Tainna in Ottawa

And the silence is broken!

Well, let me say that it is good to be back!
I have been busy and somewhat lazy this past month but rest assure that I will be picking up the pieces.

As for now, I really want to write up about fitness! I have been more or less fitting some form of exercise in my life, and sticking with it.

The best thing about trying to get fit is the motivation. I don't know about you, but once I start planning a workout and giving it a three week run, all sorts of ideas and motivation starts to rush in!

I prepared a personal 3 week challenge (which I will be posting up, so you can modify it or try it out yourself!) and I recently purchased a heart rate monitor watch.

Why?

Ok, I will admit that when I found out Britney Spears swore by Polar's Heart Rate Monitors, I was a bit intrigued...

Unfortunately, I could not (and would not) dish out the 175$ to acquire the monitor. As much as I want to get slimmed down and look sexy in a bikini, I found the price a bit steep! (Even though I hustled my boy-friend into buying it for me...)

Instead, I got Sportline's Solo 925 Women's Heart Rate Monitor. On their site, it is listed at 79.99$, but I purchased it at Wal-Mart for 49.00$ ( The one at Orleans and I believe it was on sale!)

So far, this gadget is pretty cool and super easy to use! I can track my heart rate and get an approximation of how much calories I burn in an hour, during a workout session and/or throughout the day.

I have notice huge discrepancies from the amount of calories burned with my elliptical machine and the watch. I am still trying to determine which is more accurate...

Another reason why I love this little toy, is about the fact that it can tell me if I am working too hard or need to force myself a little more. This is down by inputting your heart rate maximum and minimum interval.

Just this afternoon, I took a walk, and I noticed an increase of calories burnt. Of course, I always knew, but it was a confirmation that make you wonder. Now I am planning on making goals as to how much calories I need to burn per day.

Also, did I say that no chest belt are required? Yep, none!

Conclusion:

If you are interested in a cool gadget that should help motivate you, I would definitely recommend trying this out.

The only negative comment is that the watch it pretty clunky and I am used to wearing a more sophisticated kind of watch, but hey! you can't win them all! :)

Rating: 4/5 (Great Value!)

Summer is just around the corner...

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WARNING THIS IS A VENT, BUT I WILL KEEP SWEARING TO A MINIMUM (WELL, I WILL AT THE VERY LEAST BLEEP IT)
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Here in Ottawa, it is getting warmer, and all I can think of it "F***! I will be wearing shorts soon! "

So, as always, I am re-getting acquainted with my trusty elliptical and renewing my unhealthy relationship with my scale.

This morning, I told myself it was time to say hello to my scale. I stripped down, and do a little prayer. (The prayer consist of usually not seeing a number over 160 lbs, which is my ok-i-am-now-doing-an-ultra-scary-probably-unhealthy-diet-which-will-cause-me-to-be-bitchy-and-my-boyfriend-will-hate-me number)

I hop on the scale, close my eyes, exhale, and peer out of left eye. 155 lbs. Well, I am still under the "dreaded" number, but by not much! F***!

So, game plan? Pfft, I do not know!

I decided to try a different approach. Of course, the cardio workout did help me use the weight last time, but honestly, I do not find I have much of a weight problem. I really want to define, sculpt, tone my body.

I am currently checking a few things out, but I decided that I really want to work on my arms and as always my core area.

So, this time I am going to be somewhat more active:

• I am registered to play recreational softball (which means if I do happen to hit the ball, I will be running!)

• I am going to purchase a pedometer and record how many steps I do per day and rise it if I am under 7500 steps. ( My mommy-in-law has one and we are encouraging each other. By the way, she lost visible weight by joining weight watchers!)

• I am going to be following the 1500 Calories/day menu by PC : http://www.presidentschoice.ca/FoodAndRecipes/MealPlans/mealplan_en.aspx

• I am taking more fiber ( a bowl each morning)

• AND, this is where I think it will make a HUGE difference: I am drinking about 3.5 liters per day (and more if I do cardio)

Now, one of my boyfriend's friend, we'll call me Seb, is doing to 100 Push-Ups challenge. Ladies, he is looking good, and I think I will try attempt it. But, I have some reservations. I am a weakling and I whine about doing "Girl Push-Ups", but the site's paragraph seems to be somewhat motivational:

No doubt some of you can already do 50 consecutive push
ups, but let's face it, you're in a big minority. Most of you
reading this won't even be able to manage 20 pushups.
Actually, I'm sure many of you can't even do 10.

However, it really doesn't matter which group you fall into.
If you follow the progressive push ups training program, I'm
positive you'll soon be able to do 100 push ups!

Wow that totally sums me up, I am sure I cannot even do five without grunting like a pig. But, if I cannot do them in the Good form, than I will try to do them with the alternative (aka Girl) push-up.

I will keep you inform!

Smart Menu = Healthy Lifestyle

I wanted to share a new menu created by President's Choice, and I was hoping that a few ladies will join me in my new challenge.

The challenge will consist of trying one of PC's Healthy Eating Challenge Menu!

Now before you skip to my next post or change blog all together, I WILL be implementing this, probably next week!

Check it out at: http://www.presidentschoice.ca/FoodAndRecipes/MealPlans/home_en.aspx

There's basically 3 types of menu:

The 1500 Calories/Day Menu Plan
The 1800 Calories/Day Menu Plan
The 2100 Calories/Day Menu Plan

I know that personally, I will have to make some changes, since my boy-friend can be picky and sea food is a big problem.

However, he seems very keen to the idea and I find that to be awesome, since it could be hard to eat healthy on your own! Love him for that!

My Fitness Coach

As you all know, I used to workout with Wii Fit. Well, after opening all the workout programs and achieving the maximum levels... I am bored!

Don't get me wrong! I love Wii Fit and I still do the Yoga portion and the Strength (As well, as the hoola loop! Seriously, I feel my abs when I do it!) but, I need a new and fresh challenge.

I hear that a sequel to Wii Fit is on it's way or being develop or whatever, but I cannot wait that long! What is a girl to do?

Well, I found an alternative! My Fitness Coach!

After doing some research, I found out that this substitute did not even require my Wii Fit Balance Board! So ladies, no need to drop 100$ to get Wii and the board. I spent about 30$ for the game and tried it out.

I really like how the game test more than just your BMI. It took my arms, waist, bust, thigh measurements and asked my how many sit-ups, push-up and jumping jacks I could do. Also, it took into account my resting heart beat and my heart beat after doing 2 minutes of jumping jacks (Which was freaking hard!)

The test I pretty much failed in was the push-ups... I was only able to do 10. (8 full and two half-hearted ones laced with a lot of cussing)

My virtual trainer suggested me to workout my upper body, which is what I am doing.

As you begin, she will ask you after a few segments if you find certain exercises too easy, hard or impossible.

Everything that requires upper body is super hard for me and I realize that my legs were quite weak. However, my core area is strong! (But, I have no abs!! Go figure!)

Now, contrarily to Wii Fit, The Fitness Coach offers practically endless workouts without constant downtime.

I can do cardio for 30 minutes as if I am doing a real class at the gym! Plus, I am truly exhausted and in pain once I complete them.

The game offers also tutorial on how to do certain moves. I recall a time when I was at a cardio class, and I had no idea how to do a step they were doing. I felt like an IDIOT! Now, I can click on tutorial and repeat it until I have it right. AWESOME!

Another bonus, is that the music is quite good. I like the 80's and Hiphop workout!

I would definetly suggest this game to those of you who are gym shy and would like a nice workout in the comfort of your own home!

Wii Fit routines!

Wow!

As you might know, I have a Wii, and I purchased Wii Fit awhile back ago. As much as I love the game (and lost weight with it!) I grew a bit bored.

I was surfing and look what I found: http://wiifitroutines.com/

If you have Wii fit, you should check out this site and see what it has to offer!