Tag Archive: Fitness

Working Out With Bob Harper

August 19, 2011
Blogging, Just Julie, Photography

A few weeks before BlogHer, I got an email from BlogHer’s Events about promotions with some of their sponsors during the conference.  They were offering an early morning workout with Bob Harper on Saturday morning.  Bob Harper was going to be at the conference on behalf of Quaker.  If you don’t know who Bob Harper is, well he is kind of a big deal on that little TV show, The Biggest Loser.

Bob Harper-BlogHer11'Doesn’t he look ready to work out? Well he was. Bob was ready to start working out right away. He was not messing around. I kinda love the black shoes and orange laces combo.
Workout with Bob Harper at BlogHer11'Bob had us stretching and “pushing” outselves through the entire workout. I may have whined a little. He called me “party girl” throughout the workout. Honestly, I was not hung over, just really tired. Everyone looks so athletic in this picture.  And it was barely 7am. Bob went around and was making sure that everyone was doing the “moves” properly.  This is no faux-workout. It was hardcore. I was sore the next day.
BlogHer11'-San DiegoWe had a beautiful view of the waterfront from the rooftop area that we were on. I had to take a picture while we were up there.  I’m probably the only one who brought their DSLR with them to the workout.Renee Ross and Bob HarperRenee Ross got up close and personal with Bob during the workout. I think she was his “chosen one” that day. Honestly, Renee was a perfect choice. She kicks butt! And man, they both have some great balance. My quads and calves hurt, just from looking at this picture.
Quaker Oatmeal and Bob Harper Workout Group at The Biggest LoserWe were able to get a group shot of everyone who was present for the early morning workout.  Bob Harper was hiding in the middle of everyone.
Angry Julie and Bob Harper, From The Biggest LoserAnd because I brought my “good” camera, I was able to get a great shot of Bob and I. Yippee. If I had a “Life List”, working out with Bob would probably be on it. I wish Bob could be my personal trainer, because I think I would be a bit more motivated.

Disclosure: I attended a workout with Bob Harper sponsored by Quaker. I received a yoga mat, towel, and a DVD. I was not paid cash for this post. All of the thoughts and ramblings are mine. And really, I should have paid them for the great workout. But honestly, Bob Harper probably charges a whole lot of money for his training sessions and I could not afford him otherwise. So Thanks to BlogHer and Quaker.

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Change can be good

March 9, 2011
Just Julie, Photography

They say it takes six weeks to form a habit.  Well, I guess I have broken my habit of drinking caffeine.  I haven’t had any caffeine since December 31st, 2010.  It is CRAZY! This is the longest that I’ve gone without caffeine for quite some time.

Another “new thing” that I am trying is working out in the early hours of the morning. As a friend said, “oh you are joining that 5am club.”  Believe me, I am not a morning person.  But I know that I am a much nicer person when I work out.  Ok, maybe my husband told me that I am a nicer person when I work out.  I literally have NO TIME the rest of the day.

I realized that this is about me and my health, and that I need to make time.  I work a mid-day schedule full time.  On my days off, I have Angry Kid, t-ball, and family time of course.  It is really hard to leave for the gym or a workout when everyone is home, having fun.  My friend, Kelly is quite the early workout queen lately, with 5:30am bootcamps, and if she can do it with three kids, well I can make the time too.  I can barely get up, but I drag myself to the gym most days.  It is freezing when I walk from the parking structure to the gym with the rest of the early morning people.  We all give each other that “what the hell are we thinking” looks.

I’m happy to have my iPhone, because I caught up with Twitter and my e-mails while on the elliptical.  It is all about multi-tasking.  I have around 30-50 new e-mails every morning when I wake up.  I don’t have to respond to all of them, but I do check and organize the priority e-mails.  This is also something new that I am trying.  I’m trying to stay on top of my e-mails because it is so easy to get behind.

My view while walking into the gym this morning. I'm soo not a morning person, fyi

But I pretty much love this.  I took this photo on my way out of the gym last week.  It was a beautiful sunrise, and I was able to view it as a I was skipping to my car…skipping might not be the right word. How about dragging myself, which was a hot sweaty mess.  I think my hour long workout at the crack of dawn was well worth it.

I have learned that I can try and embrace new things but not all at once.  Change is good, and it can be done.  I am always skeptical to try new things, but in the end, I always know that it is worth it.

Have you tried anything new lately? Are you sticking to it? Whether it be fitness, or a hobby, let me know what you’ve tried.

Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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Getting My Fit On

January 15, 2010
Just Julie

I kicked butt in 2008 and early 2009. And then I hit the wall.  Seriously, life can get quite hectic, and you start forgetting what is important.  I get so caught up in family life, working, and hobbies (cough, cough, cough…blog) that sometimes, I forget about me.  I need to remember that my health, and really mental sanity is more important than all of this. Because if momma’s not happy, no one is going to be happy.

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.”
~ Carol Welch

I recently switched to a different work schedule that has me completely out of whack.  I went from working normal hours i.e. daytime of 6am-4:30pm to night owl hours of 4pm-2:30am.  I have been dragging myself home at night, and depositing myself into Angry Kid’s bedroom. It’s easier this way, because no one will wake me up in the morning.

Before switching my work schedule, I attended a fitness class at 24Hour Fitness every Thursday.  I slacked a little during the Holidays, but most of the past year, I attended.  I was all set to attend it yesterday, when my down comforter called my name.  Slacker!

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For my 2010 Goals, I list ten races in 2010 as my #2 goal. Well, I can’t really run all those races if I’m not running, right? So yes, I need to run more. Honestly, running is quite boring.  I can only listen to my music for so long. I’m a chatty-type and it kinda looks weird if I’m talking to myself.  I have totally flaked on my running partner, Pesha.  We used to do runs like at least once a week. Do you see this Pesha, call me!!! I also need to dust off that treadmill in my garage. Angry Husband re-arranged the garage last week, and now it’s not covered with tools. My race partner, Monique, sent me an e-mail that she signed up for a race training/prep class, so jealous and I wish I had the time.

Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred

I also have Jillian Michaels “30-Day Shred” DVD. Have you heard of that? Awesome workout that you can do at home, in front of your TV. This is especially nice if you have small kiddos and have to deal with nap times, etc. All you need is some tennis shoes and some light hand weights.  Seriously, this workout kicks my butt!

Do you have a gym membership that you barely use? Does it have childcare? I started taking Angry Kid to the gym with me last year. I personally waited until he was completely potty-trained.  He loves that place. I kid you not, he asks to go to 24Hour Fitness every time we drive by.  I can work out for an hour while I’m there and take 30 minutes to take a shower, etc.  Then I don’t have to worry about what trouble he’s getting into while I’m showering at home.

I really increased the use of my gym membership last year by diving into their group fitness classes.  I’m always been timid about jumping into things.  I tend to feel a little lost, and get that feeling “that everyone knows each other, and what happens in the class.” Well a good time to start is in January. There are a lot of other new people, looking to try something new. Most gyms (especially national ones) have their class schedules online.

Doris Dodge-Thews

My friend, Doris, is teaching what she calls “Triple Threat Thursday”. She starts at 8am with TKB (Turbo Kick Box), 9am is 24Lift, and 10am is PIYO (Mat pilates and yoga mix).  I’m not saying that I’m going to attempt all 3 of these classes. I’m not that nuts. But I may try and do that TKB and 24Lift, that is, if I can get up in time.  Doris is really inspiring too. She’s been teaching fitness classes for years…and she’s a personal trainer too. And on top of all that, she’s training for her second Boston Marathon and she’s an ambassador for lululemon. She also has a nickname for me, umm “cupcake”.

So with all these things? I should be fit, right?

I start my day off pretty good. I usually have either a protein drink, oatmeal, or some kind of yogurt.  I really need some kind of protein early in the day, because I tend to get fatigued easy if I don’t.  I try and have either a salad, some kind of soup, or something chicken-oriented for lunch. And well, dinner, four days of the week, I will be at work. This is always a challenge.  I also need to focus on drinking more water. I’ve actually done pretty good with my caffeine lately, but my water consumption needs to increase.

Wish me luck!

For more weight loss tips and fitness posts, be sure to check out Kelly’s Korner. She’s hosting a carnival today to inspire others and to share your knowledge.

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