Today is Monday, another start to a new week. Thankfully this week is a short one. Canada Day lands on a Wednesday this year so having a day off mid-week will be nice. I slept like crap last night because it was way too hot in my apartment so not sure if I'll make it to the gym or not since I have baseball later this evening.
This weekend was a good one. Had a nice balance of "work" and play. Friday had a nice full body massage after work then had a good workout in the evening. Saturday I woke up and went to the gym then ran some errands and went to the beach because it was so hot. Then we had a BBQ for a friends Birthday and ended up going downtown to Dukes (country bar). Sunday when I finally got up around ten I went to the gym for a quick cardio workout and did a few shoulder exercises then went home and laid on the couch and took it easy for the rest of the day.
Monday, 29 June 2015
Friday, 26 June 2015
Sprints and Arms
Yesterday I had planned on running to the gym in Vic West (only about 3km run each way) but it was way too hot out to run so I drove there and did sprints on the treadmill. I was sick last week and didn't workout much but didn't realize it would affect me the way it did.
I usually warm up with a light stretch and 4 mins of a light jog (incline on 2 and speed at 6.4), then I increase my speed to 7.2 for one minute then bump up to anywhere between 9.5-10 (incline still on 2) for 2 mins then slow it back down to about 6.0 for 1.5min. I repeat this 5 times and then walk for 4-5 minutes at the end to cool down. However yesterday I could only sprint for one minute at a time and was extremely tired and out off breath. I listened to my body and didn't push myself any harder as I was already gassed.
After 25 min of cardio, I did about 40 mins of arms (bi's and tri's) and 5 mins of abs and a long stretch. Today I feel great and will most likely fit in an evening workout after my massage :)
I usually warm up with a light stretch and 4 mins of a light jog (incline on 2 and speed at 6.4), then I increase my speed to 7.2 for one minute then bump up to anywhere between 9.5-10 (incline still on 2) for 2 mins then slow it back down to about 6.0 for 1.5min. I repeat this 5 times and then walk for 4-5 minutes at the end to cool down. However yesterday I could only sprint for one minute at a time and was extremely tired and out off breath. I listened to my body and didn't push myself any harder as I was already gassed.
After 25 min of cardio, I did about 40 mins of arms (bi's and tri's) and 5 mins of abs and a long stretch. Today I feel great and will most likely fit in an evening workout after my massage :)
Summer Time, when living is easy
aaaah so happy summer time!! Although here in Victoria it started getting pretty nice and warm a few months ago, but nonetheless I am still happy July is right around the corner. July and August are always hectic for me (and everyone else) as the weekends fill up with weddings, barbeques, Birthdays and lake days.
This weekend I have a friends Birthday BBQ and it is suppose to be extremely hot so I am planning on spending lots of time outside. Canada Day is also the same day and my best friends birthday. Amie is from Campbell River but will be driving down to Victoria with her boyfriend to spend a few days celebrating. Then, next weekend, we will be driving to Campbell River to spend a weekend in the sun celebrating my birthday which this year lands on the Monday. Since my boss is going away on a three week vacation to Europe (lucky bastard) I will be working. But that is quite alright.
Within the following weeks after my birthday, I have a baby shower to attend to in Campbell River and I'll hopefully get to visit another best friend of mine who will be in town that weekend from Fort Mac. After that weekend I have a wedding to attend in Comox (we are staying at the King Fisher), then the next weekend I finally have no plans other than to relax and study for an upcoming exam. The last weekend of July is devoted to the yearly Sun Fest country music festival we go to every year, I am especially looking forward to that weekend.
This weekend I have a friends Birthday BBQ and it is suppose to be extremely hot so I am planning on spending lots of time outside. Canada Day is also the same day and my best friends birthday. Amie is from Campbell River but will be driving down to Victoria with her boyfriend to spend a few days celebrating. Then, next weekend, we will be driving to Campbell River to spend a weekend in the sun celebrating my birthday which this year lands on the Monday. Since my boss is going away on a three week vacation to Europe (lucky bastard) I will be working. But that is quite alright.
Within the following weeks after my birthday, I have a baby shower to attend to in Campbell River and I'll hopefully get to visit another best friend of mine who will be in town that weekend from Fort Mac. After that weekend I have a wedding to attend in Comox (we are staying at the King Fisher), then the next weekend I finally have no plans other than to relax and study for an upcoming exam. The last weekend of July is devoted to the yearly Sun Fest country music festival we go to every year, I am especially looking forward to that weekend.
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Avocado Chocolate Pudding
Here is one of my favorite desert recipes of all times. I found this receipe on Instagram, will post where I found it once I re-locate the page...
Ingredients:
Half of one avocado
Half of a banana
Two heaping tablespoons of Cacao powder
1 tablespoon or so of honey
4 dates
about a cup or so of almond milk (may need to play around with the amount of almond milk to obtain the desired consistency, I do not measure, I eyeball everything)
Blend up in a magic bullet or blender and viola! Chocolate pudding, enjoy :)
Ingredients:
Half of one avocado
Half of a banana
Two heaping tablespoons of Cacao powder
1 tablespoon or so of honey
4 dates
about a cup or so of almond milk (may need to play around with the amount of almond milk to obtain the desired consistency, I do not measure, I eyeball everything)
Blend up in a magic bullet or blender and viola! Chocolate pudding, enjoy :)
Fitness
Fitness has always been part of my life since I was young. My mom first signed me up for a gym membership with her at her gym when I was probably around 15 years old. I have been going to the gym on a weekly basis ever since simply because I love it. Only until about a year ago had I noticed a significant difference in my body. The change was due to heavier lifting. I had increased my weight only slightly and noticed a big difference in my upper body. I have never been shy of lifting heavier weights and am not scared of muscles (which some girls are).
I have been living in Victoria now for just over two years and during the time I have been here, I have been fortunate enough to experience different gyms and different forms of exercise. BDHQ (Body Dynamics Headquarters) and Orange Theory are the two that stick out in my mind which I thoroughly enjoyed. Both are very similar however very different in many ways. Both have a trainer leading a class of individuals of all fitness levels. I found that BDHQ had a better variety of exercises and pushed me harder than Orange Theory. BDHQ also has live DJ's in some of their group classes which I found to be extremely motivating as music has always played a big role in my fitness. (I have included the link below for the BDHQ website)
Next on my list of things to try is kick boxing, There is a gym right below my apartment next door that has classes every night so will likely try these out in the fall. For now, I am enjoying this awesome weather and taking my workouts outside when I can.
As of right now I usually workout about 5-6 days a week. Not because I feel like I have to but because I actually do really enjoy going to the gym and how I feel afterwards. I sleep like a baby each night and usually have lots of energy. There are weeks when I only make it to the gym once or twice which I am totally fine with, During the next few months given my summer plans, I know working out will be pushed to the back burner which I am ok with :)
I try and incorporate cardio into each workout especially to warm up. On light cardio days I will do as littlso ene as a light 10 minute jog. On heavier cardio days I like to do HIIT, usually on the treadmill running on and off sprints or on the stair master. I aljoy spin, I used to go to a spin class once a week but that ended once I moved to Victoria so now I usually only do spin on my own (intervals).
http://www.bdhq.ca/
I have been living in Victoria now for just over two years and during the time I have been here, I have been fortunate enough to experience different gyms and different forms of exercise. BDHQ (Body Dynamics Headquarters) and Orange Theory are the two that stick out in my mind which I thoroughly enjoyed. Both are very similar however very different in many ways. Both have a trainer leading a class of individuals of all fitness levels. I found that BDHQ had a better variety of exercises and pushed me harder than Orange Theory. BDHQ also has live DJ's in some of their group classes which I found to be extremely motivating as music has always played a big role in my fitness. (I have included the link below for the BDHQ website)
Next on my list of things to try is kick boxing, There is a gym right below my apartment next door that has classes every night so will likely try these out in the fall. For now, I am enjoying this awesome weather and taking my workouts outside when I can.
As of right now I usually workout about 5-6 days a week. Not because I feel like I have to but because I actually do really enjoy going to the gym and how I feel afterwards. I sleep like a baby each night and usually have lots of energy. There are weeks when I only make it to the gym once or twice which I am totally fine with, During the next few months given my summer plans, I know working out will be pushed to the back burner which I am ok with :)
I try and incorporate cardio into each workout especially to warm up. On light cardio days I will do as littlso ene as a light 10 minute jog. On heavier cardio days I like to do HIIT, usually on the treadmill running on and off sprints or on the stair master. I aljoy spin, I used to go to a spin class once a week but that ended once I moved to Victoria so now I usually only do spin on my own (intervals).
http://www.bdhq.ca/
First and foremost
This is my first blog post...ever. I am not sure what to make of a blog, all I really know is that I really enjoy reading others' blog posts and I keep a personal journal of my own, so here is my attempt to merge the two. I will start with a quick introduction to my life and who I am. My name is Vanessa Harms, I am 25 years old and currently living in Victoria, BC but originally from Campbell River, BC. I have an extreme passion for fitness and love spending time outdoors on my own or with anyone who will join me, namely my family, friends and my boyfriend Luke.
I currently am working in the business of Wealth Management but would love to follow my dreams and par take in a career that has to do with my love for fitness. I am currently in the crossroads trying to discover where this will ultimately lead me, knowing that my life will change drastically within the next year or so depending on my choices. Like most, I am afraid of change, but I am working on changing my mind set to embrace it more than fear it.
I will try and post as often as I can!
I currently am working in the business of Wealth Management but would love to follow my dreams and par take in a career that has to do with my love for fitness. I am currently in the crossroads trying to discover where this will ultimately lead me, knowing that my life will change drastically within the next year or so depending on my choices. Like most, I am afraid of change, but I am working on changing my mind set to embrace it more than fear it.
I will try and post as often as I can!
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