Zoom! Swish!: A High-speed, snow-filled workout

If you live in a rural or semi-rural area in the northern half of the country, you are probably familiar with snowmobiles.

Once upon a time I frowned on these loud, mechanical monsters as a hick-driven menaces, forever interrupting the perfect crystalline silence of a winter morning.  My snootiness is dead!  Long live the Fun!  Due to the intervention of my charming A.D.D. boyfriend (LC) I have been riding for 2 seasons, and I just started my 3rd last weekend.  W00t!

Snowmobiling is more intense than you might think, there is more to it than just bundling up, starting your engine and buzzing off through the snow drifts.  Snowmobiling is physically demanding and is a ridiculously good workout for your legs.  Because of the way that sleds are engineered, many models do not have optimal shock-absorption systems.  This means that to maintain your sleds integrity (as well as your ass' comfort) you must use your legs a shocks:

Sledding (colloquial term for snowmobiling) can often turn into a high intensity cardio workout if you or one of your buddies gets "bogged down".  When you go into snow that is very deep but not packed down, the "paddles" on your "track" will kick up the loose snow and dig deeper and deeper down.  The only way out is to lift and move the sled, or have a friend with a tow-rope pull you out:

But before you head out into the great white north a word of caution.
Snowmobiling is fun and exciting but it can be very, very dangerous.  The most important thing you can have is a buddy to sled with.  Never sled alone.
The second most important thing is a helmet.  No.  REALLY.  I fell off my sled onto plowed pavement this last weekend (thank you plows for creating a 7 foot drop...) and even WITH my helmet on I still suffered a minor concussion.  A helmet can be the difference between life and death.
The last thing that is a necessity is warm clothes, preferably with an base layer that "wicks" sweat away from your body, and an outer layer that is wind-proof.

For more info on sledding check with your local DNR for resources.

Stay safe out there.

Week 2:Checkup

I don't think the 5 lbs goal is going to happen.  I think my monthly goal is to complete my daily goal as many days in a row as I can.  This is the start up month after all, some flubs are bound to happen.

Still dehydrated, still short of veggies.  But I did get my exercise in, and I broke out the sled this weekend!  Stay tuned for your guide to snowmobiling for exercise!

Recipe: Matcha Protein Shakes

So those of you who dig sushi, or maybe are just into geishas, have probably heard of "Matcha".

Matcha is this amazing jade-green powder that's actually made of crushed green tea leaves, and only the best leaves.  The stuff is great for you and, done right, tastes pretty good as well.  You can find it online or at asian markets.  If you aren't sure what you're buying in the store, get it online.  For the Minneapolis locals, United Noodle carries several varieties and brands.  I drink this in the morning instead of coffee.  Today I decided to shake it up a little.

Matcha Protein Shake

1 Tablespoon Matcha Powder
1 Tablespoon sweetener (if you use honey, agave, anything liquid, add it after the powders have been dissolved)
1 scoop protein powder (usually about 3 tablespoons)
1/2 to 1 cup water
milk, to taste

Put the water in a bowl deep enough to whisk (start with 1/2 add more if you need to later).
Measure the matcha and sugar into the bowl and whisk until dissolved.
Add the protein powder and whisk until dissolved (add a little more water if you need.)
Pour this into your glass and top with milk.

Reactions: I liked it, but the vanilla in the protein overpowered the matcha so next time I would use more matcha or un-flavored protein.  Will definitely be drinking this again!

Week 1: Check-up!

Did my first exercise routine on my own (was with a trainer last week) and I managed to push myself a little further!  Only tomorrow will tell the truth of the workout (as in how bad I'm hurtin).

Was JUST within my calories, but had LOTS of fatty food today (eck.)  However I did manage to get 7 veggie servings, and so far have had 9 servings of water out of my 16 serving goal (we'll see how the rest of the evening goes.

The first half of this week was kind of a scrap, but I'm hot to trot now and I'm going to stay on track!  W00t!

Prologue

So this venture started out as Tia's brilliant idea to keep each other on check with our health and fitness goals, and it got bigger as we talked about it. So here's what you need to know:

This blog is called a leveling guide and it is just that. Our goal each month is to "Level Up" through the completion of various tasks and the achievement of personalized goals. Every 3 levels Tia and I will undergo a high-intensity challenge to test ourselves. This is our Epic BOSS BATTLE.

The month of december will be spent discussing some basic topics, planning our attack, and mentally preparing ourselves for the road ahead.

V's Goals for December:
Daily: Drink 4 liters of water, Eat 5 servings of veggies
Weekly: Hit the gym three times, get at least 20 minutes of cardio 5 times a week
Monthly: Lose 5+ pounds.

Tia's Goals for December:
Daily: 64 oz of Water
Weekly: 30 mins of exercize 3 days a week
Monthly: meet my daily and Weekly Goals

Join us next time for "Fire-Resistance: The Importance of Water"