New Workout Song of the Day (Hip Hop Edition)

Stronger-Kanye West
Changes-2Pac
Pump It-Black Eyed Peas
Don't Stop The Music-Rihanna
No One-Alicia Keys
Lose Yourself-Eminem

I am heading to the YMCA this afternoon for workout #2 this week!

Holiday Crunch

During the period from Thanksgiving until Christmas, our YMCA had a promotion called "Holiday Crunch". Basically, get 15 workouts in between the two dates and you get a free t-shirt.

Did I need another t-shirt? No. Did I need a motivator during the biggest eat fest of the year? Absolutely.

So I managed to do it. If you are doing the math, that is a workout pretty much every other day for 30 days. It was pretty hard to make happen, but I was determined and I actually finished up in time to leave for Christmas EARLY, so I worked EXTRA hard. You don't get extra gold stars or anything for that, but I thought I would point it out since this is my blog.

I picked up my shirt this week at the Y and I have to say, I was mightily disappointed. It is really ugly and not a fun shirt at all like I had anticipated. Once again, not because I need another shirt, but if you are GOING to give me a shirt; let's make it one that I will actually wear ok?

But that has given me the push to once again begin publishing songs of the week to add to your ipod or whatever mp3 player you might have to use when working out. Also, I am going to give you some idea of what I do when I work out so that it might help you to change up your routine. I have no idea if this might be helpful or not, but seeing as it is the New Year and some might be the resolving type-perhaps this could help things out.

New Classes to try at your gym:
Spinning-this class is a hard one, But you can adjust to whatever level you want and NO ONE will know it. They usually play fun music and it will kick your butt whenever you don't feel like thinking.

ZUMBA-I have just started going to Zumba and I have had a blast. Typically I hate aerobics classes because I don't feel like they give me much of a workout. I would rather run or something. But this is fun stress reliever and instead of cooling down, I will exit early and go run a mile on the treadmill just to go over the top. It is fun to dance for an hour and learn something new. Every person that reads this blog would have fun at Zumba. I know it.

New/Old Songs of the Week:
November Rain-Guns N Roses: This song is nine minutes long! Start out your run with this song and increase your speed on the treadmill as the beat of the song increases. By the end of the song, you will be flying along, nine minutes into your run AND probably have a mile under your belt already.

Pour Some Sugar on Me-Def Leopard This is a great song to follow up with November Rain to keep the tempo going.

So What-P!NK This song is super cheesy, but it does rock and it'll get your butt moving on the treadmill. Especially if you know P!NK story with her husband/ex-husband.


Push It-Salt-N-Pepa: I know you just laughed out loud. But since I know every word to this song from a cheerleading dance in the fifth grade AND it says the word PUSH IT over and over and over again right about the point when you would rather hit the clear/end button on the treadmill, it will buy you another three and half minutes.

The goal for the week? Get three workouts in by next Saturday.
Can you do it? Do you even want to? Post your thoughts here.

Please note, that ain't my picture. But's pretty funny. It came from the Daily Mail in the UK.

Day 3 missed

My kids little nursery school called yesterday and had me pick up the kids early because THEY were sick. How did I miss this?

Anyway, I took the kids to the doctor and on the way there I was struck with the worst migraine that I have ever had.

He gave me an imitrex (thank goodness) and told me the kids have a stomach virus. We came home and Matt took the kids so I could go to bed.

I got up in the evening and the kids went to bed. I was still feeling awful but managed to watch the Primary returns. Around 11:30, Asher starting throwing up. Yes, we officially have another stomach virus at our house.

So needless to say, I didn't get a workout in yesterday. And I doubt that I will manage one today since Matt is out of town until tomorrow and I can't take sicky to the Y. Maybe I can do a yoga class or something on InDemand.

But I was excited to hear that my mom has joined our workout club and that she has loved the challenge. Anyone else join and not let me know? Leave a comment!

It's a New Month

Matt has asked his staff to incorporate new daily disciplines into their routines this month. He does this often and they are VERY hard to actually do. I am posting this months challenge as a challenge to those who read this blog to also take part in this. The season of Lent begins next week, so it is always helpful to consider this time of year as a season of self-denial and start to remove the grip that certain vices may have on our lives.

Some people choose to keep their disciplines private in order for it to remain something just between them and God, but I need as many gold stars in my life as possible, as well as a forum for public shaming in order to keep me on my toes and actually do the things that I attempt to begin.

So with that being said, here is the months challenge: Exercise 30 minutes a day, Monday through Friday. Exercise can be many things, so for me it is going to mean continuously moving my body for 30 minutes straight.

In order to keep myself held accountable, I will post what kind of exercise I have done for the day. I will also post the most motivating song of the day, so that by the end of the month I will have a kick-a** playlist to run to. I will also post on Saturdays what my starting weight for the week was and what my weight was one week later. This is NOT about weight, but it helps to see how effective I am at what I am doing. Also, if I gain weight...it might motivate me to work harder. If I lose weight, maybe it will encourage you to begin an exercise regimen.

Mostly, this is just about me and how MUCH it helps me to be a better mom, wife and person when I am taking care of myself physically. During the season of Lent, I will add more disciplines into my life for the 40 day period. But for today, I just have to get 30 minutes under my belt! And hopefully, I will be able to tighten that belt even smaller by the end of the month. How about you? Will you incorporate any disciplines into your life this month? Share them here! (keep it clean please)