Girl Power Playlist

Music is so powerful.  When I blast some kickin’ tunes during the day, the girls and I can’t help but MOVE with the energy of the music.  Countless times, just the right song has made all the difference for me in a critical “throw-in-the-towel” moment during a tough workout. 

I have been having so much fun lately making playlists from my library of music and recent song downloads.  I’ve been grouping them according to mood, mostly.  Some examples:  Ultimate Feel-Good, Anger Management, Brooding, etc.

Music is also very personal.  I choose some songs for their powerful message, some for the memories they conjure, and some simply because they just plain ROCK!  I consider myself quite eclectic in my taste and find songs in almost every genre that motivate me.

In my opinion, this Girl Power playlist is just what you need to rouse your kick-arse mojo… whether it’s for a killer workout or just a killer bathtub scrubbin’!

GIRL POWER!



Girls Rule, Boys Drool!



Wind It Up – Gwen Stefani

Trouble – Pink

Black Cat – Janet Jackson

Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar

Maneater – Nelly Furtado

Fighter – Christina Aguilera

Bang bang bang – Christina Perri

Bulletproof – La Roux

California Gurls – Katy Perry

Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Would I Lie To You? – Eurythmics

Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne

Raise Your Glass – Pink

Rich Girl – Eve; Gwen Stefani

Your Love Is My Drug – Ke$ha

Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna

Heart and Soul – T’Pau

Note:  I’m a good girl (excuse me while I adjust my halo… there) and prefer my music cleaned-up.  I download most of my songs from walmart.com because they usually have an edited version of the edgy songs.

Memories From Workouts Past



Z getting an early start at 1-arm pushups on the Bosu

 At this time of year when many of us recall memories from Christmases past, I recently ran across several pictures that brought up memories of my favorite workouts past.  All of them include working out with my girls and, although they may not have been my BEST workouts in terms of difficulty or intensity, they are my favorites because exercising with my daughters always makes it seem more like play than like work.
 
Why park your car in the garage when you can use it as a gym!?

Not too bad with one little butterball.



A little tougher with two!



Our princess in boxing gloves



The champ!

Our back yard is tiny, but plenty big for our workouts.


Yes, that's an ab wheel that she's running all around the back yard with...
and enjoying it immensely!



We've gotten so much use out of our mini-tramp, it's ridiculous...
and it's about had it!



Donkey calf raises with my little burro



Boofy (name of her dog) calf raises

 And the park is our big outdoor gymnasium!


See what I mean by fun!?



What a great workout!

 My home workouts with the girls really do kick my butt.  Not 100% of the time like I want, but close to it.  I usually will do them circuit-style with high intensity bursts of various exercises while the girls are preoccupied with their own activities and consider it a rest interval when I have to stop briefly to refill sippies or help them in the potty.

May there be many more wonderful Christmases workouts next!

A Shot In The Arm

I feel like I just got a shot of Pep-Up in my system!  Aside to family:  remember when Dad would mix up that nasty drink in the blender?  Yuck!

My Mom-in-law will have a hard time believing this, but she inspired me on the fitness front!  I was so proud of her when she told me that she worked out a few days ago (she's been wanting to do this regularly for a while).  She took my advice and kept it uncomplicated to start.  She simply went up and down the stairs in her house about 10 times until she was winded and felt her muscles start to cramp.  I love it!  Her workout was unfussy yet effective for her and the big deal is she DID it!  Now keep the ball rolling, Mom!

The fact that she DID something is what inspired me the most because I myself have been doing NOTHING lately for workouts and eating EVERYTHING for energy consumption (a softer way to say "pigging-out").  Yeah, bovine-inspired eating does not pair well with sloth-inspired behavior.



See, we do have beautiful fall days in Vegas...
They just happen in December.



She told me this on Wednesday so that night I did 10 or so squats in the shower.  Woot woot.  But then I almost slipped so that ended that.  On Thursday K came through and got us out hiking at Red Rock Canyon that afternoon.  I even did some trail running.  Not something I planned on, but it was forced upon me by the girls:  they INSISTED that we run up the rocky trails at regular intervals.  We've created monsters!

And then this glorious desert winter morning we got out to the park and biked and ran and played and had a blast.  My upward spiral is starting again.  And I've had so much more energy from the workouts despite fighting a cold and getting to bed too late.

My recommendation to those that might also be lagging:  Do something - anything - and it will start that positive momentum.