Last Long Run! Can I get a woot woot?

I realized something today...Well, I guess I already knew this, but there is something about running and the combination of awesome music that makes me so very happy. The same goes with a great spinning class, awesome kick boxing class, or whatever else...I just love great tunes.

I am always looking for new good songs, and I love when people give me tips on new music. My friend Whit told me to listen to The Gym Class Heroes Song, The Fighter. She nailed it.

Oh my goooodness. I love it. I listened to it on repeat for the last few miles of my run. It kept me pumped! You mark my words...this song will be played during the Olympics. It is one of those. It is AWESOME. If you are needing a song to pump yourself up this is definitely a good one!

I did my last long run until my marathon! I kinda can't believe it. I had a twelve mile run today, and it went really well! I felt great and nothing hurt while I was running. I am having my same back/rib issues that I have been having all along, but I hope that I can manage without too much pain there! Let's get this marathon OVER with baby!

Don't worry...this song will be included in my mix giveaway that will go up tomorrow! It's awesome.
I hope your Friday is awesome! xoxoxo megs

Dear Thursday...

Dear Thursday...
I like you. I like you because you are real close to Friday, which I LOVE. Sorry if that offends you, but it is no secret that Fridays hold a special place in my heart. Always have always will.

Tomorrow I will do my LAST long run, 12 miles, before the big race on June 9th. How crazy is that? I feel as if I have been training for 800 years, and I'm ready to get this elephant out of the room if you know what I mean.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Awesome. Although I wish I was going to be lying on Duck Beach in the Outer Banks all week long like last year, I will have to find something else that is fun and fabulous to do.

Thanks Thursday, for helping me find some extra time to clean my house today...much needed. Isn't having a clean house just about the best feeling in the world? Aside from finishing a tough and awesome workout, I think so. Speaking of working out and cleaning...did you know that you can burn an extra 200-300 calories cleaning, per hour? I'll take that. 

Today's workout was killer. Box jumps, squats, pull ups, push ups, bicep curls, and lunges. I loved it. 

Tuesday history was made...My dad came into The Lab and worked out with me! This is the first time EVER that this has happened! I loved it...and I hope he did too. He's coming back in today for round two, and I can't wait. He's going to be coming in twice a week now. I loooove this. He was an athlete all growing up, and he has always been pretty active, BUT we're getting him hooked up with some sweet strength training. 

The sun is shining, and I LOVE that too. :)

Anyways...Thursday, you've been good to me. 

Yours Truly...

Megan

How has YOUR Thursday been? Do your parents/family members work out?

Wednesday Workout: Get Your Circuit On!

It is no secret that I love a good circuit workout. In fact, I am STOKED to get this marathon over with so I can get back to my circuit loving self. I know a lot of you have come to love the circuit as well...so without further ado...Wednesday's workout.

Warm up 5-10 minutes (walking/jogging/elliptical)

Set #1
15 burpees with a push up and a jump
1 minute plank hold
20 quick air squats (these are just regular squats with no weights)
**repeat 3 times**

Set #2
15 squat curl presses w/DB
15 pushups
40 slow mountain climbers
**repeat 3 times**



Set #3
15 kettle bell swings (this can be done holding a single dumbbell as well)
20 jump squats
15 narrow push ups (with arms right by your sides targeting your triceps)

**repeat 3 times**


Finish with a ten minute bout of cardio of your choice at full exertion (AKA really push it!)

There you have it!! Now go and get your circuit on!

Product Review: New York Naturals Kale Chips

I have wanted to try making Kale Chips forEVER. I have had so many people tell me that they are a great snack alternative, and they are jam packed full of a bazillion nutrients. Well, do you know what is better than having to make Kale Chips yourself? Having an awesome company like New York Naturals send you some.

 

These kale chips are seriously tasty. They are definitely VERY flavorful. The flavors they sent me were Bombay Ranch, Spicy Miso, Sea Salt, and Vegan Cheese. 

 My favorite flavors were the Bombay Ranch and the Sea Salt, but they were all delicious.

 Each of these delightful little chips is dried and seasoned with all natural ingredients. The nutritional facts are fabulous as well. New York Naturals uses nutritional yeast, which gives an awesome flavor and adds some protein too!

These awesome kale chips are the perfect snack if you are looking to cut back on your carbohydrates, and you are still needing some healthy snacks. You'll love them!


Have you ever tried New York Naturals kale chips? Have you ever made your own kale chips? I have a feeling my version would be sub par after trying out these tasty delights!

So This is Funny...

I have been meaning to post this since, I went home to Arizona a few weeks ago because I think it is so funny. My sister's husband some how inherited this piece of equipment called, "The Rom." It is an exercise machine that is supposed to get you fit by working out 4 minutes a day. My sister always jokes about how ridiculous she thinks it is, and we have had quite a few laughs over it. Now, you should know that my sister's husband has run a few full marathons, half marathons, and has done some triathalons as well. He watches what he eats, and he is in great shape...but we think it's so funny that he thinks this machine is going to do much for him. It has been in there garage for like a year, and I think it looks like the Wonkamobile that Willy Wonka rides in the movie. You tell me what you think? 

The ROM

 

The Wonkamobile

 (Image Source)

Hard to tell the two apart right? 

So...after my sis and I had, yet another, good laugh about The ROM...and the fact that it costs $14,615 plus $185 crating. WHAT?!?!? I happened to be getting a pedicure, and flipping through Fitness Magazine, and lo and behold...look what was being advertised...

You guessed it...The good ole' ROM. I mean why would you want to spend an hour when you can get a workout in four minutes? Hahaha...I'm sorry if you are currently reading this while burning some major calories on your own personal ROM, but I may just have to advise you to get your money back, or see if they are looking for some equipment for the next Willy Wanka Movie?

Moral of the story folks...the best way to get in shape, lose weight, and feel great is through REAL hard work and effort. If it could be done in 4 minutes...wouldn't we all look phenomenal? Just a thought. It's hard to say if I like this as much as I like the shake weight, or the miraculous weight loss girdle that you simply wear all day, and the pounds "melt away." Don't fall for it peeps. Please. Don't. Fall.


What is your favorite infomerical/health gimmick? Have you ever seen or tried the ROM? Do you like the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as much as I do?

Product Review: Skinny Pop

I have a LOT of people ask me about good snacks. One think I always suggest to my clients is air popped popcorn. It is light, filling, SO low calorie, and it takes some time/work to eat. The two things I don't like about air popped popcorn are
1) It makes your whole house smell like popcorn
2) the kernels (or grannies as my family calls them) I have no idea why.

The people from Skinny Pop sent me a giant box of their popcorn to try. I kid you not, this stuff is UNREAL. Now, I know some of you are trying to follow the Paleo way of eating that I have been following. This snack is not Paleo approved. However, I know that the majority of you aren't trying to eat that way, and I am looking out for you too!! I promise this stuff is going to change your life. It is SO SO SO SO SO good. Are you sensing my enthusiasm?
Skinny Pop takes air popped popcorn to the next level. It is simply popcorn, a little bit of sunflower oil, and sea salt. I'm telling you, it is BOMB. Oh...and it's already made for you with NO unpopped kernels which also means your house/office will not smell like popcorn for the next week.

I gave some to my mom, dad, sister, and roommate to try and they all loved it. Devoured may be a better word. My sister and I both said that we felt like we could take this to a movie and feel totally satisfied with our own popcorn, and not worry about missing out on the movie theater popcorn at all. You can have one cup for only 39 calories which is amazing. Just for a frame of reference...a large movie theater popcorn has around 1,200 calories and 60 grams of SATURATED fat. Gross.

The other great thing about this fabulous snack is you can use THIS finder tool on their website to find the store closest to you that carries Skinny Pop.When I was home in Arizona last week my mom and I used it, found her some, and stocked her up. If you like popcorn, you will love this stuff, and you will not feel one ounce bad about munching on it. TASTY!! 

Do you like popcorn? Have you tried Skinny Pop? Are you a movie theater popcorn eater?

Fit Facts Friday

Happy Friday! I hope your day has been amazing. I did my twenty miler today, and it went really well! I set out to do it outside, and there was a lot of fickle rain going on. I am a bit of a weather/running snob, so I opted to start inside with hopes that the weather might clear up, and I could take it to the streets. The weather did no such thing, and it was 20 miles on the treadmill. I can promise you that a LOT of people came and went beside me while I entertained myself with just about anything I could think of. Television, music, people watching, etc. I was more than stoked when it was over, but it really did go well. My back/rib is pretty dang sore as the day goes on, but I have iced it and hopefully that will help! Here's to tapering. Let me tell you...I love a good taper.

Because it's Friday...here are is some fun fitness factual food for thought. That was a lot of f's...

- Each muscle fiber in your body is thinner than a hair, but can support more than 1,000 times it's own weight. That is pretty dang amazing, and goes to show that we underestimate our potential strength.

- Between the time you are born and the time you die, you will walk about 70,000 miles.

- Oreo's are the best selling cookie in the world. For just three Oreo's you'll be taking in about 7 grams of fat and 160 calories. You should just eat some Low Fat Zuchinni Cookies instead. 

Serving size: About 3 cookies

Fat: 7 grams

Calories: 160 (about 50 calories per Oreo)

Read more: http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_150/152_eating_well.html#ixzz1vHNcx5n4

- Fauja Singh is the oldest person to complete a marathon, doing so at age 100. He completed the Toronto marathon in eight hours, 25 minutes, and 16 seconds. What's even cooler...he took up running at age 89, and trained for his race by running 10 miles a day. No more excuses about being too old to do something!

- Usain Bolt is currently the fastest man in the world, holding the world record of a 9.58 100 meter sprint.

(Image Source)

- The United States has won more medals (2,189) at the Summer Games than any other country. AWESOME. I am obsessed with the Olympics. I will cry a minimum of 5 times while watching the games in London this summer. I just LOVE watching people who push themselves and achieve such incredible things. 

-Bananas are not only tasty, but they are also a natural antacid. They can soothe heartburn and gastric distress.

- The worst "Healthy" smoothie in America comes from The Smoothie King You may want to avoid the Smoothie King Skinny Cranberry Supreme (40 oz) with 908 calories it has 146 grams of sugar. YIKES. 

I hope your weekend is full of fun! Do you love the Olympics as much as I do? I seriously am STOKED for them. I will probably watch more TV during the Olympics than during the rest of the year combined! Do you like Oreo's? I feel like there are better cookies out there... just saying...