The Fit Pit Blog

As a student I know first hand about staying up late to finish projects and the stress that due dates bring on.  The best way to conquer that stress is not to procrastinate. Another great way, staying healthy.    If you're like me you have a crazy busy schedule and it's hard to coordinate when you're going to make the gym.  That's why I joined two classes through the Fit Pit at BCIT, this way I know that I'll for sure get two good workouts in a week.  I sleep better at night and I'm more energized during the day. 

So if you're looking for a way to perk yourself back up and get out of that midterm drag, check out what's available for you through the Fit Pit.

I lived through another session of Bootcamp on Monday afternoon at BCIT.
I pushed myself even further this week but using heavier weights and more resistance. It's good to constantly push yourself further or else you won't see any results.  I'm going to head to the gym now for some cardio so that tomorrow my muscles don't seize up!  Remember, it's TWO days after a big workout that you feel the most pain but some cardio the day after that workout will take care of that for you.

It's not too late to sign up for the Bootcamp class, just visit the Fit Pit at BCIT's Burnaby Campus.  Come find me Monday afternoons at Bootcamp or during the Friday morning spinning class!

Sign up now for exercise classes at BCIT before it's too late!
Early Bird prices for all classes are still available but they are filling up fast.

I just signed up for the Monday afternoon Bootcamp Your Booty (not just for the ladies) and Friday mornings Spinning Class.  Join me and other Evolutionaries as we shed away the holiday tire and get ready for spring.

Visit www.bcit.ca/recreation for more info.

 It can be easy to get stuck in a fitness rut. 

(I have been gaining and losing the same pound for weeks...) 

so I went searching around for some advice and found Linda Geyer. 

(Founder and CEO of Vitality Management and owner of Peak Physique) 

She has this to say: 

What happens too often is we repeat the same exercise routine for a particular body part or muscle group until the muscles adapt.   I always change my exercise routine every month to keep it progressive and making gains.  

If you keep repeating the same things and have done so over time, you have done a good job at maintaining your fitness level and muscles.  You certainly have not challenged them and will not get them to make any gains.  Even if you exercise for maintenance, I still recommend changing up your exercise routine.  

A few "shake it up" tips:

-change up the machines you use

-go from exercise machines to free weights and back again

-do interval training

-have "difficult, medium and easy" exercise days 

-and make sure to rest and stretch appropriately! 

(I can be guilty of the do-cardio-then- run-back-to-class, not good for muscles or for working out the next day...) 

Here's to making a change! 

 ca anyone tell me?

hrmmmmmm

It's that time of year when the rain doesn't stop and neither do the craving for cheap carbs and sweatpants. (and the latest season of 30 rock)...

(go, tina fey, go!) 

(i heart tracey morgan) 

so to keep motivated with early morning yoga classes, i went digging around for benefits...and on 

www.abc-of-yoga.com  found some reasons to keep on keeping on...

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

• Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
• Pulse rate decreases
• Respiratory rate decreases
• Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
• EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
• EMG activity decreases
• Cardiovascular efficiency increases
• Respiratory efficiency increases
• Gastrointestinal function normalizes
• Endocrine function normalizes
• Excretory functions improve
• Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Breath-holding time increases
• Joint range of motion increase
• Grip strength increases
• Eye-hand coordination improves
• Dexterity skills improve
• Reaction time improves
• Posture improves
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance increases
• Energy level increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Immunity increases
• Pain decreases
• Steadiness improves
• Depth perception improves
• Balance improves
• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga

• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Social adjustment increases
• Anxiety and Depression decrease
• Hostility decreases
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Attention improves
• Learning efficiency improves

Bring on Thursday's class! 

 I'm having a hard time balancing early-morning shifts, late-day committments and the gym/working out. 

So, as usual, I started surfing the web for some inspiration and guidance... 

(after watching Dolly Parton interviews on youtube for as long as it would have taken me to work out at the gym...)



and one of my all-time favs...

                          *

I found a writer by the name of Scott H Young

who has 18 tips to making a new habit stick at the following site:

www.lifehack.org

and for his specific articles: www.lifehack.org/articles/author/scotthyoung

and his website: www.scotthyoung.com/blog/welcome/

So, here is a very abbreviated version of his very helpful list:

1. Commit to Thirty Days 

2. Make it Daily 

3. Start Simple 

4. Remind Yourself 

5. Stay Consistent 

6. Get a Buddy 

7. Form a Trigger 

8. Replace Lost Needs 

9. Be Imperfect 

10. Use “But”- (When you start to think negative thoughts, use the word “but” to interrupt it).  

11. Remove Temptation 

12. Associate With Role Models 

13. Run it as an Experiment 

14. Swish - (Visualize yourself performing the bad habit. Next visualize yourself pushing aside the bad habit and performing an alternative. Finally, end that sequence with an image of yourself in a highly positive state). 

15. Write it Down 

16. Know the Benefits 

17. Know the Pain 

18. Do it For Yourself 

Thanks, Scott! 

(and Dolly!) 

I've tried the Vibrational Trainers at the gym and I'm going to tell you... they work!!

It's natural to feel uncomfortable at first because you're not used to the vibrfating.  There were times my eyeballs were shaking so hard but that just means I need to tighten your muscles.  So give it a try the next time you're at the Fit Pit... my abs are thanking me, let them thank you!!

There is a buzz about a-brewing about the new vibrational trainers at the Fit Pit...

I got the chance to use one this week and it was great!

Tip: use it before yoga class to really loosen up muscles and notice that you can stretch a bit more than usual.

Tip: use it before you lift weights to really work your biceps!

...who knows... you may get arms like Madonna!

We did a live cut-in on the radio and it was a blast to talk and rock out at the same time.

Although, you may want to focus on the area you're working on for best (sexy)  results!

yeah!

 Showing up to Tuesday morning's Intro to Hatha yoga class is all the reward I needed.

I felt like time, my mind, the space around me opened up and softened. 

(Peace On Earth by Renie Britenbucher)

and things looked more vibrant and possible. 

*

Somehow, though, I lose touch of these feelings/insights  about an hour later, which means I need to acquire some more discipline...

and a few things that can help me with that: 

Vibrational Trainers at the Fit Pit! 

(our promo team this week will use them for the first time for us!) 

and good ol' fashioned making up my mind to do it. 

I'm stubborn, so I should be able to hang tough...

ohh, couldn't resist!