Words to Sweat By -motivational workout towels!

NO EXCUSES!!! My favorite workout mantra! My motivational phrase that keeps me moving! On days when getting a workout in is hard I tell myself..."NO EXCUSES!" When I got the chance to pick out a witty motivational workout towel from Words to Sweat By I knew this one was the perfect one for me!

Dana from Words to Sweat By is giving one reader two workout towels. She is hoping the winner will keep one and give the other one away to a workout buddy or friend in hopes of inspiring others. I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!

Check out my review of this fun towel and enter the giveaway HERE!!!

Now is the time.

It never fails. May rolls around and most woman start scrambling to get their workouts in because the dreaded idea of getting into a swim suit is looming over them. They get discouraged and frustrated when they don't see the results fast enough. Typically for the average person working out consistently (depending on how much they need to lose) it can take 4 weeks to a solid 3 months to see major results and body transformations. Obviously this depends on the person, but the point is it takes time.

"Your body gets used to whatever workout program you are doing in roughly 3-4 weeks, so if you don't keep changing SOMETHING about your workouts, you may find yourself reaching what's called a “training plateau” and stop making noticeable progress. Rule of thumb: whenever you start to get a little bored with your routine, it's time to change things to keep it interesting and varied. If you are not getting the results you want in 6 weeks, it’s time to make some more dramatic changes!"

-Body Results http://www.bodyresults.com/e2seeresults.asp

This is why this time of the year is the BEST TIME to workout. This is my favorite time to put in the hard work. Yes it can be harder to find the motivation when its cloudy, cold, and raining... but soooo worth it. Nothing is better than busting your butt now whatever way you can. Get in the runs whenever the weather permits and save the workout DVDs when you are holed up in the house. This is what I try to do.

It's way too easy to not pay attention to your weight when you are covered with the bulky winter clothes. NOW IS THE TIME TO START. It does feel pretty amazing to be able to strip off the sweaters and feel confident about your body. Imagine actually feeling excited to jump in the pool and enjoy the summer time. To not dread bathing suit shopping? Its a pretty neat feeling.

START NOW.

*This article is also published at www.momactive.com*

The cure to my headache.

This past week I've been in a workout rut. I've been exhausted and have been battling massive headaches. I thought maybe I was getting sick and needed the rest? I got plenty of rest. Took naps when the toddler did, etc. Still not sick and wasn't feeling better. I know for sure I'm not preggo, so we can all count that out! Maybe not enough water? Nope wasn't that.

I'm sure we all know when you feel like crap the LAST thing you want to do is go for a run. Workout. Or push yourself in general. I've been complaining to my dear hubby about how tired I am. How unmotivated I feel. The lack of energy...etc. His response most time is force yourself to go for a run or do a workout while "Easy" is sleeping. He's always telling me I will feel so much better. Blah. That's NOT what I wanted to hear!

Well, today the headache was getting bad. All I wanted to do was crawl back into bed and close my eyes. Obviously I couldn't do that with a very rambunctious toddler running around wanting to be entertained. And I've tried that all week. Didn't work. Soooo I did it. I made myself sweat it out and do the The Shred with my head pounding and all. Jumped in the shower, and BAM! My headache is gone!!!

The lesson: I've yet again realized how amazing working out is for your mind, body, and soul! It truly is incredible. I feel a million times better and excited to go for a jog tonight.

Speed Work.

With all the distance type running I've been doing I've noticed that I've gotten slower. I need to pick it up a notch, especially if I want to start racing again. Not only to keep my speed, but to shock my body. I've been doing the same running workouts for a long time and speed work tears you up! (In a good way of course). It hurts, its uncomfortable, it sucks...even more of a reason that I need to do it.

I love this article "Speedwork for every runner," that Denise from Run DMT shared with us on twitter. Its a great article for beginners and advanced runners. It explains the different types of speed work and gives you tons of different speed workouts to do. One of the these types of workouts I swear by are fartleks! They're awesome. Give it a read!

I need to start racing again.

My runs have been missing something. I'm missing the drive. I'm not pushing myself my hardest. I'm staying in my comfort zone to much, and not gaining the mental strength that comes from stepping outside of what I know I can already do. I think its the lack of competition. As a ex-collegiate track athlete I miss that.

Competition CAN be a good thing. I'm not trying to get off on a tangent or piss too many people off, but healthy competition is important. Especially in kids... especially in boys! I don't believe in the "everyone should be the same" attitude. Competing teaches kids important life lessons. It forces them to push themselves, to find out what they're made of, to win, to lose, to strive to be better. Nothing wrong with that. Now with that being said we will teach our son good sportsmanship, to be kind, and not to be arrogant. But mostly importantly, we will be teaching him to be the best he can be. Its a hard world out there. He might actually be like his dad who lives to compete. That's one of the things I love most about him.

Back to me. I'm going to start racing again. I think this is what I need to force myself to push harder. I'll start with 10k races and move up. I'm excited and nervous for this challenge. Its good to get out of your comfort zone. It make you a stronger person.

So Cali runners... What are some good races coming up this year? I can't wait to start signing up.

Need some new tunes!

I'm in a music rut! I very badly need to update my running mix. Being a mommy to a toddler I feel out of the music loop. Can't keep up with whats in right now. So I will rely on my blogger buddies...Please share.

What's some of your favorite workout tunes?

Pushing the Limits Push-up challenge!

I have a love/hate relationship with push ups! I love them because I know they tone the core, arms, chest, and back. I know push-ups are very effective and make you super strong. I hate them because they have always been so hard for me. They're very uncomfortable. Even more of a reason I need to do them. When it comes to working out...

Hard=good. Hard=results

I'm always up for a good challenge. Anything that motivates me. So when RunningBetty challenged me to to 100 push-ups by the end of July, I was scared and eager! Yeah! So fun. This is how it works:

Run DMT and RunningBetty have teamed up to present their readers with the ultimate challenge. During the month of July, they're Pushing the Limits with their Push-up Challenge! With the help of hundredpushups.com, this goal will be achieved. 

Are you up for the challenge? Sign up here. Help spread the word. Grab the push up challenge button. And get involved! This is going to be fun!

*I just did the initial test. I did 30 girl push ups. Rank 4. Hmmm??? Does that count? should I be doing the standard "boy" push ups? I'll check into that :)

Why adult diets are not appropriate for kids.

The hubby and I have currently taken our healthy eating to a new level. I'll talk more about this later. I don't like to say we're on a diet because we're really not. We are just eating healthy and eating foods that boost your metabolism. While we do this its hard to remember that our 2 year old is not trying to lose weight... and should not! Actually the contrary. He needs to put good fat on. 

I have a running group on Mom Bloggers Club where we talk fitness. The goal is to share tips and motivate each other to get out and run. One of the ladies posted this article that I wanted to discuss.

Why adult diets are not appropriate for kids. 

Dr. Dolgoff blogs about the importance in separating your diet and your child's diet. This is a good read for every mother! Check the article for facts. 

*I'm going to start a Good Reads section on this blog so please feel free to send articles you come across!*

Workout DVD that works!

I've been looking for a work out to do on my non running days. Something I can do while the lil guy is napping. 

I found it my friends.

Billy Blanks Ultimate Boot Camp. Ouch! "Designed for those who have already achieved a certain level of physical fitness, Billy Blanks: Billy's Boot Camp -- Ultimate Boot Camp features the Tae Bo instructor leading the viewer through a variety of exercises designed to strengthen muscles and burn fat."

Kinda cheesy, but I've seen and heard of this workout DVD, then my friend recommended it... so I thought I'd give it a try. Seriously, its no joke! I'm so impressed. It kicks my butt. The day after the first time I did it I was so sore I felt sick. The sorest I've been since weight lifting in my college track days. Its a great strength training workout that focuses on the butt, quads, hamstrings, core, and arms. Its made my running days hard because my legs have been toast! 

Has anyone tried it? Feed back? I'm now a fan!

Its Monday and my new workout regimen begins!

Just thought I'd share my new workout routine. I'm not a gym rat. Not a fan of running on a treadmill. Oh no, that's not for me. I need fresh air. I need to breath. I need to get out and think. When I run, that's when most of my ideas come to me. This is when my mind is the clearest. This is how I relieve stress.

I am a little restricted having a toddler at home. I can't take off and run whatever distance I'd like. This boy and jogging stroller is getting heavy. But that doesn't mean I can't get good workouts in!

No Excuses!

During the week I do my shorter and faster runs. This is great for muscle building and speed work. Then on weekends, with the help of my hubby, I run my longer, slower runs. I enjoy these the most.

Summer is here and bathing suit weather has fastly approached. Time to step up my workouts. This tummy needs toning! 

This is what a strive for. My goal. Obviously life interferes from time to time.

Monday- Run 2.5-3.5 miles with the jogger.

Tuesday- Sit ups (300-500 total) and push ups (30-50) circuit. This is new. And I'm sore!

Wednesday- Run 2.5-3.5 miles with the jogger.

Thursday- Sit ups (300-500 total) and push ups (30-50) circuit.

Friday-Easy 2 mile run to get ready for tomorrow.

Saturday-4.0-6.0 mile run. Sit ups (300-5oo total) and push ups (30-50) circuit.

Sunday- try to run 4.0-6.0 mile run. I'm typically tired from the bigger run after Saturday.

Wish me luck! And please share your workouts. I love to bounce ideas around!