I prefer to cover my knees ...

I was reading a column in this month's Women's Running magazine about what your favourite "shorts" are for running and it made me think about my own preferences when it comes to exercise attire in a more broad sense.

Working in a gym I get to see quite the range of exercise attire .. and yes I have seen pyjamas .. oh, and the full body suit .. in baby pink ...

We all remember these outfits ...

The majority of girls seem to prefer to workout in some kind of tights that come just below the knee or shorts.  Not short, shorts but more conservative.  Although I have seen the short, shorts too .. it's not good when bending over to stretch.  And let's not even go to the male version!

My personal preference when training in the gym or a class is for tights that sit just below the knee .. because I don't think anyone needs to see my knees.  But then when I'm running on the treadmill I pull my tights up over my knees .. oh dear, I may have a problem.
My preference on top is a tight-ish singlet.  Not so tight that you can see every jiggly bit, but not so baggy that it gets in the way or gets heavy when I sweat.  Because I do sweat, I'm afraid.  It's not pretty. Oh, and I can't wear t-shirts at the gym ... it feels weird.  

Today's training gear ... no I haven't showered yet ...

When I'm running outside there are many variables to be considered.  When, where, who .. you know, all of the important issues must be taken into account. 

Running in summer I'll usually sport a pair of shorts.  However, if I'm running anything over 5km I'll switch to a pair of tights that sit just above my knees.  Shorts and I don't seem to get along very well if my run is longer than the 5km .. I'm not fond of chaffing, nor the uncomfortable bunch of shorts in my crotch.  It's not really pretty for oncoming traffic either .. enough said.

Winter running and I'm pulling out the longer tights and long sleeve jacket or shirt.  Just below the knee or if it's really cold .. like now .. and yes, it's cold in Brisbane .. I wear a full length tight.  And a cap,  I'm unsure if I can actually physically run without my cap ( summer or winter version ) ...  

Now tell me, what's your favourite gym get up? 

All stories of fluoro g-string leotards and leg warmers will be gladly accepted and giggled at later ...

PS .. I've just re-read what I wrote and have discovered that I may have some "quirks" when it comes to my training gear ...


Vicki x

Tell me why do you exercise?

Why do you exercise?

Do you love it? Does it make you feel good, look good?

Do you exercise to lose weight, or are you training for a specific goal?

Ooooops! I didn't hear that ...

I was talking with one of my clients about keeping up motivation to keep going and her comments to me were that it was easy for me because I love exercise. Yes, she is right, I love to exercise .. But there are times when I don't love it so much.

If I don't love it all the time then why do I keep it up?

I exercise for all of the things I have mentioned above. 
I feel good after finishing a workout or achieving my goal.
Yes, exercise has helped me change my body shape .. I'm still working on it but I'm pretty happy with where I am right now.
Yes, I have used exercise to help me lose weight ... I could probably do a bit more about my diet ... well, let's leave that there shall we!
Yes, I have trained for a specific goal .. In my younger years I completed quite a number of triathlons and last year I completed my 6th half marathon.  

My current reason for keeping up my exercise routine ...

Number one .. my health and fitness.  I want to set an example for my kids and my clients.  At the moment my focus at training is to do what I enjoy and will help me maintain or improve both my health and fitness. 
Next up, I really do enjoy it and how it makes me feel.  If I haven't exercised for a week or so I start to feel a bit cramped and stiff and well, blah.

So, tell me, why do you exercise? 

Is it one of the reasons I listed above or have you got your own reasons?

Vicki x

Weekly FitMum Update ...

And again, I find myself late with my update!  Not sure whether it's the busy, busy end of the week or the busy, busy Saturday morning of sport that is my current undoing ...

Mr Fit Mum was away this week, so it does slow things down a little bit at home.  I just can't be in two places at once with kids in tow.  And to top it off I don't sleep well, the old eye and ear open all night makes me a little weary. 
Ooops, sorry about that, enough of the whinging!  I really didn't have too bad a week .. here's what I did get up to ...

Monday morning I was lucky as Mr Fit Mum didn't have to leave for the airport until 6.30am so I still managed a run / walk in the morning.  Cold, dark, the usual but I crossed it off the list!
Rather than backing out of all training last week, I decided to use it as a bit of a refresher week ... no more running until the weekend.  Instead, I popped a DVD in and did some yoga with the kids in the afternoons.  Another reminder that I love yoga and should do it more often!

I did attend my usual PT session on Thursday, and yes I was not disappointed by this session.  Let's just say my legs were still feeling rather heavy 2 days later on my Saturday morning run!

Friday, I exercised my power of listening and communicating at lunch with the girls!  I may have eaten a little too much ... and then followed it up with dinner out with the family on Friday night.  Yes I needed the run on Saturday!

In between all the fun stuff I spent a lot of time in the car ferrying kids around ...

then it was time to relax on Saturday night.  I may or may not have spent a little too much time shopping ... online ... drinking champagne ... 

As you may have noticed I've made a few little changes to the blog .. still not sure what I'm doing but I'll keep working on it!  I've added a Follow by Email link if you would like to sign up and I'll appear in your inbox every so often!  You know I love to chat!

I trust everyone has had a great weekend! 

Vicki x

Vegetable and Bean Soup ...

The weather is certainly starting to cool off so what better reason to add a soup to the week's meal plan.  This week I'm adding this one.  It has heaps of veggies and the kids eat it with a minimum of fuss!  Especially if I serve it up with some crusty bread!

What you need ...

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 leek, finely chopped
125g 97% fat-free bacon, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
1 parsnip, peeled, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
2 small zucchini, chopped
6 cups reduced-salt vegetable stock ( sometimes I use beef stock )
400ml can tomato puree
400g red kidney beans 
1/2 cup dried risoni pasta (or small shell pasta )

What you do ...

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bacon and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add carrot, parsnip, celery and zucchini. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.

Add stock and tomatoe puree. Stir to combine. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes or until vegetables are soft.  

Stir in risoni and beans. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until risoni is tender. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

I like to have my soup with some fresh, preferably crusty bread!

Enjoy!  Let me know what you think.

Vicki x

Have you planned your week?

Lots of exercise gurus talk about writing down your workouts in your diary .. an appointment with yourself.
I know that I'm not the only one who has to plan their workout around various "obstacles" so I do like this idea .. planning your week so that you know what's going on when.

This quote really brings some clarity to why you should be planning your workouts ...

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now."  

Alan Lakein



You want the end result don't you?  Plan it, do something about it now!

If you're not a planner, would you be willing to give it a go?

Have a great week!

Vicki x

Weekly workout update ...

I've been a bit slack with my updates of late .. busy, not enough sleep ... no excuses really ...

This week's training really was my usual.  I'm certainly no athlete training for an hour or more each day.  I'm just an everyday person who manages a workout between running after the kids, working .. and the cold dark mornings!  Good thing I don't train mornings much or it would never get done!

Monday is my day to run with my friend.  This is my cold, dark morning.  We head out at 5.45am so that we get back in time to beg the children to get ready for school in time, all while getting ready for work.  My fingers were frozen this morning, even after the run I could barely move them!

Tuesday I teach boxing class in the evening so I use this as my workout.  I get out there with the class and do the cardio and strength intervals during the class.  Between that and instructing it's not too bad!  I've been a bit slack lately and haven't been doing yoga in the mornings .. could be something to do with the warm bed ...

Wednesday mornings Mr FitMum and Miss 10 head out for their morning run so I force myself onto a treadmill after work.  This is tough somedays so I try to do something that's fun and I'll get a bit of a bang for my buck so to speak.  Intervals.  Run / walk intervals.  I do end up with a few 200m sprints at the end but by that stage I'm into it so it's all good!

Thursday is PT day.  I haven't trained for 2 weeks so this one was a bit ugly .. and tough.  Let me say that I'm still feeling it 2 days later ..

Friday .. Rest day!

Saturday morning I get out for a run with my friend again.  This morning we managed a 6.5km run through the bush.  We haven't done this one for a while and it was a great feeling!  The feeling in my fingers is gradually returning and my typing is getting a little better!

There you have it, my exercise week.  I'm now heading off to the usual Saturday sport with the kids!

How did your workouts for the week go?  Or have you still got your weekend workouts to fit in?

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing! 

Vicki x

Something to snack about ...

I'm talking snacks today.   This is usually my weakness when it comes to keeping my diet on track and I know that many other people feel the same way.  A wrong choice can throw out your diet for the whole day, but only if you let it.
Some people cut out snacks all together in an effort to cut calories and lose weight.  Yes, this can work, but it's not always the best option.

So, why snack?

A snack can help you make it through to your next meal.   This may even stop you eating too much at that meal if you choose the right snack.
A healthy, balanced snack can help you to stop making a bad snack choice .. you know, an apple over a packet of potato chips or chocolate bar ( OK, I don't mind the chocolate bar but not if I'm trying to watch what I'm eating! ).  You will be more inclined to stay on track if you choose the apple first.
Including regular snacks will also help to not over eat at meal times. you know what I mean, you miss afternoon snack and dinner comes around, you eat a great meal.  Then you find you are still hungry, so you go back for seconds, and then another little "something" because you just can't seem to make the hunger go away.  Then you feel sick or guilty that you've over eaten.

What's your favourite choice for a between meal snack?

These are some of my favourite choices for between meals. They are a great choice when you are keeping an eye on what you are eating.

An apple a day, right?

Fruit ... yep, 2 pieces a day is a good choice.         
Fruit with cottage cheese or some low fat yoghurt. My favourites are apple or berries with cottage cheese. It's OK, I understand, some people just can't stomach that one!
Chopped veg with homemade hommus .. carrots, celery etc











Plain old low fat yoghurt .. watch the flavoured stuff.  It may taste great but it could also have lots of sugar.
Rice thins with toppings like avocado, cheese or hommus with tomato slices.
Nuts and seeds ie trail mix.  Watch out that you don't eat the whole packet, these babies can pack a calorie punch even though they are a great source of nutrition.

Don't go crazy though, these are a snack not a full meal!  I try to keep  my snacks around 100 - 150 calories, I'm not perfect so I do have more sometimes!

The other thing that is important to me when it comes to my snacks .. I need to be able to throw them in my gym bag, handbag or just eat them on the run!  Though I have been known to eat a bowl of berries and cottage cheese driving to kids activities .. sssshhh don't mention this one!

Let me know what your favourite snack is!

Vicki x