Dashing through the snow

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I hope you all had a wonderful time w/family & friends over the holidays and also managed to keep active.

I did a few 5K's, NTC workouts and worked on my yoga.  I found this really helpful site Yoga Journal  that has videos from beginner to advanced to help me master some moves.

Here are some pics of workouts I got in over the holidays:

My first day off I enjoyed a 5K run w/my little sister.

Christmas Eve another 5K, with some upper body workout  & ended w/some much needed yoga.
hehe like my harem pants?

Dec 29 - 5K in 8cm of snow WHAT!

Yup I ran in the snow and it was exhilarating!  There is no better feeling than hearing the ice and snow crack beneath your feet as you motor along.  So I thought I'd share some tips on running in the snow.

• Running during snow season is very different from other times of the year. Your body will become exhausted far more quickly and will use up its energy reserves very quickly. Drink a lot of water to keep hydrated and carry some snack bars or nuts to keep you sustained

• Let people know where you're going, and how long you're going for. If you get stuck somewhere or fall, it will be nice to know that people will be looking for you or simply run with your phone.

• Snow is great for resistance training, try finding some deep snow on a level surface and sprinting through it.

•  Ensure that you wear appropriate shoes, try a good pair of trail shoes with added traction. I used my Nike ACG's

• Dress in layers, start with a sweat wicking base layer, DO NOT wear Cotton as this will soak up moisture and keep you wet=cold! Then on top of the base layer go for a Gore-Tex material jacket or windbreaker. If really cold get a fleece type middle layer on.

• Get some lip balm on!

• Finally, you cant beat that feeling of being out there when everyone else is curled up in front of the TV, that’s one of the best things about running through winter, the feeling that your doing something not many people would like to. 

• Oh and don't forget to make sure you've got some nice hot soup or hot chocolate to come home to for a quick recovery/warm up.

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 :)