My definition of insanity…
1) Competitive team sports for kids under 10
2) Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome
3) Any diet with one ingredient
4) 24-hour “news”
5) Our tax code
6) “Gifted” children… How do they know?
7) Thin thighs in thirty days
8) High heels
What’s your definition of insanity?
Missy Park
Founder
We spent most of the day in the gigantic Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, and its designers recognized the fact that future generations would possibly think them mad. It is, counting Christian Cathedrals of all periods, the third largest in the world surpassed only by St. Peter´s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. It is a collection of magnificent rib vaults, stained glass, inlaid marble floors and priceless paintings and sculpture. There is enough gold and silver in there to sink several ships, and the wood carvings on the choir and pipe organs defies belief in its beauty. It was intended to be gilded, but is so much more beautiful and understated in its natural finish. It is here that Christopher Columbus…
Read more on Marcia’s Blog
The weather is finally warming (woo hoo)! Check out T9’s “Summer Picks” with Christina and Theresa in our Berkeley store –
Featured Items –
Samba V Tee
Dizzie Skirt
Dizzie Dress
Bodacious Swim Collection
On The Border Dress
Check It Out Skirt
More Dress
Audience Dress
Spring is here which means warmer weather is right around the corner for us. Time to move your workout from the dreary four walls of a gym to the outdoors! Here are some basic tips from our very own fitness guru Trista Wotochek (from our Colorado Springs Store) to help get you started.
Getting started:
1. Decide on what you’d like to
spend your spring/summer doing—Have you always wanted to start running, biking, or swimming? How about one of those crazy boot camps you keep hearing about? Have a little heart-to-heart with yourself and identify what is truly piquing your interest right now. Then, simply put, START doing it.
2. Get the right shoes—Wearing the kicks that suit your feet and your activity can make all the difference in enjoying your workout all season long. Find the trail runners, cross trainers, or road runners perfect for your precious feet. Your feet are the first point of contact with the ground and the impact goes up your entire body from there. Getting it right from the bottom up is important and can help keep you injury free and strong for the entire season.
3. Find a workout buddy—It doesn’t have to be your BFF….just find a gal pal who loves to be outside soaking in the fresh air and vitamin D, just like you. The benefits are endless: support, accountability, motivation, and let’s not forget all the emotional benefits of having some good ol’ fashion girl-talk in our routines. Who knows, you may even want to check out a local 5K, 10K, or triathlon together. Set a goal, and get a move on. Who says we have to do it all, all alone, all the time? Nobody!
4. Pick your outdoor workout time…and guard it fiercely!—With the season changing and days getting longer, you may have to re-visit your schedule and come up with a new, consistent workout time. If you have a new workout buddy, get with him/her and write your workout time in your schedule just like all your other appointments. If something comes up and competes for your workout time—and it always does!—you can say, “Sorry, I already have something in my schedule at that time, can we look at another day/time?”
Beat the heat:
1. Time your workouts—Exercise in the morning or evening — when it’s likely to be cooler outdoors — rather than the middle of the day. If possible, exercise in the shade or in a pool.
2. Drink plenty of water—Your body’s ability to regulate its core temperature depends on adequate rehydration. Drink plenty of water while you’re exercising outside, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This will help you sweat and cool down. In drier climates it’s hard to notice you are actually sweating because it evaporates instantly. Don’t be deceived, you are losing water even if you don’t see it or feel it. If you’re planning to exercise intensely or for longer than one hour, consider a sports drink that will replace the electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium) you lose through sweating. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, which actually promote fluid loss.
3. Wear proper clothing—Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that breathes and wicks the sweat away (promotes sweat evaporation). Avoid dark colors, which can absorb the heat. A lightweight hat can help protect your skin and limit your exposure to the sun.
4. Take it slow at first—Especially if you are used to exercising indoors or in cooler weather. As your body adapts to the heat, gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts. If you have a medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor if you need to take additional precautions.
5. Wear sweat proof sunscreen—A sunburn can decreases your body’s ability to cool itself and your workout will feel much more difficult and even discouraging. Keep your skin healthy and cool.
6. Have a backup plan—If you’re concerned about the heat or inclement weather, stay indoors. Work out at the gym, pop in your favorite workout DVD, or climb stairs inside an air-conditioned building.
About Trista Wotochek
Trista is a graduate from the National Personal Training Institute and a nationally certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She is also a certified Yoga instructor and a certified Health and Holistic Wellness Coach.
Trista runs a women-only boot camp in Colorado Springs and is also available for one-on-one private training.
Roberta knows how to bounce back. A decade after thyroid disease left her with a “grocery list” of health problems and an out-of-whack metabolism, she made a New Year’s resolution to turn things around.
We all know the poor success rate of such resolutions, but Roberta was determined. She started with a “healthy workplace” plan at her job. “I decided I was going to do it no matter what,” she says. “It helped that there were about 20 of us doing some sort of program.” She wanted to take things further, but how does a 44-year-old mom with a demanding career as a network engineer squeeze an exercise regime into her busy life?
As Roberta puts it, “I can be a little obsessive about things… I like to troubleshoot and problem solve.” Evenings were family time. Lunch breaks weren’t dependable. That left early mornings…VERY early mornings. She started rising at 3:00am, six days a week, and hitting her rowing machine for two hours. She does 100,000 meters weekly, with at least one row being the equivalent of a half marathon. Once a season, she rows a full marathon.
It’s taken a bit of sacrifice. She’s given up long morning baths and watching TV at night (but records her favorite shows to watch while rowing). Sleeping in your workout clothes seems to help. And using two alarm clocks. “I keep telling myself that it’s not a destination, but a journey.”
And it’s worth the trip. “I have more energy to interact with my children,” she says. “If I am feeling stressed or upset with other aspects of my life, exercise helps bring me back in focus.” And the physical changes are pretty cool too: “I love how it is re-shaping my body with some incredible muscles in my arms, quads, back, shoulders. Now, I love showing off those new muscles.”
She also loves sharing the love. “I have convinced 2 co-workers to get a rowing machine and have given training tips to about 5 other co-workers. I get a natural high from being an inspiration to others and sharing my story. I never thought I could be come a role-model for other people.”
Home: Dublin, CA
Occupation: Network engineer (former scientist)
Education: BS Cum Laude Biology Tulane University & University of Bristol, England
Partner: Glenn
Children: Henry 7 and Etta 4
Age: 44
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 128 (approx. 16% body fat). I have lost about 65 lbs since I started keeping track.
Sports, past and present: Swimming, running, Shotokan Karate, American kickboxing, Muy Thai kickboxing, Concept2 rowing, aerobics, weight training, bike riding, hiking, sailing
Athletic accomplishments: My first 10 K race in college. Completing my first marathon on the rowing machine, completing 5MM lifetime on the rower. And being in the top 100 people (in terms of meters rowed for people who log them) this season on the Concept2 online Logbook. Last I checked, I was #59.
Little known fact about you: Once, when I was hosting a party, a professional photographer saw my photographs hanging in my house and complimented me. He wanted me to enter some of them in the photography show he was hosting.
Environmentally incorrect preference: Pre-packaged treats that are in the correct or small or single serving size so I am not tempted to eat more. And, I admit I like some frozen pre-packaged meals.
Guilty pleasure: Eating free cookie and cake samples at the local bakery café while I wait to order my healthy lunch/breakfast (fully leaded, if you know what I mean). I love Skinny Cow ice cream, but does that really count as a guilty pleasure?
Most embarrassing moment: Do I really have to share one?
Greatest triumph: Completing my first marathon on the rower. And going from a BMI of obese to athletic.
Favorite thing to do when not working or working out: Photography – taking pictures and editing them on Photoshop. And reading. And of course, spending time with my family.
Moment of Inspiration: I don’t know if I have a moment of inspiration, other than what I have already said. I did have a moment of disgust with myself in December 2009, when I finally said, “Enough!”
Favorite Quote: “Just do it!”
6 days a week, shooting for 13,000-15,000 meters/day on weekdays (3:30 am) and 21,000M on weekends (starting 5 am). Trying for a total of 100,000 M/week and 5Million Meters this season which ends April, 30 2011.