Workout Challenge - February Calendar

Love handles.

Muffin top.

Spare tire.

Or, you know, obliques if you want to get technical with the anatomy. 

The one area (other than inner thighs) that I have heard the most complaints about. It seems no matter how well you eat nor how much cardio you do, this stubborn area won't be going away anytime soon. At least not without a million of those tedious crunches and situps we all just love...

*whine whine whine* 

If you are anything like me,there is few thing I find harder than building motivation for exercise routines that involve the level of boredom. So lookie here, I decided to adapt a circuit routine that I won't be loathe to get down and dirty with. A downloadable version can be found here.

If you are unsure how to perform an exercise, please be sure to look for a tutorial or youtube instructional video for help. The full names for the exercises included in this routine are: Woodchoppers, Russian Twists, Side Plank Hip Lifts (or Dips), and Dumbell Side (Oblique) Bends. 

As a reminder with any workout routine, a healthy diet and cardio exercise are necessary to lose fat on the body. Toning exercises are just that, they tone the area. Because of this, I've included a link to an earlier post for an easy at-home 45 minute cardio routine to help burn those fat cells. 

Let's get some motivation going and kick oblique butt this month!

Free Entrance Days 2014 National Parks

Our family loves hiking and exploring. Definitely high on our lists for fun, free family outings. Unfortunately, with less money going toward parks and outdoor areas, annual access passes have become mandatory to even visit some of our favorite locations.

The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass is one of three passes that our family needs. (More information about the available passes through the National Park Service's website). This year the NPS Annual Pass is $80 again this year.

Luckily, there are several days in 2014 where anyone can visit National Parks without having to invest some serious ducats into an annual park access pass.

• January 20 : Martin Luther King Jr Day

• February 15-17 : Presidents Day Weekend

• April 19-20 : National Park Week Opening Weekend

• August 25 : National Park Service Birthday

• September 78 : National Public Lands Days

• November 11 : Veterans Day

One of my personal favorites is  still the San Juan Island National Historic Park. We didn't make it up there last year as I had hope so I have it marked down again for this summer!

Simple At-Home Cardio Routine #1

Over the last week, our area has been hit with some of the densest and eerily permeating fog I have ever seen. While I'm loving pretending we live in a haunted seaside town, my cardio intentions have fallen by the wayside as a result. Time for some simple, at-home cardio circuits that are modified to be effective and doable with toddlers in the vicinity. 

:::Drumroll:::

Cardio Routine #1

This routine can be broken into three 15-minute circuits. On an individual level, you can mix-and-match which circuits you want to use for a customizable workout. 

Circuit #1 - Easy Level

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

High Knees - 150 seconds

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

Punches - 150 seconds

Circuit #2 - Medium Level

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

Jumping Jacks - 150 seconds

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

Jump Rope - 150 seconds

Circuit #1 - Hard Level

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

Mountain Climbers - 150 seconds

Jog in Place - 300 seconds

Burpees - 150 seconds

Yesterday I completed Circuit #1 and Circuit #2 with my girls and this morning my calves are happily aching away as I go about my morning routine. As female at 130 pounds, just the two circuits burned 200 calories!

As a note of point, you don't have to use an actual jump rope in Circuit #2, you can go through the motions and still be just as effective!

Give it a go and let me know what you think!

Workout Challenge - October Calendar

As promised, I present to you my October Workout Challenge as part of the 90 Day Fitness Challenge I am partaking in with friends. You can get a downloadable copy here for printing and participating. 

While I can't guarantee that you will look like a top model with this workout plan, I can tell you from personal experience (short and sweet in it's sporadicness) that these exercises will help with improving toning to the targeted areas when used in conjunction with a healthy diet. The interspersed cardio burns stored fat and the target days help increase muscle mass thereby increasing caloric burn. 

I am choosing to step it up in my life and improve my figure as I improve my overall health! Little steps each day make a lasting difference in the quality of life you will lead. 

Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles

Voila! 

 New "acceptable" blog name,

"Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles: Missives of a Redheaded Momma."

 Doesn't have quite the flair of remembrance as "Hooker Shoes and Sticky Fingers," but I shall take it and make it mine just the same. Granted, Miss A is adamantly trying to take over as I try to type this so we will have to see who wins. She seems to be going through the must-be-touching-mommy-at-all-times phase of turning one. Hello Separation Anxiety!

Blog Name Change In the Works

With all the time I spent coming up with a fun and catchy blog name, I'm sad to announce that I will be changing the name shortly. Hooker Shoes and Sticky Fingers is a quirky mention to being a wife and a mom, sadly, it is being looked upon in a negative fashion from some of those who have viewed my blog. 

Oh, and all those creepy people checking this blog out from search engines. You wouldn't believe some of the key words that have sent traffic this way! 

Don't despair (I kid), I am fervently traipsing through my wit in search of another awesomely fantastic title. Loves and hugs 

*muah*

Book Review: I'm a Dog, You're a Cat

First, I want to say thank you to MPressive Results Inc and NetGallery for giving me the opportunity to review the ebook version of "I'm a Dog, You're a Cat: Love Lessons from Our Furry Friends."

Second, while I've provided small reviews on Goodreads, this is my first book review on my blog so be a mite but understanding. I promise to improve as I continue to provide reviews here!

That being said, what a fun read this book was! Cattitude vs Dogsense really hit home relating to personal interactions in my life.

I am a cat, hands down. While I may have some excitable moments and enjoy interaction with others, it needs to be on my terms. Hubby is a such a dog. He wants attention and love all the time, which, truth be told, I had found annoying before reading this book. Sitting in my bathtub last night reading about dogese (language and communication style of dog-people), I realized that all it takes is a little extra effort on my part to satisfy what he needs from me. Compliments, compliments, compliments!

At only 52 pages (including pictures!), I'm a Dog, You're a Cat, was a cute and quick read. Pretty sure I'm going to have Hubby read it so that he can understand my catness better. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants a fun, simple approach on human interactions. The lessons learned can be applied to more than just your spouse or partner, they can be applied to children, neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

You can find my further review on Goodreads. Over and out from this cool cat!