I work out a rather electic gym in a location that is in the middle of not so great spots if town and better spots. As a result, I see a lot of entertaining things at the gym. The cardio machines are on the second floor looking over the weight area and I often find myself zoned out while running watching everyone below. While this post is about gym manners, I want to start with 5 things that have happened at my gym since I joined less than a year ago. There are many more, but these are the top 5.
1. While in the locker room I complimented a lady on her cute robe. While it was acceptable to wear it in the locker room, she decided to walk out and carry on a conversation with the staff in her robe before leaving.
2. A lady will consistently work out with out a bra- sports bra or regular bra-and a white tank. She is well endowed and even I find myself staring.
3. Another lady takes pictures of herself hanging seductively on the Smith Machine
4. In the restroom, a lady in the stall next to me was having a full on conversation on her cell phone...on speaker!
5. Another lady will get on the elliptical and the sounds she makes should only come from a bedroom as she works out. I sometimes can't help but laugh.
While the items above are more funny than straight out manners, the following list are items that really bother me at the gym and are down right rude.
1. Not wiping down equipment after using it! I wipe all cardio with the cleaning solution provided and bring my own towel for the weight benches. No one wants others germs!
2. Getting on a cardio machine right next to someone when there are 20 exact same machines open. If you don't know the person, give at least one piece of equipment as space. There is this guy who will get on the treadmill right next to me when we are the only 2 doing cardio at 5 a.m. This is the same guy who seems to know what days I do what workouts and confirms with me when he sees me. It sorta creeps me out! I don't pay attention to others enough to know their schedule.
3. Sitting on a weight machine when you are just talking. Let people work in.
4. Having phone conversations while doing cardio (speaker phone or not). You should be working hard enough to not be able to talk.
5. Listening to the music from your iPod or iPhone with out headphones!
6. My gym has a pool and please if yours has one as well, wipe off the water from your suit or hair or whatever that is on the bench! I put my bag there when changing and I would rather it not get wet.
7. Couples who make out at the gym. I am ok with a little peck, but straddling your boyfriend or making the workout more sexual than it needs to be is distracting.
8. Meatheads who have 10 45 pound plates on the smith machine or anything and don't remove them when they are done. I have no problem removing a few but all of those plates are a workout in itself.
9. Having crazy loud conversations with your friends. There is a group of 5-6 at my gym who have the LOUDEST convos while on the treadmill to the point that I can hear the convos with my headphones in, music on and on the other side of the cardio area.
10. I can't think of a tenth one! Ha! What have I missed? What is your gym pet peeve??
We all have them, share!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Geico commercial!
My friend Jen sent me this! This is the commercial I was talking about in the earlier post.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkWBhP0EQ1lA
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkWBhP0EQ1lA
Healthy Spirit, Mind and Body
For those of you familiar with the YMCA, the title of my post is also part of their mission. I worked at the Y for a little over a year and really believe in the power of that phrase. I also believe that one can improve all three through working out and eating right. I have a shirt that says running is cheaper than therapy, my family tells me I get grouchy if I don't sweat for a couple of days, and I am able to concentrate more when I am consistent with my workouts.
Another thing that comes from healthy eating and working out is confidence. I thought all day about whether or not to write about what I am about to type because it is not directly related to fitness of the body, but it is 100% related to fitness of the spirit and the mind so here I go.
I have recently gone on two dates with a guy who I THOUGHT had potential. Very nice, seemed to have his act together, older than me (35)-which is a big deal for those who know my dating history, and we were able to share laughs pretty easy. Luckily, I only invested two dates in this guy before I saw a red flag. Let me first say, that I am not bashing him, I am sure that he will make someone very happy but it is just not going to be me. Last night we were texting and I was about to go to bed. He made a joke asking if I was sleeping in my Colts pajamas and snuggling with a Manning stuffed animal. For those who know me, that is funny and ironically, I was sleeping in a Colts tee and Under Armour Shorts. I told him that and added that it was nothing sexy. His response was......
"I am sure your camel is sexy."
...what....huh...wow...speechless. My response was wow and then speechless. They say that people are on their best behavior at the beginning of a relationship and I did not consider that good behavior of a guy that had not even gotten to second base. In a matter of minutes I told him I was not interested and removed his number from my phone. I have not heard from him today and have not even thought about texting or reaching out to him. If anything I have been somewhat disgusted all day. He defended himself by saying that he had been around "corporate douchebags" all day. That was not an excuse for me.
So how does this relate back to fitness and health and confidence? Well there was a time when I would have accepted that behavior and gone on to date this guy for far too long. But now, I have confidence and a sense of self worth that says I would rather be alone than with a guy who may one day change the words to Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" to.....
I attribute my dedication to being strong and healthy in spirit, mind and body to my response.
I know some people have had trouble posting comments on here so facebook me if you can't but I would love to know of moments when you realized that being healthy had given you a new found confidence! And, what do you think I should say if he texts me again?
and...hey...get excited...tomorrow is "hump" day! hahahahah See, I do have a sense of humor, I Just want to be respected and treated like a lady :) and thinking about a camel reminded me of that one commercial (maybe for an insurance company)?
Another thing that comes from healthy eating and working out is confidence. I thought all day about whether or not to write about what I am about to type because it is not directly related to fitness of the body, but it is 100% related to fitness of the spirit and the mind so here I go.
I have recently gone on two dates with a guy who I THOUGHT had potential. Very nice, seemed to have his act together, older than me (35)-which is a big deal for those who know my dating history, and we were able to share laughs pretty easy. Luckily, I only invested two dates in this guy before I saw a red flag. Let me first say, that I am not bashing him, I am sure that he will make someone very happy but it is just not going to be me. Last night we were texting and I was about to go to bed. He made a joke asking if I was sleeping in my Colts pajamas and snuggling with a Manning stuffed animal. For those who know me, that is funny and ironically, I was sleeping in a Colts tee and Under Armour Shorts. I told him that and added that it was nothing sexy. His response was......
"I am sure your camel is sexy."
...what....huh...wow...speechless. My response was wow and then speechless. They say that people are on their best behavior at the beginning of a relationship and I did not consider that good behavior of a guy that had not even gotten to second base. In a matter of minutes I told him I was not interested and removed his number from my phone. I have not heard from him today and have not even thought about texting or reaching out to him. If anything I have been somewhat disgusted all day. He defended himself by saying that he had been around "corporate douchebags" all day. That was not an excuse for me.
So how does this relate back to fitness and health and confidence? Well there was a time when I would have accepted that behavior and gone on to date this guy for far too long. But now, I have confidence and a sense of self worth that says I would rather be alone than with a guy who may one day change the words to Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" to.....
I attribute my dedication to being strong and healthy in spirit, mind and body to my response.
I know some people have had trouble posting comments on here so facebook me if you can't but I would love to know of moments when you realized that being healthy had given you a new found confidence! And, what do you think I should say if he texts me again?
and...hey...get excited...tomorrow is "hump" day! hahahahah See, I do have a sense of humor, I Just want to be respected and treated like a lady :) and thinking about a camel reminded me of that one commercial (maybe for an insurance company)?
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Looking cute at the gym
At any gym there are always those girls who look very cute the entire time they are there. They have cute workout clothes, fresh makeup and if they push it a little, they may "glisten". I am not one of those girls. On days I workout right after work I walk in with cute clothes on and half fresh makeup. It may even be rubbed off if the work day was hectic. On morning workouts, I am makeup free. Now, lately I have started to wear the "cute" workout clothes but within 20 minutes I am sweaty and gross. I only stopped wearing the IUDM shirt from 2000 and soccer shorts that are 2 sizes too big so that I could actually see the progress I was making in the gym. Not to meet my future husband-which I do think some people do (guys and girls). They consider the gym a healthier happy hour- or preparty.
My thought is that if I am not dripping with sweat at the end of my workout, I am not working hard enough to see the results I want to see. I want to be working hard, building muscle and burning fat when I am there. I struggle with eating healthy more than I do with working out so when I am in the gym for the 60-90 minutes out of the day I am going to go all out.
I read a tweet that said "if you still look cute when you leave the gym, go back in and keep working". I want guys (or girls) to look at me and think that girl is busting her ass instead of that girl looks cute. I workout to look cute outside of the gym-not in it. There are days where I get in my car after showering from a workout and my seat is damp from the drive home after the workout. Yes, it's gross but the dorky part of me enjoys the lingering effect of a strong workout.
How hard do you workout? What do you think of those who make the gym a social hour/dating scene?
My thought is that if I am not dripping with sweat at the end of my workout, I am not working hard enough to see the results I want to see. I want to be working hard, building muscle and burning fat when I am there. I struggle with eating healthy more than I do with working out so when I am in the gym for the 60-90 minutes out of the day I am going to go all out.
I read a tweet that said "if you still look cute when you leave the gym, go back in and keep working". I want guys (or girls) to look at me and think that girl is busting her ass instead of that girl looks cute. I workout to look cute outside of the gym-not in it. There are days where I get in my car after showering from a workout and my seat is damp from the drive home after the workout. Yes, it's gross but the dorky part of me enjoys the lingering effect of a strong workout.
How hard do you workout? What do you think of those who make the gym a social hour/dating scene?
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Too Busy to Eat???
I am always amazed by those who can say "oh my gosh, I have just been so busy that I forgot to eat all day!" I always look at them in complete amazement. Never in my entire life can I remember a time where I FORGOT to eat. Growing up, maybe I should have forgotten to eat a time or two but I can guarantee it would never happen. My mom told me that even as a little girl I would wake up first thing in the morning and ask what was for dinner that night. Come on man, a girl has to have things to look forward to during the day, right? And I needed to prepare my taste buds! Come on, someone knows what I mean by preparing your taste buds, right?
Now that I am more into eating healthy and working out I find that there is no way my metabolism or body would let me forget to eat. I eat every 2-3 hours like clock work. It is normally something small like an apple or a greek yogurt or some nuts but it is always within a few hours. I know that it took me a while to get used to eating every 2-3 hours but my calories stay the same because I am literally eating 6 times a day but just smaller meals. When I am out running errands I will throw a banana, a protein bar, a small bag of mixed nuts something in my purse so that I know I can grab something healthy when the hunger hits. I have also been known to bring a protein bar to meetings that are going to be longer than 2 hours. I love when people are like "did you not eat lunch?"...oh no, I ate but I just know I am going to be hungry before this meeting is over. I have had one colleague (and friend-Jen) who understands this and we would literally discuss meetings and if we should bring a bar or fruit or something!
What are some of your favorite grab and go healthy foods? I am always looking for new ideas!
Now that I am more into eating healthy and working out I find that there is no way my metabolism or body would let me forget to eat. I eat every 2-3 hours like clock work. It is normally something small like an apple or a greek yogurt or some nuts but it is always within a few hours. I know that it took me a while to get used to eating every 2-3 hours but my calories stay the same because I am literally eating 6 times a day but just smaller meals. When I am out running errands I will throw a banana, a protein bar, a small bag of mixed nuts something in my purse so that I know I can grab something healthy when the hunger hits. I have also been known to bring a protein bar to meetings that are going to be longer than 2 hours. I love when people are like "did you not eat lunch?"...oh no, I ate but I just know I am going to be hungry before this meeting is over. I have had one colleague (and friend-Jen) who understands this and we would literally discuss meetings and if we should bring a bar or fruit or something!
What are some of your favorite grab and go healthy foods? I am always looking for new ideas!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sugar and Spice...Not So Nice
This past weekend I went down to Bloomington for the IU Alumni Leaders Conference. I always enjoy getting down to Bloomington to see friends who are part of the Hoosier family. The staff of the IUAA always do a fantastic job and I sometimes wonder if they ever take time for themselves with all the work that they do.
Part of being in Bloomington includes a trip to Sugar and Spice (after all the meetings are held in the Union) and Nicks. Remember how I said I don't always eat that great? Well, this past weekend was a perfect example. I had 3 glasses of wine Friday night, 1 Special K Chewy, 3 chocolate no bake cookies and 1 piece of chocolate cake throughout the weekend.
I know, gross. Gross is exactly how I felt after eating that much sugar. Yes, the cookies were spread out over 2 days but the effects of sugar and poor eating are more noticeable once someone makes a concerted effort to eat healthy. I felt lethargic and gross until sometime Sunday afternoon as I spent all of Sunday morning drinking tons of water, eating fruit, oatmeal, almond milk and my protein shake. The water has helped flush my system. Once one starts to pay more attention to what they eat, you can tell the difference when you have a day or two of eating bad. However, all it takes is a quick turnaround (so don't make the poor eating a habit) and several hours of eating clean and drinking water to bounce right back and feel better. I rarely have crazy times like this past weekend but when I do I always feel the same- gross, lazy and tired. But, I have to say that sometimes these weekends are definitely worth it and it was. I had a great time.
As you start to eat cleaner, ask yourself how you feel. I guarantee you will start to feel better before you see difference in your clothes, mirror or scale. To me, that is the reason to eat healthy; to feel good. I have more energy when I eat right, get plenty of sleep and don't drink alcohol. I love that feeling even more than being a size smaller.
What foods make you feel lethargic? Have you been able to cut them out of your life? How do you feel when you eat them? Would love to hear feedback!
Below is a picture from the weekend!
Part of being in Bloomington includes a trip to Sugar and Spice (after all the meetings are held in the Union) and Nicks. Remember how I said I don't always eat that great? Well, this past weekend was a perfect example. I had 3 glasses of wine Friday night, 1 Special K Chewy, 3 chocolate no bake cookies and 1 piece of chocolate cake throughout the weekend.
I know, gross. Gross is exactly how I felt after eating that much sugar. Yes, the cookies were spread out over 2 days but the effects of sugar and poor eating are more noticeable once someone makes a concerted effort to eat healthy. I felt lethargic and gross until sometime Sunday afternoon as I spent all of Sunday morning drinking tons of water, eating fruit, oatmeal, almond milk and my protein shake. The water has helped flush my system. Once one starts to pay more attention to what they eat, you can tell the difference when you have a day or two of eating bad. However, all it takes is a quick turnaround (so don't make the poor eating a habit) and several hours of eating clean and drinking water to bounce right back and feel better. I rarely have crazy times like this past weekend but when I do I always feel the same- gross, lazy and tired. But, I have to say that sometimes these weekends are definitely worth it and it was. I had a great time.
As you start to eat cleaner, ask yourself how you feel. I guarantee you will start to feel better before you see difference in your clothes, mirror or scale. To me, that is the reason to eat healthy; to feel good. I have more energy when I eat right, get plenty of sleep and don't drink alcohol. I love that feeling even more than being a size smaller.
What foods make you feel lethargic? Have you been able to cut them out of your life? How do you feel when you eat them? Would love to hear feedback!
Below is a picture from the weekend!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Get by with a little help from your friends
Since starting this blog, some of my friends have been sending me similar blogs, interesting websites, etc and I thought that I would share some of them with you! The first one comes from my friend Peggy-who is heading to Florida in a matter of hours so we should all be jealous of the sun and sand that she is about to have. She sent me the following website via text and I looked at it from my phone immediately. I was so intrigued that later I went home and looked on my laptop.
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html
This site lists all the muscles and then exercises that you can do for each muscle! For example, you want to work your biceps...well just go to this page for an example of bicep curls:
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Biceps/BBCurl.html
They even have kettlebell examples. The site is not pretty-but I think those sites can sometimes give you the best information! No fluff!
Next my friend Monica, who is the mom of 2 cute little boys, sent me some other blogs that you may want to check out as well. Monica is well on her way to being fit and fabulous (she is already fab in my book though). Now, I have to say that these blogs are so much better than mine...so I am definitely encouraging you to check theirs out more than mine!
http://muffin-topless.com/about/
Ms. Muffin as I will now call her as recipes and all kinds of things. I definitely want to try the maple and cinnamon fruit bowl!
Skinny Meg can be found at: http://www.skinnymeg.com/ Disclaimer on Skinny Meg: she is probably more for the girls than the guys. I did come across photos of her at a OBGYN appt and I am not sure that guys would find that appealing.
One of my first posts (at this point they are all first posts) was talking about how I love women in the weight room and how supportive they are. I think it is really just women motivated to be the best self that they can be. I loved getting these tips from Monica and Peggy and had to share them with you too! If you have sites you like and want others to know about, let me know or comment and others can check them out!
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html
This site lists all the muscles and then exercises that you can do for each muscle! For example, you want to work your biceps...well just go to this page for an example of bicep curls:
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Biceps/BBCurl.html
They even have kettlebell examples. The site is not pretty-but I think those sites can sometimes give you the best information! No fluff!
Next my friend Monica, who is the mom of 2 cute little boys, sent me some other blogs that you may want to check out as well. Monica is well on her way to being fit and fabulous (she is already fab in my book though). Now, I have to say that these blogs are so much better than mine...so I am definitely encouraging you to check theirs out more than mine!
http://muffin-topless.com/about/
Ms. Muffin as I will now call her as recipes and all kinds of things. I definitely want to try the maple and cinnamon fruit bowl!
Skinny Meg can be found at: http://www.skinnymeg.com/ Disclaimer on Skinny Meg: she is probably more for the girls than the guys. I did come across photos of her at a OBGYN appt and I am not sure that guys would find that appealing.
One of my first posts (at this point they are all first posts) was talking about how I love women in the weight room and how supportive they are. I think it is really just women motivated to be the best self that they can be. I loved getting these tips from Monica and Peggy and had to share them with you too! If you have sites you like and want others to know about, let me know or comment and others can check them out!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
My Body Gallery
This post is not really a fitness/workout post but it is a website I want to share. mybodygallery.com is a website featuring real women who share their height, weight, body type, etc. All the pictures are submitted from real women around the world. One thing that I love about this site is that you will be able to see that all women carry their weight different. I find myself looking at girls who I think look great who weigh more, less or the same as me. I also see girls who are genuinely fit and I am in awe of their dedication-not even paying attention to the number by their weight! I say this because I think that as women we have the tendency to get stuck on some number on the scale when it really means nothing in the long run. If you feel healthy, are getting some sort of physical activity most days, and your clothes still fit (or are getting loose!) then don't let a number on the scale determine how you feel about yourself.
Now, I have to admit that I do weigh myself most days. NOT because I want to measure how "good" or "bad" I have been (as many women do) but because I think that it is important to course correct if I start to see the scale consistently go up. Most women can fluctuate 5 pounds from day to day so the scale will change from day to day. You may have an "ideal/goal" weight based on what you think is healthy or what someone else looks like-throw that number out. As you gain muscle your weight will not drop (and may even increase) but if you feel better and like the changes in your body-does it really matter what some piece of metal or glass that is on your bathroom floor says?!?!
I would much rather have a body type that when people look at me they say "she hits the gym" or "she is fit" instead of "she needs to eat a cheeseburger" or "she needs to stop eating something". So skinny or fat...I don't want that. I want fit, strong, healthy to describe my appearance and I think that most people should too!
Now, I have to admit that I do weigh myself most days. NOT because I want to measure how "good" or "bad" I have been (as many women do) but because I think that it is important to course correct if I start to see the scale consistently go up. Most women can fluctuate 5 pounds from day to day so the scale will change from day to day. You may have an "ideal/goal" weight based on what you think is healthy or what someone else looks like-throw that number out. As you gain muscle your weight will not drop (and may even increase) but if you feel better and like the changes in your body-does it really matter what some piece of metal or glass that is on your bathroom floor says?!?!
I would much rather have a body type that when people look at me they say "she hits the gym" or "she is fit" instead of "she needs to eat a cheeseburger" or "she needs to stop eating something". So skinny or fat...I don't want that. I want fit, strong, healthy to describe my appearance and I think that most people should too!
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