The dreaded treadmill? **workout included

I secretly hope that before the end of 2013 I write 10 posts about fitness.  This is post 1.  I want to return, somewhat, to why this blog was formed....running and fitness.  Will all 10 posts happen?  Maybe.This is only happening b/c my son is asleep and my husband isn't home and I'm too stubborn to lie down even when I've been up since 4:45 am.  Here goes....

I have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill.  I feel like we all should.  Consequently, I also have a love/hate with my gym.  It does the job (since the other location burned to the ground - no foul play though) but with running outside this summer or early morning and being able to lift (limited equipment) at school, I just haven't made it.  It's an extra 10 min drive there and back I don't have anymore.  Ok, back to the treadmill.

I love running outside.  Literally, I would always rather run outside.  I've ran in below zero temps and when the heat index is over 100.  Doesn't matter.  The wind, trails, neighborhoods, new routes, fresh air, etc.  Now, getting to take Liam and show him the world is an added bonus.  However, there are days and if you run, you've been there.  The days when it is pouring down rain and you HAVE to get run.  I have run in pouring down rain but it's not my favorite.  And I end up being soaked.  Not cool.  There have been a few key times when I HAD to use the treadmill.  I had a half marathon coming up or I just had the running bug and would not relax until I got the run on my plate for the day.

Believe me, I'm a glutton for punishment.  I once ran 9 miles....around a track....at 5 am....30 degrees out.  BORING.  Dumb move.  I've also ran when it was "a little" icy which really means I was skating around Belleville.  But now that I'm older and have a kid, I feel I should be a little more responsible.  So when a storm is coming, I hit the treadmill.

Here's why I hate it.  First of all, it's bad on your knees, legs, etc.  It is not accurate to real running/walking and in fact, propels you in such a way that changes your gait.  This could cause more damage in the long run.  It also overestimates how many calories you are burning.  If you think any cardio machine in the gym is right, take off at least 10%, probably closer to 20% and that is what you are actually burning.  Even if I have a TV to watch or magazine to read, (yes, I read while bouncing around) I am still staring at that dumb track with the red blinking light going around and around and slowly watching my mileage and time go up.  I become obsessive and play mind games like, "Okay, I'll wait two more songs and then I'll probably have run 3 miles".  Side note, it's always like half a lap.  Yet again, somedays you have to shut up and hit the road....I mean conveyer belt.

Here's why I love the treadmilll....It is there when I have  no other choice but to get a run in.  And certain routes I have mapped out in town don't have much incline or I can tell I'm not going as fast as I could go. The treadmill is great for playing with incline and speed.  I hated driving to the gym a few mornings back to run just 30 min, but after getting there and getting started, I realized I do like changing it up.  It's great for 15-20 min sprints, 30 min long runs, etc.  But I will never run 9 miles on the treadmill again (yeah I've done that too).

Here's a sample workout to try sometime if you love hate the treadmill like me:

Warm-up - 5 min - 5.0-6.0 mph (depending on fitness level. 6.0 mph is approx 10 min/mile)

3 min (min 5-8) - 1% incline - 6.0 mph
2 min (Min 8-10) - 0% incline - 6.2 mph
3 min (Min 10-13) - 2% incline - 6.2 mph
2 min (Min 13-15) - 0% incline - 6.4 mph
3 min (min 15-18) - 2.5% incline - 6.4 mph
2 min (min 18-20)- 0% incline - 6.6 mph
2 min (min 20-22) - 0-1% incline - 7.0 mph
3 min (min 22-25) - 0% incline - 3.0-4.0 mph

**So pretty much you are increasing the incline, then the speed.  Each time the incline goes up, the speed stays the same.  The point is that you do not increase speed and incline at the same time.  Do it in timed intervals so you aren't dying!  Then all out sprint to finish and a 3 min cool-down.  Mix it up and try different things, but push yourself!  You know your limits and I bet you could go10 more seconds if you gave it your all. =)

Happy Running!

DIY - Liam's Halloween Costume!

Okay, I love to craft but that becomes difficult since I can't really sew.  I understand the basics, but do it so infrequently, that I needed to make something that required little to no sewing.  I plan on making his costumes as much as I can unless he falls in love with some intricately clothed character.  But for his 1st Halloween, I WAS NOT going to buy anything. I had a monkey and pumpkin costume from a rummage sale, but still wanted to make something.  So he became Superhero Liam!  Here's how I did it and how much it cost....

Materials 
Plain t-shirt for cape - Hobby Lobby - $2.09
Plain white long sleeved onesie - Babies R Us - pack of 3 - $9.00 (divided by 3 = $3) (if you just had one this would be free)
Gold fabric glitter glue - Purchased last year at Jo Anns - free
Craft Fuse/Lite EZ Steam - $3.40-$3.99 - Jo Anns (I bought 2 different things b/c I wasn't sure I got the right thing the first time.  Turns out it was but I had difficulties using one of them)
Red pants - already owned - free
Fabric for letter - Rummage sale remnant fabric ( I bought a bunch of stuff and only paid $3 so probably $.75?)

Total -  $9-10

Here are my materials

First thing I did was use the fabric to cute out my "L".  I did it free hand and just used my straight edge for the long side.  It took me way too long.  And I may have had a few L's lying around

This part was ridiculous.  It took me way too long and too many trials b/c I didn't peel off the last layer.  I ended up calling my friend Robin and she helped/sewed the L on.  Again, sewing is not my forte!

I actually did the L right but struggled to remember what I had done to get it to stay. 

I missed a few pics in there but I ironed on'd and sewed the belt and added a glitter belt.  It got sort of globby so I spread it with a toothpick.  I put a piece of cardboard in between the shirt when I did the lightening bolt.  I did it free hand and filled it in.  It is very thick and sticky but it works.

It only needed a night to dry and I finished it up the night before my Halloween race so Liam could match me!  I cute the sleeves off the t-shirt and there you have a cape.  *Note, this t-shirt was a size 2T but Liam has a big head so glad I went big!

The finished product on!

He was sick this morning so please excuse him but it turned out perfect!

Sorry this is flipped, but this was Halloween.  In the 2 weeks between my race and Halloween, the onesie barely snapped so go up a size if you ever create with a onesie.

Happy Crafting!!!

Liam - months 5, 6, 7

I have been soooooo far behind on my updates of little man.  He is growing so fast and getting more and fun by the day.  Much has happened these last 3 months.  I'll try to sum it up as best as I can...

*New look* - his reverse soul-patch fell out and now he has blonde spikey, fuzzy hair.  Everyone just "has" to run their hands through it.

*New weight* - At 5 months he was 16 lbs 1 oz and 27 inches long.  At 6 months - 17 lbs 9 1/2 oz.  At 7 months - 17 lbs 12 oz.  (these were only a week apart b/c our 6 month appointment is delayed and he was sick

*First "real" sickness* - 10/14 - Liam had a low grade fever, puffy eyes, snotty nose, goopy eyes and an mild ear infection.  We treated it holistically and bounced back very well.  It was a very mild ear infection b/c he slept better than he's ever slept before. 

*First time sitting up unassisted* - 10/8 - He still wobbles but he gets stronger every day.  He loves grabbing at things and if he falls, he doesn't cry so much.  (note to self....baby proof soon!)

*First foods* - He has tried oatmeal, rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, avocado, and pear.  He loves his squash and pears.  He tolerates green beans and will eat them without being forced if he's starving.  Still drinking 5, 6 oz bottles a day.

*First fun holiday* - I made Liam's costume of a superhero and he wore it so well (post coming)! We went to our friends Robin and Layne's house and went around with their little girls to get candy. I, of course, dressed up too so I really loaded up on candy thanks to Liam's cuteness.

*First thing I'm not a fan of* - I posted this previously but he now drops things just to see if we'll get it.  This game will only get worse.

*Favorite toys/gadgets* - Jumper/bouncer, frog puppet, orange monkey, baby mirror, anything that rattles, shakes, vibrates, bath time ( now that he gets what a toy is in there)

*Newest new* - Liam will wake in the morning, get on his hands and knees and rock himself to the back of the crib and then get his legs stuck.  It's adorable and reminds me that crawling is on its way.

Size - 9 month sleepers; 6-12 month clothes; shoe size - 3-4; diapers - size 3 (his legs are too skinny for 4's)

*Best mommy moment* - He started giving me kisses when I say, "Liam, kisses for mommy?" and try to kiss him.  He comes in open mouth and it is so slobbery, but it is the absolute best!  

He is at such a fun stage.  I could do without the constant runny nose (it seems), coughing, soaking through his diaper nearly every night, and when he is sick.  But he is so fun, belly laughing, kisses, and rolling around.  We're starting to feed him 3x a day and he's taking it pretty well.  I'm also starting some sign language with him.  I think he'll get mommy and daddy first.  Every time I show him a picture of us and do the sign, he looks at me and then at the picture.  Fingers crossed!  He enjoys sitting up and seeing the world differently.  He loves faces, seeing dogs (he cracks up) and toys that blink.  I've also been barking like a dog recently and he laughs so hard.  Don't ask me why I was experiencing with that, but hey, anything to get my son to laugh! 

Hopefully I'm not 3 months behind next time I post!