4 for about 40 minutes.

Tuesday 1/8: Ran on the treadmill for an easy mile, did some kettlebell arm workouts and played Just Dance 3 for 25 minutes.

Wednesday 1/9: Did Zumba for 40 minutes.

Thursday 1/10: Did my yoga dvd for 35 minutes.

Friday 1/11: Played Just Dance for an hour.

Saturday 1/12: Very nice outside today so I ran outside for 1.65 miles. Also played Just Dance with my friend for an hour.

Sunday 1/13: Day off.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Weekly Workouts 12/31-1/6

Monday 12/31: I did the kettlebell workout that came with my kettlebell - it is only about 15 minutes but it makes my legs shake! I also did some yoga for 20 minutes afterwards.

Tuesday 1/1: Happy New Year! Day off. I was pretty sore from my kettlebell workout and of course recovering from NYE so I decided to have a lazy day.

Wednesday 1/2: Did Zumba toning (30 minutes) with 3 lb weights and did some crunches and stretching. Still sore from those dang squats!

Thursday 1/3: Did a Zumba DVD for 35 minutes and did a few sit ups and a plank.

Friday 1/4: I ran on the treadmill for 1.25 miles then did some crunches, a plank and some arm exercises with my kettlebell.

Saturday 1/5: Ran on the treadmill for about .8 miles and went on the recumbent bike for .8 miles. My knees were bothering me a bit. I also did some crunches, sit ups, plank and used the kettlebell for squats and arm workouts.

Sunday 1/6: Made my boy play Just Dance with me for a while otherwise I'd count this as a day off. :)

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Monday, December 17, 2012

This Week's Workouts 12/10-12/16

Monday 12/10: Rest day. I caught the cold or whatever is going around so I know I needed to rest.

Tuesday 12/11: Still sick but I wanted to do some kind of workout to avoid getting stuck in a no workout slump. I did this Jillian Michael's workout game on the Wii but it sucks. It doesn't really understand your movements and then goes back to the start! So I went on the elliptical for a few minutes too.

Wednesday 12/12: I was feeling a lot better so I decided to go to the gym. I ran for about a mile on the track then did some arm and ab exercises. To see my full workouts or as close as I can track... go to my Fitocracy page!

Thursday 12/13: Walked around the mall for about 2 hours... I count that as a good workout! ;)

Friday 12/14: I got my boy to run with me for about 2 miles outside! We also did sit ups, crunches and a plank.

Saturday 12/15: Went to the gym and ran about 1.5 miles on the track and used the ab crunch machine and pull down machine for arms.

Sunday 12/16: Did 35 minutes of yoga and played some Wii Zumba for about 20 minutes with a friend! :)

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Monday, December 10, 2012

This Week's Workouts 12/3-12/9

Monday 12/3: I played Just Dance 4 for about an hour and did yoga for 35 minutes.

Tuesday 12/4: I worked out with my new kettlebell using the video it came with - lots of squats! I bought a 7 lb one. I also did some ab workouts and played Just Dance 4.

Wednesday 12/5: I ran outside for about 25 minutes. I estimate it was about a mile and a half. My running app and music were giving me lots of trouble so I got annoyed and just set it on music. I also did some arm/ab exercises.

Thursday 12/6: I tried a sample workout DVD I got in the mail - I did the power workout, part of the core boot camp and Bollywood dancing for about 25 minutes total. I also played Just Dance 3 for about 40 minutes and did some sit ups.

Friday 12/7: Day off. I had a long, long work day.

Saturday 12/8: Just played some Just Dance 4 for about a half an hour. Wasn't feel that well today but I know a little exercise is good for the immune system.

Sunday 12/9: Another day off for rest.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy! On Fitocracy you can see my full workouts - I'd love to see yours too!

Monday, November 12, 2012

This Week's Workouts 11/5-11/11

Monday 11/5: I ran outside for about 2.3 miles and did some ab/arm workouts.

Tuesday 11/6: Did 22 minutes of Jillian Michael's 6 Week to Six Packs DVD. My DVD player screwed up before I could finish so I just finished off with some crunches and sit-ups.

Wednesday 11/7: Ran 2.3 miles outside again and did some ab workouts.

Thursday 11/8: Took a Zumba class at my gym for one hour. Fun!

Friday 11/9: Took a yoga class at my gym for one hour. Lots of good stretching.

Saturday 11/10: Went for a run outside for about 3.1 miles. I also did some crunches, reverse crunches, sit ups, plank and some exercises with small weights.

Sunday 11/11: Day off!

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy!

Monday, November 5, 2012

This Week's Workouts - 10/29-11/4

Monday 10/29: I played Just Dance 4 and did a workout I found on Pinterest which consisted of sit ups, jumping jacks, crunches, push ups, squats, a wall sit, plank, and high knees.

Tuesday 10/30: I ran on the treadmill for a mile then did some crunches, sit ups, lunges (regular and reverse), plank, and high knees. I used some small weights for some of the exercises. My shoulders and chest got so sore after!

Wednesday 10/31: Happy Halloween! I ran 3 miles at the gym in my fastest time yet (about 26 minutes)! I also did some sit ups and crunches.

Thursday 11/1: Did a new yoga DVD with a friend for 40 minutes. It was a pretty easy workout so I did some crunches, sit ups, jumping jacks, bicep curls with a small weight and high knees at home.

Friday 11/2: Day off. I had to drive for a work event and was really tired.

Saturday 11/3: Ran 3 miles outside, did some crunches, sit ups, plank, and used some small weights for arm workout.

Sunday 11/4: Day off.

Join me on Fitocracy!

Monday, October 22, 2012

This Week's Workouts 10/15-10/21

Monday 10/15: Ran/walked 2.5 miles and did some crunches.

Tuesday 10/16: I started my volunteering with the Michigan Humane Society so I walked dogs for a little over 2 hours. Then I went to the gym with a friend. I rode the stationary bike for 4 miles then did some ab workouts and stretches.

Wednesday 10/17: I was pretty sore from the last few days, so I did some light yoga for 20 minutes and did some crunches and sit-ups.

Thursday 10/18: Went to the gym with my friend. I ran for 3.1 miles on the track in 26 minutes! Yay! We also did some stretching and arm exercises with 3 lb weights.

Friday 10/19: Day off. I had a work event that was pretty much all day and a lot of driving.

Saturday 10/20: Another rest day.

Sunday 10/21: Did some yoga with a friend for about a half an hour. Also went on a walk for 30-45 minutes... wasn't keeping track. Beautiful day outside that day!

Join me on Fitocracy!

Monday, October 8, 2012

This Week's Workouts

Monday 10/1: Day off. Went to the dentist again and felt pretty groggy.

Tuesday 10/2: Went to the gym, ran about 2.5 miles around the track and did some ab/arm exercises. I ran the fastest I ever have without walking! :)

Wednesday 10/3: Went to a yoga class for an hour and 15 minutes. I tried the next level up class and it was pretty good!

Thursday 10/4: Ran a decently fast mile (I think it was about 9 minutes) then went on the elliptical for a few minutes (I hate the elliptical!). Did some ab/arm exercises and stretched.

Friday 10/5: Day off. I had a work event that was around a 12 hour day then had to visit someone in the hospital so there really wasn't time to work out.

Saturday 10/6: Ran a little over 3 miles outside! I was really proud of myself, I didn't walk much of it and it took me 30 minutes which I think is pretty good! :)

Sunday 10/7: Wasn't feeling well so I decided to rest. :(

Monday, September 24, 2012

This Week's Workouts

Monday 9/17: Tried out a new gym. Went on the treadmill for about 30 minutes = 2 miles. Apparently I run slower on a treadmill. I also did some ab, leg and arm workouts using the machines (one machine each).

Tuesday 9/18: Day off. Got way too busy.

Wednesday 9/19: Ran/walked about 2 1/2 miles. Did a few ab workouts and stretched. The weather was definitely a little chilly, my nose wouldn't stop running!

Thursday 9/20: Went to an hour yoga class. It was focused on stretching and relaxation which was exactly what I needed!

Friday 9/21: Day off.

Saturday 9/22: Alternated between jogging, sprinting and walking for about 2 miles. Did some arm and ab exercises afterwards.

Sunday 9/23: Jogged for 2 miles, only walked a little bit! Did some arm/ab exercises after. If you're curious what arm/ab workouts I've been doing... I've been just lifting some small weights for my arms and I've been doing crunches, planks, and the yoga boat pose for my abs normally.

Monday, September 17, 2012

This Week's Workouts

Monday 9/10: Ran for a mile then ran/walked another mile. Had bad side cramps while running that day so it was a hard one. I did manage to do some ab workouts after though.

Tuesday 9/11: Alternated between walking and running for a little over 2 miles. I did some interval sprints in there too.

Wednesday 9/12: Went on a walk with a friend for about an hour and I would estimate around 2 miles.

Thursday 9/13: I went on a 1.5 mile run and did some ab/arm exercises afterwards.

Friday 9/14: Day off.

Saturday 9/15: Ran about 2 miles and did some ab/arm exercises.

Sunday 9/16: Day off.

Monday, September 10, 2012

This Week's Workouts

Tuesday 9/4: Did yoga for about an hour using a yoga DVD.

Wednesday 9/5: Ran/walked 2 miles and did a few ab exercises.

Thursday 9/6: Day off. Pretty sore from the last two days so I wanted to take it easy.

Friday 9/7: Went to yoga with a friend for an hour class. Also ran 2 miles.

Saturday 9/8: Didn't work out this day, but went out that night and danced for a few hours! That's a good workout right? :)

Sunday 9/9: Day off.

How were your workouts last week?

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Getting Re-Motivated

First of all: don't forget to enter the giveaways! Yes I have two going on!



Well, after my yoga buddy moved in March and my yoga package ended, I just kind of stopped going. I also pretty much stopped working out on a regular basis.

It is now June. How time flies. Weeks become months and I get very used to sitting around watching TV instead of working out. Or letting my work schedule stress me out so I feel like I don't have the time.

So last week I had a surge of motivation. After months of trying to decide which yoga studio I would go to, I finally decided to buy a package at a local studio I liked. Of course I wanted a yoga buddy to help motivate me to go, I knew that if the studio wasn't close, I wouldn't want to go either. I also knew I had to find a time each week to go to class where I couldn't bail. It works out that there is a yoga class on Mondays at noon with a teacher I like. I go to the chiropractor every Monday around the same time that is just down the street from the yoga studio. What excuse do I have if I'm already right there?

I was also excited for June because I have been wanting to go back to Zumba for a while, but the lady I know who teaches didn't have any class times that worked for me. Luckily, she added a few class times for June when I can go! I even enlisted a friend to come with me, so I am definitely excited to go again!

I also bought a Groupon for a studio not too far that teaches Zumba, yoga and other classes that I need to find time to check out. Very excited!

How do you keep yourself motivated?

Monday, January 16, 2012

My Favorite Workouts

Growing up, I was lucky. I was never into team sports or really that into exercise but I was always skinny and one of the tallest in my class. I was more into drawing, reading, writing and watching movies.

Now, at 22, I realize more and more how important exercise is even if you have a great metabolism. It has so many benefits including better immune system, a release of happy endorphins, makes you smarter, wards off disease and the list could go on and on!

So needless to say I am trying to exercise more. Luckily, my schedule is pretty flexible so I have the time to put into it.

I never used to enjoy running or jogging much, but now it is one of my favorite ways to sweat. I've been working my way up, right now running about a mile without stopping. I eventually want to work myself up to be able to sign up for a 5K.

I also really enjoy yoga these days. I started going a few years ago but never really stuck with it. One of my goals for this year is to keep going at least once a week. I think yoga is a really gentle way to exercise, get flexible, relax and stay stress-free.

When it is warmer out, I like riding my bike, rollerblading and running outside.

I also think a great and fun way to work out is using the Wii (what I own) or any other game console. Playing Just Dance or other exercise games actually do make you sweat if you really get into it!

Some workouts I would love to try are Zumba, Kickboxing and Pilates. Are you into any of these workouts? What should I expect and which should I try first?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Yoga Journey Continues….And Heats Up

Last time, I shared with you my new yoga journey and how I am trying to make yoga a habit in my life. Last week I hit a bit of a speed bump and didn’t go for a week. My friend Lauren, who I have been going with, started a new job, so we could no longer go during the day and had to reschedule when we go. It started to seem like a bit of a hassle. But finally this week, we scheduled a time to go and stuck with it. Unfortunately, all the night classes at the studio we’ve been going to are either Intermediate or Advanced. Yikes.

We headed to the studio at 7 p.m., feeling as if it were much later (thanks Daylight Savings!) and were nervous about our first Intermediate class. At times, I struggle with Beginner still! How was I supposed to handle a harder class? We now know the teacher decently well and she assured us that it was harder, but if we were struggling we could go into child’s pose.

Little did we know, they turn up the heat a little more in harder classes along with more movements and harder poses. In the first 20 minutes, I was already dripping with sweat and slipping and sliding all over my mat during Downward Dog. My head was buzzing with annoying thoughts designed to disrupt my yoga flow:

“I don’t think I’ve sweat this much EVER!”

“I’m supposed to do THAT?”

“It smells like my boyfriend’s dirty hockey gear in here… yuck. And I’m supposed to breathe deeply in and out?”

At times, when moving from the floor to sitting or standing, I got really dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out and almost left the room, but I am glad I stuck it out.

Even with all the distractions in my head, I went with the flow and enjoyed most of the class. I realize that my favorite parts of yoga are when you are given a set of movements and poses and are able to do them on your own flow. I can challenge myself as little or as much as I want, I can go as slow or a bit faster if I desire and everyone is at their own pace and not paying attention to anyone else. I definitely felt like I got a better workout and even though I couldn’t do some of the poses very well, if at all, I tried and focused more on the ones I could do well.

For now, I think I will stick to the Beginner classes for the most part. When I feel the need for a really good workout or get to the point where I need more of a challenge…back to sweating I go! On another note, I got another Groupon for a new studio…If I use all the classes it will only be $1 per class! Awesome! I got one of my other friends to buy it too, so I have another yoga buddy.

If anyone is interested in starting up yoga, try our 21 Day Yoga Challenge. It is a great start that you can do at home for free!

Until next time,
Lauren

See my original article on ASKinyourface.com.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

My New Yoga Journey

I’ve been interested in yoga for a while. You can read on and on about the benefits: increased flexibility and strength, better balance, a calm mind, less anxiety and worry, and much more. I always found it interesting that a workout could seemingly be so good for you in both body and mind. Being someone who suffers from anxiety and worry, I thought yoga had to be worth a try. I started going a few years ago and never really stuck with it. There are always a million reasons to stop doing something and I found if I couldn’t get any friends to go with me, I simply found reasons to stop going. Always in the back of my mind, I felt guilty that I had paid for classes and never used them, so I would go to the occasional class. 

A few months ago, I was finally motivated to go. I enlisted a few friends to go with me at least once a week so I could finish up my paid classes at my local yoga studio. Not long after, a fantastic Living Social deal dropped into my inbox. 10 yoga classes for $20! Looking at prices of local studios, this was an amazing deal. The yoga studio wasn’t one I’d ever heard of, but it was only about 20 minutes away from my house. One of my friends, coincidentally also named Lauren, wanted to join me and was just as excited about the deal.

Now about halfway through my 10 classes, I find myself getting hooked. At times, waking up at 8 am so I can eat and get ready before heading to a 10 am yoga class just makes me sleepy and dread going. Once I am there, it isn’t always easy either. I can’t even count how many times I’m standing there in a pose I deemed impossible before she finished explaining it, swearing in my head words I’d never say out loud, just wishing we could move on. As I stand in the warrior pose, my bent leg shaking like I’m having some sort of seizure, sometimes I feel like I don’t belong here.

But that is the best part of yoga: knowing you will always belong no matter what. You do what you can. It is a practice where you push yourself, yet you may rest if you’re not able to do something just yet, and you can even close your eyes if you feel that you are comparing yourself to the seasoned yogi next to you. In yoga, there is room for improvement always. No one is perfect at it. At times I feel silly and punish myself. Why aren’t you more flexible? Why are you sweating in this beginner class? Why, why, why! I have to force myself to stop asking “why” and just enjoy my practice. Who cares if I can’t do certain yoga poses perfectly yet? At least I am there, trying and learning and doing something positive for myself. Just getting myself to go to yoga is already a win in my book.

One of the reasons I love yoga is that it is a workout, but it is also a way to relax. I love hearing the poems or saying that teachers often talk about during class. One of my favorites is one I heard last week:

Be mindful of your thoughts because they become your words. Be mindful of your words because they become your actions. Be mindful of your actions because they become your character. Be mindful of your character because that becomes your destiny.


This quote really resonated with me. Would I have ever heard it if I hadn’t gone to that yoga class? Perhaps yes, perhaps no.


Yoga is teaching me to be strong and not give up. There are times when I give up when a yoga pose hurts too much, but each time I do it, I know it will get easier. One day, if I keep at it, I will do the poses I now deem impossible with ease. Getting there takes time and effort, but I think it will be worth it.


Until next time…Namaste,


Lauren

See the original post on ASKinyourface.com!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

My New Goals For A Better Me

I am always looking for ways to improve myself. I make "promises" to myself about working out more or eating healthier and always seem to break them. This time, I am making specific goals and putting them up next to my mirror behind my laptop, a place I see very often.


1. Take at least an hour a day to be away from technology. I think like most people, I am often on my laptop, cell phone, iPod, and have the TV on almost simultaneously. My Blackberry is with me at all times and I depend on my laptop for work projects every day. While technology is amazing and I love it a lot...at times it is a little much. When my iPod, Blackberry and laptop all buzz at the same time from an email - it can make me frazzled! I want to take an hour per day to step away from my laptop, TV, iPod, and put my phone on silent. This will allow me to work out, step out of the house to run errands, pay more attention to a friend, read, etc.

2. Do yoga once a week. A long time ago when I started to get into yoga, I purchased a bunch of classes at a local yoga studio with a student discount. The last time I went, I realized I had many prepaid classes ready for me that I get too busy to use. I am going to find a class at a good time for me and go once a week until my prepaid classes are used up and then decide if I want to continue practicing further.

3. Save, save, save!!! I am pretty terrible at saving money. I love to shop and try new products. I'm saving up to buy a used car in the spring, so I have to start being more careful with my money. This will be tough but I know I can save lots if I put my mind to it!

I am sure I will come up with more goals, but here is what I have so far! Tell me about your goals!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Cool Yoga Facebook Pages!

Love yoga? Interested in learning more about different types of yoga? Check out these two Facebook pages. Like them to get updates coming soon!

Yoga By Design is great if you are an athlete or like learning about safe yoga. YogaMedics is great if you suffer from pain and want to learn more about using yoga to help heal you.

Do me a favor and like these pages! You won't regret it. :)