Party Prep Workout

My friends Melissa and Carl and a couple of others had grand plans this morning to hike the hill that is across the street from their house in Breckenridge.  Well wind gusts of 50mph plus starting at midnight lasting through 10am this morning, including peak gusts of 100-126mph 5-6am and whiteout conditions 7:30-9am put an end to that hike outing.  We'd all had no sleep and power went out for about 6 hours.

So instead I got my workout today doing party preps that consisted of putting together an outdoor heater, carrying chairs down stairs, and carrying ice bags, bottled waters, and other party necessities up stairs.

Wasn't exactly the workout I'd planned but oh well blame it on the weather!

That hike will have to wait for another day.  I'm almost 6 months in to my year long blog (Jan 3 is halfway mark).  Cheers to 2012 being a year of getting in shape, eating better, enjoying better health and most of all just keep moving!  Happy New Year!

Cross Country Skiing In Breck

On Friday my friends Melissa and Austyn and I headed out to do a little cross country skiing at Breckenridge Nordic Center.  Melissa had gone a couple of times.  I'd been once with my cousins when I was in college but I think I was in regular skis when we skied in to a mining camp.  Austyn is a snowboarder and had never cross country skied.  So we headed out on a beautiful afternoon to try an activity that's new to us.

We had a ball.  I laughed the entire time and of course fell once.  I decided I needed to take a lesson.  But for a fun workout outing with friends it was a great adventure!  Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are definitely on my workout regime in the New Year.

White Knuckle Drive

Thursday was a travel day for me and with the gusty winds on I-70 it was a white knuckle drive!  Guess that's counts as a workout trying to keep the SUV going forward with gusty winds coming from the side.

Skate The Lake

Wednesday was ice skating at Evergreen Lake.  Such a great workout!  It was the first time I'd ever skated on a lake and one of only a handful of times ever.  I went with some of my cousins and friends.  What a great workout on a beautiful winter day.  It's definitely something I want to do again.  On the lake you do have to deal with more bumps than on an ice rink but that's part of the fun.

If you haven't tried it, do!  What I found is it doesn't matter what your ability, you'll have fun.  We had a group from newbies to advance skaters and everyone had a great time during this fun workout.

Stretch It Out

Tuesday was an easy day.  Just did some stretches.

Where Was Everybody?

So I headed out for an easy 30 minute run about 3 this afternoon.  It was a beautiful day in Denver - sunshine and temps in the low 40s.  Yes there's still snow on the ground but there was some melting today.  I hit the bike path and after about 15 minutes I realized I was the only soul other there.  Little odd...actually a lot odd especially in such an active city on a beautiful day. The entire time during my run I saw three people - one runner and a couple walking. So I had to wonder where is everybody?  Figured the malls would be busy in the morning and perhaps folks would get the workout done on a beautiful afternoon.  But I guess folks were out shopping, traveling or just enjoying a lazy afternoon at home or at the movies.  Oh well I love the solitude I found in the sun starting to go down and the snow lining the path.

When I got home I decided to do some abs and stretching.  I've been keeping my friend Melody's dog over the weekend.  Well as soon as I laid down to do abs he plopped down on my stomach and wouldn't stop licking my face.  So Ike became my ab weight.  Definitely made me laugh doing abs with Ike staring back at me!

Ike sitting on my stomach as my weight for crunches!

Christmas Run In The Sunshine

With snow on the ground and the sun shining it was the perfect Christmas Day for a run.  With temperatures getting above freezing it was nice to not have to bundle up from head to toe.  I was able to head out in capri running tights, short sleeve tshirt, and pull over.  I love getting out on one of the bath paths.  There are still some icy spots but for the most part they are pretty good.  The best part of all was just simply moving outside on a quiet beautiful early afternoon.  Didn't go for a super long time just about 30 minutes but got the Christmas workout done before heading over to my cousin's to take in the calories at dinner that I'd burned off.

My goal this week is to start getting back in some running. I've got to add back in some great cardio.  So my goal this week (with hopefully the cough going away!) is to get in two 30 minute runs and one 1 hour run/walk.  I think pretty realistic.  Oh and there's some ice skating and perhaps skiing and snowshoeing later this week too!

Slacker Saturday

So I'm a slacker but probably best just to rest so I can kick the cough.  Did do some stretching and easy walking, well more like strolling around.  For Christmas I would like to feel better since at the halfway mark Jan. 3rd I'm taking the workout plan to high gear!

Finally Go To Doctor Friday

Well I finally gave in and went to doctor for this cough that won't go away and has now taken my voice.  Diagnosis - major inflammation from coughing so much for over a month.  Lesson learned - next time I get a cough I'm going in!  So I'm on steroids for a few days to kick this thing.  Hope they kick in quickly!

Pilates on a Snow Day

I took a snow day Thursday!  Woke up extra early - 1:45am to go on air at 4am for snow coverage.  Worked late then had a pilates session with Erin at Pura Vida and haircut and highlights.  Even with loosing my voice because of coughing I decided not to cancel my pilates.  I really needed it plus it would be the last session I'd get in until after the new year.  Erin did a renewal/rejuvenate pilates session that involved a lot of stretching.  Just perfect for what I needed!

Feeling Puny Wednesday

With snow on the way I worked late Wednesday, had a ton of stuff to get done, and just wasn't feeling 100%.  Decided to take a rest day.  This nagging cough just wants to hang around.

Slow moving Tuesday

It's a slow moving Tuesday for me.  Woke up not feeling so great.  Guess it's this nagging cough.  Just took an easy walk to do something!

Reverse Lunge With A Twist

Yes I feel these today!  It's probably because I did the reverse lunge with a twist along with jumps and other lunges in my hour and a half Kinesis and Pilates session with Erin at Pura Vida Club.  January 3rd will be 6 months to my 40th.  Erin decided to kick it up a notch a little early!

These lunges are great to do with or without a medicine ball.  I did mine with an 11 pound ball.  These will help get you in ski or board shape in no time.

No Go Sunday

I had all intentions of getting in a run Sunday morning while in Estes Park but woke up late and had to head back to Denver to drop someone at the airport then head to Broncos watch party for work.  Was bummed the Broncos lost and that I didn't get to take advantage of the great weather (high of 56 in Denver) with a long run.

Off To An Event Saturday

Saturday I emceed an event in Estes Park and had to pick up someone in the morning at DIA then head to the Stanley Hotel for the evening's event of "The First Grader" screening to benefit End Malaria Now.  I did get in a nice post lunch stroll on Elkhorn (Main Street in Estes Park) but couldn't get in anything else.

First Ski Day of the Season for Me

Thursday I got in my first ski day of the season as I explored Echo Mountain for one of my Explore Colorado segments.  It was pretty entertaining to me that I took off to tackle the mountain with three very advanced skiers.

My friend and co-anchor Melody has been skiing since she was about 4 or 5.  Kelley is a heliskiing lover.  That's downhill skiing that's only accessible by helicopter. Catrina has been a coach for Team Summit, a competitive ski club for a couple of years.  Catrina was my coach on the mountain for the afternoon.

I was definitely VERY slow and timid on the first run but got more and more comfortable, even skiing my way through a couple of terrain park areas with jumps.  Notice I said through and not over.

We skied for about an hour and half then headed in for cocoa (yes with a few marshmallows) since it was getting really cold.  Skiing is such a great workout plus you burn more calories in the cold.  That's why it's okay to splurge on nachos and fries afterwards.  Of course splitting with everyone.  You worked for it!  

Push It Cardio

Today I hit the gym to do some cardio.  A little tired I decided to do cardio where I had to watch the clock so I would push it.  First on the elliptical I did two miles on a random course in 18 minutes with an incline of 13 (out of 25).  Next it was over to the treadmill.  I jumped on and ran at 6mph for 3 minutes then to sprints of 30 second spring then 30 second rest.

I started the 30 second sprints at incline of 8% (out of 15) and speed of 6.5mph. Took it up to 9% at 6.8mph. At 10% upped speed to 7mph and then to 7.5mph for 11%.  Then I did the sequence in reverse.  Walked for 1 minute at 4mph.  Then dropped speed to 1.5mph with no incline walk sideways on treadmill for two minutes, then backward for two minutes, the sideways on the other side for two minutes.

I finished out the treadmill workout with a fast mile at a pace of 7-7.3mph.  I did have to take two quick 10 second breaks on that one.

I'm going to feel this workout tomorrow!

Frog Lifts & Backward Step Down

Tuesday I found out the benefits of a Pilates session right after travel.  Two hours after landing back in Denver I was working out with Erin at Pura Vida.  It just really helped to stretch out the travel kinks!

Two exercises you can easily add to your at home routine, or in my case my exercise while traveling routine, are frog lifts and backward step down.  Frog lifts are killer for your abs.  The backward step down is a great exercise to get you in shape for winter sports or to just help you look great in those leggings!  Erin walks you through both exercises.

Zumba With Mom

I took my first Zumba class with my mom.  Actually hard for me to believe I haven't tried a Zumba class before but I haven't.  My soon-to-be 73 year old Mom gets her dancing shoes on several times a week and takes a Zumba class at the Life Center in my hometown, Greenville, SC.  Keep in mind that on her 69th birthday she took me to the hip hop class she was in to at that time.  My mom is a pianist so she gets the beat, but she's not a dancer.  It doesn't matter.  What does matter is she gets in there with women well less have her age and the shakes it like the rest of them!  She loves her Monday night instructor Amy and I can see why. Amy is vivacious, motivating and fun.

My mom was so in to trying the follow the moves she didn't even notice I was filming for a few seconds.  Of course I jumped right back in with her and Zumba-ed away.  In the words of my mom as we were heading to the class, "This ought to be a riot."  Yes mom it was and yes I laughed more than once but when I'm almost 73 I hope I can still get my groove on!

Here's a quick clip of my mom moving to the beat.

On The Go Sunday

Some how our Sunday turned in to an on the go day.  Church, walk to and from brunch, quick stop at someone's house for a visit, then movie.  Before my mom and I knew it the day was gone.  But we had a great time despite not getting in a good workout!  But we did get in a great walk to and from brunch in downtown Greenville.

Take Off Saturday

I decided to take off Saturday and just enjoy a fun day with my mom.  It was nice to have a relaxing morning then head off to a concert matinee then dinner.  We laughed a lot so I guess that counts since laughing does work your abs!

Walking Through the Airport

Friday was a travel day and I was flying Denver to South Carolina.  I do love getting in long walks in airports.  My flight getting in to Atlanta was late so I missed my connection but it gave me time to walk two terminals over - yes I walked instead of taking the tram!  Sometimes are travel days that the only exercise you get.

Stretch Thursday

Thursday was a crazy day trying to wrap up some projects before taking a few days off to spend an early Christmas with my mom.  I did get a little stretching but that it.  Definitely a hustle and bustle kind of day!

Walkin' Wednesday

Just had time to sneak in a couple of miles walking including two miles in heels walking downtown to meet two groups of friends!

Cold Jog

With this never ending cough I haven't been running but today with the temperatures in the upper 20s late afternoon I decided to venture out for a short easy jog.  It was definitely slow but great to be outside with snow on the ground (bike paths are cleared for the most part).  But seeing the snow on the grass made me decide I want a pair of snowshoes.  It was a great way to easy back in to some cardio and I'm so glad I braved the cold!

Reverse Lunge With A Reach & Pyramid Push Ups

In my Monday Pilates and Kinesis workout at Pura Vida Club, Erin had me do two moves that are great to help get in shape or stay in shape for skiing, boarding, and winter sports.  The first one is a reverse lunge with a reach.  The key to this one is staying up on your toes the entire time.  It's a great leg and balance workout.

The second is pyramid push ups that are a great variation from regular one.  The closer in the hands the harder it is so start with your arms out wide.

Have fun with these two new exercises!

Sleep In Sunday

It rained in San Antonio early Sunday morning.  Certainly a welcomed sight and gave me a good excuse to sleep in.  Something I don't get to do too often.  Since I'm still dealing with a cough probably a good thing.

Slacker Saturday

Okay so I was a slacker on Saturday.  One of my friends and I said the night before if we got up in time we'd go walk the golf course.  We'll neither of us got up to walk course.  Oh well!

The Power of Four 10s

Friday I got to get in a workout with my long time trainer, Gregg Bell, while I was visiting San Antonio.  He introduced me to a workout inspired by TRX.  Gregg knows I'm always short on time but maximum results.  Think I'm ordering the TRX straps after this workout of 10-10-10-10.  It's four moves and you do each 10 times.  You go from one straight into the next with no rest.

The moves are:  Superman, Push ups with feet suspended, Running Man, and Jackknife.  These are going to get your heart rate pumping.  After one workout, I couldn't believe how sore I was.

Click on link if you want to order the straps:  TRX

They're offering free shipping and 20% off! Guess that's going to be a Christmas present to myself.

Check out Gregg's 10-10-10-10 workout.  It's one that works!