Gift ideas for the fitness fanatic

Skip the chocolates this year and give a loved one the gift of health with one of these stylish, high-tech or hard-core fitness finds.

Nike+FuelBand
Buy here

Nike+ FuelBand tracks your all-day activity and helps you do more. Using a sport-tested accelerometer it measures your movement in NikeFuel—a universal metric of activity. So the more you move, the more NikeFuel you earn. It measures each step taken and calorie burned. It also tells the time of day.
For more info

Nike+Kinect Training - XBOX 360 Kinect

Whatever your level, whatever your goal, with Nike+ Kinect Training you can now experience Personal training, at home. Using real time feedback and elite level coaching, Nike+ Kinect Training delivers a personalized program that evolves as you do.

For more info

Drinking water is one of the best ways to stay healthy, and stay hydrated and Brita has released its new filtered water bottle.

Like other Brita products the filtration system is effective in removing chlorine, and entirely eliminates bad odor or flavor from water.

Hardy and feather-light, the simple 2-gigabyte iPod Shuffle is a gym staple. The built-in clip means no fussing with an armband. Personalize it by having a message engraved when you order online or by uploading a favorite workout playlist.

Buy here

Dance Central 2 will get you grooving with its impressive routines and up-to-date songs. Dancing is a form of aerobic exercise, and you certainly will work up a sweat.

 Sport earphones that are custom fit for extreme athletes, runners, music lovers that won't fall out, are ultra-soft and comfortable

For more info

The Nike Slouchy Sphere Women's Training Hoodie provides warmth and versatile style for cold-weather workouts. It's also ideal for wearing to and from the gym.

Comes in 5 diff colours.

FYI- this is on my wishlist *nudge nudge wink wink*

size small

Buy here

The Nike Shield KO Full-Zip Men’s Training Hoodie features lightweight, water-resistant insulation for uninhibited speed and domination during outdoor training sessions

Buy here

Happy Holidays! 

The Holidays are coming!

The kick-off to fa-la-la-la-everything is officially here and even though it’s the most wonderful time of year, it’s also the busiest. There’s gift shopping, parties, holiday feasts and family visits, leaving most of us overwhelmed and stressed out. Add to that - lack of sleep, exercise, increased alcohol consumption (CHEERS;P), time constraints and money issues, and you have a recipe for unhealthy behaviors.

To make sure you stay active every day I suggest doing the following:

• Always have your gym bag in the car ready to go, just in case your day changes.
• Can’t get to the gym? Do something different: jump rope, run, dance.
• Instead of meeting friends for coffee or a drink, make it a power walk get-together.
• Get the family moving - take to the ice or go on a brisk hike
• Park further away from the door, skip the elevator and escalator esp when hitting the malls and take the stairs, get off the bus or train a stop earlier.
• When watching TV, do push-ups and sit-ups during the commercials. If you have a treadmill, jump on. Don’t forget to grab the dumbbells and get some bicep and triceps work in.
• Increase the intensity of your workouts.
• Stuck inside because of a blizzard? Get the NIKE TRAINING CLUB app - no gym req! Or simply do a quick search on YouTube of workouts.  My favorite fitness gurus are: Jenae Frick of YOGA.EAT.RUN , Renisha James of Renewed Fitness and Cassey Ho of Blogilates - these ladies will make you sore and look fab
• Add workout clothes or gear to your wish list. If you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, you'll sweat more!

No matter what you do, be sure to fit some activity into your day. Not only will you increase your energy, you’ll bolster your immune system and burn calories. 

Happy training :)

Thank you Tenchi for 16 amazing yrs...

 I woke up in the middle of the night to the recognizable meow I would hear every morning for the last 16 years.  As I strained to listen again, I realized I was imagining things. Tenchi, my best friend was gone and I started to cry.   He was put to sleep yesterday.  I'm writing about this sad day in hopes to help release my emotions.

Tenchi was diagnosed with diabetes over 5yrs ago.  He was on a strict diet and required insulin shots every 12 hrs - he was content on getting his shots.  Tenchi would know when he was due for a shot, sat next to the fridge and meow if we were even 10 min late giving it to him!  He did amazing for 4 1/2yrs being a diabetic - active and held his own when Kenny (other cat) and him would play fight.  Then things started to change...old age was settling in.  We grumbled as the "accidents" increased, but cleaned it up and made attempts to keep him happy.  About a month ago, we got the first signs that time was not on our side -  His daily exploration got smaller and smaller. His hind legs would give out under him at random times. He would have tremors at night, his appetite decreased. Finally we noticed he wasn't himself anymore - he was lethargic and urine incontinent.   My sister made every effort to nurse him back to health, she would try to get blended cat food using an eye dropper into his mouth, but his weak body wasn't absorbing the nutrients needed.

Yesterday, with a heavy heart deep down I knew his time had come.  I wanted so badly for the vet to say otherwise, I wanted Tenchi to be with me on my 30th and Christmas is just around the corner, but he was straight-up w/me before I could get a word in.  He was very happy Tenchi lived 16yrs being a diabetic cat - he said most don't live past 13yrs.
I held on to Tenchi the entire time, I wasn't ready to say goodbye...Tenchi was ready though, he knew - he laid down on the table closed his eyes and held on to my finger w/his paw.  I played Nora Jones' "Sunrise" song for him (his fave artist - as he would always purr when her music came on radio, even when he wasn't being petted or touched) he started to purr lightly.  The vet injected him in the hip with the sedative, he seemed at peace as he drifted off to sleep while my dad and I  talked to him.( A quick thought came to my mind that I could run out of there w/Tenchi in my arms still alive), but reality took over - then came the euthanasia solution,  it took 6 seconds and he was gone - my best friend was gone.

My family and I are still very sad today.  I cried at random times today.  He can't be replaced, we still have Kenny and will love him as we did w/Tenchi.  R.I.P - I love you so much <3

30 truths I've learned

My 30th birthday is in 2 weeks and I'm excited and ready to embrace the thirties. Tons of people say that your thirties are the best decade of your life, and I'm choosing to believe them.  I grow each year and continue to learn through fumbles and mistakes.  I’m definitely not perfect, but I think each year brings more wisdom. 

1. Don't allow outside sources to determine your self-esteem!
   It's important to have trust in your abilities and strong suits, regardless of how they compare to others.
2. Cook at home.You will maintain a healthy weight, save tons of money and impress family and friends
3. Learn how to live comfortably within your budget.
   Make a budget and stick to it! Pay off your credit cards every month. Learn to cook for yourself.
4. If it hurts, don’t wear it.  
   At some point the pain will show, you can only pretend to be comfortable for so long
5. Wear sunscreen!
   It'll save you from showing signs of early aging.  
6. Find out what colour clothes/make-up makes your eyes pop and skin glow.
   Play around with this, take pictures and see what works
7. No one keeps secrets.
   Remember this when you’re telling you’re people all your business.
8. If you don't know, ASK.
   
   You know that saying about assuming (it makes an ass out of you and me)? That's true.
9. Sometimes you go to restaurants or order take-out and they mess up.
   Take a deep breath - It’s cool, we're all human and make mistakes.  No need to have an outburst in public - you'll look like a fool to others.
10. You don’t need everyone to like you.
    I found this excerpt online from blogger Julien Smith  The Complete Guide to Not Giving a F**k “when people don’t like you, nothing actually happens. The world does not end. You don’t feel them breathing down your neck. In fact, the more you ignore them and just go about your business, the better off you are.”
11. Jealousy and envy are wasted emotions and green is such an ugly colour :P
12. It’s OK to change
    Change is growth.
13. Live an active life style.
    I'm not lecturing you to sign up for the gym or start running - just walk - to work, groceries or just about anywhere within a 3 mile radius. If you make it a daily activity, you'll reap the rewards of living longer and healthier.
14. You don’t always get what you want, 
    or when you want, even if you work tirelessly on it and have great ambition.  Sometimes you will fail and you’ll have to quit. And that’s okay. 
15. Trust your gut. Really.
    If someone/something feels suspicious, follow your intuition. It could save your life.
16. Practice letting go. 
    Let go of ideals, old patterns that no longer serve you.  Resentment consumes space and blocks clarity. Release the past: thank it for happening, for directing you. Then, let it go. 
17. Celebrate!
    Too often we rush from one accomplishment to another. Know that this moment, this feat, will never again repeat itself in the same way. Cheers!
18. Rest is the most important ingredient to fully performing well.
    Get sleep – it is our #1 tool to heal and to protect our bodies.
19. Complaining, criticizing and gossiping... 
    just don't do it! It's a waste of time and saps your energy.
20. Learn to say NO!
    If you don’t want to do something—go to a party, accept an obligation, meet someone—just say “no, thank you.” You don’t owe anyone an excuse or explanation.
21. Drink lots of water.
22. Processed carbohydrates and sugars are yucky.
    It's not hard to switch to wholewheat bread and noodles or substitute cinnamon honey, maple syrup, raw sugar for the white stuff. It's tasty and you'll feel better!
23. Floss :D
24. Never stop learning.
25. If it takes you more than five words to order your coffee STOP All the unnecessary syrups and whipped cream aren't good for you.
26. Friends really do come and go. Some come back. Some don’t. That’s OK.
27. Training or Running Shoe?!?
    both - your feet need different types of support when it comes to doing different activities.
28. You should play on a swing set at least once every year It's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, even on a bad day.
29. If you can’t sing, sing anyway.
    Especially at karaoke or at home playing LIPS on Xbox
30. You’re only as old as you feel ;-)

Twitter Road Race Nov 3, 2012

Short notice I know, but when Elizabeth invited us on twitter I had to accept the challenge as I always do.  This race is open to anyone with a twitter account and it's FREE!!! Just grab your sneakers, pick any trail or route (you decide how difficult you want your course) and run 10K this Saturday Nov 3, 2012 
ENTRY FORM

When you finish, there will be a form similar to the one you used to register where you can record your finishing time. To be classified as an "official" finisher, you MUST submit your time on the date of the race.  Also, don't forget to tweet about your run using the hashtag #TwitterRoadRace.


This is an awesome idea by Doug Cassaro - having a virtual friendly competition is a great way to change up your running routine.