Keeping up with your workout

So...you're working out, and you realize, "when was I here last?"

It's a common problem. Time slips away from us all, and you have no idea when you were last breaking a sweat. You wrack your brain for answers, but you can't come up with a valid date.

You need to track your workouts more often! I'm not talking about calories burned or minutes spent at working out...but I am talking about knowing when you were last at the gym!

What Works for Me

I find that I am most motivated by having a calendar on my bedroom door. I check off each day I workout with a red crayon. I can then see, at the end of the week or month, the last time I worked out. 

This calendar method works best for me, but I also use dailymile.com. Dailymile is a website where you can track your workouts. You can track everything from you running route, to gym routine, to calories burned. You can even log past workouts--so it's great if you go on vacation. You can still easily log your miles and workouts. 

For some reason, I stay more motivated when I discuss and post about working out. I think that's the main reason I love this blog as well as working out in general. I feel like I have to "practice what I preach" and that motivates me. 

What might work for you

• Making calendar appointments in your planner, phone or computer. The reminder can help motivate you and keep you going!
• Talk it up! The more you talk about being fit, healthy and living a healthy lifestyle, the more you will want to do it.

I hope that these ideas work well for you and your lifestyle. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them! Everyone has different methods. Let me know what works for you and how you track your workouts. 

Happy tracking,

Katie

Challenge Yourself!

Are your workouts getting easier? Are you not as exhausted after a workout? If you are trying to lose weight and hit a plateau, you might want to consider upping the ante on your workouts! Here are some great ways to take your workouts to the next level.

How to challenge yourself!

Extend your cardio time or push yourself harder during your cardio workout.

Easier said than done, but trust me, adding more time/effort to your cardio routine might be just what you need. Do you normally keep the elliptical at a lower resistance? Up it by five points or more, or stay on the machine for an extra 10 minutes. You could even do both!

Add weights or intensify your weight routine.

Do you weight train? If not, it might be time to start. 

According to an article in Women's Health Magazine, women who lifted heavier weights for a shorter amount of reps burned more calories. Plus, more muscle = more fat-burning power throughout the day. It keeps your metabolism revved and ready to go!

Mix it up!

Try a new group exercise class, try the elliptical instead of the bike, try the rowing machine, try a new running route, bike instead of walk! There are so many different fitness options out there, and there are so many ways to amp up your routine and get yourself feeling challenged again. 

I try to incorporate all different things into my workout. I try not to run too much because it's bad for my hips and I try to mix up my weight lifting routine. I try to take different classes and my yoga class focuses on different muscle groups each class. 

Remember variety keeps your muscles and metabolism in shape!

Sweat it up!

Katie

It's all in the bag!

It may not seem like much, but this bag is my buddy. I use it for so much, but it's currently rocking my world as my gym bag. It has holes, rips and seams coming apart, but I think it just shows my dedication!

What's inside...

Sweatpants

These old, ratty sweatpants are perfect for going home on cold nights, post-workout!

I throw them on and I'm good to go. I get the post-sweat chills a lot and 

I end up FREEZING after winter workouts.

Sneakers

ASICS, baby! I love my sneakers. I always keep them in there and I'll occasionally

put some baby powder in them to keep them smelling fresh.

Shorts

These shorts are perfect (and they have POCKETS). I can never workout in 

long pants, so these are my go-tos!

Deodorant 

Gotta stay fresh! These tiny travel sizes are perfect for my bag. 

Hand Sanitizer

Yes, the gym is good for your health but germs and harmful bacteria run wild. Although you're supposed to wipe your machines down, I see way too many people skimp on their cleaning duties!

Hair Ties and Clips

For the days that I don't have a hair tie on my wrist. If my hair is still down, 

I'm not working hard enough!

Ibuprofen

For the occasional muscle aches and tenderness pre or post workout!

Workout Top

I always keep a backup workout top or t-shirt in my bag!

Headphones

For tuning the world out during my workout.

I practically live out of my gym bag. I just throw it in my car and I'm all set! Some days, I don't get to the gym and it just sits in my car. However, in case that moment of workout inspiration strikes, I'm ready!

What's in your gym bag? Did I give you any ideas? Do you have any suggestions for my gym bag?

Also, always keep your bag packed, that way, you are ready to sweat!

Stay fit,

Katie

Gobble, Gobble!

 Ah, the savory smells of roasted turkey linger in the kitchen. The fluffy, hot mashed potatoes are sitting on the table. Cranberry sauce is ready for consumption. Pumpkin pie and ice cream are all set for dessert.

The problem is you’re trying to eat healthy! All these smells wafting from a relative’s kitchen (or more dangerously, your own) will be tempting.

Here are some tips on how to eat healthy and keep in check come turkey time:

• Keep your plate colorful. This is the best way to avoid a carb overload! Too much bread, potatoes and stuffing (beige food) can be a bad thing. Try to fill your plate with nutritious options first like carrots, peas, corn, string beans, spinach, asparagus, salad, cranberry sauce, or sweet potatoes. Then fill in your plate with the carbohydrates!
•  Eat slow. Eat less. The idea of eating slow (allowing 10-12 seconds between loading another forkful of food into your mouth) gives your stomach time to realize it’s full. Your brain will get the signal to stop eating before you overindulge.
•  Choose only what you really want. This is a great way to “rank” your food. Take what you really want on your plate and put the rest aside. Ask yourself, “Will I eat all of this?” and "Do I really want this, or is there something I like more?"
•  Don’t load up on unhealthy hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. First, Eat small amounts of appetizers. Yes, the Ruffles chips and onion dip that my family serves are sinfully delicious, but is it healthy to load my plate up on just that? No. It’s not! I’ve got an entire plate of delicious Thanksgiving goodness that only comes once a year. If you can't resist those unhealthy options, just eat small amounts and you can always indulge on a fruit or veggie platter instead!
• Live a little! You may not feel guilty about overindulging once you start eating, but come Black Friday, you might have a case of the post-Thanksgiving blues. Try not to think about it. Most likely your Thanksgiving overindulgence only lasted one day, or one evening. Keep that in mind! 

I find that it’s best to just let the holiday be exactly that—a holiday. Don’t count calories or force any strange healthy options down your loved one’s throats. Thanksgiving will not sabotage your healthy lifestyle unless you allow it to. Come Monday, get back in the swing of healthy eating and activity! You will be just fine! Your healthy life will resume at some point, I promise!

Happy gobbling your Thanksgiving meal!

Katie

running and training gear purchases!

Yesterday, I realized that it is going to be chilly Thanksgiving morning. I'm running a 5k and I almost never run outside when it's cold (at least, not really). I'm kind of a wimp about it!

I figure I'd invest in a set of Under Armour Coldgear leggings! They are so beautiful and soft and warm and I just can't wait to take them for a test run (literally). So I bought these beautiful Under Armour Coldgear Compression Leggings. I'm patiently waiting for these babies to arrive soon via Fed Ex!

(source)

I need compression because it helps speed my recovery time (not as sore after longer runs, feel more supported when running and less muscle tightness). I also needed a pair of cold gear because all my other running tights were NOT SUITED for running in cold weather and the cold air just wooshes right through! Brrr...

Another purchase I made this weekend...which I am WAY too excited about:

(source)

I got a pair of ASICS Women's Gel- Envigor TRs! I live and breathe ASICS shoes, I've strayed from their wonderful products and only caused my feet pain and suffering! These blue beauties are my cross trainers. What that means is if I'm heading to the gym to just lift, maybe I'm going to take a Body Pump class, it's for less intense impact activity and I'll wear these. I normally wear my other running ASICS to to everything, but I don't want to wear them out from cross training, spinning classes, etc. I want to save my hardcore running shoes for hardcore running, races and long runs--where I really need them! 

Better yet, I found them at Nordstrom Rack, and they were only $55-- yes, please!

Happy Fitness :)

Katie

Cool Down and Stretch

You're done your workout. You're covered in sweat, thinking about how you just want to leave the gym and go home and shower.

Don't.

Stay and stretch for ten minutes. Your muscles will be less sore and less prone to injury.

The best way I can force myself to stay and stretch is to have a stretching playlist on my iPod. That way, it's ready for me when I'm done with a grueling workout. I make a mix of heart-rate slowing songs that I love!

Here's a few songs from my stretching playlist (I keep it on shuffle, great way to keep it unpredictable):

• Last Kiss - Taylor Swift
• The Goldfish Song - Kina Grannis
• Colors - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
• Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine
• Your Song - Ellie Goulding
• Safe and Sound - Taylor Swift (feat. The Civil Wars)
• Stars - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
• Bluebird - Sara Bareilles

I'll also update my playlist about once every other week, to alleviate boredom. I also keep many different songs (up to 30 songs) so I always have an option. 

Another option for music is if your music device has Wifi capabilities. I'll go on Pandora and put the Singer/Songwriter or Yoga station on and just zen out.

I allow my mind to wander while I'm lying on the mat stretching. It's so euphoric and relaxing and it's pure "me" time.

If you are looking for a great stretching routine, here are some great options:

and here is a link to another stretching routine

I'm a huge fan of Cassey's stretch routine from Blogilates. It has helped increase my flexibility so much!

Love your body back and reward those muscles every day! They truly do so much for you. Remember not to push your muscles too far, or else you may strain or tear a muscle. 

Katie

Exercising my fitness commitment

Excuses

• You don't have time to workout. 
• You are busy. 
• You are stressed. 
• You have classes. 
• You have assignments to do for your classes.
• You have work.  
• You just don't have time for anything else in your schedule.

So, how will you find time to workout?

I solved this dilemma for myself. I have two jobs, an internship and I go to school full time. I make time to workout. No, I don't magically have 26 hours in a day, but some days it sure feels like it.

Starting a workout regimen is complicated and hectic. It doesn't have to be! That's why I'm here, to hold your hand and motivate you to put one foot in front of the other until you're breaking a sweat.

What works for me

I have a little secret tidbit of information to help you better understand time management.

There are individuals out there who are busier than you and they are carving out time to exercise.

If you can't make your workout fit into your schedule, then you need to make your workout more accessible.

My dilemma and how I solved it:

I want to work out at the gym where I work, but the hours just do not fit my routine.

Question: Now, you may simply ask me, why don't you just work out at home?

My answer: Working out at home is not a real possibility for me. My house is old, creaky and tiny and there's not much room do do a full-on cardio session in my living room. It's impossible. So, I suggest you, my fellow space-limited friends, to join a gym with better hours for you.

I just joined a 24-hour gym. I can go whenever and it's really great! Especially when I close at my mall job (the mall closes at 9, out of there by 9:30 and the gym wouldn't happen until 10 which, by that point, my old gym closed at 10). Yeah, so a workout would NOT happen.

If you can't make a gym work for you, it's time to start searching!

Commit to fit!
Katie

About Hit the Mat Running

Things to expect from Hit the Mat Running

            Hit the Mat Running is my fitness and active living blog. I hope to inspire others who come from all walks (or runs) of fitness.

 Posts will include:

• Workout tips and photos
•  Information about yoga and my yoga experience
•  Information about running and my running experience
• Recipes
• Photos
• Playlist information
• Motivation!
• Personal fitness posts 

About me and my passion for fitness

            I love keeping in shape and healthy. I find that I think more clearly and my mind and body are in-sync when I am more active. I learned the hard way that recovering from nerve damage is a difficult process that requires a lot of patience (just like any injury). It forced me to slow down, and I will do a lot of injury prevention posts.

Why Hit the Mat Running?

            I chose the title, Hit the Mat Running, because I run and participate in yoga. There’s something about Hit the Mat Running that resonates with me as a yogi and a runner, it shows that from the moment I start working out that I give it my all.

How often will you hear from me?

            My blog will most likely update either every other day to once a week. Maybe some weeks I’ll post every single day. It all depends!

 I will try my best to stay dedicated and maybe, if I get a small community started, I’ll post different challenges and giveaways.

            I hope to inspire others who may have difficulty staying motivated in the world of fitness. It takes a lot of  motivation to walk into a gym, go for a run outside or even put those workout clothes on. I’m here to show you what’s worked for me so far. This blog will help me stay motivated and will hopefully help motivate you all!

Stay healthy and active!

Katie