Food=Energy

Just like my article "You're just like a car" says - food is your gas. I actually experienced it for the first time this past Friday.

Last week was week 1 of my soccer conditioning program I put myself on. Friday was a long day - 12 hrs at work, a small 10 minute walk earlier in the morning during a bit of a break, and then off to soccer for 2 hrs after work. I felt good all day - but after about 20 minutes at soccer, I knew something wasn't right. My body eventually was going into 'shut-down' mode. I literally had nothing left. Thankfully I was not to the point of passing out, but I felt incredibly weak. I even left 15 minutes early, which is EXTREMELY out of the ordinary for me with soccer.
I got home and felt just horrible. But once I finally got the energy up to get some food in me, I was fine. The next day, I felt normal again.

What I learned later after logging my food (as I do each day of my program), I saw that my caloric intake was low for what I needed (that day especially). It all made perfect sense then.

So for week 2, I've increased my calories slightly back up to where they will give me enough energy to do things, but still be able to burn them off as well. And this week at soccer - LOOK OUT! :o)

The Journey towards a goal

As we all know, this is not an easy road to travel. The journey towards a health/fitness goal can be a bumpy one. It's how we handle the bumps along the way that matter.

I have been pleased with my routine since January of this year. I have figured out times that work, and have created a habit by doing my routine at those times. Same time, each day. I know, that sounds impossible, and believe me sometimes it's tough. All I did was pick a time when I knew that the chance of not getting my workout in was minimal.
Each week I'm up at 4:30am Mon-Wed-Fri for work. So on my mornings off (Tues-Thurs) why not get up early since my body is used to it, and do my workouts in the peacefulness of the morning. IT WORKS! Even though my ideal time to workout is afternoon-evening, I have created the habit of working out early. Form a habit, and everything else falls into place. :o)

The beginning of this week marked the start of my soccer conditioning program. For the last 3 years I've been wanting to do a serious conditioning program for my favorite sport prior to the season. But with owning my own business and other things going on, it never worked out. But now it has left me determined, excited and into it!!!! It's only been 3 days now, but it's been going great (both nutrition and conditioning), and my confidence in my plan is high.

Sometimes journey's take a while to get started, but it'll only make you stronger for when they do! Have fun!

Be Happy! Smile!

Have you ever had those days where things just seem GREAT! Everything is awesome. Family, friends, life... Be happy with those days. Enjoy them! Do your best to make everyday feel this way. Stay positive, stay true, and keep smiling!

Snow workouts

I have posted 'winter workout' info on my blog earlier this winter, but this past Wednesday reminded me again of how much fun a winter workout can be.

My fellow co-worker and I, went out Wednesday morning to do a snow workout. What does a snow workout consist of? Anything! That's the beauty of it! Whatever you want, it can have! We went onto the soccer pitch behind our work, and did some exercises. The snow was anywhere from mid-shin to almost knee deep. We started with some quick walking through the snow for a warm up, then did things like: 2 footed hops, sprints, pushups, agility runs, and lateral 2 footed hops. Yes it kicks your butt, but it's fun too. We had a lot of laughs. Not to mention it just reminds you of being a kid again and getting out into the snow! Falling in the snow while doing our agility runs, tumbling down while trying to run backwards, getting snow in our face because we're laughing while doing pushups... It was tough, but fun! That's what workouts are all about - CHALLENGE YOURSELF, BUT ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

What makes you happy?

This is my question to you; What makes you happy? Can you answer that?

It is so important for each and every one of us to know ourselves, inside and out. So I'll ask again, 'what makes you happy?'. The only 'rule' to this is that you cannot pick material items (money, TV etc...) If you don't know, think about it. When you find out, write it down somewhere safe. Re-check it once or twice per year. Change it or add to it if need be. But, most importantly - know yourself.

For example, for myself I have many things that make me happy:

-Friends
-Family
-Time with friends and family
-Music
-Sports
-Fitness (workouts, yoga etc...)
-"Me time"
-Relaxation
-Nature (being outdoors)

There is more, but these are some of my favorite things that make me feel great! All of these things allow me to be me. What are yours? Think about them, embrace them, use them!

Why not stretch!?

I have been amazed since becoming a fitness professional about 6 years ago, at the number of people who lack flexibility or who omit this important part of their workout. Our daily lives have become more sedentary in the fact that we're constantly driving in the car, sitting at our desk, sitting watching TV, sitting at the computer etc... where our muscles are inactive. On the other side of things, our stress levels are higher than ever because of the "go, go, go" mentality of our world.

Stretching allows our muscles to remain flexible, maintain range of motion (ROM), and even better yet - allows our body to relax! It's funny when you mention to a client the importance of good stretching activities, and they ignore it or figure it's not worth they're time. Yet if I told them that they should go have a 10-15 minute nap everyday so they can relax, they'd probably do it, right?

When we stretch after a workout, it allows the body to cool down. It creates awareness of your body (how you feel? where are your strengths and weaknesses? how did your workout go? etc...) The best thing of all - you feel great and you feel relaxed! That's part of the point! Yet, still too many people ignore the benefits of this important aspect of our health.

It only takes 5-10 minutes at the end of your workout to stretch the entire body (more if you want to though). 5 minutes! That's it!