Workout: Thigh Challenge (30 days)

October 31, 2013October 30, 2013 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 17 Comments

Can you believe tomorrow is November 1st ???? Where did this year go? Hilary is almost 11 months old which means I’m back to work in a month….I still can’t believe that she’s going to be one and 2014 is just around the corner.

Though I never stick to 30 day challenges and usually start them mid month…why? I don’t know. Maybe because I can’t wait for the month to end to actually start the challenge. That being said….I’m going to test myself this month on this thigh challenge created by Jodi Higgs (not me). < You can follow her on Facebook by clicking on this link > I’ve got some wicked thunder thighs and I’m cool with that…makes me a strong soccer player 🙂

~For workout instructions – see the bottom of this blog post~

Remember, I am not a Personal Trainer, Doctor or Fitness Instructor. I am just sharing a workout on my blog that you might be interested in! Please consult a Personal Trainer, Doctor or Fitness Instructor before starting a new exercise/workout.

What’s your favourite 30 Day Challenge? (share the link if you have one)

What’s the WORST 30 Day Challenge you’ve ever done?

Do you actually stick to the whole 30 days or cop-out like me????

Instructions from Jodi Higg’s FB page, for the four exercises are:

Lateral Lunges:
The lateral lunge, or side lunge, is a variation of the classic exercise that involves stepping sideways instead of forward. Like the traditional version, the exercise targets the glutes and hamstring muscles, which extend your hips, and the quadriceps, which extend your knees. Additionally, the lateral lunge works your inner-thigh muscles, which contract to pull your legs together when they’re spread apart.

You have the option of adding handweights to this exercise for extra challenge. Be sure to watch the video for correct form:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUX6Pz8vV0s

Plie Squat Pulses
These may also be called a Sumo Squat. I like the idea of the pulses, rather than a full squat once in a while. Go down as low as you can into the squat to start and then pulse or bounce up and down. Count the pulses. You definitely feel the burn when you’re pulsing.

This exercise targets the inner and outer thighs, the hamstrings, the quads and the glutes. and, if you try them on your tippy toes, they’ll target the calves too! Feel free to hold a handweight at your heart center to add further challenge. I’ve included two videos because neither were perfect for what I was looking for (maybe together they will be..):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QxAajZjGz0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8RW18RQQOc

Scissors
There are a number of different variations of scissor exercises out there. I’ve chosen this one to focus on improving our hip flexibility as well as working the muscles of the outer and inner thighs. This exercise isolates and works the lower abdominals.

Keep your hands down at your butt to make it easier; straight out at your sides to make it a bit harder. You can also play around with the height of your legs…higher up will be easier; lower to the ground will challenge your abdominals more.
and the video to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_lPBj5sRc

Fire Hydrants
This awkward but fun exercise targets the muscles of our buttocks, hips and outer thighs, and works to build muscle, tone, improve flexibility, and increase motion in the hips. *and….GET THIS!!!…. this exercise is used to decrease the cellulite situated on your buttocks and the back portion of your thighs. If you want added challenge and variety, add a donkey kick out to the side with each leg raise. Watch the video to make sure you have the right form: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4VHZA69yXI

Again, these are her words not mine…I’m just sharing. Happy thigh workout!

Love at First Sight (or Sound)

October 30, 2013 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 3 Comments

Last night was your typical night for us. I picked up Lilly from day care, the girls played while I got dinner ready, we ate, I bathed the girls and put them to bed. Lilly helped me make our treat bags for Halloween by counting out the candies and putting them in the bag. She didn’t even ask to have one! Towards the end she got really generous with the candies….lucky treat-or-treaters 🙂

Late last night when the girls were asleep and I was trying to fall asleep and my husband arrived home around midnight. I heard the sound of his car backing in our driveway. Then our main door opened and I could barely hear his footsteps coming up the stairs. In between hearing his car and the door open I had butterflies in my stomach.

Oh, Love does funny things!

Hilary had woken about 10 minutes before this and was now sleeping beside me or so I thought. As Sai came into the bedroom I heard a thump, thump, thump. It was Maclean’s tail hitting the floor, she was happy Sai was home. When he climbed in bed Hilary instantly woke up and clapped her hands because Daddy was home.

Oh, Love does funny things!

We got Hilary back in her bed around 1:15 am and Lilly got up at 3:30 am to pee. She still didn’t know Sai was home and I managed to get her back in her room without noticing Daddy in bed!!!

Just after 7 this morning Lilly came in our room asking to go pee again and still didn’t notice Daddy yet! While in the bathroom I asked if she could climb in my bed and keep my side warm. When she got to the bed she laughed and was so excited to see her Daddy!

Oh, Love does funny things!

A sound or the sight of someone you love can sure make you feel great! Even for a dog!

Do you get excited when your loved one comes home?

How do your children react when their mom/dad comes home after being away for a while?

Do you think animals can love a human?

Booty Camp Fitness: Online Training Program!

October 29, 2013October 28, 2013 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 4 Comments

By now I would believe you all know that I like working out; whether that is going for a run outside or working out at home in my basement. I don’t have a gym membership and I am unable to attend fitness classes on a regular basis since my husband is away often. But I don’t let that be an excuse for not getting a chance to work out. After I get the girls to bed, I do my best to fit in a workout a couple of days of the week.

Did you know….

Weight lifting has long been an intimidating concept for ladies. But did you know that developing strong lean muscle mass helps the body to burn more calories at rest?? Rather than “bulking up” like so many people fear, this helps you to look leaner, fitter and feel stronger than ever before! I’ll admit when I workout with weights (small ones) I notice a difference faster.

I’ve recently come across a program created by a woman that knows how tough it can be to begin a weight training program when you have no idea where to start. Sammie Kennedy, CEO and Creator of Booty Camp Fitness and a woman with a mission to make the intimidating accessible, has launched a new online weight training program to empower women across the world to take this important step towards a healthier active body!

With her new online program she teaches you the ins and outs of resistance training in efficient and effective workouts that you can do in the comfort of your own home, condo fitness area or gym! Sammie gives you all the tools you need to make the right choices for your fitness, including a wide variety of accommodating workouts, nutritional guidance, and a community where you can feel safe and supported by our coaches and peers.

BONUS: Not only is this program already discounted $40 until Oct. 31st as a pre-launch special but Sammie is offering an additional $10 off if you use the coupon code PIPERSRUN

I like having a balance of cardio, stretching (yoga) and no, I’m not afraid to lift weights. I love that this program is created by a Canadian (yes, I’m a proud Canadian) and love to see women motivating other women to be active.

View the full details online at www.BootyCampFitness.com/online-personal-training.php

Don’t forget, Piper’s Run readers get a 10% discount by using this code: PIPERSRUN

Booty Camp Fitness Website (You can find her social media sites there)

Have you tried online training before?

What’s your favourite at-home workout?

Piper’s Run

How to Survive Halloween with a Toddler and Baby

October 28, 2013October 31, 2013 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 5 Comments

Halloween can be lots of fun for children of all ages and parents too. However, Halloween can also be scary for young children and a stressful time for some parents. Making sure you have the right costume, what treats to hand out, deciding who is going to take the kids trick-or-treating and who will stay home can make for a not-so-fun night for everyone. Here are a few tips on surviving Halloween with small children:

1. Prepare costume 1-2 days ahead. Test out your child’s costume a few days (or weeks) before to make sure it fits and they are comfortable in it. The last thing you need is a melt down about the costume. We have two costumes just in case its super cold outside or too warm at a house party.

2. Parents leave work early. If you can leave work and pick up your children early, do so. Even an extra 30-60 minutes can make the rest of your evening a little smoother. If you boss won’t allow you to leave, see if they will let you work an extra hour the day before or use up overtime hours to leave early.

3. Easy family dinner. Have your families’ favourite meal on Halloween. Whether it’s pizza, home-made mac n’ cheese, soup and sandwiches or something else. If it’s easy to make hopefully everyone will eat it and not fill up on too much candy later in the evening.

4. Dress up too but keep it simple….you’ve got a toddler and baby to focus on.

5. Talk about the night the day before and at breakfast. Remind them they will get dressed up, go outside to their neighbour’s houses, get candy (and say Thank you!), then return home.

6. Skip the bath! Again, just keep the night simple and don’t worry if you miss the bath for one night. A “wash cloth” bath can get them through one night just fine.

7. Set expectations around their candy. They may want to eat it all and that’s up to you if they can. Make sure you don’t eat too much of their candy.

8. Bring a “treat” to your child’s favourite neighbour. They won’t be expecting to receive anything and it gives your toddler a chance to surprise them!

9. Shut down for the night. You can either turn all your lights out and hope no one rings your door bell or leave a bowl of candy outside for late trick-or-treaters. This can avoid waking your little ones when they finally get to sleep.

10. Share your fun! Email, Facebook and Tweet to your family and friends fun pictures of your little ones! They are only little once.

Happy Halloween!

What are your “tricks” to a successful Halloween night with young children?