Work it

I joined a gym a few months back. It was motivation for me to continue to make my health a priority. I can do awesome classes like Zumba, spinning and get my yoga fix.

They have a pool, which makes the Little Man happy. Especially during the interminable winters on the plains.

For years, I've done the treadmill and elliptical in my basement, but usually half heartedly. I really need to kick it up a notch.

I tried something new (gasp)

The recumbent bike. One location at my gym has bikes that have courses you can "ride", like touring the Maine coastline or riding through the Utah national parks.

Before I knew it, I had conquered Zion and rode 6+ miles.

The other location lets you watch tv and ride.

Hello Mets baseball.

I've even begun lifting weights in earnest. I know that weight training is good for me, but a lot of the time I didn't know what I was doing. Meeting with a personal trainer was a huge help. I have a good routine down that I can continue to use, even as I (eventually) increase the weight.

The best part? I get to reward myself with the sauna and whirlpool when I'm done.

Rise Above

It's Fitness Friday! What do you have planned for this weekend?

Last August, I broke my fibula, which has changed how I work out. For years, I relied on yoga and Pilates to stay toned and was a runner. Due to the slow healing nature of my fracture, I couldn't run at all, and relied on stationary cycling (which I determined I strongly dislike). I also added in weights, at the suggestion of a friend who's also a trainer.

At first, I was reluctant to, mainly because I wasn't sure what I was doing. The Big Man, who has been big into weightlifting for years, taught me the proper form. There are a lot of great benefits for women to lift-from revving up your metabolism to fat burning to preventing osteoporosis. It's a win win for your body!

It doesn't require hours at the gym, either. Just two sessions a week produces benefit. I found a great infographic on Pinterest that has a pretty basic weight lifting routine that helps get you started.

I'm Walking

If you are looking for a winter sport that is incredibly easy and doesn’t need a lot of gear, snowshoeing is it. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

The basic gear

Snowshoes
Poles (optional)

The how to:
Snowshoes are made to walk forward. If you try to step backward, chances are you are going to wind up on your bum. (trust me, I know). Its as simple as walking. If you are just starting out, its best to stick with flat terrain until you get the hang of it. After you are used to it, hills or rolling terrain are no problem. Poles can help with balance, but are not necessary unless you are planning on a trek over questionable terrain.