This week was a stressful one. I just couldn't seem to escape the storm of final assignments, papers, tests, presentations and never-ending readings. A trip to the gym was not looking like a possibility. Instead of passively accepting my exercise-less week, I opted for a home workout instead.
Thursday morning, my roommate and I were studying at the kitchen table as usual when I could no longer tolerate the jitters in my legs. Too stressed to sacrifice time going to the gym, but too antsy to study, I tossed on my gym shorts and rolled out my yoga mat. Reps of jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, squats, tricep dips and wall sits made up my workout. When I came around to my 2-minute plank reps, my roommate decided to join me. Aptly labelling herself a "couch potato athlete", her attempts at a plank were half-hearted. With her textbook laid out below her, she held plank for about five seconds before exhaling in exhaustion and collapsing onto the floor. We laughed and she tried again but claimed that laughing was a better workout than planking. Twenty minutes later when I finished up my exercises, I found her still lying on the kitchen floor, this time cuddled up with a fuzzy pillow while she flipped through her textbook. I guess anyone with a 4.0 GPA doesn't really have time for a workout.
I'm trying to make these home workouts a regular occurrence and I've had some luck so far, but once finals kick into high gear, I think I'll just live on campus and use the gym. They have everything! Food, showers, exercise space, study spots and even places to sleep (*cough, cough* SSMU lounge). But if you're a normal, sane person who just doesn't have all that much time to exercise, take a walk around your neighbourhood or a quick saunter to the park and back. The sun is shining and the air is getting warmer -- perfect antidote for stress!
- Martlet Girl
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I ran!!
I ran! I ran! Finally!! This week I made huge strides (literally) toward my ultimate goal: running. Sure, it was only for ten minutes on the treadmill after I finished up on the elliptical, but it's something. Next stop: Varsity Track! Okay, maybe not, but it was incredibly uplifting to feel my body comfortably fall back into such a familiar rhythm. This was the first time I've run since June of last year. I'll have to start with small increments to help my body readjust to the impact, but this was exciting news I had to share!
In other running news, McGill's Varsity Track and Field team has been enjoying some success during their indoor season. At the end of February, McGill hosted the RSEQ championships and perhaps there was a bit of home crowd luck because although the Redmen team wound up third, the Martlets won their first RSEQ title in six years! Sherbrooke had previously dominated the competition, but came second this year. Alana Battiston was named female athlete of the meet after winning two gold medals, three silver and a bronze, and setting a school record in pentathlon. She went on the the CIS national championships in Alberta and while coming in fifth, she broke her record again! How's that for #McGillPride?
Want to scratch your racing itch? There are road races that happen around Montreal throughout the warmer months. This weekend there is a 5km and a 10km race happening in LaSalle and plenty more throughout the spring, summer and fall. It's easy to sign up online: there is usually a fee, but it's totally worth it. It's a fun atmosphere and participants come from all different levels of training and ability. Who knows, maybe you'll spot me at one of the races!
Happy running!
- Martlet Girl
In other running news, McGill's Varsity Track and Field team has been enjoying some success during their indoor season. At the end of February, McGill hosted the RSEQ championships and perhaps there was a bit of home crowd luck because although the Redmen team wound up third, the Martlets won their first RSEQ title in six years! Sherbrooke had previously dominated the competition, but came second this year. Alana Battiston was named female athlete of the meet after winning two gold medals, three silver and a bronze, and setting a school record in pentathlon. She went on the the CIS national championships in Alberta and while coming in fifth, she broke her record again! How's that for #McGillPride?
Want to scratch your racing itch? There are road races that happen around Montreal throughout the warmer months. This weekend there is a 5km and a 10km race happening in LaSalle and plenty more throughout the spring, summer and fall. It's easy to sign up online: there is usually a fee, but it's totally worth it. It's a fun atmosphere and participants come from all different levels of training and ability. Who knows, maybe you'll spot me at one of the races!
Happy running!
- Martlet Girl
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Ski Day
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| Mont St-Sauveur & Mont Avila (~1hr from Mtl) |
I was lucky to finish off my reading week with a family ski day at Mont Saint Sauveur. Much to my surprise, there was hardly anyone there! Lift lines were short and the runs weren't crowded making for a relaxed and enjoyable day. This was only the second time this winter that I've gone skiing. The first was over break and I was quite nervous about it since I was (and still am) recovering from my back injury. This time around I felt more comfortable but I was still cautious. It's reassuring to know that my aches the next day aren't the injury re-manifesting itself, but my body readjusting to different activities. Regardless, it is still inconvenient and resulted in my having to leave a class halfway through because sitting for three hours straight was difficult.
On a positive note, it was such a blast to get out of the city and hang out with my dad and brother. Although I was sore the next day, skiing was so much fun! It was definitely worth challenging my body in a new way to work toward a full recovery. As the mercury rises, plenty of ski hills are still open for the spring season! The McGill Ski and Snowboard Club has weekly outings (usually on Saturdays). For an awesome day, join this enthusiastic, snow-loving group of people to shred some pow! This weekend they're heading to Stowe, Vermont. All skill levels welcome!
See ya on the slopes!
- Martlet Girl
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
You are what you eat!
It's March Break. Finally!! The time of year when we get to sleep in, eat whatever and play video games all day long. I did this for the first few days but by Tuesday, a stack of pancakes coated in maple syrup everyday for breakfast was leaving me feeling a little lethargic once my afternoon workout rolled around. I tried to tell myself that there were fruits in the pancakes and that maple syrup was organic, but my body post-exercise told me otherwise.
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| Anyone else see this commercial? |
When people who are trying to get in shape ask me for workout ideas, I tell them the first step to a healthier lifestyle is what they put in their bodies. We were all told in elementary by the school nurse on nutrition day that "we are what we eat" followed by exaggerated pictures of donut-shaped and broccoli-shaped kids on a soccer field. Well it's true. Perhaps those pictures weren't far off after all. When I went to the gym this morning, I certainly felt much better working out after a healthy breakfast of oatmeal and orange slices than I did yesterday after waffles with a chocolate drizzle.
I know it's tempting to give into treats over the break, but don't forget your New Year's resolutions! Many of us have forgotten ours by now, but hang in there! My favourite ways to stay healthy are to have healthy potlucks with friends, pair up with a gym buddy, or try a new sport. Don't forget the Pay-As-You-Go classes at the McGill gym, either! Plenty of opportunities to keep you going all semester long.
I know it's tempting to give into treats over the break, but don't forget your New Year's resolutions! Many of us have forgotten ours by now, but hang in there! My favourite ways to stay healthy are to have healthy potlucks with friends, pair up with a gym buddy, or try a new sport. Don't forget the Pay-As-You-Go classes at the McGill gym, either! Plenty of opportunities to keep you going all semester long.
My favourite healthy breakfast ideas to boost your day:
- Oatmeal (with berries instead of sugar to flavour)
- Scrambled eggs on toast with a side of grilled mushrooms and tomatoes (à la Chef Ramsay) >>you will never eat eggs another way again! *delicious*
- Red River hot cereal sweetened with maple syrup
- Whole grain toast with peanut butter (or almond butter) and sliced bananas (perfect for a busy morning)
- Oatmeal (with berries instead of sugar to flavour)
- Scrambled eggs on toast with a side of grilled mushrooms and tomatoes (à la Chef Ramsay) >>you will never eat eggs another way again! *delicious*
- Red River hot cereal sweetened with maple syrup
- Whole grain toast with peanut butter (or almond butter) and sliced bananas (perfect for a busy morning)
Bon appétit!
- Martlet Girl
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Intramural Hockey: An observation
Despite my injury this year, I've found various ways to stay involved with sports. I might not be able to do all my favourite activities, but I can still enjoy them from other sides: watching figure skating on TV, checking out the track & field events at McGill, trying out different activities, and officiating. Back home, I was a scorekeeper for a number of years at my local arena and this year I've been timekeeping McGill's intramural hockey. It's been a cool way to meet some new people and to keep in touch with a sport I grew up around. However, I've noticed some behavioural changes in the players as they get older...
When kids are 8 or 10 years old and playing houseleague hockey with their neighbourhood friends, they're just looking to have fun, skate around, and hopefully score a few times. They're excited about the game, playing with their friends and emulating their NHL idols. But as they get older, the bright eyes fade and the pure joy drains. What happened? I don't know what changes in the players' minds, but it seems like all of a sudden when kids hit a certain age (sometime in their teens), their attitude towards hockey changes. It's as if what was fun becomes war, and they have to win the war at all costs.
I've played team sports my whole life and I've even played intramural here, so I understand how one gets immersed in the game and how one becomes very passionate about one's team and one's desire to succeed. But then why all the aggression towards opposing players? Why the horrendous verbal attacks at the referees? Why the need to storm off the ice in a fury? The McGill intramural program states on their webpage that "Individuals are encouraged to participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship." I don't believe fair play is antagonizing your opponents, nor is good sportsmanship mouthing off to the officials or playing dirty. Although this behaviour is certainly not characteristic of all players, I have witnessed and experienced this enough times to identify the trend. I should also note that it's not confined to our peers, but to adults as well. I have seen profs loose it in an intramural game as often as students, and parents in the stands are no role models either.
I know we all want to do well in our favourite sports, but let's try to be considerate of our teammates, our opponents, the officials and the good name of the sport. While sometimes we all get aggressively passionate about something we care about, we have to keep in mind that we are not the only ones on the ice, on the field or on the track. Next time you go out to play, think about those houseleague years when all you wanted to do was have a good time. With a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach, you will definitely find that you enjoy yourself more and so will everyone around you.
Now, go out there and have FUN!
- Martlet Girl
When kids are 8 or 10 years old and playing houseleague hockey with their neighbourhood friends, they're just looking to have fun, skate around, and hopefully score a few times. They're excited about the game, playing with their friends and emulating their NHL idols. But as they get older, the bright eyes fade and the pure joy drains. What happened? I don't know what changes in the players' minds, but it seems like all of a sudden when kids hit a certain age (sometime in their teens), their attitude towards hockey changes. It's as if what was fun becomes war, and they have to win the war at all costs.
I've played team sports my whole life and I've even played intramural here, so I understand how one gets immersed in the game and how one becomes very passionate about one's team and one's desire to succeed. But then why all the aggression towards opposing players? Why the horrendous verbal attacks at the referees? Why the need to storm off the ice in a fury? The McGill intramural program states on their webpage that "Individuals are encouraged to participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship." I don't believe fair play is antagonizing your opponents, nor is good sportsmanship mouthing off to the officials or playing dirty. Although this behaviour is certainly not characteristic of all players, I have witnessed and experienced this enough times to identify the trend. I should also note that it's not confined to our peers, but to adults as well. I have seen profs loose it in an intramural game as often as students, and parents in the stands are no role models either.
I know we all want to do well in our favourite sports, but let's try to be considerate of our teammates, our opponents, the officials and the good name of the sport. While sometimes we all get aggressively passionate about something we care about, we have to keep in mind that we are not the only ones on the ice, on the field or on the track. Next time you go out to play, think about those houseleague years when all you wanted to do was have a good time. With a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach, you will definitely find that you enjoy yourself more and so will everyone around you.
Now, go out there and have FUN!
- Martlet Girl
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Elliptical Newbie
Overwhelmed by midterm stress? Tell me about it! This weekend was a rough one. I was so overwhelmed by essays and tests that I didn't think I was going to find time for a workout. As I was trying to garner some self-determination to finish one of my essays, I decided that the most productive form of procrastination (after cleaning and baking) was exercise.
As a not-so-consistent gym-goer, I was tossing ideas around in my head as I made my way along Parc to the Sports Complex: ...the bike? No, I do that regularly... Treadmill? Hmm, too high-impact... Elliptical? Yes! However, the last time I was on an elliptical machine I was probably around 10 years old at my friend's birthday party and I thought her mom's elliptical was a fun "game".
Moments later I'm standing on one and I admit I was slightly confused. I wasn't sure how my feet were supposed to move... up and down or forward and backward? Do I exercise my arms or just hang on for balance? I was looking around at other elliptical-users for some visual guidance, but that didn't prove much help as I discovered that there are different types of ellipticals! That's seven minutes of feeling like a newb I won't get back... But once I figured it all out, I realised that these are magic all-in-one tools that will make your heart race, thighs burn and biceps tighten. Even stretching out my tired muscles after a 45-minute session left me feeling a little sore on Sunday! But a little ache won't deter me from doing it again, nor will my lack of knowledge about exercise equipment stop me trying something else.
If ever you're unsure about the equipment or how to get started at the gym, talk to the attendants. They can provide you with some helpful tips and will certainly get you going on your workout in less time than my seven-minute blank out!
Good luck!
- Martlet Girl.
As a not-so-consistent gym-goer, I was tossing ideas around in my head as I made my way along Parc to the Sports Complex: ...the bike? No, I do that regularly... Treadmill? Hmm, too high-impact... Elliptical? Yes! However, the last time I was on an elliptical machine I was probably around 10 years old at my friend's birthday party and I thought her mom's elliptical was a fun "game".
Moments later I'm standing on one and I admit I was slightly confused. I wasn't sure how my feet were supposed to move... up and down or forward and backward? Do I exercise my arms or just hang on for balance? I was looking around at other elliptical-users for some visual guidance, but that didn't prove much help as I discovered that there are different types of ellipticals! That's seven minutes of feeling like a newb I won't get back... But once I figured it all out, I realised that these are magic all-in-one tools that will make your heart race, thighs burn and biceps tighten. Even stretching out my tired muscles after a 45-minute session left me feeling a little sore on Sunday! But a little ache won't deter me from doing it again, nor will my lack of knowledge about exercise equipment stop me trying something else.
If ever you're unsure about the equipment or how to get started at the gym, talk to the attendants. They can provide you with some helpful tips and will certainly get you going on your workout in less time than my seven-minute blank out!
Good luck!
- Martlet Girl.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
February Blues
Well, it's still winter and spring isn't coming around the corner anytime soon. This warm weather gives us false hope, but don't let the February Blues get you down! Switch up your routine, try something new and have fun. The best cure is to get outside and soak up some sun (from whatever exposed skin isn't covered by your wooly scarf).
Since this week Mother Nature is being kind, toss on an extra layer and take your run outside rather than sticking to the treadmill. Another option for the adventurous folk out there, strap on your snowshoes and hike up Mont Royal. There are plenty of trails that diverge from the main road (Chemin Olmsted) leading you through a serene winter wonderland. If you don't have your own snowshoes but are interested in giving winter hiking a try, join the McGill Outdoors Club and take advantage of their cheap gear rental. They have cross-country skis and poles available as well in their extensive collection.
This weekend I went for a great snowshoe along the golf course near my house and I'm looking forward to hiking on the mountain for the rest of the winter! As a courtesy to other Mont Royal users, try to avoid stepping on the cross-country ski trails while you're out exploring. We have very easy access to the mountain from campus so bring your gear to class! Check out a map of the Parc du Mont Royal here to help you plan your excursion to Montreal's great outdoors. If you're lucky, you might see a fox!
Dress warm!
- Martlet Girl
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| Hiking Mont Royal |
This weekend I went for a great snowshoe along the golf course near my house and I'm looking forward to hiking on the mountain for the rest of the winter! As a courtesy to other Mont Royal users, try to avoid stepping on the cross-country ski trails while you're out exploring. We have very easy access to the mountain from campus so bring your gear to class! Check out a map of the Parc du Mont Royal here to help you plan your excursion to Montreal's great outdoors. If you're lucky, you might see a fox!
Dress warm!
- Martlet Girl
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