Benefits of Spinning Classes

I am a spin class junkie!  I truly love spinning and every time I get injured I revert back to going to the classes.  After this last injury I am thinking that spin MIGHT just have to be a larger factor of my workout routine. So much so, I am hoping to get a spin bike for my basement fitness area. Keep your fingers crossed that Jeremy say YES to the spin bike!

Here are the top reasons I love spinning:

1. You burn a TON of calories! Most spin classes are about an hour, but in 30 minutes (depending on intensity) you can burn 500 calories.
2. Excellent cardiovascular health
3. Time flies when you are having fun!
4. Low Impact
5. Let's face it...awesome shapely legs!

Here is a great website for the Benefits of Cycling at Home!

Peace, Love and Happy Spinning!

Exertional Compartment Syndrome...What???

My 30-day fitness program is slowly coming to a halt. After skiing with my family over the holiday, the second day I had to stop I had such severe tightness in my calves and the front of my shin and ankle. However, being me I still went for a pretty easy run with my brother-in-law Josh after Christmas (1 minute on and 30 seconds off). However, I have been feeling more pain, numbness in my toes, tightness and I need to get this solved so I can exercise like a normal person. The funny thing about this is that everyone can get it...it isn't isolated to JUST running...it is swimming, football, skiing, soccer, etc... It can be misdiagnosed as shin splits or even a stress fracture before the sports doctor finds the problem.

Today I went back to the ortho (did I mention for a 3rd time) to a different doctor to find out what the hell is wrong. He actually had a few options. After feeling different areas of my leg and my shouting pain he mentioned me having a Compartment Syndrome test. Since when he was feeling parts of my leg I felt horrible pain. It was awful! I almost cried and would jump as he moved his hand to the area of pain!

I have a test set up for Friday, January 13th to get the pressure checked and from what I have been reading if it comes out positive...surgery. Looks like a two week recovery time for surgery at the most and two days for sure no walking or standing at all. I am not really sure what this all means but I have battled this issue all of 2011 and ready for some recovery!

I am totally being my dramatic self and could be jumping the gun...but everything I have read kind of sounds like the symptoms I have had over the past year.  Jeremy and I spoke about considering an MRI, however I have rested, been off the leg, etc...and it just keeps getting worse and the X-Rays show my bones very healthy. After much discussion this morning we decided to have this test done, which let me tell you is PAINFUL per everything I have read! I will be out for at least 24 hours from the test. I think they even knock you out for the test...but who knows.

Here is one of the links I have read:

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

I will keep you posted on the process! Wish me luck!

Peace and Love,

Day 3

Well I am nursing some seriously wicked injuries to my shins and ankles from skiing...I guess the stress fracture isn't totally cured.  One thing I am thankful for is my gym pass and that my gym has a pool! Master swim here I come tonight. One thing that I like is that it is a one hour class, so nice and I love the structure.


Eating healthy is an important part of our everyday diet. I made a soup that is healthy AND hearty.


Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup

2 teaspoons Earth Balance sticks

1 cup chopped carrot  

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped cremini mushrooms

1/4 cup of chopped shallots

1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary and thyme.

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 (16-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cups chopped smoked turkey breast (1/2 pound)

1 cup uncooked wild rice

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 3/4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

3 tablespoons Madiera

Salt and Pepper to taste

Pinch of ground cayenne.  

1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrot and next 5 ingredients (carrot through garlic). Sauté 8 minutes or until browned. Stir in broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in turkey and rice; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and milk in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add to pan. Cook over medium heat until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring frequently. Stir in Madiera and salt.

I would double this recipe in the future so I can have more leftovers to freeze!

I got this recipe from Cooking Light (favorite magazine) and modified it a bit. Just click on this link...Cooking Light.

30 Day Fitness Challenge

DAY ONE

I was in the best shape of my life back in May; personal trainer, working out 5 to 6 times a week and eating right! However, it all came to a screeching halt when I over trained and ended up with a stress fracture. It put me out for 4 months, however I did discover swimming and fell in love so that is a win from a negative!  Now I am on a mission to get back on track. I do better when I have a goal and my triatholon is still out a ways, so I figured...30 day challenge!

I am also dying with anticipation as this grueling wait continues to go pick up our son and I need something to keep me busy, keep my mind per-occupied.  Here is how the 30-day challenge for me works.

The exercise has to be fast and convenient, as if Cy was home and I was short for time. I need to get the most bang for my buck. These exercises will be effective and efficient, incorporating cardio and functional training along with healthy meals. There are a few things you should know about me...I EAT CARBS and I always will!!!  I do believe diets are different for each person and each body type.

Day One:

I did Functional Training at home tonight. I purchased some floor mats (thanks to my girl Adrienne for taking me shopping at Sam's Club). Set up a whole area in the basement to do all my exercises.

1. 1 minute Plank
2. 50 Squats
3. 25 Pilates Leg Lifts on each side for a total of 50
4. 30 Crunches
5. 15 Sumo Squats
6. 50 Calve raises
7. 100 Arm Circles - 50 forward/50 backward
8. 15 Push-Ups
9. 50 Jumping Jacks

I then moved onto this quick routine I found on Pinterest!




Peace and Love