| Wednesday, September 8, 2010 |
| Work It Out |
Dang Wednesday got here fast. I am definitely not complaining though. Since I did a guest post over at Eating to Run, I figured I would do something a little different here today. How about I tell you a little about my workouts and a little about food?
I never really talk in detail about my workouts, but they are an important part of my health. I have had some people ask me about what I do, so I thought I would share what I like to do. Before I start, this is not about what you should or should not do. This is about me and what works for me. Oh and a few random pictures thrown it. I realized today that I am the only one that takes pictures here so these are a year old, but I haven't changed. For me, that is a good thing!
(Tony and I at my sister's wedding last year)
I grew up being physically active. I took dance when I was extremely little. Nothing hard core, just ballet at that time. Then I moved into taking tap. I always dreamed of having a ballerina physic, but no...not me. I was a tap dancer with a little bit of jazz mixed in, just for fun.
(My sister Whitney and I at her wedding)
I have always enjoyed exercising (jazzercising is what the illustrator calls it, even though that is NOT what I do). I can't run, so I don't. I love working out though. So, I have fun with it. I discovered workout videos when I was in 8th grade. That was a huge score for me because I felt like I was working out with someone. My favorites back then were Gilad, Ada (Gilad's sister), Jane Fonda, Cher and Denise Austin (but her chipper disposition really got on my nerves). Now I use FitTv with a little Exercise TV mixed in occasionally. I still like Gilad. I like his new stuff with the muscle toning workouts. Some other ones I like are Sharon Mann, Cathe and Core Fusion.
(We used to go caving when we first met. That is me in the front...I look like dopey from Snow White. Tony is on the left...this was about 16 years ago. I miss caving with this group!)
My usual routine is to get up at 5:50am, wake up for about 10 minutes, then I do 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training. I like to workout first thing in the morning because I know the craziness of the day can easily take away my chances later. I call the early morning workout "my time". The illustrator and I started walking this summer too. We do this for his cardio. He is an artist who sits all day and this is his way of getting the heart pumping. It is about 2 miles according to my free app on my phone and from what we guessed before hand (based on the park mile markers), that's about right. It has a few good size hills too so it's a pretty good 2 mile walk. I only work out 5 days a week. I typically do this Monday through Friday so I can sleep in on the weekends (you know 7am). I don't lift heavy weights. Long story short, for those who don't know, I had a tumor in my abdominal muscle that they, unfortunately, had to remove enough of my muscles to get clear margins. This left a hole the size of my hand all the way through to my abdominal cavity. After a massive hernia with the first mesh, I now have gore tex in there and things are pretty sturdy, but I still have limitations to how heavy I can lift. The funny part about all of that is that I am stronger now than I ever was before. I focus on my arms, legs and back. I only use 5lb. weights and while I am sure I could go higher, this works for me. A lot of it, for me, is the focus on the muscle group I am working on and making sure that I make the best of the exercise. I focus on a couple of muscle groups everyday so I can exhaust them and then give them a rest day or two. I have a love hate relationship with yoga. I love it, but I hate how long it takes to do it. I need to get back into it again because it really does make me feel better.
(Dinner last night...I had to put food in here!)
Exercise is addictive. I have found that I will only do what I enjoy. I love plyometrics, boot camps, kickboxing and intervals. I have to change it up or I get bored. Neither the illustrator nor I likes running, but he mentioned the other day that our walk was getting faster to the point where it is starting to feel like we should just start running. I was thinking the same thing too. We will see if it goes that far anytime soon.
(Soy free fried rice for dinner last night!)
(all dressed up with the rooster in my lettuce wrap)
So, what is your favorite work? If you do videos, what is your favorite? I need to add to my collection!
Have you ever been caving? In that picture, I was wet all the way up to my armpits because I had to swim throw water that deep. I loved it!
I tried to find pictures of my dancing days, but I don't have any so I threw in the caving one instead. I am sure there are photos of fishnets and feathers somewhere...I will see what I can find.Labels: about me |
posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:53 PM  |
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| 17 Comments: |
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You guys use to go caving?!?!! Wow! I'm impressed!
I'm to claustrophobic to try it... but it looks cool!
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so THAT'S how you look so damn good! thanks for sharing your secrets! :)
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Ah thanks for sharing. I had no idea about the tumor. I love that you haven't let that stop you in the slightest though. Some would use that as an excuse. I am with you on doing what you like and changing it up. I get bored too ;-)
Hope you have a great night!
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I love that you did this because you really don't mention it! Gotta love the AM workouts- and you do such a good job of just making sure to move throughout the day!
And I totally agree- don't ever do workouts that you don't enjoy in some way. There's no point and it will get you in ruts faster than anything...
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Thanks so much for your guest post - I appreciate it so much! :)
This post was great. I loved getting to know you more. Caving seems like it would be awesome and intense!
Have a great night!
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Love hearing about your workouts, thanks for sharing. I love to workout in the mornings too because my days always seem to go by so fast and can push off workouts and I do not like to do that, LOL.
I have been inside one cave before on a family vacation years ago, I am not sure where though.
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caving, no. they are cold and dark. not really my scene. LOL
you look bangin! but i really wanna see the dancing and fish net pics :)
xoxo
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I have never been caving but it sounds AWESOME!
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Aww you look so cute as a dwarf in your red hat :P
I'm another one who loves hearing about your workouts. It inspires me to keep going (despite the fact that I'm not one who likes exercise, I hope that one day that will change!).
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I love your workout story. Congrats for being dedicated and doing the kinda workouts you enjoy. I love intervals, bootcamps, and kickboxing also. :) :)
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I can't believe you used to go caving, that's so cool! You have to try Bob Harper dvd's or even Jillian Michaels. I had no idea about your tumor either, I'm glad you are okay and you are stronger than ever.
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We like a lot of the same types of workouts. I love anything that switches it up regularly. And of course Cathe. I really cannot wait to get back to those types of workouts. Classes are good for me now but they aren't as much fun without the variety I get from other stuff.
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Thanks for sharing! I really like your workout philosophy.
I've never been caving, but it looks like fun from that picture. I want to try it now!
Like you, I love kickboxing and tae-bo. They're not as popular as they used to be, but I did a dvd the other day called Turbo Jam Cardio Party 3 that was a blast! I want to start walking at night too. The fall weather is perfect for it.
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Haha, I actually MET Denise Austin (photo to prove it in my FB photos, haha!) and she is SUPER sweet!! But I totally agree, her chipper little voice does get annoying in her DVD's! ;) I love working out to DVD's especially since I'm not running anymore and don't have a gym membership. Also, Exercise TV is awesome. Have you ever done any of The Firm workouts? I love those because they often combine weights and cardio. I'm about to do the Ultimate Fat Burning workout actually. Love it! :)
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cant wait to see if the pics re-surface! how fun!
saw heabs feature your hemp fudge. ok so i may have to break into my huge stash of hemp protein and give it a whirl. BAck when you posted it in june, on that post i even said...that i dont like dirty things. LOL i.e. gritty hempy earthy vibe...but i need to try i guess huh :)
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I love reading about peoples workouts- it's fascinating and reminds me that different exercise programmes suit different people. I love treadmill running for example whereas lots of people I know don't.
xxx
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This is such a great post! I didn't even know people went caving as an activity - so cool! Love the pictures too, adorable.
That is nuts about your abdomen. I had no idea. I'm so glad you're okay though! I would err on the side of caution to when it comes to weight and such if I had the same thing. Better safe. I have my own "odd" permanent injury and do my best to respect it :)
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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You guys use to go caving?!?!! Wow! I'm impressed!
I'm to claustrophobic to try it... but it looks cool!