threeculbersons

Posts Tagged ‘Fitness’

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Stairs of Death

In exercise, Fitness, Running, San Diego on November 3, 2012 at 2:20 am

It’s been a great training week…40+ miles of cardio and tons of strength conditioning.

I climbed stairs today. After a 10 mile (hard) bike ride. Rode with a friend at Lake Miramar, which is a 5 mile loop, one way. But it’s quite hilly and curvy. So got to work on some bike handling skills. Afterwards,  we decided to run the “Stairs of Death”…that’s literally what they are called when you google them. No joke. Tierrasanta Stairs of death. Awesome. Let’s run them!

That’s how us endurance athletes roll.

Tierrasanta Stairs

View from the top!

Our legs were pretty shaky, so we kept it to 5 sets. I’m so bummed I’m flying out next week, I will definitely add these to my weekly workouts!

1. Warm-up 2. Lunges (every other step) 3. Side lunges 4. Run 5. Fast walk

Not only is it a great aerobic exercise, but also an anaerobic one as well. I don’t think my little heart has ever worked quite so hard! Great for lower body conditioning and power as well. The workouts are endless. You don’t  have to run up and down over and over to get a kickbutt workout.

My run interval

Waiting for Danielle…ha ha.

Danielle, who mind you, did 8 sets of them last night. Bless her!

Oh, and if it looks like I have shorter hair, well…

This happened yesterday!

2 10″ ponytails are going to Locks of Love!

Hope you found time to sweat today!

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Track HIIT

In exercise, Fitness, Life, Running, San Diego, sock monkey on November 1, 2012 at 3:23 am

For the love of my sanity, I had to switch up my workout today. I knew I needed to get a few miles in, but just was NOT feeling the regular routes I run.

So I sucked it up and put together a track HIIT and decided that would have to do. It’s still rather warm here in San Diego, it was probably near 80 today. Made for a warm workout. This was my first “organized” track workout…

I did some dynamic stretches/moves and then a 2 mile warm-up at a 7:14 pace.

4 rounds: 400 m sprint, 1 min jump rope, 10 burpees

Can I just say my admiration for Usain Bolt has skyrocketed. I mean, I loved him before…but man! I know he typically races the 100 & 200 m…but 20 seconds??? I’d be cocky too…just sayin’.

Track HIIT #getafterit

Get your own Reebok #getafterit tee here.

If you can’t make it out to a track but still want a @ home HIIT to do..try this.

4 rounds for time: 10 – 35lbs overhead walking lunges, 1 minute jump rope, 10 burpees. 

WOD gear

Use a weight plate or a pair of dumbbells, whatever you have. Jump rope and some sort of interval timer. That weight plate has been one of the best fitness investments I’ve made this year!

So far I’ve logged 30 miles this week in cardio…go me!

GNC energy bites

I LOVE GNC’s Total Lean energizing bites. And right now you can snag them for $10.99!

Happy Halloween!

My sock monkey.

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Business Venture.

In California, Fitness, Personal Trainer, San Diego on October 31, 2012 at 3:07 am

My life has been pretty crazy.

This happened today…

Flat truck tire.

Not just any ole flat, a driving down the freeway blow-out flat. I mean, only me.

Anyways, I’ve been working hard at mapping out a business plan for myself. I have settled on the name C² Fitness and working on websites, social network sites, etc… Oh, and the whole legal/business side of everything. I hope to be fully launched the beginning of the year. So stay tuned…

You can check out a “rough” draft of my website here  C² Fitness. I still don’t have business logos, but I’m working on them.

You can also follow me here…

http://www.facebook.com/c2fitnesstraining

9 days until Ragnar Tennessee!

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GNC Total Lean PB Shake

In Fitness, Food, Recipe, Running, San Diego, Weight loss on October 16, 2012 at 11:47 pm

GNC Total Lean 25 PB shake

This bad boy is packed with 30g of protein! And it is delicious!

What you’ll need…

4-5 ice cubes

1 cup Almond Breeze unsweetened milk

2 scoops GNC Total Lean 25 – Rich Chocolate

2 tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter

2-3 Truvia packets

Dash of cinnamon

I like to mix everything but 2 Truvia packets, blend well then add the other two packets once in my cup.

Blend well

Cinnamon has several suggested health benefits…

  1. May lower bad cholesterol (LDL)
  2. Has antifungal properties
  3. Has anti-clotting effect on blood.
  4. Natural remedy for eliminating migraines/headaches.
  5. Can helps stabilize blood sugar (which is good for weight loss)

IMPORTANT: It can be toxic in large doses. So just a dash or shake in your coffee/tea or in this case, a smoothie/shake will be plenty enough. 

Also, the PB 2 powdered peanut butter product is AMAZING. I ordered mine from amazon.com and this is my first time using it. The taste is amazing and using it in smoothies is a great way to eliminate the extra calories and fat regular PB has.

GNC Total Lean 25 PB Shake Nutritional Information: 285 calories, 9g fat, 24g carbs, 7g sugar, 30g protein.

This was my post run fuel, even though I only ran 2 miles. More time constraints…ugh!!! But I pushed myself and tried to make it a worthwhile run.

I should’ve gone for negative splits…oh well. 8:24 overall pace.

Sophie has graduated to a new booster (carseat) !! She has also just been accepted into a preschool program here in SD. We are very excited about that!!

Big girl!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. Always consult your Dr./Nutritionist if you have questions.

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Knees-to-elbows Crossfit Style

In CrossFit, Fitness, Personal Trainer, Running on October 15, 2012 at 11:18 pm

The last few months, I’ve been really trying to focus on core based workouts. Lots of plank work and HIIT workouts. The purpose being, I want to be a stronger runner. I want to run farther, faster. I’m looking for a sub 4:00hr marathon in January and I know it’s going to take lots of work to get there.

Several of my WOD’s require knees-to-elbows but my core/abs have not been strong enough for me to efficiently do them. Sure, I can bust out a few of them, but keeping my body in correct alignment and preventing the swing has been hard. I found this video and I’ve adapted this technique and it’s, not made it easier, but has helped me remain in control.

With correct form, I can only do about 5 of them. But I’m getting there…

Starting position. I have to cross my legs because my door frame isn’t high enough.

*Side note: Did you know that just hanging like this, for a minute, is a great way to get your body back in to alignment. Once you are able to hold on for that long, it feels great just hanging there, letting your body stretch out.

I sincerely apologize for the booty shot…ha ha. I couldn’t get a decent side shot, so this will have to do. But knees pulled all the way to elbows…yay!

Back to starting position.

These have been my weakness lately, and something I’m determined to improve.

Hopefully soon, I can start posting at home workouts. Now that I can officially start training people… 😉 I’m putting together a few, but want to try them out first. I love HIIT workouts that I can do at home for 20-30 minutes. IMO, they are effective and to the point. There is absolutely no need to spend 3 hours in a gym. 😉

Also, Jess @ blondeponytail.com posted an awesome full-body tabata workout. Did it this afternoon and was lying on my garage floor after I was done. I reallllyyyy wanted to stop after 5 rounds, but pushed through the full 8 rounds. A tabata is 20:10 x 8. So 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, for 8 rounds. It was a lot of plank work with weights…just what my core needed! It went like this:

1. Renegade row-to-spidey + wide jump. 2. Weighted skiers. 3. Plank to wide dead lift. 4. Reverse lunge w/ bicep curl. 5. Plank to overhead press. 

Happy Monday, hope you’ve had a great start to your week!!

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AFAA Certified Personal Trainer!

In Fitness, Life, Personal Trainer, San Diego on October 12, 2012 at 12:35 am

I passed my personal trainer certification!!! I received my letter and certificate today. 

Yay!

Months of studying and hard work, finally paid off!! I’m also so happy for my dear friend, Danielle, who passed as well!!

After our workshop a month ago.

Now what?? Well, I still feel like there is so much to learn, it’s an ever-growing field and new information is available constantly. The plan was to get my personal trainer then my group certification and indoor cycling (what I really want to do) cert. I hope to have my group cert by the end of the year and start looking for work after that. Passing the PT gives me all the confidence that I can pass the next two. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief!

I have to say a special thanks to a special lady, Pam Archer, who encouraged be to pursue this avenue and helped me with all my AFAA questions. Also, Danielle, for joining me on this journey, couldn’t have done it without either of them!!

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Make Ahead Breakfast…

In Fitness, Food, Life, Recipe on October 11, 2012 at 2:42 am

 

I was inspired by another blogger after she posted an egg casserole that she makes for breakfasts. I’ve been making a similar breakfast casserole for years now and it’s an absolute fav of mine. It’s so easy to make & re-heat. It’s great for all three meals and even snacks.

So I thought I would share with my readers. I like to have a few pre-made meals/snacks for during the day. It takes the guess work out of eating healthy.

Egg & Spinach breakfast casserole:

Finished product.

What I used:

8×8 baking dish

TJ Olive Oil spray

Italian seasoning

Mild cheddar TJ cheese stick (shredded myself)

4 eggs

2 tbsp chopped ham

1tbsp TJ chia seeds

2-3 handfuls TJ baby spinach

Salt/pepper to taste

Generously coat pan with spray and add spinach.

Beat 4 eggs, mix in everything else.

Pour over spinach.

Oven – 400*, Bake for 25 minutes. Makes about 9 servings.

Nutritional Information: (roughly) 1 small square: 56 calories, 4g fat, 5g protein.

I usually eat 2 squares, because they are kind of thin. They are so good and make great snacks too! And it’s totally customizable, add any veggie or meat you want. Leave out the cheese, etc. Personally, I think some small amount of meat/cheese helps hold it together. Enjoy!

I entered in to the Lululemon world today! EEK!!!! I’ve been contemplating a purchase for a while now and finally bought something a few days ago. 

My Lululemon purchase

LOVE my top. Going to try it out cycling tomorrow.

So pretty!

Sophie says “hi”…

Silly girl.

Ok, so are you a Lulu wearer?

What are your favorite pieces?

 

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Fall Mornings: Crockpot Oatmeal

In Fitness, Food, Life, Recipe on October 6, 2012 at 5:57 pm

 

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

I made Apple Cinnamon (my favorite) crockpot oatmeal for the first time last night and it’s delicious! I love oatmeal, but was skeptical that this would be tasty. It’s not only tasty, but it’s also clean and healthy.

Ingredients:

What you need.

What I used…

Grease your crockpot FIRST!!

I used Unsweetened Almond Breeze in place of skim milk and rolled oats instead of steel cut (didn’t have any).

Throw it all in the crockpot, sliced apples last and cook on low for 7 hours. I got up this morning about 7 and put my crockpot on warm. Left it that way until 10 and it was perfect. I added a few packets of Truvia, well because I have a sweet tooth.

Nutritional Info:

3/4 c. serving size – 149cal (that’s using skim milk), 3.6g fat, 27.3g of carbs, 3.9g fiber, 4.9g protein.

Original idea came from here.

Last night.

This morning!

Yesterday, my new medicine ball arrived, along with my Gymboss timer. I love them both!! So of course I had to try them out.

WOD: 10 weighted squats – 30lbs, 10 strict push-ups – 5 rounds for time

Thrusters and wood chops, oh my!

Used the weight plate for thrusters and the medicine ball for wood chops and more push-ups. Killer workout.

Last thing, if you know me well, you know I LOVE sports. Baseball and football are my two favorites, but I just love competition in general, so I get sucked in to most sports. Last night was VERY bittersweet as a baseball and Atlanta Braves fan. I’ve been a Braves fan my whole life, been to countless games and cheered religiously for them. Chipper Jones was a rare athlete in that he stayed an Atlanta Brave. For as long as I can remember, he has been the face of the Braves. The reason I’ve been a fan. Along with John Smoltz, Chipper has always been my Brave. You know, the one you buy their jerseys, t-shirts, etc… So his last at bat was emotional. I had invested many hours of my life cheering for him and I’m incredibly happy he has retired an Atlanta Brave. Thanks for the 19 seasons, Chipper!! Every minute cheering for you was worth it!!

My favorite Brave!

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Planktastic-Core

In Beach, Fitness, Running, San Diego on October 4, 2012 at 9:55 pm

If you’re a runner, you definitely understand the importance of a strong core. Agree? Agreed. Now, some people hear ‘core’ and think of those stubborn abdominal muscles. When I refer to my core, I’m referring to not just my abs, but also my back, glutes, and legs. It all needs to be strong. Our core supports daily activities along with physical activities/exercise.

I have a few favorite core moves that I incorporate daily in to my routines. I thought I would post my top 5 (as of right now, it does change). A few things to consider when working your abs and core. Always remain in neutral alignment, keeping your abs contracted (sucked in) and butt down. Hands are usually about shoulder-width apart. I love plank workouts…what better way to strengthen your core and work on flexibility and balance at the same time?

Plank-2-spidey:

Plank-to-spidey

Hand-release push-ups:

Hand-release push-ups – just like a regular push-up except you are coming all the way down, release hands, then push back up.

Plank Cross-unders:

Plank cross-unders. Knee to opposite elbow.

Mtn. Climbers:

Mtn. climbers – adds a little cardio interval in the mix.

Plank toe-taps:

Plank toe-taps

Just a few core exercises I’ve been doing lately. My favorite being the plank toe taps, it gets your HR pumping, especially if you add a plank jack in to the mix.

Oh, guess who joined the shaker/blender world??

GNC’s Pro-sculpt, pre-run fuel.

Did a 3.5 mile beach run this morning, which was no joke because the tide was high or at least seemed that way because they had the sand banked up. So I was either in the soft sand or at an incline. It was stupid really. But I got it done in 30 minutes, which gave me an 8:34 pace. Not bad for sand. Heading out again tonight for another 4 miler with my group…trying to prepare and train for Ragnar Relay!

Disclaimer: Consult your Dr. before trying new exercise programs/moves. If at any time you are in pain, discontinue the exercise. I’m sharing my personal exercises, if you choose to try them, you do so at your own risk. 

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Do Work Wednesday

In CrossFit, Fitbook, Fitness on October 3, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Did you get sweaty today??

Show your #proof!

Wednesday WOD:

Wednesday WOD

Because I don’t have a barbell, I used a 35# weight plate.

Core circuit from http://www.blondeponytail.com : 20seconds work – 10seconds rest – 5 rounds

DB swing

Push-up w/ toe tap

Single arm reverse lunge

Skull crusher in bridge

The shirt I’m wearing above is a Fitbook product. I love their message of live, life, fit. Not live life skinny or a size two…but being fit and strong.