Fitness Friday-Beach Yoga

Trying something new can sometimes be very hard for one person.  Can you imagine trying to do things as a couple?  My husband and I decided while on vacation we would relax but try to stay within our routine.  I wanted to make sure get my exercise in as I never get to add this to my schedule because I am always running around with the kids.  At the beginning of this year we started working out together and it was great.  Working out together can be awesome, especially if your partner is motivating you to do better.

You may not know or feel comfortable with what you are about to try but just go with it.  As you can see from picture above, my husband felt completely out of place.  He works out and is a lifter.  This whole concept of yoga is not his thing.  I had never tried beach yoga.  But I was willing to try it, and yes, I drugged him along for the experience.  Plus, free class thanks to Hotel Del Coronado, beautiful blue beach water, and I am willing to try everything once.

At first I really felt out of place too but did not want to let my husband know.  Then I started to focus more on the sounds of the water. Beach Yoga was so calming.  One with the Earth.  Our instructor even got us in the water doing some poses out there.  We had the sand in our toes, the water hitting our feet, and the beauty of it all around us.  We may not have gotten every pose but this was awesomely peaceful.  Even my husband enjoyed it.

Do you yoga?  Have you ever tried it on the beach?  Listening to the waves crashing down, you breathing in the air, and just letting go.  Try it, this can be a whole family adventure.  We enjoyed it as a couple and there were a couple of families there together doing including some kiddos.

Friday Fitness-Vitamin World Ultra Woman Daily Vitamin Packs featuring Zumba®

***Disclosure-Sample product was received to review.  All opinions stated are based on my own personal experience.

Saturday, June 21 is the first day of Summer.  I have been working out and trying to get ready for Summer but am not ready.  Definitely not ready to fit a bikini.  Realistically I am making lifestyle changes but what girl does not want to fit in that 2 piece bikini.  We have so much fun stuff coming up this Summer, so much to look forward to.  But the thing on my mind is me and my body.  I was so glad to be able to have some help with my goals.

Experts say that the average woman gains five to seven pounds every winter, and while you may not notice those few “L-B’s” under chunky sweaters, beach season may have us running for our sarongs.

The Vitamin World store introduces the new Ultra Woman Daily Vitamin Packs featuring Zumba® for a kick-start to summer.  

These special edition vitamin packs are equipped with a full length Zumba® DVD and CD so ladies can kick their bikini bodies into high gear right in their living room.  Together with a healthy diet, this “bikini in a box” can help bolster your new fitness regimen with tailored pre-packaged vitamin packs to help you reach your goal.  Finally, if you’re over watching the workouts or just love the music, this pack comes with a CD with your favorite Zumba® tunes so you can Samba away your waistline while you’re cooking, driving or getting ready for a hot date!

The limited edition Vitamin World Ultra Woman Daily Vitamin Packs featuring Zumba® are available for $69.99, and $49.99 for members, exclusively at VitaminWorld.com and in Vitamin World stores in Ultra Woman, Ultra Woman Sport and Ultra Woman 50 Plus formulas to suit every bikini body.

So for the next 30 days, I will be doing Zumba and using this "bikini in a box".  What I like is that there is a pack just perfect for my lifestyle:

Yesterday was my day #1.  Life has gotten hectic for me.  I have a gym membership but can't seem to make it to the gym with the schedule we have.  Once I get home, I have my toddler, teen, the house, etc... exercise is the least of my worries.  When I can I fit a bike ride in or a run, but what happens on a week like this week when it is storming up a storm or I get home too late.  This was me last night, kids were fed, homework was being done, and toddler was happy playing.

Even though my toddler did stop me a couple of times, i finished my workout.  It was fun so glad I was able to pause it.  I am hoping the daily multi-packs give me energy because that Zumba kicked my butt last night.  I can't wait to see the results in 30 days.  I will check back in after the 30 days.

Don't the "bikini in a box" is a limited edition that includes the Zumba, in case you wanna get started and join me!

***CLOSED***Giveaway-10 Fitness Tips For Women 35+

***Disclosure-Sample product was received for review.  All opinions stated are my own.

It is the New Year.  Happy New Years!  Happy 2014!

So do you have a resolution?  Does it have anything to do with losing weight, getting healthy, or doing better?  Last year I got burned out working out.  My resolution was improvement and so I really did not need to focus on working out in a gym.  My focus was more improving my life.  I hit the Big 3-5 last year.  Things are not as easy as they use to be.  Exercising and bouncing back is one of the things that just is not happening so quickly.  But I am not giving up on improving my health.

Certified Fitness Trainer Tracie Long has 10 Fitness Tips For Women 35+:

1)    Weight training improves metabolism and can help women over the age of 35 lose weight

2)    Core training can make your waist smaller

3)    Lower body workouts using hip and glute variations can improve your “rear”

4)    A good night’s sleep is the single most important thing to improve overall health, hormone balance and increased energy level.

5)    You can get better results on a treadmill if you walk on an incline instead of running flat  

6)    Push ups require zero equipment, can be done anywhere & when done correctly, strengthen the chest, triceps, shoulders & even the core. 

7)    Medicine balls are great for core training and can improve your posture 

8)    A pedometer helps you be more accountable to your daily activity (or inactivity)

9)    A foam roller is a good tool for reducing stiffness/tightness in the body that could lead to injuries

10)  30 minutes of the right exercise can be more effective than 60 minutes of running

How many of you have time during the holidays to workout?  Were your schedules all over the place, and how about the food?  

Women can take a proactive approach with a new DVD health/fitness series that will improve their “rear,” help you lose weight and give you more energy during this hectic time of the year.  Nationally known fitness trainer, Tracie Long from “The Firm” franchise has created a DVD health/fitness series designed specifically for women ages 35 and over - Tracie Long Focus Series. The three titles “Lift Higher,” “Kickback” and “Power Up” were released on DVD on December 3, 2013 from home entertainment label, Shelter Island.

If you are ready to invest in your health, you need to start today.  Quit procrastinating.  The New Year is here.  Were you like others saying, I will start as soon as the New Year comes?  Have you started?

This video series is great.  I love that it is called FOCUS.  Why?  Because that is exactly what you need.  You need to focus and with this series that is what you are doing.  One step at a time remember.  Who needs a gym?  Who has time for a gym?  I know I don't.  So I have been getting home.  Getting dinner ready on the stove, popping this series in, and getting my workout on.  Remember Tracie's tip-30 minutes.  That is all it takes.  On Saturday mornings my kids sleep in.  So that is when I snuck my 30 minutes in.  Make it work for you.  Wanna try this series out?

GIVEAWAY-Tracie Long Focus Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 winner will be randomly chosen.  The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.  Good luck.  US only.

Thursday Turkey Trot Training

So there are 13 days and some hours left until Thanksgiving and until the TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services.  Christy from My Timeless Blessings and I have team up to train for this upcoming 10K.  Our main goal is to beat our previous PRs.

Sunday-Rest
Monday-3.5 miles in 35 mins

(This is Christy's leg.  Since the time has changed, we are actually running when the sun is going down.  She fell on the sidewalk.  But she got up and just kept going.  No pain, No gain!  No excuses!)

Tuesday-5.02 miles in 52 mins
Wednesday-Christy did 5.24 in 56 mins and I did 6.2 miles in 1 hr 13 mins

(We have been pushing hard mileage and the weather change has not helped either.  Christy's ankle started hurting so she had to stop.  Remember listen to your body.  You body will tell you when to stop.  Don't injure yourself.  Our goal was 10K mileage.)

Thursday-Rest
Friday-Rest
Saturday-3.1 miles (5K)

I have had a really hard time adjusting to the cold weather, well my lungs.  My throat is very sore from my not breathing in my nose and out of my mouth.  I am wearing a cold gear jacket.  It is always good that you prepared yourself for the outdoor weather.  You are no good if you are sick and unprepared.  So do layer is you need to.  The cold weather makes your body work harder, so if you need to slow down like me, do.

Make sure to follow Christy at My Timeless Blessings for next week's update.  Also follow us on twitter @independentmami and @corellana86.

***Disclosure-TXU Energy is sponsoring our Turkey Trot entries.  But all this hard work, training, sweat, cuts, and bruises are all our own HARD EARNED too!  We are not being compensated for these conversations or posts.  As always I try to provide you my readers with information to help myself and you along our journey.  I am not a doctor, so please do check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program or for questions concerning your health.  Good Luck!

April Runners Log

April is Earth Month. What better way to start this month then to do a race for the park.

My participation in the "4 the Park" Fun Run helps the Conservancy to plan, protect and preserve Memorial Park. Approximately 4 million people visit Memorial Park each year, with the Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail being the heaviest used park amenity in the City of Houston. Memorial Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, is working towards forest conservation and trail improvements within the park to ensure Memorial Park is a healthy and sustainable environment.

Alba

4 the Park Fun Run

04/02/11

0:46:23

4 Mile Run

I have never been to the trails at Memorial Park. I have only driven by.  I have seen all the runners, joggers, and walkers out there on my way home.  Boy, have I been missing out. The trails are surrounded by beautiful trees. It was great to see so many people come out and support.

So I thought this was it for the month of April but we are not done yet. Yep, I did 2 challenges again this month. What do you think I did?

I never ever, ever thought in a million years that I would think of running a half marathon or that it could be done by me. The first time my bestfriend told me about doing a half marathon, I was glad it was too much money and there were no spots left. And when I got sick in January, I almost felt good about not having signed up, like it was a sign that I could not have ever finished.

When my bestfriend brought it up again, I was like my bestfriend is trying to kill me. In the back of my head, I kept thinking my bestfriend did it, why can’t I. Not because it’s a competition or anything like that, but because I felt like my bestfriend had the courage to sign up and do it. Where I, no matter what, could not convince myself I could. Get it, I kept telling myself I could not, therefore, I could not. I have faced several obstacles in life where people told me I could not, and I took that as a challenge/bet/dare and I finished and finished strong. Whatever it was. Baby Daddy said I would never make it without him, I proved him wrong. Single mothers can never become homeowners, you cant afford it, but I did. I bought a house, and am paying for it. These are just some things that have pushed me to the limits, and I have gone all out to prove to those people I could do it. But when it comes to proving to myself I can do it, that’s where the problem lies. I do not believe in myself, well at least I didn’t.

My bestfriend put the challenge out there. My whole entire goal was to just finish. And I finished. It does not matter what place, or what time, the point is I actually proved myself wrong. The first 2 miles, were very hard for me. They were a battle within a battle. I had already giving up on myself. Anything negative I could think about, I was thinking it. When my bestfriend smacked me in the butt as she was passing me up, it snapped something in me. Somewhat of the whip hitting a horse, or the gun actually going off this time for the first time. My bestfriend believed we could do it and we did. I thank her for pushing me. Like her coach,Coach T said, it is good when we are held accountable. I like that we push each other. I am so glad that I did this. Here are some pictures of my wonderful achievement. I am so proud of myself. And yes, I am tooting my own horn, for the first time!!

The miracle was not the finish, but that I had the courage to start!

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

Alba- Hippity ROC 04/23/11 2:57:53 Half Marathon 13.1 miles

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

Wanna join me? Do you want to start? I started out doing walks. One of the first walks I did, and still do is the March of Dimes which is coming up on May 1st, Houston.

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner