Createlive: insanity

7.30.2012

Workout Weigh In, Fitness Tips, and Resources

Let's do this accountability thing, people! It's time to fess up.

This week, my friend Kelsey was visiting from Texas (along with her boyfriend, Murphy). Because we're both workout fanatics, we started the week with a workout and kept it up pretty consistently. We managed to get in everything from running to Ab Ripper X, from Insanity to Turbofire.

In honor of our successful workout week (which you'll see below, along with workout suggestions if you run out of ideas), I wanted to share two tips to staying in shape, rain or shine!

Make an exercise date with a friend to keep yourself accountable!

Kelsey and I used to live by this during college. We made a date - and even chose which workout we would do, sometimes weeks in advance - so that we would both follow through with showing up, sweating it out, and making it through the workout, no matter what. Having a buddy will not only make you more likely to show up, but it will also allow you to push and encourage each other, giving you both a better workout! By planning in advance, you'll also avoid the dilemma of wasting time or skipping workouts simply because you're not sure or can't decide what to do that day.

Exercise outside by protecting your computer and doing a workout video in the rain!

Some of you are fortunate enough to have a large area in your home for workout videos. Others are like me and live in tiny city apartments where doing a group video would either break your furniture or the floor below you (or a glass that rattles off the shelf - yeah, that happened). Either way, sometimes you just need to do a workout in the open air. When you're stuck doing a workout outside with the elements - whether it's the hot sun beating down and threatening to melt your computer, or the rain that moves in and threatens to drown it - you can still do a workout video. Kelsey and I placed the computer on a chair, underneath a stairway that offered partial coverage, and then fastened an umbrella to the chair to protect the computer. Then, we did a workout video in the rain. Let me tell you, there's something liberating about sweating in the rain!

My Week In Workouts (Since the last update)
*From 7/14-7/22, I was in the Outer Banks on Vacation and totally not keeping track of my workouts. Hey, after all, everyone needs a break!
Monday: Body By Science, 30 Minute Abs Class
Tuesday: REST (Work function all day and night)
Wednesday: 20 Minute Interval Run, Stair Master Sprint Workout, Ab Ripper X, 45 minute walk around Wicker Park
Thursday: 15 Minute Turbofire HIIT Workout, 5 minute Run Cool Down
Friday: REST (Bonfire night with the family)
Saturday: Insanity Max Plyometrics, Insanity Abs, 3+ hours walking at Wicker Park Festival
Sunday: 1+ hour walk, Body By Science, 20 Minute Interval Run
Monday: 20 Minute Intervals on Stationary Bike (Revised Megan Fox's Butt Workout)

Fitness Ideas?
If you're looking for workout ideas, check out my fitness page, buy some new workout videos, or try one of the following FREE workouts...

Cardio - Intervals/Tabata/HIIT

Cardio - Basic

Other Workouts

Your Turn!
Leave a comment below - maybe you comment as anonymous, maybe not - but tell us how your workouts were this week!
Don't forget to share a tip for how you stay in shape, rain or shine!

6.24.2011

We Can Work It Out

Disclaimer: This is a workout-related post... and, I know, not everyone wants to listen to the Fitness Field Marshall. If that doesn't pique your interest, don't cry. I still love you. Just for you, I'll be back later with some more love.

When I first got really into fitness, I often search the net for other workout schedules to learn from or try. Actually, I still do that fairly regularly, just to keep it fresh and confuse my body. Because that's fun.

~~Kanye's~~ Carly's Workout Plan:

(Source)

Breakdown:

Cardio:
5 mile run
15 min Jump Rope
60 min Elliptical
Insanity Pure Cardio

Weights:
Jillian Michaels (No More Trouble Zones)
Weights Class

Abs:
Jillian Michaels (No More Trouble Zones)
Ab Ripper X
Insanity Abs

Review:

Okay, good things about this schedule: Good mix of cardio and weights. I've learned that too much cardio without enough weights gives very temporary physical results without adding much actual fitness to your body. It is also really hard on my body joint-wise and muscle-wise and I end up with sore knees or shin splints. Let's not grind our bones into the ground, shall we? Similarly, too much weights without enough cardio might make us physically strong, but without cardio we can't see those muscles as well.

Bad things about this schedule: No stretch day. Other than my cool down stretches and the 15 minute post-weights class stretch, I didn't have an opportunity to really stretch my muscles. No Yoga. No Stretch X. The result? I'm sore. It's not horrible, no -- and sometimes, to be honest, I like feeling a little sore because it reminds me that I really worked out hard. But the soreness is not necessary - it just adds the mental comfort of knowing you kicked your own hiney. I much prefer to stick in one day a week devoted to really stretching my muscles (like P90X Yoga). I find that I'm able to perform better because my muscles stay feeling fresh. That means my runs get longer and my weights days are more intense. So, taking that day to rejuvenate is worth it by the end of the week.

Moving forward: I'm planning to... (1) add a stretch day next week, (2) get some new workout music, and (3) substitute a long bike ride in place of what would be a run in order to change it up, surprise my muscles, and get a good cardio workout in without pounding the pavement.

Mantra:
Someone busier than you is running right now.

Want to get the workouts I did?