The other day I touched briefly on my health and exercise plan for my New Year’s resolution. Granted, it’s not something I want just because it’s a new year, but since I still have 10 lbs that I don’t want hanging around, it’s just a good time to think “fresh start”. I stopped short of outlining the rest of my resolutions, as I have a few. So here goes…

1) Health. Including losing 10 unwanted lbs. I know this is a repeat from yesterday’s post but it must be included, if only to round off and complete my list. (last two days, burning 350 calories per day, on my Bowflex Treadclimber TC20, check!)

2) Nurture my spiritual side more. I am spirit, and I must nurture and attune to this aspect of myself, so it can grow. Life’s tasks and daily activities can easily distract me. I desire to become a better me. I will do this by trying to remain more aware, conscious, and appreciative. I will find time to read more, to be quiet more…maybe even meditate (if you heard the “normal” sounds that emanate from my house at any given moment, you would understand the difficulty on this one!) I want to smell the fresh air more often, really enjoy the breeze on my cheeks, stare in awe at the skies, get lost in the laughter and love surrounding me…. Yes these are the real blessings in life, and I do enjoy them. My goal is to enjoy them more. Appreciate them more.  Live, laugh, and love…more.

3) Learn. I started this one off broad with “learn” because I have so much to learn, from a vast sea of knowledge But, truth be told, when I began this list, my target was learning about photography and how to use my camera. I love taking photos and I love making videos, but I lack skill (or talent depending on your perspective)…so I hope to build both (skill and talent).

4) Get outside more. You can link this one to number one. I want to get outside more, to play and to work. I want to make time when I don’t have time. Too many beautiful days pass me by without my enjoying them…what a shame! Last year, I intended to plant and grow a garden…and did not. I wanted the learning experience, and I wanted to share it with my children. I may do that this year, or I may not, but either way I want less of those beautiful days passing me by without my appreciating them.

5) Prepare for potential Apocalypse. OK, no I’m just kidding. I don’t really think the world will end this year. The discussions surrounding 2012 give me pause, at least. I am not naive enough to think that disaster can not touch my life. Because I’m sure it felt very “apocalyptic” for the people in Japan when when the Tohoku earthquake sent a tsunami inland in 2011…a feeling likely shared by the people in Haiti when the disastrous 2010 quake hit, and the people of many regions slammed by tsunamis during the 2004 Indian Ocean quake…and the list goes on. A natural phenomenon like a large quake could bring any region to its knees. I believe in the power of my thought energy, so I do not want to, nor do I plan to, live in fear. It’s nature and it happens. Our modern way of life does not support sustaining oneself for very long periods if cut off from our modern convenient lifelines (like running water and daily runs to the grocery store). It would be nice to know we have more than a few days worth of emergency food and supplies. So as “Apocalypse week” scrolls by on the History channel, just like it did last year and the year before it, I make a silent agreement to pull my head out of the clouds just a bit…maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just pick up a few extra items here and there.

When I think about what I really want to achieve this New Year…Mainly, I want to be a better me every day.

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We all create New Year’s resolutions with the intention of seeing them through.  The start of a New Year is an excellent time to kick off the start of a ‘New You’.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

Mizuno Musha 4

Bowflex TreadClimber TC20

SparkPeople!

I would venture to guess that at least half of all New Year’s resolutions involve better health, weight loss, and/ or fitness and exercise, and my resolutions are no exception!  While I have several unrelated resolutions this year, better health, weight loss, and fitness are among mine.

Yes I resolve to take off those 10 lbs that have been following me around, clinging to me, stuck like glue! What will it take? What’s a girl want? What’s a girl need?

Well, lining up my weapons, it appears I should have everything already in my arsenal that I need to make this happen…

1) Special thanks to Mizuno, I have awesome running gear from Mizuno, including the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 training shoe and the just-arrived new Super-Shweeet Mizuno Musha 4‘s!

2) Besides my beloved treadmill, I now have a top notch Bowflex Treadclimber TC20 (special thanks to Nautilus!), which incorporates 3 key movements into 1 (3-in-1 technology, operating like a treadmill, stair climber, and elliptical – for maximum results and fat burning action)

3) Very easy to use and helpful calorie tracking offered at www.SparkPeople.com. Actually a more accurate description would be nutrition tracker because the site helps track proper amounts of carbs, fat, and protein so you can be sure you have a healthy balance while keeping your calorie count where you want.  It’s super easy…and helpful. My sister shed 30+ lbs in 2010, with SparkPeople.com being her main tool of assistance. And yes they have a mobile app!

4) Inspiration and motivation. A well put together and motivating article written about getting fit at TheHealthRevival.com gave me a mental boost. Honestly, motivation and inspiration can be found anywhere – from sharing in others’ stories of triumph and success, to taking a good look in the mirror. The main place to find inspiration and motivation is within. It’s always available. We just need to tap in.

5) The final ingredient for success: Commitment to oneself

+ Commitment + Inspiration + Motivation

= Success!

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It’s been 17 months (almost) since my youngest son was born.  Those of you who know me or follow my blog, know that I exercise regularly and have a love of running.  After I gave birth to my youngest son, I got back into the exercise routine quickly.  Unfortunately, after 17 months, I still have a nagging 10 lbs hanging around in all the wrong places (well I don’t know that there is a “right” place for extra weight, and if there is, that’s never where it goes anyway).  My routine is usually on a treadmill, running for about 2.5-3.5 miles about 4 times per week.  And while I absolutely love running, there is no denying that it can leave me sore.  There are days that I really want to run, but know I need to give my body rest instead.

So I was thrilled about the opportunity to use and review a Bowflex® TreadClimber® TC20.  The Bowflex® TreadClimber® unleashes the power of 3 workouts in 1!  It’s a great alternative to alleviate strain that can come with other workouts, but still deliver intensity and major calorie burnage! (I already know, burnage is not a word)

Action #1: Treadmill Moving belts let you WALK FORWARD like a treadmill.
Action #2: Stairclimber Unlike a treadmill, there are two indepependent “Dual-Treadles,” so you also STEP UP like a stairclimber
Action #3: Elliptical Combine these two actions and you get an extremely intense workout with the smooth, LOW-IMPACT motion of an elliptical.

The Bowflex® TreadClimber® TC20 works with two separate “treadles” or decks, rather than a long single track like a typical treadmill.  The treadles can be used flat, in a stair-step motion, or in an elliptical motion.

Today was my first day using this amazing machine, and I intend to take you all with my on my journey!

As a runner, I believe I have pretty good endurance.  One way that I measure the effectiveness of my workout is by how much I sweat.  That’s right – I want to sweat.  If I don’t, I just don’t feel like I got a good workout in.  When I run, I usually begin that sweating process around 11-12 minutes in.  So, I was surprised when I began sweating on the Bowflex® TreadClimber® around 4-5 minutes in (yes four-to-five minutes, not forty-five).  I didn’t feel like I was straining, but the sweating was a real good indication that it was doing a good job!

According to personal trainers, training on a 40% incline doubles the rate of fat burn. Incline training lets walkers get fast fitness results like runners, but without putting as much stress on their joints.

Apparently this machine offers a lot of features, which I have not begun to explore.  The TC20 is great for households with more than one user as it offers five standard workouts and 3 landmark workouts to really get the heart rate up while minimizing impact on joints.

My goal is to increase my heart rate and blood flow, while burning fat most efficiently – and to do so with the least damage or impact to my body.  Today, my workout was intense, got me sweating real good, but didn’t feel strenuous.

Since I just got this machine, I have yet to really look into all it can do but I will be exploring that in coming weeks and months, and sharing with you.  It is my hopes and intentions that one of the many things it can do, is melt my fat away though that is not one of the key features actually listed on the packaging  So, stay tuned as I climb the space needle in, moving forward and upward, in coming weeks and months!

Thanks to Nautilus for providing the opportunity to review the Bowflex® TreadClimber® TC20!

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