It snowed an inch, so everything is cancelled. This is the weirdest place ever. I went to buy a snow shovel, but Lowes only had one kind, so that is what I bought. It felt kind of communistic to me.
Exercising pretty much has not happened lately. Today I was pumped to do it, but Drew stayed home and worked remotely. I hoped he would run some errands for me, but he didn't. He just worked. I ended up running the errands and therefore didn't get my workout in. It is 3:30 and I haven't showered yet. It is funny that a lot of women say their kid keeps them so busy that they couldn't shower. In my case, it is because of my husband.
Drew also hasn't run this whole week. He needs to find a race to train for. Probably a half, first. He is also thinking about running the St. George Marathon in October. That would be fun!
I am glad it snowed today. I really miss it. I hope it will next week for Christmas!
Do you like snow? Is it snowy where you live?
What is the most common reason you don't shower when that happens?
Friday, December 20, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Personal Training for the First Time
This morning, I met up with Ashlie for my free 30 minute session with her. She weighed me, took my measurements, and I held the BMI measuring thing. Ugh. I need to lose fat (and weight). But that's ok. Then she took me through a basic arm workout.
We didn't have time, but she told me to do them in groups of two, and to do three sets of twelve of each exercise.
Pulldown
Row
Chest Press
Push Up
Shoulder Press with barbell
Bicep Curl with barbell
Tricep Pushdown
Lateral Raise
It wasn't anything fancy for the routine, but I appreciated it all the same. She told me about form on each of the movements and really focused on the breath. Ashlie described three stages in weight training, first, Stabilize; second, Strength; and third, Power. She encouraged me to build a base and then to increase the weight. Don't be afraid to lift heavy! I was glad that she said this, because that is what I believe.
Overall, I would like to work more with Ashlie or any trainer. I think being accountable to someone would help me with weight loss. The monthly personal training session is the thing I like most about this gym. When I look at other places, I will ask about personal training and what is available to members.
Today's workout
15 minutes on elliptical
1 round of all exercises
20 minutes of strength training at home before El woke up
Core
What is your favorite weight lifting move?
Do you have a personal trainer?
We didn't have time, but she told me to do them in groups of two, and to do three sets of twelve of each exercise.
Pulldown
Row
Chest Press
Push Up
Shoulder Press with barbell
Bicep Curl with barbell
Tricep Pushdown
Lateral Raise
It wasn't anything fancy for the routine, but I appreciated it all the same. She told me about form on each of the movements and really focused on the breath. Ashlie described three stages in weight training, first, Stabilize; second, Strength; and third, Power. She encouraged me to build a base and then to increase the weight. Don't be afraid to lift heavy! I was glad that she said this, because that is what I believe.
Overall, I would like to work more with Ashlie or any trainer. I think being accountable to someone would help me with weight loss. The monthly personal training session is the thing I like most about this gym. When I look at other places, I will ask about personal training and what is available to members.
Today's workout
15 minutes on elliptical
1 round of all exercises
20 minutes of strength training at home before El woke up
Core
What is your favorite weight lifting move?
Do you have a personal trainer?
Monday, December 16, 2013
Slogging through Mud
El decided it was time to play at 3:00 a.m. That is not playtime. That is also something she has never done before. After an hour and a half, Drew finally got her to sleep. I did not make it to the gym at 5. I got up at 7:30 and cleaned the bird cage. Everyone else got up at 8.
Fortunately, it is a warm day and not raining, so I took El out for a run in the stroller. I was tired and haven't run with the stroller for a while, so it was a pretty tough 3 miles.
I did not want to go to choir practice yesterday but I did anyway. I just felt so blah about them. I do not really love or feel excited about any of the songs. My favorite is probably, "Shepherd Leave Thy Sheep," a song I had never heard before. It is simple and sweet. I do not like the song I am conducting, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." I would not have picked it had it been up to me. It is set to the tune of "Let Zion In Her Beauty Rise," a perfectly fine song. I do not like them together and I think the piece is too difficult for our choir given the number of pieces we are learning. So choir has been blah but I keep going to support Shannon, our director who is going out of town (which is why choir members are conducting the pieces). Anyway, singing feels like slogging through the mud lately.
I cloth diaper El and the zipper on the wet bag just broke so now I'm using disposables until I get a new diaper pail and reusable liner. It makes me feel so wasteful.
At least I ran today, right? That always gives me some extra pep in my step.
Tomorrow I will have a free personal training session at Vision Quest. It is also my last day of the free trial. The free monthly personal training is the thing most intriguing to me about this gym. I will let you know how it goes!
Today's workout
3 mile run, 33:36, 11:09 pace
Core
Have you ever worked with a personal trainer before? What was your favorite thing about that? What should I pay attention to?
Do you feel blah or do you feel amazing today?
Ever considered cloth diapers?
I really like them. They are not as bad as you fear!
Fortunately, it is a warm day and not raining, so I took El out for a run in the stroller. I was tired and haven't run with the stroller for a while, so it was a pretty tough 3 miles.
I did not want to go to choir practice yesterday but I did anyway. I just felt so blah about them. I do not really love or feel excited about any of the songs. My favorite is probably, "Shepherd Leave Thy Sheep," a song I had never heard before. It is simple and sweet. I do not like the song I am conducting, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." I would not have picked it had it been up to me. It is set to the tune of "Let Zion In Her Beauty Rise," a perfectly fine song. I do not like them together and I think the piece is too difficult for our choir given the number of pieces we are learning. So choir has been blah but I keep going to support Shannon, our director who is going out of town (which is why choir members are conducting the pieces). Anyway, singing feels like slogging through the mud lately.
I cloth diaper El and the zipper on the wet bag just broke so now I'm using disposables until I get a new diaper pail and reusable liner. It makes me feel so wasteful.
At least I ran today, right? That always gives me some extra pep in my step.
Tomorrow I will have a free personal training session at Vision Quest. It is also my last day of the free trial. The free monthly personal training is the thing most intriguing to me about this gym. I will let you know how it goes!
Today's workout
3 mile run, 33:36, 11:09 pace
Core
Have you ever worked with a personal trainer before? What was your favorite thing about that? What should I pay attention to?
Do you feel blah or do you feel amazing today?
Ever considered cloth diapers?
I really like them. They are not as bad as you fear!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Not a Broadway Production
Singing "Gesu Bambino" went great on Thursday, except it was a cruel joke to have us sing after eating delicious potatoes. At least I waited on dessert until after we sang.
Today is the Ward Christmas Party and I am on the committee. I am heading the program portion of the party, which consists of a Nativity play by the children ages 8-11. It should be interesting, to say the least. We will also have the guests sing five songs, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Away in a Manger," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "With Wondering Awe," and "Joy to the World." I think it will be nice. I was really stressed about it, but I feel so much better once I began my mantra for the program: It isn't a Broadway production. So much less stressful when you think of things that way.
This morning, I squeezed in a run. I feel great. I was at a pretty good pace, but my average was a little slow because I stopped to walk a few times because of the many barking dogs out this morning. I hope you can get a run in, too!
Today's workout
Core
4.12 mile run, 43:46 total time, 10:38 avg. pace
Any holiday parties for you today?
Today is the Ward Christmas Party and I am on the committee. I am heading the program portion of the party, which consists of a Nativity play by the children ages 8-11. It should be interesting, to say the least. We will also have the guests sing five songs, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Away in a Manger," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "With Wondering Awe," and "Joy to the World." I think it will be nice. I was really stressed about it, but I feel so much better once I began my mantra for the program: It isn't a Broadway production. So much less stressful when you think of things that way.
This morning, I squeezed in a run. I feel great. I was at a pretty good pace, but my average was a little slow because I stopped to walk a few times because of the many barking dogs out this morning. I hope you can get a run in, too!
Today's workout
Core
4.12 mile run, 43:46 total time, 10:38 avg. pace
Any holiday parties for you today?
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Thursday---Strong, Treadmills, Gesu Bambino, and Nativities
It's Thursday and I want to write about a bunch of things of various topics.
Today I read a great article called "Spread the Strength." I really liked that the author had experience being really skinny and being strong. I have never been really skinny, my lowest adult weight was 135, which I did not sustain. The best I have ever felt about my body was not when I weighed 135, but when I weighed 150 and was swimming two miles, running 10-15 miles, lifting weights, and ballet twice a week and eating very well. Strong is the new skinny. When you are strong, you can be any size and feel good about your accomplishments. This is an attitude I really hope I can pass along to El.
The treadmills (and the entire gym) was empty today. Maybe people only workout MWF? I ran intervals, and probably could have gone faster on some of them, but I am getting used to the realities of treadmill running, meaning that you sustain a speed and cannot (easily) fluctuate. My "easy" pace was 5.5 mph and my fastest intervals were at 6.5 mph. I could probably have gone up to 7.0 for one and then be dead. Maybe next time.
Today I sing "Gesu Bambino" in a duet for a dinner. I'm excited and very complimented. My friend is an older woman and is a talented and trained singer. She approached me and asked if I wanted to sing with her. This really made me feel good about my vocal talents, which is where I am barely trained. I was going to say it was my least trained musical talent, but then I remembered I had a 2-hour seminar for the organ and no training to be a choir conductor, so...
Enjoy a video of David Archuletta singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!
If you are in Snohomish or Skagit county, be sure to visit the Arlington Nativity Festival this weekend. It should be great! It is from Thursday through Sunday. It is free, there will be music and lots of nativities. Three of my nativities are there!
Today's Workout
3.4 mile run, 36:00 min, 10:35 pace
core
What songs are you performing this Christmas season?
Gesu Bambino (duet); O Come, O Come Emmanuel (cello solo); It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (conducting a choir); singing six other songs in the choir; playing the organ on Christmas Sunday. So I'm doing a lot.
David Archuletta, yay or nay?
yay, I think he is talented.
Are you strong? How do you feel about strong as the new skinny?
Heck yes!
Today I read a great article called "Spread the Strength." I really liked that the author had experience being really skinny and being strong. I have never been really skinny, my lowest adult weight was 135, which I did not sustain. The best I have ever felt about my body was not when I weighed 135, but when I weighed 150 and was swimming two miles, running 10-15 miles, lifting weights, and ballet twice a week and eating very well. Strong is the new skinny. When you are strong, you can be any size and feel good about your accomplishments. This is an attitude I really hope I can pass along to El.
The treadmills (and the entire gym) was empty today. Maybe people only workout MWF? I ran intervals, and probably could have gone faster on some of them, but I am getting used to the realities of treadmill running, meaning that you sustain a speed and cannot (easily) fluctuate. My "easy" pace was 5.5 mph and my fastest intervals were at 6.5 mph. I could probably have gone up to 7.0 for one and then be dead. Maybe next time.
Today I sing "Gesu Bambino" in a duet for a dinner. I'm excited and very complimented. My friend is an older woman and is a talented and trained singer. She approached me and asked if I wanted to sing with her. This really made me feel good about my vocal talents, which is where I am barely trained. I was going to say it was my least trained musical talent, but then I remembered I had a 2-hour seminar for the organ and no training to be a choir conductor, so...
Enjoy a video of David Archuletta singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!
If you are in Snohomish or Skagit county, be sure to visit the Arlington Nativity Festival this weekend. It should be great! It is from Thursday through Sunday. It is free, there will be music and lots of nativities. Three of my nativities are there!
Today's Workout
3.4 mile run, 36:00 min, 10:35 pace
core
What songs are you performing this Christmas season?
Gesu Bambino (duet); O Come, O Come Emmanuel (cello solo); It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (conducting a choir); singing six other songs in the choir; playing the organ on Christmas Sunday. So I'm doing a lot.
David Archuletta, yay or nay?
yay, I think he is talented.
Are you strong? How do you feel about strong as the new skinny?
Heck yes!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
A Lot of Music and Not A Lot of Running
Pretty much all my posts this week have been about music. It's Christmas time which means amateur musicians are working hard to entertain their community groups. I'm working hard for our Church programs. A lot has been going on musically for me, but not a lot athletically.
Until today.
Yesterday I went to a small gym, Vision Quest, and got a free one-week pass. We'll see how I like it.
So far, I'm not super impressed. The man who showed me around was very nice, but then he stressed me out talking about how much I could save if I signed up today. Finally I left with my pass and not having signed up. I love a good deal. But I think I love a good fit better. He asked me what I thought a good fit was. I said I didn't know, but I would know at the end of my week trial.
After hearing the benefits of membership, I only noticed two things. First, it is cheap, only $20 per month. Second, you get 2 free personal training sessions at the start and then 1 each month after that. I think that is cool.
Today I woke up at 5:15 and headed to the gym. All the treadmills were full. Ummm, that's why I wanted to go to the gym. So I did the elliptical for 20 minutes until I had a good workout (it's OK, I do like the elliptical) and the treadmills cleared out a bit. Then I ran a mile and came home.
So what I didn't like today was that there were about 10 treadmills and they were full and 20 ellipticals and there were 3 people on them. Obviously, they need more treadmills and less ellipticals or I won't be a happy gym-goer. I noticed that the cardio machines, though very well maintained, were old. They were the same models I used at USU in 2006, which they have gradually been replacing since 2010. Not a big deal, but kind of ridiculous since I'd used those same machines 7 years ago. The final thing was the cleanliness factor. The room seemed like it needed a good scrubbing and paint job, especially the window I ran in front of. I only noticed one other person using the cleaner on their machine when they were done (I did, too). Is that too snooty of me? Those are the things I did not like about my Vision Quest experience today.
There are a few other things I don't like about the gym. One, it is small and there are no classes. I would like to go to a spin or yoga or strength class. Two, there is no pool, and I enjoy lap swimming which means I would have to pay for another pass to a pool. Three, the parking lot shares with too many other things and between the coffee shop, gas station, day care center, fast food place, and gym, it gets crazy. Four, are free personal training sessions too good to be true? I believe that you get what you pay for.
There are still 6 days left of my trial and I am going to take full advantage of it. However, I don't think I'll be signing on. The low price isn't enough to change my mind about the other things.
Today's workout
20 minutes, elliptical
1 mile run, 10:45
core
Do you go to a gym? What do or don't you like about it?
Until today.
Yesterday I went to a small gym, Vision Quest, and got a free one-week pass. We'll see how I like it.
So far, I'm not super impressed. The man who showed me around was very nice, but then he stressed me out talking about how much I could save if I signed up today. Finally I left with my pass and not having signed up. I love a good deal. But I think I love a good fit better. He asked me what I thought a good fit was. I said I didn't know, but I would know at the end of my week trial.
After hearing the benefits of membership, I only noticed two things. First, it is cheap, only $20 per month. Second, you get 2 free personal training sessions at the start and then 1 each month after that. I think that is cool.
Today I woke up at 5:15 and headed to the gym. All the treadmills were full. Ummm, that's why I wanted to go to the gym. So I did the elliptical for 20 minutes until I had a good workout (it's OK, I do like the elliptical) and the treadmills cleared out a bit. Then I ran a mile and came home.
So what I didn't like today was that there were about 10 treadmills and they were full and 20 ellipticals and there were 3 people on them. Obviously, they need more treadmills and less ellipticals or I won't be a happy gym-goer. I noticed that the cardio machines, though very well maintained, were old. They were the same models I used at USU in 2006, which they have gradually been replacing since 2010. Not a big deal, but kind of ridiculous since I'd used those same machines 7 years ago. The final thing was the cleanliness factor. The room seemed like it needed a good scrubbing and paint job, especially the window I ran in front of. I only noticed one other person using the cleaner on their machine when they were done (I did, too). Is that too snooty of me? Those are the things I did not like about my Vision Quest experience today.
There are a few other things I don't like about the gym. One, it is small and there are no classes. I would like to go to a spin or yoga or strength class. Two, there is no pool, and I enjoy lap swimming which means I would have to pay for another pass to a pool. Three, the parking lot shares with too many other things and between the coffee shop, gas station, day care center, fast food place, and gym, it gets crazy. Four, are free personal training sessions too good to be true? I believe that you get what you pay for.
There are still 6 days left of my trial and I am going to take full advantage of it. However, I don't think I'll be signing on. The low price isn't enough to change my mind about the other things.
Today's workout
20 minutes, elliptical
1 mile run, 10:45
core
Do you go to a gym? What do or don't you like about it?
A Shopping Surprise in Chicago
I saw this video on Facebook and thought you may enjoy it!
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/10/yo-yo-ma-surprises-mag-mile-shoppers-with-pop-up-concert/
Basically, Yo Yo Ma held a "pop up concert" at a mall in Chicago. How cool!
I would say that he should come to the Alderwood Mall nearby, but I rarely shop so I would probably miss it anyway.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/10/yo-yo-ma-surprises-mag-mile-shoppers-with-pop-up-concert/
Basically, Yo Yo Ma held a "pop up concert" at a mall in Chicago. How cool!
I would say that he should come to the Alderwood Mall nearby, but I rarely shop so I would probably miss it anyway.
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