Jenny from the block

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

A couple of announcements:

1.) I finally added a “workouts” page for easy access to all the workouts I post.

2.) I am officially nutcaseinpoint.com now! Aka: I bought my domain name. Probably not super exciting to anyone but me.

3.) My bestest friend is having a baby GIRLLLLLL and I can finally say it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On to the workout…

I have been spoiled. Teaching two outdoor bootcamps has really converted me to an outdoor worker-outer. So, because it is beautiful out, I am going to get my sweat on outside. My “block” to be exact.

My house is somewhere in this picture, I’m just not going to tell you which it is. But, it is somewhere along this makeshift track that I am going to use for my cardio portion of today’s workout. (Note: the ‘sides’ have a good incline. You just can’t tell in this 2-D pic)

Round 1

Run the block (Crap, now I have this song in my head)
10 spiderman pushups
10 star jumps
10 burpees
x3

Round 2

Run the block (lunge the sides)
10 squats with single arm overhead press
10 curtsey lunge with lateral raise
10 plank rows
x3

Round 3

Run the block (skip jump the sides)
10 one legged bicep curl w/overhead press (switch legs halfway)
10 weighted arm circles
10 tricep kickbacks
x3

Round 4

Run the block
10 situps
10 single arm, single leg plank holds
10 weighted Russian twists

I’m off to get this started..hope everyone is having a great Thursday!

Bootcamp with Tubing

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

This week’s bootcamp incorporated a few moves I learned from the strength certification course on sunday. Here’s what we did:

Run from steps of Y to the curling club parking lot (1/2 mile)

Lateral leg lifts with tubing (30 sec)
Sumo squats w/ raised heels and chest level tubing pull

then we did running sets up the stairs

every step
every other step
left leg leads
right leg leads
x2

Everyone partnered up with only one piece of tubing between them. Partner one stands holding the end of the tubing with both hands straight out in front of them. Partner 2 stands to their right and grabs the other end of the tubing. On my call, partner 2 would do a side lunge away from partner 1 with a pull down of the tubing. The idea here is to force partner 1 to engage their abs and maintain their hold straight out in front of them. Partner two works upper body with the pull down AND the side lunge. After each partner takes turns to the right, we did a set of:

burpees (30 sec)
jog in place (30)
x2

Then we repeat the partner pull to the left and head to the stairs for another set of stair runs (same as above)

Next, we did seated rows with the tubing. Sitting on the ground with feet stretched out in front, place the tubing over the top of both feet. Wrap each end around your foot and bring it through the middle (between your feet) Grab the tubing in a place where you have good resistance, chest high and pull the tubing towards you (squeezing the pencil between your shoulder blades). We did these for a slow count, slower count, pulse, and hold.

We then did skip jumps for a distance, then back pedal (x2), then SPRINT down and back (x2)

Arms were next. Standing on the tubing, we did all the way down and halfway up bicep curls, full motion bicep curls, pulse, and hold. Then we did tricep extensions (hold the tubing with left hand behind you- near the small of your back. Grab other end of tubing- there will be slack- and extend the tubing over your head. Keep your right elbow close to your ear! Then switch arms. Then, do another set of bicep curls.

Cardio next! 30 seconds mountain climbers, 30 seconds jumping jacks (2).

Then, I had the class do one minute of pushups. After the minute, we grabbed our stuff and quickly ran to a grassy spot closer to the Y to do yet another one minute of pushups. This was really challenging!.

For abs, we did a set of V ups- ending with V ups w/a Russian twist. Lastly, we extended out legs, feet together and flexed, hands behind our heads with elbows hugging the head and did quick pulse crunches with a hold on my count.

Stretch.

Jog the rest of the way back to the Y.

Done!

I quickly just jotted this down so I wouldn’t forget it (and because I am using it for today’s bootcamp as well. Obviously it’s a complete new set of folks. I wouldn’t be repeating a workout for the same people!)

If you have any questions on the exercises above, let me know and I’d be more than happy to help out!

Latest Link Love

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hey hey hey! Here are some links I’ve starred in my Google Reader over the past week. Hope you like!

1. More new Lululemon stuff that I covet.

2. When the sun is out and you ask yourself “hmm, what should I do?” and you also say to yourself “wow, I’m thirsty,” make yourself a batch of these. And then make another. I bet it’ll put a smile on your face.

3. Need a Father’s Day gift idea? Try making this. Then, try not to keep it for yourself.

4. I saw the link for this clip and thought it would be hilarious. Then, it started and I couldn’t understand what was supposed to be funny. Then, at second 16 I saw it. And “BAHAHAHA’d”

5. How did the internets get their paws on a picture of my backyard? Oh wait, I wish.

6. Since I moved, I haven’t felt 100% confident with my body. Yeah, I got the strength and cardio stuff down, but I live with a dude now and I sometimes eat like a dude now. I mean pre-Tyler, I was a ONE hot dog a year kinda gal (Fenway Frank!!!) but now, I don’t even want to admit how many I have had since February. Woof. But, like Tyler reminds me, I work hard (harder than anyone he knows- so he says) and that I look great and that I need to get used to the fact that I’m hot (no, I did not force him to say that). But you know, I’m a girl, and I had issues with my diet and appearance growing up, yadda yadda yadda. Skinnyrunner’s recap on how to get over a fat day really helped. And I starred it. And I have re-read it every day. And it makes me feel better. No, it makes me feel A LOT better.

7. And then, this post happened. And I felt even better. I need to look at all the positives in my life, rather than focus on all the difficulties (now that my PR app is in the mail, it’s out of my hands and I have officially reduced stress by 75%)

8. For those of you who focus on faith, this post is for you. It doesn’t directly speak to me, but it helped me see how others are in the same mental/physical/emotional boat as me, and how they deal with those thoughts and feelings with their faith. Maybe it’ll help you!

9. Go here to find out your workout personality. Here’s mine:

Cancer
(June 21–July 22)
You can be athletic, but you hate the crowds of people at the gym.
Watch out for: Intimidating workouts. Your psyche prefers a low-key approach.
The stars say: Keep it noncompetitive. Try solo runs or strolls in the park with your pooch.

10. Do you ever run out of ideas on how to vary your workout? I find myself scratching my forehead at the gym every once in a while when I just don’t know what to do. Well, you’re in luck: here are 30 Dumbbell Exercises Missing From Your Routine!

Ok, guys. What are you loving this week? Favorite warm weather snack? Activity?

A workout to do when you don’t feel like working out, but you know you should

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Like the Young the Giant song, “my body tells me no/but I won’t quit/Cause I want more”

Yup, I did this workout this morning, and.it.was.a-muh-zing.

source

I did that in the front porch with Layla this am and I was smiling when I finished.

Wait, didn’t I just workout for like eleventy hours yesterday? Mmhmm and I was still itching to get my sweat on today.

After my 48 minute killer, I persuaded Twyla to come downtown with me to meet up with Jen for another workout. We ended up doing something mighty similar to my AM session, and we finished with a jog around the park and back to Jen’s house. She even brought her baby for the workout! Note to self: have a good baby like Kaitlyn to bring to workouts! 🙂

I’m off to watch Tyler’s football game, so it’s a short but sweet post for now. I hope to recap the Group Strength course I took this weekend sometime in the near future!

Ps: so mad I left my phone in my car while the four of us girls worked out

Pps: I finally got my health care card today so I’m free to start making free appointments!

Ppps: Bethenny Frankel’s new talk show doesn’t seem to be airing in Calgary. (unless you can prove me otherwise)

Pppps: sunflower butter came into my life this morning. I missed it so much, I gave it a hug. With my mouth.

Ppppps:

Anyone obsessed with a particular workout/exercise right now?

Ps: anyone have anything they want me to post about?! Anyone??!!

And now, I rest

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Who: Me
What: Relaxing
Where: In the tub
Why: Because I just got home from a Group Strength certification course at the Y and I literally worked out for 5 hours
When: Did you hear me? 5 hours

On an unrelated note; some pictures:

Best name ever for a garden center.

Tyler brought home some chocolate for me yesterday. Oh how I love him that much more.

My PR application was finally mailed Friday! It only took 4 months of blood, sweat and tears (mostly tears) to put together. And now: we wait. How long? The internets tell me 11 months. Ack

Yesterday’s lunch: an Amy’s rice and bean burrito w/ a strawberry spinach salad.

My summer makeup: Benefit Cosmetics You Rebel (tinted moisturizer), Hoola (bronzer powder), and brow pencil. I love me some Benefit, y’all. Then, a cream colored eyeshadow, Maybeline gel eye liner and Almay mascara.