Category Archives: Fitness

March 7, 2013 · 10:03 pm

Greek Flame Taverna

I’ve been so tired all week. I’m still exhausted from my class weekend last week, and I’m quickly losing all motivation to do anything. School is stressing me out, and I feel like I have no free time. This has been leading me to very sporadic gym schedules. In summary, I blame grad school for making me fat. [end complaining]

So, as a way to motivate myself out of bed and out of the textbooks that are consuming my life, I signed up for Orlando’s Corporate 5k today.

IOA Corporate 5K

I’ve never run a race before, and it’s been quite some time since I’ve run three miles. I hear there’s a lot of walkers, so hopefully that will take some pressure off. However, nothing motivates me more than the threat of looking like a chump in front of coworkers. The race is in a month….I’m really hoping to motivate myself to put on running shoes within that time period. There’s no time like now when I’m at my lowest physical capabilities and at rock bottom in terms of athleticism to sign up for a race.

In contributing-to-my-expanding-waistline news, Kevin and I tried a new restaurant with some friends a couple weeks ago: Greek Flame Taverna on Restaurant Row in the Dr. Phillips area. They were recently voted a top Greek restaurant in Orlando, and they lived up the hype. We went for dinner, so the menu was fancier, but they do offer sandwiches and more casual Greek fare as well.

We started with an order of mussels cooked in tomato and wine sauce topped with feta cheese.

Greek Flame Taverna-Mussels Special

The mussels were delicious and very flavorful. I loved the broth they were swimming in. For my main entree, I ordered baked shrimp and calamari, which came in a spicy broth.

Greek Flame Taverna-Shrimp and Calamari

The spicy kick warmed the back of my throat, and I loved the freshness from big chunks of garlic. This was not a dish for a weak palette. The flavors were very strong, and I really enjoyed them. It came with a side of Greek rice, which helped to mellow out the flavors.

Greek Flame Taverna-Greek Rice

Kevin ordered the rack of lamb with a side of Greek fries. The lamb was cooked perfectly and was incredibly succulent.

Greek Flame Taverna-Rack of Lamb

Greek Flame Taverna-French Fries

The wait staff was extremely friendly, and the atmosphere was a lot more elegant than a lot of Greek restaurants. I really enjoyed our evening there.

Any tips for a first-time racer? How do you motivate yourself?

2 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Greek, Health, Restaurant Row

February 25, 2013 · 8:57 pm

WOD did I get myself into?

I’ve been in somewhat of a workout rut lately. When I get my butt to the gym, I feel unmotivated and like I’m just going through the motions. I think this stems from how tired I’ve been lately. I’ve been way more focused on school and work than working out, and it’s been making me very sluggish.

Last week I actively woke up trying to change that and ended up having a really good run. I felt energized and determined to keep the momentum going. Last weekend at the gym, I got overzealous and thought I would try a 10-rep Crossfit workout that Paula recently posted that I had saved. Minimal equipment was required and I knew how to do all the moves, so I could focus on form.

I should pause to admit that I have never done a Crossfit style workout before in my life, and the idea of attending a Crossfit box petrifies me. I’m easily intimidated, and I hate group fitness. This workout looked harmless enough. Halfway through I was cursing Paula, then I was just cursing myself. I finished in about a half hour, which I’m sure is a glacial pace.

But it actually felt pretty amazing to finish.

I looked like hell afterwards. I was dripping with sweat, red and puffy, but I felt pretty accomplished. I can see that high that people get when they’re done. You really feel strong. I can also see how someone would want to eat an entire extra large pizza afterward.

My entire body was sore a couple days later, but I can’t remember the last time I had such a good workout in a half hour. I can see how people could hurt themselves when they get focused more on time and less on form, so it would be good to have a trainer when doing more complicated exercises.

The workout definitely kicked my butt and got me out of the slump. Let’s just see if I can stay out.

What are your thoughts on Crossfit?

3 Comments

Filed under Fitness

November 18, 2012 · 9:24 pm

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

This past year I’ve been going through gyms like nail polish colors. When Kevin and I first moved in together, I joined LA Fitness because Kevin was already a member, and jumping on to his membership was the most convenient option. Looking back, that was a pretty big step in our relationship. Kevin paid my monthly membership since I was just added on to his existing account. LA Fitness was nearby and many of our friends had memberships there, so we often had workout buddies. They have a lot of equipment and sports courts. However, the staff was pretty rude and the gym would get packed to the point where there was no free mat space, equipment or parking ever available. The equipment was old, and even when they replaced machines, they broke pretty frequently and quickly. However, we kept our membership mostly out of convenience. A year or so passed, Kevin and I got engaged, and then I took the GMAT. After 13 weeks of studying, I had slipped a little off the fitness bandwagon and was ready to get back on track for the wedding. Kevin decided to quit LA Fitness and opted for TRX classes at B Meyer gym, so I had no reason to stay at LA Fitness either. Truthfully, I was excited to ditch the snotty employees, crazy crowds and old machines.

Planet Fitness

I decided to join Planet Fitness, first and foremost, because it’s really inexpensive. I soon fell in love. In the mornings, sometimes I felt like I had my own private gym. The woman working the front desk recognized me only after a few consecutive days’ visits. I was warmly greeted every day. I also loved that all the equipment and facilities were so clean. One employee would be at the front desk and others were always walking around wiping down equipment. Their hours are great, and I really enjoyed working out there. Oh, and the “lunk alarm” that they are known for never went off in all the times I was there.

Recently, Kevin received a promotion in the mail for a discount on a YMCA membership. They offer TRX in addition to all the other gym amenities, so Kevin was willing to make the switch. It didn’t make sense for the two of us to be at different gyms, so I switched as well. I hated breaking up with Planet Fitness. Even when I went to cancel my membership, they recognized me, making the whole process that much more difficult. Yes, I was emotionally attached to a gym, and I hate confrontation.

The Y isn’t perfect, but I do enjoy being able to work out with Kevin. Some of their equipment is pretty old, and their hours aren’t as flexible, but they also have amenities that Planet Fitness didn’t. They have an indoor and outdoor pool, steam rooms, group fitness classes, towel service and a larger variety of workout equipment.

Downtown Orlando YMCA

They have medicine balls, kettle bells and foam rollers, all of which Planet Fitness did not.

Downtown Orlando YMCA 2

I still miss Planet Fitness often. It’s not as crowded as the Y, it’s cleaner and their patrons seem to be more considerate of the equipment and others around them. But I’m taking advantage of the extras the Y offers and being able to work out with Kevin. We’ll see if we decide to switch it up again before the year is over!

What do you look for in a gym?

9 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Gym, Health

September 13, 2012 · 8:34 pm

Almost in season

Fall is my favorite season. It’s my, Kevin’s and Parko’s birthday season, full of football, and the beginning of the holidays. And I’m getting antsy for it to get here already. Signs are already in the air, particularly emphasized by the fact that pumpkin-flavored everything is hitting stores.

bread

beer

psl

I have to drink pumpkin spice lattes hot. They’re just not the same iced. Even when it is in the 80s. And yes, pumpkin spice swirl bread is pretty fantastic. I just can’t wait for pumpkin pie gelati to hit Jeremiah’s!

Even though pumpkin spice is in the air, it’s still as hot out as ever in Central Florida. I really miss the leaves changing colors and full months of crispness in the air. I would just love to get outside for a run on a cool fall day. Sometimes I think temperatures are dropping then I realize that I’m just sitting next to an A/C vent. My poor running shoes haven’t seen the outdoors in quite some time.

shoes

Since I started working out in the mornings, all of my runs have occurred indoors. I’m way too much of a chicken to go run by myself in downtown Orlando at 5 in the morning. I’m just a wimp. Although the fear of every dark road would probably make me run faster.

I used to hate the treadmill, but I’ve learned to appreciate it for what it is: a quick and easy way for me to get cardio in a controlled climate. I’ve also learned some ways to make the time pass faster. Why do treadmill runs get so boring?

Treadmill workouts-Specifically ones that change inclines and/or speeds a lot. Time flies when I’m too focused on pushing buttons and timing everything correctly.
Podcasts-Fitness podcasts are entertaining while motivational. My favorites lately have been Jillian Michaels (although the voice of her producer irritates the crap out of me) and Ben Greenfield.
Controversial TV-This is particularly helpful now during election season. Basically watch the news and get ticked off by opposing views, the violence going on around the world or how stupid Central Florida criminals are, and just let that adrenaline push your through the run. I used to hate watching local news, but as long as I have a channel where my frustrations with it can be displaced, it can be pretty entertaining.

These will have to tie me over until February when fall hits Orlando.

This fall is particularly exciting because it means our wedding is even more quickly approaching! We just sent out our invitations, and check out the stamps we used. You know we had to incorporate Parko somehow.

stamps

It’s been really fun watching RSVPs come in. We even got our first gifts delivered today. It’s all approaching so quickly!

What is your favorite part of fall?

8 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Wedding

July 24, 2012 · 9:18 pm

Gym notes

As I’ve mentioned before, I like to keep things as simple as possible to get out the door and into the gym at 5 in the morning.

gym bag

My bag is ready to go with the same essentials every gym trip:

My purse containing my cell phone (for music and podcasts), my wallet, keys
Ear buds
Phone armband
Towel
Lock
Water bottle
Workout notebook

The workout notebook is essential to my gym success.

notebook

Whenever I see a workout I want to try, I jot it down in the notebook so I always have it at my disposal. Even though I roughly plan what workouts and what muscle groups I’m going to exercise, sometimes I get to the gym, and I’m just not feeling it. The notebook lets me thumb through a bunch of workouts instead of only giving 50% during a workout I’m hating.

I usually find workouts from other blogs, Pinterest, magazines and fitness websites. My notebook has dozens of workouts that range from targeting specific muscle groups to circuits to HIITs to treadmill workouts. I also draw little stick figures to remind me of the different moves.

I actually once forgot my notebook at the gym and was so disappointed to have lost all those workouts accumulated over the past couple years. Luckily, my gym is awesome, and they found it (left on one of the treadmills), and I was able to get it back. I know that in the world of iPads and cell phones, jotting down workouts seems so archaic, but it’s what works best for me.

We’ve been getting a lot of wedding-related deliveries at the house lately. Our kitchen table is slowly getting taken over by stationery. I ordered my garter from Etsy, which has also arrived. It’s my first Etsy purchase, and I love it!

garter