Winter habits

Bee doodled

While we all secretly await the end of winter, what do we do to keep busy and fill the hibernating mode productively? How tempting it is to simply say: "Stay in, order some food and watch movies". Though there must be more we can do. Don't get me wrong, I am guilty as charged of staying under my blanket all day while I watch reruns of Sex and The City and order St-Hubert's chicken for dinner... and I love every minute of it. Mindless television allows us all to escape, relax and regain perception of control, an important state of mind. However, I believe we must stay active and move to maintain a healthy body, a healthy mind and even a balanced emotional intelligence. I am no health expert nor a professional trainer, but with basic common knowledge and wanting to have healthy habits, I will share what my fitness routine has been lately. My intentions aren't to preach (who do I think I am?), but rather, to inspire and actually, have a crowd towards whom I will feel accountable for (if you follow me on Instagram, you know what I'm talking about ;)).

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Interval Training

Logically and naturally, we all know the human body was made to move. For most of us, staying behind a computer all day does nothing for our muscles and our soul. With age too, it ain't getting' easier right? Yet, 20 to 30 minutes a day can make all the difference. We just need to move and sweat.

Last year I used to focus on cardio, mainly running. I'd wake up at 5-5:30AM, head down to the gym and run 5KM (this is so, like, 2013). While this was very good for the heart and for the soul, it didn't do very much for my muscle mass and strength. I switched this up for interval training. For those of you who don't know, interval training is:

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"a type of discontinuous physical training that involves a series of low- to high-intensity exercise workouts interspersed with rest or relief periods.[1] The high-intensity periods are typically at or close to anaerobic exercise, while the recovery periods involve activity of lower intensity.

Interval training can be described as short periods of work followed by rest. The main aim is to improve speed and cardiovascular fitness." -Wikipedia

In essence, I do a series of workout moves which gets my heart pumping but that also make me use my muscles more than jogging does. Equipped with a great app (Interval Timer), I change moves every time it buzzes. The workout begins with a one minute warm up and then has 10 laps of two intervals. One is a high intensity interval (1 minute) and one is a low intensity interval (1:15 minute). It all ends with one minute cool down - which adds up to a 23:30 minute workout. Here is what I fill those minutes with:

• 1 minute warm up: Jumping jacks
  
• 1:15 minute of squats 
• 1 minute of push ups (man push ups, yes, it's hard, it gets easier though)
• 1:15 minutes of russian twists with a 5 pound weight 
• 1 minute of triceps dips 
• 1:15 rest and sips of vanilla protein water
• 1 minute of jumping squats*
• 1:15 minute of push up (you can add alternating leg lifts to take breaks)*
• 1 minute russian twists
• 1:15 minute of triceps dips
• 1 minute rest and sips of vanilla protein water…and I repeat

*The moves that change are the squats and push ups: I replace squats by jumping squats, forward lunges and finish with hip dips. For push ups, if I get too tired I rest for a second and start again OR I plank. But it is as you wish - you can repeat the same moves for the 20 minutes if you want! 

I have honestly seen more physical results by doing this than simply jogging. Nothing huge, but my arms are more toned, my quads are defined and my heart gets quite the workout too. Obviously, this works for me but everyone has to first analyze their needs and then build a routine that targets these accordingly.

Tasteful Treats

In addition, I try as much as I can to eat more greens, nuts, grains and protein. I still don't think I drink enough water (I can go an entire day without a drink and I'm fine) so I'm also making efforts with my water intake but my body imposes on more bathroom trips than I'd like when I do so unfortunately. I use my Magic Bullet to mix fruit shakes and I throw in some almond milk, spinach (you hardly taste it), chi and oats, a banana and whatever other fruit I want.

These photos show a few of the delicious healthy snacks you can enjoy! You can get really creative and some even go hard core with all organic foods, that's great. On my end, I still pig out and will indulge in whatever I feel like. Just like everyone else, I sometimes skip workouts, overeat and slack off. MY goal is to make sure the healthy foods and working out moments overpower the junk foods and sugar filled treats moments.

I hope all this information was helpful! Enjoy all your meals and make all of them a conscious choice. 

Bee x