A Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

January 29, 2015

Day 29, almost done! Well yellow isn't really my color, but I might but a new bikini for the summer if I keep this stuff up! Today I did the pin "Do Anywhere Bikini Circuit." http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112938610/

I really like these three circuit set exercises that PopSugar puts out. It seems that the hardest exercises are first and then, while they are all challenging, the last set is a bit nicer on you. This one was great for abs and legs. I walked for 5.5 minutes at the beginning (.35 miles). It was a nice warm up. The workout kept me nice and warm too. Tomorrow is a run and yoga!

Little Less Conversation, a little more Action Please

January 27, 2015

I know you have heard from me once today, but here is my workout from today. I repeated a pin **gasp** I wasn't planning on it, but it was a bicep and back day and this one just works well. Plus, I was at school and all the weights were here just waiting for me. "Back and Bicep Challenge" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112768936/  is certainly a challenge. I added an actual barbell today at school (25lbs) plus two ten pound weights for the "bent over barbell row" and then just 5lb weights for the "barbell good morning" The rest of the exercises were done with 10 lbs weights (except the flyes, which I did with 5 lbs, I'm weak). Everyone's got to start somewhere, so while the guys around me bench in the 100s, I feel pretty good that at least I'm doing something. I might have used the baby bar, but I felt pretty cool with my weights on them.

After I lifted, I jumped on the treadmill and walked for 2 minutes at 3.8, then ran for 4 minutes at 6.1 for a total of .5 of a mile. Nothing big, but a little cardio. The basketball crowd was coming into the gym (which is outside of our weight room) so I went back to my room to do abs.

I wanted to give you a new pin, since I repeated one. I did the "5 minute Pre-Cardio ab workout" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271110766705/ Except I did it after cardio, and it took me way more than five minutes. I wanted to be on a beach with this lady. Let's be real. Also, I didn't have a kettle bell or any other weight, so these were weightless. I did 30 sit ups and 30 Russian twists, a 1 minute full arm plank, 60 butterfly crunches (15 each side, 30 center), 14 superman planks (I super suck at those, I kept tipping over), and then 50 bicycles. So yea, more than 5 minutes, but I felt like I needed to do something that pushed me a bit and made me sore. Tomorrow's a rest day. 

A day late and a dollar short

January 27, 2015

So I'm good at working out every day, turns out I'm not good at blogging every day. Yesterday was a leg and glute day. I did the pin "Your Best Butt"  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112764577/

This was a really quick workout and it left me sore and sweating. I didn't take much for breaks between the exercises and I did have to google what some of these meant. Today I feel it in my legs, not so much my butt. I did 40 side lunges (20 per leg), 30 glute kickbacks (also known as donkey kicks), and 15 side leg circles. If I do this one again, I will add weight as it suggested. I didn't think I was to that point, but since I don't really feel it today, I guess I am. Today is arms and abs. Whoohoo!

Working on the weekend!

January 26, 2015

Today you get another weekend special-a 3 for 1!

Friday, I rushed in a quick arm workout before people came over to do some crafting. I did the pin "5 Moves to Toned Arms" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112768892/



Saturday, I did a core workout that focused on abs, back, and legs. I felt this one in the hamstrings on Sunday. It was called "The Better Body Workout: Abs and Core" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112959703/ I really like this type of pin, it has a lot of variety and it goes pretty quickly. I did one of these types of pins last week and I felt it for days. This one wasn't nearly as painful. It may be that my abs are in better shape than my legs so they took it better, who knows. I walked about 4 minutes before (did .25 of a mile) then walked another 8 or so after for a total of 3/4 of a mile on that day. I also stretched out well.



Sunday was a rest/cardio day. I didn't really follow a pin, though if I have to mark one, you could say I did the Couch to 5k, week 5. I walked for 5 minutes at 4 mph, then ran for 10 minutes as 5.8, then walked another 5 at 3.8. Total I did 1.6 miles. That was the most I have ran continually since I started this project and it actually felt pretty good.

That was my weekend! Tada! In addition to the Finer Things Club Friday, Saturday I went to Anything Goes at the Lied Center with Brett and then Sunday, Ashly and I binge watched Pushing Daisies and finished crafting. I'm such a party animal.

My Finer Things project, something like this:

Walk like an Egyptian!

January 23, 2015

Man guys, let me tell you, when I have musical late, I'll get a workout in, but then I am just too pooped to type up my post. That was the deal last night. Yesterday I focused on legs and glutes. I did the pin "The Lean Legs and Tight Butt Workout" from Women's Health http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112926387/

This was nice short workout (in comparison to some I've done). I did 15 reps of each exercise, and two times around. After the first one, I did at 20 calf raises on the stairs, just because I didn't feel like this exercise set focused too much on those. The reverse lunges with kicks were the most challenging to me. In total, this took about 10-15 minutes per circuit (I did do the 60 seconds rest between each set, or maybe a bit more). 

I'll get in a short arms workout tonight before I go out, then tomorrow is abs and yoga!

JockJams Vol. 1

January 21, 2015

I missed my post yesterday because I was tired and went to bed, not because I didn't workout. So, I'll take the time on my rest day today to catch up. Yesterday was an arms and yoga day. I had musical at school followed by speech, so in my 45 minute window, I slipped into the school gym and borrowed their weights.

I did the pin "Upper Body Workout Routine for Women"  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112768883/

Not sure why it's only for women, I think this would be a challenging routine for anyone. I had to Google a few of the terms on this one (lateral fly, tricep kickback, up and down planks) and this one did take me most of the 45 minutes I had. I walked 4 minutes before I started to warm up, then I stretched out. My legs and glutes were pretty sore after the Monday workout (so keep that one on your radar). I may dislike  up and down planks as much as burpies. That really rock abs and arms. I did most of these with dumbells ranging in weight from 5 lbs (for lateral raises) to 10 for most everything else. I did 2 sets through because I ran out of time, but I don't think I would really want to do it three time.

I am starting to see some definition on my arms, which isn't hard since I started with nothing. I am sore today in my shoulders, but not so much my arms. I'm assuming that will happen tomorrow.

After I got home from speech, I did some basic yoga moves. I wasn't following any pin, but just stretching out what felt sore and tight. Next month may be a 28 day yoga challenge...

I Like the way you Work it!

January 19, 2015

Back to legs, glutes, and abs for the day. I found the perfect pin "Sculpt Sessions: abs, thighs, and butt" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112926370/

This was a pretty quick workout once I stopped procrastinating (like it took 30 minutes). You definitely feel it the second time through each circuit. I had to look pretty carefully at some of the exercises to figure out how to do them. They were definitely moves I've never seen in a class. The plates swimming didn't feel that hard to me, so the second time I just planked for a minute. At the end, I walked for 4 minutes at 4 mph on the treadmill and then stretched out.

A weekend special!

January 18, 2015

I know I haven't posted in a few days, BUT I have been working out. So, brace yourself for a whole bunch of pins!

Friday was a chest and triceps day (supposed to be followed by yoga). I had a concert Friday night, so I had to cut it short and only did the chest and triceps part. I did the pin "Sexy toned arms in 6 weeks" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112768887/ . I used 10 pound or 15 pound kettlebells for the different moves. I did two rounds with 15-20 reps per round. I definitely felt the burn.

Saturday I made up the yoga I skipped Friday night with the morning yoga pin I did last week. Again, I changed up the order to make it more of a flow. It really does help stretch and loosen things up.

 

In the afternoon, I focused on back, biceps, and abs. For back and biceps, I did the pin "Back and Bicep Challenge" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112768936/ I didn't have a bar, so I tried to do the exercises with a dumb bell. I did 15-20 reps on each exercise, two times through. I'm certainly sore today. I skipped the "good morning" thing the second time around. I tried to do it with a dumbbell the first time, but it didn't feel right, and I didn't think I was doing it right.

 

 

 

For abs, I took a page out of Cosmopolitan (literally). I've gotten this magazine for years and I don't think I've ever done a workout from it. Now I can say I have, and yes, it was hard. I did the pin "Get a sexy stomach" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271110861997/ . The total ab tightener was a bit confusing, definitely read the instructions, it takes coordination.

 

 

Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I hadn't really done any cardio this week yet, so I took advantage of the beautiful weather and took Finn for some interval running. It was hard to find a pin for outside running (most are tailored toward treadmill) so this was the best I could do: Halfway to 5K interval run http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112916040/

 

It's hard to interval run while outside, so I ended up estimating the time based on the length of songs as I ran and the timing on my runkeeper app. I ran for 26 minutes and did 2.1 miles. I think I made the last 5 min run more like a 3 minute run, but Finn and I were both pooped. I run a lot faster when I run outside, and there are hills to deal with.



 

 

Ahhh Push It!

January 15, 2015

Week 3 of this experiment means the beginning of specific body part workouts. Today was a focus on legs, glutes, and abs. For legs, I did the pin "Sexy Leg Workout" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271108409458/

This one was hard, my legs feel like jelly. I did split the 100 jacks into two sets of 50 (so it went wall sit, jacks, wall sit, jacks, then sumo squats). It did take around 15 minutes to do the workout, which was nice.

For abs, I did "All-Over Abs" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/119697302568974001/
This was also quick, but I feel it already. Mountain climbers were a new addition to my ab workouts.

It's one for the Money, Two for the Show, Three to get Ready, Now Go Cat Go!

January 13th, 2015

Today marks the beginning of high school musical season. Crete is doing All Shook Up (music of Elvis, plot of Twelfth Night--shameless plug) so I spent most of my time after school listening to the first day of auditions.

I popped into the gym at school for a quick cardio session followed by yoga in my room (there are too many windows in the weight room in the gym). I basically did the same cardio as last Tuesday, but did a 5 minute walk at 4 mph, then a 5 minute run at 6.2, then a 5 minute walk at 4. I did the walks at a 3 incline, and the run at .5 incline.

Yoga for legs! Good stuff!

Uptown Funk You Up!

January 12, 2015

Full body workout day-kicking a Monday hard! I was sore today,  but I pushed through it to do a kind of tough workout. I did the pin "Survival Fitness Daily Workout." http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112033260/

This was a circuit that I did three times. The pushups are still hard for me (I'm doing the ones from my knees, not from my toes). Hitting 20 three times was tough. The leg lifts were hard by the end too, but those lower abs are a place I really want to work. I did not walk a mile, I did a few yesterday, I think I'm good.

Run, Run as fast as you can

January 11, 2015

Before this whole experiment, my only working out was a run or yoga. Today was a cardio day, so I went back to what I know, a good run. The pin I did today was "Beginner Treadmill Interval Workout" http://www.heandsheeatclean.com/2014/01/beginner-cardio-treadmill-interval-workout.html

This one was a great workout. I worked up a sweat but didn't die. By the end, you will have run a little over two miles in 27 minutes. You could certainly go faster than listed, but the point is to gradually increase the fast two minutes in a ladder fashion that goes up .2 mph then back down. I could see myself doing this one again, and I was pretty concerned about running at 6 mph ( I stick in the 5 range most of the time).

Two for the price of One

January 10, 2015

I know, I know, I didn't post yesterday BUT I did get a tiny workout in. That migraine that showed up Thursday night hung around until about 10 last night. So once that left, I did a pin called "Cure Headaches with these Yoga Poses" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112765215/ Quite apropos for the night.

It wasn't challenging, but it did get rid of the lingering headache.

Today was a full body day. But, I felt like I didn't do enough yesterday, so I started with a pin "Good Morning Yoga Sequence" you know, in the morning. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271112421638/

This pin is great for stretching out stiff muscles. However, it doesn't give you a lot of warm up stretches. I do those, and then try to make this morning like a flow (you have to add in downward dogs between 2 and 4, skip 3 and do it after your lunge). In fact, I did them like this: 1--2--downward dog--6--4--5--3--downward dog--other side of stuff--7--8. Her sequence doesn't flow as well.

I got to the full body workout around 5. For that I did the pin "No Gym? No Problem." http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271110448908/

 

 

This was a tough abs workout more than anything. To make this pin workout better as a circuit, I broke it up. What I ended up doing was: 2x20 triceps dips, 2x30 crunches, 2x15 squats, 2x25 bicycle crunches, 2x30 lunges (15/leg per rep), 2x20 side crunches (20/side/rep), 2x10 burpies, 2x25 reverse crunches, 2x20 Russian twists, 2x30 scissor kicks, and I added 2x10 pushups. Mostly I just halved the numbers in the pin to make it work as a workout I did twice, but for some of the exercises, I felt cutting them wouldn't be enough of them, so they got doubled. This workout took longer, but I will definitely feel it in my morning!

Bootylicious...eventually

January 8, 2015

Miss me?! Rest days are totally the best! I stretched out well yesterday, and was quite a bit less sore today. Today I was having a pre-migraine halo before I worked out, so I popped my meds and tried to get the workout in before the full blown migraine set in. I almost did it.

For my first full body workout of the week, I did the pin "Fitness at Home" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271106886623/ I got through the whole routine twice, but my head was pounding too much to get the third set done. I now know I hate burpies, high knees test my ankle strength quite a bit, and all of these routines really love a ton of jacks. Wall sits are getting easier, as are push ups. We'll see how I'm feeling towards the end of this next week.

Taking it easy!

January 6, 2015

I did it, one week of activity! Tomorrow is my first rest day, and I'm quite excited for it (that being said, there won't be a post tomorrow, I just plan on stretching). Today, was a lower impact cardio and yoga day. To do this, I followed a couple of different pins. For my cardio, I did day 1 of the pin "Couch to 5k Running" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271106886611/

Compared to the interval running I did the other day, this was a piece of cake. I walked pretty fast 3.9-4.2, and ran at 5.6 mph. I did .8 of a mile in 12 minutes. I could have used less rest time, more running, but my legs were pretty sore and I don't want to push an injury. My legs certainly hurt after the squats and lunges from yesterday.

After the run, I stretched out really well and did this yoga pin "Yoga Sequence that Burns MEGA calories". I did this sequence three times as a flow (moving pretty steadily from one position to another based on breath), and the slowed down and held each position for 5 breaths (30 seconds) two times through. It was a restful way to end my week of activity, but I still felt the burn in my arms during the down dog (position H) and position F (Don't know what that one is called, I just know I can't hold it there for very long), and then in my abs in the plank (position E). 

All in all, it hasn't been a bad week. I definitely enjoy being on the couch reading a lot more than I do working out. But I do find I have more energy during the day and I'm sleeping better at night. I have found time to work out and so far, nothing else has really suffered. There are things I could have done instead of working out, but so far it seems to be a good addition to my schedule. Three more weeks, we'll see if I can do it!

It hurts so good...

January 5, 2015

Ok, I don't know about you, but the day after a hard workout, I'm thinking, I'm doing great, maybe I'm not in as bad a shape as I thought. But then two days after, I hit a wall, everything hurts, and I realize, nope, you are in bad shape. That's where I'm at. Thanks to the whole body workout two days ago (and probably the run yesterday), I hurt in muscles I don't ever remember labeling in my anatomy class in high school.

Today was a full body workout day. I did the pin "Toning Up" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271106886609/

Everything felt weak and unstable today. I tried to really stretch out well before I started, but doing this three times definitely pushed my tired body. To be fair, it was my first day back at school and I'm certainly running sleep deprived (I should sleep well tonight). I only did 40 of the jumping jacks, instead of 80 each time through. My butt was burning enough after 40, I called it good. I used a 10 pound weight on the squats, and did plie squats on the last set to work my gluteus (wider stance, point toes out-like in dance). That was a nice burn. Also, my abs have never looked like this pin. I like to bring a six pack to the party, but like a six pack of beer (probably why I don't have the other kind). Happy Monday friends! How are your resolutions going?

Run, Run, Run, Run, Runaway

January 4, 2015

Cardio was the name of the game for today's workout. On my outline Brett made me, today I needed to find a pin that would give me 20 minutes of cardio, something like interval running, kettlebell swings, something varied. Since my chest was still sore, I opted for running and found the pin titled "Treadmill Workout." http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271107882679/

The pin said it will "flatten your belly, slim your thighs, and firm your butt in 2 weeks! Try it! :)".  Well ok then, count me in.

Since I've not run in a while, and even when I do run, 7 is fast, I knocked down the speeds on the faster sides. I did anything marked 6 and a 5, and a 7 was a 6. Even with lowering the speeds, I still did about 1.75 miles. I walked about 3 extra minutes at 3.5 at the end as a cool down. Then I stretched out when I was done (just as I did before I started). In total, it took me around a half hour.  If I continue to use this pin for my cardio days, I may eventual get up to the 6.5 and 7, but for now, this asthmatic can't do it.  I'm back to school tomorrow, so my workouts will drop to after school/early evening.

Variety is the Spice of Life

January 3, 2015

Today was another full body workout. Since the yoga yesterday was a bit heavy on legs and arms (shoulders), I focused on finding a workout that had more abdominal exercises. The pin of the day was "Early Morning Cardio/Strength Workout" http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271106886617/

It probably should be noted that I did this around 1, so in no way was it early morning, but I slept in, so in terms of morning, it was still kind of morning. I mean, I had just finished my coffee, so... yeah.

 

This is actually a workout I had done off my Pinterest board before (shocking, I know). I did up some of the numbers to make it a bit more challenging to me. I did 20 crunches, instead of 10, 20 calf raises, 30 second planks, and 15 second side planks. My abs are probably one of the stronger sets of muscles I have, so I wanted to make sure they were challenged. I certainly felt the burn during the Russian twists. In future, if I repeat this workout, I will probably add weight to the squats and Russian twists.

Yoga makes my heart happy :)

January 2, 2015

Ok guys, I'm sore, my chest, my thighs, my arms (all the places I knew I was weak). Further proving that I am out of shape and in need of intervention.

Today, I took it a bit easier and did 30 minutes of yoga. The pin is called "Get Stronger Now"
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273312271110214468/



Being the good yogi I am (it's really the only form of exercise that happens semi-regularly), I started and ended this pin with stretching and a few warm up poses. These poses are challenging, and I think a bit rough to just jump into (so that is a bit of a Pin fail).  As I worked through the poses, I held each one for 5 breaths, or about 30 seconds (except for the plank, which said to hold for 60 seconds). Another thing this Pin doesn't make clear is that you have to do both side (legs) in the poses. Yoga is all about balance. Afterwards, my legs are a bit more sore, but I feel better stretched out and maybe less sore.

Can you Pin your way to fit?

In the spirit of a new year and resolutions, I decided to do an experiment and make it public. I have, as I'm sure many of you do too, a spot on my Pinterest account for a board dedicated to fitness. Now this board has many pins, but is not often looked at or used. I decided I needed to change that. So what I intend to do is to see if I can get fit, toned, and feeling better with more energy, just using pins. I'm not allowed to do anything other than what is on a pin, and I'm not going to upload any new pins front the internet. I'm trying to see if I can get a balanced workout that helps me achieve my fitness goals just be using Pinterest. Brett has helped me with the basic structure I should be looking for in my workouts for the next 31 days, and now I have to try and find the pins to make it happen. There seem to be a lot of great things out there, so I'm excited to get going.

I only plan on using basic gym equipment. I have a treadmill at home, resistance bands, kettle bells and dumbbells, and a stability ball. I think those things should be enough. My workouts should only be 20-40 minutes long; I just don't have time to do more. I'd like to find out how to make this fit into my busy lifestyle of teaching, directing, and performing.

Also, I'm the kind of person that if I don't have a workout buddy,  I can use just about any excuse to avoid working out, which is where making this public comes in.  I need to know others will know if I skip a workout; I need to accountability. I know (and you'll see from Before pictures) that I'm not a fat person, but I also know that I'm not really a healthy person, I just have good genes which keep me thinner. I use a Garmin Vivofit tracker and know I take an average of 5,000-6,000 steps a day (I don't often meet my 10,000 step goal). I eat ok, and generally sleep 7-8 hours. All of that is nice, but I'm not toned, I lack any muscle definition, and have no cardio stamina. I'm not in this to lose weight, if I gain weight and it's muscle weight, I'll be fine with that.

Feel free to join me for the next 31 days and see if you too can get fit! You can find my board at www.pinterest.com/musical_muse3

 

January 1, 2015

BEFORE: 123.4 pounds

  No flexing...

 Attempting to flex... no biceps to be seen. :(

 Not much seen here... probably should have worn shorts.

My first day started with sleeping in after a late night and found me feeling quite apprehensive to start this journey. I did not want to take before pictures (even though this was my idea) and I didn't really want to work out. I really wanted to sit on the couch in front of the heater and read all day. Finally around 3 pm I stopped procrastinating and went to the basement to workout. It was freezing, so 30 more minutes of stretching and sitting in front of a space heater, I finally got started.

(Btw, I workout watching Bones... I don't know why, but I like it better than music)

Today I did a pin called: The Morning Workout



It was hard, at least for me. I did pushups from my knees, no way I could do full ones yet. Everything else I did all the way. It took me about 40 minutes to do all three sets. I took a 3-5 minute rest break between each rep through. I ended feeling weak and wobbly. I'm definitely out of shape.