Author: keepingupwithkate91

1000 Rep Challenge

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Today is the second to last day of the Fall 6 Week Transformation. On day 2 of the Fall Transformation (back in Sept) we did our first 1000 rep challenge. What is a 1000 rep challenge? It is a circuit with 10 stations, must do 20 reps before you can move to the next station, you run back to your mat to put a tick down (to count your completed exercise & get a little cardio) and you have 20 minutes to see what you can complete.

Here are the exercises:

  1. Squats
  2. Bent Rows (using a band around a pole) (yes we were outside this morning)
  3. Alternating Scissor Abs
  4. Reverse Lunges
  5. Bicep Curls
  6. Ice Skaters
  7. Overhead Press
  8. Squat Jacks
  9. Ab Knee Ins
  10. High Bridge

On 9/21/11, my goal was to complete 30 rounds (1 round = 1 station), I completed 21 (420 of the 1000 reps) rounds.  Today my goal was to complete 25 rounds and I completed 25 (500 of the 1000 reps) rounds.  The average improvement is between 3 – 5.  I landed right in the middle and achieved my goal (19% improvement).  I was so close to getting one above my goal (darn it) (note to self:  next time make sure my mat is closer to the stations! 😉 )  I’m proud of the improvement I’ve made over the last 6 weeks.

Happy Hump Day!  Make it a great one!!

 

Do you eat the mini Apple packets?

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Do you eat the mini Apple packets they sell at convenience or grocery stores? I do. I get the apples or grapes, but usually pick the apples. I think of them as a nice alternative to chips and easy to eat in the car or when on the go. I believed all of this until this weekend.

I purchased two small packets at a local convenience store for my PSU Reunion weekend to eat in the car along with lunch for myself and one of my friends.  We ate one packet, opened one in the car but didn’t finish it.  We got to Happy Valley, unpacked the car and went out for the evening.  We noticed Saturday morning the apples were not brown.  Every time we got in the car we noticed the apples were not brown.  We were in and out of the car quite a bit (it got to be a bit of a joke to see if they were brown).  So we looked on the back of the package and noticed that apples weren’t the only ingredients in the package (not sure why I surprised).  Calcium Ascorbate was added to maintain freshness and color.  I’ve posted two pictures, one I took yesterday ‘fresh’ out of the bag (remember the bag has been open since Friday around 1 pm) and sitting out in the air for the day (look at how ‘burnt’ the edges look…not even natural browning)!  Makes you wonder how much of the Calcium Ascorbate is in the bag too…because it least they are doing something now that they are out of the bag.

I know from my learnings at www.bodyprojectfitness.com that anything that is package has some sort of processing.  I never really thought of it with the fruit and veggie packages.  Boy was I WRONG.  I won’t be eating the ‘snack packs’ anymore since I don’t know how long the added ‘stuff’ has been sitting on the fresh fruit or veggies.  I don’t care how convenient they are…I’ll just eat an apple to the CORE!

PSU Reunion Weekend + / –

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

This past weekend, I headed up to Happy Valley (State College, PA) for homecoming to see my Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Purdue Boilermakers.  This wasn’t just another football weekend for me.  I went with my college roommates from my Junior year.  The three of us haven’t been to State College in years and probably haven’t been together since LH’s baby shower for her oldest (let’s just say it was a long time ago).

Here are the +s / -s from the weekend:

  • – I had to work Friday morning (but for a really good reason)
  • + Bunny Burgers at the Red Rabbit (en route)
  • + Hitting some local establishments over the weekend
  • – Paying $15 to get some Pita
  • + Tailgating
  • + PSU Win over Purdue
  • – The guys behind TB and I during the game – one was a Debbie Downer and the other a Negative Nellie
  • – No nap
  • + Original Sins at the Adam’s Apple
  • – Getting in very late two nights in a row (I can’t hang like I used to)
  • + Souvenir Shopping on Sunday
  • + Picture at the Lion (in our new PSU tshirts)
  • – Waiting in Line at the Creamery
  • +  Waiting in Line at the Creamery for some yummy PSU ice cream – WPSU Coffee Break, Keeny Beany Chocolate and Butter Pecan were our selections
  • – The weekend ended way too early!
  • +  Planning already started for next year

Bottomline – An AMAZING Time had by ALL!! 🙂

Vintage 'S' Zone

Some of my FAVS

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

I thought I’d share some of my favorite blogs / internet sites that I visit on a regular and not so regular basis.  They are in no particular order.  Check them out (I tried to do the fancy links…but you get the webpage and if you roll-over you get the name I provided…something for me to work on).

Fitness:

http://bodyprojectfitness.com/ – This is where it all started for me!  It is a muscle – mind connection thing for me…and has changed how I think about food and working out (and many other things).  A site related to this is an internal site (Facebook for bootcampers…I utilize it a lot…a great forum for all of us during our transformation).  Thank you Lindsay and BP Fit Pros!  And if you live in the West Windsor, Robbinsville or Bordentown areas of NJ…check out bootcamp…it will change your life! 🙂

http://kbellqueen.blogspot.com/ – I love this blog as I fell in love with kettlebells the first time I went back to Body Project bootcamp. I even bought the DVDs…take a look at Lauren’s abs. She has some great tips and I enjoy checking it out once in a while.

http://www.findyourwarrior.com/index.html  A plug for a very dear friend of mine who has transformed herself with Yoga.  Her HOT YOGA class is fantastic!!  Schedule included on the blog.

Food = Fuel:

http://www.101cookbooks.com/about/  Put an ingredient = get some suggestions

http://www.elanaspantry.com/:  Use this when I was on the Clean Program – used some of the soup recipes.  I do want to try the Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe around Christmas time to see if anyone notices a difference…shhhh…don’t tell anyone.

http://my.cleanprogram.com/  The site I used daily to support my detox.  I do need to get back to reading.  They have some great recipes out there (the Hummus Chicken recipe came from this site)

http://clarksvillechefexpress.com/index.php  I order my food from this site every week.  Love, Love, Love the food.   It changes every week.  Some of my favs:  Spicy Turkey Meatloaf (and I’m not a meatloaf lover), Tilapia Tacos, Salmon Ceasar Salad, Chicken Salad to name a few.  I order side salads and extra veggies to add to the salads.  If you are in Central NJ, check out the Jersey Girl Cafe on Route 33 in Hamilton – signature sandwich:  Chicken Salad and the Cranberry Shortbread Cookie.

For Fun:

http://thriftygoodness.blogspot.com/  Rebecca is the first of my friend’s to blog.  She is so creative…and I’m not at all…I love looking at what she creates, her adventures in thrifting or read about her swaps.

www.gopsusports.com:  Everything PSU sports…do I need to say more?

http://www.pennstatecnj.org/:  Everything PSU in Central NJ (shameless plug for our Central NJ Chapter of the Alumni Association)…WE ARE…

www.pennlive.com:  To stay up-to-date with happenings in my hometown

http://gothamgirl.weebly.com/1/category/purses/1.html:  A friend posted this one…one of these days I’ll post what is in my purse…right now it might scare you all away.

http://lindsaylately.weebly.com/  The friend who turned me onto Gotham Girl.  I like her + / – blogs (which she got from another blogger)

http://crazysexylife.com/about/  This is a little bit of this and that

Excitement is Building…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

In a little over a week I’ll be heading up to Happy Valley to spend time with my college roommates from my junior year. I’m so excited. I haven’t seen TB in many years and she hasn’t been to Happy Valley since we graduated (year not provided on purpose).  LH is joining us on Saturday and it should be a hoot.  I believe there will be lots of laughing and silliness.

Some activities for the weekend – (as I believe I’m the designated tour guide):

  • Re-visit some of our favorite establishments in town (and maybe a few new ones)
  • Check out the Shoe-Fly (it is called something else now)
  • Show off the Berkey Creamery new location (new to my roommates) and of course get some ice cream  It was only a $1 when we were Juniors.  My favorite is WSPU Coffee Break…yummy!
  • Ride the Loop (for old times sake) (bonus – get a nice view of changes on campus)
  • Check out Pattee and the HUB…where you could find us most days on campus when not in class
  • Homecoming Parade
  • Souvenir shopping
  • Tailgating
  • PSU vs. Purdue game
  • Check out the Elms
  • Swing by the Hintz Alumni Center
  • Get some Bank Buttons
  • Nap (I’ve been asked to make sure that is on the agenda…think I’ll just pencil that one in!) 🙂
  • Picture at The Lion!!
  • and anything else we feel like doing!

A Few of my Favorite Things – Fall

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

It is a beautiful, crisp Sunday fall morning in NJ. Thought I’d share some of my favorite Fall things (in no particular order):

  • College Football Saturdays (particular on days when I go to Happy Valley)
  • Sleeping with the windows open (finally able to turn off the AC)
  • Slatkin & Co Candles – some of my favs:  Kitchen & Spice, Leaves & Autumn (and they have great accent pieces too)
  • Apple Cider
  • Nice cup of coffee on a crisp morning
  • Turtlenecks and boots
  • Sweatshirts
  • Mums – just love all the vibrant colors
  • Fall Transformation Bootcamp
  • Roaring fire
  • New Fall Season of favorite shows:  Big Bang Theory, Bones, etc…

I’m sure I’ll think of more…so check back for any updates.  What are your favorite Fall things?

Push-up Challenge

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

In an effort to push myself during this 6 week transformation, I wanted an additional goal / challenge (my first was attendance).  I’ve decided to increase my push-ups.  I did a one minute test on Sunday.  I was able to do 16 push-ups in 1 minute.  My goal by the end of the 6 weeks is to complete 35 in one minute.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Happy Hump Day!

Good Morning FALL!

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Good morning FALL! Week 1 of the Fall Transformation is in the books. I’m feeling great! Attained my attendance goal for week 1.

We have accountability goals for each day. I’m doing well…so a really good week.

I’m adding another goal for the 6 week fall transformation…push-ups! On Sunday, I’m going to set my baseline. What is the baseline? I need to count how many good form push-ups I can do in 1 minute. From there I will set my 6 week goal (at that point 5 week).

Happy Friday!

Transformation Accountability Log: 9/19 – 10/28

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

My goal for the 6 week fall transformation is Attendance! I have a knack for talking myself out of not going at 5 am (my class is 6 am). I’m very convincing at that hour! I need to remember that I’m doing this for myself and no one else.  Anything worth it –  is worth the hard work!  This blog is dedicated to me holding myself accountable.

  • 9/19:  Day 1 in the books:  DONE!!
  • 9/21:  Day 2 DONE!  10 circuits / 20 reps – timed 20 minutes.  Goal:  30 – Actual 21
  • 9/22:  Non-bootcamp activity:  Yogalates – combo of yoga / pilates…lots of strecthing
  • 9/23:  Day 3 and Week 1 DONE and in the books!!  Feeling fantastic!!
  • 9/26:  Day 4 and the start of Week 2 DONE!  Today was a day that I could’ve rolled over and stayed in bed.  I didn’t!  I felt great right after, but was a bit tired in the AM.
  • 9/28:  Day 5 in the books.  Again hard to get up this AM (but not as hard as Monday).
  • 9/29:  Non-bootcamp activity:  Yogalates – combo of yoga / pilates…one of my favorite poses – the corpse – very relaxing!
  • 9/30:  Day 6 – mission accomplished…Week 2 DONE! (first time hitting the snooze and I actually needed the alarm…I usually either get up before or turn off the alarm completely).  Happy Friday!!
  • 10/3:  Day 7 – no bootcamp today due to a sore knee (started last week) – really bothered me yesterday and today.  I did notify my trainer and she encouraged me in the future to come to bootcamp and we can modify my workout.  I agreed.  I just completed an 11+ minute circuit (so about 1/3 of what I normally do)
  • 10/5:  Day 8 – back on track – icing the knee
  • 10/6:  Day 9 – Sunrise Yoga! 🙂 & Yogalates (normal Thurs evening class) (after the day I had today I needed both sessions! 🙂 )
  • 10/7:  Day 10 – Done and in the books!
  • 10/10:  Didn’t make it this morning
  • 10/12:  Didn’t make it this morning (did not sleep well at all last night) (felt like I was up every hour on the hour)
  • 10/15:  Made it to the 5 am class as it was a busy, busy, busy day at the office
  • 10/17:  Didn’t make it due to sleep deprivation from the weekend.  I did not make myself a priority regarding hydration on Sunday and I really felt it Monday morning.  I had planned to go to the 9:30 am class since I was off.  Not going was a poor decision on my part…I let the negative self talk over rule my better judgement.
  • 10/19:  Done!  Back on Track!! 🙂  Loved the circuits today (even the dreaded cardio)!
  • 10/21:  Done!
  • 10/24:  Done – Last week of the transformation
  • 10/26:  Done!  1000 Rep Challenge and Yogalates Class
  • 10/28:  Done – The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Workout

Fun Stuff

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

I know I’ve been posting lots about my journey of self-discovery.

Thought I’d let you in on some of the fun I’ve been having this very busy September. I love summer, but if summer has to end I’m glad fall follows it. I went to Penn State and love, love, love college football…especially my Nittany Lions. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 9 seasons now!

September 3rd was PSU’s first game of the season against Indiana State. I didn’t go to the game, but went to the Central NJ Chapter’s of the Penn State Alumni Association (www.pennstatecnj.org) football watching party. We raffled off a pair of tickets to the PSU vs. Alabama game. We raised $2k for our local scholarship fund. We had a great turnout at our watching parties and it was great to see so many friends and Alums out for our parties.

I headed up to Penn State on 9/7 to meet my Mom and one of her friend’s for lunch at The Quarterback Club of State College.  What is it?  Lunch in Beaver Stadium and a chance to hear coaches and players speak after lunch.  AWESOME!!  I’ve had a chance to go to a luncheon for the last few years…and I always have a great time.  My Mom and I stayed in State College for the remainder of the week to celebrate my birthday (I think this might be an annual event from now on).   I took her to some of my favorite spots in town (Pickles, Cafe 210 West, Corner Room) (the ‘Skeller is next year) and discovered a new one (Allen Street Grill).  My Dad joined us for my birthday celebration at The Tavern.  We capped off the week with lunch at The Mt. Nittany Inn.  The views were fantastic…too bad it was a bit foggy.  There isn’t a bad view in the place.  We sat on the glass enclosed deck…it was awesome.  I took some pictures…they just don’t do the views justice due to the weather.   The trip to State College was capped off with the PSU vs. Alabama game.  I had an opporutnity to sit in club seats for the first time ever.  The seats were great (even if there was someone behind us who didn’t like us standing for every play…seriously…watch the game from home if you don’t want to stand up).  It was a beautiful day but sadly my Lions did not win.

This past Saturday, Penn State took on Temple at the LINC.  I went to the game with my Dad and brother.  We had a nice, simple tailgate.   Nothing better than bagel sandwiches and beer to start the day off right! 🙂  We had great seats in the end zone (last row and seats starting on the aisle).  It was a bit of a nail biter to say the least.  PSU won by the skin of their chinny chin chins!   We made the fastest exit out of a parking lot ever…it is the little things!  And I had a fantastic time hanging out with my Dad and brother.

Next week, I’m off to State College again for the PSU vs. Eastern MI game with a bunch of my college friends.  Looking forward to a great weekend and the hopes that PSU has a much better performance next weekend.

For the Glory!!

WE ARE…