Traveling and Exercising

These two don't mix in my book!  They just don't.  No matter how much I think that "next time will be better", it's not.  By the time I get out of my house and travel 6 hours in a car, the only thing I want to do is relax in the hotel room.  Most hotels don't have the greatest fitness rooms and their treadmills are from 1924.  Even if it was a super nice treadmill, I still wouldn't like to get on it because for some reason treadmills hurt my body.  I can't run as fast, as far, or as easily.  I end up with a terrible side stitch before I even make it a mile.  That's  just frustrating to me.

Then comes your next question.  Why don't you just go outside and run.  Well, some most of the places I go, unfortunately, do not have the safest environments to do this.  Back when I was just a single girl, I may or may not have just gone out for a run anywhere I semi felt safe.  Now that I am a wife and mother, I feel a little more important!  HAHAHA  I know, I know...

So this past week, I was gone.  It was detrimental to my workout routine.  I was lazy and more lazy.  By Wednesday, however, I was able to force myself out the door of the hotel and get out on my feet.  Thankfully, I was in Champaign and VERY familiar with the University of Illinois campus.  I took myself on a 10K trip down memory lane.  It was a very relaxing and much needed run.  This week I'm aiming to get back on track.

You've heard me rave about the Nike Training Club app for iPhone before.  Yesterday my friend/coworker/lunchtime workout buddy Sarah and I hit the gym for a quick arm workout.  We used the NTC app and did the "Arm Definer".  While I will admit that I am a little sore today, which I love, it was my favorite routine.  It was 15 minutes (which we loved), but went on a 5 move repeat.  We had to do each of the moves three different times.  I'm not big on repeating, especially the moves that I don't like. :)  But we got through it and like I said, it worked because I am sore today.

Today I'm hoping to do a long run.  Since I'm not training for anything right now, I'm considering anything from 5 miles up a long run.  This sometimes makes me smile since I can remember a time not too long ago when my long runs were 15 miles and up.  There will come a time in my life when that is the case again, but not now.  I'm concentrating on other parts of fitness now as well as just flat out being happy!! :)

Fall!

The weather is cooling down (slightly) and even though summer is my favorite season, fall is starting to reach it.  the older I get, I start longing for fall.  I think these days, it's because I know I get so wear boots, cute jeans, long sleeves (without a jacket) and fashion is so hot for fall!  I created a some new outfits today that, of course, I can't afford, but I'm going to try to match them as best as I can.  So excited!

Casual Fall outfit by lindsey-atkins featuring side zip boots

Happy Monday

Monday through Friday I usually need to get my workout in at lunch. About a month ago I found this great app that Nike has. I already have and have been using the Nike+ Running app. I love it. It's great to track your miles and help you set goals for yourself. You can earn badges for doing more and more workouts. The app is called Nike Training Club. If you have an iPhone, download it now! It's free.

Today I did the 30 min workout called Squat Party. Loved it! I do these workouts on a Reebok Core Board at my gym. I try to use it as much as possible. It works wonders for your balance and core strength. My friend and personal training mentor, Rebecc Wyatt Meyer, introduced me to the awesomeness of this board. I love it!!!! If you haven't done a workout on it, you need to. It works your while body. Here are some of the other workouts I've done as well. My only complain is that they only have one "ab" targeted workout.

I also got to do my first personal training session with a client tonight. I must say, she is an amazing hard worker and I think we are gonna reach every goal we set. I'm excited about our future.

Last, but definitely not least, I tried out my spin class routine on my husband. I gotta tell ya, he did great too. Now I just need to try out my first Pilates routine on him and see how he does. He's such a good guinea pig!

Rest Day

Did you know that rest days are even more important than your workout days?  During rest days, your body recovers and repairs all of the microtears that have happened during your previous workouts.  Rest days are actually when your body gets stronger.

Sometimes it's so hard for me to take a rest day and other days I'd like to take a few in a row.  :)  Working out every day is not good for your body.  You have to let your muscles recover.  That my friends is when stuff happens!

That being said, I may do a quick ab workout for today, since I've done cardio for three days in a row.  Rest my running muscles and work my core!  I may do a Pilates routine.  Then next time I go for a run, I will be able to do a little more and go a little faster!

Here is a little article from LiveStrong on rest days and why they are important!

Welcome

Hey y'all!  Thanks for stopping by!  I've started this blog to share the things I'm passionate about in life;  working out, running, fitness in general, crafting, music, my experiences as a wife and mother.  I have another blog that started out as an online diary/documentation of my life with my daughter Lila.  I started to stray from that and decided that I would start a new blog for my personal stuff.  I hope everyone enjoys "running" with me here!

My goals are to post workouts, running plans, craft ideas, recipes, etc...whatever comes to my mind.  I'm very excited about it all!

I don't do an extreme amount of exercising; I'm not super crazy, but if you are just a normal person wanting to start getting in shape and your doctor gives you the ok, try to do some of the workouts I post.  My hope is to at least give y'all some motivation to get up and do something active!