Where's the Beach?

'Tis the season for gifts and lists of gifts. I had planned on doing a gift list for runners, but I think there are plenty of those being done right now. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing them and getting more ideas for things I "need." Rather than repeat what so many others are sharing - like fab long-sleeved running shirts with thumbholes that I want or tights that I need - I thought I might focus on other workouts like weight lifting. While I have a long wish list for my running gear, I also have a wish list (or list of things that used to be on my wish list) for weight lifting and at-home workouts. Since most of these things are ideal for at-home workouts or mini-gyms, maybe that's what I'll call this one - At-Home Workout Gift Guide . Note - I am mentioning Amazon, but I do not have an affiliate with Amazon, I just use Amazon a lot for purchases. I do, have an affiliate with Cathe Friedrich.  Equipment Kettlebells I found this set on Amazon ...

Date with Gym Today I had to put my workout off until after work. My sister was flying back into town from a work trip and we needed to pick her up at the airport. It was nice getting a chance to see her randomly during the week, even if it was fairly brief, so I gladly put off the workout. I will say, sometimes it's really hard to find that energy at the end of the day. All I really wanted to do was go home and be a slug. Yes, I really can be a slug I promise! But, I had a date with back and shoulders and I'm not one to back out of a scheduled plan. For the past few weeks I've been doing two sets of supersets at 4 x8 with dropsets at the end. Today I went that route again. Next week I'll probably do away with the drops though as I have read that they are good to incorporate, but not to use them all the time. It's good to shake it up either way. SS#1 Barbell rows Arnold press SS#2 Pullovers Front/side raise (raise front, open to side, return to front, t...

Moving It I had sort of hoped to get in a run at lunch with Jason today. But I definitely needed to rest both my heel and piriformis. So, I hit the gym instead. Since spin is out, the cardio was pretty boring - hello elliptical. I did the elliptical for about 40 minutes then did 3 rounds of a tabata session using kettlebells and body weight. It probably didn't actually help my piriformis one bit, but I couldn't stand the elliptical for a minute longer. It was a super simple workout as I hadn't exactly written it down. I just chose 4 exercises for a circuit that was repeated twice  before a break so each circuit (with break) is 5 minutes. You do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second rest before moving to the next exercise. After all 8, you rest 1 minute. Kettlebell swings Kettlebell figure 8's Alternating front lunge holding kettlebell in both hands chest level Squat thrust with pushups Kettlebell swings Kettlebell figure 8's Alternating ...

Elliptical & Kettlebells Today was another oddly warm day - 80 degrees in March. Rather than hit the gym at lunch, I had to make a quick trip to Target. It was nice being outside even if it was just a quick errand spent mostly in the car. The sunshine definitely helped my mood. I won't harp on it; I feel like it's becoming redundant. But I really had no motivation for the gym. It just felt too nice outside to be stuck indoors. Thank goodness my gym does have a nice view. That helps some. But my PT wants me to lay off spin for now, so that really only leaves me with the elliptical, weights, and the kettlebell tabata that I've been doing (low-impact). In other words, it's kind of hard to get excited about doing something not terribly exciting. I can definitely understand why people stop working out if they aren't doing something they really enjoy. On a positive note, I did pick up some new magazines while at Target. I've gone through A LOT of magazines si...

Gym Drama Today started off incredibly cold - as in 23 degrees but gusting winds so the wind chill was in the teens. At least it was sunny though. As I watched the marathon training group run past my house (it's on the marathon route), I was a little wistful of course, but then almost thankful for the excuse not to be out there in that cold. Though, I will not take running in any temps for granted once I'm able to be out there again. So yes, I was actually jealous of people running in freezing temps as crazy as that sounds. Luckily, I have a gym and back up plans. Or so I thought. Lots of drama up in the gym apparently. The gym is located in a corporate high rise near our house. On the weekends and after hours you do have to be buzzed into the building then sign in with the guards. Jason and I got there around 10:30 and were told that the gym was closed until further notice. Um. What? I really and truly almost had a total breakdown. I can't run, our gym room at the h...

Gym Day Typically Fridays are my rest days. But, I had a very unscheduled rest day on Monday, so today was another gym day. I guess since I'm not running, I can rethink my weight splits again for now. Of course, this leads to lots of overthinking, rethinking, thinking thinking thinking. I wasn't sure what I was going to do today. There is no spin on Friday unfortunately. I thought maybe I could tough out the elliptical with a magazine for about 30 minutes then do kettlebells for about 15 minutes. What I ended up doing was sort of a combo plus back. I was going to do back with biceps and triceps tomorrow, but this gave me a chance to focus specifically on back. That's a good thing of course. I can work the back without being tired from the biceps. So, I did 20 minutes easy on the elliptical to warm up before doing supersets for back. I went with 2x8 unless noted: SS#1 Wide-grip assisted chinups Pullovers (increased weight) SS#2 Barbell rows Incline rear flyes ...