Ready To Go Gym Bag

February 27, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 18 Comments

As someone who likes to work out regularly, I always try to have my running gear (clothing, sneakers, Garmin) or winter gear (skis, snowshoes, jacket, pants, toques etc) ready to go. It makes getting to the actual activity just a little easier. I would even go as far as saying that I use that as a motivator.

I’ve been known to take out my running clothing after I get dressed in the morning so that I can work out at night. I’ve also been known to put on my running clothing while the girls are getting on the pj’s because then I have no excuses but the dishes once they go to bed 😉

More recently, I’ve had my gym bag packed and ready to go. Not that I get to the gym very often but I just leave it packed. When I visit my family, I try to hit up GoodLife Fitness while I’m in Halifax. I like the atmosphere there and enjoy the occasional gym workout – especially this winter.

Some key pieces for my gym bag are:

Running Sneakers
Workout Clothing (shorts or capris, tank top or t-shirt, sports bra, socks)
Lock
Head Phones (IPod, Tablet or to use the gym’s TV service while doing cardio)
After Workout Clothing (underwear, socks, shirt, pants)
Shower stuff (don’t forget a towel)
Empty water bottle

I’ve been known to forget a few key essentials: underwear…yes, I’ve gone commando at work once. I forgot a towel before. I’ve even forgot my sports bra and decided not to run on my lunch break because of it.

Starting in the spring and through to the fall (the snow will melt, the snow will melt), I will start leaving my running gear in my car. Don’t worry, it will be clean gear as no one wants to sit in a car with stinky running clothing 😉 It will be great to have my running gear in case I want to go for a last minute run at lunch or for a work meeting. Yes, I’ve gone for a “running meeting” before – they are the best!

My little gym bag sits in my bedroom just waiting for me to grab it and go. Since I do a lot of treadmill running at home these days due to injury and crazy snow/icy road conditions, I don’t get to use my gym bag all that often.

Don’t worry gym bag ….your coming out to play this weekend 🙂

Do you have a gym bag packed and ready to go?

What are some of your MUST haves in your gym bag?

Do you keep all your “active” gear together?

Planned Motivation

January 22, 2015January 22, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 31 Comments

Sometimes we all need a little planned motivation. You know, that little “thing” that’s going to get you out the door, help you lace up your shoes and get moving just a little more.

I do 95% of my workouts at night once the girls go to bed, which is usually around 7:15. It can take them a while to fall asleep some nights and during that time I do the dishes, start the laundry, stoke the wood stove and email or blog. It can be hard some nights finding the motivation to get out my workout clothing and put it on but if I don’t do it, I only have myself to blame, right?

I get asked a lot “How do you workout at night after working all day?” My response is usually, “I don’t know, I just do it”.

I’m a PM Runner

When my husband is away things are busy for me as it would be any single parent. I get the girls up in the morning, get them fed, drop them off at day care and then I go to work. I pick them up around 5ish, make dinner, play, do dishes etc and they I get them ready for bed. Really, it’s not all that different to most people with children….I’m sure some of you can relate.

Once the girls are in bed I wait until I know they are asleep to work out which gives me ample time to get my workout gear on. Some nights I’ll put on my workout gear while the girls get their pajamas on and some nights I wait until the last-minute a.k.a. I procrastinate.

I usually don’t start working out until 8 pm….7:45 pm if I’m really lucky. On those days when I’d have a longer run, I would sometimes be running past 9 pm and still had to shower, dry my hair etc. Those days await me 🙂

The hardest part is when I am putting the girls to bed in their separate rooms. With Hilary, all the lights are off and I usually sing with her in the rocking chair and for some reason ALWAYS close my eyes. There have been many nights I open my eyes and think, SHIT, you still have to run….don’t relax, don’t fall asleep. I then pop in Lilly’s room and tuck her in bed, get my gear on and make my way to our treadmill.

Today, I woke up knowing I could run 2 k in the evening. Yup, I decided to go for increasing my distance verses increasing my speed. I also did my hamstring exercises last night – did some squats with no pain! Whoop whoop!

After getting dressed this morning I thought if I laid out my running gear I would be that more motivated to run. I’m kinda excited if you can’t tell to run my 2 k.

My planned motivation……

And thanks for everyone’s comments on my last few posts. It can be hard not running the distance I want to but know I am going to be better in the long run (ha ha, see what I did there). Anyway, your comments and ideas are appreciated.

Do you have your workout clothing ready to go for your planned workout?

What little thing to you do to motivate yourself to workout after work?

AM or PM runner/swimmer/zumba class go-er ???

How to Workout When You Have No $Money$

February 18, 2013November 18, 2013 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 8 Comments

We are now well into February and I’m confident that those New Year Resolutions are still going strong with everyone who made them! Right? You haven’t given up yet, have you?

I feel like I’ve had a slow start but am working towards my resolutions, not easy with a 2 month old and toddler these days. Being on maternity leave has its perks: napping when baby naps, family dinners (I’m slightly failing at this one), time to work out. Time to work out ?!?!?! Not so much around here – I’ve got laundry to do, dishes to clean, a wood stove to keep going, not to mention nurse Hilary and pick Lilly up at the end of the day (plus a few other things).

For me, working out is about running outside (or walking with a stroller) and DVD workouts at home (when I get a free moment). For people who don’t have a lot of money (like me on maternity leave) it can be hard to find money for a gym membership or to wear the latest workout clothing. So here are few ways you can work out without any money or for very little.

1 – Walking: It’s one of the best activities you can do for your body. Walking – simply get moving a little more. Walk to the grocery store, walk for 10 minutes 3 times a day around your store if you work in retail. You can walk inside the mall or indoor track and outside when the weather is good. Heart & Stroke has a great program called Walkabout with great tips and tools to help you get moving.

2 – DVD’s from your Library. Get online or go to your local library and see what DVD workouts they have on hand. This is a good way to see what type of workout you want to try and then invest in the DVD later on if you really liked it.

Piper’s Run – collection of DVD workouts!!!

Plus it’s FREE!

A few at our local library: The Biggest Loser, Jillian Michael’s (various), Yoga, Dancing with the Stars!

3 – Magazine’s. Okay, so you need to spend a little money here – maybe $5. There are numerous magazine’s out there that provide workouts such as Fitness Magazine , Prevention and Self. You may need weights (cans of soup work too) or sometimes your own body to work against you.

4 – Body Rock TV. If your reading this then you have access to the internet therefore you have access to numerous workouts online. I came across Body Rock TV on Facebook one day and was rather impressed (I really suck at their workouts but they are really good).

5 – Pinterest. This has become my go to place not only for workouts but for new recipes, stuff to do with kids, holidays etc. You can check out my “Workout” Board on Pinterest for a variety of workouts you can print and keep on hand to do on those days when you need a new workout.

Get Started Workout

6 – You Tube. I feel like you can find everything on You Tube. Just type in “workouts” or get more specific (for women, yoga, prenatal, HITT workouts). One of my favourites is Tone It Up.

Did I mention walking? Seriously, get moving a little more. And not just a stroll around the grocery store. Get outside or to a walking track/mall and pound the pavement.

7. Running. As I’ve said before, running is one of my favourite workouts. You don’t need fancy or expensive sneakers but you do need a good pair of sneakers that won’t give you any problems (knee, back) or get injured. You don’t need fancy clothing but you do need to wear appropriate clothing; layers in the winter and preferably not cotton. If you only have a cotton shirt, wear it but make sure to change out of it ASAP as it will stay wet and you’ll get cold.

There are many ways to workout if you don’t have a lot of money. The important thing is that you just get off the couch and get moving.