Category: Health and Fitness

Basketball: Week 2

Sep
26
2007

It’s a good thing my friend is persistant.  I almost didn’t play in tonight’s game because I had a bunch of freelance work to do.  But I managed to get my lethargic-self out of my apartment and head down to the game after work.

We reached the gym to find only 3 members of our team playing against 4 on the other, and down on the scoresheet.  We were about 10 minutes late.  But instead of forfeiting, they decided to play on the chance that more of our team members would show up.  We did, and we ended up winning by 7 points (at least I think that’s what it was)!

I’m proud of myself, although I think I played a little better shot-wise last week (I was playing well offensively tonight though ;) ).  I made a sweek shot from beyond the free throw line when I relized I had an open shot. :)    And my body is nicer to me: I didn’t feel those funny palpitations coming from my chest cavity tonight and I took less water-breaks!

So now we’re up 2-0 in the standings.  Hopefully we can stay on top of the pack.

Black Women Can Jump

Sep
19
2007

Today made me really think about how in shape I was back in high school.

I joined a women’s social basketball league and today was our team’s first game. We won! I must admit I played pretty well for being out of the basketball loop for 6 years, but I think I’ll get my old handle back on the ball again soon. Sure after every 10 minutes of straight play I felt my heart palpitating and like I was gonna throw up (I really should’ve ate dinner before playing after work), but at least I got my workout for the day! :) Thank goodness it’s half-court basketball.

Geez… I wonder how my body would’ve reacted from the cardio shock of active basketball if I hadn’t been doing my Turbo Jam and Hip Hop Abs for the past month!

I played a pretty good game… got about 5 baskets, 4 steals and a bunch of rebounds. I guess my long limbs are good for something!

I think I have to think twice about putting in a new weave though, and forget about wearing my ‘fro, because all that sweat just sweated out all the work I did with my hot comb the night before…

Trying Out The New Skates

Aug
18
2007

So today was the first day I actually used my new (and I say ‘new’ because I haven’t used them since I purchased them 2 months ago) inline skates on the lovely paths of Wilmot Creek Park in uptown Toronto. The weather was great, the paths weren’t that occupied–so they’d be less of a chance of strangers laughing at me if I fell–and I had my all-important wrist guards for safety.

Now I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t fasten my skates up correctly or if I’m just a big cry baby, but my calves and arch of my feet were aching after going up and down a couple of paths. I haven’t ‘skated’ since I was in grade school… and even then, I was used to ice skating. I didn’t do too bad. I need to work on my stopping technique though. 10 minutes into the blading I couldn’t slow down after a mini hill and I tried to use those flimsy orange construction fences to brace my fall. I stayed upright though! I’m proud to say that I only fell once, and it was about 4 metres from the car on my way back home. :D It was a graceful fall, if I do say so myself: I did a sort of 1/2 split in mid-turn in my descent and landed on my bum.

I guess I should’ve listened to my friend and not try to use my brake like I did on some of the gravel that was in the parking lot. Ah, well… practice makes perfect! :D   I think I got a much needed workout today after eating all those Tiny Tom donuts at The Ex last night.  I made some yummy guacamole as a post-workout snack when I got home (recipe coming up next).

Recipe: Berry-Banana Boost Breakfast Smoothie

Aug
17
2007

Ever since I got my Magic Bullet, I’ve been using it to make delicious, fruit-filled smoothies. Since this is one of the few weekdays I have off from work (and I’m up before 9am), I decided to try a healthy breakfast smoothie to start off my day.Berry Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt (vanilla or plain)
1/2 large banana
5-8 frozen strawberries
1 scoop of whey protein powder
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Directions:

  1. Place all the ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.
  2. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

It’s so important that you don’t skip breakfast in the AM, especially if you want to keep fit and healthy. I’ve been guilty of rushing off to work sans breakfast, but now that I’ve started a routine, I’m being careful to make sure that I get some energy in the morning by either making a quick smoothie or having a couple slices of peanut-buttered toast. :)

My First Hip Hop Abs Workout

Aug
06
2007

My Hip Hop Abs package that I ordered from BeachBody a couple weeks ago, finally got delivered last Tuesday.  I figured I’d “officially” start the my routine today, since it’s a holiday (and I wanted to pig out on ‘bad’ food over the weekend).

I just got through the “Fat Burning Cardio” routine, and I honestly think that if I keep up with the included workout plan every day (using Sunday as a rest day), I think that I can lose some serious poundage in the next couple of months.  The first routine was definitely fun. There’s even some moves that would work well the next time I head out to a club. ;)   The moves are easy to pick up, and Shaun T has the “Secret to Flat Abs” section of his DVD that will help beginners learn the moves to maximize the results.

I’m going to try and stop make excuses for not working out daily… after all, the first routine was only 30 minutes.  I followed that today with a stairclimbing up and down several floors of my apartment.  Trust me… I felt the burn.  Hopefully my metabolism picks up.

I’m gonna go make myself a mango smoothie with some protein powder now, and think about what I’m going to eat for dinner.  KFC is definitely out of the question.