Tools for a New Year

I read something the other day that was so right on, I just knew I had to share it here.

When I started running in July of 2009, I wasn’t doing it to get “thin.” Yes, I wanted to lose weight, but the real goal was to get healthy. My back was a mess and I was sitting too much and eating too much, and I was depressed about it all. I guess you could say my physical health (or lack thereof) was messing with my mental health. I started slow and soon I was pain-free. Next thing I knew I was running a half, then another, and then training for a full!

Of course, we all know how that ended. But walking the half with Alma and her friend was one of the most fun races I’ve done thus far. So it was a good thing! And I didn’t snap my fractured shin in half. Also a good thing.

Anyway, here’s the passage from Fitness magazine (Jan. 2011). It’s from a short story by reporter Patty Adams Martinez featuring TV’s drill sergeant — The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels (right).

“Going through her own personal transformation taught her what works with others — namely setting goals that make people really want to change. ‘Feeling good in a bathing suit, or seeing your grand-children graduate from high school: Those things are worth it,’ Michaels has said. ‘It’s not just about being fat and then being thin. When you’re healthy physically, you’re healthy in every aspect of life.'”

SO TRUE!

I got some great new tools for Christmas to help me continue my quest to be healthy and fit physically (and mentally!) in 2011. Here’s what I got and a small review of each. Maybe you’ll see something that can help you, too!

JILLIAN MICHAELS 30-DAY SHRED VIDEO

I had this one on my Amazon wishlist and my mom sent it to me. I’d heard good things about it and, so far, I totally agree. It’s a great 20-minute at-home workout. It’s hard — and I’m only on Level 1. I’ve been using this video in between running days since it’s been cold and icy in the early morning here and I don’t feel like scraping my windshield to get to the gym every day. I know I still need to cross-train with the elliptical and bike, though, so this will probably be an evening workout on running days in the future.

All you need with this video is a little space, two 5-pound hand weights and a mat if you are working out on a hard surface, so it’s great because there’s no extra equipment to buy!

YOUR SHAPE: FITNESS EVOLVED XBOX KINECT GAME

This one’s a little different. You need and Xbox 360 and the Kinect add-on (the no-controller, motion sensor thing). We’ve had one for a little while because of Mr. T’s job, and it’s really fun. (Dance Central is a great aerobic workout, too! It’s a lot like Guitar Hero, but for dance moves.)

Anyway, Mr. T got me this particular fitness game because it was the best-rated and it’s really good. It’s sort of like going to the gym with a personal trainer. There’s aerobic-type workouts, like kickboxing, and toning workouts, plus a zen cooldown I love (I suck at it, but it’s great!). You do your workout right along with a trainer and you have to stick with him/her or you lose points. You can see yourself on the screen behind the trainer, so it’s a little like looking in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors they have in gym classes. The game also shows you how many calories you are burning.

BODYBUGG
Speaking of calories. As you know, I am trying to lose weight. I still have about 17 or 18 pounds to go to get to my ultimate goal. I’m hoping the Bodybugg (personal calorie management system) can help me. You’ve probably seen this device before. The contestants on The Biggest Loser wear one. It’s a small device that straps to your upper arm (you get used to it and forget it’s there pretty quickly) and tracks how many calories you are burning throughout the day.

I was a little hesitant about wearing this at first because 1) I felt maybe it was a little silly considering I don’t have 100s of pounds to lose; and 2) I didn’t think I’d like having it on all the time. The thing is, though, it’s really cool to see how many calories I’m burning just walking around all day (or sitting around). It’s pretty motivating. And I like being able to see my calorie deficit (when I enter my food intake in the online program and plug in the Bodybugg device). It makes things simple: calories in, calories out. And I don’t even notice it’s on anymore. I’ve even been sleeping with it on (hey, you burn calories why you sleep, too, okay?)

The only thing I don’t like is that you can see it when you wear a shirt with fitted sleeves. Also, not sure if I will like wearing it out for everyone to see when the weather gets warmer and I’m in short sleeves. Maybe by then I’ll be down to my goal weight and will wear it for workouts and in private.

RUNNER’S WORLD SUBSCRIPTION

I love this magazine. My subscription was up, but Mr. T rocks and renewed for me. Yay! I always find helpful tips and inspirational stories in there that keep me moving. Plus, I get great ideas for blog posts in there, too.

A MASSAGE
Mr. T got me one! I’ve never had one and I can’t wait to go!