My Workout Tools

There are a few things I need when I go on a good run...When I am lifting weights or doing yoga or something else, I am usually using a DVD...so I don't need these things so much.

1. My Garmin Watch & Heart Rate Monitor
I have wanted one of these gadgets for years! I finally got one for Christmas.
What I love about it is that it uses my heart rate to accurately track how many calories I am burning. It uses GPS technology to tell me how fast and how far my runs are. Then when I get home, I can upload the information to my garmin account, and see my progress. There is so much this little thing can do.  It is a handy little gadget- there is a learning curve to using it- but it is worth learning!

2. My IPOD. I had the one of the newer nano IPod's until my 2 year old broke the screen on it. So I resorted to using my old one. Who cares- all I need is my songs! My tunes. Mostly I run to popular dance type music- it really doesn't matter what you run to- as long as it motivates you! One of my favorite songs right now: Stronger-by Kelly Clarkson- a perfect running song. If I am running with a friend I don't take my Ipod but I always take it by myself. I also use it when I run intervals on my treadmill.

3. WATER- I recently read a study that was done on running. It claimed that women who ran with something cold in their hands run longer and further and lost more weight. Sounded kind of weird, but I run with a plastic water bottle in my hand all the time. I have thought of using my Camelback or getting a fuel belt, but I like to ditch my water after drinking it- so I use a plastic bottle that I can throw in a recycling bin or trash can while I am running.

4. Running Skirt- I love these. Not everyone likes to run in these- but they are cute and fun and I have been wearing them for several years. I bought most of mine at Target. There are so many on the market now- and why not look cute when you run? I think it makes you run better!

Those are just a few things I need when I run. Running takes such minimal equipment, and pays off in maximum results. That is one of the reasons I love it. As a mom of 4 boys, I don't get a lot of time to think and have a little peace. Getting up early to run, has become a reward to me- a time for me to have a little peace. Even if I get only 5 hours of sleep, I don't want to miss that run. That is how much I love it. Of course this did not happen over night. After the last baby, it took me about 2 months of setting an alarm to get up before I actually did.

So be patient with yourself! Start slow and remember it is a journey, not a destination!

10 Healthy "To Go" Snacks

Many health experts advise us to eat "mini meals" or 3 meals and 2 snacks, instead of 3 big main meals. Here is a list of a few ideas for those snacks.  These all include a little protein and should be less than 200 calories.

1. 20 almonds or 1 oz almonds (160 cal)  plus 10 baby carrots (20 cal)
2. 10 almonds or 1/2 oz. (80 cal) plus 1 TBSP dark chocolate chips (70 cal)
3. 1 cup skim milk (100 cal) plus 1/2 scoop protein powder mixed together or course (65 cal) *not all protein powders are created equal- check calories on yours*
4. 1 light string cheese or light Babybel cheese (60 cal) plus one apple or pear (80 cal)
5. 1/2 a banana or 1 apple plus 1 TBSP peanut butter
6. 1 hard boiled egg or two hard boiled egg (70 cal)  whites plus 1 orange (70 cal)
7. One protein or high fiber bar (150-190 cal) I like Luna Bars for women.
8. 1 -6 oz. cup Greek Yogurt (140 cal)
9. 10 whole wheat crackers (100 cal) plus 1 light string cheese (60 cal)
10. 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese (100 cal) plus one cup berries (70 cal)

Salad Recipe Found HERE

What healthy snacks do you eat?

*Please note- all calorie values are approximate. Please make sure to read your labels.  I am not a nutritionist, I just read up on what to do and have been successful in losing weight, at a reasonable pace. I am just sharing things that have worked for me.