Make sure to book mark this page to find Debbie's tips on fitness and maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
“I believe that my fitness routine should be varied, but most importantly fun!  You do not need to work out four hours a day several times a week in order to achieve your desired results!  You can be on the way to a more defined body with a little bit of time, a lot of determination, and most importantly while enjoying yourself and the great outdoors!” Tips to keep in mind when starting out.   <Click Here> You will find that my fitness routine is not traditional and truly varies from day to day and week to week.  I want to restate that these things I am sharing with you are what work well for me.  You will have to determine what works well for you.  You may want to walk the stadium stairs or shorten your workout depending on what level your body is ready to take on.  Your endurance will come in time and I wish you the very best with your results from the work you put into it! 7 healthy habits of highly successful fitness fans Try to be the best you can be – decide what your goal is that best suits your body.  Find a weight and try to maintain it. Focus on a balanced exercise program, for example: 20 minutes of cardiovascular fitness 3 times a week 20 minutes of light weight training – 5lbs, 8lbs, 10lbs. 2 times a week working your upper and lower body 60-90 minutes of stretching / yoga once a week Make a weekly plan - I change mine every week because I get bored doing the same thing over and over again. For example:                Week 1                                                      i.      Monday – Run at Rice Stadium and work on abs                                                     ii.      Tuesday – FIRM Tape Volume 4                                                    iii.      Wednesday – Run / Walk 3 mile square – work upper body                           and abs                                                   iv.      Thursday – ABS tape and stretching v.      Friday – Bikram’s                           Yoga                                                    vi.      Saturday – Lower bodywork with weights and work abs                                                   vii.      Sunday – Off                                               Week 2                                                       i.      Monday – Run / walk 3 miles at Memorial Park                                                      ii.      Tuesday – Ultimate conditioning class at the Houstonian                                                     iii.      Wednesday – Off                                                     iv.     Thursday – ABS tape and stretching                                                      v.      Friday – Bikram’s Yoga                                                     vi.     Saturday – jump rope, stretch, do squats and lunges Always eat something an hour or two before you workout.  I usually eat a mesotech light bar or some kind of energy / protein bar. I love a buddy system!  Try to find others who have the same goals and interests about being fit.  It is always helpful to call and keep one another motivated. Never go more than 2 weeks without exercising.  Sometimes we all take a break or get distracted, or life has a way of having other priorities that are important.  Try not to go too long before getting back on track. Remember you always feel good after a great workout and are so happy you did it!  Smile and congratulate yourself for the great work you put in for yourself and your good well-being!
Monday Rice Stadium Round-Up
Gather the neighborhood fitness friends and head to Rice Stadium (local university football stadium) Warm- up: Brisk walk around the field and stretch muscles thoroughly. Jogging Stairs: In order to vary the portions of my body that I am working on, I have 2 different approaches.  Every other “ramp” or section of the bleachers I switch my routine.
	Ball of Foot:  While pumping my arms I jog up the stairs on the ball of my feet making sure to keep a good rhythm.  This exercise will focus on your thighs and abs. Heel of Foot:  While pumping your arms I jog up the stairs on the heel of my feet making sure to keep a good rhythm.  This exercise will focus on your quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteus maximus. Descending Stairs:  I really do not have a special way I descend the stairs.  I just take my time and really pay attention to each step I am taking.  Relax on the way down fall into your heels. Be careful!!!  Ensure that you take your time while going up and down the stairs.  Make sure that you watch your knees and are not putting too much strain on them.  Push yourself to work hard, but set a limit as you do not want to strain yourself.
Tuesday Ladies Day – Golf Outing I head to the golf courses and play a round of golf with my friends.  We typically play in the mornings and finish around lunchtime.  We then head to the clubhouse where we grab a bite to eat.  I usually order a salad (with the dressing on the side.) Wednesday Jogging I grab my headphones and head outdoors for a 3-mile jog.  Most of the time I have one of my friends jogging alongside me, however I do not let it deter me if something comes up and they cannot make it.  Thursday Bikram’s Yoga Houston Bikram’s is a local yoga institute that specializes in hot yoga (when I say hot, I mean hot!It is 107º F in there!!!) Don’t forget your water! The class lasts for 90 minutes and is very intense. It is a series of 26 yoga stretching poses and breathing exercises that will strengthen the body and put the mind at ease. Bikram yoga builds strength, balance and flexibility by gently stretching and massaging the spine, muscles, tendons, joints, and all internal organs of the body. Friday Muscle Class at the Houstonian Club A complete weight workout that incorporates three, five and eight pound weights.  The purpose is to tone and nurture the muscle, not to “bulk up”. You can work at your own pace as you work toward the goals you are trying to achieve.