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Beachbody Promotions for August 2013

8/8/2013

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Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
Hey there Yaffies - BIG NEWS!  Beachbody has not only announced TWO great Challenge Pack deals for August, but they are also bringing back the Focus T25 Challenge Pack.  Check out these Beachbody Promotions for August 2013.
Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
We are on week 3 of our Focus T25 Challenge Group and we are ALREADY seeing results.  This workout is great for anyone who is short on time but looking for a challenging workout!  I have been told over & over - "this is EXACTLY what I was looking for"!

Focus T25 Challenge Pack



ORDER HERE


Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
These fast paced Focus T25 workouts are jam packed with dynamic, high-intensity moves designed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  Every minutes counts!  It's not easy, but it really works, so PUSH PLAY & FOCUS for 25 minutes!

In ALPHA, you'll build your foundation of total-body fitness.  Plus, there's always a modifier on screen, so absolutely anyone can do it.  The BETA workouts feature new dynamic moves that take your body and your fitness to a new level.  Every workout will focus on your core, so your abs get shredded too!

August Promotion:  The Challenge Pack is $180 (originally $205) and will be available through August 31st!  Remember - that's over $90 of savings if you were to buy these programs and products separately.  Get it done!


TurboFire Challenge Pack




ORDER HERE



Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
TurboFire is a crazy-intense and fun cardio program designed to awaken your inner athlete and help you get a leaner, sexier body—fast! This 90-day program is packed with kickboxing drills, aerobic exercises, and intense intervals perfectly choreographed to the hottest music, so you stay motivated to push hard and get awesome results.

With the TurboFire Challenge Pack, you will receive the TurboFire fitness program, one of five delicious Shakeology® flavors, and a FREE 30-day trial membership to the Team Beachbody Club, where you will find all the support you’ll need to complete the Challenge!

August Promotion:  For the month of August, the TurboFire Challenge Pack will be available for $160. That’s more than $70 off what these products would cost if you purchased them separately!


Body Beast Challenge Pack


ORDER HERE

Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
Body Beast is Beachbody’s pro-level weight lifting program that will get you a lean, strong, and hard body using Dynamic Set Training.  This muscle building program is designed to transform your body in just 90 days. Worldclass bodybuilder Sagi Kalev is with you every step of the way guiding you through 12 extreme workouts such as Super Sets, Giant Sets, Progressive Sets, and Combo Sets.


August Promotion:  For the entire month of August, the Body Beast Challenge Pack will be available for $160.  That’s over $80 of savings if you were to buy this program and products separately! 


Beachbody Fuel Shot

ORDER HERE
Beachbody Promotions for August 2013
Kick-start your energy and recovery.  Have this energy drink before, during, or after a workout to help maximize performance.

Get a near-instant surge of power.  Blow past fatigue with a few sips of performance-enhancing calories.  This dextrose- and maltodextrin-based energy drink is designed to drive nutrients into muscle fiber for greater strength during workouts and helps replenish the glycogen and electrolytes lost after workouts.  Use daily for greatest acceleration in muscle endurance, size, and strength.

August Promotion: From 11:59 PM PST on August 14th until August 31st, you can add fuel to the fire with the "buy one ($49.95), get one free Beachbody Fuel Shot" offer.

Click ORDER HERE above for each product or e-mail me with any questions.
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Running in Philly is fabulous, Part II - Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail

8/5/2013

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A few weeks, ago, I posted about running on Kelly Drive, along with some gorgeous pictures of the Schuylkill River.  I don't get to run Kelly Drive often - I'm more frequently found a little further north on the Schuylkill on the Schuylkill River Trail.  If my run is long enough, I wind up west of Norristown, towards Valley Forge, which also provides some gorgeous views, but most of the time I'm running through Conshohocken, which is mostly just trees and train tracks.  Although not the prettiest of trails, I enjoy the familiarity and comfort of knowing every twist, turn and mile marker!
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
While the Schuylkill River Trail doesn't provide the best scenery, I've seen my fair share of oddities while pounding the pavement.  There are always other runners, bikers, walkers (with and without dogs), but below is a list of some of the other things I've encountered.

Elliptigo

This traveling/moving ellipical machine is marketed for both injured runners and fitness enthusiasts.  They look like fun, but they START at $1800!
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail

Recumbent Bicycle

According to Wikipedia, riders will choose the recumbent bicycle because of ergonomic reasons - the rider's weight is evenly distributed over a larger area.  They also sometimes have an aerodynamic advantage.  But, I just can't help but giggle to myself every time I see one, which is at lest once per run!
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
recumbents.com

Horseback Riding

I don't know what the rules are for this particular trail, but I have more than once seen people riding horseback on the trail.  I don't see it often, but there IS often "evidence" of the horses almost every time I'm out on the trail.
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
tripadvisor.com

Jogging Strollers

I'm not a parent, so I cannot fully understand the struggles that occur when you are a parent training for a marathon or even just want to get outside and exercise.  But, I DO know that someone with a jogging stroller is determined to get out of the house.  These strollers are common on the Schuylkill River Trail, but not as much on Kelly Drive.  I consider it an extra-special treat when I see a double jogger fully equipped with TWINS!
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail

One-legged Bike Rider

On one of my long training runs earlier this year, during a particularly grueling part of my run, I saw a man with one leg riding a bike.  I was blown away by courage and determination it must have taken for this man to master this skill and ride along, just as fast as the other bikers.  It inspired me to post the photo below on instagram.
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
hellinthehallway.net
Scenes from the Schuylkill River Trail
What is something unusual that you've seen on a trail run/bike/walk?
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FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout

8/2/2013

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We've all seen it at the gym - it looks like a stability ball that was cut in half. What is it and what do you do with it?  It's called the BOSU Balance Trainer, or the BOSU ball.  What is BOSU?  It's an acroym for BOth Sides Up.  Pretty creative, huh?  According to Wikipedia, the BOSU ball was invented by David Weck in 1999.  The great thing about a BOSU ball is that you can use it to do exercises that you're already doing to make them more challenging.  Even better is that the side that is up determines the level of difficulty of the exercise.  Putting the flat part of the BOSU ball on the floor makes an exercise a little more challenging, but putting the rounded side of the BOSU ball on the floor makes an exercise A LOT more challenging.  Today's Fitness Friday workout is another 'Body Blitz'-style workout, where you'll alternate between cardio and strength training.  I can't wait to hear what you think!
 
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
Notes about this workout:
  • This workout can be done at three levels:
BEGINNER:  NO BOSU ball - perform all exercises on the floor
INTERMEDIATE:  BOSU ball is flat side down
ADVANCED:  BOSU ball is round side down
  • Some of the moves in this workout are high-impact.  Please feel free to modify the workout to make them low-impact if necessary.
  • If you're unsure about any of the movements, check out the videos linked to the name of the exercise or google them before you start the workout.  You don't want to lose momentum, stopping after every exercise to look up how to do them.
  • The warmup and cardio sections of this workout are designed to do in a set amount of time.  This means that you'll work at your maximum level (as hard and as fast as you can) during this part of the workout.
  • The resistance training sections of this workout are designed to complete a set amount of reps.  Be sure not to rush these movements and perform them in a controlled manner.
  • Rest in between sets if needed, but no more than 1 minute!
  • There are some great explanations of some of these moves in this article by Real Simple: 6 Quick BOSU-ball Exercises
  • Not every move uses the BOSU ball, regardless of the level you choose (the warm-up does not use the ball at all). Each description will specify when to use the ball.

Warmup

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can:
  • Jumping jacks
  • Squat jumps (jump out into a squat, about halfway down, then jump back up to standing)
  • High knees
  • Jump rope side to side (use an imaginary rope, moving both feet together, jumping side to side about 1-2 feet)
  • Out & in (jump both feet out, then back in, knees slightly bent)

Resistance Training, SET 1

  • Body weight squats on the BOSU - 40 reps at a comfortable pace, then 10 more as fast as you can
  • Bicep curls, standing on the BOSU - 30 reps
  • One-legged bridge on BOSU - 20 reps each side
  • Chest press on BOSU - 30 reps

Cardio, SET 1

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can:
  • Switch kicks
  • High knees
  • Mountain climbers on BOSU
  • Up, up, down, down on BOSU
  • Burpee with jump on BOSU
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
www.realsimple.com
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
www.realsimple.com

Resistance Training, SET 2

  • Lunges with back leg on the BOSU - 25 reps each side
  • Side arm plank on BOSU - 1 minute each side
  • Hamstring tilt on BOSU (this one has to be done with the BOSU round side down, do double leg hip bridges as an alternate) - 30 reps
  • Shoulder tap planks (hold yourself in plank position, either feet or hands on BOSU ball and tap your left shoulder with your right hand, then switch) - 40 reps total (20 on each side)
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
www.realsimple.com

Cardio, SET 2

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can (these are VERY challenging to do on the BOSU - only recommended to do flat side down):
  • Sprint in place
  • Tuck jumps on BOSU
  • Plank jack on BOSU
  • Hop side to side on & off BOSU
  • Step ups onto BOSU with a knee lift
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
www.beautylish.com

Challenge

Burpee push-up challenge - 8 push-up burpees, increasing the number of push-ups with every rep (try putting your hands on the BOSU for the push-up)

Core

  • Superman back extensions - 25 reps
  • Side plank hip drop & twist on BOSU - 25 on each side
  • Walking plank on & off BOSU - 15 total (down, down, up, up = 1 rep)
Superman back extensions
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
abigailmeeksblogspot.com
Side plank hip drop & twist
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
befitandwell.blogspot.com
Walking plank
FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
womenshealthmag.com

Stretch

FitYaf's Fitness Friday BOSU workout
What did you think of the BOSU ball?  What was your favorite move? 
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Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts

8/1/2013

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Last night I took a class at Body Cycle Studio on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.  The class was led by Jessica Sullivan @ 5:30pm.  I'm generally hot & cold on spinning - I've taken some amazing classes, but I've taken some pretty boring ones too.  It's definitely the type of class that is highly dependent on the instructor and the music!  So, I decided to try a class out at Body Cycle - first ride free, so you can't go wrong, right?  You have to sign up through their online system (something that's becoming increasingly popular with the rise of boutique fitness studios), which is a little annoying, but WAY better than showing up and not getting into the class.  Plus, they have a mobile app, which makes it a little bit easier.  Wednesdays are my non-teaching days, so after looking at the schedule, the 5:30pm class was best for me (the 6:30pm, class, taught by Shoshana was waitlist only). 
 
Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts
Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts
the Body Cycle studio - lots of bikes!
I got to class about 15 minutes early and the employees there were SUPER friendly and SUPER nice.  My cousin Sarah even got a free ride for bringing a friend for the first time, and Russ, the owner, helped us all get set up on a bike.  I liked that the resistance on the bikes was digital and numbered, so there was no guessing about your effort level (you know, that ambiguous "half a turn increase").  Jess, the instructor came in right on time and we were off!
Now, I've maybe taken about 25 spinning classes in my life, so I am by no means an expert, but it was BY FAR the TOUGHEST spinning class I have ever taken.  I'll be honest, for most of the class I was struggling to keep up with the resistance level and RPM that was suggested.  And the jumps with the claps - definitely a point when I just wanted to stop.  But you know what?  I loved it!  Even if I had to constantly use that voice in my head to yell at myself ("you've run TWO marathons, certainly you can get up to 115 RPM for just 20 more seconds").  
Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts
Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts
Jackie, Sarah and I AFTER class - can you SEE our sweat?
I was probably only about half-way through the class before I ran out of dry spots on my towel to wipe my sweat - and I LOVE to sweat.  The music was awesome too!  My only complaint is that I like when the music and the suggested RPMs go together - it's so much easier for me to hit a certain RPM when I can just go along with the music. But, I know you can't do that AND do varying sprint intervals, so I guess you have to pick and choose.  I was happy to report that with a little warming up before class officially started, I hit a little over 20 miles on the bike!
I'm now determined to go back to that class and really hit all of those RPMs!  (I'm also super intrigued by the 6:30pm class - the people taking that class were stalking the bikes like vultures, anxious to get started on their ride!)  But I can't get over how CHALLENGING the class was for me.  I am constantly challenging myself with lifting weights with P90x and Les Mills Pump, seeing how fast I can run and trying not to take breaks in Insanity, Asylum and T25, and I'm always seeing improvements.  It just goes to show how much your body can get "used" to a specific workout, even if you're constantly challenging yourself.  I'm sure someone who does spinning 5 times/week would feel challenged by a workout that I am comfortable doing, if it's one that I do all the time.   Many running coaches would advise you to cross train, not only to build muscle and prevent injury, but also to improve your fitness level.  Whether you're a runner, training for a race or you just want to get in better shape, cross training and keeping variety in your workouts is SO important.  Varying your workout routine not only prevents boredom (and perhaps the likeliness to skip a workout), but it also helps avoiding or delaying a plateau in workout performance and training results.  It can also help you complete a challenging workout without just increasing your time/reps.  At some point, you're going to run out of time!  
Fitness variety: why it's important & how to vary your workouts
ACE fitness reports on a study performed by exercise scientists at the University of Florida.  This research showed that individuals who modified their workouts every two weeks over an eight-week period appeared to enjoy their workouts more and were more inclined to stick with their exercise programs when compared to individuals who followed the same workout regimens week after week.  Varying your exercise routine can also help you stay physically challenged.  Many of the body's physiological systems (e.g., the muscular system) adapt to an exercise program within approximately six to eight weeks.  If you do not modify your exercise routine, you reach a plateau because your body has adapted to the repetitive training stimulus.  So, how can you keep your workouts varied?  If you're a runner, try incorporating some intervals into your run.  You can also cross train with exercises such as spinning and swimming to provide your body with a new challenge.  If you're resistance training, try changing the order in which you complete each exercises.  When you fatigue the muscles in a new pattern, you're introducing a new stimulus to your body.  Also, try incorporating kettlebells and stability balls into your typical dumbbell routine.  Or, as in my case - just try something completely new!  Even extremely fit people can be challenged when trying something new!
How can you add variety to your fitness routine?  What is something you've been wanting to try?
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How to do a pull-up: Tips to strengthen your back

7/29/2013

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When I was in grad school, I set myself two goals to reach before defending my thesis: 1) finishing the world's largest crossword puzzle and 2) doing just one pull-up.  I don't know why I thought I could ever finish that crossword puzzle - I can't remember the last time I even finished a crossword puzzle that fit on one page.  Two and a half years after defending my thesis, the crossword puzzle is about 10% complete and has been in storage for the last 3 years.  I'm also sad to report, that I defended my thesis and graduated before I ever did a pull-up.  BUT, this year, while taking a break from marathon training, I decided to tackle this goal!  I'm happy to report that I can now do a full pull-up, and sometimes, on a good day, two in a row!  I have since been able to improve my form so that I don't have to lift my knees while pulling up.  My new goal is to be able to do FIVE without touching my feet to the ground, and maybe I can dust off that crossword puzzle and use it to wipe my sweat when I'm done!
A FAKED pull-up for my engagement session (Fall 2009) with the amazing photographer Mike Landis (seriously, he's awesome - if you're in the Philly area, book him for your wedding)
tips to strengthen your back
Not my first pull-up, but one of the first (most of my original attempts were all alone at the gym at 5:00am).  I didn't want to recruit my husband as videographer until I was certain I could do one!
I once read an article that summarized research done at the University of Dayton that explained exactly why women CAN'T do pull-ups.  When I read it, I felt a little comfort in knowing that I wasn't alone in my quest, but it also motivated me a little more.  Although strength training has always been a  part of my workout regimen, I decided to focus more and more on my back muscles to get me exactly where I wanted to be: chin above the bar!  Below are some exercises that I did to work those back muscles.  Give them a try and work YOUR way towards that first pull-up.  Find your level and do the exercises twice each week, following the A & B format below.  When you're ready, advance to the next level!
tips to strengthen your back

Beginner

Upright rows

Deadlifts

Rear Lateral Raise

Intermediate

*Assisted Pull-up Machine

Assisted Pull-up (no machine)

Lat pulldown

Advanced

Negative Pull-ups

Jumping Pull-ups

*Assisted Pull-ups - for this exercise, depending on the assisted pull-up machine, you might be decreasing your weight (thus decreasing your assistance) each week
Have you ever done a pull-up?  What exercises did you find the most helpful?
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FitYaf's 'no equipment necessary' Fitness Friday workout

7/26/2013

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On Monday nights at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, I teach a class called Body Blitz.  It's a 1 hour class that alternates between cardio and resistance training.  What types of exercises do we do in this class?  It's more like what exercises aren't we doing?  I love introducing new (and sometimes a bit awkward) exercises to keep things interesting and fresh, while continuing to work the same muscles in new ways.  In my head, my participants go home and repeat each week's workout 2 more times throughout the week so they can really perfect the moves! Today I'm sharing with you a 'Body Blitz'-style workout that you can do in your own living room - no equipment necessary!
Pottruck Health and Fitness Center
Notes about this workout:
  • Some of the moves in this workout are high-impact.  Please feel free to modify the workout to make them low-impact if necessary.
  • If you're unsure about any of the movements, check out the videos linked to the name of the exercise or google them before you start the workout.  You don't want to lose momentum, stopping after every exercise to look up how to do them.
  • The warmup and cardio sections of this workout are designed to do in a set amount of time.  This means that you'll work at your maximum level (as hard and as fast as you can) during this part of the workout.
  • The resistance training sections of this workout are designed to complete a set amount of reps.  Be sure not to rush these movements and perform them in a controlled manner.
  • Rest in between sets if needed, but no more than 1 minute!

Warmup

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can:
  • Jumping jacks
  • Squat jumps (jump out into a squat, about halfway down, then jump back up to standing)
  • High knees
  • Jump rope side to side (use an imaginary rope, moving both feet together, jumping side to side about 1-2 feet)
  • Out & in (jump both feet out, then back in, knees slightly bent)

Resistance Training, SET 1

  • Body weight squats - 40 reps at a comfortable pace, then 10 more as fast as you can
  • Tricep dips - 20 reps at a comfortable pace, then 5 more as fast as you can
  • Lunge/kicks (lunge back, then kick forward with the same foot) - 20 reps each side
  • Crab reach - 40 reps total, alternating (20 on each side)

Cardio, SET 1

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can:
  • Heisman 1-2-3
  • In & out abs
  • Burpees
  • Hop-hop squat (hop twice to the side, then squat down and touch the floor - repeat in alternating directions)
  • Switch kicks
 
Switch kicks

Resistance Training, SET 2

  • Moving squats (squat down, in the down position, take a step to the right one foot at a time, then pushup through your heals - alternate directions) - 30 reps
  • Tricep push-ups (on your knees or on your toes) - 30 reps
  • Calf raises - 30 reps
  • Shoulder tap planks (hold yourself in plank position and tap your left shoulder with your right hand, then switch) - 40 reps total (20 on each side)
 
Tricep push-up
tricep push-up
 
Calf raise
calf raise

Cardio, SET 2

Do each for for one minute, as fast as you can:
  • Ski jumps
  • Alternating lunge jumps
  • Mountain climbers
  • Standing mountain climbers
  • Plank jacks

Challenge

Burpee pushup challenge - 8 push-up burpees, increasing the number of push-ups with every rep

Core

  • Alternating plank reach - 40 total reps (20 each side)
  • Side plank hip raises - 25 on each side
  • V-sit hold - 30 seconds, 3 reps
Plank reach
plank reach
Hip raise
hip raise
V-sit hold
V-sit hold

Stretch

Picture
What did you think of the workout?  What was your favorite move?  How did you feel when you were done?
2 Comments

Jackie's 'Take it to the Beach' Workout

7/12/2013

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Friend and fellow Bodypump instructor Jackie spends her summer weekends at the Jersey Shore.  On Mondays, in between Bodypump tracks, I hear stories of boardwalk runs and open water swims.  She recently told me about a great workout she did RIGHT ON THE BEACH.
Picture
I'm so excited that she shared this with me and now WITH ALL OF YOU!
  
'Take it to the Beach' Workout
Jackie @ Bodypump 85 Launch - Circus theme

Take it to the Beach

If you're like me, every year you wait for those few summer months when you can getaway for the weekend and spend some time at the beach.  There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the sand with your friends and family, while listening to the sounds of the ocean (If I close my eyes I can be there in a second)! 

Again, if you're also like me, vacation doesn't mean leaving your workouts at home.  I usually stick to running on the beach or boardwalk since I'm away from my normal routines at home.  After a few days of running, I needed a new challenge.  It dawned on me that I had the best backdrop for a workout just a few blocks away.  After a quick brainstorming session it was off to the beach for a circuit workout! 
For this particular circuit you will need a mat, set of hand weights (medium or large), one heavy weight or kettlebell and a weighted bar. Keep in mind that you can make modifications to any of the moves.  If you don't have the right equipment, us your body weight or simply swap it out.  Make the workout your own! 
There are two components to each round: traveling and stationary.  For the traveling component, draw a line in the sand.  Then, walk 50 paces and draw another line in the sand.

If you're doing this with more than one person:
Do each traveling workout for the time it takes the other person to complete the stationary exercises (45 seconds or 25 reps each), then switch.

If you're doing it solo:
Choose if you want to do each traveling movement by time (30, 45 or 60 seconds) or by completed sets (2, 3 or 4 sets). Choose your stationary movements by reps: 20, 25 or 30.

Round 1
TRAVEL
  • Sprints - 4 full sets.  (Sprinting up and back equals one set.)
STATIONARY
  • Alternating arm kettlebell swings. You can use a heavy weight if you don't have a kettlebell.
  • Jump squats - You can put your hands behind your ears to engage your core.
  • Burpee - If you want to challenge yourself, add a pushup in the middle. 
Round 2
TRAVEL
  • Walking lunges alternating leading leg across and sprint back. 2-4 sets.
STATIONARY
  • Thrusters - if you don't have a bar you can use your hand weights.
  • V push-up
  • Good mornings - if you have a bar or weights you can hold them on your back to engage your core. 
'Take it to the Beach' Workout
V push-up
Round 3
TRAVEL
  • Bear crawl out and sprint back. 2-4 full sets. 
STATIONARY
  • High knees (45 seconds)
  • Plank with a row - heavy weight or kettlebell
  • Oblique twists - option to use a heavy weight
'Take it to the Beach' Workout
oblique twists
Round 4
TRAVEL
  • Low side shuffle - switch leading leg each way.  2-4 full sets
STATIONARY
  • Tuck jumps
  • Plank jacks 
  • Tricep kickbacks - medium to heavy weights. 
'Take it to the Beach' Workout
tuck jump

After you're done with this circuit you should be ready for some fun in the sun!! 

What are some of your favorite circuit workouts?

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Quick guide for your double workout day

7/10/2013

1 Comment

 
About a week ago, I came home from work and exchanged the normal, "How was your day?" with the husband.  His response that day was, "Today, I pulled a Jillian!"  After a few incorrect guesses (you forgot where you put something?  you fell asleep on the train?  you were just all-around awesome?), he had to tell me that "pulling a Jillian" meant working out twice in one day.  I'm not sure exactly how or why it started, but I've developed a habit of working out twice/day on some days.  I guess I'm sort of a "habit" kind of girl -  I like getting up at the same time every day.  I also prefer to workout in the morning.  So, on days where I'm teaching in the afternoon, I still get up at the dreaded hour of 5:00am (no, it never gets easier) and get my workout fix.  When I was marathon training, this meant a lot of treadmill running, but now it can be running, yoga, stretching, Insanity, P90x and soon to be Focus T25.  It's not always a long workout (these days if I'm running, it's only for 30 minutes), but it feels great to start my day with some good old fashioned sweat-action!

Quick guide for your double workout day
Quick guide for your double workout day
Quick guide for your double workout day

A friend recently shared  article with me from Greatist about the safety of working out twice in one day: Is It Safe to Work Out Twice in One Day?  I thought it offered some great tips for anyone who is interested in adopting this habit, but I wanted to offer my own.  Just remember - listen to your body and don't overdo it!

Hi, my name is Jillian, and I am a gym rat!

1.  Prioritize
Chances are that one of your workouts will be cardio-based and the other will involve some sort of resistance training.  On days when you're working out twice, pick a workout that will be your main focus of the day - one where you know you're going to to really push and challenge yourself.  If you have a training run on your schedule, and it's an "easy" day, hit it hard with the weights and really challenge yourself.  If you're not doing any heavy lifting, maybe taking a pilates or yoga class for some resistance training, challenge yourself with some heavy cardio.
Quick guide for your double workout day
2. Know the "why" behind your double workout day
There are so many reasons why you might want to squeeze in two workouts in one day.  For me, it's about getting up at the same time every day, but also about getting in some "me" time.  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my group fitness classes, but at the same time, I also benefit mentally from when it's just me and my workout (and sometimes Matt O'Donnell on the 6abc news).  For some of you, you might be training for a specific race or really trying to kick start some serious weight loss.  Or maybe your schedule fits better with two shorter workouts rather than one long session.   Know this ahead of time and it will really help you structure your workouts.
Quick guide for your double workout day
 
3. Plan ahead
If you're serious about getting in two workouts, it will require A LOT of planning.  You'll likely need to schedule WHEN you'll be doing your workouts, but you'll also need to make sure you get enough sleep the night before and you're fueling your body properly - not just before your workouts, but during and after too!  The Greatist article offers some fabulous advice for this - read it!
Quick guide for your double workout day

Do you ever workout twice in one day?
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How many push-ups can you do in ONE MINUTE?

7/2/2013

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You can't really get much done in a minute, right?  WRONG!  When you're challenging your body for a short period of time, you'd be AMAZED at what you can do!  When training for races and trying to increase your speed, it's common to run intervals, sprints or hills.  During these exercises, you are pushing your ability to the MAX, knowing that you're going to get a break soon, whether you slow down to a walk or even a jog.  Can you keep that speed up for the whole race?  Probably not, but you're challenging your body in a new way and thus, changing your body.
When building muscle and increasing your strength, it's important to continue to challenge yourself.  But challenging yourself doesn't always mean doing MORE.  Sometimes it can mean doing less reps with more weight, and sometimes it can mean doing the same amount of work in less time, which brings me to the push-up challenge:

HOW MANY PUSH-UPS CAN YOU DO IN ONE MINUTE?

Maybe you can only do a few - but try again next week and go for one more!  You might be surprised at how quickly your body can adapt and build muscle.  Give it a shot and do it weekly to track your improvement!
The Push-up Challenge - How many Push-ups can you do in one minute?
Post below in the comments, and let us know how you did!
If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you
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Focus T25 Challenge Group - are you going to Get It Done?

7/1/2013

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Looking to get in the best shape of your life this summer?  Last week I announced the release of Shaun T's BRAND NEW workout Focus T25 (click here for more info about the workout).  I'm so excited to try this out - I ordered my copy last week!  Today, I'm even more excited to announce that you can do this workout WITH ME!  I will be starting an ALL NEW 10-week challenge group, focusing specifically on Focus T25 and YOU can participate too - in one of two ways:

Focus T25
  1. Focus T25 Workout only - 10 workout DVDs, quick start guide, get it done nutrition guide, workout calendar, stretch workout & resistance band
  2. Focus T25 Challenge Pack - everything above, plus sign up for Shakeology autoship
The best part about this deal is you'll get FREE SHIPPING!  And, ME as your personal coach!  The challenge will start Monday, July 22, so everyone will have plenty of time to ask questions and place orders.  Please contact me if you have any questions or if you're interested in joining this challenge.  I can't wait to get started and GET IT DONE!
Be one of the first people to try out this workout:
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    Jillian [FitYaf]

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