I’m 27 years old. For all my life, I’ve been able to eat whatever I want, as much as I want, with really no worry at all.  I guess I’ve been blessed with a good metabolism. In the past few years however I’ve noticed the little belly pudge we all have grow a bit bigger.  All of the sudden, within the past few months when beer became a staple in my diet, 10 pounds magically jumped on and doesn’t seem to want to let go.

That brings me to the point of this post. As a still-slim woman in her late twenties, what should she consider?

I break down fitness into four categories:

• Cardio
• Weight Training
• Core Training
• Diet

I have no problems admitting that I do a lot better with some of these than others. Let me tell you why I think each is important.

Cardio

This is the absolute MUST do for losing weight. All the weights and yoga in the world means nothing if you’re not doing cardio. Cardio gets your heart rate up and starts burning that fat and those calories. Unfortunately, cardio sucks. The most effective cardio is running, but it’s killer on your joints. I ran for 30 minutes a few weeks ago and it took a week and an ultrasound to make the horrible pain in my knee to go away. Low impact cardio is better on your joints but still difficult. This includes roller blading and bicycling. The lowest impact and highest return has got to be swimming. This is on my list of things to try. AquaFit!

At any rate, it losing weight is your goal, regular cardio MUST MUST MUST be part of your workout routine.

Weight Training

I think a lot of people avoid this one and I’m not sure why. Perhaps the thought of weight training gives you the image over overly muscley men and women bench pressing 200 lbs or something. The truth is that it doesn’t even have to be close to that. I take a weight training class at my local rec and leisure center. Of 15 women, I’m probably the youngest. There are people of all shapes, sizes and age. The point is to build up strength the right way. Through proper circuit training, you get the proper attention to all sorts of different groups. The class is led by an instructor who is there to make sure you’re doing it right and really pushing yourself. I can’t tell you how great I feel after class, and I can tell you that it works. Slowly, but it does work. It also helps build your stamina for other activities.

Core Training

Recently, I *finally* decided to try Pilates. And wouldn’t you know, I LOVE it. Pilates focuses on core strength and breathing. Your abs are a big part of your core so if you’re looking for that toned tummy, this is a good place to be (WITH cardio!!). It’s not easy, and yes you do sweat. It’s also quite different from Yoga, which I really can’t speak on because I only tried it a couple times and couldn’t figure out what the big deal is.

Your core is one of those areas you can work on every day (or so I understand, please feel free to correct me). Unlike other muscle groups, which should have at least 48 hours of healing time between workouts. Given that your core is, well, the core of your body it makes sense that you spend some extra attention on it. Pilates not only gives you that, but with its breathing regiment your whole body opens up and you just feel.better.

Diet

Oh, diet. And I’m not talking about pop culture diets, I’m talking about making good choices on a regular basis. And this is NOT easy.  In fact, I’m probably the WORSE person to talk about good eating habits. Here’s my advice.  Portion control.  Really, as long as you’re not pigging out on everything, you’re going to do okay. Get your veggies and if you hate them like I do, grab a V8 and chug it as fast as you can.  Keep some protein shakes on hand – even Slim Fast meal replacements. I like to have one in the morning to get me off to a good start.  Getting protein is also really important after a heavy work out.

Hopefully there will be some others that can post or comment about diet. Honestly, if you have access to an EAP (employee assistance program) you probably have free access to a nutritionist. Use it!

These are the four key things that I have discovered are important for getting fit, or staying fir, as a woman in her late twenties. Remember ladies (and gents!) – the sooner you get into shape, the easier it’ll be to stay there. Don’t wait until you’re in your forties to try and ditch the beer belly or baby fat.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Getting and Staying Fit in Your Late Twenties

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On one screen, I’m writing this blog post. On the other, I’m watching the Michael Jackson memorial.

I think I was around 10 years old when I really became a big Michael Jackson fan. I honestly don’t remember what song or what it was that got me hooked, but for at least a year or two, Michael Jackson was my whole life.

I would watch the Thriller video over and over.  When Oprah interviewed Michael Jackson, I had my VCR all cued up and ready to tape and I must have watched it dozens of times. Then Dangerous came out which I had immediately and listened over and over again.  In fact, in Grade 6, my class did a unit on whales and watched Free Willy. For the assembly our class was responsible for, we did a lip sync to Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There”. Yours truly was featured in the role of Michael Jackson.

As I got older the obsession faded.  As the allegations piled up the obsession faded.  When they first came to light, before I really truly understood it, I remember being jealous that it was the little boys who got to spend time with him.

Excuse me, I have to interrupt myself because WOW what a great montage was just on his memorial. Fantastic.

Forget about the little boys though. The man was captivating. His music, his dance, his entertainment. Absolutely incredible.

At any rate, I never stopped being a fan. I always felt so sorry for him, regardless of what he may or may not have done.

Rest in peace Michael!

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Michael Jackson and Me

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I grew up in a part of Canada that has lots of highways (freeways). Generally, no matter where I went that was more than 10 minutes away, I took a highway. Given my need to speed and my beautiful Ford Mustang, it worked great.

Since moving away from Ontario, to Winnipeg, then Calgary and now back to Winnipeg again, those beautiful highway days have gone. Now I must battle with all other other city drivers and… horror… cyclists and pedestrians.

First – kudos to people who cycle every day. I know it’s good for the environment and good for your health. You’re not always good for my santiy but really, you’re not the biggest problem.

Here’s the issue with cyclists that frustrates them probably as much as it frustrates me. They’re so unwanted. Cars don’t want them on the road. Pedestrians don’t want them on the sidewalk. What to do?

Cyclists really should follow the rules of the road. As a driver, I get that. Here’s my problem – Hey cyclists! You CANNOT just pick and choose what rules you follow!! Signal! Don’t scootch up beside cars at stop lights! Pretent you’re a car. That also means checking your blind spot before changing lanes. It also means that you don’t get to run red lights.

And for the LOVE OF GOD please learn how to ride your damn bike. Nothing worse that trying to gently pass a cyclist that’s weaving all over the freaking road. THAT’S how people get hurt!

Okay. Let’s shift to pedestrians for a moment. You would think this wouldn’t be so bad since they have sidewalks almost everywhere – really, you only have to deal with them around intersections. Again, pedestrians always have the right of way so driver’s get a bit screwed over here. But with a few simple rules, we can all get along harmoniously right?

WRONG! Let me tell you about a scenario I witness on my drive home from work the other day. I’m sitting at a red light. The pedestrian signal for the opposite traffic (which currently has the green) is a solid STOP hand. I see this couple get to the corner. Stop. Look at the SOLID stop hand. Look at the light which just went yellow for them. Then they proceed to cross anyway! So of course, my light goes green but I can’t go anywhere because of these inconsiderate pedestrians who figure they’re too good to follow the rules.

Unfortunately, I see this far too often. I *don’t* get it.

Anyway. I need to go drink or smoke or something.

Happy Canada Day tomorrow everyone!!

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Sharing the Road (I don’t wanna)

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I want to talk a bit about about people in the public eye. And I don’t really mean celebrities as much, but they do qualify. Mostly I’m going to talk about politicians.

I really do sympathize with people who live their lives in front of millions of people. Some, as we know, welcome it and even abuse it, but I think for the most part people want to go about their own lives and not worry about having every little thing they do and say scrutinized.

What inspired me to write this post is the outcry of South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sanford’s admission to having an affair. Now, I will admit that after hearing a little more of his story, he really does deserve to be in the centre of a media storm. More about that later.

I’m talking more about former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer or former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. These guys did things in their private lives that became public and ruined their careers. Is that really fair? Should Jim McGreevey have to step down because of his sexual preference?  Did Eliot Spitzer really have to give up his post because of hiring an escort on his own time?

I don’t think we give these guys enough credit. They have to have their game face on ALL the TIME. Apparently, even when they’re “off the clock”, someone is still watching their every moves.  I believe that we should give these guys a break.  They’re people too, make mistakes and have fetishes and preferences just like everyone else.

Oh so what happened to Sanford? Well, dude disappears for a few days without telling anyone, even his staff. He comes back, the story is that he was hiking on the Appelacian Trail. Turns out he was with his “lady friend” in Argentina. My opinion – I don’t care if he’s got one girlfriend or ten girlfriends (he is married, it’s important to note).  Not my business, doesn’t effect his work. But he totally screwed his office by lying and now of course there’s also the point that he’s used public money to fund his trips to Argentina. I expect to hear of his resignation by the end of the month.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Public Figures, Private Lives

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When you think of Canada, what do you think of? Hockey? Ice? Snow? Yeah those are great words. And true, very descriptive.

Especially living in a city called Winnipeg – more affectionately known as Winterpeg. Here in Winnipeg, we get windchills of up to -65 F or so in the winter time. For about 10 weeks, the temperature does not get any higher than -15 F (yeah that’s before windchill). It’s very sunny which makes it almost tolerable. God bless block heaters and remote car starters.

But let’s talk about summer. Summertime, when the igloos melt and the parkas come off, it becomes very beautiful. Today, for instance, it’s 77 F outside, with a humidex of 88 F. In case you’re not familiar with Winnipeg’s geographic location, we’re right smack dab in the center of North America. That’s right! There’s also two big-ass lakes to the north. And geography scholars what comes with humid temperatures? MOSQUITOS.

Mosquitos love to breed in standing water. Guess what? Winnipeg is actually built on swampland. We have a LOT of water around. The mosquitos, I kid you not, grow to the size of a dime. (Yes, Canadian dimes are the same size as US dimes). They’re massive!!

My point is… yeah, winters here in Winnipeg are brutal. But the summers are actually quite fantastic. Sitting on a patio, drinking a cold beer, soaking up the sun. Ahhh, yes, these two months of summer almost make the 8 months of winter worth it.

BTW, here’s Winnipeg:

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Summer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

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Which is something I could NEVER do!

I like beer. It has become my drink of choice lately, particularly throughout the NHL playoffs. Why on earth does it have to be so fattening though? I mean, come on. I try not to be girly girl but I can see how people rapidly earn their beer bellies.

One thing you need to know about me – I’m Canadian. Which means, most of the time, light beer is NOT an option. Well okay it is when I’ve gotten myself totally trashed after 6 pints of Alexander Keiths (pride of Nova Scotia!) and I need to slow it down.

I expect y’all to come north and drink with me eh?

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Tipping Glass – Spilling Beer Everywhere

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