WEEK EIGHT: LOVING CROSSFIT

I know you've been tempted by those late night fitness info-mercials. I've been sucked in myself. I've done P90X, I've tried INSANITY and as advertised, they're actually LEGIT workouts--->or at least, I believe them to be. Actually, INSANITY is pretty ridiculous!

To tell you the truth, I love the fact that fitness is trendy! Who hasn't plateaued at the gym or been bored with the stand-by workout routine that you've been doing for a decade? I often need a change from the grind of the gym and quite frankly, I'm getting too old (As Bobby Orr says "...easy on the knees!") to do the crazy long runs I used to do back in the day.

So here's my latest fad that's actually had some staying power--->CROSSFIT. I'm sure many of you have heard of it, but if you haven't, check it out! I've been intriqued: the work-outs are short, it's never the same thing twice, you're dead by the end and it's competitive (you record your times to beat later). To boot, you're pounding the weights so intensely that you don't even realize you've banged out a cardio component too!

Paul Assaiante (winningest coach in College sports EVER) visited campus the other day and went on and on about cross-training and mixing it up so that the body doesn't plateau--he actually used the words "muscle confusion" which makes me laugh. Regarless, we all know that training has become a science--->optimizing results and being as efficient in doing so is key, hence the hunt for the plateau-less workout. My point about Assaiante is that he confirms that this isn't new stuff but clearly it's something that top programs do and, do well.

Alright, enough blubbering. CHECK OUT CROSSFIT---I've attached a few links. There's three places in Toronto and shockingly there's even one in my hood only 15 minutes away. CrossFit gyms are traditionally warehouse-like in appearance and use some pretty rudimentary equipement but you can adapt most of the work-outs to any gym setting or even in the privacy of your own home.

Here's my advice if you're intriqued--->Sample a few posted work-outs from these sites and see if you're a fan!

P.S. CONGRATS TO DANI + KIM FOR WINNING LAST WEEK'S GIVE-AWAY!!

RIGHT CLICK TO OPEN IN NEW WINDOW---->
CROSSFIT SITES:
CrossFit Work-Out Of The Day
CrossFit: Great Barrington
CrossFit: Toronto

OTHER SITES:
Outside Online: 2011 Health + Fitness Report
Blog: Straight Dope
CrossFit Zone Diet (via CF Journal, May '04) 

WEEK FOUR: Workouts + "No More Snow CT!!" + Traditions

DID YOU NOTICE?? I had a few people note that I hadn't put anything up about fitness-->so with that, check out the right column for the WORKOUT OF THE DAY! Or, click on SPIN, CROSSFIT or RUN+OTHER for past workouts.

FIRST CHALLENGE: I double-dog-dare you to try one out!

STOP ALL THE SNOW! With 6 snow days in the last 3 weeks, what better time to take in the sites of the tri-state area than mid-storm. Last week's Hartford Courant marked NW Connecticut encroaching on the 100+ inches of snow mark! What?? The kicker, this is just for December and January.

We've started a new tradition---a chai latte from Irving Farm (Andrew's more of a hot chocolate guy) and a walk down the Millerton Rail Trail (NY) with the pup. Here are a few snaps from our morning away (no phones, no e-mail and definitely no TV). 

SECOND CHALLENGE: Make a weekly tradition! My girls in Toronto do a rotating brunch on Sunday's, a friend from University has Tuesdays @ 8PM permanently booked in her calendar to catch up with her sister via phone, a work colleague of mine does "Margarita + Mexican Fridays", you get the drift...

FYI--->NEXT PURCHASE----XCOUNTRY SKIS!!
CrossFit Info + New Project To Come Next Week--->