Friday, April 4, 2014

Running up hill...in high heels (figuratively)

  I love my work, but this week I felt I was running uphill.  Late nights, questions coming at me from everywhere, late nights, etc.  In honor of my week, my "anything goes" Friday workout was running up hill.  I did the work out for 50 minutes on the treadmill at my Equinox

First 3 minutes 4.5mph  at 0 incline
         7 minutes 6.4 mph at 2%
       10 minutes 6.7 mph at 3%
       10 minutes 7.0 mph at 4%
         5 minutes 7.3 mph at 5%
         5 minutes 7.0 mph at 4%
         5 minutes 6.4 mph at 2%
         5 minute cool down 4.5mph at 0 incline...
   I was surprised at how changing intervals (time and incline) made time pass quickly.  This workout helps me with the hills in Manhattan Beach and of course, interval training is always great for your heart and lungs.
   Have a great weekend! 

   FYI...I love my Nike Fly Knits and the new spring collection is available at Nike.com
These are so comfortable to run in...
 

Monday, March 31, 2014

Maintaining Motivation...

I was posed with an interesting question by The Ranch Malibu...how do I plan on maintaining my motivation for exercise this week...
  I schedule it!  I run on Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays...never less than a 5.K
and always trying to improve my quickness.  I run in the morning, it is the only time of the day that
I can control.  I own my own business and I make my clients and work my daily priority.
  I do weight training on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.  Monday and Wednesday with a wonderful trainer Carlo Mata at Equinox and Friday...I do my own routine (always trying to change it up).  All morning workouts 7am or earlier
  Saturdays, Pilates with Sarah Luna at Equinox.   
  I wear a UP band which keeps me honest on my cardio (I am a designer and spend hours on the computer) and I track my gym progress with an app from Equinox.  My goal is 25 gym workouts monthly.  I have surpassed this for 5 months (thank you) and I am really proud of that fact!
  I eat clean, go to the Farmers Market on Sundays for vegies and try to maintain a good balance of
good carb's and protein...lots of green. 
  I treat my Fitness Routine like my Interior Design business maintain a good schedule, keep evolving and changing and stay open to new ideas.
  Clear eyes, strong heart!
View on my Sunday run...

Friday, March 28, 2014

Friends keep FIT

  My BFF Ginny is now the proud owner of an UP and her friends Ed and Angela (both hard working Bostonians.  This makes my UP team bi-coastal!) have joined our UP group  are inspiring me to new Fitness goals.  They are walking and moving so much during their busy days.
  I started personal training two mornings a week.  I love weight training and it is great to be "lifting"
again.  I continue my cardio program and my Pilates schedule is now Saturday only.  I am honest with myself about the long hours I spend designing homes for my clients. My commitment to work, is #1 !
  Get your friends moving, they will thank you for it in the long run.  Go for a long walk instead of sitting at a coffee shop.  You will see so many interesting things in your neighborhood.  Sundays,  Ginny and I always go the Palos Verdes Farmers Market (shopping for family veggies and fruit for the upcoming week)...sometimes time allowing we will walk through the neighboring town of Redondo Beach where we see lovely shops and a killer view of the "Queens Necklace" along the Esplanade.
  
Queens Necklace Redondo Beach Esplanade

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Finding my "FIT"

    I set  a goal last November minimum 25 days gym workouts (this includes my 3 Pilates sessions weekly), I have kept to this schedule and have made great strides in my personal and professional life at the same time.
   I selected a time for my workout that would not not be effected by my very busy work schedule.  I did not want to let social commitments go because I  believe time with Family and friends to be the greatest stabilizer in my life.
   I found this very easy to do by using these tools
 1)  UP band by Jawbone.  This bracelet measures your steps, active times and will monitor your sleep patterns.  I found it really helpful...on days I just wanted to sleep in I remembered that I needed those 10,000 + steps!
2) I let my Pilates instructors know about my goal and my instructor Marna took on the same challenge.  It is good to discuss our work outs and this has helps create a "fitness community".
3) I love my gym Equinox.  The term "There is an app for that" could not be truer....Equinox tracks my workouts monthly and annually.  This is a gift for a goal oriented person like myself.
4) My Pilates team at Equinox ALWAYS has a "challenge" going on...I have participated in these and "winning" by achieving and showing up is as motivating in your 40's as it is in your teens.  Thank you to Sarah Luna and her amazing tea. for helping me achieve my goals.
5) I keep to my early morning workouts Monday through Thursday...Fridays and weekend days I mix it up depending on social commitments.
     These are really easy and sensible tools  to get "FIT", no crazy diets, no obsessive workouts, just a commitment to "FIT"
 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Habitat for Humanity in the South Bay

  I was invited to the kick off of two homes  in Lawndale being built by Habitat For Humanity yesterday.  These two story homes for two very worthy families (I spoke with members of one extended family that has fostered and then adopted three beautiful children). have broken ground and framing will start in the next few weeks.  I am attaching the web site to volunteer your help http://www.habitatla.org/wp-content/uploads/Construction-Site-Schedule1-e1289414904690.jpg.  There is nothing more rewarding than service and helping others create a better life for themselves.
 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Emily Thompson Flowers

  Emily Thompson Flowers in Brooklyn, New York is changing flower design.  Emily is basing her designs on the lush gardens of England.  Clumps of  moss, stumps of trees, branches moving every which way and delightful color make her designs magical.
  It is so great when change happens within a design community.  Emily is the leader in this return to natural
movement.
  With the world so chaotic, it is so wonderful to enjoy nature in a purer form.