AnthroFit Roadtrip

We tallied up about 2500 miles on our expedition to Colorado.  Myself, Jami, and the two dogs spent quite a bit of time in the 4-Runner, but they were good times, no doubt.  BUT, like you always hear, there are parts of Kansas that are just flat-out rough to travel through.  Nothing against Salina and Hays, or the people that live there, but after driving for a while and then getting to that stretch, there's just about nothing more boring and never-ending.  I guess it makes finally seeing those Rocky Mountains ever so much more of a glorious experience. 

We found out a few things on the trip: 1.) I am totally down with a Venti Pikes Place Roast with heavy cream from Starbucks; it was an excellent driving companion for yours truly.  2.) Jami and I make a good team and laugh a lot together (we already knew this but good to be re-enforced) 3.) We have two pretty awesome traveling dogs 4.) There are not many things that match the natural beauty and electric energy of Colorado, and 5.) Jami and I would like to live in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado.

We started in southern Colorado and then headed north to Denver, hung out there for a while, then headed further north to Ft. Collins, next on to Boulder, back to Denver, then finally back down south to Colorado Springs.  It seemed like we were just drawn back in by the magnetism of Colorado Springs.  It was a bit surprising to us both, I think; we had both initially thought that northern Colorado would be where we'd likely see ourselves in the future.  We finished the trip up enjoying Colorado Springs with a little R & R.  Oh, and we discovered Ted's Montana Grill, a really cool place.  It's very green friendly, owned by the eccentric Ted Turner, who apparently owns almost all of Montana, and they have some killer Bison.  Can't wait to head back to see Ted for some more of this grub.

We saw some great beauty, and none any better than what we found hiking around Boulder.

OK, update on me and the sugar detox......I failed pretty badly, lasted about 2 1/2 days.  I know, I know, not too solid of an effort.  Jami is still hanging in there.  Keep on keepin' on!


Fitness Update:  We took some time off I guess because of the trip; there was a little hiking though.
Since we've been back, I've been getting after it pretty good.  Today, actually, really got my attention.  When I wrote it up, I knew it was going to be a good test for me.  It was a fusion workout combing the Crossfit workout of the day (WOD) today with a couple of additions by me.....It went a little something like this:
Warm-up included some TRX chest press, Burpees, TRX inverted rows, BB clean and press (all x 2).
After that, I was definitely warmed up and dialed in for the main course.
Main course = 400 meter outside run, 55lbs DB swing x 21 (this made me feel like I could go outside and flip my Nissan Altima, Hulk-style), Pullups x 12, 95lbs BB Front Squat x 12, and 135lbs BB Bench Press x 18 (all x 3).
Great workout, and had I eaten lunch earlier, I might have seen it during this workout.
***I should probably take time here to say I don't condone these workouts for anyone else unless they are seasoned fitness enthusiast.  They are very intensely fast paced, metabolically disturbing, and include a lot of multi-joint, total body movements.  Consult a certified trainer so that you know proper form and are aware of possible modifications to any of the exercises I may talk about in any of our blog posts.
Stay safe out there moving in nature, around the gym, or any place you choose to move your bodies.  We live on a beautiful planet, and we here at AnthroFit encourage you to take care of yourselves and move your bodies.  We want the best for your total fitness (Body, Mind, and Spirit).

To Your Health and Wellness,
AnthroFit

Heads Are Spinning

Howdy, people, we hope that you are well on your end.  As for us, we are definitely doing well, just extremely busy.  But, this is by our own design, and we are just following through on this process that we have set in motion with our own ideas and dreams.  Life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and to be exciting.  Like that Teva slogan, "Go-Do-Be", we have to take action and get out there and be part of the "game".  We Go-Do-Be!

No Fingers Were Harmed In This Picture

                    So, we've done some work around the house.....some more tiling, painting, and a hell of a lot of cleaning.  This was good for both Jami and myself, it forced us to begin throwing away some of those things (AKA "junk") that I know I have a tendency to hang on to.  It also shows us how nicely organized, uncluttered, minimalistic-style decorated rooms can look.  Pictures for the virtual tour were taken on Saturday morning, and we anxiously await it's viewing for the masses.  Unfortunately, they don't include you in these pictures...Bummer.  Wouldn't it be cooler if they showed you having tons of fun in different rooms in the house portraying to the potential buyer how much fun they too could potentially have in this house if they would just buy it.  Oh well, I'll leave that to the experts.

Jami's Quality Work

Now, among all the prep and life-stuff going down we've still been moving our bodies and fueling it with good food sources.  Actually, Jami has motivated me to join her in doing a 21-day Sugar Detox starting tomorrow (Monday).  This will be a first for me; stay tuned!  Jami's trainer, Lorrie Belluomini, has her on a kick-ass program that is really resulting in some pretty awesome changes for her.  She's lean, muscle-toned, balanced, and noticeably stronger in the gym and field.  As for me, I have been blending some Crossfit exercises into my workouts.  I'll blend their WOD (workout of the day) with some other things I had in mind.  A lot of times I have to modify their workouts because they are incredibly tough and loaded with olympic lifts that I may or may not be able to do, depending on where I'm training that day.  Plus, I'm learning that it's baby-steps with Crossfit and really need to take a Crossfit Foundations Course through a local affiliate gym....it's on the to do list.  I really enjoying the variety of their workouts.  Variance is a part of my training philosophy, have the muscles work in their full range of motion and don't allow the muscles to get use to the same old movements in the gym.  BORING!

It seems like I've been on a big-time deadlifting spree lately.  My hamstrings are getting so strong that they are going to convince my motor cortex that I should be walking backwards everywhere from now on.  Anyway, Friday I had a workout that involved a Power Wheel for hamstring curls, a 12 pound medicine-ball for medicine-ball slam/burpees, 115# barbell for deadlifts, hang power cleans, and push jerks.  I had this routine going on for 4 rounds.  It was an INTENSE labor of love!  I had to leave some in the tank for some work to be done around the house later in the day.   My traps were sore actually today (Sunday) from the  repetitive pull on that clean.  Today, I did 4 rounds of 400 meter run, 145# deadlifts x 15, 20 pushups, 145# deadlifts x 10, and 10 pushups, 12 TRX biceps curls, and 12 TRX triceps extensions.  It was very hot and sweat was being slung.....Glad I made it through it. 

As always, like the words of so many intellectuals before us, we are gonna keep on truckin'.  Hang in there with us.  We'll get through it together.  Be well, stay safe, hug your dogs or cats, and spend time with the people that you love. 

AnthroFit

In Motion

The wheels of change, they be a'rollin!!! 
Jami and I have been talking for years casually about packing things up and heading back to the beautiful, Rocky Mountain State of Colorado.  Personally, I woke up one day and said, "What the hell are we waiting for?"
Arkansas is my home and I love it dearly (by the way, this is not Jami's home).  But, I'll always have Arkansas.  It's home, always will be for me.  Jami agrees, what the hell are we waiting on; really, nothing.  It's easy to say things, it can be hard to actually do, leave the comfortable and put yourself out there.  It makes sense to do a move like this now, we're young, no kids, open to change......Don't want to have those woulda coulda shoulda's later in life.  Life is meant to be lived....L-I-V-I-N! In order for things to happen we have to take ACTION.  And, that's where we are in the process now.  We are actively putting our goals in place and acting upon our ideas.  This will not happen by us passively waiting for things to come to us magically.  It's exciting and will be a fun process.  

OK, let's talk about some fitness.  We are still building a "beach-body" before the trip.  We haven't forgotten about that.  Exercise is actually a great stress relief for me.  If I miss my workouts, I miss them down deep.  I really feel somewhat empty.  I know this may sound strange to some, but there is a huge neuroendocrine response by our bodies to exercise stimuli.  Our bodies crave to move, pleasure endorphins are released, and you experience this once you make it common practice in your life.  For Jami and I, we prefer functional, multi-joint, compound movements in our workouts.  They are more true to "real world" movement in our everyday lives and offer more "bang for your buck" in your workouts.  With that being said, my last two workouts have been WODs (workouts of the day) from crossfit (www.crossfit.com).  People across the internet, I'm totally digging this! Fast interval workouts with a lot of intensity.  Not to leave out, nice variety each day. 
The first workout included muscle ups (I did 6, have to try to appreciate),  50 pushups, 50 situps, and 20 medicine ball slams.  I had to do 500 meter runs in-between; so, sweat was rolling and there was little time for rest.  I had warmed up with jumping jacks and a variety of moves using my TRX suspension trainer.
Today, the WOD had me doing 3 rounds of 12 barbell front squats and 12 burpee pullups.  I mixed in some barbell shoulder presses in there, as well as some dumbbell hybrid deadlift/squats.  Let's just say, it was definitely ON!  I warmed up for about 10 minutes with some dynamic stretching and hit it hard.  The actual WOD 3 rounds took me almost 8 minutes, but with my additions I finished a little under 30 minutes, which is good because I had a pair training session to go to.

Keep your bodies moving, stay positive, stay true to your dreams, don't forget about your "mental fitness", and stay tuned to Jami and my journey.
BE WELL

Sprints and Alligator Crawls

ok guys....another day outside, with my love. : ) i actually have improved on my sprint speed by one second! woohoo!! I had it in my mind on my way to meet keith that today would be better. my goal was 2 seconds faster, but i will take the 1! like they say, aim for the stars, you just might hit the moon! anyways, these exercises are very challenging for me. i've always been good at yoga and such so this new phase of life is more about accessing a stronger, more wild me. it's good for my mind and my body. creating new possibilities. it doesn't matter how fast you go, you just have to access and ignite the drive. that's what starts the movement. it, you, i will get stronger and faster...if this is what we're going for. i am. these are things that for some reason i always believed i couldn't do.....at the same time always wishing i was in good shape and athletic. so, i'm just going for it. i'm 34 and i plan on being in my best shape ever by the time i'm 35, actually 36...i'm almost 35. my plan.......diet, exercise, prayer & meditation (gotta stay connected) and helping others become their best selves ever. i'm putting myself out there so other people who want to better themselves but aren't sure if they can.......know that they can! come join me!!! it's a challenge but it feels better to work at it than not....let's do this!

Harbor Days

Yesterday we arrived at what we like to think of as our "second home", Mt. Harbor. It's on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs. It's in the woods, we stay in a cabin, and we can bring our babies, Shiva and Lady. It is so peaceful for all of us. To be immersed in nature, to feel a complete sense of restoration. And of course the spa......I indulged myself in a lovely green tea/seaweed body treatment. It was just what I needed to complement my restoration.
We went to a spring and filled up some water jugs to take home. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. A dear friend of ours has been doing this for a long time and the water is so clean and pristine. Finally I have made it to the spring myself and have glorious water to take home. It will be a staple at our home from now on!

Rest is essential in any health promoting lifestyle. We actually build our strength during rest. Breakdown happens during the output of energy. Building back up only happens during rest. Here, we are able to rest our minds and our bodies. Still getting movement by way of walking the dogs around and bits of hiking if we choose. And allowing ourselves to completely be still. Be still and listen to the water, the birds, the wind, the leaves.....fills up my soul. These things are essential to my overall well being. I am so grateful!

You Say Sunday Afternoon Siesta, We Say Sprint-time

We are staying true to ourselves and our program.  That's how it works, you set a goal, commit, show up and do the work, and get ready for the results.  It's not easy, but we never said it would be.......Whatcha waiting for? Come join us!

We followed our Sprint Routine (found in a previous post, for those playing along at home)

We got it done today, and here's the evidence:

"Child's Play"

So that's me, Keith, the first time I picked up a weight.  My grandma got me interested in weight-training (she is off-camera and actually is the one who handed me the weight there in the pic).  See how proud I look; she's telling me that I'm a natural!  Thanks, MeMa!
Alright, alright, not really......

First of all, we are still full speed ahead on our fitness goals for our beach trip that is coming up.  My weight-training work-out on Saturday was challenging but very good for me.  Let me start out by saying that Jami and I were in a good friend's training gym that has no AC! Sweating came easy for a noon workout.  So, Jami had her workout going on and didn't mind me being there with her slinging my sweat around, sucking up some of the oxygen, and occasionally grunting and maybe even cussing the weights.  It was one of the workouts in my "Triple Threat" program.  I did the "Olympic Weightlifing" component; so, it included exercises working multiple muscle groups with complex joint movements, a great way to spend the middle part of a Saturday. 

OK, here's a look into one component of the "Triple Threat", everything was 3 sets with 5 reps (except I did 4 sets 10 reps on both DB Jump Squats and Single-Arm Kettlebell Swings):
*I always do at least a 5 Minute Warm-Up with Dynamic Stretching/Dynamic Movements (Dynamic means that I do stretching that involves movements that mimic those movements that will be involved in the workout itself.  This warms up both my Central Nervous System and muscles)

1. DB Jump Squats
2. Single-Arm Kettlebell Swings
3. BB Clean
4. BB Snatch Pull
5. BB Push Press
6. Alternating Medicine Ball Plyometric Push-Ups
7. Medicine Ball Diagonal Sledgehammer Slams

             DB = Dumbbell
             BB = Barbell