Happy Easter!

Well this week went by rather quickly......here is what's been going on during my week!

Earlier this week, it was announced that off leash dog parks are either closed or off leash is not permitted.  This is a huge deal with a high energy dog that loves his off leash time and an owner who appreciates her daily off leash trail walks.  This did ignite my first outdoor run of the season with Cooper by my side.  He was happy, I got tired, but it was great to get out.

Every week, I am increasing the number of virtual workouts being done with clients via Zoom, which I am enjoying considerably.

Cooper, Steve and I did a mini road trip to Doglandia (in Leduc County).  Doglandia is a dog boarding company who has recently opened a private off leash area on their property.  The fully fenced off leash area is available for hourly bookings and is completely respectful of social distancing as it is your own private booking.  It was perfect for us to get out as well as it allowed Cooper to run freely at his own speed.  We will be heading back.

As I write this, it is Good Friday......normally a holiday for most, but it will be very different - no travelling or visiting with family and friends, which is really odd for a holiday weekend. 

I am planning to attempt to bake a Paska bread (Ukrainian Easter bread), and we will be enjoying a Ukrainian Easter Dinner from St. Basil's Church. 

Please allow this slower paced long weekend to reflect on what you really appreciate and love!

Forced Semi-Retirement

I have a few clients who have recently retired, and I am beginning to feel like I am taking a forced semi-retirement.  The work I am doing is the exact opposite of what I am used to -- I am working from my computer a lot more as I am normally with clients in-person whether it is for fitness classes, personal training or massage therapy.

What have my days consisted of?
Coffee
Cooper cuddles
Breakfast
Email
Planning some fitness challenges for clients
Workout
Coffee
Reading
Dog Walk
Netflix
Knitting (nothing fancy, I don't like to count)
Trying not to panic
Netflix
Picking one room or item to get organized
Keep in touch with family & friends
Playing some cribbage (yes, I am that old)
Keep to a regular eating schedule as best I can
Getting 6-8 hours of sleep (or more if possible)

If you have any ideas or suggestions for any blog posts, let me know. 

Stay healthy,
Breanne :)

Well, what can I say!

So, it's been over a year since I last posted on my blog, some might say wait - you have a blog?

Yes. I do.  I seem to be off and on with my blog posts, but I keep hoping one day I will be consistent.  Maybe the time is now!

I remember my Baba telling me that the years go by quicker and quicker as you get older.  I didn't think I was old enough to start feeling this way, but it seems like in the last few years it has sped up ten fold.  2019 went by so quickly, and really the first part of 2020 has also gone by quick. 

I started 2020 in Mexico on a family vacation, which was amazing.  I was able to unplug so amazingly that I don't have a photo to share. Once back, I went straight into teaching fitness classes, small group training sessions, and massage therapy appointments -- all things that I love doing.  It really has been full speed ahead since the beginning of January which is a good thing when operating your own business. 

NOW THE SUDDEN HALT! COVID-19!

Ok, that is a bit dramatic.  But a couple of massage therapy clients cancelled sessions today, my day of chair massages tomorrow were cancelled and it is day to day or even hour to hour, whether both gyms I work at will remain open.

How will I use my extra time? I have a bunch of things I would like to do, but really what should I do?!

*Re-organize house/de-clutter/deep clean/spring clean (this was the first thing that came to mind, but really the last thing I want to do, even though I do like to organize stuff)
*Knit some more dish clothes (I am getting "good" at these - they are nothing to brag about though)
*Head to the mountains for some hikes (Nordegg area, someone?!)
*Continuing Education - I need to finish a couple of online courses that were started and not completed
*Post some online workouts for clients that are stuck at home during this pandemic
*Offer some small group outdoor workout options
*Update my website (www.funkyfit.ca) 
*Workout more regularly than I have been in the recent months like start running outdoors again (I hope spring is on its way)

These items are in no particular order, but I needed to make a list!! 

I do believe that life does throw us curve balls for a reason.  Maybe a reminder to slow down, appreciate those around us or perhaps, be just a little more kind to one another.

Run, Run & Burpees

Well, that was my first 5 day work week of 2019.  By Wednesday, I wished it was Friday, and by Friday, I thought, heck that was a fast week!

It was a good week for me to get my workouts in though.  Here is a bit of a summary:

Monday - Strength Day; threw some dumbbells around!
Tuesday - 30min Run on the Treadmill (regular treadmill); between 5.8mph & 6.5mph
This actually felt pretty good.  About 5km.
Friday - 30min Interval Run on the Treadmill (Woodway Curve - Manual (no power)
4min Run; 1min Walk (x5)

This kicked my ass (it was difficult, plus tiring on my gluteal muscles).  You seriously can't get sloppy with your running technique on the Woodway because you will either slow down dramatically or fall off.  I was trying to keep my pace at around 6mph and it seriously waffled between 4.8mph & 7mph.
Saturday - My lazy day
Sunday - Cooper and I ventured to Terwillegar Dog Park - it was perfect winter conditions; sunny & blue sky.  We stayed mostly in the single track trails for about 4km. 

Cooper staring at me while I watched the Raptors on TV. 
Are we going to the park or what, Bre?

 Cooper taking in the sights & smells at the dog park.

A pretty great day to be outside in January.

I completed the first month of our 100 BURPEE CHALLENGE.  The challenge consists of completing 100 Burpees on the second weekend of each month.  Ideally, all of them done on Saturday (or Sunday), but they can be done all at once or spread out throughout the day (or, weekend, if need be).  I completed 10 varieties of burpees (10 reps of each).  I will try to compile a video to post later this week. 

My variations consisted of:

1. Basic - Slow & Controlled (no push up)
2. Alternating Single Leg Plank
3. Alternating Single Arm Plank
4. Jumping Jack
5. Push Up
6. Hurdler's Stretch & Reach (L + R)
7. Jump Squat
8. Chest Opener with Partial Backbend
9. Toe Taps (or, Hops)
10. Renegade Row

Like I said before, I will try to get a video together so these variations make more sense.

Happy Sunday! And have a great week,

Breanne :)

Right Back At It!

I was back to work on Wednesday.  I worked Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, and I am pretty sure the general consensus was that it was the longest 3 day work week in history (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration).

I got a workout in on Thursday afternoon with a group of clients of mine.  A 45-minute barbell based workout with plenty of squats, lunges, presses and curls.  It was fun for all of us -- lots of talk about food, dogs and recipes between sets.  No one died as there was lots of talk before the workout that they would die since they took the time off from the gym over the holidays. Again, no fatalities!

Friday was a full day of work, plus an evening of indulgence in a little town called Lacombe, Alberta.  We started with some beers and Battle Ship competition at Blindman Brewing, and then, made our way to Cilantro & Chive.  This was our second trip to Cilantro & Chive - great food and atmosphere, plus over 100 beers to choose from and an amazing flight of Caesars (yes, a flight of Caesars).  I also realized that I need to start taking more photos (not food photos either), just more photos in general to share here.  I will always have Cooper photos to share.

Todays' workout was short & sweet -- the way I seem to enjoy them these days.
1. 50 Jumping Jacks - 20sec Rest (x3)
2. 5 Burpees with Push Ups - 20sec Rest (x3)
3. 20 Mountain Climbers - 20sec Rest (x5)
4. 30 Bicycle Crunch - 20sec Rest (x5)

As I was writing this, I was enjoying a playlist called hawksley night in canada on Spotify.  The playlist was created by Hawksley Workman, a great Canadian musician.  I have seen him perform numerous times over the years.  This playlist includes lots of Canadian musicians and one of my favorite songs from the 90s - Drinking in LA by Bran Van 3000. Enjoy the song & video!

Get ready for 100 Burpee Challenge next weekend! January 12th to be exact.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, go Oilers & Raptors,

Breanne :)

Bring On 2019!

Well, at least it hasn't been a year since my last blog post, but it has been nearly 6 months, so much for me getting on track (in the blog part of my work, anyways).

So, I decided to start on December 31st hoping it will kick start 2019.  My plan is to use my blog posts as a bit of a training log.  I will post what I have done, or plan to do, plus share some of the specifics on my workouts. 

My main training goal for 2019 is a half marathon as a part of a team triathlon with my friends, Jayme (bike) and Carolyn (swim) at the beginning of July.  Jayme used a training program last year from the book Run Less Run Faster and she rocked the run, so I am hoping it will help me out as road running is one of my least favorite things to do, but I am up for the challenge.  I will be doing a decent amount of my winter running on a Woodway Curve treadmill as I really hate cold weather running, plus it has been super slippery in Edmonton this last month or so.

Today's pre-celebration workout was less than 30 minutes long, but it sure got me sweating!  If you participated in my Summer Workout Challenge - I did Workout #6.

Here is the MAIN SET of the workout:
Set Timer for 1min Intervals (x12)
1. Burpee with Push Up
2. Reverse Lunge (L & R) + Jump Squat (repeat)
3. 10 High Knees + 5 Jumping Jacks + 10 Mountain Climbers (repeat)
4. Rest
(x3)

 

Sweaty B & Cooper After My Workout

Another initiative, I am implementing for 2019 is 100 Burpee Challenge.  A bunch of clients and I did this back in 2016 -- it was a nice monthly challenge that got everyone talking and moving!  Every second Saturday of each month, you will perform 100 Burpees (all in a row, or in small batches throughout the day) -- that is up to you!  Our first Saturday is January 12th.

Cheers,
Breanne :)

Sample Exercises And Hello!

It’s been a long time!

I am still working at the Pulse Generator at the U of A Hospital as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and massage therapist.  My other main duty is organizing all fitness classes in Edmonton & Calgary for the Pulse Generator.  I closed my own workout space over one year ago as I needed to claim some of my time back. I am always trying to learn and progress my business.
I am working on some online training options and with that comes challenging my video making skills.

Check out my first very basic video that was made with iMovie.
Click here to access the video:
https://vimeo.com/275740778

We will also need the password - FUNKYFIT

Let me know what you think.
Breanne