Gym Faux Pas: Guilty As Charged {A Three Things Thursday post}

I was listening to the Jillian Michaels podcast this morning on my way to meet my run date. I was sort of zoning out, the way you would in a large group conversation at a party, when Jillian mentioned an article about gym etiquette. {that may or may not be the correct article}

Apparently, there's things you should not do at a gym - like leave sweat on the equipment, rest for too long and leaving weights out.

OK. We all know not to do those things but it doesn't stop some of - Jillian and me - included from doing them.

Here are my crimes.

1. Using a cell phone. While the article was more focused on talking, I developed a bad habit of playing music on my phone and not using ear buds when I ran on the treadmill this winter. I just couldn't get the ear buds to stay in but wanted the motivation for hard workouts. I tried to be mindful to keep the volume low, not play offensive music and only do it when those surrounding me were wearing headphones.

2. Invading personal space. I never understood why someone just had to have a certain piece of equipment at the gym ... until this winter. I totally crushed on one treadmill at the YMCA and would be disappointed if it was occupied. I would claim it for a run, even if someone was using a machine right next to it and there were 10 others open.

Note: One of y'all mentioned this very thing on a post earlier this year, and it clicked about two weeks later. I could go lock but I'm tired and don't have the brain power - I'm currently in a caffeine detox of sorts.

3. Scoping out the displays. Yep. I do it. I love to know how fast the person near me is running and at what incline. It helps to spark my internal competitiveness ... which is why I do it. It's like running a race.Without a bib and an entry fee. I also find that it helps me stay on task during a workout.

After a winter in the gym, I will now give you my three pet peeves in terms of gym etiquette:

1. Prancing around the locker room with very little clothes on for no real purpose. I am sorry but it is possible to blow dry your hair with more than a bra and underwear.

2. Lifting irresponsibly. I can not tell you how many times at the BBG that I saw guys just throwing up weights and grunting as if they were filming a video for Muscle & Fitness. Their form was poor, the weights appeared to be too heavy and the timing was rushed. Hyperextending your shoulder to bring a weight up in one second is doing you no good! Gah!

3. OK, not related to people but vending machines stocked with crap. If I just got done working out, I'd like at least the option of getting something healthy.

Weigh in: What are you guilty of? What do you hate?

By the way, Jillian hates the gym selfie and, well, selfies in general. I am not super big on these but will do it for the sake of social media/ambassadorships/boredom.

Three Things Thursday: Try me, maybe?

Taper. I'm terrible at it.

I'm nine days out from Run the Bluegrass and rather than scaling back my mileage, I keep thinking of ways to add more exercise to the week. Seriously, I was running on the treadmill this morning and I was all like, "I could get up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, run 3 or 4 miles and still have enough energy to try Piloxing before work."

The workout on the Train Like A Mother plan? Three miles OR cross-train. Womp, womp.

I think I might be feeling thrown off because I punked out on my Monday recovery run but I'm also realizing that my goal race isn't so far away. Six weeks separate me and the Wisconsin start line, and I want to get there knowing I put in the work, the miles and the heart.

But I also want to get to Lexington with healthy legs.

In order to do that, I do need to abide by the taper (sort of) but I can can make some plans and a few changes to build my game.

1. Work on my core. I'll do bicep curls and squats till the cows come home but ask me to do a plank and I get all whiny. I do get in some core work with BODYPUMP but it doesn't get the attention I think it deserves - especially since I know that a strong core could come in handy during Wisconsin. I would like to make more of an effort to strengthen my center in the next six weeks, so I opted to borrow Jillian Michaels' "Killer Abs" from the library. I am not making any promises that I'll do it as regularly as should but it's the thought that counts.

2. Cut out or limit sweeteners. I did so well with the Dr. Fuhrman's Healthy Holiday Challenge between Thanksgiving and Christmas but once Santa came a ho-ho-hoing, the wheels fell off the bus. I've tried with varying success to rein in my sugar consumption but still feel frustrated with the crap calories I'm eating. Last night - after a day that included orange poppy seed loaf, Chips Ahoy thin crisps and a homemade chocolate chip cookie bar - I decided that I needed to stop letting cravings control me. I wrote three goals for today on a sheet of paper and the first was no sweeteners other than natural fruit. (The other two? Run 5 miles and eat 4-5 servings of vegetables.) I'm going to take this sugar attack day-by-day but I'm hoping to feel strong and lean by May 4.

3. Ummm, I totally had a third one when I decided to write this post. I swear I did. I wonder if it was eat more chia seeds? I just ate some lackluster oatmeal and actually missed those flavorless little things. I was going to go to the co-op to pick up some from the bulk bins but went to the library instead to grab "Killer Abs."

Hmph.

For fun: Miles began his singing career with "Wheels on the Bus" and has recently added "It's Raining, It's Pouring" to his set list. This kid cracks me up!

Fit to be tried: At home workouts

With the new year - and its resolutions - rapidly approaching, I'm highlighting some of my favorite fit things of 2012. 

◊ ◊ ◊ 

I woke up at 5 a.m., just two minutes shy of my alarm. I was surprisingly alert and ready for the day as I rolled out of bed, leggings and tank already on, and headed downstairs. I made myself half a mini bagel with homemade nut butter and gulped a glass or two of water before grabbing my laptop and heading to the basement for class.

Class being Turbo Fire in my quite scenic unfinished basement.

But as I inserted the DVD for the day's workout, I was disappointed - mad, even - to discover that the DVD drive on my laptop was on the fritz. I tried a different workout and still no dice. Ready to give up on exercising for the day, I turned around and discovered I had an old pair of running shoes next to the treadmill. I begrudgingly laced up for a 6-mile sweatfest.

While running will always be my first love, I've come to enjoy adding DVDs to mix things up, improve cardio conditioning and build strength. They are also great options when the weather turns frigid or the skies open up or wee ones are sick.

Turbo Fire. When I came off the marathon and headed into late fall, I made it a goal to focus on cross training to improve my cardio fitness in the vain hope that it would translate to faster runs. I had considered investing in Insanity (and it really is an investment) and trying my hand at what I could find at the library. However, as fate would have it, a Facebook acquaintance posted a deal for TurboFire. For $53, one would get more than 10 DVDs, a resistance band, meal plan and workout schedule - a program that regularly retails for $119.

It was definitely an impulse purchase but one that I don't regret. Not one bit.The workouts are fun yet challenging, and I've been surprised by just how not annoyed I am with Chalene Johnson. I like her delivery, instruction style and the class atmosphere of the DVDs. From the workouts, I've noticed more definition in my back from the punching, and I truly believe the HIIT workouts helped me bring home a PR in the 10K

There are two strength workouts that use a resistance band - sculpt and tone - but I don't find them to be challenging enough, and I find some of the moves to be awkward.

Bob Harper's Total Body Transformation. This workout is tough. Super tough. The workout is a total body one, utilizing compound movements and weights to build strength and cardio endurance. It's an hour of lunges, arms and abs.  And, if you can get past a few things, it's definitely worth giving it a go.

Those things? Slow order processing and delivery, Bob's cargo shorts and some bad form on the part of the other people in the video.

Jillian Michaels' "Get Ripped in 30." Everyone seemed to love Jillian Michaels' "30-Day Shred," and this workout builds on that model. There are four workouts, meant to daily for one week before moving onto the next, and are about 25, 30 minutes in length. She leads the workouts in a circuit style - 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs.

And even though I feel like they shouldn't be hard, they are. I like to do a Jillian workout when I need a bit of resistance training but don't have the time to rehearse BODYPUMP. It also allows me the chance to lift a bit heavier than I would to improve overall performance.

Of course I have tried others - a ballet inspired promo and yoga workouts - but these were the ones that stuck. And, if they stick, they are a good investment. Or so says Mark.

Friday musings

Terrible. Just terrible. That was basically the forecast for this winter and yet, on Dec. 30, it was 37 degrees when I headed out for a 4-mile run this morning. It was glorious. The weather, that is. The run ... not so much. Two middle of the night feedings and a 4:45 a.m. wake-up call will do that to a girl.

By the way, if the late start to the terrible weather means that it is going to be cold for my April birthday, I may have to kill someone.

***

I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and I'm currently reading "Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer." It's a weight loss memoir of sorts by one of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster. I'm about 49 percent in (thanks, Kindle) and I'm loving it. It's snarky and relate-able all at the same time.

 "But ever since I made the decision to drop a few pounds-way less easy than it sounds, by the way-I've become obsessed with my size and in so doing I've inadvertently allowed my inner critic to have a voice. And you know what? She's a bitch. Like now when I see my underpants in the laundry, I no longer think Soft! Cotton! Sensible! Instead I hear her say, 'Damn, girl, these panties be huge.'”

Of course, it's not all laughs. There are some inspiring moments in there, too.

“As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by not having the endurance to complete a lap. The swimming wasn't what scared me; failure was. My fear locked me in a state of arrested development for so many years. Fear kept me from tackling my weight, which I understand has simply been symptomatic of my greater fear, growing up. I glide down the lane on my back and reflect on how good I feel right now. It's not because I've lost more than thirty pounds. I feel incredible because I've stopped being afraid.”

***

Salt and vinegar almonds are delicious. As is popcorn, grapes and my Unstuffed Green Pepper Soup. All of which I've nibbled on in the past hour. If I didn't know any better, I would think I was pregnant again.

***

Last night, I did week one of Jillian Michaels' "Ripped in 30" in my my sweet new workout space. Sure, it's in the basement, which happens to be unfinished, and it smelled vaguely of dog urine because Denali thinks it's his new toilet. Oh, and the concrete is a bit tough on the feet but it beats doing butt kicks in front of Mark as he plays Angry Birds on his iPad.

***

It's my Monday morning ritual: After I've finished nursing Miles, I plod upstairs to the bathroom and weigh myself. It's been a relatively pleasant experience since I've quit Weight Watchers but I was a bit nervous this week. You know, having eaten a pound of cheese and four 10 million Triscuits on Christmas. I was so nervous that it took me five days to finally step on the scale.

You know what? I lost a half-pound! Huzzah! I guess it goes to show that staying active is key to avoiding holiday bloat.

Now to just get through this weekend ...

Who has exciting plans to share with me? Really. Share. I beg you because this girl is certain to be in bed when the ball drops unless Miles decides it's time for a snack.

What I Ate Wednesday: Fall of the King

Move that body: Week 1 of Jillian Michaels' "Ripped in 30"

I am so glad that What I Ate Wednesday is really "What I Ate Tuesday" because my appetite is insane today. A Nutrigrain bar at 3 a.m. as I nursed Miles, bowl of oatmeal at 7:30 and an egg white muffin from Subway at 10. And, if my lunch partner doesn't come to get me soon, I might gnaw off my arm. Not so sure I could take a picture of that.

Breakfast

Egg white muffin sandwich (unpictured) at about 7 followed by a half PB&J and a Yoplait smoothie at 9.  My second breakfast was a total fail. All of my wheat bread (two varieties) was moldy and the coconut milk I used in the smoothie was overpowering. Had I not been ravenous, I would have tossed it.

 Lunch

Low carb with a Morningstar Farms California Burger, sauteed green pepper (from my garden), onion and tomato (also from my garden) and a Queso Fresco & Chipotle Laughing Cow wedge. Carrots on the side.

Snacks

Note to self: Put on some mascara

Burger King ice cream. I picked this up when I made a lunch-break stop at Best Buy in the hopes that it would be as good as McDonald's cone. Nope. Not at all. AND, it had nearly 100 calories more and a ton more fat. Note to self: Always do research before going through the drive-thru. Addendum to note to self: Buying an ice cream cone cancels out benefits of buying "Ripped in 30."

5 cups 94% Fat Free Kettle Corn and an apple

Dinner

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Annie's Shells & White Cheddar (courtesy of Kim @ Girl Evolving - Thanks!) and broccoli. Topped off with an unpictured Reese's Cup, also thanks to Kim.

So tell me ... how many breakfasts do you have a day? I am hoping there are others in the three-a-day crowd.

Drop in demand

Move that body: 25 minutes of Jillian Michaels’ “No More Trouble Zones”

FYI for my fellow preggos: NMTZ has lots and lots of floor work, and you basically can do only half the workout.

I realized something very troublesome this morning: My mornings of OnDemand/Exercise TV workouts are numbered.

Boo!

I have just three more mornings where I can hit the “OnDemand” button my cable remote and scroll through workout after workout. Three more mornings of looking for something that piques my physical interest. Three more mornings of Jillian Michaels.

Boo!

You see, we’re not getting cable at the new house – at least right away. And it was my idea. I thought I would just be giving up “Top Chef Masters” and hours on end of HGTV. I didn’t realize I was going to give up my access to a bajillion workouts.

Boo!

My saving grace will be my willingness to use my library card and that dang Jackie Warner DVD I’ve been avoiding like the plague. I may need to get 3 pound weights to make it through but it will be something. Of course, Jillian Michaels could be super nice, read this blog and send me her entire catalog of workout DVDs. I’m sure she’ll sympathize with the preggo plight.

In other news, guess what made it into my bag o’ food two days in a row now?

And get your minds out of the Dairy Queen.

Baby carrots. Once my friend, then my preggo foe. I’m determined to start snacking on better foods throughout the day – or at least less carby foods – and so I picked up a bag at Aldi’s, along with a jar of salsa. Salsa makes every thing taste better. Except Thin Mints. Thin Mints taste good all on their own. I was forced to eat some today. Yep, I was. All in the name in cleaning out the fridge before the move.

Also in my bag o’ food (and, by the way, when I say bag I mean BAG as in a reusable grocery bag): green beans, an orange and peaches in extra light syrup.

Do you take a bag of snacks to work? What’s in it?

Pain in the ... everywhere

Pre-workout fuel: Slice of whole-wheat toast with Polaner High-Fiber Orange Marmalade and cinnamon roast coffee
Workout: Ran 5.9 miles in 55 minutes, 47 seconds; average pace, 9:27.

Legs ... so ... SORE. So sore that I could feel the pain in my inner thighs before I even got out of bed. So sore that I felt my quads with ever foot strike during my run.

Not so sore, though, that I couldn't sit down properly on the toilet. I will admit, though, that I wondered whether I could tether myself to Denali and have him pull me off the seat when I was finished.

I sort of felt like Jillian Michaels did this to me for 30 minutes:


Of course, she didn't. I'd be a bit scared if she got all "Lord of the Rings"/Gollum on me in my house. Anyway, I didn't even complete the "No More Trouble Zones" yesterday - I just did 30 minutes. And still, I my legs are on FIRE.

I had planned on doing the workout again tomorrow but I'm thinking I might hang out with Cindy Whitmarsh and her "Tank Top Arms" and Tony Horton and his Ab Ripper X. I'd like to walk the rest of the week, ya know.

Sink or swim

"Why choose to fail when success is an option?" - Jillian Michaels

Workout: 30-Day Shred, 2.25-mile walk with dog and 600-yard swim

I love Jillian Michaels. Seriously, I do. Her workouts are tough in a way that many other workouts are not. She combines upper and lower body moves, as well as integrates cardio into the mix. And, my favorite part, she talks about how difficult the moves are and never does them herself. I wouldn't want to do a billion lunges and anterior raises. Oh, how they are the bane of my existence.

Others things I noticed about 30-Day Shred, part 1m this morning: Triceps were seemingly absent, jumping jacks are not a good exercise for apartment dwellers and I'm not coordinated enough to do bicycle crunches.

After I finished the OnDemand selection, I tried to find a cardio routine so I could avoid the pool. No such luck. So I ate breakfast, got the dog on a leash and set off.


The three of us (Mark came along) went on the normal loop of about 2.25 miles in some seriously muggy weather. Thank goodness I brought water. By the way, I always bring water on walks because it's a good chance to check off some of those eight glasses.

We went at a good clip (thanks, Denali), and I now had no excuses not to make it to the pool for the half-hour open swim. Nothing's changed in a week - I still suck at swimming. Although, I was joined by middle schoolers (not high schoolers) and an older gentleman who swam at the same pace as me.

I managed to crank out 600 yards in the time allotted. I even went a few lengths without desperately clinging to the side of the pool before braving the deep end. I know practice makes, umm, better but the first thing I need to do is relax in the pool ... and get lessons from one of those 12-year-old girls.