Category: family_fitness

by Allison

How to walk ten thousand steps a day

Some time ago, someone from on high recommended walking ten thousand steps a day for optimal health and wealth.  Minus the wealth part.  When it was recommended, I was probably taking well over ten thousand steps a day so I sort of ignored it, as one does to advice that doesn’t apply, and went on my merry way.

And then I started a blog.

watch

I’ve become so sedentary over the last few years, tap, tap, tapping away on my computer, that my average daily steps are around, hold your breath, 3,000.  I know.  Shocking.

Walking around Europe snapped me right out of that, but I’ve had a hard time maintaining my daily walks here at home.  I drive the car to the park, to the grocery store, to the pool.  It’s downright shameful.  The obvious solution to the problem is to exercise every day, you know, like you’re supposed to.

pedometer

Yesterday was my first day wearing my new pedometer and I’ll tell you what, 10,000 really isn’t much but it was hard to come by.  I hit 10,013 at 10:00 pm.

In order for me, in my relatively sedentary lifestyle, to walk 10,000 steps during the day … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

training for a relay

Remember a few months ago how I was supposed to run this awesome relay race with a team my blogging B.F.F. Marie LeBaron put together called Eat. Blog. Run.?

running

I trained, I got blisters, I cried, I worked really hard, and in the end stupid Lupus won and I had to drop out of the race.  I still went to San Francisco to cheer my teammates on in their amazing race, but it nearly broke my heart.

ragnar relay race

When I got home from the relay I decided that come hell or high water, next year I’m beating Lupus by running in, and finishing, a relay race with my Eat. Blog. Run. girls.

How will I do this, you ask?  By starting early, I say.

golds gym

A couple months ago I started working out religiously at my local Gold’s Gym.  I’ve never been a huge gym fan before but now I am a complete convert.  Seriously, I’m sold.  I’m going to track my progress bit by small bit in preparation for the race I’m going to run next Summer, share with you the tiny moments of progress I’m sure to make.

Already I feel a … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

how to increase your daily water intake.

It’s no secret that I’d rather drink Diet Dr. Pepper than water any day of the week, but sometimes it’s good to mix it up. Not really, but work with me here.

Since my new fridge showed up I’ve been amazing at drinking water. I dare say my water consumption has increased by about 400%, and I’m not just pulling that number out of nowhere. Okay I am, but it feels like 400% because I’m drinking cold ice water all the livelong day.

Having an ice maker {ice is critical} and a water dispenser in my fridge is the key to my success. I mean, my happiness. I mean, my water consumption.



Just another piece of awesome from this beauty.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator, Range/Microwave, Washer/Dryer set, and a Dishwasher to facilitate my review.”


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

great running advice {updated}

{UPDATED} Thank you so much for all the great running advice! Keep it coming in the comments and I’ll just keep adding your suggestions to the body of the post. You’re the best!



It became abundantly clear after I posted a photo of my bandaged feet, I am still quite a novice in this running arena. I’m logging the miles, but I’m probably doing it all wrong.

I received so many awesome comments and emails with great suggestions about what to do, wear, and buy that I’m opening this post up to you. Leave your suggestions, tips, and running help in the comments {even if it’s just a great running song you can’t live without} and I’ll add them to the body of the post as we go along.

Seriously, you impress me. You’re smarter than me, fitter than me, and probably awesomer. Awesomer is totally a word.

So, get to it in the comments! Thank you.

Running Tips {from you}:


 Jaime said…

I suggest buying a pair of Asics…but I love them so I’m biased.

I suggest that you go to a store that has treadmill machines that monitor your running and walking style — … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

running woman.

I figured you wanted to start your day with a photo of my hurting, blistered feet. You’re welcome.

{yes, I gave myself a pedicure in the dark, why do you ask?}

Up to this point I’ve been hesitant to call myself a bona fide runner, but I think I’m there. All the training for the relay in May is starting to get to my body.

And not in an eat-all-the-creamies-you-can-in-one-sitting way, although I’m giving that my best.

Charming couldn’t figure out for the life of him why I took pictures of my bloody and bandaged feet this morning. He still doesn’t understand why I need to post them online. I told him *It’s for posterity.*

So my posterity understands that, yes, mommy did spend some time outside. Running, even.

I’m sorry if I just ruined your Tuesday.


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

running in the rain.

I’m training for something that I can’t really talk about yet, but am crazy excited to be doing. Crazy excited and just plain crazy all at the same time. But it involves running, lots and lots of running. I needed to go for a run the other day but the weather weather was really crummy; someone on Twitter dared me to go anyway, and I did.

I took a picture so I could show you just how drenched I got. The photo doesn’t do it justice, it just proves I have zero vanity left in my life.



But, in order to train for this thing I’m doing I’m going to need some massive music help. This is the part where I’m on my knees begging for music suggestions. I’m more of a {blushing} rap girl when it comes to running, Michael Jackson just doesn’t get it done for me. Ideas? Suggestions? Play lists? PLEASE?


… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

the golden hour by guest mom mandi.

First of all, let me thank Petit Elefant for allowing me to be a guest blogger this week. I have had a ball! I appreciate all your ideas, feedback, questions, and dialogue about my favorite two topics: fitness and family. Keep it comin’!


I have always been a morning person. I remember as a kid, waking up while it was still dark outside and sneaking out to our black and white television with no knobs (I had to turn the channels with my teeth). As I watched the Electric Company, I would see my mother out of the corner of my eye quietly leave the house for her early morning jog/walk.


This is my golden hour. The alarm doesn’t even have to go off and my eyes are wide open. I can’t help but think I am part feline since after eleven years of waking up this stinkin’ early, I no longer need light to navigate my way around the house. In pitch blackness I can throw on the workout clothes, strap on the heart rate monitor, clip back the hair, grab my slice of bread and water bottle, and I’m outta there.

As women we have ridiculous amounts of

… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Rachele Foushee-Beck

how to: lower your cholesterol.

… >> find out more…

Last month was National Cholesterol Education & Whole Grains month!

Get Your Cholesterol Checked
High blood cholesterol affects over 65 million Americans. You can have high cholesterol and not even know it. Celebrate National Cholesterol Education Month by getting your blood cholesterol checked and taking steps to lower it with healthier food and lifestyle choices.

Did You Know.?

  • That bowl of oatmeal you had for breakfast this morning counts as a whole grain and has been scientifically proven to reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol?

Eat More Whole Grains to Lower Cholesterol
Studies indicate that whole grains are excellent sources of soluble fiber, which is believed to help reduce total cholesterol along with LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. Although no single food offers complete protection, a low-fat diet that includes whole grains and other high-fiber foods, combined with an active lifestyle will give you the greatest health benefits.

Whole Grains Month is a great time to try eating more whole grains. Post this list of “baby-steps” on your fridge, and try as many as possible this month:

  • Buy three different loaves of whole-grain breads and taste all of them to see which ones you like best.
  • Serve bulgur or brown rice instead

Rachele Foushee-Beck

by Allison

cute workout gear for women.

So, I just kicked some serious booty in my favorite kickboxing class. Somebody got figuratively beat up by yours truly and it felt awesome! Afterward, I was chatting it up with the gals on my way out of class, laughing¸ basking in the natural high that comes from all those squats, jabs, and uppercuts. I was a sweaty mess (who knew there are sweat glands in kneecaps?). I passed by a full length mirror in the locker room and stopped dead in my tracks.

When did I wet my pants?


I frantically reviewed my morning and confirm that – NO – I did not actually wet my pants (after three kids, you never know). But due to the choice of shorts that day, it seriously looked like I had an accident.

Just because we work our tails off, doesn’t mean it is necessary to look like a construction worker with dinner plate sized sweat rings under the armpits. It is time to toss the old paint shirts and baggy sweat pants from college and invest a little money into some quality workout clothes.

Choosing workout clothes that are breathable and made out of wicking material is the only way to … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.