So, let’s get back into our chat with our guest authors. Ashley, what is your current exercise routine like?
My dog and I take a two mile walk on week day morning's which includes a pretty steep hill that makes me huff and puff as I go up it :) The only problem is that when the wind chill is in the single digits, I'm not going out. The transition to my treadmill, while sounding like a plausible alternative, hasn't happened yet. I also do an early morning yoga stretch with a DVD. It may not actually be early morning when I do it but that's what it's called. I figure whenever I do it is good because I spend so much time on the computer. I'm trying to work in a mid-day walk with my dog as well. She's all for it. I'm the lazy one. I also have a timer that I set to remind me to get up and move around. When I forget to put it on, I can be so involved in a scene that two hours can go by without me even being aware of it.
I try to walk about 30 minutes each day. Yoga and Pilates are the two exercise workouts that I do during the week. I agree that sitting at a computer during the day is hard on the body. Starting to take more breaks during the day has helped me too. JF, what about you?
I go for long walks and I do planks to build up my core.
Thanks for sharing. Chris, what type of routine do you have?
I run at least three days a week. 3+ miles. I’m trying to get up to 6, but it’s winter so it’s tougher to get out consistently and I don’t do as much mileage on the treadmill. I need to start watching movies on my iPad and run longer.
PJ, do you have an exercise routine?
Ideally, I aim for at least 30 minutes five times per week of vigorous exercise that combines strength training, stabilization exercises, flexibility, and an aerobic component. Typically, that means two days of strength, one day of cardio, and then a rest day. Even if I only make 3-4 days per week, I can pretty much stay on track since I also teach a yoga class once a week and try to add in fun activities like kayaking, hiking, gardening, or in the winter—snow shoeing. The trick is to find things you enjoy doing and make them part of your everyday life. I’ve been a fan of Jillian Michaels’ 90 Day Body Revolution DVD’s. The set includes twelve individual workouts and three levels of cardio. It’s a pretty aggressive system (not unlike P90X or Beach Body), but I’ve learned to modify and forge on to gain superior results with only 30 minutes a day. Carving out an hour isn’t manageable when you’re running two businesses or raising a family, but I can do anything for 30 minutes a day.
Thanks for sharing your routine. Kimbra, what about you?
Usually, I run to work 2 to 3 times per week. Plus, I love Pilates and yoga.
Gyms can be great. It's helpful to have someone like a trainer that you have to meet at a certain time. The only problem is when your enthusiasm wanes, you still have this costly gym membership so now I say "I'm going to the gym" which actually means I'm working out at home but I try to put the same emphasis on it. I have weights and equipment that I would like to add to but that way, I don't have to go through that crazy shower before or after dilemma. Who cares what I look like in my own home? And that way I'm more likely to keep to the schedule I decide on.
I’m in a similar situation. We went to the gym consistently for two years until it got too expensive. Now, I work out at home, but I did learn a great deal from working with a trainer during my time in the gym.
JF, you mentioned that you don’t have any funny workout stories. Have you made plans to start one or change your exercise routine during 2016?
I plan on making my work out more elaborate in the new year.
Chris, do you have any funny workout stories that happened while at the gym?
I don’t go to a gym, but recently I was on a run at a park. I wanted to get it in before it snowed. I took a trail that I thought looped back around. It didn’t. I crossed three streams on the way out. The first one successfully. The second one, I paused on the bank to figure out how to navigate across and the bank was so muddy that my feet came out from under me. Needless to say I was pretty wet and muddy when I got home. I actually drove home bare foot because my socks and shoes were wet.
Oh, wow. Definitely an adventurous run! PJ, what about you? Any funny or interesting stories to share?
It might sound counter-intuitive, but being a personal trainer, I have to stay away from gyms. It makes me crazy to see people working out incorrectly, or watch young trainers offer clients exercises that will likely cause injury. Having a background in physical therapy, I understand injury prevention and treatment of orthopedic conditions in ways that most personal trainers don’t, so unless I want to get assaulted for butting in where I don’t belong, I stay out of gyms, LOL.
Good idea to stay out of the gym! ;) Kimbra, do you have any stories to share?
I run…some people might not call that fun but when you sign up for group runs, they can be an amazing way to make friends and get in shape at the same time. Here, in Portland, Oregon, we have the holiday themed runs: Run Like Hell – at Halloween, The Shamrock Run, on St. Paddy’s Day, and My Muddy Valentine on, yep, you guessed it.
Sounds like you could have a lot of fun and meet many new people. Thanks ladies for chatting. Ok, so we’ll be breaking again and will be back at 3 pm to discuss home remedies. Hope everyone will be back to join our guest authors in a little bit!