Experiments

Swallowing My Pride In the Gym: Going Back to Basics (And Poking Random People in the Back)

May 7, 2012

See this is why my squat form sucked! I forgot my lucite heels! Upon meeting me, the first thing my scary smart Lifetime Fitness trainer, Steve, did was have me stand in front of him facing a gigantic mirror. As he put his hands gently on my shoulders he said, “I want you to see what I see.” Now, lest you think this is going to turn into a touchy-feely after-school special where we talk about how awesome I am, Trainer Steve was actually assessing me for muscular imbalances. So what he saw was slightly flattened arches, a right knee that bends in when [...]

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I Finally Figured Out Why My Jeans Fit Funny [Me vs. My Numbers. I Win!]

May 6, 2012

No actual numbers were harmed (or used) in the making of this post. While I do discuss my eating disordered history, I’ve tried to keep triggers to a minimum and if you are suffering from an eating disorder I would actually encourage you to keep reading. This is my message of hope. If I can do this, you can do this. Hope: for you, from me. All those years I taught college I kept waiting to see this happen. What really amazes me about this pic is not that his pants finally fell down (is that a water bottle?!) but [...]

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May’s Great Experiment Fitness Experiment (+ 5 Pro Tips for Stress Cases!)

April 30, 2012

Have you ever wished you could just attach a computer screen to your forehead so you could see exactly what was going on in your body at any given moment? (Of course to read the monitor you’d have to stand in front of a mirror. And learn to read backwards text. And find a way to reduce the glare of glass reflecting glass. Clearly there are flaws in my daydreams. Hush.) Well this month I’m getting as close to that as scientifically possible by living out my dream of having every assessment known to mankind performed on me! While I [...]

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Does Exercise Order Matter? [P90X Phase III and Final Review]

April 23, 2012

Chest, back, legs, shoulders, biceps, triceps. (Oh and calves. Stupid calves. Always skipped those.) For years whenever I lifted weights my exercises were done in this order. The actual exercises would vary – dumbbell flys one day and flying dumbbells the next (Kidding! Sorta!) – but the workout stayed the same. Why? Well because I was new and I didn’t know any better. But mostly it was because this was what my first trainer taught me. For reasons I cannot now recall she said that it was important to go from large muscles to small muscles and to alternate working [...]

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I Thought I Was In Shape Until… [What surprise-kicked your butt?]

February 6, 2012

Me: I saw you birthed. You were purple and covered in more goo than Slimer. 16-year-old Sister: Let’s never have this conversation again. Also, what’s a “Slimer”?? Me: I’m old. “TurboKick? P90X 2? Both?? What do you wanna do?!” I nearly hypervenilated with all the possibilities. Laura put on her brave face and answered, “Whatever you want to do, I’m up for it.” My sister Laura is my best friend. She is also a trouper. This past weekend she flew in from out of town so she and I could kidnap our baby sister to celebrate her 16th birthday. (Yes [...]

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February’s P90X2 Experiment [Barre Experiment Results Are In!]

February 1, 2012

One day into our P90X2 Experiment and I am unimpressed. The reason: I have the stomach flu* and therefore permission to watch as much crap television as I want without feeling (too) guilty and instead of getting cozy with Project Runway All-stars (How much does this show suck without Tim Gunn and Heidi?!) I’m sitting here listening to Tony Horton and taking notes like a school girl in detention. Albeit a really pale, shivery school girl with a fever. (Although I’m not as bad off as Gym Buddy Allison who puked so much last night she fainted and had to [...]

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12 Workouts to Try in 2012 (and book news!)

January 11, 2012

Why yes, I DID end up with a tread-mark right across my crotch! Also, the Gym Buddies tried to leave me stranded on the big tire that randomly appeared in the Y since I couldn’t get down on my own. Ha ha ha. One of the questions I get asked the most – and am probably the least qualified to answer, right after “Can I catch a yeast infection from the spin bikes??” – is “What workout should I try?” And because I love talking about workouts I’ll do my best to help them. (After warning them I’m not a [...]

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January’s Great Barre Experiment

January 8, 2012

See the dude in the red pants? Everyone else is all Swan Lake and he’s getting his ninja on. I heart him. Pelvic thrusting is involved. And it’s every bit as awkward as it sounds. Especially when thanks to a lack of studios, the Gym Buddies and I were forced to use the railing next to the track as our ballet barre. One elderly gentleman actually grumbled “Are you serious?!” as he shuffled by. Yes, my friend, we are serious. Nothing says “serious workout” like doing “hip dancing” whilst clenching a rubber ball between your thighs, crowded around a 7-inch portable [...]

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T-Tapp Experiment Results In: How did the claims stack up? [Giveaway!]

November 14, 2011

The Gym Buddies and I having a little fun with our first T-Tapp workout. Note: this is NOT supposed to be a demonstration of good form or whatever. It’s just us being silly. Skip to 1:50 if you want to see me get my sexy back;) Thanks to Allison for secretly taping us and editing this vid! I WILL get you back, girl. (If you can’t see the above video in your reader or email, click through to my site.) Between the butt-slapping, oil-welling and hoe-downing, you would think that these past few weeks of T-Tapp were all fun and [...]

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New Rules of Lifting for Women: Experiment results are in!

November 1, 2011

It is impossible to hate a unicorn bicycle. I dare you to try. Health blogging rule #1: The fastest way to tick people off is to stomp on their favorite diet or workout. I have learned this the hard way (I’m still getting irate e-mails over what I wrote about the Every Other Day Diet 3 years ago) so I am going to tread lightly here. I wanted this to be one of my favorite workouts too – it’s heavy lifting! It’s hardcore! Women are strong!! – but the truth is I didn’t love it. I only had one problem [...]

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