My fav shoe (add about 10 years of hard physical use to these poor babies--not pretty! but get the job done...definitely time for new kicks- but that'll have to go on the back burner for now):
I have found that if I take McNulty's advice and get up early in the morning before Joe leaves for work, I feel so much better throughout the rest of the day! I can get the working out over and done with- so I'm not dreading it all day. I WAS trying to leave for the gym at night after Joe got home--wHaT wAs i tHiNkInG?!! By that time, I was completely physically and emotionally drained with ZERO energy left in me.
My fav snack right now: French Onion Laughing Cow cheese with Multigrain Wasa crackers---SOOOO good and less than 100 calories combined!
oh, and Twisted Protein Bars! Joe and I LOVE THEM!!! (15 grams of protein with pretzels, peanuts, nougat, caramel, chocolate coating!)
I'm not dieting per say, just making healthy food choices- especially during the week. (lots of salads!) On the weekends, I am much more relaxed about what I eat---you gotta live a little! ;) You guys have any good healthy snacks out there that I should try? I have already noticed my muscles getting tighter and the flab starting to firm up a tad which is exciting!
That's ME! First one on the left! (tee hee hee...wishful thinking)
I attend a Spin class twice a week, a cardio/strength training class once/wk, and run programs on the elliptical on the other days. Its all about having the right music to motivate you and keep you energized, so I thought I would share my current playlist (I change it all the time):
My fav earphones (hate the earbuds that stick in your ear)---
I run the weight loss course on the elliptical which has hills about every 4-5 minutes---so, I programmed my ipod to play a fast song, then slower, then fast, etc
Suz's workout playlist:
Kings of Leon - Use Somebody (TOTALLY gets me going...LOOOOVE this song)
Eric Hutchinson - Rock & Roll
Bob Schneider - 40 Dogs
Maino - All the Above
Kanye West (boo!) - Touch the Sky
Akon - Beautiful
Bob Schneider - Bombananza
U2 - I'll Go Crazy
Bob Schneider - Tarantula
Fat Pat - Tops Drop
Bob Schneider - Super S
Dave Matthews - Why I Am
Akon - I'm So Paid
Dave Matthews - Alligator Pie
If you've never thought about working out early in the morning, I encourage you to give it a try! You might be like me and be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy it! Make yourself do it Mon-Fri for at least one week and see how it goes.
Curious to know what songs you like to work out to right now---or songs that get you going---I'm always trying to find new music and change up my playlists!
59 comments:
I LOVE working out in the mornings too. It really gives your day a much better boost. Funny that you asked about a playlist for working out. My brother's girlfriend started a blog about a month ago and that's what she posted about today too!
Here's the link with her playlist in it :)
http://raleighperk.blogspot.com/2009/09/one-where-you-workout.html
Justin Timberlake always gets me going, but right now my favorite is Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA.
I currently work out right after I get off work for about an hour and half at least three times a week. I run on the elliptical on a total body workout, and then lift weights for the rest of the time working on the cores. I can't seem to pry myself out of bed early or I would do it. I enjoy listening to Christian Rock/Contempary. Groups like Skillet, Mercy Me, Third day, Leeland, FireFlight, and a few slow ballards by Fransceca Battistelli, Micheal W. Smith, etc... they are not only inspiring physically and spiritually but I can sing along with them and praise our Lord... I suggest giving them a try... Knowing I am building up my body while praising does a wonderful thing for me... it keeps my focus on him and not the pain.... I have not lost a lot of weight but I am starting to tone up and lose inches.
You might like to try Brothers in Nature dried apples. You can find these at Costco or even at walmart in Disney marketted snacks. They are apples that have been freeze dried... they are wonderful and good for you....they also have strawberries and banannas. Making your own trail mix can be fun and good for you as well. Its amazing how you an beef up your protein and energy levels with such an easy snack. My spouse loves to dehydrate banannas at home as well. The kids love them and they are as natural as eating a normal bananna.
BTW:I have been told that if you drink pickle juice during or just after your exercise, your muscle recovery will be faster therefore reducing the soreness after an intense workout. It works for me... ; )
Your playlist is similar to mine. Some of my favs are:
Kings of Leon- Sex On Fire
Black Eyed Peas- Meet Me Halfway
Kevin Rudolf- Let It Rock
Frou Frou- Let Go
Gloriana- Wild At Heart
I find that Pit bull gets my blood flowing. I don't work out but he gets my body rockin in the car. LOL You look pretty awesome already, you may inspire me to get off my rump. I have 3 kids and I like to complain about how tired I am, but you have 4, no excuses for me anymore.
So, who watches the kiddos while you're working out? My husband's schedule is so erratic (medical resident) that I can't count on him to watch my little one. :( I guess I'll have to figure out something after #2 gets here in a few weeks.
Some good ones to add:
MGMT - Electric Feel or Time to Pretend or BOTH
Jay Z/Rihanna/kanye - Run this town
michael franti and spearhead - Say Hey
Great workout song:
Kanye(boo again!)/Daft Punk-- Stronger
I LOVE Laughing Cow cheese...tried it at my parents a few weeks ago for the first time and I couldn't get enough of it! Truthfully, I would probably eat any kind of cheese...lol...
I am so wanting to get back to the gym, and this post helped motivate me.
I hate the gym, too (who ARE those nuts that like working out? sheesh...), so going in the morning is ideal for me, but the thing is, Suz...I LOVE SLEEP! LOVE IT...can't get enough of it! Am I 30 or 17? Dang. That sounds so pathetic, but it's the truth. I'm just going to have to MAKE myself do it for two weeks and after that it should be easy, right? HA!
Anyway, sorry for the ramble...and thanks for the motivation to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!
I did the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC last year. I put Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" right smack dab in the middle of the playlist so that when I was crossing the bridge I was singing "Whoa....We're half way there...Whoooa...Livin' on a prayer!" It was great! I love any Bon Jovi song on a run! :)
UGH.. I can't imagine getting up early to go to the gym. I work at 6:30, so I'd have to get up, exercise, and shower/get ready for work all by 6am. Not cool!
Though, if I had the time, i'd totally do it.
I cannot believe I'll admit this here but.. Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" gets me going lately. I can listen to that over and over and work out so hard! :D
okay - My favorite snack... not healthy.. but not necessarily unhealthy. My kids and I LOVE air popped popcorn. We love it as our bedtime snack. We put some butter on it, but we add olive oil to the butter... thus using less butter..
Hey it's a Whole Grain, although not filled with nutrients.
Just how early are we talking here? ;)
I heart Use Somebody! Such a great tune! You are such an inspiration Suz! Love you momma!!!! =)
Thank you so much for this post Suz! I have really been wanting to start working out, but hate going to the gym after work. Once my butt is on the couch there is no way I can get up.
You have inspired me to start getting up early and working out. I am actually going to have my husband put some new songs on my iPod tonight and tomorrow will be my first early morning!
Here is to getting my body back after having my son(a year later)!!!
A healthy snacks-
Laughing Cow Cheese with Apples, less than 100 calories too. VitaTops are awesome- full of fiber and only a 100 calories. You can find them at Super Targer in the frozen section, with all the healthy/organic stuff.
Pudding (60 calories)
Fiber One Bars- Peanut Butter are my faves.
New Favorite Work-Out Song....
Queen Latefa (sp) Cue the Rain. It's her new song, it's great for running.
I agree working out in the morning is a great way to start your day.
My favorite snack is Sabra's classic hummus with Stacy's baked pita chips. I keep some in my mini fridge at work. Yum!!
This reminds me that I need to update my workout playlist!
Some faves -
Fallout Boy - This Ain't a Scene
Miranda Lambert - Gunpowder & Lead
Christina Aguilera - Makes Me Wanna Pray
My hubby and I have just started working out again too. Hate it, but love the feeling I have on my way out of the gym. Ok, this may be a little cheesy, but I'll say it anyway. I love the Olympic Fanfare theme by John Williams. There's something about the majestic music and the memories it brings. It's a good first song, or mid-way song!
Here are a few songs I like to work out to.
1.Practice Makes Perfect-Cute Is What We Aim For
2.Jason Mraz - Im Yours
3.Dixie Chicks-Lullaby ( I think you will really enjoy this song excpecially since your a mommy)
I hope you check them out!
I don't like waking up in the morning either, but I do love getting the energy of finishing the workout early in the day. :)
These days I am staying away from dairy, grains, flour, beans, corn, and sugar. Instead I eat a balance of veggies, meats/fishes, nuts/seeds, avocado, olive/fish oil, and a little fruit. It has really helped me look and feel great. For snacks, I've been eating a lot of Larabars.
As for workouts, I highly recommend you check out your local crossfit affiliate (left side of http://www.crossfit.com/cf-affiliates/). The workouts are generally quite short, maybe averaging about 15 minutes. They are intense though, so you will know your workout is improving your body's strength, flexibility, endurance, stamina, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
Feel free to email me, but of course the most important thing is to find what will work for you and what is maintainable for you.
Way to go! You sure are motivating, now i just have to get creative with what kind of work out i start! Keep up the good work!
Seriously, you look so beautiful and fit already. Every time I see a picture, I'm thinking, "How does she look like THAT, after having quads!??"
My husband and I have been consistently working out for awhile now. My b/g twins are now 22-months and I am about 7lbs under my wedding weight and have reached my goal. I used to work out during the babies' nap but then my husband started (he's lost about 15lbs, which he didn't really need but it was good for lowering his cholesterol) and we switched to night workouts. We are desperately trying to change it to morning workouts but we are not morning people. I don't mind working out, but I love me some sleep! :)
Special K multi grain crackers...SO yummy! Nice and crispy and they have a great flavor.
California Love by Tupac
or
Breathe by U2 :)
or
Disco Science by Mirwais
Long time blog stalker btw, however music is my thing and I couldn't keep quiet any longer :)
Much love,
Rachel
Anything from OFFER NISSIM gets me going!
Any KASHI product is perfect!! Even their Pizzas :) no MSG, or HFCS, or Trans Fat :)
I hate that I love to workout to his music, because he is a major yerrrrk, but Kanye West: Love Lockdown, Heartless and Stronger...make me want to work, work, work!
One of my favorite songs to work out to is Black Eyed Peas Don't Phunk w/ my Heart, and Let's get it started. LOVE BEP and anything that's faced paced--always gets me going during a run or whatever.
YAHOO SUZ!!! You are ROCKIN my world woman!!! SOO COOL someone else is up before the sun comes up :o
Okay...I really don't listen to that much music during workouts...but I do have a few favorites though...
** Wild at Heart...Glorianna
** Gunpowder and Lead...Miranda Lambert
** Strange...Reba MacIntire
Any oldies/rock'n'roll have my heart!
~Elyse
Ghostland Observatory is high-energy and great for working out. Plus, they are from Austin so you're supporting a local Texas band.
My slightly embarrassing favorites that I've recently purchased:
Worship Jamz (some dance mix created for kids)
Biggest Loser Workout Mix - Sports Anthems
You all have much better suggestions - I'll have to update my iPod!
"Let's Get it Started" by The Black Eyed Peas is my favorite 1st song on my playlist.
I have this "crazy" knee that totally went CRAZY on me tonight. After 3 kids and not working out for 3 years I have no muscle, which is when my knee acts up. Anyway you totally motivated me to do it. I am one of those insane morning people too. I need to stop drinking coffee and facebooking! Doing it tomorrow in the AM!!! Thanks Suz!!
I'm in perimenopause right now so my weight and mood has gone crazy. For the last 8+ weeks I have been getting up at 4:30 AM and for 2 HOURS I"ve been doing the treadmill on a 12% incline at a minimum of 3.1 miles per hour.
I have only lost 7 pounds, Grrrr...... BUT I measured yesterday and I have lost a total of 14 inches.
It would be so easy to get discouraged with the minimal weight loss, but I REFUSE to give up. According to my treadmill I burn 1200 calories each workout, so I figure it's closer to 1000 calories, and that is 5 days a week.
Oh yeah! I don't listen to a playlist, my husband put a small platform on my treadmill and I watch an action video. Otherwise, there is NO WAY I could get thru 2 hours on the treadmill!
Keep up the good work everyone!!!
Kings of Leon - They rock and can totally get me moving :) We just got a treadmill and my goal is to get up EARLY every morning before work and run. Then start my day, get the kids ready for school, go to work, go to school myself and collapse in bed at 9:00 :)
Atkins bars and shakes are the bomb! The caramel nougat (sp?) bar tastes like a candy bar and the strawberry shake is very yum. Low calories, low carbs, lots of protein and fiber... they rock.
Fire Burning - Sean Kingston
I Gotta a feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Country Boy - Alan Jackson
Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
I know you want me - pitbull
Womanizer - Britney Spears
Damaged - Danity Kane
Circus - Britney Spears
Dangerous - Busta Rhymes
If you seek amy (ekkk!) - Britney
Hypnotize - Notorious Big
Gimme More - Britney
SOS - Rihanna
Don't Stop the music - Rihanna
Radar - Britney
And I am going to add some Lady Ga Ga....
I try to make my workout songs something that gets me MOVING ... and not always something I listen to on the radio... so I have variety.
Question - what time do you go to bed at night in order to wake up in the morning?
Love the post!
Jennifer
You ladies rock! Suzie, thanks for motivating us all! A few things...
nuts are a great snack, or an apple, or grapes. OR water. I have found that often when I think I am hungry, I am really thirsty. If I can drink a few full containers of nalgene (with water) each day, I find that I eat less...sometimes!
Also, it seems as if many who have commented get discouraged by not seeing quick results. Sometimes I think we forget that we are real people. We do not have the benefit of airbrushed photos, or the benefit of having to look good for a living and thus hiring our our personnel trainer. But we are God's children! We should take care of our bodies while also not being too hard on ourselves. I have found a routine that is totally flexible. I try to wake up 3 days a week to run, and squeeze in a spin class and a yoga class after work two days a week when we don't have anything going on. The trick: DON'T GO HOME FIRST! Pack your stuff! Then, a leizurely run on Saturday mornings rounds out the perfect week. However, if I miss one, I miss one. I came to the realization not long ago that I will never look like a did in high school and it was a very freeing realization.
A kid on the biggest loser said something very compelling not long ago. He talked about not feeling like he had time to exercise, but he always had time for TV. Perhaps we should all turn off the TV and get off our butts!
Hi!
I have a random question. I have been following your blog for a while and found you thru the multiples and more blogsite.
My question is: can you fit 2 babies (6 mos) in a peapod plus?
I know you have mentioned that you use these and was wondering whether to buy one/child or if I could double up for now and get more in the future?
Hope you read these comments (and that you don't mind my question in the middle of a workout post)!
:-)
Thanks soo much!
Nancy
schaeferclan(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I have thought about eating salads during the week and usually do at least once a week but I know I need to eat them more as I too had gestational diabetes while preggers. My question to you is when you eat salads what do you feed the kiddos? Do you cook something different for them? I am just now learning to juggle work, playtime, exercise, cooking, cleaning, etc. Zoe is old enough to eat table foods now so that is a learning process for me, what to feed her.
If you're interested in something with a specific beats per minute, I've found the PodRunner podcasts through iTunes...you can download free hour-long mixes based on what BPM you'd like. The music is kind of clubby with a good beat, which helps me when I run.
I love all of those songs & artist! Great taste in music
I love this post! Your enthusiasm and energy is just dripping from it! Good job being so disciplined - esp. with having to get up so early! I'm big into running and kickboxing and honestly I use alot of my kickboxing music to run to. It's sped up to 145 beats per minute so it's fast, but it is MOTIVATION in an mp3 :) Check out some of the music all mixed by a local Atlanta instructor http://www.rogue-underground.com/intro.html ... you can sample the music and/or buy. Black Eyed Peas are always good to bust a move to = Pump it is a great running song. Esp when you're sprinting at the end. Enjoy!
I love your blog. You family is adorable! And great playlist!
Awesome Suz...so jealous of your early am workout regimine. I think if I got up any earlier I might as well not go to bed :)
So glad you are taking this time for yourself. Love the playlist too - looks really similar to mine. You should add Colbie Callet - Fallin for you, Cavo - Let it Go and Britney Spears - Radar. They are on my jogging playlist and they keep me moving and motivated!
Love you,
Jac
Thanks for the healthy snack ideas! I had never tried the laughing cow cheese because I tend to not like soft cheese but I gave it a try anyway and YUM! I couldn't find the Twisted bars though - where do you find them?
I really like to listen to Wicked Garden by Stone Temple Pilots...it is totally not my type of music but something about that song on repeat can keep me on the elliptical for an extra 15 minutes!
Thanks for the healthy snack ideas! I had never tried the laughing cow cheese because I tend to not like soft cheese but I gave it a try anyway and YUM! I couldn't find the Twisted bars though - where do you find them?
I really like to listen to Wicked Garden by Stone Temple Pilots...it is totally not my type of music but something about that song on repeat can keep me on the elliptical for an extra 15 minutes!
Swagga Like Us: Jay Z/Kanye
and
I Gotta Feelin': Black Eyed Peas
I have to say, having a good playlist is KEY. It's funny, sometimes I have to keep myself from singing on the top of my lungs! :)
wow ... i love this SUZ ... I was just about to go shopping for new ruinning shoes ... the problem i have been having is not my lungs when i am running ..its my caves ... i feel like there goign to bust open ... even with stretching ..its weird ..someone suggested new shoes ... i will loook into your suggestion ...keep up the posiivity
Absolutely nothing to do with your post, but just realized your kiddos first initials spell out Beas.
Can you please name your next kid a name with a T so you can have BEAST??? Pretty pretty please?? =)
I am so proud of you.. YOU HOT SEXY THANG!! Seriously! I love your drive, determination and willingness to share what works for YOU with the world. You enspire me everyday. I love you with all my heart!
XOXO
Gen
I'm laughing thinking about us in the dorm singing, dancing, laughing, all before anyone else had even turned the lights on in the morning! I've been trying to get up early on Tuesday mornings, but so far I've skipped as much as I've gone. I have to get up at 4:50 to feed Jack, eat breakfast, and get dressed. I do LOVE it when I go though. The only problem is that if I don't make up the sleep, I feel tired the rest of the week. This week I'm going to make myself go to bed super early!
Good for you girl! I'm proud of your determination! Have you ever tried turbo kickboxing or zumba? I LOVE turbo and go to Nicki's class on Saturday mornings. Zumba is so awesome! If you have that at your gym, you should go!
Sorry for the super long comment! Love and miss you!
The Road Goes on Forever - Robert Earl Keen
(Can't Get No)Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Dirty - Christina Aguilera
Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks
American Woman - Lenny Kravitz
The Boys are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy
Yeah - Usher
This list is kid friendly. I sometimes need an all audience play list, and this one serves a dual purpose of being a great workout mix and something all ages will enjoy.
As, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, Ebony Eyes, I Wish, Superstition--Stevie Wonder
My Love is Your Love, How Will I Know, I Wanna Dance With Somebody--Whitney Houston
Shackles--Mary Mary (you will love this one)
Aretha Franklin--I Say a Little Prayer
Can't Get Enough of Your Love--Barry White
I Can't Help Myself--Four Tops
Hold On, I'm Coming--Sam & Dave
I'll Take You There--Staple Singers
Dancing in the Street--Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
Ain't No Mountain High Enough--Marvin Gaye
A slow but motivating song that i recently rediscovered is by
Placebo-"Running up that Hill" :)
its got a great beat in the background.
Way to go on waking up early. I really need to start doing that. I started working part time at the Y and seriously, talk about some major motivation!
I have been trying to find the motivation again that I need to start eating right and exercising again. You have helped me!!! Thanks Suz!!!
I am going struggle getting up any earlier because I have to get up at 6am already but it might be worth getting up 15 minutes earlier and walk for 20 minutes and then get ready for work. I will have to give it a try.
Good music to work out to:
Justin Timberlake
Christina Aguilera
Madonna
also check out Fundamental Elements. They are alot of fun...out of St Louis. They are on iTunes.
On to snacks...
*apple slices with Smucker's Fat Free Caramel ice cream topping. This is a Weight Watchers snack a friend told me about and it is really good.
*Chocolate Graham Crackers (or graham cracker sticks) with Low Fat Cream Cheese. (another WW snack)
Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester...Good Girls Go Bad
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! Although morning is my best time of day once I'm up and going, I really hate getting out of bed so the thought of morning workouts has never appealed to me....but by the end of the day I am exhausted so evening workouts usually only last a week or two before I stop doing them. You have such a positive attitude and seem to be so full of joy and energy, I thought I would give it a try and I LOVE IT! It's not as hard to get up earlier as I thought it would be and I have so much energy throughout the day. And it's nice to know that I've already done it and don't have to do it after work. You are very inspiring!
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