Friday, October 7, 2011

moved blog

I have moved my blog over to shapeupwithalison.com!! Subscribe there :-)

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Are you getting enough sleep?

So

I recently invested in a bodymedia fit armband. I'm kind of obsessed with it right now. It tracks your calories throughout the day and also when you're sleeping. I knew some days I was more tired then others but I had no idea how little sleep I was really getting. The first night I wore the arm band I knew I had to get up early. Although I was in bed for 7 hrs I only slept 4.5 Then I slept 5.5 hrs two night in a row and last night actually slept 6.5...I feel like a new person today. How much sleep do you get a night?
It'd be a perfect world if we could all sleep 7-8 hrs but I'm finding that's not realistic in my crazy schedule.
Tips to help you get better sleep:
1. No caffeine past 3:00 pm
2. Avoid taking a nap
3. Spray your pillow with some lavender - Bath and body works makes a great scent
4. Wear socks
5. If you wake up in the night try not to turn a light on
6. Don't watch the clock (I tend to do this a lot when I know I have to be up early)
7. Meditate, read, or something that will relax you
8. Drink some chamomile
9. Eat greek yogurt or low fat cottage cheese about an hour before bed
10. Invest in your own bodymedia :-p

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Party Hearty!

Well February is here and it's time to wear some red! Not just for Valentine's day but for Heart Awareness month. Your heart is the most important muscle in your body!! Are you training it properly with cardiovascular exercise? Take your resting heart rate first thing in the morning for 3 days and then take the average to get a good idea of where you're at and it can help calculate your heart rate training zones. Check out the Karvornen formula http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/g/karvonen.htm so you can find where you're heart rate should be while training.

The American Heart Association has also posted some great tips for a healthy heart.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Heart-Healthy-Valentines-Day-Tips_UCM_322023_Article.jsp

On to the main event....so Nancy and I are going to be throwing our first Zumbathon! 75% of the proceeds are going towards the American Heart Association. Our event is going to be Monday March 7th from 7-8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. You can preorder tickets at http://www.ZumbaChicago.com
There is going to be live drumming, guest instructors, and fun dances to be learned! Some come out and Party Hearty with us!!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How are you doing?

How are you doing with sticking to your resolutions? One of mine is to spend more time with the people I love and care about. I've also been struggling with finding time to lift weights because I am teaching so much and working out like a crazy person. I'm going to work on not beating myself up and try to at least get one day in a week for now and then increase it to two days. Just wanted to write a little and check in. Hope everyone is doing well! I have lots planned for 2011 so I'll keep you posted!

Monday, January 3, 2011

2011 is here!!

I still can't believe that it's January already! And it was just 1/1/11! So what are your resolutions for this year? And how do you accomplish them? A lot of people make the resolution to lose weight but at least 50% of them stop coming to the gym completely. How will you stay motivated? Will you hire a lovely trainer like myself, journal, take classes? It's important to review your goals and resolutions frequently to make sure you stay on track. What are some of your other resolutions? Feel free to share them with me or my blog. My goal for 2011 is to become a figure model and compete in the fall. I plan on logging many hours at the gym and eating clean. I'll keep you posted throughout the year and maybe you can help hold me accountable :-) Another goal is to spend more time with my friends and family. I spent a lot of time last year working and getting situated back in Illinois but I need to make more time for my loved ones. And some me time! Anything is possible if you believe it and work at it! So let's make this year the best yet!