Yes, Fitness Rocks

I was feeling very lazy this morning. You see, it is one of our California winter mornings where the temperature is less than optimal. I really wanted to stay in my warm bed for a little bit longer. (I won't mention the actual number to save being flamed by my mid-western and northeastern friends.)

At any rate, I dragged myself out of bed and got on the stationary bike. Now I am so glad that I got my workout in! Not only am I awake, but I know this feeling will last the rest of the day. For me, I get drowsy around 3:00 pm if I don't exercise in the morning.

I just have to get over that bit of hesitation that gets into my head and I can get going. I know that is a tough thing to do for many - myself included. Trust me, as motivated as I am I still have very lazy moments. For me, it is easy to bounce back because I really despise the way I feel when I haven't exercised in a few days.

My endurance is really getting very good! When I walked the Riviera and its many steep inclines over the weekend I never got winded even once. When I say steep, I mean STEEP. Just look at that video from yesterday that shows the clubhouse. That is a paved walk or stairs to get up there and it is a really sharp incline at some places.

There is still plenty of room for more people to join the Twitter Trim Up Challenge that was started by my bud Lisa. We all harass each other when we slip and are full of encouraging words.

It's never too late to start getting in shape.

5 Observations From The Northern Trust Open

I decided to change up the usual Monday 5 from questions to observations. Why not?

Yesterday I went to the Riviera Country Club to catch the last day of the Northern Trust Open and this is what I noticed:

1. It is just as fun to sit on the hill at 18 as it is to be in the tents on 17. Seriously. Last year we were three sheets to the wind in one of the hospitality booths. Yeah, it was awesome and I will probably do it again. There is nothing wrong with free food and alcohol. However, we quite enjoyed watching everyone finish their rounds on the last hole.

2. Teenage girls rake in goodies. There were three of them at the exit from 18 asking every player for their ball, glove, towel, hat, or whatever they would hand them. I would have thought they might eventually give another fan a chance since these three had handfuls of stuff.

3. Getting intimate in front of everyone on the hill at 18 is really uncalled for. Seriously. Get a room. Please.

4. I don’t care what you say, I like Phil and enjoy following him. The first two hours of my time at the NTO was spent going from hole to hole to check out as many players as possible. I caught up with Phil and followed him for three before I took a seat at 18. I did the same thing last year – followed him for three and then took a seat in the tent.

5. I wish this event was at least twice a year. Riviera is a great place to watch golf and it is so close to home for me.

As a matter of fact, at the end there was several event staff lined up handing out all of the extra tournament programs they still had. I was already carrying one but they handed me another anyways.

This means I have one for you.

Since I only need one I am happy to share the extra with one of my golf buddies that would really appreciate it. I got it for free on my way out and am happy to put it in an envelope and pay the postage to send it to someone in the continental U.S. It is standard magazine sized, full color, and just over 100 pages.

Leave me a comment by Friday, February 12 if you really want it. I want to make sure it goes to someone who will really appreciate it that is a regular reader. I’ll randomly pick a commenter or pick the one that gives me the best reason they should have it. If nobody wants it I'll just give it to my friend that went with me last year that couldn't make it this year.

The NTO has not given me any sort of endorsement or any other support to do this. I am just sharing since I have extra. Hopefully I am not violating some PGA rule or something. I mean come on - the event gave these out and I have an extra. I'm just sharing.

Congrats on the win Steve Stricker!

A Saturday Rant - The Nutrisytem Commerical

I decided to post a Saturday rant to express my extreme distaste for the latest, ubiquitous Nutrisystem commercial.

Marie Osmond doesn't really bother me; it's that Skeletor-on-crack-with-a-tanning-bed Amy that irks me to no end! With gripping commentary like "I didn't feel comfortable in my own skan" and "I went to the pool with my kads", I am ready to hurl. I found others that feel as I do as well.

If you really, really need something like Nutrisystem to lose weight then that is your prerogative. There is no easy or secret method to losing weight though. Eat right and exercise and you will be healthy. Yes, I know that means different things for different people. Seriously though - why be lazy and follow some BS, overpriced, overproduced food plan? I honestly feel you should save your hard-earned dollars and skip the pricey processed food plan. Do your research, talk to your physician, and invest in yourself instead of wasting time and money on something you probably won't stick to anyways.

Have you read a Nutrisystem box? It's processed crap in my opinion. I don't even feel that it qualifies as actual food.

Amy looks like crap. Period. If that is what Nutrisystem does for you then I would stay away from it.

That's just my opinion.

Tales From The Inbox - February 5, 2010

Fresh Air Fund: In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children. The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the summer of 2010. More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are re-invited to stay with their host family, year after year.

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.

Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!

Director Of Fandemonium: After a season-long search to fill the “dream job” for an NFL fan, Monster.com® together with the National Football League (NFL) will announce the next “Director of the NFL Department of Fandemonium” live on the CBS Super Bowl XLIV Pregame Show from Sun Life Stadium on February 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The final two candidates have separated themselves from an initial group of more than 200,000 applicants and voting for them will continue at nfl.monster.com until midnight on February 5.

Bowling: For the first time in the 5,000-year history of the sport, the bowling industry will be united under one roof with the grand opening of the International Bowling Campus (IBC) in Arlington, Texas, an unprecedented event in sports history. The IBC, located at 621 Six Flags Drive, is in close proximity to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Rangers Ballpark and the Six Flags Over Texas theme park. The 100,000-plus square foot IBC complex will house more than 200 employees.

The campus will serve as home to the new and expanded International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. The state-of-the-art museum will feature interactive displays and exhibits along with rare, one-of-a-kind items from the various eras dating back to 3,200 B.C. The IBC will also house the International Training and Research Center (ITRC) and an expansive pro shop making it the premier pro shop of the bowling industry. Additionally, the IBC will act as the central operating facility for the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

* Today's post was generating using content from various publicists and organizations that send me their information. If you are interested in being a part of "Tales From The Inbox" in the future, please forward your press release or pertinent information. *

I Feel Good!

If you're a regular visitor then you're probably tired of hearing about my fitness goals. I'm not. Progress is really being made and I feel really good. I feel so good that I had to share what happened yesterday.

I invited a coworker to surf in the morning at a fairly mellow break, but churny since that's how the coast is in SoCal during the winter. My invitee is a guy that's just a few years younger than I am, that surfs fairly regularly, and always on a shortboard. Although I'm taller and have a longer "wingspan" I was a little worried about being out-paddled. I didn't want to have to work my rear off to get out in position while he was already out there and then have to take extra time to catch my breath.

Guess what! I kept up just fine and never got so winded that I had to take a long break!

WOOHOO!

Granted, we weren't speed-paddling or catching sets every 3 minutes but it felt great to keep up! I even had my shortboard! (For those of you not familiar, a shortboard generally requires more energy to paddle than a longboard.) And no, you cynical ones, he wasn't "letting" me keep up because I could not only see him putting everything in it but he was a little out of breath too.

The session itself was interesting. We paddled out into chest-high sets and watched them diminish into knee-high slow rollers. I caught probably the best one of the day, hesitated like a goofball, and went over the falls. DOH! My buddy did catch one okay ride but we spent the rest of the 60 or so minutes trying to get in the right position and then riding the whitewash in to the shore. It's still an excellent way to start the day.

I'm so stoked that my Twitter bud @kokogirl got the TTUC (Twitter Trim Up Challenge) started. For me, even though I am already a very motivated person, it's true that having a group to be accountable to and clear goals makes a huge difference. I should be awesome by the time the next surf contest rolls around in the summer. Now, to get my golf swing in shape!

Wild World of Wednesday - National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Did you know that today is National Girls and Women in Sport Day? The Women Talk Sports network has compiled a list of events and information about the event. In addition, they compiled the above slideshow of contributors and prominent women in sports. You'll even see my mug in there hitting a golf ball and paddling a surfboard.

In fact, I am going to start the day with a surf to celebrate the occasion! I've invited a few of the guys from the office but I think it's too early for them. We'll see. None of the gals would join me this morning but the spot I am headed to is usually full of other women in the water.

Are you doing anything for National Girls and Women in Sports Day?

Blogspotting - February 2, 2010

Mike Southern was so kind as to have me over for a guest post today.

Someone please get Heather some warm weather or a vacation. She's having quite the jones for golf weather.

Check out Lisa's progress so far with her TTUC goals.

There is still plenty of criticism around the Boscome Surf Reef. No surprise.

I have issues with my shoulder all the time and found this info about keeping shoulders fit for surfing.

Wanna be spotted? Send me your info!