Keeping it Fresh
Hey guys! How’s your day been?? Hope you’ve had a fabulous Tuesday 😀
I started mine off with some Perfect Protein Pancakes:
and a ride on the spin bike.
I was super stoked to put together a solo spin sesh for you guys, but I couldn’t do it.
Mistake #1: I didn’t make a new playlist
I had a boatload of Glee songs on the iPizzle, which were fun, but I really needed some new music for motivation. My chihuahua-sized attention span kicked in, and it wasn’t my greatest spin workout.
I miss Shaun T.
And his leggings, heh heh 😉
I’m taking a recovery week from Insanity this week since I start Month 2 on Monday. I repeated Month 1 so technically it’s my “Month 3”, but I really miss having someone to motivate me. Note: “Recovery week” doesn’t mean “do nothing week”- it just means to take a break from Insanity and the jumping, pushups and bounding.
Usually I’m pretty dang good at motivating myself, but today wasn’t the day!
After my mediocre spin sesh, I went to the library for some books.
So stoked. I can’t wait to make some of this goat cheese queso from Mesa Grill…
I’m salivating just thinking about it…..
Made a smooooooothie and did some work:
(Upcoming: Promo for the Glass Dharma straws on THURSDAY! Wahoo!!)
And then meandered up the the yoga room to get my stretch on.
I did about 40 minutes of a 60 minute YogaDownload.com Power Yoga #1 podcast and called it good.
Self timer bloopers:
To be 100% honest, I’m a little blah with the workouts this week.
Doing Insanity has been something fun and *new*, and since it’s an off week, I feel so blah going back to my old routine. It makes me wish so badly that we had yoga studios here in V-town, or aerobics classes that I could *take* instead of teach :/
While I was pondering my workout boredom, I thought of some tips that I would give to clients or those of you in the same situation:
– Switch it up! Try something NEW. A great idea is to take a new class or start a workout program, like the Summer Shape Up. For me, my boredom is coming from cardio — I’ve been on a thousand spin bikes and ellipticals in my life (ok, not that many, but you know…) so maybe this week isn’t the week to dilly dally on the same ol’ things. It’s time to venture to Amazon.com for a new DVD or take a roadtrip for a yoga class. The good news is that I’ll be in Orlando this weekend and can yoga to my heart’s delight.
– Get some new tunes. Downloading as little as two new songs can always pep me up during a workout. Or download a podcast that you can listen to- there are tons of funny, informational and health-related podcasts out there.
– Read something or watch a show. I know some people say “If you can read or watch TV while you’re working out, you’re not working out hard enough.” I totally disagree. If a new magazine motivates you to get your cardio on, or keeps the boredom away, by all means, I say go for it.
– Take a break. Feeling bored or burned out can be a sign of overtraining. If your “blahs” are coming from your body telling you that it’s tired and needs a rest, take one. The gym will ALWAYS be there- take care of yourself.
Some more tips on rut-busting can be found *here*
What are your favorite tips for keeping workouts fresh??
I’m off to train funny quotes lady and then going to a wives meeting.
See ya in the morning with the Blogiversary giveaway winners!
xoxo
Gina
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I love downloading new music to get me going, especially on a run. I can’t wait for my school year to be over (I’m a teacher) and then I will be trying out new classes when I can go at whatever time I want!
I definitely echo the new music tip. Just knowing something different will come on my ipod makes me a little more excited to run.
I love to take a new class or two when I get bored with my workouts. A favorite is kettlebells…good for breaking up my routine, and I’ll take a spin class or two since I don’t do so normally. Music is always a great rut-buster for me, as well as some new shoes or outfits for the gym. 🙂
Bitter is the New Black was HIGH-larious!!! I love all her books and her blog! 🙂
Hey Gina,
I too get bored with my workouts sometimes but I recently “discovered” on demand exercise tv my cable company has. Since I’m in California I’m not sure you would be able to use the same thing on the east coast but you might have something similar? basically in a freezone under the health and wellness section you can watch tons of different exercise videos form jillian micheals 30 day shred to yoga to pilates and they even have some boot camp and dance related videos too. I havent checked out all of them but theyre fun to do to switch it up at home every once and a while. Also- they have a website exercisetv.tv where you can watch the videos for free or download and purchase them- when my favorites arent available on tv anymore i can watch them online. I dont mean this to sound like a plug or anything but if you need some variety check it out, its not as fun as attending a real workout class but its a good substitute.
Hey MareBare,
On the East we have the on demand exercise tv, Comcast has it and I love trying out some of the new workout videos that way. I don’t have to go to the store and get a new dvd. It a great idea to share with everyone!
My favorite thing to do when I get bored with my workouts is to download new music. I have a rotating workout playlist on my iPod and I’m always adding new songs and deleting old ones. And, if that doesn’t work, like MareBare, I’ll go to Exercise TV On Demand and try something new. (And yes, they do have it on the East Coast. It depends on your cable provider, I think.)
I am always mixing it up. Right now I am alternating days with P90X and running. The P90X is completely foreign to me and challenging me in many many ways: strength, balance, new muscle groups are being worked. Soon enough, I’ll tire of P90X and move on to something else, maybe yoga or swimming or something. I never want my workout to be a punishment, so if I’m not feeling it…I do something else.
LOVE the bloopers!!! SOO TRUE! I sometimes do fall into a workout rut and its soo boring!
Jen Lancaster is hilarious! Great book choice!
New tunes, a new class, and nice weather (we take advantage of nice, warm, sunny days in Detroit) keep me going. I get in slumps a lot – what helps me is taking a few days off to rest and let my body crave sweat again. Then I’m back to it!
Thanks for the tip on the pretty heart plate, I’ll see if Target ship overseas. Too funny about Shaun T’s leggings!!! I guess I sometimes keep my workouts fresh by checking out any new fit men in spin class in the gym. I also bought some new fitness dvds, I got Tracie Long’s new dvds and I’m hoping to get Peak 10 by Michelle Dozois when it’s out.
Ditto on the Comcast On Demand. I use it whenever I can’t motivate myself to leave the house. Some of the videos are a little blah, but many are really great!
On a different note, take that Jen Lancaster book back to the store while you still can! I just bought it for a long plane flight, and I found it completely unreadable. Hands down the worst book I have EVER read! I realize she’s trying to be funny, but her attitude is so off-putting and cruel.
for real?? good thing i got it from the library.. this way, if i hate it i won’t be out any dinero. thanks for the heads up!
I guess I am outnumbered in my opinion about the book here 😀
The storyline is relatable, what with the economy and all, but she’s just not a person you can really feel empathy for. She talks about stealing a bag from a homeless person in the first few pages of the book! She also constantly talks about how “hot” and “perfect” and “rich” and “fabulous” she is, which is very grating. I always love a good debate, so I’m interested to hear what other people thought about it!
I felt that same way last week. I’ve been doing P90X with the additions of other workouts and i think that I just needed a break. At first mentally I was freaking myself out. Then I just let go and enjoyed it. I knew I wasn’t going to lose everything and gain 10 pounds just because I wasn’t working out intensly for a few days.
The break even had me exploring some new things and the BF and I discovered that we loved playing tennis together! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what DVD’s you find!
I add intervals to battle exercise boredom. Not just speed intervals, but I up the intensity or add a hill. Always makes the workout go by more quickly, and torches more calories as an added bonus 😉
omg the bloopers are the best! you are too adorable 🙂 i really like working out at different times of the day, or watching TV (if the gym has TVs)…definitely makes it go by a lot faster!
I was feeling the same way last week. I went to a BodyFlow class and it totally reset me. It was challenging, but not brutal and a perfect “mind workout” that apparently I needed.
I love podcasts! Especially NPR’s “Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me” and “Stuff You Should Know.” Also, when I’m feeling blah, I try to get a friend to work out with me or commit to my dog that I will take her running. 🙂
You look leaner! Music or a new routine is my way to break out of workout boredom. =)
I have found that I can’t just go to the gym and get on a machine 2 consecutive days – wayy too boring! Thankfully I take spin twice a week, yoga at least once, and get outside to run now that the weather is nice!! New music or a fun magazine are always helpful, too!
Any have any good health/fitness/food related podcasts they like and want to share?
Sorry to hear about the workout boredom! Insanity is so nice for that espcially to have the awesome Shaun T tell me what to do when I’m super tired in the AM!
My fav trick is gear! I just got some awesome racerback tanks in fun colors from VS for $7.99 each!! I also LOVE the Jari Love Get Ripped DVDs.
Looking forward to your Month 2 re-cap whenever it’s ready! You always have such interesting insights! Have a great day!
when i get in a rut it is almost always because i have overtrained, so i honor my rut and take the week easy. i am usually right back on the next week. otherwise, some new tunes, sneakers or workout clothes are sure ways to get my motivation on.
hi Gina, you can find full podcast spin classes on Jamie’s blog, they are fantastic and i use them when I can’t get to my regular spin classes in the winter http://trihardist.blogspot.com/
I LOVE “Bitter is the New Black” book. There’s a whole series of them – laugh out loud funny!!!
I just downloaded the new Christina Aguilera cd today (I’m obsessed with her) and it has a lot of upbeat tracks which is making me really excited for my run tonight, so for me, downloading new music keeps my workouts fresh. I also listen to audiobooks when I run, so on days I’m not that stoked about going out there to pound the pavement at least I can get excited about what’s going to happen next in my book.
I saw you got Water for Elephants – one of my favorite books ever! It’s really good. They’re making it into a movie. Bitter is the New Black is good to. Enjoy your books and workouts!
Ahhh! I’m obsessed with Bobby Flay. I’m so jealous you get to go to his restaurant!
me too. he’s amazing!
I TRY to read magazines while running on my treadmill, I just can’t! 🙂 but I LOVE to watch television (or laptop, actually, hulu or netflix movies, and I set my laptop right next to my t’mill…)
on days that I want to run, but “don’t want to run”, I get on there and watch an episode or two of a program, and WEE! I’ve been running for an hour!
LOVE MESA and that cookbook, enjoy!
Water for Elephants is a GREAT book!! I loved it, and recommended it to a bunch of people, who all loved it too!
I’ve actually been contemplating mixing up my workout today because I’m kind of bored… but seeing your yoga pictures has inspired me to do some yoga tonight! 🙂
i have an ipod JUST for the gym, it is stocked full of shows like Gossip Girl, Glee, House, Greys, Sex and the city. I ONLY use it at the gym so whenever i put a new episode on it, im so motivated to work out knowing i get to enjoy my shows while getting a realllly booty kickin workout 🙂
MMM, I hope you get to remake that queso!
i tried your protein pancakes this past weekend & was shocked at how yummy and fluffy they were!! i made mine with chocolate amazing grass bc that’s all i had & can’t wait to get some vanilla protein powder and try it with that. thanks!!
Honestly, I can’t believe you don’t complain of boredom more often! It’s totally normal. I can’t believe there’s no yoga studio in your town?! I live in Seattle and I swear there are 3 on every block. Is there a dance studio? Maybe you could take a dance class? The new thing here is Kinesis and Gyrokinesis. Gyro is amazing. You might be able to find a mat version dvd. Have you tried the Tracy Anderson dvds? I’m curious about those!
OMG Jen Lancaster is FABULOUS!!! I have all her books and met her a couple weeks ago! You’ll love Bitter is the New Black 🙂
haha what is that video that he is wearing leggings?!? i have the whole set and already been through the month 1 and 2 dvds but I didn’t see him in leggings! DAMN 😉
that goat cheese dish looks mouthwattterrrring!
great tips as always–i always think that for those of us who work at a pretty vigorous intensity regularly, watching tv or a movie and having a lighter workout just isn’t a bad thing. better than losing motivation and doing nada. anywho, LOVE jen lancaster–i’ve read 4 of her books and lol’d at all of them. my husband gave me funny looks, but it was worth it.
This post spoke to me today. I’ve been doing Insanity as well and when I got to month 2, I couldn’t hack it. The first workout had my HR remaining super high, me feeling sick, and crying in frustration. Did w/o’s 2 and 3, then took a day off to go on a 4 hour mountain bike ride that injured my leg slightly. It’s forced me to take 2 days in a row off (something I NEVER do) but my body is so tired. It’s frustrating when you can’t lose weight so you don’t want to take off days. But I guess the body knows better than the mind sometimes what it needs.
I agree though…Shaun T is a motivator!
Oh and your flexibility is admirable! I’ve been practicing yoga avidly for years and still can’t do a side toe stretch or many of the others you’ve posted!
Enjoy that Jen Lancaster book. I one of her books and I laughed the entire time.
I love just listening to my body and switching my work outs as necessary. Sometimes I love spin, and other times I’d rather do zumba. I’m hoping to get Insanity for my birthday so that will get another new work out going for me.
Love the bloopers 🙂
love how strong your yoga poses look! very inspiring
“Water for Elephants” is an amazing book!
I totally feel you on the boredom. I try to switch things up with some hiking. What I really miss and feel your pain about is step aerobics, I just haven’t found another good teacher I enjoy, which is crappy since it’s such a fun awesome workout. The other aerobics class I like is kick-boxing, technically I used to do turbo-jam at the gym in a group fitness class, it was always amazing and challenging, plus I got to kick and bunch and felt strong and powerful. I also try to change up my yoga routines and do different kinds, recently I did a yumana body rolling class, absolutely amazing.
You’re always so motivating, it’s hard to believe you get bored! (But nice to know that you’re human like the rest of us!)
I always just tell myself that I have never, ever regretted a workout but I have definitely regretted not working out, and that usually does the trick, even if what I do is a little bit repetitive.
I think it’s amazing that you remain so motivated 99.9999% of the time – you deserve to chill out a little bit this week! I have not tried Insanity, but I have heard how incredibly challenging it is… So be proud that you are a tiny badass, and just chilllllax. 🙂 Oh, and I totally know what you mean about music having a huge impact on your workouts – I may or may not have downloaded some new Ke$ha and Justin Bieber for my workout tody! hahaha
Random question and I really don’t mean for it to sound rude, but how come you aren’t doing your own summer shape up?
OMG! Promo for the glass dharma straws! I just saw your comment too Gina! I can’t wait for Thursday! 😉
wow @ your yoga poses. that’s legit! 😀
Water for Elephants and Bitter is the New Black are two of my favorite books. I hope you like them!
Watching Bones while I was on the elliptical totally got me to exercise for longer. On the bike, I find that TV just distracts me. (Maybe that’s because there’s nothing worth working out longer for at 6 pm.)
Saw your booklist, and Jen Lancaster is hilarious. Let us know what you think of her book!
Water for Elephants is one of my favorite books! I hope you love it =)
Hi,
You had a really good post a while back about why yoga is great… but one still needs toning exercises. I totally agree! I just wanted to reread that post and could not find it! Thanks.
sure! here ya go 🙂
http://fitnessista.com/2010/01/readers-request-does-yoga-count-as-strength-training/