Holiday Workout...and repeat

It never fails, I'll be go along all year with a fantastic workout route that I follow religiously... boot camp two times a week, running three times a week. But then I flip the calendar over to December 1st and BAM! It all goes to hell. What is it about December? God love it, but the month goes too fast and we're all running to get everything done before Dec. 25. To-do lists a mile long, juggling end of year at work and baking, brainstorming the perfect gift for cousin it and once you think you have all the shopping done a friend from 10 years back throws you a curve ball and shows up on your doorstep with a nice, thoughtful gift while you stand empty handed. We're all been there. Just admit it.
The holiday parties... love 'em. Love the food, love the people. However, all those calories we consume in cookies, grasshoppers and appetizers don't count, right?! After all they're ALL little bites, no one needs to know how many of those little bits go in our mouths and eventually straight to our highs. Don't get me wrong I love this jolly time of year to slow down and think about what really matters in life. But yikers, I guess that's why the gyms are so packed come January 1.
At least there's one routine that has stayed consistent! Here's to crossing a few things off the Christmas to-do list and turning up your favorite Christmas Pandora station.


Photo courtesy of the my Pinterest addiction.

N.Starr

Lean Beef Matchup

Hunk of Meat Monday

We've all taken personality quizes whether it be in school or at work to find out more about ourselves, how we fit in and why we do things the way we do. Same ole' same ole results always come back. I'm type A, list-oriented, social but hard working. Come on people tell me something I don't already know!
Today I took a personality quiz and finally learned something new.... the cut of lean beef that best fits me! Lean beef can fit into every lifestyle; take this 5 question quiz to find your perfect dinner time match and how you can beef up a balanced diet.
I had to answer as best I could since not all the answers applied to me since I don't have kids. I answered mostly C's making the T-Bone most fitting for me. Here's what it said:

"This protein-packed powerhouse sizzles on the grill and dishes up enough flavor and nutrition to satisfy your entire training team. Protein can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity. Try our T-Bones with Sweet & Savory Steak Sauce; just one 3-ounce serving provides 44 percent of the Daily Value for protein, to keep you going no matter what tomorrow brings."

Pretty right on with my active lifestyle. Farm work on the weekends; boot camp and running during the week. I can't wait to try the recommended steak sauce.

Take the Lean Beef Match-Up Quiz and comment below with your perfect lean beef match.
 

N.Starr

Anything for my Packers

Packer 5K Run

Living not too far from Green Bay most of my life it's not surprising I'm an avid Packer fan. What can I say I bleed green whether is the Spartans or the Packers! Last weekend I lived several fans' dreams and ran around the inside of Lambeau field in the Packer 5K charity run. However I wasn't like the shirtless hard-core fans you see on TV with green & gold paint on their chest, crazy wigs, cold beer in hand yelling and cheering. I was however on the jumbotron!

3.1 miles later I made it and was ready to pose in the stadium.
In my opinion, there's nothing like Lambeau Field!

I had a cheering section, however they were a little MIA at the finish line. I left them in the Packers Pro Shop prior to the race and finally found them 15 minutes after I was done. I was beginning to think they left me.

Two of the four cheerleaders... Aunt Jo and my Mom.

And how does a Packer fan end an evening of running? At Curly's Pub of course! A cold Coors Light and Burger really hit the spot, plus I recharge my body with beef! If you haven't ever been I highly recommend it, Curly's is a must stop pub.

Menus with a lot of Packer history. 

I announced to  my family that next year when I run it I will be dressing up like a Packer Cheerleader, that way everyone will be able to spot me!

N.Starr

Summer Olympics

Go Team U.S.A.

Tonight's kicks off the summer Olympics is London. Whenever the Olympics - summer or winter - are on I always think of the movie Cool Runnings. And that brings back childhood memories of the annual long weekend at Grandma's that my sisters and I did every summer in her hotter then heck, no air conditioned Oshkosh apartment. Grandma didn't have a wide selection of VHS Disney movies and us country kids didn't know what to do with ourselves in the city. So the three of us always settled on the movie Cool Runnings (it was that or Lawrence Welk); imagine three little girls lined up on the couch watching this and sweating because of the scorching heat and humidity trapped in Grandpa's townhouse. We thought it was funny and can now recite it at any given scene. Maybe watching a winter type movie messed with our minds just enough to cool us off mentally!

What Olympic sport will you be watching over the next two weeks? Who are you cheering on?

N.Starr

Body Boot Camp

On a fitness note.

A year ago I started becoming a "runner"; in college it was something I always wanted to do, but just didn't have time for. My parents got me the Nike + Shoes and app for my birthday so I was good to go, no excuses. So far with Nike + and Couch 2 5K I've ran in a few races: Kraut Run, Susan G. Komen and the Iola Trail Run.
Over 2 months ago I also started doing a boot camp through my office (I know how cool is my job?!!). Our trainer, aka army boy, comes in from Body by Design and is our drill sergeant for the quickest exercise hour I've ever had. I love it and am becoming addicted! It's amazing to me how much you can push yourself to do that extra pushup, situp or burpee when you have someone motivating you. We're in the midst of session II and am working toward good results (after session I I was down 4% body fat).
I've learned that working out is only half of a healthy lifestyle. The second half is diet. I've always tried to eat a balanced diet (but I'll admit I have a sweet tooth). But I've been trying extra hard to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grain and lean BEEF! Yes I said it and I'll say it again lean BEEF! Beef is what I use to recharge my body. There are 29 lean cuts of beef with a total fat content that falls between a skinless chicken breast and skinless chicken thigh. By choosing a lean cut of beef I'm efficiently recharging my body with several vitamins and minerals; critical after an intense workout. My new thing to do is broil a tenderloin, cut it up and lay it over a crisp lettuce salad with fresh veggies and fruit (raspberries are my favorite fruit to put on a salad). What lean beef recipes do you like in the summer?

Birthday Wish #3

Vera Bradley

A name brand that I do not own. I'll admit, when they first started making their appearance on college campuses I wasn't a fan, the prints reminded me of something an old lady would like! I know, I'm crazy. Then all these bright, young-looking prints started hitting the shelves at the bookstores and I've has my eye on them ever since. Two reason why I don't own a Vera Bradley: 1) I'm a bit sticker shocked 2) I can't decide on which print suites me best. Here's a couple that really strike me ...

Big fan especially of the totes. Plenty of room for my gym clothes for the YMCA
and the new Boot Camp I've enrolled in through Bader Rutter.

'Go big or go home' is my philosophy. This may come in handy on my dream vaca to the Kentucky Derby.

If you had your choice of all the prints in the Vera Badley collection, which would you chose? Make sure you view the print lineup before you commit.

N.Starr

We Survived!

Iola 5K Trail Run

For those who aren't runners but want to be runners, I recommend the Coach to 5K app for your iPod or iPhone. I wasn't (and really still am not) a runner but this walk-run-walk routine sure whipped me into running shape. You start slow, and the running gradually increases. Just plug in your headphones and play your favorite music, and the app will tell you when to walk and when to run.

Well I thought I was ready... I mean I did two 5 K's last Fall (Bear Creek Kraut Run and Susan G. Komen) how could this one be any different? The trail running portion is what totally got me (I'm such a rookie!) I never would have thought this would be more of an obstacle rather than a runner. It wasn't anything like the previous day's walk in the pasture. After millions of hills, narrow trails and dodging of tree stumps & roots the finish line was in sight.

"They" (as in the professionals) say you're more successful if you have a running buddy. I don't know if Brenda will trust me anymore to pick the races. Needless to say I don't think we have a strong future in trail running. Brenda finished in 39 minutes, I finished in 44 minutes. No sprained ankles!

Have a great Tuesday! Anyone participating in 5K or 10K runs this spring/summer? Someday I hope to have a Team Beef running jersey.

N.Starr

Snow Advisory

Fitness Edition

As you may have already known I'm trying OK attempting to be a runner. And I wouldn't even call it a runner, more of just someone who is familiar with the gym! During the summer I fell in love with the Nike + System and shoes (thanks to my Mom & Day-- 23rd B-day Present) and the Couch to 5K app on my IPod Touch. Since the cold months are here to stay I've resorted to the YMCA, trying to go at least 3x/week. I may start doing some classes, anyone have a good aerobic/cardio class? Zumba I only like depending on the instructor and body vive has too many old ladies.... suggestions?

For those die-hards that run year round, I wanted to share these outdoor running tips so you stay fit and healthy. Believe it or not, I found this in my Better Homes & Gardens Magazine I got my my friend Brenda.

1. Understand your limits. The body generally becomes acclimated to cold temperatures after a few weeks. Until then, keep your activities close to shelter.
2. Beware of overdressing. Bundling up could backfire on you. Wet (sweaty) clothes moves heat away from your body much more quickly than dry clothing. So.. dress in layers that leave you feeling slightly chilly after your first few minutes of exercise.
3. Drink before you're parched. Exposure to cold weakens your body's thirst mechanism, so drink 12-16 ounces of water before venturing out. If exercising longer than an hour, take a water bottles with you.
4. Swipe on the sunscreen. I'm a whitey so this tip definitely applies to me year round! Approx. 80 percent of UV radiation reflects off snow and ice. So remember to wear UV sunglasses or goggles and at least SPF 30 sunscreen.

Happy Winter!
N.Starr

3 in 30 Update

If you haven't noticed I LOVE the 3 in 30 method! Whoever thought of it is an absolute genius! It has allowed me to complete goals and enjoy the thrill of crossing them of the list. I'm a list maker, stick to my to-do list kinda girl. April brought several trip to Manawa, a fun trip back to E. Lansing, a fun Easter and this weekend a fun visit with Aunt Sally, opening day of the Crosscut Solutions Greenhouse and Mom's birthday!

Here's my month recap:
I DID finish my Lenten book provided by my church, enjoyed it! I'm happy to say I was very loyal to it.
I DID do some spring cleaning by organizing my closets and donated unwanted clothes to Goodwill. It's amazing how much was can accumulate.
I WAS very good this month at attending the YMCA. I looking forward to continuing this well into May:)

Here's what I hope to accomplish in May:
-Organize the files on my computer along with my personal e-mail account. I know there's some college class e-files in here that are no longer of any use. And my e-mail has been screaming in red letters that I am at my 96% capacity. YIKES!
-You can look forward to my blog getting a facelift (last one promise) I think you'll like what I got cookin' in my mind!
-Get up early and work-out before going into the office! While I like my sleep, there's no reason I can't workout prior to, plus I hear working out in the morning is more effective. There's these morning classes, Fab Abs and Sunrise Yoga, that I really want to give a try!

What are you planning on accomplishing this month? I think it's important to always spice up your goals and try something new:)
PS-May is my birthday month! Can't wait to share with you my Birthday Wish-List Countdown! Stay tuned:)
N.Starr

Nike + iPOD- Meet my personal trainer

So my weakness is finding something and not stop thinking about it until I buy it! When today find was no exception. A few weeks ago my IPOD from freshman year crashed and burned one day at the YMCA. Ever sense then I've been looking around at what to get to replace (so many options: IPOD nano, shuffle, touch, phone). I know for a fact that I'm not getting the IPHONE, leaning more towards the IPOD touch. However would also like something to give me a little running motivation, my own personal trainer. I am trying really hard to go to the gym to run and use the machines. And with it getting nicer (at times) outside I would love to run during my noon hour. There are excellent trails in Bishop's Woods (the business district where my office is). So today I feel like I have found the solution to all my needs. This is a little pricy, but I think it will be something to save my $$ for and my birthday is right around the corner.

First I will need to replace my ghetto Pod with the IPOD touch......... Which will make the biggest dent:(

Then for $30 I can purchase the Nike + Sensor Kit. This will allow me to put the sensor into my Nike + Shoe. The sensor will record my distance, calories burned and milestones reached. The Nike + iPOD menu will let me chose my workouts, make goals and Rock & Run to Nike-created sport music for instant motivation! And lastly. They always get ya, but I am not opposed to another pair of running shoes. I need these special shoes that hold the sensor in the insole of the shoe to communicate with the Ipod. When syncing my Ipod to my computer it will download a report of my workout.

The Nike + program also has a network for runners to enter or create challenges!

This may be a "has been" thing, but I just found it and can't stop thinking about how great it would be for me:) Starting to save now!!