Tag: fitness

Jaye’s Anatomy: How I Got My Groove Back!

On By jmoncierIn fitness, Jaye's Anatomy, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m a creature of habit.  I love routine, and when I get comfortable in a fitness routine, it takes a while before I get bored with it.  Sometimes along the way though, our fitness routines hit a speed bump.  Whether it’s because you want to change things up a little bit, get bored, or maybe trainers move on for whatever reason (gosh darn trainers and their lives, they’re supposed to be there for us, ALWAYS!  Lol.)

A while back I wrote my first Jaye’s Anatomy post about my fitness routine.  I loved that routine.  It had a full body workout, cardio and a Pilates/Yoga class.  I consistently attended each class, ran before some classes and did my long run on Saturdays.  Due to a trainer injury, and another trainer getting pregnant and moving out of state, my routine has changed.  I hit that fitness routine speed bump.  For a few weeks, I wandered around the gym, searching schedules to see what I could fill my days with.  I tried an aerobic step class, a Boot Camp class, and I ran now and then, but I was in a “fitness funk”.

I’m proud to say, I got my groove back!  I tried a few new things and I’m surprised to see I actually love things I initially thought I did not like.  My new fitness routine is pretty similar with a strength training class, cardio and a Yoga/Pilates once a week.

Monday – I start my week off with a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class called Total Body Sculpt on Mondays.  This class replaced my favorite class Body Pump. The instructor is awesome, and I learned a few new things like a “Deck of Cards” work out, and how to massage myself using a tennis ball, who knew?!  I love that we rarely repeat exercises, and we use different equipment like a Bosu that I’ve never used before.

Tuesdays/Fridays/Sundays are my days off!

Wednesday is Cardio!  I will either run a short distance (1.5-2 miles) and attend a PiYo class, or run a longer distance (3-5 miles).

Thursday is another Cardio day and a 30 minute class.  I go for one hour of Spin (which I previously disliked, and now love) and I also attend a short Abs and Glutes class, also known as “Butts and Guts!”  Two classes in one day, the police have to be called on Thursdays because I’m killing it in the gym, lol! 🙂

Saturday is a long run day, usually 5 miles.

We all experience fitness funks.  It happens to the best of us, what’s important is to find ways to get ourselves out of that funk.  Here are some ideas, (what I did that worked for me) that might also work for you.

1.  Join a gym or try a free trial. – Many gyms offer free trial periods before you are expected to sign up.  Use that trial period to try different classes, and maybe attend a class more than once because you might like the class, but maybe the instructor isn’t someone you connect with, or vice versa.

2.  Mix up your routine! – Our bodies get efficient at doing the same things.  While all exercise is of course great for us, our bodies get used to a routine, our minds do too.  Frankly, we get bored.  So try something new, or give something another try!

3.  Phone a friend. – I love the group fitness setting.  Being in a group motivates me.  Join a friend, or a group of friends, or make new fitness friends.  Sometimes we need people to help keep us accountable, and it can make all the difference.

4.  Go alone.  I love group settings, but I run alone.  I run alone because I’m slower than everyone I know, lol.  Going alone sometimes helps us to focus on something we want to improve.  Maybe going alone will re-energize you to get out of that funk!

5.  Write down your schedule. – Make a “To Do” list of your workout routine, set it in stone, or your calendar.  Having a clear, specific goal written down will make you want to check it off, because who likes a “To Do” list that isn’t checked off?  Take it a step further and post of your accomplishment on social media, “make it Facebook official” as they say.

Health and fitness is a lifestyle.  Sometimes we get burnt out or exhausted with our routines, and that’s okay.  Maybe the fix is taking a short break to help us to reflect and recharge, that’s okay too.  What’s important is we take steps to get back on the path to wellness, we have to find ways to get our groove back!  Have you ever been in a funk?  What did you do to get out of it?

 

 

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Tales of Marathons Past

On By jmoncierIn runningLeave a comment

I woke up with this reminder today:

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Nothing like nearing the end of a countdown to jolt me into intense training mode. The Pensacola Marathon is now just weeks away, I have been training, and I’ve realized a couple of things this time around that didn’t occur to me before.

First, I’m not as young as I once was.  I’m 36 years old, and I really feel like I’m in the best shape of my life both mentally and physically, but that doesn’t mean my body doesn’t feel its age.  There are just more aches and pains now than there were before: knee aches, foot problems, etc.  I can’t push myself or push through the pain like I used to for risk of injuring myself further.  It’s true we only live once, but that also means we only get one body and I want to preserve mine just as much as I want to take care of it.  Luckily, there’s comfort in knowing I can run 13.1 miles, I’ve done it before, I can do it again.  I may not be as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was!

Second, humidity sucks!!  I’m not in Washington anymore.  Running in extreme heat is no fun, training in the humidity is worse.  88 degrees isn’t so bad right?  Think again, when 88 degrees actually feels like 98, then that’s different.  It’s normal to feel exhausted after a long run, but adding humidity takes dehydration and fatigue to a whole new level.  Exhaustion is magnified to the feeling of death in the form of a heat stroke!  I will have to keep this in mind when signing up for future races, so that the training is in the Fall with the race actually taking place in the beginning of the year for optimal conditions.

With the race being just a few weeks away, I can’t help but reminisce about previous half marathons to get into the racing spirit.  The Pensacola Half Marathon will be my fourth half marathon since I started running, that’s not very many so I still remember details of each race I ran.

The first time was special, and my favorite race.  In 2012, I signed up for the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon and ran with two good friends.  They had both ran half marathons before and probably could have left me in the dust, but we all ran together.  More women than men participated in this particular half marathon, there were thousands of participants for all the events, lots of people cheered on the runners, and the course took us through beautiful views of the San Juan Islands, North Cascade Mountains and Bellingham Bay.

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My second and third half marathons were in good ol’ Oak Harbor in Whidbey Island, Washington.  Runners from all over the Pacific Northwest come to Whidbey Island to run the Whidbey Island Marathon or Half Marathon event.  If it’s known for anything, it would be the magnificent Deception Pass Bridge, where the full marathon runners start the course.  (I have not run a full marathon but if I ever do, I’d want to run this one!)  Another thing this race is known for the hills!  Hills, hills, and more hills!

I’ve run the Whidbey Island Half marathon twice and each race was a different experience.  The first time I ran in in 2013, it rained for the first couple of hours, and it was cold!  Many locals who run this race year after year, said rain and cold is much better than the cold and wind they experienced in previous years.  The second time I ran in 2014 was probably the most fun I had at a half marathon, the weather was great, I incorporated boot camp style training in my work out which really helped me improve my time, I was 8  minutes faster!  I’m still really slow but to improve from my previous two races was gloriously gratifying!  Here are some pictures of the 2013 and 2014 Whidbey Island Half Marathon races:

  

There’s a saying that has circulated in the running or fitness community that goes something like “Don’t think about how far you have left to go, look at how far you’ve come!”  With a little over one month left before another half marathon, another race to earn a new race shirt and medal, it’s nice to look back and see where my running journey started for added motivation.  It still amazes me that race fever doesn’t ever subside. I feel as much excitement for this race that I did for my first, the fire for running still burns fiercely!

Have you run a marathon or half marathon?  Are you maybe training for a running event?  Share a memory of a time you’ve run a race!  🙂

Jaye’s Anatomy: Fitness Routine

On By jmoncierIn fitness, Jaye's Anatomy10 Comments

Welcome to my first “Jaye’s Anatomy” blog post! 🙂  (Corny title, but hey, it’s catchy!)  Once a month, I’m going to do a post that will give you a peek into my personal life.  It will be anything from what brands I love, television shows I watch, what I’m reading or working on, about my family, just a little something on “what makes up Jaye.”

I got this idea from another blog (one of my favorites) that I follow.  I’m so surprised at what I learn from people’s blogs, specifically about their personal experiences.  Anything from housekeeping stuff, cooking, baking, parenting, or about fitness.  If reading this helps anyone learn something new, then my writing would have served a purpose.

Today I’m sharing my fitness routine.  First, I want to say that I am NOT a professional fitness person.  I have no expert knowledge on any specific discipline, if anything, I’m profoundly average!  I’m merely sharing my personal experience on stuff that I’ve tried and what works for me.   Fitness is such an important part of my life, it’s not about a desire to look a certain way or be a certain number, it’s simply about being healthy and FEELING good.  Anyone who’s active in their fitness journey can attest to the fact that Fitness is like “the gift that keeps on giving.”  <<– One of my best friends Lori shared that idea with me, and it’s been my mantra ever since.  When you’re physically fit, you’re more mentally fit, and when you’re mentally fit, you’re more spiritually fit, you’re a better mom, or a better wife, a better student or employee (not necessarily in that order), and it just goes on and on!  All I’m trying to be is the best version of myself.

So, here’s my fitness routine:

Monday: I do a group fitness class called Body Pump, it’s my favorite class.  It’s a full body, strength training class that gets you lean and toned.  I love this class because it isn’t about how much weight you can lift or squat, but more about the reps.  One full session consists of around 800 repetitions, and you burn a ton of calories.

This is what a Body Pump class might look like, and this picture shows why I love it.

Let me let you in on a little secret, I’m really not that motivated.  Showing up to a class is the extent of my motivation.  When I get to class, I get more motivated by the people, the instructor, the music.   So, since I’m already there, then I’ll do the work!  No one wants to be the one at the gym who showed up to a class then half asses everything, if I show up, I might as well use my full ass, lol! 🙂

I found this and had to share, so funny!

Tuesday: Cardio!  On Tuesday I’ll do a short run (3-4 miles).  Lately, I’ve been running on a treadmill because of the heat and humidity, but I’ll be back outside soon!

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Wednesday: Cardio and PiYo.  I start Wednesdays with a 2-3 mile warm-up run, followed by a PiYo class.  I discovered PiYo about a month ago, it’s awesome!  It’s a fusion of Pilates and Yoga, and I’ve found that doing this instead of Body Pump twice a week has helped with my knee issues.  It’s low impact, high intensity and such a challenge (I was dripping with sweat)!  If you want a class where you’re constantly moving and using all your muscles, try this!  PiYo builds strength, flexibility and has the Yoga benefits of stretching, in one class.

This is what a PiYo class might look like.

Listen, when you click on the links for Body Pump or PiYo, you’re going to see some extremely fit and sculpted people.  It’s intimidating, but a real class will have real people of all ages, shapes and sizes.  The classes I go to are for all fitness levels, and what I love most about classes is that I’m joining a group of like-minded people, with similar goals, it’s an environment conducive to accomplishing those goals, because “success breeds success!”

Thursdays and Sundays are my rest days.  Rest is just as important as working out, sometimes when I’m lazy, rest is the thing that motivates me to get the workout done!

Friday: Cardio or PiYo or both!

Saturday: Saturdays I work out with Jeremy and Dean, it’s our “long run” day.  Jeremy will probably run 8 miles, I’ll run like 4.5 in the same amount of time, then we’ll do abs or another body part.  Remember what I said about like-minded people and success breeds success?  I’m lucky to have a partner (and friends) that share the same passion for being fit and healthy, it makes it so much easier to stay on track!  A bonus?  When we go to the gym, Dean wants to come too, we’re showing him how to take care of himself by example (The gift that keeps on giving!).

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#thecouplethatrunstogether #gymbuddy #swolemate #teammoncier
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Me: Come on, flex your muscle!   Jeremy: Umm…no!  Take the picture! LOL!

That’s what my weekly work out routine looks like.  Some might say, they simply don’t have time to work out.  I get it, we all have different things to fill our time with: jobs, kids, homework, etc.  It’s hard.  But…everyone has the same amount of time, we all get 24 hours a day!  We have to SET (not make or find time, *set*) time to spend on ourselves, 30 minutes or one hour, walk, run, whatever, make time for yourself!

Again, I’m not an expert on fitness, just sharing a piece of my journey, paying forward the same thing I’ve gotten from others, it’s a cycle… “The gift that keeps on giving!”