Comments (16)

By kilax, September 2, 2010 12:01 am

The winner of the I am the Competition ViewSPORT shirt is Amanda (Vegacious).

The winner of the white ViewSPORT watch is Kandi (Kandi Land).

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing addresses and I will ship the items your way.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and a big thanks to ViewSPORT for sponsoring the giveaway! I heard they are going to be designing some new shirts so make sure to check out their website!

I’ve been wearing my ViewSPORT watch all week. It’s nice and lightweight. And it comes in a cute little container!

I’ve even been wearing it with the Garmin while running, so I don’t have to use the Garmin to see what time it is. Ha ha.

Do you wear a watch when you exercise? What kind of stats do you keep – distance, time, pace, heart rate? Nothing?

Comments (39)

By kilax, August 26, 2010 7:00 pm

Remember my post about ViewSPORT workout tops – the ones that have an image show up when you get sweaty (before and after pic below)?

Well, the ViewSPORT Media Management team saw my post and sent me an email to thank me for spreading the word about ViewSPORT. And as a thank you, they sent me and a reader a ViewSPORT shirt AND a watch to try out (like the watch the model has on in the picture on the right)! How awesome is that?! If you wanted to try one, now is your chance!

A bit about ViewSPORT:

ViewSPORT™ began as an idea during long workouts. Having no real measure of the work done during each workout, the idea of a shirt that shows a design when you sweat was born. But how was Sweat Activated Technology created? The technology was developed at a workbench in 2009 by Ben Wood, chemist and Head Coach. In early 2010, Ben partnered with Joe Yacano, incorporated and began the patent process for the Sweat Activated Technology.

Like minds and ideas have fostered an environment which seeks to promote creative freedom. ViewSPORT™ is a US company that doesn’t operate like conventional corporate America. We use US goods and services. We welcome all people who seek meaning in their work.

Furthermore, part of our mission is to provide the motivated athlete with a new tool which can be used as a visible measure of their sweat equity.

We want people to be healthy. Part being healthy is having clean, drinkable water. We believe that everyone should have access to clean drinking water. That is why a portion of every sale will be donated to a world water foundation for global Clean Water Research.

It’s neat that ViewSPORT is on the cutting edge of technology with their products. And not to mention, they are a US company that supports global Clean Water Research!

Thank you so much for this opportunity, ViewSPORT!

Giveaway Details:

This is two giveaways – one for a women’s large “I am the competition” shirt as seen above and below, and a one for the watch. One reader will receive the shirt and one will receive the watch (men, please enter for the watch!).

Giveaway Rules:

1. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me what workout you would do in a ViewSPORT Sweat Activated Technology top and how long you think it would take for the image to appear.
2. To get an extra entry, link to the giveaway in your blog, and leave me another comment linking to your post.
3. And for a bonus entry, “like” ViewSPORT’s facebook page (link here) and leave me another comment telling me you did.
4. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Wednesday September 1 (our anniversary!). I will use random.org to select the winners. I will announce the winners on Thursday September 2.
5. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Comments (35)

By kilax, August 12, 2010 6:40 am

Well, let me tell you – if you don’t sweat enough you might never get to see the design on this workout tank:

You can ‘t see it very well (click to see larger) – but in the picture on the right, the words “the competition” have appeared on the woman’s shirt becuase she sweat enough.

I was reading this WSJ article about new clothing design technologies, and I had to laugh when I got to the part about ViewSport athletic wear (they make clothes for men and women). They advertise that “when you workout, the ViewSPORT sweat activated technology reveals a design which is only apparent when your sweat comes in contact with the fabric.”

And a quote from Ben Wood, the Chief Executive:

The whole point is to demonstrate how hard you are working out.

Does more sweat = working out harder?

Some people don’t sweat that much. I know in the winter I am covered in sweat and Steven is still dry, even if we ran the same amount. Of course, it’s completely different in the summer – everyone is covered in sweat, right? Right?!

Either way, it’s an interesting concept. I can see how it would be fun. They mentioned one user’s experience:

Laura Klein, of Pittsford, N.Y., wears a shirt and tank top from ViewSPORT to her spinning classes. “It keeps you motivated,” she says. “You want to see the design.” Other gym members have asked her where she got the shirt, she says. In one Pilates class, “they made me kind of stand and model the shirt,” she says.

Ha ha.

I would definitely be one of those people who had the design show up right away. I am a sweaty girl (when working out… and sometimes when not working out). Good thing I love to sweat!*

How much do you sweat? Would you wear these shirts?

*Too bad I cannot figure out how to make my workout clothes NOT smell like A$$. Any tips?!?!

Comments (11)

By kilax, June 26, 2010 11:03 pm

We went on a long bike ride yesterday and now certain areas of my you-know-what* are sore. Does anyone have recommendations on a good brand of padded bike shorts** or a good comfortable bike seat?

I have a $10 Amazon giftcard, so that could go toward getting one or the other. I know nothing about biking, so I hope someone has some good tips!

Not sore in that area, but you get the idea
Take my advice – DO NOT google “sore butt” pictures

*butt
**Let me know about sizing – I will probably order them online.

Comments (44)

By kilax, June 11, 2010 5:10 pm

I got my diagnosis – three stress fractures total, located in the:

1. Mid Tibia of the Right Leg: this bad boy never fully healed last summer. Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.
2. Mid Fibula of the Left Leg: huh? Where did that come from?
3. Tibial Plateau of the Left Leg: this is the only area I thought was messed up.

I apologize for messing up any medical terms!

Hmm.

Obviously, I have been instructed not to run, or do any high-impact exercises (sorry Steven, no soccer) for at least a couple of weeks. I can still do free weights, bike, swim, use the elliptical, and walk if it does not hurt.

My drug cocktail will be:

• Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc @ 1500mg for my bones
• Vitamin D @ 800-1600 mg for my bones
• B50 Complex for fun for energy
• AND… Calcitonin, a nasal spray which will help my bones absorb nutrients and stimulate bone growth? I will only be taking this if it is from a non-animal source.

I imagine I am supposed to take the vitamins forever, and the Calcitonin until it runs out. About this Calcitonin stuff – the doctor said this was the aggressive route to take, but he recommends it, since he knows I want to run the Chicago Marathon (got to love a doctor who is on my side). I am a little weary of it, so I am going to see what I can find out about it. He did say it can cause you to retain water (among other things).

And speaking of retaining water, it is time for me to LOSE SOME WEIGHT if I am really going to train for a marathon (someday?). I have to imagine that being overweight might be affecting my condition a little bit. The doctor didn’t say anything about that though – he didn’t guess as to why I am getting these stress fractures. Naturally, I will blame it on my vegan diet and my overweight body, but I am just being mean (to me). I don’t think that is entirely it. Something must be off about my running and training.

So, the plan is this – take all these drugs, try not to fall asleep on the bike, and see the doctor in a couple of weeks. Another bone scan* will not be necessary. He will just apply pressure on my legs in the injured areas and I will let him know if they are in pain (yay! not.). If I am feeling good, he will help me develop a plan to get back to running. Erin recommended I get my gait analyzed, which I also think is a good idea.

If I am not feeling good in a couple more weeks… uh, more “rest”?

How do I feel about all of this? Really weird. I wanted to cry when I talked to the doctor. But he sounded optimistic, so I am trying to feel optimistic. I can be stupidly optimistic** though, and that can get me hurt (even more). So, I am just going to try and follow the doctor’s lead and do what it takes to heal properly, and try not to spend TOO MUCH TIME thinking about this – not really sure if that is possible though.

If you notice my mood is declining (or that I am not around) in the next few weeks, it will be because I am not running… I’ll try to avoid that though. Try.

*This link does a really good job of explaining the bone scan procedure and what the black spots mean.
**Or maybe reckless is the right word? You know, “My legs feel great today! I am ready to jump in with a 10 mile run!”

Comments (17)

By kilax, June 10, 2010 3:47 pm

I had my bone scan today. I went in at 9:30 and they took an initial scan of my lower and mid legs and injected me with some radioactive tracer stuff. Then we left the hospital (picked up some race packets and got lunch), let the radioactive tracer make its way around my body, and went back at 12:30 to do the same scans, plus scans of the outsides of my legs. The outsides of my legs took over 15 minutes each and I “accidentally” fell asleep!

I got a CD copy of the films to share with my doctor tomorrow morning, and of course, I had to take a peek!

But… I don’t know what anything means! Last year I hurt my inside right shin, and this year, my outside left leg hurts. I don’t really see anything in those spots… guess I can run this half marathon on Sunday! Ha ha.

What do you think about those random black dots? Good or bad? We’ll find out soon…

Have you ever had a bone scan or any other fancy pants (read:$$$) medical procedures done?

Comments (22)

By kilax, May 15, 2010 11:35 pm

Weekends seem to be used for workout posts lately… this may turn in to a trend (at least for the rest of May/first part of June)!

Last year I participated in SELF magazine’s Workout in the Park in Chicago with my friend, Diane. When I was telling my mom how much fun we had, she immediately started planning her trip for the 2010 event (yes, a year in advance!) and she registered for it the day registration opened*. I’m so excited she participated in it with me this year.

Workout in the Park is basically one giant workout with vendors you can visit as well. It was open from 11:00-3:00, and set up into three areas: the Main Stage, the Quiet Zone and the Rebounding Zone.

The Main Stage is where all of the cardio workouts are that you can just join and follow. There were nine different workouts offered, one after another, while we were there. We participated in the “Masala Bhangra” one, which was a Bollywood style dance workout, and “Retro-Robics,” which was a aerobics class set to fun old music (think Flashdance and Grease style). There was another workout, “Cardio Tai Box,” a sort of cardio punching/kicking workout that I did and really liked last year, and it was offered again, but we were standing in line to get some free loot. Ha ha. The classes were really similar to the year before, and had many of the same local instructors, but that was fine with me, because I obviously enjoyed it enough to come back!

You can see the main stage and people stretching

The Rebounding Zone was a separate area where you did a trampoline workout. There were only 475 slots open (classes every 15 minutes), so you had to have an arm band to get in. That was the first thing we got in line for when we got in, and the last workout we did. IT KICKED OUR BUTTS.

Not our class, but you get the idea

The class we took was taught by this instructor (picture below) from a local Crunch Gym. My mom wanted to take our picture with him so she could show her coworkers what they were missing out on (originally, she thought they would come with her).

He wondered why women kept asking him to take his shirt off

We started off just bouncing in place, and honestly, that felt great! It was such a relief to be on an elastic surface!

But then the squats started. We would do low squats and hold them, AND do low squats and bounce in place! We also spent a lot of time doing crunches with one leg straight out in front of us. Ugh. It was hard! And the instructor was pretty funny, he would walk around and encourage people to keep going, but he was kind of getting in their faces about it.

We were happy that was the last workout we did since it pooped us out so much!

We signed up for the “Breathwork Meditation” class offered in the Quiet Zone. The Quiet Zone had a lot of yoga and pilates focused classes. Like the Rebounding Zone, you had to have a wristband for these classes, but there were more spots available. The class we did was a simple yoga class that focused on equalizing your breathing (same count in as out) and ended with a heavy meditation focus. My mom and I really liked it (it was her first time trying yoga). And it was neat to see all of the different women in there who were so flexible. It definitely inspired me!

We spent the rest of our time checking out all of the booths and getting free loot. I got about a million SOYJOYs and single serving containers of Silk Chocolate Milk. Garnier also gave away a lot of cool stuff and offered makeovers.

Half of the booths

I got my gait analyzed at the Asics booth, and they said the same thing that dude at the running store told me a few weeks ago – I don’t overpronate, and the Adrenalines may have too much support for me, which is why I have calf issues. Oh yes, calf issues I have. My calves were somewhat sore during the Main Stage workouts we did. I think that is why the trampoline workout in the Rebounding Zone felt so good.

The whole event was a lot of fun (of course, it is hard not to have fun around my mom – she is pretty much open for anything and a blast to be around) – we are already talking about going next year! It is pretty cheap – $20 to enter and that includes a magazine subscription (and all the free loot you get there!).

Some of the giveaways we took (I am sending most home with my mom)

All pooped out and ready to go home

We bought the t-shirts** from the event and wore them to see Iron Man 2 in the IMAX with my dad and Steven. Yes, we are big dorks.

Have you ever participated in a group workout in an outdoor setting? Did you like it?

Chicago actually has a lot of outdoor workouts during the summer! I think if I lived closer I would be there a lot!

*I only have two complaints about this event, and one is that I tried to register early and my registration did not go through and it was difficult for them to fix it for me.
**My other complaint? $20 for this t-shirt. Really? Really?

Comments (52)

By kilax, May 5, 2010 5:14 am

And not the ones you wear on your feet!

TMI Time: I wear a thong every day to work, unless it is Friday – then I go panty-free. Just kidding! I only do that at home. Friday is jeans day, so I wear normal underoos.

Anyway, on Monday, I got down to the gym (in the basement) and realized I left my change of underwear in my wardrobe at my desk (floor 33). Being lazy, I decided to just work out wearing the thong, and… I liked it!

No fabric riding up, no wedgies to pick, no pantie lines… it was great! The only downfall? My jiggly butt.

So I am wondering, do other people wear thongs to work out, on purpose? A quick visit to Lululemon* confirms that they do sell thongs with “venting to keep you cool while you work out” which implies that other people do, in fact, do this. You know what is coming next. Oh yes.

What kind of underwear do you wear when you work out and in what material? Have you ever worn a thong when working out?

Here is a pic of me from a few weeks ago.
Not!
It’s from here.

 Loading ...

 Loading ...

I have been really curious about exercise underwear. Because, come on, if you wear those cotton ones, and have to stop in a middle of a workout to use the loo, you know how disgusting it is to pull up sweaty underwear. Oh wait, you don’t sweat? Well, I hate you.**

Side note: I hope my spam filter works today.

*A place I have never shopped and cannot pronounce but have seen praised all over the blogosphere.
**Just kidding. I love you. Welcome to Costco, I love you.

Comments (57)

By kilax, March 22, 2010 4:44 am

I read a statistic in the April issue of Women’s Health saying 8 in 10 people prefer the gym to exercising outdoors (based on a Women’s Health poll) – which surprised me!

Then I read in the April issue of Health that according to research from the University of Essex, people who workout outdoors feel more relaxed and energized than those who stay indoors. Hmm.

I take every “study” I read with a grain of salt. How could you possibly sample enough people to ever make “statistics” like this be accurate?

Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t use them as starting points for blogging material! Especially these two. When I read them, I really wanted to know what other people think. So…

Do you prefer to workout indoors or outdoors? I suppose it depends on the activity – which do you prefer where? Do you feel more “relaxed and energized” indoors or outdoors?

I prefer all of my cardio workouts outdoors because I find them more entertaining – there is so much to take in outside, especially when running on a trail in a park, or somewhere new! When I do have to do cardio in the gym, I prefer to have a podcast to listen to, or a magazine to read. And I probably do feel more energized when I am working out outside, and the sun is shining… but I feel energized after most cardio, anywhere!

Now, strength? That has to be done in the gym, right?

Comments (39)

By kilax, March 17, 2010 4:28 am

Do you guys listen to the Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone podcasts? I was first introduced to it through Perfect in our Imperfections and I am so happy I found it. I love to listen to it when I am working out. I get a lot of food for thought from it.

They have a segment called “Blogger News” where you can share anything that you find noteworthy. I actually shared some blogger news in their most recent podcast (it’s at the 39:10 mark).

And what was my blogger news? Well, admittedly, it’s not glamorous in nature, but something I am excited about – that I haven’t gotten sick at all this winter.

I know. What is the big deal and who cares? Well, this is the first winter I have eaten healthy and exercised consistently and not had one cold… so I have to imagine those three things are related!

I went to my go-to source, the Well blog on the New York Times, to look for information on how physical activity affects immunity and found some interesting information*:

• The risk of catching a cold or the flu drop if you exercise “moderately,” but if you exercise “intensely”** or for a prolonged period of time, the risk that you will catch a cold or the flu surpasses the risk of a sedentary person.
• Intense workouts and racing suppress the body’s immune response for a period of time immediately after you’ve finished exercising and that the longer the duration and the more intense the exercise, the longer the temporary period of immunosuppression lasts — anything from a few hours to a few days has been suggested.
• Once you’ve caught a bug, intense exercise can make the symptoms and severity worse. Viruses evoke an increase in T1-type helper immune cells which induce inflammation and are the body’s first line of defense against the virus. But if the inflammation continues for too long, the T1-helper cells become counterproductive and risk harming the host. The body’s immune system increases another type of immune cell, T2-helper cells, which produce mostly an anti-inflammatory immune response. In studies, moderate exercise suppressed T1 and increased T2 just a little bit, but intense or prolonged exercise may suppress T1 too much, which could shut down that line of defense before it has completed its work.
• Overall, you should listen to your body and be prudent in your exercise decisions. In general, moderate exercise, such as a leisurely jog or walk, may prop up your immune response and lessen the duration and severity of a mild infection, but be honest about your condition. If you don’t feel well, especially if you have fever or body aches, stop daily exercise until you are recovered. It is okay to exercise if you have a simple head cold or congestion — in fact, it may improve the he way you feel. Just would avoid heavy, prolonged exercise with a head cold, since it can unbalance that important T1 and T2-helper cell response.

In your personal experience, have you noticed any relationship between the amount and intensity of your exercise routine and immunity? Do you think more is involved? Or do you think it is completely random?

*Note, I hate that they test this stuff on mice. WTF? They mention studies done on both mice and humans. Can’t we just skip the mice studies? How similar are our immune systems? Ugh. This is just the vegan in me speaking out.
**Although definitions of intense exercise vary among researchers, most define it as a workout or race of an hour or more during which your heart rate and respiration soar and you feel as if you are working hard.