The FitBit Challenge

So, through my work, I received a 'FitBit'.  My entire company is part of a 'FitBit' challenge   This handy dandy little device measures my daily steps, miles traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed, and general activeness.  Additionally, it sends me happy little messages.  Gooooooaal Jaime!  Stepgeek Jaime!  Hug me Jaime!  Walk me Jaime!  Sometimes, when I'm peeing and it says 'Faster, Jaime!', it freaks me out!

Anyhow.  I think it's really quite accurate at noticing when I'm active vs. when I'm not.  Some days, when I feel like I've done nothing, well, it reaffirms it to me.  It lets me know I've barely burned any calories and hardly moved.  Not what I wanted to hear, but sometimes we all need a reality check, right?  I feel it's succeeded in motivating me to get up and move on those days when, otherwise, I would have been content with nothing.  I am liking this fun little device.

Update to come at the end of this challenge.

Working Out in the Winter

So, not that this is a news flash, but it's cold out in Chicago.  Here is something that I always wonder about.  So, I go to dance class regularly - and I also see a lot of people around my neighborhood heading out (presumably) to work out.

Here is what I see -women in capri pants and sneakers with no show socks or men in gym shorts whilst walking outside in 30 degree (or less) weather - with several inches of bare skin.  What I don't get - why not put an extra pair of long over said capris whilst traveling to and from one's car to the gym?!  It's f'ing cold!!!!  I get it - it takes an extra 30 seconds.  I get it - it's an extra piece of laundry.  But still.  I get it that these men are such 'tough guys' that they can handle the cold for the couple minutes, but the women!?  Come on!

Your thoughts?  Do you put on an extra pair of pants before heading out to work out, or brave the elements?  Do you also not understand these people?  

Exercise Girl at the East Bank Club

Ok.  Someone else out there HAS to know who I'm talking about.  It's the woman who, at some time between 9-11 am goes out on the roof of the East Bank Club and really, really breaks it down, 80s dance move style.  On one hand, she seems to have no shame.  On another note - it seems as though she thinks no one can see her.  I wonder what, really, is going through her mind.  Does she think no one can see her?  She's on the roof of a three story building, surrounded by about 12 high-rise buildings.  She is highly, HIGHLY visible, IF she thinks about it.  Well, regardless of all - I enjoy her.  She entertains me.  She makes me wish I could dance, scratch that, LIVE, with such abandon.

Does anyone else know of 'exercise girl'?  My coworkers and I coined the nickname.  I imagine we cannot be the only ones....  She's like a Chicago landmark (well, a moving one).  Anyone out there?  Please don't hold back.

A Few Words on Skechers Shape-Ups

If you are wearing these shoes, please do not expect to be taken seriously or respected by anyone.  In fact, be grateful if you can walk down the street in these and don't get shoved into to locker somewhere.

Let's cut to the chase - these shoes make wearing crocs seem dignified and brilliant.  I don't know why, exactly. Partially, it's how they look.  Maybe it's a little in the name - in wearing these, one is advertising to the world that he or she needs to 'shape up'.  Which is normally fine.  There are plenty of running/exercise shoes out there that one can wear without receiving a second glance, and there's no shame in mentioning one's trying to cut out an extra ten pounds.  But something about these is ridiculously mockable.

That, and I question if they actually WORK.  Are these in some way better than your typical walking shoes?  If so, how come no one thought of them before.  That, and even if so, why not just buy regular walking shoes in the first place?

This reminds me of when Skechers released 'roller skates' about 6 years ago.  I remember contemplating buying them, but when I tried them on, I could hardly even skate around the store in them.  They were super cute, but they didn't work, and for that reason, I imagine, they were very short-lived.  Did anyone out there buy the Skechers roller skates?  Will shape-ups disappear as quickly?  Listen, I love Skechers as much as the next gal, but they are not utilitarian shoes by any means.

Your thoughts?

Trying Something New...

(When I say this, no, I don't mean blogging about something other than figure skating, facebook or my personal life.)

So, tomorrow, I am going to a workout class called 'the Bar Method' with Kat. Sidenote: you may or may not notice that Kat gets a LOT of action on the blogs, between Emily & myself. Another note: Kat's fiance, Brian, talks a lot about Emily & my blogs. However, he does not read/comment on said blogs - Brian, we're watching!!

Anyhow. I am excited to try something new. One of my goals is to be healthier/work out more - however, the cold weather/my lack of exercise equipment/lack of gym membership make this difficult.

The Bar Method is supposedly somewhat 'ballet' based for body sculpting. It's supposed to be painful/cause your muscles to burn. I can't wait!

Has anyone else out there tried Bar Method Chicago? Review to come.