Friend Makin’ Mon…er Tuesday

Copied from Renee's blog at http://www.lowfatpie.com/blog/2013/03/26/friend-makin-mon-er-tuesday/  You should also follow her blog {run} {laugh} {eat pie} because it's good!

Here's how the game goes: Copy the questions below into your own blog and respond, then link back here.  Make some friends and learn a little ;)  Here are my answers!

Ten Questions:

1. Describe the kind of home you would live in if money were no object. On the ocean, lots of outdoor space, tons of floor-to-ceiling windows and my kitchen/dining would be built like a coffee house.

2. Are you more conservative in your actions or more rebellious? I would prefer to be more rebellious, but responsibilities result in conservative actions.

3. Would you go to Mars even if it meant you could never return to Earth? Nope

4. Name one song that makes you want to dance every time you hear it. Right now...Titanium

5. Share one thing that you wish you could go back and do differently in your life. I would've focused more on myself and less on relationships or advice from others.  I passed up a lot of things because I was too broke, or thought I wouldn't be able to make it on my own.  I was broke at age 20 anyway, so I should've just taken the chances when I had the opportunity - specifically I would've done more traveling, lived in more cities, moved (a lot) further away for college.  The window to be completely selfish is so short and you just don't realize it at the time. 

6. Share at least one accomplishment that people wouldn’t expect you to be proud of. This is tough. I'm proud of everything I've accomplished.  Why not?

7. Describe one delicious thing that you’ve eaten lately.  Hubby and I split a burger & fries on Friday night.  I usually use my cheat meals to eat pizza.  Haven't had a burger in so long and it was SO good!

8. If you had a theme song that would play every time you entered a room, which song would you choose? "Nothin' But A Good Time" - Poison

9. Had technology enhanced your life, or has it over complicated your life? Close call, but enhanced.  That said, I still think I was born in the wrong time.  Definitely should've been born in the first part of the 1900s.

10. If you could get paid to do any job, which job would you choose? If I could choose ANYTHING, I'd like to get paid to shop with an unlimited budget LOL.  More realistically, wellness coaching/fitness training/nutrition guru...I'm working on that ;)

Get Fit Where You Sit

I sit at a desk all day - and I can’t stand sitting all day – because sitting is the new smoking (read more about that here). I’m always looking for ways to move throughout the day without causing too much of a disruption.

Give this chair yoga routine a try at work at least three times per week and you should notice increased circulation, strength and flexibility over time. This workout is also great for seniors who might have a more difficult time staying mobile.

Important: push your body to a point where you feel the stretch – not pain! Check with your doctor if you are new to exercise.

Forward Bend

Targets: upper back and neck tension release

How-to: Breathe in and out as you bend forward. Let your head and arms hang over your knees. Relax into the position and hold for a few seconds. Breathe in as you slowly come back up to seated position.

Spinal Twist

Targets: spine circulation/flexibility

How-to: Face forward and place your left hand on the outside of your right knee. Put your right arm over the back of the chair and turn your head. Breathe in and out as you twist to the right, and then push against your right knee and hold. Release slowly, face forward and repeat on the opposite side.

Side Stretch

Targets: spinal column flexibility
How-to: Face forward with feet slightly apart, breathe in, and raise your arms out to the sides. Breathe out and bend to the left, reaching toward the floor with your left hand and your right hand pointing toward the ceiling. Breathe in come back to starting position. Repeat with your right side.






Knee Squeeze

Targets: lower back
How-to: Breathe in and out, and then put both hands around the front of your knee pull your left knee to your chest while holding your breath. Lower your head to your knee, hold for a few seconds and release slowly while breathing out. Repeat on your right side.





Leg Lifts

Targets: lower back, improves circulation to legs and feet
How-to: Sit and hold each side of the chair for balance. Breathe in and out as you lift your straightened left leg and flex your foot. Hold for a few seconds and then slowly breathe out while lowering your leg. Repeat the same with your right leg.







Sun Pose

Targets: spine and hips, improves circulation to your head
How-to: Sit back in the chair with legs apart and arms by your side. Breathe out completely then breathe in and with a sweeping motion bring your arms up over your head. Look up and stretch. Breathe out while bending forward between your legs and if you can put your palms on the floor. Slowly breathe in while coming back to the starting position.

Namaste!

New Video Blog!

Happy Spring, everyone!  I haven't done a video blog since 2011, but I have a new one to share with you!  I hope this helps get you motivated to set some goals and I hope the guest speaker is inspiring ;)  Check it out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfiMwsF9dPo

Vitameatavegamin

I've been going to a certain vitamin store for quite some time - mostly out of convenience.  The location is good and I have a lot of rewards built up.  But, the service is so annoying.  I feel like I'm entering a den of hungry wolves going into that store.  The sales people hover and try to sell you everything in the store the entire time.  It's so annoying!

Yesterday we went to the grand opening at my new gym and The Vitamin Shoppe (also brand new in my 'hood) had a booth there.  After our workout, we went over to check out the new store and it was great!  I loved the products they had (even vitamins for your pets!)  Plus, the service was great - the staff was knowledgeable when we asked about products, but didn't follow us around the store the entire time pushing this month's spiff product.

The best thing I bought was a month's worth of vitamins in a single pack for only $37.  I spend so much time and money getting together my daily intake of fish oil, a multivitamin, vitamin D, etc.  Now, I just have to grab one pack and I don't have to deal with the organization any longer.  Check it out:

4 Easy Yoga Poses (a.k.a. my favorites)

For those of us following the March Madness challenge I posted on my Facebook page, today’s challenge is to do some yoga.  Personally, I’m not a huge fan of attending yoga classes.  I much prefer Pilates to yoga.  I know it’s wonderful for you, so I wish I liked it better, but I just don’t.  Perhaps I’m too intimidated by some of the poses?  I like the restful ones!

While I wouldn’t take a yoga class regularly, I still do yoga poses a few times a week because I enjoy the stretching aspect of it.  Posting my favorite poses for you below (really, the only poses I do!).  Give them a shot and let me know what you think.  Also, if you are a yoga-lover, I would love to hear your perspective about it!

1. Cobra -  I have lower back pain from time to time, and this pose really helps after a weightlifting workout where I’m focusing on my back. 

 






2. Hero - This one is great post-run or after working your legs doing squats and lunges.

3. Plank - In my opinion, this is the best core strengthener around.

4. Child's Pose - I think this is such a peaceful pose.  I end every post-workout stretching session with this pose.  It gives me 30 seconds to reflect on my workout, take some pride, and be happy it’s done!







HIIT Me!

Last September, I ran my first half marathon.  It was one of my finer moments mentally, but not physically, as you can see ;)

I trained for months, but I never lost any weight.  I trained my body to run long distances, but I wasn't training my body to change.  Overall, I was happy with my race time and my accomplishment, but I don't think it's something I want to do again.  I'm much more suited to weightlifting, so I'm going to focus more on that this year.

I still like running and I plan to do some 5K and 10K races this year.  So, I have been trying to walk more and stay active throughout the day in general.  And, I've incorporated two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts into my routine each week.  My HIIT workouts last about 20 minutes plus a 5-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool down.  During the 20 minutes I alternate short intense repetitions with short recovery periods.

I like this type of workout because I can tell it really helps improve my performance overall.  Plus, it increases your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which helps burn fat.  Here is a sample treadmill workout if you want to give it a try!  If you can't handle the speed or incline right away, just be patient and work up to it!

Sephora Online Shopping Trip - Product Reviews

As I mentioned, I made a Valentine's Day haul at Sephora.  Lots of products to recap, but I'll try to keep it concise for you!

Clinique Long Last Glosswear - $15 - First time buy and I would buy again.  It's sticky, hence the long-last part.  I bought it in Bonfire, which has a nice color that would suit anyone.  Flecks of glitter, but not in a juvenile way.  Love it!  I want some other colors!

Bobbi Brown Corrector - $23 - Third time buy.  I love this stuff - it cancels out the dark circles my grandmother passed onto me better than anything I've ever found.  I only have to buy this about once per year.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit - $33 - Third time buy.  It goes over the corrector and brightens.  Love love love!  Again - it lasts me about a year.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long Wearing Formula - $16 - Second time buy.  I love this mascara because it's the "tube" type that doesn't budge and the brush is tiny - easy to use.  I have oily lids and this doesn't cause raccoon eyes!  This is a darkening mascara, which I like for my light lashes.  If I want thickening, I add a Maybelline mascara.  Right now I'm using Stilletto.

Sephora Collection Instant Eye Makeup Remover - $8.50 - First time buy.  Where have you been all my life??!!  Not too oily, not too creamy and works wonders, even on my Clinique mascara.  With other makeup removers, I cannot get that mascara off without serious work.  Just buy this - seriously.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube Original - $20 - First time buy.  I have been using MAC's Paint Pot, but I love UD products, so I thought I'd try this.  I love how this goes on and works great to prevent creasing, etc.  I like the MAC coverage a bit better, but next time I will buy the UD again.

FREE SAMPLE - Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment - $85 for 2 oz.  I liked the scrub, but personally I wouldn't spend that on this product because it wasn't that much better than much more inexpensive stuff I've tried.  I am in love with the scent and results of this for only $7.  Love me some Target.

FREE SAMPLE - Marchesa Parfum D'Extase - $60 for 1 oz. - I like the name more than the scent.  It was way too floral for me.  But, if you love floral, it's a clean scent, so go for it.

FREE SAMPLE - Carolina Herrera 212 Men - $58 for 1.7 oz. - I liked it, but the scent didn't curl my toes or last long on my hubby.  He said he likes his CK1 much better.  I don't know if that dates him or if the ol' tried and true is still the best ;)