The SECOND Day of Fitness...MUSIC and FITNESS!

On the SECOND DAY OF FITNESS, FitMePink Blog gave to me...MUSIC HELPS SLIM THE HINEY!

That's right! I'm not sure we needed an official study to let us in on this secret, but it's official! This recent study found that people who cycled in sync with music needed 7% less oxygen than those who biked while just background music played.

If I'm going for a casual run, I actually don't mind running without music. Did any of you catch the quote in Bride Wars about iPods? If not, here it is:

"We can't run with an iPod because iPods are for people who
can't be alone with their own thoughts."

I love that quote! But I also sort of disagree! If I'm running a race, going on a long training run, or just need some extra motivation for a tough workout, I. NEED. MUSIC. And not just ANY music will do! Music really should actually be tailored to the workout itself.

Researchers suggest the following criteria for choosing a play list:

1. strong, energizing rhythm
2. positive lyrics having associations with movement
3. rhythmic pattern matched to the movement pattern of the activity
4. uplifting melodies and harmonies
5. associations with sport, exercise, triumph, or overcoming adversity
6. musical style or idiom suited to an athlete's taste or cultural upbringing
7. choose tracks with different tempi to coincide with alternate low-, medium-, and high-intensity training

Blah, blah, blah. Great advice, but here's mine: Choose music you like that motivates you to work as hard as (or harder than) you plan on working! Here are a few of my playlist favorites:

• I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe) I love having this as my FIRST song in a race
• I Run For Life (Melissa Etheridge) Another must-have race song!
• Pork and Beans (Weezer)
• Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) (Beyonce)
• Hot and Cold (Katy Perry)
• Irreplaceable (Beyonce)
• Jai Ho (A.R. Rahman)
• Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield)
• I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)
• Life Would Suck Without You (Kelly Clarkson)
• Party In The U.S.A. (Miley Cyrus)
• Lose Yourself (Eminem) Great for hill climbs!
• Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood)

The list could go on. I get excited when each of those songs comes on...every time! So for your next workout, feel free to Pump Up The Jam! We all know it doesn't mean you're not comfortable with your own thoughts...you're just training efficiently! Woo hoo!

Running Music Review: BHB, by Ballas Hough Band

I've mentioned before that I love good music. Sadly, the only time I really get to listen to it is when I work out. Sure, sometimes I insist on listening to mommy music instead of Dora sing-a-longs when gallivanting around town with the kids in tow. But I'm still busy watching the road, throwing goldfish crackers into the back seat hoping they land in an open mouth, talking on the phone (I know...I shouldn't), and stretching my arm around like elastigirl to pick up dropped toys. Sound familiar?

When I got a CD in the mail to review, I first popped it into the car for a quick listen. But I knew I had to give it the real test if I really wanted to hear it. The running test. You know, so I could actually listen to what I would be reviewing.

Dancing with the Stars uber studs Mark Ballas (season 6 winner with Kristi Yamaguchi) and Derek Hough (season 7 winner with Brooke Burke) have joined forces on a new musical endeavor...the Ballas Hough Band (formerly known as Almost Amy). On March 10th they released their first CD, BHB.

A few weeks ago, I went on a 10-mile run in preparation for some upcoming races. It was a great opportunity to run with it. Let's just say The BHB CD and I are now good friends...I listened to it the whole darn way. And I finished the run...that alone says something! Here's the verdict:

It's actually a great running CD! Not only can they dance, these guys can actually rock. A lot of it reminded me of fun, old-school pop. A few songs reminded me of New Kids on the Block (but cooler!) The lyrics were catchy, and the beat kept me going. I really liked the 7th track, "Fall" and the 8th track, "Do It For You" co-written by the new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi. (Maybe the fact that I once auditioned for American Idol made me especially keen on liking this song. Or maybe it really was the song. Either way, I like it.)

If you have teenage daughters in the house, this is perfect music for them. I have a one-year-old-going-on-sixteen who rocks out when she hears this music playing. I'm OK with that. The lyrics are clean. The tunes are catchy. The album puts a great spin on old-school pop, but also has some edgier, funkier, more rock-sounding songs. I like the variety. I hope the band does well, and keeps putting out good music that I can run to. Cuz that's the only way I'll be able to appreciate it.

Visit the Ballas Hough Band website to find out more about these guys. You can get a taste of their music for yourself! You can purchase online from Amazon.com.

Thanks to the One2One Network for this review opportunity. If you are interested in becoming part of this fabulous women’s word of mouth marketing organization, head on over and sign up!

What about you? Do you have a favorite band that you work out to?

Workout of the Week--BLAST 300-500 CALORIES in 40-50 Min.

***If you haven't yet, check out our healthy recipe contest and submit your recipes!***

I am a total treadmill junkie! Just thinking about running makes my heart skip a beat. There is nothing like listening to your favorite playlist while blasting calories!

For your enjoyment and workout pleasure, here are a few of my favorite songs and favorite workouts to help you get in shape, hit the pavement (or in my case--the treadmill), and blast some serious calories!!

PLAYLIST
Bye Bye--Mariah Carey
Check On It--Beyonce & Slim
Dance Like There's No Tomorrow--Paula Abdul
Girlfriend--Avril Lavigne
Johnny and June--Heidi Newfield
Love Like This--Natasha Bedingfield
No Air--Chris Brown & Jordin Sparks

CALORIE BLAST WORKOUTS!!
These treadmill workouts are designed to blast 300 to 500+ calories in about 40 to 50 minutes. Choose from one of three levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and pick either a high-impact run or a low-impact speed walk on an incline. Don't have access to a treadmill? Do the same program outside on flat or hilly terrain. Follow your cardio workout with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching for your shoulders, chest, hips, glutes and legs.

Level 1

0:00-5:00: Warm up, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

5:00-7:00: Speed-walk, 4.0 mph, 0% (RPE: 5)

7:00-9:00: Run, jog (5.2-6.0 mph, 0%) or speed-walk (3.8 mph, 6%) (RPE: 6-7)

9:00-33:00: Repeat minutes 5:00-9:00 six more times, alternating 2 minutes of walking with 2 minutes of running or walking on an incline (RPE:7-8)

33:00-38:00: Cool down, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

Level 2

0-5:00: Warm up, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

5:00-7:00: Speed-walk, 4.0 mph, 0% (RPE: 5)

7:00-22:00: Run, jog (5.2-6.0 mph, 0%) or speed-walk (3.8 mph, 6%) (RPE: 6-7)

22:00-39:00: Repeat minutes 5:00-22:00, alternating 2 minutes of walking with 15 minutes of running or walking on an incline (RPE: 7-8)

39:00-45:00: Cool down, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

Level 3

0-5:00: Warm up, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

5:00-10:00: Run, jog (5.2-6-0 mph, 0%) or speed-walk (3.8 mph, 6%) (RPE: 5)

10:00-12:00: Sprint (6.0-7.0 mph, 0%) or speed-walk (3.8 mph, 10%) (RPE: 6-7)

12:00-47:00: Repeat minutes 5:00-12:00 5 more times, alternating 5 minutes of running or walking on an incline (RPE: 7-8)

47:00-52:00: Cool down, 3.5 mph, 0% (RPE: 3)

Have a great workout!

*Note: Always use your own Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to determine how fast you should go. This rate should be used when gauging your intensity in any cardio workout. Here's what the numbers mean.

• RPE 1-2: VERY EASY; you can talk on the phone, converse with no labored breathing or effort.
• RPE 3: EASY; you can converse with almost no effort. Slightly labored breathing, barely noticeable.
• RPE 4: MODERATELY EASY; you can still converse somewhat comfortably with very little effort.
• RPE 5: MODERATE; you can still talk, but with some effort.
• RPE 6: MODERATELY HARD; now talking requires quite a bit of effort.
• RPE 7: HARD; you can probably still talk a bit, but you don't want to...requires too much effort.
• RPE 8: VERY HARD; you probably can't get out a full sentence without gasping for air. Conversing requires maximum effort.
• RPE 9-10: PEAK EFFORT; you can't talk. You are anaerobic. You can only stay in this zone for a few minutes at most!

What are some of your favorite workouts? What music keeps you motivated? Or do you prefer to let your thoughts/TV/books entertain you?