Healthworks Workplace Warrior Challenge Fitness Evaluation

Guess what folks?! Last night was our first Healthworks Workplace Warrior Challenge meeting with our trainer Heidi and it was so much fun!  But don’t think this this is going to be all fun and games-Heidi means business!  First order of business…team picture!  It kind of looks like I have to pee really bad in the picture but maybe it was because I was so excited I just couldn’t contain myself!  Shall I mention that our shirts definitely matched some of the Healthworks walls?!  We were destined for this challenge!

To kick off our challenge, we got weighed and measured our body mass index (BMI) which is your body mass divided by the square of your height.  This measurement serves as a way to get an idea of whether you are underweight, normal or overweight.  We will use this measurement to track our progress from the Healthworks Workplace Warrior Challenge.  To find our BMI we used a machine that looks like a video game controller that sends an electric current through your body (the current runs slower the more body fat you have).  Heidi was saying that we have to do this measurement BEFORE we work out because getting all sweaty and working out can skew this reading.

While each team member met individually with Heidi for measurements, the rest of the team sat and chatted with Rachel D who is the nutritionist on site at the Back Bay Healthworks location.  She was really nice and it was exciting for me to hear that her and I have similar philosophies with dieting-eat healthy, don’t restrict yourself, eat bad foods sparingly and EXERCISE! Just like life in general, your nutrition is a about a healthy, balanced diet.  All our team members get a free 20 minute consultation with Rachel.  I’m pumped to get mine scheduled but want to make sure I am prepared with questions I have!

Rachel soon left us in the hands of Heidi and the dreadmill for our half mile trial. I decided to try to go a little faster but let me hips tell me if it was bad. I figured it’s half a mile-so let’s go for it! I did it in 4:00 on the dot!  I was proud of myself but also of the other girls…especially Erin who ran her FIRST half mile EVER!!!! She even admitted to us that she might even like running! I think she will be my next victim….I WILL get her addicted to running!

After getting warmed up, we hit the mats for a minute of push ups (as many as you could do-I managed 30 girly push ups), plank, and wall sit.  The toughest for me was probably the wall sit because my hips, IT band and piriformis are super tight!

We finished up our fit test and then sat down to talk about our game plan with Heidi.  We agreed that we would try to work out 5-6 days a week.  Three of those days would be dedicated to more strength oriented work and two days for cardio.  Heidi said how we should try to push ourselves and do more interval cardio versus just do cardio at a comfortable pace.  If we want to work on changing our metabolism and body composition, we need to step outside that box.  Luckily, we have a free group drop-in class each week that will help us explore the different ways to incorporate strength into our workout routine.  The girls and I were already scheming on what classes we were going to try-our goal is to try ALL the classes!

In terms of nutrition, Heidi suggested that we keep a food journal with the help of MyFitnessPal.com and she could even take a look to see where we could improve or where we were doing well.  I have been slowly getting back into using this tool so my Healthworks challenge is a great excuse to really make sure I stick with it

I’m SO ready to eat healthy, get toned, and make some fun memories with friends and a new friend in Heidi!  I have to admit that I am already finding it tough to schedule my time at the gym due to work obligations-but hey-isn’t that what a workplace warrior does?!  They champion the workplace and still are able to champion their fitness!

What is your favorite thing about working out with a group?

Getting motivated by others and returning the favor!  I also love multitasking-working out but also socializing!

Do you give yourself a “fit test” in some way every so often?

I used to give myself fit tests in the form of races but now I’ve been trying to find other ways to measure my improvement.

How do you champion the workplace AND your health?

Making a schedule and sticking to it!  Planning makes it all happen!  Also check out some of Margaret’s tips and ways to stay motivated and #getafterit!