Cold Weather Run

This weekend I am headed downtown for two fun runs.  On Saturday some friends and I are running ten miles at Navy Pier for Chicago's Perfect 10. 

On Sunday we lace up our shoes again, this time with our daughters for the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K.  It's a lot of running outside which I don't do too much of.  I know it's crazy but I enjoy the Lifetime Fitness treadmill.  I enjoy the people watching and multiple TVs-perfect distractions for a 5mile treadmill workout.  Although, this weekend I am heading outside and yikes it's going to be cold and windy! Which means I'll have to dress for the elements and layer up.  A great pair of running gloves, and an ear band are must haves for me when running in the cold.  I have these and I think I like them better than my gloves.  Check out the other finds that I won't be leaving home without:

1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.

What are some of your essentials for an outdoor run?

Have a great weekend!

Getting Muddy

This past weekend was so fun!  Husby was off celebrating his college reunion and I was off getting muddy with my girlfriends.  We signed up for the Chicago Mudderella months and months ago and Saturday was the day.  We weren't exactly sure what to expect besides the 6.2 miles and 14 muddy obstacles but it was a blast and much more.  My close neighborhood friends are so fun.  Our kids are all in school together which is what brought us all together years ago.  They are always there for the serious stuff like when a loved one falls ill or passes away, as well as the moments that make me laugh until I can barely breathe.  We celebrate each others successes and support each other in our failures. New babies come home from the hospital and my friends bring dinner for weeks.  They help out in every way and are also always ready for fun.   I realize that our friendships are special and getting muddy with these girls was the best!  Cheers to amazing girlfriends!!!

Running Playlist

I hate to admit but I'm a treadmill junkie.  I think I've said it before-I like the gym.  Going to the health club has become part of my daily routine.  Running on the treadmill enables me to do controlled interval runs which I love.  The people watching is always good and there are TVs mounted right in my face for ample distraction.  The treadmill is easy on my joints and knees-yes!  So with all that being said  tomorrow my girlies from the neighborhood and I are venturing outside and doing the Mudderella.  Yikes!  It's a seven mile course with many muddy obstacles.  Getting a little nervous with the strength part of it and of course the mud.-Ha!  So I've amped up the workouts in recent weeks with the help of these tunes.  

Running Mix

Boom Boom Pow Black Eyed Peas

Roar Katy Perry

Happy Pharrel Williams

Wake Up Call Maroon Five

We Run the Night Havana Brown

Starry Eyed Ellie Goulding

Am I Wrong Nico and Vinz

Burn Ellie Goulding

Viva la Vida Coldplay

Somebody Told Me The Killers

Umbrella Rihanna

Rock Your Body Justin Timberlake

Nine In The Afternoon Panic At The Disco
Dark Horse Katy Perry

My favorite workout wear:

Looking forward to our muddy challenge!  I know my girlies and I will have a blast!! 

 Wish us luck!!

Time and Tips

It's time to put the Valentine candy away.  The holiday is over…that's what I'm telling myself this morning.  It's time to go to the gym but who has the time?  With kids, school activities, jobs and commutes to jobs, errands to do, bills to pay, and a household to run, finding the time in a day to work out often falls to the bottom of the priority list.  

For me working out is important.  And yes there are days when something comes up that trumps a trip to the gym but most days I schedule it in and the trip has become routine.  I made the decision to give myself an hour each day and I've found if I'm happy than everyone else in the family has a better chance of being happy as well.  Win Win! 

Motivation

If good health and great fitting clothes aren't enough to motivate then its time to roll out the tip jar.  Workout=tip in the jar.  Lotsa tips=pair of cute running shoes, new purse, or skimpy lingerie :)

Feeling great and getting something that I really want makes hitting the gym worthwhile.  

Scheduling

In my house, three of our four kids are off to school by 8:30a each day.  Our youngest and I head to the gym once the older kids are dropped.  There's childcare there that he often enjoys more than being home.  I like using that time after drop off so that I can workout and still have a chunk of time to get stuff done before the kids come home in the afternoon.

I have friends who prefer to get up at the crack.  Early morning workouts are perfect for early risers and  perhaps moms who are off to work.  It gives a sense of accomplishment before the day has even started.

I have friends who hit the gym right after work.  

I have friends that workout once the kids are in bed at night.

Every family is different. Schedules are different.

It is important to find the time whenever the time may be.  A time that fits my schedule and my life.

Reward
It's key to reward yourself. You've just completed a task and it took motivation and scheduling to do it.  Spring is just around the corner (although, as I type this we are getting yet another snow storm!)  so I am going to reward myself with these super cute flats for spring.  Choose your thing, work out, and work for it!  

I would love to hear about what motivates you to hit the gym.  Tips??? Time???? Tricks????

Need A Pick Me Up

Some days I wake up and need a bit of a pick-me-up.  My green tea isn't gettin' it done-not because I was out partyin' late night (those nights are few and far between) but I just need an energy boost that will get me going.  Some days it's hard to get motivated to organize closets and wipe baseboards.  Do ya hear me?  Also, with winter crashing down on us it's important to stay active and be healthy so those-gasp…..germs don't find us! I feel that it's important to keep our immunity up-none of us want to bite the dust especially with all that cleanin' that needs to get done:)

I am definitely the mom that likes a great drink!  And I don't mean a margarita at 9a. -Tee Hee

So we're making green smoothies in the kitchen today-ones that don't taste like grass.  Yummy ones that taste great and are good for you too.  The best combination!!!

I'm thinking seasonal produce works best for this one and you can't taste the spinach.-Yay for all those who don't like to drink your salad.  Also, check out this fruity water detox  to stay hydrated.

Greatest Green Smoothie

1 large pear

1 large mango

2 clementines

juice from one lime

2 cups spinach

1 cup ice

Put all ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth.

D-lish and green!

Workout Wear

Working out is always much more fun when you have some new gear-that's what I tell myself!  

It took me a long time to figure out what I liked to workout in. When I first started years and years ago I felt as though there weren't many options so it was a cotton t-shirt and basic running shorts.  But now exercise wear is one of my favorite things to shop for.  I like to chose things that are multipurpose.  I am drawn to tanks and leggings that I can wear on a long run as well as spin, yoga and barbell.  I like gear that breathes and is able to manage sweat.  I buy new kicks every six months or so and typically like the feel of Asics and Nike.  I love the weightlessness of my Nike air max shoes and how supportive they feel on longer runs.  I have chosen some of my favorite looks that are great for the gym during these cold winter months but will be just as great for hitting the trails come spring time. Nordstrom has a great selection. Check em out-anything to get healthy right??!!

1. Zella Tank
2. Zella Leggings
3. Nike Tank
4. Nike Free
5. Nike
6. Dry Fit Tank
7. Asics
8. Half Zip Pullover
9. Foot Cream
10. Zella Leggings
11. Zella Tank

So tell me what you think. Do you have any favorite looks for sweatin' it out?

Blast of Winter Workout

Today was the first day back to school for the kids and the first day back to the gym for me.

With everything that has been going on around here in the last month I have not been the dedicated gym rat that I once was.  We have been baking waaaaaay too many sweets-our oven has had the workout! So fun of course, but not good for the waistline.  And whoops, those skinny jeans are entirely too skinny!  So it's time to saddle up-I mean lace up those running shoes and hit the treadmill.  I find that I enjoy running 3 or 4 days a week and training with weights 1 or 2 days and taking 2 days off.  For me, that's a good balance and I won't get burned out doing the same thing every day.  Health and wellness has become the true motivator for me-well and the leather leggings of course!!!! So it's a new year and my leather leggings are hanging in the closet-time to hit the gym!

Happy New Year

Happy 2014!!!!  So excited to be starting a new year.  I love the reflection that a year gone by brings and the anticipation and hope for the new year to come.  In 2014 I hope to be grateful, loving, giving, joyful, faithful, kind, thoughtful, present, and healthy.  The beginning of the new year is full of possibilities and just like the snow falling outside today-clean and new.  It's time for a post holiday detox to get rid of that "I've eaten way too much" feeling.

 New Year Detox Water

1 Large Pitcher of Spring Water

Raspberries

Peeled Grapefruit

Sliced Cucumbers

Sliced Pears

Fresh Mint

*additional add-ins

Sliced Lemons

Sliced Limes

Cranberries

Blueberries

Combine ingredients into pitcher. Allow to chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Drink throughout the day. 

Make a new pitcher each day.  

Try this Summer Detox Water which takes advantage of my favorite fresh summer fruits.

I also love these fruity ice cubes.  The perfect addition to any glass of water.

It's so important to hydrate during the dry winter months as well as give your metabolism a kick.

Check out this great Green Smoothie Recipe and this Strawberry Smoothie Recipe if you need a extra shot of healthy.

This is a great way to begin 2014!

Check out all my favorite gear here!

I love this winter workout!

My faves for making at home detox water:

Crazy Ladies

OK, so my neighborhood ladies and I signed up for the Chicago Muderella in May!!!  It is an endurance course that we will do together as a team.  We did the 1/2 Marathon last spring and loved it!  Now we are going to take this new challenge head on.  I'm going to start to look at a few new fitness plans to mix things up and work hard to meet this goal.  I'm going to need it after eating a lot of marshmallows the last couple of days!!!  I traditionally run on the treadmill 3-6 miles at the same pace.  I think it is important to incorporate some interval training for an extra cardio burst.  Love The Leap  has a great example of a basic plan to help get me going.  

Modge Mango has this quickie workout that is great to do as a warm up before my weight training routine.

Gunna give this one from Sizzle Eats a try.

Pumps and Iron has this sprint workout that is going to kick my bootay!

Can't wait to give it a shot.

Love this!

It's time to get the fitness party started especially with the holidays knocking at our door.

I'd love to hear about your new fitness goals!  

Time to Blast the Halloween Candy Belly

If you're anything like me you've already opened a bag of Halloween candy!  I've had some m&m's and mmm... once I open the bag it's so hard to put it away!  It just makes my trips to the gym all the more necessary.  Here's a great ab workout that really targets the core muscles and blasts that belly!

Halloween Candy Belly Blaster 

10 Plank Up Downs-Push up position, drop down to elbows one at a time than push back up to starting position one arm at a time.
Plank Hold 30 Seconds-Push up position with rear end in line with shoulders
Superman 30 Seconds- Face down on stomach, arms and legs stretched out. Raise arms and legs off the ground reaching in opposite directions

20 Crossover Mountain Climbers- Push up position bring knee to opposite shoulder and back
Plank hold 30 Seconds- Push up position with rear end in line with shoulders
Superman 30 Seconds-Face down on stomach, arms and legs stretched out. Raise arms and legs off the ground reaching in opposite directions

15 Reverse Crunches-Lie on back with feet in the air and knees bent at 90*, drop heels to the ground and return to starting position
10 Side Plank Up/Downs-In side plank position slowly raise and lower hips
Superman 30 seconds-Face down on stomach, arms and legs stretched out. Raise arms and legs off the ground reaching in opposite directions

15 Crunches-Standard crunch with hands behind neck for support
10 Side Plank Up/Downs-In side plank position slowly raise and lower hips
Superman 30 Seconds-Face down on stomach, arms and legs stretched out. Raise arms and legs off the ground reaching in opposite directions

 Do each group of three exercises back to back. Repeat each group 2 times resting 25 seconds in between. Rest 1 minute and repeat with the next group of exercises. Make sure to engage your core.