Good morning, friends!
Did everyone remember to set their clocks forward last night?! I was so confused and accidentally set my clock back by mistake! Good thing I didn’t have to be anywhere (like work) this morning at 4:00!! Actually, I slept awful last night and was awake at 3:30 anyways…..my allergies are SO BAD right now and I couldn’t breath at all last night. I finally pulled myself out of bed at 6:15 because I just couldn’t lay there in congestion misery anymore.
I ate a toasted kashi go lean strawberry flax waffle with almond butter—
And headed to the gym to make good use of my early morning. I’m trying to cross-train more these days to get my heart rate up and build my cardio endurance without running every day, which I know I can’t do because of my shin. So, this morning I hopped on the elliptical (ugh boring) for 30 sweaty minutes. Afterwards I did a little strength training (biceps and shoulders) and ended with abs. Does anyone have any cross-training advice?? I find the elliptical SO BORING!!!!! I try to bring magazines, books, ipod, blackberry….anything! But its still so boring and I find myself just zoning out. Plus, its really really hard for me to actually get my heart rate up there on it.
When I got back I pulled out the breakfast cookie I had assembled last night before bed and made a cup of english breakfast tea (with a spoonful of organic sugar)
This was pretty much the most delicious thing EVER because I totally covered it with sugary sweet strawberry shortcake strawberries!!!!! YUM!!!! The breakfast cookie itself was a combo of 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 scoop chocolate protein, 1 tbsp almond butter, 1/2 mashed banana and a splash of unsweetened vanilla hempmilk. I need to get more of this hempmilk asap but its not on sale anymore and is $4.50 for ONE BOX!!! Ridiculous. As much as I totally love it, my wallet does not and I guess I’ll have to go back to drinking silk light vanilla or skim once I finish this :(.
I’m headed inside to shower (I’m sitting outside on the steps totally hacking someone’s wireless right now) and then go to church.
Have a great morning!
NJrunnerGirl
March 8, 2009 at 6:36 amHi Jenna–
Heart rate question for you… what do try to keep your heart rate at when you’re running and/or cross-training? You’ve posted some running times lately of ~25 min, and I wondered what your heart rate is when you pace those miles…
joyful
March 8, 2009 at 6:51 amSince you slept so badly hopefully you’ll be nice and sleepy tonight and get a great night’s sleep for the work week π
VeggieGirl
March 8, 2009 at 6:51 amAhh sorry about the time-change mix-up – but yeah, I slept horribly too (which NEVER happens – blah).
Holy yum breakfast cookie you’ve got there!! π
Karen
March 8, 2009 at 6:52 amI know exactly what you mean about the elliptical… I find it boring too and I also have a hard time getting my heartrate up on there and I prefer to jog (outside or on the treadmill).
But when I do the ellpitical, I like to crank up the resistance and go to town with the arm things… that’s the only way I can get my heart rate up on there. But even then, I can’t stay on there for 40+ mins straight — too boring and my feet start bothering me.
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday
March 8, 2009 at 6:53 amJenna,
have you ever used a netti pot for your allergies? I work at a golf course and am allergic to grass so I suffer pretty bad during the spring, summer and fall. Last year, I had 8 simus infections before I was properly diagnosed and the netti pot saved me. I used it twice per day and as long as I am consistent, I stay free of symptoms and don’t have to take any meds.
K
March 8, 2009 at 7:04 amAh, that’s one thing about spring…allergies π
Love your strawberry topping on the breakfast cookie!
Leah
March 8, 2009 at 7:05 amI cannot stay on the elliptical for more than 10 minutes so you beat me. I really have a problem with cardio machines, I feel like a hamster on a wheel. However, I know I cannot run every day because obviously I would injure myself. So if I’m going to cross train I either take an intense hour long spin class, with an instructor that I know I will not get bored with, or I swim for 1.5 hours. I find these two activities far less boring than the elliptical, and far more effective as well, cardio-wise that is.
Megan
March 8, 2009 at 7:07 amI’m obsessed with breakfast cookies! They’re so delicious no matter how you make them! I also hate cross training because it’s SO boring! I try to crank out a 60 minute elliptical workout once a week but I get so bored! I try to switch it up by changing the resistance around or changing the incline of it, but it never really works. Sometimes I’ll switch machines every 15 minutes (elliptical for 15, bike for 15, row for 15) so that way by the time I get bored, it’s time to switch machines. Pool workouts are also better than ellipticalling! Aqua jogging is a great workout and definitely gets your heart rate up pretty quickly.. I love aqua jogging!
Amelia
March 8, 2009 at 7:10 amLooove breakfast cookie. They’re so easy to make too!
Haha I totally did the same thing with my alarm clock. I think I was out of it when I was going to sleep and kept thinking things would be pushed BACK. It wasn’t til I woke up this morning that I realized, nooo it’s forward! Thankfully I didn’t have anything scheduled for early! π
Michelle
March 8, 2009 at 7:11 amSince you like riding your bike, why not do that instead for cross-training? either outside or a spin bike at the gym? I can’t stand the elliptical and haven’t been on one in years. apart from running, for cardio I either swim, bike or do step aerobics (which probably wouldn’t be great on your shins right now). If you don’t like the bikes at the gym, you can get a fluid trainer which allows you to prop up the back wheel of your bike and provides resistance. I ride mine in the winter in our garage because we have too much snow outside. Sometimes I watch Buffy (for motivation) or if my boyfriend is riding his as well, it might be a hockey game (less motivation).
check out http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Fluid-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT7HWY for a picture of what it looks like.
Jenny
March 8, 2009 at 7:17 amSorry you didn’t sleep well, but at least you took advantage and hit the gym!
I can’t run AT ALL right now, because of some knee discomfort I’ve been experiencing, and I’ve found what pretty much works for me is splitting the workout between machines…25 minute elliptical, 25 minutes bike, or something like that. Good luck!
Matt
March 8, 2009 at 7:32 amTo make your cross training interesting, try doing some intervals with speed and resistance. Also, try mixing up the machines- elliptical, bike, stair master, ect…
Have a great day!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
March 8, 2009 at 7:32 amDelicious looking breakfast cookie!! Have a great Sunday!
FoodsThatFit
March 8, 2009 at 7:33 amLast year I spent a lot of time on the elliptical b/c I couldn’t run d/t some knee issues. I found that doing interval.pyramid training really helped to increase my heart rate and keep me from getting bored. I am not sure exactly what type of elliptical you use, but the one at my gym ranged from level 1-20. On the intervals at level 18-20, I try to really push it and go as hard as I can. Here is one of the workouts:
5 minute warmup at level 14.
4 minutes @ level 18-20. (I try to really push it on these)
1 minute slow/recovery @ level 14
3 minute @ level 18-20 (going fast as you can)
1 minute slow/recovery @ level 14
2 min @ level 18-20 (fast)
1 min slow @ level 14
1 minute fast @ level 18-20
2 minute slow @ 14.
This is a 20 minute workout. On days I was feeling good I would repeat it. I found 4-5 minutes was the max I could do really pushing it at level 18-20, more than that I would lose focus and energy to keep going hard.
The hard intervals really raise your heartrate and the short recovery minutes allow you to have enough time to rest and recover, but not too much, so your heartrate will jump right up again when you go back to the hard intervals.
Hope this helps!
fitforfree
March 8, 2009 at 7:36 amI like putting the elliptical on a SUPER high setting and then going verrry slowly (like a slow burn bike ride at a high gear) βΒ my muscles (and heart rate) always feel it!
Heather
March 8, 2009 at 7:39 amHave you tried incline training? It still uses the treadmill but I’ve been doing it a lot and love it. Basically walking (alternating between 3.2 and 4.0) at a really high incline, playing around and doing intervals. Love it! Also, what about the rowing machine?! I just recently learned if you hate and/or find something boring then you shouldn’t do it! I like the elliptical but I only do 10-15 minutes then switch it up with incline training, biking and rowing. I get bored really easily at the gym (which really I think is ADD) so I can’t stay in one place for too long.
Red Head, Yellow Dog
March 8, 2009 at 7:45 amthat breakfast cookie looks great! I still need to try one of those.
Didn’t you really enjoy spinning?? that would be a great way to build up cardio endurance!
Moran
March 8, 2009 at 7:51 amHi Jenna!!!
I was injured for the past two months and had to use ONLY the elliptical, cardiowave and stepmaster for cardio. I KNOW it is SO frustrating, but I actually learned to love it since I was on it non-stop. What really helped was the fact that I had my iPhone with me and I could put my favourite shows on….this way, I also saved time at home since I just watched them at the gym π
Also, make your favourite playlist of the songs that really get you moving!
The routine should vary…like say 15 minutes on the elliptical and then 15 on another machine. And then break it down into section, like two minutes forward, two minutes back; using handles and then without handles….
Lacey
March 8, 2009 at 7:53 amyou like spinning, right? does your gym offer classes? that is the best way to really get a cardio work out comparable to running. you could also try new things to shock your body like rowing or jump roping intervals or stair climbing!
jenna
March 8, 2009 at 8:07 amLacey & Red Head, Yellow Dog,
I LOVED spinning!!! Unfortunately ALL the spinning classes are either at morning when I’m at work or in the late evening when I’m asleep. π I wish I could go to them!!!!!
Beadie,
I own one but I am scared of it! I tried it once and the salt water went down the back of my throat and I almost threw up! haha
Njrunner,
Well that is the issue. I don’t really even know! I have a Polar f4 but I think it is wrong…yesterday in my run it said that my average hr was 191 and my max was 203 but doesn’t that seem really high to you??? I don’t know how to set it properly…do you have any words of wisdom?
Haleigh
March 8, 2009 at 7:57 amThat breakfast cookie looks delicious with those strawberries. Sorry, you didn’t sleep well. I have problems sleeping sometimes too and it just makes for a not so fun day the next day, hope your Sunday goes well though! Best Wishes!
Shelby
March 8, 2009 at 8:04 amI forgot to set it forward and ended up sleeping in! I was so excited because this never ever happens.
Good thing you had that decadent breakfast to make up for the lack of sleep!
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
March 8, 2009 at 8:33 amYUM BREAKFAST COOKIE!!!!! Sorry you didn’t sleep…that’s the worst! Are you taking anything for your allergies?
kristi
March 8, 2009 at 8:40 amYum on the breakfast cookie! And I’m with you on the whole elliptical=boring thing. I can’t stay on that thing for more than 10 minutes. I would much rather go out for a ride ride instead..but I need to actually get a bike first!!
Hope you sleep better tonight!
Becca A
March 8, 2009 at 8:53 amI find the elliptical boring too and hard to get my heart rate up without feeling like dying but what I usually do is at the 5 minute marks really push it for about a minute. It gets my heart rate up and it starts to come down about the time the next “burst” is due.
RunToFinish
March 8, 2009 at 8:54 amcross training since I can’t run as much is a challenge for me too.. i want to be outside!! I’m trying to do some stationary bike, some eliptical, weights, looooots of yoga which I previously hated but have found to be a very good workout…and walking a lot.
Organic Girl aka AshleyH
March 8, 2009 at 8:58 amYeah I have a couple friends who swear by the neetie pot. Maybe you should give it another go.
As for the eliptical we have tvs at my gym so that basically amuses me or the magazine trick usually works for me but maybe you should try bursts of cardio on the machine they always talk about this in magazines like shape and self it is supposed to burn more calories and be better for your heart anyways. Maybe you could find some different workouts on their websites.
Emily
March 8, 2009 at 9:15 amGood thing my phone (also my alarm) adjusts for me automatically!
I echo what everyone else has said above: intervals!
jen
March 8, 2009 at 9:16 ami have to recommend the netti pot also! i used to have the WORST allergies (took prescription meds everyday plus 2 different nose sprays twice a day for years and years), and once i started using the netti pot at night before bed, in combination with drastically cutting down on the amount of dairy i eat (dairy increases mucus production), my allergies are nonexistent! it’s really amazing!
Lauren
March 8, 2009 at 9:30 amHey Jenna – Not sure if they have this machine at your gym, but I love the Precor AMT 100i (an elliptical-step machine hybrid). I alternate between ellipticizing and stepping at level 10, and after about 20 minutes or so my heart rate is between 175-180!
This link shows what it looks like: http://www.precor.com/comm/en/amt/amt100i
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
March 8, 2009 at 9:40 amAwesome strawberry shortcookie!
I don’t have any great cross training advice, I’m pretty content with my iPod, some magazines and the remote.
Sarah (now in FL)
March 8, 2009 at 9:48 amI recommend bringing a friend. One who is named Sarah!
Kailey (SnackFace)
March 8, 2009 at 10:18 amBeautiful breakfast cookie! Sorry about the allergy-induced sleepless night! At least you were productive and worked out instead! I have no advice for cross training, sorry. I am an elliptical gal, so an iPod and magazine always work for me.
Trish (girlatgym)
March 8, 2009 at 10:33 amI also love the netti pot. As for the training – intervals, switching between different machines so you aren’t on the same one for too long, workout dvd’s.
Sally
March 8, 2009 at 10:38 amI use the elliptical a few times a week to do cardio sprints/intervals and I find that the pace changes too frequently to get bored! Here is my workout:
Warmup for 5 minutes (I use level 7, incline 8, about 140 rpm)
Sprint for 20 seconds (I use level 10, about 240 rpm)
Recover for 40 seconds (I use level 7, about 140 rpm)
Repeat the sprint/recover cycle 8 times
Switch to pedaling backwards
Squat down and speed up for 20 seconds to really work your glutes (I use level 7, about 200 rpm)
Stand up and continue to pedal backwards for 40 seconds (Level 7, 130-140 rpm)
Repeat the squat/upright cycle 5 times
Cool down for a few minutes
The whole thing takes about 20 minutes and really gets me sweating!
Sharon
March 8, 2009 at 10:49 amSorry about last night, but LOVE your eats!
Kristen
March 8, 2009 at 11:28 amI’ve been starting to read your blog the last little while, and have to say, I absolutely LOVE IT! For cross-training, I like to experiment with intervals and for running I like Fartlek training. I’ve also experimented with the rower + cross-country ski machine. Sometimes I’ll bike to the riverbank, run around the river, then bike back home. Lol, this works pretty nice, too.
For your Hemp Milk, you could look into making your own. You can take the hemp seeds and blend them up with water (there’s recipes all over the net), + I’m pretty sure it would turn out similiar. I’ve tried making almond milk this way, and it tastes delicious!
Nicole
March 8, 2009 at 11:47 amIf you really love drinking hempmilk, you could consider making your own! Go to Manitoba Harvest or another bulk vendor of hempseeds and hemp butter. For instant hempmilk put a few tablespoons of hempbutter or hemp seed (will be more grainy..not as smooth) into your blender with some water… it will keep for a few days, but is super easy to make and delicious! You can always add in some honey, agave, vanilla extract, cinnamon, almond extract… etc… Yum!
Hallie
March 8, 2009 at 11:47 amTry the stair master? That always gets my heart rate up faster than the elliptical. Would that hurt your shins? As far as it not being boring, I agree that splitting up the time between machines will help, but the best thing for me is a good magazine! My gym has magazines but they’ve been lacking in quality so I may need to suck it up and buy some at costco today (where magazines are cheaper than at the grocery store!)
Pam
March 8, 2009 at 12:01 pmHi Jenna,
I am currently a fitness instructor, and from my experience the most effective low impact cardio workout is spin. I know above you said you cannot make it to the spin classes your gym offers, so I have outlined some drills here for you to try if you want. I find I dont get bored because you are always changing your resistance, or your position on the bike. If you still want to stick with using the elliptical, then interval training as mentioned above is effective, or you can try doing short, high intensity sprints for a few minutes and then do a set of weights and go back. Although that gets annoying – having to get on and off the machine.
Flat Road : resistance is low but you still have to work to cycle. 30 sec
Sprint: 30 sec
Standing climb: Increase resistance to 70% climb. Stand. 30 sec
Seated climb: donβt touch resistance, climb seated. 30 sec
Hover: increase resistance to 85%. No weight in handle bars. Back is flat. 30 sec.
Repeat : with 45 sec for each, then 1 min, 1.5 min, then come down the pyramid back to 30 sec,
Recover 2 min.
Sprints:
Flat Road 15 sec, sprint 30 sec. Repeat 5 times
Flat Road 10 sec, sprint 45 sec. Repeat 5 times
Sprint 1 min to the end.
Recover 2 min.
One Leg Climb:
Add about 60% tension β both legs cycle 30 sec
Right leg only β 30 sec, then left leg only β 30 sec
Add tension β both legs 45 sec. Right leg only β 45 sec, then left leg only β 45 sec
Add tension β 1 min both legs. Right leg only β 1 min, then left leg only β 1 min
Add tension β 1.5 min both legs. Right leg only 1.5 min, then left leg only 1.5 min
Here you can either release tension and go downhill, or go back down the pyramid like in the first drill.
sorry for the extremely long post!
Barbara
March 8, 2009 at 12:40 pmHey Jenna:)
They say it’s best to bust out weights before cardio because cardio tires a person hence you can’t lift as much.
My cross train goes like this:
M-30 min of sprint intervals
T-Upper body and spin
W-Lower body and maybe 20 min of stairs
Thur-Sprint intervals
Fri-rest or long lite walk
Sat-Upper Body-spin
Sun-long run(6-9) miles?
Swimming is a fantastic thing to add for cross training. Good lcuk girl!
B
runjess
March 8, 2009 at 12:52 pmI’ve been stuck on the elliptical all week because of an injury. It’s incredibly boring, even with a magazine and Ipod. You can try doing intervals, like one minute hard followed by one minute easy, to make the time go a little faster.
Run Saraaah
March 8, 2009 at 12:54 pmI like swimming as cross-training, although it is a bit harder to get your heart rate up there because you are horizontal! I get awful spring allergies too, but they havent started yet this season…not looking forward to them!
Danielle
March 8, 2009 at 1:43 pmMy allergies are awful as well, I use a netti pot to relieve some of the allergy symptoms, works wonders and it’s natural, maybe you should try that?
Kristin
March 8, 2009 at 2:11 pmCycling is the perfect accompaniment to running for me. I’d recommend you skip the gym and just hop on your bike, it’s much more entertaining to be out in the world with things to look at than standing on a machine.
Julia
March 8, 2009 at 2:55 pmI hate the elliptical too; i find it mind numbingly boring. So what I do to cross train is 10 to 15 minutes on each cardio machine. (Elliptical, rowing, bike, stair master, even walking on an incline) Knowing its only ten minutes makes it SOOOOOO much better! then in between each cardio machine, or each set, I do some strength training, and hit up the cardio again. It’s really fun way to keep your heart rate up and not run!