The Workout Swap

At the gym this morning a friend of mine said he wanted to follow me around and do my workout. I laughed and told him it would probably be more effective for both of us if we switched workouts. The conversation gave me an idea. Why not swap workouts? Our bodies adapt to the demands placed upon them quickly, that's one of the reasons we hit a workout or weight loss plateau. One of the best things we can do is change our workout schedule, routine, time, and intensity but I'm sure a lot of you are like me and settle into a comfortable rut. Here's what I suggest.

Let's each write down a week's worth of workouts and share them on the blog. You can post yours in the comment section or email it to me camichecketts(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will post them througout the week (if you email it you will get your very own blog post). Then for the next few weeks we could try several different schedules and workouts and report back on how it went. Feel free to share whatever workout you are currently doing. If you didn't create your workout, give credit to whoever did. Please also provide descriptions of the exercise, especially strength training.

So how about? Are any of you up for a workout swap?

Reading on the Workout

I love to read while I pound through the miles on the treadmill. Reading is the only way I can handle treadmill running, the stairmaster, or the elliptical for any extended length of time.
My favorite material is the LDS Conference talks in the Ensign. The talks are so intriguing and uplifting I lose track of time.
What about you? What keeps you entertained during a workout?

Healthy School Lunch Continued

The day after I posted my complaints on school lunch we received a flyer from the school. Dr. Heidi Wengreen, a friend of ours and a professor at Utah State University, has joined with Dr. Greg Madden and Sheryl Aguilar, to form the Food Dudes Program. They're offering more fruits and vegetables through the school lunch program and studying the children's choices and actual consumption of healthy foods.
We haven't ruled out corn dogs or chicken nuggets yet but at least the healthy options are increasing. Yeah!
If you can, encourage your school to check out the Food Dudes Program. I'm thrilled they're testing it at our school.
I feel guilty for being negative last post. So, let's focus on the positive this time. What has your school done to try to encourage healthy eating?

Healthy School Lunch?

My 9yo begs me every day to make home lunch. I usually try to make him a healthy lunch but some days it is just too crazy and he has to eat school lunch. I hated school lunch as a child but I'm always arguing with my boys that school lunch is tastier and healthier now (but my memory isn't always too reliable).

Next week is National School Lunch Week, "Let's Grow Healthy". My 9yo brought home the schedule of lunches for the week. As we reviewed the menu we both laughed and laughed. Four of the five days the main dish was grease - pizza, corn dogs, deep-fried chicken sandwich, and breaded beef patty. Some of the side dishes were nutritious but not all. My 9yo said, "They think that's healthy!"

We're not big deep-fried fans. Ice cream may be essential but you'd be hard-pressed to find corn dogs or chicken nuggets in our freezer (there's no room with all the ice cream). So I had to concede that my son only had to eat school lunch on spaghetti and meatballs day (guess I'll have to be more organized in the morning).

I've heard that for some children school lunch is the healthiest and most complete meal they eat all day. That's a bit disturbing when you look over the menus.

What are your thoughts? I know children enjoy deep-fried foods. Am I being too extreme to hope that they would be the exception rather than the rule at school lunch? How does your school lunch rate?

Girl's Getaway

My friends and I left the cute children with our husbands and spent the weekend in Park City. Fabulous shopping, delectable food, a couple of amazing trail runs (one that was so hard we called for a ride then died of embarrassment when we realized we were less than a mile for the hotel!), and fun times with friends. Couldn't ask for a better weekend.
What's your favorite activity on a girl's night or weekend away?

Up and at 'em

I hate dragging myself from my soft bed at five a.m. But once I'm out on the street or at the gym I'm thrilled that I started my day early and fit in a fabulous workout. The problem comes in the afternoon when I fall asleep trying to edit my latest novel. I know a nap, a walk, or sniffing some peppermint oil is a healthier option but lately I've found myself eating chocolate or chugging a Diet Coke.
What do you do to reenergize yourself?

Lotoja

My husband completed Lotoja in 13hr 13min. I am so proud of that guy! 206 miles and over 10,000 vertical feet in one day on a teeny little bike. It was amazing to watch.
I love distance running but cannot imagine riding a bike that long.
What's your favorite kind of endurance activity? Or do you prefer short bursts of activity and leave the crazy stuff alone?