Tank Top Arms

Archive for February, 2010

I feel motivated, pushed, supported, free and I’m in deep like. Spreading my wings, seeing more gray instead of black and white, and able to give of myself more and more. I’m loving life.

Remember that one of my New Year’s resolutions was to take 4 road trips this year? Well, aside from the fact that I have a pretty good feeling that it will be more than four, I got to enjoy a snippet of beautiful San Francisco this past weekend. It’s true, aside from sitting at the airport, I’ve never been to San Fran…(I know, I know ;-)…I mean “the city”.  I was like a kid in a candy store just coming up to the Golden Gate bridge! Good picture huh?I wanted to sponge up everything I could because I’d never been there before, but obviously there is only so much you can fit in one day. I was such a hungry student wanting to learn ;o) More like a giddy student at best! It was funny coming in because out of sheer luck, we landed on the exact streets that we wanted and needed to be on…or it could have been due to the fantastic driver! Have you heard of the famous Lombard Street? It’s one of the crookedest streets you’ll ever see! Needless to say, traffic was slow but the views were awesome from the top. Moving along, we also got to see the Transamerica Pyramid. It’s the tallest building in San Francisco and to come right up to it was pretty darn cool. Pay no attention to the cable in the pic though ;o)

After parking and heading out on foot, we walked…and walked…and walked. Lucky we like to walk so much! Pier 39, the Bay bridge, and Alcatraz were just a few of the sites new to my world. LOVE learning new things!

Weary at first but so thankful afterwards, we trekked through the Art Institute and went to the top to take in the views there as well. I was taught that we just needed to act as though we belonged there…and everything was fine ;o) Cherry blossoms are quickly becoming a favorite tree of mine!

With as much fun as we were having enjoying the city, we couldn’t pass up the fact that all the hills were giving us a good workout for our legs! Looking down from Union and Jones streets, it’s easy to see how one could get a rock hard butt with or without carrying any groceries.

I can’t in good conscience divulge all the details of our trip, but I can say that I’m definitely looking forward to my next one. Not sure if the kids will be in tow or not, but we’re looking at the Redwood Coast sometime in the summer. Perhaps Yosemite or even New York!! Hmmm, that wouldn’t be so much a “road” trip per se, but who cares! I’ve never been and would love to go.

On a side note that has nothing to do with this post topic…I love having three dogs!

It’s the year of the Tiger according to the Chinese calendar. My year. It’s already been a wonderful 2010 so far!

You know how when you’re working out, you usually take a break in between sets, or maybe a break from running and just walk a little bit? Oooo, oooo, better yet, what about when you take a “few” minutes to chat with your friend as a little break? Ask a Crossfitter to take that opportunity and you’ll hear “NAHHHHHH!! Breaks are for wimps!”

Have you heard of it, Crossfit? The first time you ever participate in a Crossfit session, you’ll never forget it. My girlfriend and I used to joke around about how we would pass or fail the toilet test. Basically, if we had a hard time “squatting” for the next couple of days, then we did a good job on our workout! ;o)

There are MANY benefits to doing Crossfit. Here are a few reasons to add some spice into your workout life:

• Cardiovascular
• Stamina
• Speed
• Agility
• Flexibility
• Strength
• Power
• Coordination
• Balance

For those that really enjoy exercise or want to vamp up their routine, Crossfit is like a chocolate delicacy from Bavaria. You don’t need cardio machines or free weights. You don’t need a pool or a fancy gym. As a matter of fact, Crossfit is a pretty plain Jane basic workout regime that will ultimately just kick your ass into the next day. Crossfit is a highly adaptable and constantly changing strength and conditioning program. In all honesty, it’s a workout that anybody can participate in, but truly will be appreciated more by those who are at a higher level of  fitness. Running, jumping, gymnastic type movements, climbing, and weight-lift training  and any other type of challenging and functional exercises are all game. Crossfit can benefit all different ages and abilities because the goal of a Crossfit athlete is  to be as fit as possible.

There are different routines that you can pick from. They vary from competing against one other, yourself, time, weight, and it goes on and on. The possibilities are really endless if you think about it. One of the best perks….no gym membership is required! Use your garage, an open room in your house, the backyard, a beach, a park, your driveway, etc…etc. Of course if you belong to a gym, you can do your session there as well. To put it simply as possible, think UNconventional. Think ABnormal. Think Wicked. I could put you through the ringer with a jump rope and a tire if I wanted to. Just to whet your appetite, I’m posting a couple of workouts that were put together by myself and my workout partner back in Hawaii. She and I along with another co-worker put together a blog called 2 girls and 1 guy workout together. Now granted, the blog hasn’t been touched in a while, but that’s besides the point. We created these workouts to share with others and to kick our own butts too ;o)

Sample 1- Rose: 5 rounds (sets) for time (try to complete as fast as you can)
10 burpees
40 air squats
30 crunches
20 sumo high pulls (these can be done with a dumbbell, barbell plate, kettle bell, or barbell w/ weight)

Sample 2 – Stick in the Mud (20 minutes. As many rounds as you can do)

10 burpees (see above)

20 air squats (see above)

15 clean and press

20 ball toss (abs)

10 split jumps

This kind of workout is being used by individuals and groups all over. Fire fighters, police officers, military personnel, working moms, stay at home moms, kids (my own), dad’s from every corner and good looking men in politics get involved in Crossfit! (Ok that last one was for my own pleasure).

So what are you gonna do? I challenge YOU to challenge yourself.