One of my favorite things about summer (besides having more free time since school is out) is that bootcamps seem to start popping up, and everyone is in full on workout mode due to the realization that it's not appropriate to wear hoodies and long pants on the beach all day. Everyone is looking to get toned, in shape, and in essence, that bikini-ready body!
Luckily, I don't have to give up TRX during the summer for a less exciting workout. During the summer, TRX hits the pavement ( or track in this case) and becomes an outside bootcamp at Newnan High School! I haven't been fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it this summer since I had a baby recently, but I loved it last summer!
Bootcamp begins with a warm up on the track. I would always run a mile and then stop and walk. I liked knowing I at least had a mile in before we started anything else. Once it was time for bootcamp to begin, it was a free for all. We were at the mercy of Sandra Holt, and you better believe she will push you and make you challenge yourself.
There were TRX handles attached to the stadium for some TRX training (which we did plenty of!) We also got the privilege of running up the home side bleachers all the way to the crows nest and back down. If you're looking for a challenge, running to the crow's nest is a challenge! I run a lot, and I had to stop a few times, because it really takes it out of you! We did a lot of partner work as well. I've seen on The Biggest Loser where Bob or Jillian would hold a giant looking rubber band with the victim trainee in the middle, and as the trainee runs, they would pull back on the band and add resistance. I always thought it didn't look very hard. I WAS WRONG! It is extremely hard! Having someone trying to pull you backwards while you are running forward at full speed is no hard!
Amidst the crows nest fun and the partner workouts, we would also do circuit training. For instance, one group would do ab work on yoga mats on the grass while the other group does TRX or something else.
I've really missed it this summer, because it was such a great workout, and everyone really tries to keep the mood upbeat and positive. We would sing songs as we're running to the crows nest and make jokes to keep the mood light, anything we could do to get our mind off of our bodies telling us to stop. You really bond with people when you're sweatin' it out and pushing your body to its limits right next them. I cannot wait to be back out there next summer sweating, singing, and keepin' it positive!
Get out and Sweat and push your body before the day is over!
One of the hardest things about being a runner is working
around Mother Nature.In the summer, I
have to get a run in when it isn’t too hot.This means, I have to get up and be running while the sun comes up.Obviously, this isn’t the ideal running situation,
but there is something extremely relaxing and peaceful about getting to watch
the sunrise as you run.It is truly
breathtaking!Unfortunately, it’s not
always easy to get out and get running at a certain time when you have a 2
month old.He pretty much dictates my
running schedule.Let’s face it, he
dictates the schedule for my entire life.
Another problem with only running is, believe it or not, the
monotony of always running at a certain time, on the same course, and in the
same place can make it start to get boring.Don’t get me wrong, I love running, and I wouldn’t give up running for
anything in the world.However, it is
important to vary your workouts.I found
the best way to do this was to find another type of workout to do in conjunction
with my running.I did classes at the
gym for awhile, and that was working out great.I had a schedule and a routine, and I was fine with all of that, but
like most gyms, the classes were released on a certain schedule.Meaning, once a new workout was released, we
would do it repeatedly, every class, for at least a month.This also became boring, so I began a search
for something that would allow me everything I loved about working out without
all the monotony of repetition.
Mother’s Day 2013 I found the answer I was looking for.I love getting people cool and interesting
gifts.I spend weeks and even months
planning the perfect gift for someone based on what I’ve observed them liking,
heard them say they like, fits their personality, etc.I was searching for the perfect gift for my
mom.She’s one of those people who wants
to be in shape, but doesn’t always put forth all the effort it takes to get
there.She will get on a good schedule
of working out for about a week or two and then stop when, supposedly, an
injury flares up.I was tired of hearing
her excuses about why she couldn’t make it to the gym for even 30 minutes to
make it onto the treadmill.I needed
some way to motivate her to workout where it wouldn’t be as easy to quit.I finally realized she needed a personal
trainer.She had to be accountable to
someone who wouldn’t take the excuses and just let her quit.Thus began my search for a local personal trainer.
You might wonder how one goes about finding a personal
trainer.I simply posted on Facebook
that I was looking for one, and asked if anyone knew of one.Almost instantly a friend responded with the
name of a trainer she used.This trainer
owned a studio, Synergy Fitness (http://synergyfitness.biz/), and taught
something called TRX.I had never heard
of it before, but it was worth a shot.I
called the trainer, Sandra Holt, and we arranged the purchase of the gift.My brother and I surprised my mom with it on
Mother’s Day, and she started going.
I was curious about this TRX I had never heard of.I was intrigued there’s a workout I haven’t
done that could be exciting and new.I
listened to my mom describe her experience to me.I decided I had to go and try a class.From the first class, I was hooked.It was unlike anything I had ever done
before. TRX uses handles suspended from
the ceiling.You aren’t lifting
weights.All the weight you’re lifting
and maneuvering is your own body weight!
Thus began my love affair with TRX.I’ve loved all the ways I’ve seen myself grow
stronger and how lean my body has gotten.I also love having a personal trainer, because she makes sure to mix up
the workouts.I’ve been going for over a
year, and I’ve never done the same workout twice.She combines TRX with circuit training.We do some TRX and mix in some circuits of
pilates, cardio, yoga, etc.When it’s
nice outside, we will even venture outside to run and do some workouts out
there.
TRX has been one of the best things that has happened to me
on my fitness journey.I hope you have
something you love as much as I’ve come to love TRX.I would encourage you to always keep pursuing
new ways to challenge your body and push yourself.Your body is capable of much more than you
think ( childbirth is proof of this, but that’s a post for another time).Please find what makes you happy, and stick
with it!No, your body isn’t going to
transform overnight, and no, you won’t become strong overnight, but the more
you stick with it and push yourself, the more of a change you will see on the
inside and out.
I was born in the late 80’s, but I spent the majority of my childhood in the 90’s. I had a typical childhood (or what I assume is typical) spending my summers playing outside with whatever could be found and make-believed into a toy. We had a small corner area in our backyard that I would drag folding chairs to, and in my mind, it would instantly be transformed into a house for my dolls and myself. The only time I remember spending my day inside during the summer is when it rained. Rainy days would be filled with hours of playing barbies, board games, listening to records (yes, I mean real actual records), etc. Sitting in front of the tv for hours on end was not an option.
During the school year, I spent 3 nights a week at gymnastics, and I played outside until dinner and sometimes after on my nights off from sports. My brother and I were outside as much as possible. I would ride my bike all over the neighborhood to meet up with friends. We eventually got a trampoline and a wooden swing set in the backyard that had a clubhouse. When I look back on my childhood, I always remember it being fun. I don’t ever remember feeling forced to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.
In retrospect, my parents were doing everything right with regards to our exercise, but not when it came to our food. Growing up, I really never remember hearing the word organic ever come up in conversation. My parents made sure we sat down together for dinner every night without a tv or any distractions keeping us from having conversations as a family. Looking back, I can see how difficult it must have been to make that happen every night, but they did it. My mom made us home cooked meals, or what Sandra Lee would ultimately become famous for referring to as semi-homemade. Most of the vegetables came from cans as did the salmon for the salmon patties (my least favorite meal and I’m sure you can now see why that would be). We ate frozen fish sticks (the research I’ve seen about what these are actually made of makes me want to erase ever eating these from my mind entirely). My mom would try to get some fresh things on the table like broccoli, but the point was moot seeing as how it was drenched in cheese sauce for my family to consider it edible.
The worst part is that I ended up becoming an extremely picky eater, and I would make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to substitute any meal I didn’t like that my parents made. I ate so much Macaroni and Cheese growing up that my grandfather used to say I was going to turn into a macaroni noodle. I am happy to say that over the past 6 years that I’ve known my husband, I have done a complete 180, and I now eat more kinds of foods than he does. My palette has changed so much that I can’t understand why I thought macaroni and cheese from a box with powdered cheese was the best thing since sliced bread. I think my palette had been so worn down from processed food that I had no idea what food was actually supposed to taste like.
Over the years, I have seen a weird shift between children and health and wellness. Where we were constantly outside playing, I see that most children sit inside watching tv, playing video games, on the computer, etc. That’s not to say that children don’t play sports or do anything outside, but it seems like they feel forced to be outside where we felt happy and lucky to be able to play outside. I have seen some parents really step up and try to use more fresh ingredients instead of always buying pre made processed food, but most children that I come in contact with on a daily basis survive off of fast food or pre-made freezer meals. It appears we have given up the push for kids to play outside, but we haven’t balanced it with a good diet of nutritious fresh food. It’s no wonder that so many children are in bad health and overweight. The ones who are athletic probably would be in the same boat if they didn’t have sports to burn off all of their calories.
I understand the struggles and impossibilities facing you when it comes to eating healthy and figuring out what to feed your family. I have had to relearn how to eat correctly for my body. My metabolism slowed down, and I started realizing that I could no longer eat whatever I wanted without worrying about it. It was time for a change. I want to help you navigate this unfamiliar territory by letting you in on things I’ve learned and tips I’ve picked up along the way. I want to know your struggles, questions, triumphs, and concerns because we more than likely have similar ones. You are always more than welcome to leave a comment on here or send me an e-mail. I will always be available to listen and help however I can.
Wow! Sorry I've been MIA for awhile. A lot of craziness has happened. Shortly after my last post, I found out I was pregnant and somehow managed to lock myself out of my account. Fast forward to today, and I am the proud mother of a 2 month old, happy and healthy baby boy, and I managed to figure out how to get back into my account. That's a definite win! I am going to be adding some new things and making a couple changes.
First, it is important for you to know that I had some complications during pregnancy, and I wasn't allowed to run. I was sidelined from running for about 9 months. I recently started back, and I've been able to work myself up to a mile! Thats huge for someone who hasn't run in 9 months. I'm also getting used to my new, post-pregnancy body. Not all of it is the way I would like it yet, but I am giving it time and patience, and I know it will all work out in the end. I carried extra pockets of amniotic fluid while pregnant, so I became a giant version of myself. I explained it to a friend who was seeing me for the first time in a long time by saying that I looked like the person that ate my former self. I think right before I delivered I was either 205-210. Last time I went to the doctor, I weighed in at 160 something, so I am happy with my progress and the direction it is going.
I was food conscious before I got pregnant, but I am even more conscious of what is going in now that I've got a little one to think about. I'm all about farmers markets, farms, fresh food, etc. This is why I want to highlight farms, farmers markets, etc. from all over. I want you to be informed about what is out there and your options. I'm going to call it "Farm Fresh Fridays". All I ask from you is that you let me know what areas you'd like me to highlight, and what you'd like to know. I will get all the information and give you everything right here on my blog.
If you're following me on Facebook, you will notice my name changed to Running Mama. If you'd like to be following me on Facebook, here's the link to my page. https://www.facebook.com/GirlInAsics . I'm still the same person, but being a mom changes you in such a beautiful and profound way. I wanted my little man to be a part of this journey with me. He is, after all, my new running buddy! I'm going to be getting a jogging stroller very soon, so he can go running with me. I have been looking at the BOB Ironman. If you have any advice or knowledge about this stroller, please let me know. I am all ears!
I will also be posting recipes from time to time. Please let me know what you'd like to see more of, and I will make it happen :)
