Browsing Category

Getting Into Fitness

Getting Into Fitness

Getting Into Fitness

I Aint No Hare

Runner Lost In Thought

Following a longer than normal training route for the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon, my thoughts were on just one thing…

“I am never, Ever, EVER, getting out of this bubble bath. I am staying here FOREVER.”

Unfortunately, one by one, all of my bubbles popped. The water got cold, and I was starting to look a bit like a shriveled prune. As it turned out, I couldn’t get lunch delivered in there either, so my thoughts began to wander back through my day and how often that those things we need seem to come when we need them the most.

Okay, rewind a few hours here… (grin)

I was a little over 3 miles into a 4 mile power walk through a very hilly area. My son had passed me multiple times and back again. I kept thinking about the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.

Let me tell you something. I aint no hare!

Where was I now?

Oh yeah…

I am looking up the last leg of the route and I am sure I am fixin’ to die. I keep reminding myself that the dang tortoise just wouldn’t quit, but I was also wondering if that tortoise ever thought of puking on the side of the road.

I really, Really, REALLY wanted to stop, maybe call a cab for a ride home, ya know?

And then this text message comes through, interrupting my music and my “stinkin thinkin”.

“I know I can… I know I can…” (Thank You Snerdey!)

All the way up that hill, I couldn’t get The Little Engine That Could out of my head. I was chanting the dang thing over and over again.

And ya know what?

I finished what I set out to do today.

Ya know why?

Those things we need, really do seem to come when we need them the most.

Cricket Walker

P.S. A special shout out to all my friends who are participating in day six of the V7N 30 Day Blog Challenge. I know you can do it!

V7N Blog Challenge

Getting Into Fitness

Get Off That Bench

San Antonio Riverwalk Bench

I was hanging out at Starbucks with my son when he casually showed me information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon coming up in November.

I don’t have a clue where it came from, maybe it was the good coffee, but out of my mouth I blurted, “I wonder if I could do something like that?”

Ya say what?

Did I say that?

Lord help me the idea was already having a party in my brain, daring me to do what I had never done before, pushing myself beyond where I have ever been pushed.

Do I dare?

Am I nuts?

Heck yeah!

We spend far too much time scared to death to take a risk, to reach beyond where we have reached before.

Why?

For fear we might fail?

WHO CARES?

Yes, I understand that I may work my tail off for the next 11 months and not even be able to finish the race, but honestly, what is the worst thing that can happen?

I might get off that bench I have been sitting on for years now?

I might lose some weight?

Get healthier?

For crying out loud. I am 49 years old. If not now, then when?

About the time I started to doubt myself, wondering if I have the courage to start training for something like this, my son sent me a text message. It simply said, “If I have to carry you on my back, you are finishing.”

While training on the hills near my home today, I kept hearing my son’s voice encouraging me, and I knew. It is time for me to be willing to take a chance…

How about you?

What are you ready to take a chance on this year?

Cricket Walker

Getting Into Fitness

Back In The Gym Again

Scratch Your Own Back?

Wouldn’t it be incredible to scratch your own back like that? WOW! Usually I wait til the middle of a post to get off topic.

Okay, what was it we were gonna talk about?

Oh yeah, back in the gym again. Well, actually they call this one a fitness center, which to me means it is just a little too fancy to be sweating in, but I like it well enough.

It wasn’t nearly as difficult to get back in the groove of working out as I expected. Yeah, I woke up with a few sore muscles this morning, but nothing a few tubes of Icy Hot and a half a bottle of Ibuprofen couldn’t handle. Okay, fine. I am just kidding. Well, sort of.

Cranking up the music (on my iPod) while working up to speed on the treadmill was a welcome feeling, almost like coming home.

Okay yeah, it helped a lot that the treadmills are situated in such a way that I had a perfect view of the southern boys working out on the free weights. Lord have mercy, I felt like a lil girl that someone had set loose in the candy store.

I have developed a new love/hate relationship with the Nautilus Treadclimber. OMG! Talk about a humbling experience!

After 30 minutes I was drenched from head to toe, my heart rate was over 140, and I was breathing like I had been climbing Mount Everest. I looked over at my son who hadn’t even bothered to break a sweat yet, his heart rate was a lil over 100, and he was casually drinking a cup of coffee, all the while working out at a level way beyond me.

Let’s just say I may owe the cuss jar a few bucks now.

When it was all over, I crawled to the hot tub and just sort of plopped myself in, while contemplating doing it all over again tomorrow.

Can I get away with parking in the handicap spot for a while? 😉

Cricket Walker

Getting Into Fitness

Add Music to Your Workout

Music

I see folks reading or watching television during their workout. They have these huge frowns on their faces, and look like they would rather be scrubbing toilets than there in the gym trying to get back in shape.

If you absolutely hate what you are doing, you won’t do it for very long. You will find any possible excuse to skip getting some exercise.

You need to add music to your workout! If you are working out at home, crank up the stereo full blast and just start letting your body move to the beat of the music. In the gym, I use a little iPod Shuffle with upgraded ear pods so they stay put during my workout.

The first 15 – 20 minutes you will want to take it pretty easy, allowing time for your muscles to warm up, and mostly to let the outside world start to slip away, so you can get your head into working out.

Something like Drift Away by Uncle Kracker is a good starter song for me. Listening to Toby Keith singing Crash Here Tonight melts my heart, relaxing away just about any stress hanging around in my mind.

Now, when you are about ready to start getting into your workout, jump on a treadmill, or just start walking, and let Trace Adkins sing to you about how you are one Hot Mama.

Make sure you have a gym towel within reach though because you will be drooling all over yourself. *smirk*

By the time he starts singing Honky Tonk Badonkadonk to ya, your hips and arms will start swinging to the beat automatically and everyone around you will wonder what you are smiling about.

If I am having a bit of a man hating day, listening to Miranda Lambert singing about how she is gonna show him that little girls are made of Gunpowder and Lead, helps me blow off a little steam! Heck, just about any music by this lady adds some extra motivation to my workout.

If I follow that up with something like Rockstar by Nickelback, or Hurts So Good by John Mellencamp, you will likely catch me playing the air drums on the treadmill console, smiling, and happier than a ‘possum eatin’ poo poo. C’mon now! Ya have to make it fun!

Okay, you can quit growling at me about you not being a country music fan. I don’t care if you listen to Fall Out Boy, Oasis, Slipknot, or even Metallica. The only thing that matters is that you love it enough to get lost in the music and it gets your body moving.

Although I change up my playlist often, this is an example what I am listening to on my iPod Shuffle when I am working out in the gym.

Warm Up or Cool Down

Toi – Corneille
Drift Away – Uncle Kracker
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
Take Me There – Rascal Flatts
Sweet Child of Mine Sheryl Crow
This Woman Needs – SHeDAISY
Crash Here Tonight – Toby Keith
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
A Little More You – Little Big Town
Ready Set Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus
Like a Butterfly – A Very Special Cowboy

Weight Training and the Treadmill

Rockstar – Nickelback
Country Girl – Rissi Palmer
Heartache Tonight – Eagles
Walk Away – Kelly Clarkson
Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
Free and Easy – Dierks Bently
Rock and Roll All Nite – Poison
Real Good Man – Tim McGraw
Life Is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
All Jacked Up – Gretchen Wilson
I Ain’t No Quitter – Shania Twain
Rock This Country – Shania Twain
Hurts So Good – John Mellencamp
Dirty Laundry – Lisa Marie Presley
Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
Here for the Party – Gretchen Wilson
Babyy Likes to Rock It – The Tractors
Strokin’ (Long Version) – Clarence Carter
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk – Trace Adkins
Gun Powder and Lead – Miranda Lambert
Mockingbird – Toby Keith & Krystal Covell
I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight – Toby Keith
If Your Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins
Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Heaven Heartache and the Power of Love – Trisha Yearwood

Cricket Walker

Getting Into Fitness

Fitness Tips by Michael Kane

Weights

Over the years I have developed a thing for staying in shape. It’s become of second nature to me. Sure I worked hard to get into the shape I am now, probably more than most people, but I learned so much along the way. I only wish I knew then what I know now. But, then again, that’s more or less how it is with everything in life.
 
I have been doing parkour for about 12 years. I spent about 10 of those years kick boxing at the same time, so I spent half that time in gyms and fitness centers. What did I learn after years of fitness drills? That I could have done it all from the comfort of my own home.
 
The body is really not as complicated as people make it out to be, especially when it comes to losing weight and toning it up. Every part of the body has one of two ways of doing an exercise to achieve one of two goals, simple as that.

Now, If I were to share everything I’ve found out about losing weight and getting fit, it would take up all of Cricket’s blog, which would suck, so I’m going to give you the 10 most important tips to staying fit while losing weight.
 
First of all, and I can’t stress this enough, you have to be mentally prepared to go through with a certain fitness routine and must be dedicated. If you’re not, you only have yourself to blame when you look in that mirror and see no results.
 
Put your mind to it. You can achieve most realistic goals within a couple of months. It does not take years or anything.

It’s easy if you put your mind to it.
 
Water, yes that liquid stuff we drink so much of, drink more. Did you know that drinking about three bottles of water a day can stretch your life span by about 15 years? No? You do now.
 
This is not the only reason you should drink a lot of water, drinking more will make you feel full, and not as hungry most of the time, which means less consumption of food which as we all know, is the devil. Yes, food is the devil.
 
Eat small portions, not snacks, actual meals, but small in portions, three meals a day. Make the breakfast a good well-portioned meal. Come lunch, you should not go all out and have something equal to two toast sized sandwiches, a side salad and fresh juice of some sort.

Dinner should always be kept light. Don’t eat meats and so on at night. Try to stick to yogurt, or fruits, something light. Aim to have dinner before 8pm after which it’s only water.
 
If you get hungry, do what I used to do till I broke the late night hunger thing, eat an apple. Just that, an apple will be enough to get your mind off food long enough to go to bed!
 
Caffeine, it’s a killer. I know, some of you have kids, heck some of you have husbands, which at times is just as bad and coffee is pretty much the only thing keeping you sane, but honestly think about it. What if that was the key to helping you lose more weight.

Tea, coffee, sodas and so on, just drop it. Oh, and I’m not even going to go into smoking, because you’re all mature enough adults to know what smoking does, right?
 
Working out should be fun, and it should not take time, 30-45 minutes a day is a good workout. You should walk at least 10minutes a day, more walking never hurt anyone.

When it comes to workouts you should do a full body one every day. At first if you’re not doing so, it will take time for your body to get used to it, but you will eventually adapt to the daily routine.
 
 I suggest:
 
 -Start out with a 15 minute walk/jog to get the blood circulating and the body warmer, a little more flexible for the work out (10 min cardio. , whatever you want it to be, you could run up and down stairs for 10 minutes but your calf’s will be aching after a few days of that, just break a sweat, that’s the first key)
 
 -As soon as you’re done with that 15 minutes of torture as most women call it (smirk), take a sip of water (not cold, mild) and get down to hitting the abs. Do some sit ups, crunches, not many, just enough to get the abs working at the start of the workout. Do two sets of 15, take small pauses between each rep if you must. This should take you no more than 5minutes.
 
 -Get up and jump. Jumping is really good to shake off the pounds. This could be you skipping rope or jumping on the spot as if you were skipping rope. Remember to keep your arms moving too so you work the under arm areas and tone them up. A few minutes of this should do the trick.
 
 -Steps. Get a solid box of some sort that won’t move when you climb onto it, something a foot off the ground, no more, put it against a wall if you must so it does not move, and go up and down it as if it were a step. You could use actual stairs if you have them at home too. Up and down the first step without turning to come down it.
 
This could easily be done every day, and if you stick to it. Cut the caffeine intake, eat smaller portions and watch the fat intake then you’re on the right track.
 
It’s really important you ask a professional before you do any kind of sport or fitness program for health risks. If you have back problems then seek help and get the right fitness program for that.

Michael Kane
www.michael-kane.com

Michael Kane is a very well known Michigan Designer, with Inlip Designs. He is also known as a fitness guru, one of his newest projects being the Yoga Training Yoga Blog.

Getting Into Fitness, Life After Forty

Working Out In Your 40s

Treadmill Console

Working out in your 40s is absolutely nothing like it was in your 20s and 30s. This is especially true if you spent 20 years physically active, and then spent the last 6 years sitting on your butt, working behind a computer every day.

The first week or two after I first started working out again, I thought I was gonna die. I was walking (limping around) like an old lady, complaining to anyone who would listen to me, and I was sure there was no way in heck I would ever survive.

More than once I thought about forgetting the whole thing, but I tend to be a bit stubborn, and after those first few weeks, I really started getting into it. It wasn’t long before I found myself totally addicted to how good I felt after working out.

I thought I would take you through the steps of my average workout.

Hip Abduction Outer Thigh

Hip Abduction – Outer Thigh (100 reps)
The hip abduction equipment has the most impact on your workout when the reps are done slowly, but it takes every ounce of motivation that I can muster up to keep from whipping through these as fast as possible because this machine loves to leave my thighs feeling like a quivering mess of jelly.

Hip Adduction Inner Thigh

Hip Adduction – Inner Thigh (100 reps)
This fitness machine is exactly the opposite of the one before this. Instead of pushing your thighs apart, you pull them together. I’m usually pretty warmed up by now, and getting into my workout, so I don’t complain too much at this point. Well, at least not until I reach the fifth set of 20 reps, then you may hear a quiet grumble or two.

Leg Press

Leg Press (100 reps)
Doesn’t this machine look like some sort of medieval torture chamber? It’s a lot like doing squats, but you are laying down. After 5 sets of 20 reps you will be certain that you never want to use this machine again, but when you start to see what it does for your body, you will fall in love with it and start sweet talking it every time you see it.

Ab Roller

Ab Roller (50 reps)
When you look at this piece of equipment, you cannot begin to imagine that something so simple could cause so much pain, but 50 abdominal crunches with the ab roller is enough to have me begging for mercy and swearing never to touch another piece of chocolate.

This piece of equipment has cost me more than a few bucks in the cuss jar, and it is the only part of my workout that I still can’t do more than 10 reps per set, and no more than 5 sets.

Treadmill

Treadmill (45 – 60 minutes)
Believe it or not, the treadmill is my favorite part of my workout. An old knee injury likes to act up on me when I do any sustained running, so unless I am blowing off some steam, I tend to walk (3.5 mph) on the treadmill these days.

This is where I really crank up the tunes on my iPod Shuffle and get totally lost in the music. More than once I have been caught playing air drums on the treadmill console, with a big grin on my face, but ya know what? If you are gonna work out, ya might as well have fun! 🙂

What’s Haley doing when I am working out?

Haley at the gym!

Sometimes she is encouraging me, or even working out herself, but most of the time you will find her stretched out across one of the benches, half awake, snacking and watching television. Lord what I wouldn’t give to have the metabolism of a teenager again!

Cricket Walker