Day 12 and another workout app review!

I've realized that this completes 2 weeks worth of the program! Only 10 weeks left to go!

Thinking about the program in terms of weeks rather than days, makes it much more doable to me. Besides the weeks feel like the go by like days, especially in the summer. Speaking of summer, we've been so lucky to have some amazing weather recently! July has been hot, but bearable. I've been able to run in the late mornings/early afternoons on the shaded trails along the river, and it's been amazing!

Right now on my runs, I've been using 2 apps, listening to 1 podcast, and tracking my calories and heart rate with my Polar HRM. The first app of course is "Zombies, Run," which I've mentioned in a previous post that you can read here.

My newly acquired app is "C25k Free!" As it suggest in the title it is a free application you can just download. That is always a bonus! I believe that this app might only be available for Apple products and I'll include the link to iTunes at the end of this post. Now I've done C25k in the past and tracked it manually on my watch. It was okay, but this just makes it so much easier! I don't have to worry about anything, but focus on running and walking. To be honest I just completed Day 3 of the program and I'm already seeing improvements. Granted I was jogging the trails about a month before getting this app. I do believe it's helped improve my distance and stamina though.

I also wanted to mention that both of these apps work great with each other and I still listen to my pod cast :) Zombies run is amazing in the sense it pauses what i'm listening to, discusses the story line, then resumes what I was listening too. C25k Free, just tells me to start running or walking, in the middle of what im listening too. It also has a volume control so you can increase the woman's voice to hear it over what's already playing.

Here is the link to C25k Free as promised ;) C25k App click here!

Day 11!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Today I completed Phase 1 workout 2 for the last time! :) I'm excited to be moving on to Phase 1 workouts 3 & 4, but at the same time I'm expecting it to be challenging. The workouts today were tough, I typically go on a run for my cardio and then do Body Revolution. Today I ended up adding the cardio 1 workout instead of the run. It was tough, but I got through it. I am so tired now...so I'm going to end this post a short note. Must get to sleep!


Happy health and fitness!
~Maggie

Day 10

Today was my last Phase 1 workout 1, which seems like it went way to fast! It's become probably my favourite workout of the 2. I think it's because I know what comes next and I'm pretty confident at doing the routine. Maybe that's a sign though that it is time to move on to workout 3 and 4.

Now I say I'm confident in the routine, but that doesn't mean I didn't fall on my bum during towel runs! I must have been off balance because my ankle gave way underneath me and I heard it go "crrrruuunnncccchhh!" All I thought was "OH no..please let it be okay so I can keep up with these workouts" Low and behold I lucked out and was able to put weight on it and finish the workout out no problem. I also went for a run after, putting in some extra cardio and listening to Jillian's podcast. She actually had a question from a caller asking about doing extra strength training while doing body revolution. This is a "No no" I guess, and that the program is set up so that we can rest our muscles and let them repair. Extra cardio though is okay :) Phew...

Here is the link my friends to all the FREE episodes of Jillian and Janice's podcast. :)

Click here!

Day 9

Today was all about cardio, cardio and more cardio! Thank goodness to because my muscles are sore today! It is a pretty hot here though and we don't have AC. I knew I would get sweaty during workouts...but not this sweaty! My 5 year old said I looked like I dunked my head in water.

Speaking of my 5 year old, I had so much support from him during the workout. He was incredibly sweet, encouraging and told me to "do what the ladies are doing on the TV mama! You have to raise your arms higher." That was in reference to those "mummy kicks" she makes you do. My arms and legs always burn out on those. Anyway, my point being that sometimes the support and encouragement from someone really does help. It's just wonderful surprise when it comes from someone so young.

Plus right now he LOVES to run, exercise, jump, swim, and he has fun while doing all those thing. What little kid doesn't right?! :D I'm taking a lesson from him in that I shouldn't see working out or running as a chore to do. Making it fun for myself is what is going to make me stick to it in the long run.

To end the day off we went to the park and played Frisbee with our ultimate Frisbee disc. Those things can fly! It was so nice to be able to run around and play like a kid again, without feeling out of shape.

~Maggie

Day 8

Today was workout after workout, which is good right? Right now we have gorgeous sunny weather, so I've been taking advantage of it by running the park trails behind my house every morning. I love running those trails, it's so beautiful and peaceful. I'll share a pic so you can agree with me :)

Anyway, after that I did Week 2-workout 2. Does anyone else find that they work harder in workout 1, thus burning way more calories? I know I do..workout 2 for me burns like 100 less calories and I try to give it my all. I think there are more strength training positions maybe?

Finally in the evening when it had cooled off, but was still sunny out. My 5 year old and I walked to the park and played frisbee! We have this really awesome ultimate frisbee disc that flys through the air like you wouldn't believe. Had to do a lot of running around after that thing in the hour we played. Then it was off to the playground for a few games of hide and seek. See exercise can be fun!

Update on my weightloss: First week into the program and I lost 1.5lbs! I forgot to post this yesterday, since Monday's are my weigh-in days :)

New fitness purchases under $10

I bought a few things that have made me really excited to workout, so I thought I'd share!

1. Zombies, Run! App for my smartphone. I have an iphone, but this works on androids too! It's an awesome, fun app! It cost $7.99, which had me hesitant to purchase it at first. This app is really worth it though, they put a lot of hard work into it and it will last you quite a long time. It's basically an app you turn on that has you following a township that is trying to survive during a zombie apocalypse. You become one of the "runners" that picks up items and evades zombies for the township. You learn a huge story line that leaves you hanging after every run. After your run you get to apply the items you picked up to different areas of the town. This app is very detailed so you wont get bored, yet it's really simple and easy to work. It also syncs with your music or whatever else your listening too!

2. New weights! I needed a new weight set for my workouts with Jillian. I currently have 5lbs, 10lbs, and 20lbs. I typically use the 5 or 10lbs, but I found i'd burn out fast with the 10. Sooooo I went and bought myself some spiffy 7lbs weights, which im super excited to use today! Each weight was $7.00..which averages to a 1.00/lb :)

3. Candian Runners Magazine for $4.99! I never buy magazines because I typically find them full of advertisments and information i could find online. This purchase was different though, it made me feel like I was a runner! I felt like hey this is a specific magazine just for me :D It was motivating and inspiring to buy it and start reading it.

4. New workout t-shirts for $10. I found myself in the athletic section and couldn't help but buy myself a new workout tee. It's a dri-top..which supposedly helps with all the sweating during those tough workouts. With summer finally being here I hope this helps too!

All these purchases really help motivate me to stay in the game. I can't afford to treat myself every week like this, but this was just too jumpstart my game ;) Once in awhile it feels good to budget a few things like this into your workout routine!

And remember online is full of great resourse for free motivation...like this one, it makes me laugh every time ;)

Day 7 again...

Okay so i know this post is a few months late..whoops! No excuses..I got sick and the totally sidetracked, but no excuses! I'm back at it! I started body revolution last week and am now on Day 7 of the plan :D

After much thought I've realized that for in order for me to stay on track and motivated I need to make my food and exercise a HUGE focus in my life. I don't want to say I become obsessed with it, because that doesn't sound healthy. I do however need to make it a priority in my daily goals. I try to take each day as it comes and make the decisions I know will benefit me now and later down the road.

So as of now, i've completed week 1 of Body Revolution..I didn't track it week 1 because I already had late April, so I thought I'd start re-blogging my journey as of week 2. Here I am, it's in the middle of a heat wave (finally..took long enough for summer to reach us) and I'm about to hit play and do workout 1 for this week!

Side note: Went for a walk/jog today for an hour and burned 400cals. Couldn't run as much as I liked because of the heat. Must start running early morning or evenings.

xoxo ~Maggie