Outside the gym

I guess I just can’t stop believing in Santa.

Or maybe I just can’t stand someone as good looking as Dolvett not to come out on top.

Either way, I found myself rooting for the red team to win last night’s weigh in when, in fact, I was really hoping for the black team. I wanted them to prove to America that you don’t need a fancy gym to lose weight.

And I’m proof.

I haven’t had a gym membership for going on three years. Initially, it was a financial decision. Mark and I weren’t visiting the YMCA enough to justify the $60 monthly fee. Later, it was because of Denali. I didn’t want to pay to walk on a treadmill when I would only have to go home and walk the dog, too. Now, it’s both. Denali still needs a walk, Miles needs a nap and the $60 would be better spent on diapers.

It is true that my passion for running helps me forgo the gym but that’s only three days a week.

Here are my tips for gym-free workouts:

Scope out your local library. My library has TONS of exercise DVDS, and it’s a great way to try out a disc before you even buy it. I’ve found plenty of Jillian Michaels, “Biggest Loser,” Denise Austin and Firm workouts. I found the library particularly helpful when it came to yoga DVDs because I’m not one who enjoys the spiritual side of practice and dislike 90 percent of the workouts. I got to play Goldilocks until I found the one that was just right for me. (I am a fan of the Crunch DVDs with Sara Ivanhoe.)

Trade off. After two months of Yoga Booty Ballet, you find yourself ready to throw a ball through the TV at that stupid drummer. Well, your friend feels the same way at Billy Blanks. So why don’t you trade?

Make a small investment in you. For less than $20, you can get everything you need for a heart-pumping circuit workout. I have a jump rope and hand weights – all from Target – that I like to use if I only have 15 minutes to exercise. Jump rope one minute, perform an upper body exercise for one minute and follow up with one minute of squats or lunges. Repeat five times. This workout is great, too, if you want something to do during commercial breaks.

Don’t be shy. Everyone (well, except for me) seems to have an exercise bike or elliptical that is only collecting dust. Tell co-workers, family, friends that you are in the market for some exercise equipment and you might be surprised what turns up. Our treadmill was a hand-me-down from my in-laws.

Project analysis. Maybe you have a bedroom that’s more storage locker than guest room/office or a basement stacked with storage boxes. Take an afternoon and tackle a project – whether it’s painting, moving boxes or building furniture.

Free pass. The yoga studio where I went for a month or two when I was pregnant offers a free class one Saturday a month. Some gyms offer one-week passes. You can use these when the weather outside is frightful or you need some motivation via friendly competition from other people working out.

Drop on by. I do take two group exercise classes a week on a drop-in basis at a tumbling gym in town. In the past, I also got a punch card via Groupon.

Friendly competition. People always say to exercise during commercial breaks, which can be boring. Mark and I have been known to challenge each other to push-up and crunch competitions.

Explore the outdoors. Many cities have fantastic trails and greenways. Get an upclose look at how your taxpayer dollars are being enjoyed.

Get dirty. It might not be the right time of year but tackle your yard. This summer, I worked up a sweat hacking at an invasive honeysuckle. It might have been because I was 9 months pregnant (I didn’t nest in the traditional way) but I don’t think so.

No excuses. It’ so easy this time of year to want to stay inside and drink hot chocolate on the couch. And I do. Sometimes. I also walk the dog and baby as long as it’s 25 degrees or warmer, and I’m willing to run as long as it’s in the double digits.

What are your tips for living without a gym membership?

What I Ate Wednesday: Improvising

Last night, I wanted to create some kind of “Biggest Loser” drinking game except exercise would replace the shots. I thought I’d do 10 lunges every time Jillian made someone cry and then I remembered Jillian was no longer on the show.
Boo.
So I tried to think of a new game (and failed) while I watched, read e-mails, ate oatmeal and stole bites of Mark’s ice cream, saving Jillian for this morning.
What did you think of last night’s show? I am super excited that they are bringing back the marathon but I’m still not so sure about the trainers. I spent a good portion of the show thinking inappropriate things about Anna and Enrique Iglesias.
Now, for the main event – my eats.
Pre-run snack
 
Chocolate Cherry Almond Luna Protein Bar
Breakfast
 
Old-fashion oats with Peanut Butter Puffins, sliced banana and a splash of almond milk
Lunch

Lettuce wraps with Queso Fresco & Chipotle Laughing Cow, Spanish rice and Peanut Butter Finger’s salsa chicken; corn pudding; and Weight Watchers mini bar (unpictured).
Afternoon snacks

Hot chocolate (it’s so friggin cold in the office that I had no choice but to get one)

Carrots with hummus, string cheese and an apple (unpictured)
Dinner

“Make It Up As You Go” Stuffed Chicken with Dreamfield’s penne and broccoli. For my stuffed chicken, I pounded out a chicken breast (two actually – Mark thought he had to eat, too) and “filled” it with a Sundried Tomato & Basil Laughing Cow wedge and spinach. I then seared it on each side then finished cooking it in leftover marinara and a can of diced tomatoes. Completely yum.
Evening snack

Oatmeal … again. Supposedly oats builds boob milk supply, something I definitely need to do. I pretended it was dessert by putting some Nutella at the bottom and serving it in a glass dish.

Early bird

Move that body: 3.18-mile run

I had finally accepted - and embraced - that I was now an anytime runner. Then something funny happened. Miles slept for seven hours. In a row. And since Mark had already offered to take the first shift (aka rocking "Party at 2 a.m." Miles back to sleep), I got to rest/sleep in bed till 6:20.

Hello, morning run! Denali, Miles and I were ready and out the door by 7: 15.

 I swear there's a baby under that blanket.

Good morning, Miles!

In case you noticed - yes, yes that's a pacifier in his mouth. A little thing I swore I would never give him. But a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do. I can happily report, though, that he promptly spit it out and was all smiles once we got started. For about 15 minutes. And then he decided it was a good time to nap.

Sadly, I sort of felt like was napping, too. Despite good (enough) sleep, I felt tired and heavy. Or maybe I just felt slow. And slow I was, the worst pace since ditching the intervals two weeks ago. No matter the result, though, any run is a good run. Each mile makes us a better runner.

Plus, today's run comes with an added bonus: I can watch "The Biggest Loser" with a bowl of sorbet guilt free!

Anyone else excited about the new season? One of the contestants is from my area so I'm anxious to see how he does. I hope he isn't sent home the first week!

October recap

Pre-workout fuel: 1/3 banana and Cinnabon Cream of Wheat
Workout: 40 minutes Jackie Warner OnDemand selection, 10 minutes stretch and 2+ mile walk with Denali

Sweet November. I'm not sure whether to be excited or, umm, unexcited(?).

Reasons to be excited:

• W.O.O.F.
• Bison burgers after the W.O.O.F.
• Seeing my grandma(!)
• Thanksgiving
• Bruegger's Bagels at the end of the 101st annual Thanksgiving Day Race
• "Falling back" with Daylight Savings Time
• First run in the snow

Reasons to be unexcited:

• Two days of post-run hunger after the W.O.O.F.
  
• Cooler temperatures
• Renewing the registration on my car
• Holiday deadlines at work
• Being forced to wear gloves during runs

Before I get too ahead of myself, let's take a brief moment to look back at October. If you remember correctly, I challenged myself to strength train three times a week and not shy away from lunges, squats and all things legs. I also signed up for Tall Mom's 83 miles in October challenge.

How did I do?

Good, I'd say. I didn't notice the results I had hoped for (i.e. changes in measurements) but I did follow the "Biggest Loser" DVDs three times a week - even going back-to-back for some sessions (Wednesday and Thursday) when a MWF schedule posed a challenge. That's a big deal for me! I think I would have gotten more out of it had I used a DVD program geared toward someone who had a higher base of fitness.

As far as the miles ... we'll let them speak for themselves.

18
Total number of runs

2
Number of races registered for (both in November)

6.18
Average distance per run

13.26
Farthest distance ran

8:20
Pace for fastest run

9:01
Pace for slowest run

111.24
Total miles ran in October

5
Consecutive 100+ mile months

914.07
Total miles ran in 2010

Showin' some Friday love

Pre-workout fuel: Too Healthy Pumpkin Muffin with peanut butter and a banana
Workout: Ran 4.25 miles in 36 minutes, 15 seconds; average pace, 8:32. "Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt" for 50 minutes followed.

Friday, Friday, Friday! Friday, Friday, Friday!

Come, on! Sing it with me!

Friday, Friday, Friday!

I sort of feel like I'm earning weekend today but that's OK. I'm going to breakfast with one of my favorite mamas (she's expecting twins!) tomorrow, and I'm fairly certain that Mark and I will go to the movies. We don't have any plans for Halloween, and I don't even think we're passing out candy (last year's effort = bust). It should be a calm, relaxing weekend.

Now, it's time to show Friday some lovin'!

Food. I like soup ... a lot - too much probably. We even have soup nights at the winter at Casa de Healthy Strides. Soup and sammies to warm the soul. Usually, though, my soup comes from a can and that can usually comes from Progresso. The brand is a bit more pricey than, say , Campbell's but it tastes better and is Weight Watchers-endorsed. The Vegetable Barley is my favorite but this week I took a HUGE risk and tried the New England Clam Chowder. You know what? I didn't spit it out. I actually kind of enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong - it's no where near as tasty as the clam chowder I had at a beachfront restaurant in Malibu. Then again, I'm only eating at my desk at work -- not on the deck, looking out at the Pacific.

Fitness. I'm thisclose to the conclusion of my October challenge. Yay! I have fulfilled my goal of strength training three times a week, and I hit my 83 miles on Sunday. Just one more run (a long one on Sunday), and I can call it D-O-N-E. Sort of. I'm already gearing up for November, and I ordered "Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training." I probably won't get to it next week, depending on when Amazon ships it, because I need to save my legs for the W.O.O.F. but I am looking forward to a shorter routine (just 30 minutes compared to "Biggest Loser" workouts of more than 45) and one that promises to beat Jillian Michaels in difficulty.

Life. Now this one's sort of fitness related, too, I hate to say. I was exchanging FB notes with my cousin about my status message proclaiming my registration for the 101st Annual Thanksgiving Day Race. You see, her brother had seen the update and decided that he wanted to do it, too. Of course, he then wanted her to do it. She was a bit uncertain - fearful we're all in better shape - but I assured her that I'd run with her and bribed her with finish-line bagels. I'm not sure if it was the support or the promise of bagels but I think she's in. Add in three other cousins who are already registered, and my family will be partying at the starting line.

Here I am excited about Thanksgiving and not giving a ... about Halloween. Do you have any great plans?

Courting the idea

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnamon raisin English muffin with peanut butter
Workout: 55 minutes "Biggest Loser: Boot Camp" and 2.2-mile walk with Denali

Type of accident - Check one
▢ Fall ▢ Auto/Motorcycle ▢ Other (______________)

√ Fall

How did accident occur?

My dog is an easily startled doody head.

Do you intend to file a claim against any party?
▢ Yes ▢ No ▢ Unsure

Can I sue my dog? That might be interesting ....

So I got this stupid paperwork from the insurance company. They basically want to know if there's a way they can get out of paying my emergency room bill from when I fell while running with Denali. Where did I fall, did anyone force my injury, do I have a lawyer ... you know those sorts of things. Sorry folks - I don't think you can sue a dog. I think you would have to take that up with God, and I'm sure there's a pretty long line for that.

◊ ◊ ◊

Speaking of Denali, I was just watching the sweat drip on the floor as I held a wide-legged push-up with weights. All of the sudden I hear plop ... plop ... plop. The red KONG had fell out of his mouth and bounced to a spot right underneath my belly. Rather than going back to his bone (one toy is not enough to entertain him), he decided to stick his head between my legs, pause to lick my stomach, grab his KONG and then backing up to the rug.

Such a guy!

I do have to give myself props because not only did I not collapse on top of him, my form didn't waiver when he was underneath. A sure sign my October strength challenge is paying off!

What a loser

Pre-workout fuel: Life Banana Bread Walnut bar with peanut butter
Workout: 50 minutes "Biggest Loser: Power Sculpt" and 2+ mile walk with Denali.


Can you believe it? I'm on the cover Esquire magazine. Seriously. I am. Mark always tells me how great a cook sexy I am, and this is the photo he's been looking at while waiting for "Wheel of Fortune" to start. It must be. After all, the photo is labeled sexiest woman alive.

Anyway ... that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm hear to throw in my 4 cents (yes, I get 4) about last night's "Biggest Loser."

You see, I was watching the second half of the show this morning as I ate my pumpkin chip pancakes and drank my coffee. I saw the weigh-in get thrown, Jillian getting all exasperated and the "Where Are They Now?" clip.

(Spoiler alert! Spoiler alert!)

Rick was looking awesome. He was down 120 pounds, eating good dinners with his family and playing with his grandchildren. Of course, those caught-on-camera moments are probably the only times he has seen his family since leaving the ranch.

The 54-year-old shared that since he's been home, he works out 1.5-2 hours before work, 1.5 hours after work, goes home and eats dinner and the heads back to the gym to workout for another 1.5 hours.

Hold. The. Phone. Seriously. That's up to FIVE HOURS a day of exercise. Count 'em: 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5. And I've been thinking that the next two weeks of level 3 "Boot Camp"/"Power Sculpt" might be too time consuming at just shy of an hour when you factor in runs/walks with Denali and my desire to shower before work.

I don't know how he does it. More importantly, I don't know how he is going to keep doing it. One of the most important factors in any weight-loss effort is doing something that you can MAINTAIN over a lifetime. I exercise no differently now than I did when I was losing weight. I really don't eat that differently, either. I just eat more of the same things (and put chocolate chips in my pancakes).

What do you think? Do you consider Rick's efforts to be healthy, well, healthy?

What's next?

Pre-workout fuel: Peanut butter bread
Workout: Ran 4.27 miles in 37 minutes, 31 seconds; average pace, 8:47.

I woke up this morning, hobbled out of bed, and went to the bathroom - the thinking room if there ever was one.

While most of my thoughts were trying to sort out an odd dream that involved wild critters invading my house and Denali munching on a raccoon, I did devote a moment or two to deciding on a workout for the day. I could do yoga and walk the dog. I could run with the dog. I could get out the bike. I could ...

Ugh. For the first-time in more than a year, I don't have a schedule dictating runs, paces, cross training. And, to be honest, I find it a bit unsettling. I like knowing what to do and when to do it. It works for me.

So I'm on the hunt for my next challenge though I don't know what it is.

What I do know:
*I need a break from the half-marathon and will sit out the rest of this calendar year in terms of that distance.
*A full marathon, while seemingly more possible after my showing at F4F, isn't a goal. IF I were to do one, I'd want to start training now and run in January and the idea of running 20+ miles in the winter isn't appealing.
*I want to stay in 10K shape and plan to run the River City Rat Race next month.
*I have neglected other forms of exercise in the interest of keeping running a priority, mainly lower body strength training. I tried Jillian Michaels' "Shred It With Weights" yesterday, and I've since had the privilege of being reacquainted with my inner thigh muscles.
*I am becoming increasingly curious about a set of DVDs being released by Bob Harper. The clips sort of remind me of a less intimidating P90X.

Speaking of "The Biggest Loser" trainers, did anyone catch last night's episode? I would so like to get in on those workouts! And the numbers? Insane.