Biking from A to B

It is now officially summer, and I couldn't be more excited, although I have been calling it summer since I got home from school on May 17th. The one thing that I love about summer at home is using my bike for transportation. I try to bike almost everywhere I go, partly because I have to (I might be the only 21 year old who doesn't know how to drive), but also because there are so many benefits.

I have create a list of all of the great things about biking:

1. You don't use any fossil fuels, which is good for the environment and your wallet.
2. Instead of fossil fuels you get to use delicious fuels (ice cream as a summer time treat, or beer on a patio in the sun anyone?) or fuel you already have (on your butt or abs?)
3. It's an extra workout that is great for your heart, is low impact, and doesn't take up any extra time, because you have to commute anyways.
4. No traffic! There is no better feeling then being on a bike and buzzing past all those cars that are stuck in that traffic jam. Although sometime those runners and walkers on the path do get in your way, there is no faster way to get through downtown at 5 o'clock then on your bike.
5. Being outside. It's the summer and it's time to get outside. For those of us who live in places where there are four seasons let's take advantage of the time we can spend outside, you might get rained on every once in a while, but who cares!

Imagine if everyone biked to work even just 1 day a week how much better off we would all be.

Happy Cycling!

M. Boom

The Know How

From my experience the biggest thing keeping people from getting in shape is knowledge. Most people have no idea what to do when it comes to fitness, they don't want to get started because they feel, stupid or awkward doing it. But why do we make ourselves feel this way? The human body was built to MOVE. So let's get out there!

There are plenty of ways to learn how to get in shape you just have to find what is right for you.

Here is my Overview of fitness options that are out there and widely available.

1. Group Fitness- The options today are way beyond just Jane Fonda aerobics of the 80s, although the classics are still available (and lots of fun!). A very brief list of the options that are available out there: Zumba, Step Aerobics, Boot Camp Training, Circuit Training, Sculpt and Stretch, Classic Aerobics, Spinning, etc. The options are endless and there are new classes coming out all the time, there is really something for everyone!
2. Personal Training- Personal trainers are great for those who want to learn how to use that gym membership and have no idea what to do. They are also excellent for those with specific goals. You can also find personal they will come to you in your home if you prefer not to go to the gym
3. Sport Specific- Ever wanted to run a race, learn how to row, play soccer again? Most sports clubs have both competitive and recreational programs. The running room stores have running clinics, and most rowing clubs have learn to row programs. Basically any sport you want to get into you can, so do what interests you! Fitness should be about fun!
4. Yoga- I love yoga, although I don't do it as much as I would like. Yoga studios are common place in most towns today, and all Lululemon's have free weekly classes. Although I am a big proponent for a good yin class, if you want to improve your aerobic capacity and muscular endurance I would choose a vinyasa, or power based class.
5. Fitness Videos- For a rainy day option, or for those of us who are crunched for time and money fitness videos are a great option to have. Some really good ones are Insanity (see my post) or P90X. I like these because they are complete programs that really push you to work hard. There are plenty of good videos out there, find the ones that you like.

However you choose to workout, you no longer have the excuse of not knowing how should not be an excuse. Today the resourses are out there wherever you live. At you local community center, gym, sports clubs, yoga studios, or ordered through your computer.

So get moving!

Mariel BOOM

Addiction

According to Google the definition of addiction is:

being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming; an abnormally strong craving.

I think I am addict. I began rowing fall 2003 on my high school, I have a very vivid memory of my first time going down to the rowing club. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I felt an instant sense of comfort there. I have defined myself as a rower from that day. I can't imagine my life without it. I guess that was my first hit.

When did I become an addict? That I can't exactly sure, but it was fairly soon afterwards that it began to affect began to affect my social life, and my family life, and sometimes my academic life. I now barely remember what life is like without it. I hit all the signs of a true addict.

At the end of the day, although most addicts might regret their addictions or wish they could stop, at the end of the day I do not regret rowing, and although there are certainly times when I think about what life would be like without it, I wouldn't want that life.

Rowing has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn't have had other wise. I have gotten to travel to amazing places, meet amazing people, live a healthy lifestyle, I get to an amazing school, countless others.

So maybe rowing is not an addiction but a passion. What is the difference anyways (well when there are no drugs involved)?

My advice to you is go out and find your own healthy addiction!

-Mariel BOOM!

Hot, Hotter, Hottest

I am someone who loves to workout outside, I get depressed in the winter when I have to be inside all the time. What is there to do on a day like today when it`s 40C (104F) with the humidity? I did bike over to my friends house to go tanning in back yard, with frequent cool down breaks in the sprinkler, but it was much to hot out to do more then bike for transportation.
Yesterday when I decided it was a good idea to erg in the humidity I felt like I could barely breath.
What is a girl to do? I have come up with a few options:
1) Workout leisurely (well not full out) outside, and drink lots of water.
2) workout in the early morn or late evening when it's not as hot
3) Go swimming, although the City of Ottawa has not yet officially open it's beaches, check it out because early season waters in high temperatures might not be safe to swim in
4) Workout indoors, I will probably be doing an INSANITY workout () tonight in my nicely air conditioned basement.

The plus side of this weather is that I only craved fresh veggies and cold fruit (ok and ice cream)
Keep Cool

Mariel BOOM

It's HOT Outside, Drink Some Green Tea To Cool You Off

Green tea may not be as trendy this year as it was last year, but it is still just as delicious and nutritious! The problem is that most iced green teas you buy have lots of added sugars, including high fructose corn syrup (which despite what the corn growers maybe trying to tell you with there adds is not good for you,there is also a very minimal amount of honey which they claim is one of the main ingredients on the front of the can or bottle.

I was inspired to make my own iced green tea after we finished one of the big bottles of Arizona green that was in the fridge when I arrived back from school. I decided to refill it with a much simpler drink.
My iced green tea has only 3 ingredients:
4 Green tea bags
1/4-1/2 cup Honey
3.78L (1 gallon) boiling water

Put honey and tea bags in a large bowl and cover with boiling water
Let the tea steep for 10 minutes
Pour into a jug and allow to cool in refrigerator over night
Enjoy!

I have to do it in 2 batches, it turns out that 1 gallon= 2 kettles full
Depending on how sweet and how strong you like you can adjust the amount of honey and the number of green tea bags.

Women's Health magazine claims that drinking green tea can cause you to burn more calories, here is the article taking from the Women's health website:

Brew up some green tea

"It's the closest thing to a metabolism potion," says Tammy Lakatos Shames, R.D., author of Fire Up Your Metabolism: 9 Proven Principles for Burning Fat and Losing Weight Forever. The brew contains a plant compound called ECGC, which promotes fat burning. In one study, people who consumed the equivalent of three to five cups a day for 12 weeks decreased their body weight by 4.6 percent. According to other studies, consuming two to four cups of green tea per day may torch an extra 50 calories. That translates into about five pounds per year. Not bad for a few bags of leaves, eh? For maximum effect, let your tea steep for three minutes and drink it while it's still hot.

I will take it cold even if I only burn 40 calories extra!

Drink up
Mariel BOOM!

INSANITY!

It has been a week and a day since I was last in a boat, and for a competitive rower that is a long time when there are races in the near future and the water is flowing.
Although I have been enjoying my time off, I am getting a little restless without the structure of competitive athletics. I have found something that keeps the restless at bay. It's Shaun T's INSANITY!

It's an entire workout program all on workout videos, that is literally insane, but totally awesome. All you need to do any of the 10 workouts is a mat, and most you don't even need that. Shaun T as runs these hardcore circuits he is motivating, hardcore and intense but never condescending. He is constantly reminding you of the importance of form and to take a break if you lose it.
Although I am not following the program to a tee, if you want something to do for the next 60 days that is fun and will get you in wicked shape INSANITY is it! Even though I am going back to the water with 2 a day rows on this Thursday, I am going to keep up with my insanity workouts to help maintain my speed, power, and agility as well as to help me with my weak areas: shoulders and hips.
Push the couch a side and go insane!
Mariel BOOM!

Next post will be on my celiac reseach, because according to women's health (I know that this is not a credible medical journal) it could be the cause of the mysterious red bumps on my knees and elbows.

Hello!

Hello Blogworld,
I decided to start this blog as a place to put down my ideas and knowledge about food and fitness, and how to make it FUN!
In this world of fast food, television, computers, busy work schedules, cars, and all the others distractions that we have in our lives, it is easy to get lost in a lifestyle that leaves you sedentary and eating processed food.
Living Healthy lives should be fun and a priorty, and it doesn't only involve working out and eating right. Get outside, walk around the city, do something fun with your friends, dance your butt off at a concert.
Let's get off the couch, and live the lives we want to live.

M. BOOM!