Good thing my locations are change each week because my outfits don’t. I could only bring so many clothes with me in the RV.

I want to say right off hand that I call these Tabata intervals but since there are 4 of them I didn’t go all out each set so they aren’t true Tabata. Nevertheless this workout kicked my butt and I felt it for days. Days.

Despite the chilly weather, this was a great place to workout. The campground was nearly empty, the sound of the stream was relaxing, and my kids played on the hillside. After we filmed my workout Brent did the workout himself.

Arkansas

Interval #1
1. Push Press
2. Jump Squats

Interval #2
1. KB Toss
2.  Swings

Interval #3
1. Hot Potatoes
2. Split Lunges

Interval #4
1. Mountain Climbers
2. Russian Twist

- Each interval is 4 minutes long divided into 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest which means each exercise is repeated 4 times (8 total work periods). All four intervals add up to a 16 minutes workout. I’m a math genius.  

- For the interval #1 I started with my left arm push presses and the second interval (after squats) I switched to my right arm so each side did 2 intervals each. This was plenty of work. I had considered making it double push presses but halfway through I was glad I stuck with singles.\

We were in Arkansas in December and have finally made it to warmer weather. I’m hoping this will help me get back into a workout routine as they have been…errrr…a bit spotty. That New Year’s 5X5 Challenge? Out the door. I should have made it a 3×3 challenge or skipped it altogether. At this point, I don’t need any more “challenges” in my life. Figuring out life in an RV with two kids, two dogs, and a cat is challenge enough right now.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long RV road trip through the United States!

I’ve worked out at some of uncommon places. That’s the beauty of kettlebells. I’ve worked out in parking lots, in the kitchen, and with dinosaurs.

But this was the first time I’ve ever worked out with Texas Longhorns. I have a feeling that it might be my last too.

We spent three weeks traveling through Texas. I considered filming my workout in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park or in Marfa but I was too sore. Or too lazy. I also wanted something really “Texan” and what is more Texan than a Texas Longhorn. Not only is the Longhorn the University of Texas mascot but it’s the official state mammal. Did you know there are official state mammals? I didn’t. I’m not sure if all states have an official mammal but Texas does and it’s the Longhorn.

We did have a bit of trouble finding some Longhorns to workout with. Imagine that. Apparently, Ranchers don’t have time for Californians to “visit with” their cattle. At one point, we drove by some cows grazing in the backyard of a modest house. Brent pulled over to the side of the road and suggested I knock on the front door for permission to enter their property. What was I supposed to say, “Do you mind if I workout with your Longhorns?”. No I’m not crazy. Not at all.

As it turned out there was a lovely little Longhorn ranch near one of our campgrounds. Front 30 Ranch Guest House  is run by a darling couple and who graciously allowed me to workout in their Longhorn pasture while our boys played on their beautiful property.

Anyway here’s the workout. Enjoy it. And the Longhorns.

Texas

Cleans 25, 20, 15, 10, 5
Presses 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Squats 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Renegade Rows 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Swings 25, 20, 15, 10, 5

The first round goes like this 25 cleans, 5 presses, 5 squats, 5 (each side) rows, and 25 swings. Rest. The second round is 20, 5, 5, 5, and 20. And so on.

This workout can also be done “For Time” if you like to compare scores with previous workouts.

P.S. No one was even close to being trampled during the stampede.

P.S.S. Those brown lumps on the ground are what you think they are.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

I’m skipping ahead a bit.

Texas was the next workout I filmed after New Mexico. But I’m still in the holiday spirit and the last workout I filmed has a holiday feel to it.

I mean there are bells. They don’t jingle but they are red. And best of all there is snow. Beautiful white snow flakes to catch on your tongue and make your mascara run eyelashes.

So I’ll go back and post Texas. And Oklahoma. And Arkansas.

But this week it is Indiana, the state I grew up in. In fact, we filmed the workout in front on my childhood home. Awww…

I decided to go lighter than normal for this workout. One, I didn’t want to slip in the snow and, two, it’s better not to go all out every workout. Of course, if you do the workout choose the weight you need.

Indiana

1. Double Swings
2. Seesaw Presses
3. Double Swings
4. Alternating Rows
5. Double Swings
6. Alternating Lateral Lunges
7. Double Swings

Repeat 1-7 three times for a total of 21 minutes. 

It might also be a good idea to count and write down your reps for every exercise that way you can track your progress. Just a suggestion though. Lately, I’ve not been too concerned with progress and more concerned with being in the moment and enjoying the experience.

If you only have one bell just do 1 arm presses (or rows) for 20 seconds and then switch to the other arm.

FYI working out it snow was so much fun. It made me feel like doing elf kicks the rest of the day. Just one of the many reasons kettlebells rock.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long road trip through the United States!

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Happy 2012!

I love the New Year. It’s a chance to begin a new adventure and to evaluate our choices of the past year.  What worked? What didn’t? Are we headed where we want to go? There is something fun about hanging a new calendar and seeing all the empty pages just waiting to be filled in.

More than anything this year, I really want to just focus on trying to live a simple life, be in the moment with my family and continue to love harder.

I do have one”smartie” fitness goal I’d like to accomplish by the end of this year. I would like to be able to press two 35lb kettlebells for 5 reps this year. As of now, I can press 2 26lb kettlebells. I pretty sure I could still press two 30 lb bells but due to lack of space the next weight up we brought was 35 lbs. So that’s my fitness goal for the year. I also should start thinking about my RKC recertification due this year. I’ll have to repass all the requirements.

And…

Like many Americans, I put on a little weight over the holidays. How much I don’t know exactly because I don’t have a scale. I did step on my parent’s scale and it looks like about 5 or 6 pounds but since I don’t have a starting weight on that scale it’s just a guestimate.

Five or 6 pounds are really not a big deal. I’m still at a healthy weight, love my body, and all that feel-good-love-yourself-mushy-mush still rings true.

But….

I’m not going to let that 5 pounds sit there because I love myself and my family. If I let this 5 pounds sit here what is going to keep me from doing that next year and the year after? I’d rather lose 5 pounds this year than 50 pounds 10 years from now and possibly try to correct a host of preventable issues that could arise from being overweight.

To start off of the New Year I’m doing a 5 for 5 challenge.

Girl Heroes 5 for 5 Challenge

1. Do 5 short but intense workouts a week. – I’m thinking 3 kettlebell workouts, a light suspension training workout, and a very short sprint workout. All workouts will be 20 minutes or less.

2. Reduce calories by 500 a day. - This puts me on average in the 1600-2000 range depending on my activity level. I’m going to start tracking calories again for a few weeks. It’s been so long since I’ve tracked that I don’t think I’m being honest with myself about portion sizes. It also helps curb the snacking because “I’m bored” or “want to procrastinate” habits I tend to have.

3. For 5 weeks total.

(I really wanted to come up with 2 more things to do so 5 things would be on my list but that would go against my commitment to keeping things simple and I couldn’t make 5 work with sleeping. Five hours of sleep would not be enough for me!)

This should more or less add up to about a 5 pound weight loss over 5 weeks. (Interesting how it’s going to take 5 weeks to take off what I put on over the course of 5 days. Oh well. No biggie.) I won’t know exactly how much I lose because I no longer have a scale but the point is to resume to old habits that don’t necessarily come easy for me. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I naturally gravitate towards more sedentary activities like reading, daydreaming, and sitting at the computer. I need a jumpstart for the new year.

After 5 weeks I’ll continue with 3-5 workouts a week and I will more than likely stop counting the calories but the next 5 weeks should be enough to get me motivated and and make old habits new again.

Oh and there is one more thing.

Sugar.

I’ve thought long and hard about my relationship with the white powder the last few months.  I’m decided that today I would go back to what I know works for me: allowing myself homemade sweets made with unrefined sugars. This is the most livable solution for me. In my ideal world, I’d give up all sugar completely for good but that’s just not going to happen. The choice to eat unrefined homemade treats I can happily live with. I have a lot more to say about sugar but right now I’m going to bed because getting more sleep is a priority this year.

Hope you had a Happy New Year and a wonderful Christmas!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long road trip through the United States!

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It hard to put into words how much fun we’ve been having on the road. That’s not to say it’s not without its hard days.  I’ve found myself, once or twice, curled up on Brent’s lap crying my eyes wondering what the heck are we doing. The day we visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park was not one of those days. The caverns were, for lack of a better word, simply magical like another world.

It also happens that there was a perfect spot for a quick workout in the park. (I keep a set of kettlebells in the truck just in case. Doesn’t everyone?) The sun was setting and the colors were breathtaking. About halfway through the workout, I saw what I thought was “a piece of trash” blow by only to realize it was actually a skunk!  (I’m easily entertained as you will see.) Here’s a secret. Even though I call him “stinky” in the video, I actually like the smell of skunks. Weirdo.

New Mexico

This is a quick but challenging two part full body workout that can be done “for time”.

Part One 

1. Presses – 5
2. Squats – 5
3. Renegade (or regular) Rows – 5 (each side)

Repeat 3x total

Part Two 

1. Swings – 5
2. Burpees (no pushup) – 5
3. Cleans – 5
4. Jump Squats – 5
5. Swings – 5

Repeat 5x total

LOVED this workout and I’m definitely going to come back to it later. Next up is Texas, where I picked an “unusual” spot for a workout.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we plan to take a year long road trip through the United States!

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First, I want to say THANK YOU for the support regarding my relapse. I was really nervous about posting it for fear someone who tell me it was “just in my head” or there is “no such thing as a sugar addiction”.  Addiction is a serious matter and I certainly don’t want to trivialize more “serious” addictions.  Although, truth be told, a sugar addiction can, albeit much more slowly, lead to an early death in the form of disease.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you my sincere thanks for the support and encouragement.  I feel strengthened already and my only regret is that I didn’t reach out sooner.

I’m a bit behind on my workouts because I just spent 10 days with my best friend in Texas.  It has been 7 years since I visited her in Texas so I wanted to spend every moment I could with her. Between homeschooling the boys and hanging out I had little time to workout, write posts, or edit videos.  She and I did manage to do the California in the backyard.

After we left Nevada, we headed over to Arizona where we met a “porcupine hunter“, visited a ghost town, saw ancient ruins, and drove through the Painted Desert at sunset (one of the most beautiful 20 minutes of my life and my photograph does not do justice) where we filmed “Arizona”.  I was a bit distracted during this workout because Thing 1 and 2 two unnamed boys were running their pug dogs through the cacti. I may or may not have edited out some direction that went something like get on the sidewalk NOW. I think the mountains may have shook.

This workout is in two parts.  Part A is rounds which could be timed.  Part B is a set time which could be counted for reps.

Arizona

Part A

1. Swings – 20 Reps
2. Left and Right Presses – 5 Reps Each Side
3. Tactical Lunges – 20 Reps Alternating Legs
4. Heartbeats – 20 “pulses” (If you have the space these are great to do while walking.)
5. Goblet Squats – 20 Reps
6. Swings – 20 Reps

Repeat 3x, resting as needed, and  it would have been for time if you don’t have little boys and pug dogs.

Part B
1. Snatches*

For 7 minutes alternate 15 seconds of snatches with 45 seconds of rest. Why 7? Because Arizona has 7 letters and it makes me happy to correlate my workouts with the letters of the states.  I’m all sorts of scientific.

*If I was injured, or unsure of my snatch technique I would substitute swings for snatches.

I love love the location of my next workout in Nevada and I can’t wait to share that one!

Do you think “sugar addiction” is real? I’m not feeling as fragile as I was so feel free to be honest. Do you like the desert?  Have you ever been to the Painted Desert?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we plan to take a year long road trip through the United States!

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We left our home in Ventura with almost everything we owned in tow behind us four weeks ago yesterday.

It’s been a whirlwind of adventure for sure.  We hadn’t planned to go to Nevada so soon but we had an emergency stop that put us right at the border between Arizona and Nevada. While our RV was in the shop we drove across the border and filmed a workout.  I mean what else are you going to do in the nearly desolate desert.  Halfway through the workout it started to rain.  It only added to the experience.

I love the desolation of the desert and mountains.  The more remote the better.  Can’t wait to get to west Texas.  I’m also hoping to get back to Nevada.  I’ve heard eastern Nevada is beautiful so maybe I’ll do a “Nevada 2″ next year when we make it back out west.

Nevada

1. Swings – 20
2. Left Arm Press – 5
3. Single Left Arm Swing -20
4. Right Arm Press – 5
5. Single Right Arm Swing – 20
6. Heartbeat Squat (5 “pulses” at the bottom) – 5

Six moves. Six rounds.

For time. (Rest as needed.)

Another thing I love about kettlebells (besides that you take take them almost anywhere) is that you can “flow” between moves by using cleans and switching hands during swings. I find it helps me get into “a zone” more easily than other workout tools.

I’m thinking I need to set some goals for myself.  Right now, I feel as free as the wind which is amazing but it wouldn’t hurt to have some sort of workout routine.  Hmm…..

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long (or more) road trip through the United States!

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I finally filmed (and edited with the help of Thing 1) my first workout of the 48 workouts I’m planning to film while we travel this year and uploaded it to my brand new YouTube account.

This workout was done in Yosemite National Park overlooking Half Dome about an hour before sunset.  This location is going to be hard to top.  I can’t imagine a more amazing place to workout.  (I have more pictures here.)  

This is why kettlebells are my favorite workout tool.  How many other pieces of equipment can think of that you can take up into the mountains and workout effectively with one of the most incredible views in the country?  Besides your body!  ;-)

California

It has 10 moves since California has 10 letters.  Clever, huh.  ;-)   I set my gym boss for 40 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest.

1. Swings
2. Hot Potatoes
3. Goblet Squats
4. Left Push Press
5. Right Push Press
6. Alternating Swings
7. Left Single Arm Row
8. Right Single Arm Row
9. Alternating Lunges
10. Kettlebell Toss (Upchucks)

This was my second workout out since September and I felt it.  Good golly, did I!  I only did one round (10 minutes) and I was pretty sore the next day.  I’m not sure if it was my lack of workouts lately or the elevation but my heart was pounding.  Next time I do it, I would like to do two rounds.  You could do three but I’m not much for workouts longer than 20 minutes.  Next time, I’ll also count reps and try to do more each time I do it again.

We’ve been on the road for a little over three weeks and I’m finally starting to find my groove.  Internet service has been extremely difficult, hence, my erratic posting, slow email responses, and my lack of commenting on my regular blogs. Most of the time, it takes soooooo long to open pages so I’m finding it really difficult to read and then click through from reader.  I’m sorry. When my connection is better I’ll be back to commenting but I am reading as much as possible!

Right now my focus is being with my family and updating our travel blog as much as possible because I want to make sure I document everyday of our journey. Although, now that we are settling into somewhat of a routine I’m going to be posting on here more often…assuming we have internet.

Next week, I’ll be posting the “Nevada” workout and I have some amazing Girl Heroes lined up over the next few weeks in the meantime…

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long (or more) road trip through the United States!

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Recently (as in last weekend) despite the current craziness of getting ready to leave for a year long road trip, I attended the TRX suspension training course.

The TRX suspension training course was hosted at YuBfit in Huntington Beach.  It was taught by three TRX trainers, one who was a formal physical therapist.

Here is a recap of  the TRX suspension course objectives.

1. Understand the uniqueness and power of suspension training. – I didn’t need any convincing.  Upon arriving at the course I noticed the slogan on the back of the instructor’s shirts, “Make your body your machine.”  Catchy right?  But get this…when I read that slogan I thought of it as a metaphor for the body being strong like a machine.  You know when you say, “You’re a machine” when one of your friends has an amazing workout.  (Please tell me you say that too!)  I’m assuming TRX means that as well but during the course our instructor explained the slogan further.  She talked about how when people go to the gym they sit down on a machine and the machine is the workout or the machine provides the resistance.  However, with the TRX your body provides the resistance and your body literally replaces the machine.  So it it has a literally and metaphorically meaning.  Cool way to think of it, huh!

2. How to set up the TRX in any environment. – This will come in very handy on the road.  I think I’ve already found the perfect place to attach it to my rv.

3. Become proficient in a wide range of exercises.  - This was my favorite part.  We practiced a lot of different exercises.  My arms were sore for almost 3 days afterwards but it was fun.  I’m super excited to add some new ones to my routines.  Each participant also got a very well put together manual with over 70 different exercises.

4. Know how to adjust resistance for any fitness level.  - I learned that although I’m fit it doesn’t mean I’m always going to use the advanced progressions.  For some exercises the advanced progressions were easy and others I needed to use beginner or intermediate progressions.  This is one of the things I LOVE about suspension training.  It’s easy to seamlessly change the difficulty.

5. Know how to lead participants through an efficient and effective workout. –  After listening to a lecture on program design we were split up into groups and we asked to design a program for a specific client.  Then we had to perform our programming choices in front of the class.  It was fun and not only did I learn by working with my group, I learned a great deal for the other groups.

Was the Course Worth the Money?

The class was what I would consider a medium sized class and there were 3 instructors for about 20 participants.  The head trainer, a former physical therapist, really knew her stuff.  I was impressed not only by her knowledge but by her speaking skills.

As a personal trainer, yes.  Continuing education is an important (and necessary) part of being a personal trainer.  Personally, I prefer to earn CEUs through hands on practice rather than reading and test taking.

If you aren’t a fitness professional then the course would still have value but your money might be better spend on TRX classes or videos.  Two hundred and fifty dollars is quite a few videos or classes.  While not necessary, keep in mind you’ll also get more out of the course if you understand the planes of motion and basic biomechanics.

Overall I’m glad I went.  The course was well thought out and organized.  I learned a lot and look forward to incorporating what I learned into my workouts.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we plan to take a year long road trip through the United States!

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This morning I was scrolling through twitter and saw one of my kettlebell buddies tweet, “911 swings done”.

My heart sunk.

This evening, I headed to the beach alone with two kettlebells to do 911 swings in honor of those who lost their lives 10 years ago today.

In Honor of Heroes Workout – 911 Swings

30 – Two Handed Swings
30 – One Handed Swings (15 R, 15 L)
30 – Two Handed Swings
30 – Alternating Swings
30 – Two Handed Swings
30 – One Handed Swings (15 R, 15 L)

Repeat 5x for a total of 900 swings.

For the last 11 swings I brought my heaviest kettlebell and finished those 11 just as the sun was setting.

I hadn’t planned it that way.

Then I walked down to the water’s edge.

And inhaled the salty ocean air feeling grateful and alive.

As the moon began to replace the sun I sat down in the sand and prayed…

…and thought

…and remembered.

Hugs and High Fives,

Jenn

Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we plan to take a year long road trip through the United States!

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