active

Fitness Friday & Nathan Sports Giveaway

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This month has flown by, I can’t believe there are only two days left for this months incentive program.  Unfortunately I took too many days of in the last few weeks that I will have workout today and tomorrow to complete the 80% for the month or I will have to do over three hours to complete the 70%….I think I’ll be going with 2 more days of working out. I had taken a break from Couch to 5k due to the fact our weather has been rain, rain and more rain which makes it difficult to get out and run.  The Hubz on the other hand has a beautiful gym at work so he has been doing his C25K on the treadmill at work and is a week ahead of me.  Also in new and exciting news the Hubz an I signed up for our first 5K you can read more about it here. With that being said I am back on the C25K wagon and am taking advantage of the sunny days to get out and prepare for my first 5K.  Okay so lets get to the break down of the past week April 22-28:

  • Friday OFF
  • Saturday 1.5 mile walk and power yoga 1hr 35min
  • Sunday 2 miles hike – 1 hour
  • Monday 20 minute Yoga/Abs/Legs workout
  • Tuesday OFF
  • Wednesday C25K Day 2 Week 1 plus walking- total 4 miles in 58 minutes
  • Thursday- 20 minute Ab workout

Totals: 22/24 days and 14hrs 23minutes/15hours

Friday- TBD

Saturday- TBD

 

Nathan REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Now that we have discussed the updates lets get down to the good stuff- the giveaway.  I think that this giveaway is perfect for this post and in honor of my first 5k. Nathan Sports just sent me one of their Speed 2 Hydration Belts and Zebra steel 700 mL to try out. The details about the Speed 2 Hydration Belt :

I have been wearing it for running and on our first hike of the season.  I have used other hydration belts before for hiking specifically and they have been uncomfortable and floppy but this one fit perfectly.  It fit snug on the hips to prevent any flopping and it was great because the storage pocket allowed me to carry my ID, car keys and digital camera.  I loved the water bottles; they were easy to access and drink from.  For our short day hike it held the perfect amount of water for one person.  I really am looking forward to using this more on afternoon hikes.  In addition to using it for hiking I also used it yesterday on my run because it was nearly 80F here and water was necessary for my 3 mile run/walk. Again I loved how it fit and didn’t shift while I was running.  I was able to carry my keys, ID and my iPhone which I use for C25K and music.  My only complaint is that I have to place my iPhone in the back pocket which makes it hard to use my headphones because the cord isn’t long enough.  Since  I don’t have another place to hold my iPhone unless I carry it in my hand or wear my SPIbelt (which seams silly)  I guess I will have to get a headphone cord extender.

The second item that I have been trying out is the Zebra steel 700 mL to try out. The details about the Zebra steel 700 mL :

I have tried my fair share of reusable water bottles including Nalgene, Sigg, Clean Canteen, and EarthLust however none of the models of these that I have tried compare to this style of water bottle.  This bottle is perfect for the elliptical because a) it fits in my water bottle holder (my other ones don’t) b) it has a great stray feature which means I don’t pour water all over myself or fall of the elliptical trying to drink oh and c) it looks pretty and has a fun design.  The mouth piece is different too it is very soft and flexible and perfect for to sip through.  I also love that it comes with 2 extra straws so you can switch them out while you are cleaning them or if you need to replace one. The other feature I love is the clip on the top; I haven’t used it yet but I imagine it will be great for hooking on things when traveling or even hiking.

Now that you have fallen in love with both of these items (you have right?) Nathan Sports is going to give one lucky reader both of these items.   Now here is how you enter, oh and this is open to US and Canadian residence and you can enter until May 2nd 10th at 8pm EST.

THE WINNER IS LAUREN!

Mandatory: 

1. Visit the Nathan Sports website and tell me something you learned. (leave a comment below)

Additional Chances to Win (you must leave a separate comment for each)

  • Follow Nathan Performance Gear on Twitter
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Follow my health counseling on Twitter
  • Tweet “I want to win the@NathanPerfGear giveaway on @cookveganlover http://wp.me/pFVWo-21j”
  • “Like” Nathan Performance Gear on Facebook
  • “Like” Cook.Vegan.Lover on Facebook
  • “Like” Get Healthy With Lindsay on Facebook
  • Leave a Facebook Comment on Nathan Performance Gear saying that you want to win and include http://wp.me/pFVWo-21j


 

Staying Active: April Update and a GIVEAWAY!

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We are a week into April and things have been going great, both the Hubz and I are keeping on top of working out and we even started Couch to 5k again! I have also been using Daily Mile to keep track of my activities and it is really great to connect with other people and find support, motivation and inspiration. So here is the break down of April 1-7:

– Friday Community Class at Evolution Yoga 1 hr 15 min

– Saturday 30 minute walk around Middlebury

-Sunday C25K Day 1 Week 1 plus walking – total 3 miles in 40 minutes

– Monday Rodney Yee AM Yoga and Yoga for Abs 40 minutes

– Tuesday walked on the bike path with the Hubz 1.5 miles 30 minutes

-Wednesday C25K Day 2 Week 1 plus walking- total 2.9 miles in 35 minutes

-Thursday- OFF

Totals: 6/24 days and 4hrs 10minutes/15hours

 

 

OISELLE REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Now that we have discussed the updates lets get down to the good stuff- the giveaway.  I think that this giveaway is perfect for this post, my new love like of running and because I know that many of you are runners or are active in other ways.  Oiselle just sent me one of their Recycled Poly Tech Tops to try. The Recycled Poly Tech Top was designed to be so light, “you might forget you have it on. The wing motion graphic across the chest mimics the lightness of your feet’s flight. And because it’s made of 50% recycled polyester it’s light impact on the planet too. A running top so light it’s practically gravity defying.”

– Light, silky fabric
– Flattering fit
– Silk screen graphic
– 50% recycled polyester/50% polyester
– machine washable

I have been wearing it for running and other activities.  I honestly thought the shirt wasn’t too cute in the photo and was like oh well I don’t need to look cute to run I just need to have something that is light and is great for running.  To my surprise (and delight) the shirt came and it was actually super cute on and it fit perfectly.  I immediately put it on and went for a run and fell in love.  The shirt is really great because not only is the fabric light on your skin it breathes really well and even though I got sweaty I didn’t feel drenched and weighed down.

Now that I have this top the stripey tank has caught my eye and would be perfect for summer. Oh and if you are a bride-to-be and a runner you will love this.

Now that you have fallen in love with this top (you have right?) I should mention that they sent me two and since it isn’t in my size one lucky person will have the chance to win this top.  Now the top is the one you see to the left (same color) and is in a size medium, however depending on how you like your clothes to fit it could easily fit someone who wears a small.  Now here is how you enter, oh and this is open to US and Canadian residence and you can enter until April 10th at midnight.

The Winner is:


Mandatory:

1. Visit the Oiselle website and tell me something you learned. (leave a comment below)

Additional Chances to Win (you must leave a separate comment for each)

  • Follow Oiselle on Twitter
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Follow my health counseling on Twitter
  • Tweet “I want to win the @Oiselle giveaway on @cookveganlover http://wp.me/pFVWo-1Lw”
  • “Like” Oiselle Running on Facebook
  • “Like” Cook.Vegan.Lover on Facebook
  • Leave a Facebook Comment on Oiselle saying that you want to win and include http://wp.me/pFVWo-1Lw

How Do You Stay Active? March Update & Plans for April

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Incentives Program

For our incentives program each month we have a set of goals to help us stay on top of being active as well as to track our workout progress.The incentive part of it is that  at the start of each month we will each be eligible for $50* of fun money, to be paid out on the last day of the month IF we accomplish our goal.   The goal:

  1. Work out 80% of the days in the month  OR 70% of the days in the month and 1 hour for everyday missed from the 80% (example: March 80% plus Hours goal–>Must workout 25 days and Total of 15.5  hours OR 70% plus Hours goal–>Must workout 22 days and 15.5 hours PLUS 3 hours for the 3 missed from the 80% days so total of 18.5 hours)

AND

2. Work out an average of 30 minutes per days in the month (October-May) and work out an average of 60 minutes per days in the month (June-September)**

Read more

March Goals Review

March 2011 Goals

  • Must workout 25 days
  • Total of 15.5  hours

OR

  • Must workout 22 days
  • Total of 18.5 hours

So far this month I am on track with the 80% however since I only have 1 off day left I may be turning to the 70% plan this month…..we’ll see. This is where I am at as of March 31, 2011:

  • Days: 22/25 (70% of the days in the month)
  • Hours:  18 hours 30 minutes/15.5 hours

  • SUCCESS!!

My workouts include yoga, groove yoga, walking, elliptical, weight training and Insanity.

April Goals:

April 2011 Goals

  • Must workout 24 days
  • Total of 15 hours

OR

  • Must workout 21 days
  • Total of 18.5 hours
  • Workout goals:
    • Start the C25K
    • Continue with Insanity
    • More Elliptical
    • Try a new yoga class
    • MORE  yoga classes
    • more 3-4 mile walks with the Hubz
    • Possibly hiking (if we can find a spot that isn’t too muddy)

What are your goals for this month?

 

Keeping Active Update

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Last week I wrote about the new workout plan that the Hubz and I have been doing for the past month.  You can head here to read the post in full but basically we have started a new incentive program to help us stay on track and keep us motivate to workout.  This past week I have been doing Insanity with Shaun T and I am absolutely loving it.  I am going to do a full review once I finish the first month.  In addition to Insanity I have also been doing some walking and yoga as well.

(Source)

* Update (Tuesday 3/22/11):

  • Days: 16/25
  • Hours:  9 hours 52 minutes/15.5 hours
    • Thursday: Yoga
    • Friday: Day 4 Insanity
    • Saturday: walked with Hubz
    • Sunday: Off

What is your favorite workout? Do you have a favorite workout video or program?

How Do You Stay Active?

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The Hubz and I have been feeling a little bit of the winter blues and bored with our current workout routines as well as a lack of motivation.  With summer around the corner we are getting excited for  hiking and gardening but until then we need to get ourselves in tip-top shape so 15 mile hikes don’t make us feel like we were hit by a truck the next day. In addition to changing up our routine we are also working on an incentives program to help motivate us to stay on track.

For our incentives program each month we have a set of goals to help us stay on top of being active as well as to track our workout progress.The incentive part of it is that  at the start of each month we will each be eligible for $50* of fun money, to be paid out on the last day of the month IF we accomplish our goal.   The goal:

  1. Work out 80% of the days in the month  OR 70% of the days in the month and 1 hour for everyday missed from the 80% (example: March 80% plus Hours goal–>Must workout 25 days and Total of 15.5  hours OR 70% plus Hours goal–>Must workout 22 days and 15.5 hours PLUS 3 hours for the 3 missed from the 80% days so total of 18.5 hours)

AND

2. Work out an average of 30 minutes per days in the month (October-May) and work out an average of 60 minutes per days in the month (June-September)**

March 2011 Goals

  • Must workout 25 days
  • Total of 15.5  hours

OR

  • Must workout 22 days
  • Total of 18.5 hours

So far this month I am on track with the 80% however since I only have 1 off day left I may be turning to the 70% plan this month…..we’ll see. This is where I am at as of yesterday:Today:

  • Days: 10/25 11/25
  • Hours: 6 hours 7 minutes/15.5 hours 7 hours 12 minutes/15.5 hours

Currently my workouts include yoga, walking, elliptical, weight training and most recently Insanity- have you tried this with Shaun T? What did you think?  As soon as the sidewalks and bike path clear out I am determined to start the Couch to 5k again as well. What do you do to keep active? How do you stay motivated?

Lastly I’ll leave you with my current workout playlist (it’s a work in progress):

What are your workout tunes?

*In case you are wondering why cash? Well Neil and I have a tendency to not spend money on ourselves even when we need to.  This money that we earn will be $50 we can use guilt free towards whatever we want.  Originally we were going to set a specific item/service as our goal but then decided that for us it just din’t make sense.  It works better for us to make a decision when the time comes based on what we need then. Additionally the money allows us to save up for more expensive items such as Lululemon clothes or hiking gear.

** June-September is the time of the year that we do hiking, biking, gardening and (hopefully) running so there are days that we may be active as many as 8-10 hours on a hiking trip that is why there is the increase of total hour goals.

 

* Update (Sunday 3/20/11):

  • Days: 14/25
  • Hours:  8 hours 42 minutes/15.5 hours
    • Thursday: Yoga
    • Friday: Day 4 Insanity
    • Saturday: walked with Hubz
    • Sunday: Off