Good-bye 2009!

Happy new year, everyone!

Have a happy, healthy and safe new year's celebration with your friends and family! This year we are keeping it low-key, staying home with our family.

I hope everyone finds peace and works toward being the best person you can possibly be in the new year.

Today's workout:
30 min. run (3.5 mi - interrupted by child care)
20 min. resistance training

Zippy Gets Shod

Even though I have read and blogged about the benefits of barefoot running, I don't think I'm quite ready to go there yet, especially since I do the vast majority of my running in the gym on the treadmill and there are rules against that sort of thing.

So, I decided to go out and replace my worn out old sneakers this week. In the past, I have always just gone to DSW and picked out whatever felt good and looked cute. However, since I am a "serious" (somewhat) runner now, I decided to go to an actual running store and get "serious" running shoes.

It was a fun experience! I went to Fleet Feet Sports, a small franchise store specializing in running shoes, apparel and gear. It was a full-service experience. The young man asked me to remove my shoes and socks, measured and inspected my feet, and then analyzed my gait while I ran barefoot on the treadmill. He then selected three pairs of shoes for me based on his observations as well as the background information I gave him about my running habits. After trying on the shoes and giving them a whirl on the treadmill, I settled on the Brooks Guidance Ravenna running shoe (pictured in this post). It has lots of cushioning, feels light on my feet and looks cute!

Today's workout:

45 min. run (5.5 mi)

30 min. resistance training

60 min. yoga

Print Inspiration

I admit, I am totally addicted to magazines. I love having access to new and interesting information on all kinds of interesting topics. Magazines are easy to read, indulge my tactile experience of handling print media (instead of scrolling down a screen), are portable, and their bold, splashy headlines hold all kinds of promise.

I often get inspiration for my workouts from fitness and exercise magazines. Some of my favorites are Shape and Self. I also occasionally read Fitness, Women's Health, Women's Running and Runner's World. In addition, I subscribe to Yoga Journal and often try out their home practice sequences.

In order to keep your workouts fresh, magazines are a great way to inject new life into your exercise routine. They offer ideas that you can easily adapt to your own level and environment. Today I used the three abs exercises suggested in this month's Shape magazine. However, I used a cable machine instead of a kinesis machine, and substituted dumbbells for a kettle ball. I also created super-sets by inserting additional exercises after each abs set. It was an awesome full-body workout!

These magazines' web sites are also fantastic resources for additional information on health and fitness and have many helpful features like virtual training, workout logs, and online food diaries.

Today's workout:
70 min. run (7.35 mi)
30 min. resistance training

Yoga: Class v. Home Practice

Today I was so happy to revisit my old stomping grounds at the JCC and join the yoga class in which I used to regularly participate prior to a lifestyle/schedule change. It was such a pleasure to practice in a community of familiar faces.

However, in returning to this studio, the evolution of my practice over the past six months became clear. I became aware of some of the differences in doing yoga in a class setting versus establishing a home practice. There are advantages to both methods, and each way may have drawbacks, according to what a person is seeking from their practice at any given moment.

I thought I would set out some of the key features of each way of practicing yoga.

Yoga in a Class Setting

• Class days and times established by yoga studio
  
• Poses and sequences determined and led by a teacher
• Adjustments or advice may be available from teacher
• Yoga studio may provide additional equipment (mirror, blocks, straps, etc.)
  
• Teacher may provide additional challenges or modifications as necessary
• Practicing amid a community of like-minded peers

Yoga as a Home Practice

• Practice times flexible, determined by you
• Poses and sequences flexible, determined by you
• No external feedback provided - you can learn to monitor your own body
• Equipment limited to what you purchase or borrow
• Challenges or modifications determined by you
• Practice alone

For me, I have noticed that I feel a greater ownership of my practice now that I break out my mat on a daily basis. Being away from a studio or gym setting that provides regular yoga classes, I have more motivation to practice on my own. In the past, if I missed a scheduled class, I would just wait until the next class came around, even if it wasn't for a day or two, rather than roll my mat out at home. Now, I set aside time to practice every night, even if it isn't at the same time or for the same duration each night.

Also, I am able to customize the poses and sequences to match my own physical needs and mental attitude. While I thoroughly enjoyed the class today, it was not necessarily the same combination of poses that I would have chosen on my own. In some ways this is good, because it widens my perspective and keeps me from getting stuck in a rut; on the other hand, I want to make sure that I stay aware of my own goals and use them to direct my practice.

I enjoyed practicing with the use of a mirror today. I haven't been able to see myself practicing in a while. I definitely noticed an increase in flexibility and an improvement in form since I last saw my reflection in yoga class (several months). I also liked having the teacher adjust my form when necessary. I miss these forms of external feedback when practicing alone.

While I am happy that a daily home practice has rejuvenated yoga for me, returning to a class setting provided me insight into my practice as well. I will continue to practice at home, and keep my eyes open for more opportunities to join classes.

Today's workout:
60 min. yoga @ JCC
60 min. yoga @ home

Fitting in Fitness

I have noticed lately that several of my acquaintances have complained that they don't bother working out at their gyms because the child care is constantly calling them because their children are crying or have a dirty diaper, or need some other kind of additional attention. They say it isn't even worth going to the gym because their workouts are interrupted.

It's true that the child care can be difficult to manage. With three small children (ages 5, 4 and 1 1/2), I have definitely had my own issues with the babysitting services at a number of gyms. However, because fitness is a priority to me, I made sure that I chose a gym with the best child care facility available. The hours are lengthy, the facility is clean, there are age-appropriate toys and play spaces for different ages, and it is well-staffed by competent people. Still, I get called away from my exercise at least once a week to tend to the needs of one of my children. Sometimes, I am able to return to my workout, and at other times, my plan has to be cut short.

Even though this can be frustrating, it is certainly not a reason to give up exercise. Making your physical fitness a part of your daily routine sets an excellent example of healthy lifestyle for your children. The more often you go to the gym, your children will become acclimated to the child care center and less apprehensive about being left while you exercise. They may even make friends, and find fun activities in which to participate.

The truth is, even if your workout is cut short, you at least get some physical activity in. Rather than giving up, make an attempt to go every day for two weeks. It will get a little easier every day. Soon going to the gym will become a part of your and your children's daily life. Don't get discouraged by small setbacks ... keep going!

Today's workout:

45 min. run (5.58 mi)

30 min. resistance training

New Year Resolutions, Cont'd

At the Jewish New Year, I set a few goals for myself. These centered mostly around cultivating a positive attitude and bringing peace to my life and my family. For me, it is definitely important to re-visit these resolutions and so that I can re-align my focus to continue to strive in that direction. Lately, my patience has been sorely tested .... which is the time when it is most important to maintain a level head and clear vision. I am not always (rarely) successful, but reminding myself of my goals always helps to keep me on track.

I thought with the impending calendar new year upon us, I would also set out some fitness-related goals. The cold winter weather has had a negative impact on my motivation, but in past couple of days I have felt re-invigorated. Setting some new challenges will help keep me energized and active.

What I hope to accomplish in 2010:

• Continue a weekly running routine, averaging no less than 30 miles a week.
• Run at least seven 5K races in the summertime, with the goal time being 21:30.
• Continue a daily home yoga practice.
• Develop my hamstring flexibility.
• Introduce some Second Series Ashtanga poses in my yoga practice.

What are your resolutions for 2010?

Today's workout:
75 min. run (8.52 mi)
15 min. resistance training
75 min. primary series yoga

Time Wounds All Heels

Our feet have such a burden, carrying us through this life. The average moderately active person takes about 7500 steps a day. This means that an average person, with an average stride, who lives to be 80 years old, will have walked about 108,131 miles.

The American Academy of Podiatric Sciences explains the complexity of our amazing feet that support us for all of these steps:

Nowhere is the miracle of the foot more clear than watching the human body in motion. The combination of 26 bones, 33 joints, 112 ligaments, and a network of tendons, nerves, and blood vessels all work together to establish the graceful synergy involved in running. The balance, support, and propulsion of a jogger's body all depend on the foot.

For a runner or avid exerciser, the force and stress placed on the feet is even more intense than the average moderately active person. You may be more likely to suffer an injury or experience foot pain. Personally, I have noticed that since I have started running, I have felt new sensations in my feet that I did not experience before with lower impact exercise.

In order to keep your feet healthy and lessen the pain, make sure to choose appropriate footwear. One of my goals this winter break is to visit the local running store and get proper running shoes. Also, you can help your feet by doing stretches that isolate the muscles in your feet and toes.

Be aware of your feet as you are running or exercising and make sure to take care of them, because they are working hard for you!

Today's workout:

30 min. run (4.0 mi)

30 min. resistance training

60 min. personal yoga training

60 min. yoga @ home (still to come!)

Light One Candle

I haven't been blogging lately ... as it is for many people, it is a busy time in the Zippy household. There are lots of Chanukah parties and family visiting and school activities. The kids love it and it is all lots of fun.

This year, every year, we celebrate freedom and the right to worship as we choose. We celebrate the right to be ourselves and the right to live according to the dictates of our religion and our conscience. We celebrate the right to live in peace with others who make different choices. We celebrate our ability to light our Chanukah menorah on a street filled with Christmas lights. We remember with gratitude those who fought and gave their lives for those freedoms, in ancient and modern times.

Chag Samaech and Happy Holidays to all!

Today's workout:

50 min. run (5.64 mi)

40 min. ballet body class

45 min. yoga

Keep Zippin' Along

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
John Quincy Adams
(1825-1829); 6th Us President

Today's workout:

45 min. run (5.91 mi)

25 min. resistance training

75 min. primary series yoga

Saved by Julia

Tonight my husband and I watched Julie & Julia, the movie about the Julie Powell, a blogger, who undertook the self-imposed challenge to cook all 524 of Julia Child's recipes from her acclaimed cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time.

What I found interesting was the Julie Powell character's continuous claim that Julia Child "saved" her, that these acts of cooking and writing "pulled her out of the sea". While this description may be melodramatic, it does point to the need that many of us have to distinguish ourselves in someway and find something to define ourselves by. For Julie, she was able to escape the drudgery of her office job and her feelings of failure as a writer by tackling complicated culinary feats. Not only did she find cooking creative, relaxing and refreshing, it was a way for her to carve a new identity and create meaning in her life.

I think each of us needs something to hold on to, that we feel sets us apart and gives us a sense of who we are. Those of us who spend our lives taking care of others - our children, our parents, our students, our clients - may seek a deeper connection with our own selves. I personally strive to challenge myself with developing my physical fitness, but each of us set our own goals and find our own path. Once we do, it makes life a little bit easier.

Today's workout:
30 min. run (4.0 mi)
25 min. weight lifting
60 min. personal yoga training
60 min. yoga @ home

A Big Day for my Big Girl

So sad! My middle child celebrated her fourth birthday this weekend, but unfortunately, our memory card on our camera malfunctioned and almost none of the photos that I took were able to be uploaded onto the computer. So frustrating ... oddly enough, the same thing happened when my son was born. Why doesn't the camera break during inconsequential events?!

Anyway, we were able to get a few shots from her day.

G&D were very excited about the day of birthday parties (three parties in total that day!!!!). G wasn't quite convinced about her birthday though:
Mommy: "Happy Birthday!!"
G: "Am I 4?"
Mommy: "Yes!!"
G: "No, I'm not. I'm looking in the mirror and I'm still little!"


R knows his age -- one!!

Finally, at the gym during the party. She had a great time. The kids got to play all kinds of games to start off - balls and hoops and scooters and tunnels.

Note G's shirt -- I appliqued & embroidered the clown myself! I realized at the last minute that she didn't have anything special to wear for her birthday, so I made the shirt to match the clown theme of the party.

Parachute games are always a big hit.
Mackee the clown was awesome. He totally respected G's desire to not have any attention drawn to her and all the kids were enthralled with his act. G's favorite part was when he pulled out the live bunny rabbit at the end of his show! While the kids were eating pizza and ice cream (clown cones, of course!), he made balloon animals for everybody.

She had a really fun day.

Today's workout:
73 min. run (8.29 mi)
75 min. primary series yoga

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Honestly, as the weather gets increasingly worse, I truly feel like hibernating. I just want to eat and eat and eat, and then cuddle up under a cozy blanket and go to sleep ... and wake up to sunshine, reggae music, and waves. I suppose that's not happening though.

My motivation right now is very low - I usually experience this kind of feeling throughout the colder months. I really have to push myself to carry on with daily activities, let alone having the extra gumption to exercise faithfully.

Here are a few things that help me continue to maintain my exercise routine even when I don't necessarily feel like doing it:

• Set aside time every day specifically for exercise. For me, I go right after I drop the older kids off at school. I always practice yoga right after I put my daughters to bed.
• Recognize my malaise, acknowledge it, and then exercise anyway.
• Set specific goals. For example, today I will run six miles. This week, I will work on improving hamstring flexibility.
• Search through fitness magazines, books and websites for new ideas to add interest to my normal routine.
• Use a personal trainer or coach to provide external motivation.
• Exercise with a friend.

This winter, find your own inspiration to keep up your physical fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Today's workout:
50 min. run w/ hill sprints (6.03 mi)
60 min. yoga