Backyard Workout | theclothesmakethegirl

May 8, 2013 Posted by Mel

I’ll Take The Stairs: Story in Photos

Our (temporary) apartment in Prague is just off Old Town Square, in a narrow alley with large wooden doors on either end. After midnight, the doors are locked and the alley disappears from view, while we sleep four floors above the cobblestones. Radiating out from the square are the streets that lead to Prague’s other delights: the Charles Bridge and beyond to the castle, side streets that lead to a... read more

Apr 1, 2013 Posted by Mel

Body Weight Workout

In just 26 days, we’re leaving on our 6-week European Extravaganza Adventure Exploring Eating Fest™ to Prague, Vienna, Ljubljana, and multiple destinations in Croatia… which means I’m alternating between being ridiculously excited and planning how to take care of myself on the road. My first step to self-care is collecting fun workouts I can do anywhere. This body weight routine from... read more

Dec 22, 2012 Posted by Mel

Jingle Balls & Reindeer Games

In an effort to offer counter programming to a Cookie WOD that might look something like this (or maybe that’s just me)… AMRAP, 10 minutes: 1 giant Chocolate Chip Cookie 2 Russian Teacakes 1 handful Spiced Nuts 5 sips of tea … I give you two fun workouts that can be done with minimal equipment and can be adapted to just about any fitness level. Grab your family, your friends, your kids,... read more

Oct 15, 2012 Posted by Mel

Burpee Legs, Baby

Saturday morning, I woke up in just enough time to squeeze in a little Backyard Workout before heading off to Hatha Star yoga. Even though I haven’t done CrossFit regularly since last November (!), I’ve started secretly stalking the CrossFit Austin web site again to read their WODs and imagine myself doing them. It’s kind of like flipping through non-paleo cookbooks just to daydream about... read more

Jul 10, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Jump Rope Variations

One of the coolest things about body weight workouts is that there is no excuse not to do them. The equipment you need is right there… in you. On you. YOU! (See: Badass Burpee Variations and No Equipment Workouts.) Jump rope workouts are next on that list of workouts that decimate excuses because all you need is a rope and a clear space, like a street or a yard or a porch or a gym floor or a tennis... read more

Jun 19, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Badass Burpee Variations

10 Badass Burpee Variations Burpees seem to be everyone’s favorite love-to-hate exercise, so I thought it would be fun to share the burpee variations I’ve collected since I was introduced to burpees at my CrossFit bootcamp back in 2008. (I collect three things: healthy recipes (or unhealthy ones I can paleoize), copies of Jane Eyre, and workouts. In their ways, all three of them are... read more

Jun 12, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Favorite “No Equipment” Workouts

My 10 Favorite “No Equipment, No Excuses” Workouts Even I, hater of heat and summer months, sometimes just want to get outside and move around… no equipment, no fuss… just me, my iPod, a bottle of water, and my sweat. The workouts listed below all clock in at 10 to 20 minutes and include some of my favorite body weight movements. They can be done just about anywhere, indoors or... read more

May 2, 2012 Posted by Mel

Get Up, Stand Up.

The volume of the buzz about the dangers of sitting has been gradually increasing over the last few years. Now, it’s less like a gnat and more like a giant cicada for me, especially as I start to dig into two new massive writing projects. I’m trying to start a new habit, and I invite you to try it along with me. It’s called Get Up, Stand Up. For your listening pleasure while you read the... read more

Apr 19, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tropical Tabata

It’s not all plantains and pina coladas — I mean, it’s mostly plantains and pina coladas, but a girl’s gotta do some moving around to keep her sanity. Yesterday, we played frisbee on the beach, then strolled toward Tamarindo until we hit the DO NOT CROSS estuary. And this morning, we joined the iguanas in the garden for Tropical Tabata. A full tabata workout is 8 x (:20 work + :10... read more

Feb 25, 2012 Posted by Mel

72 Burpees. 2 Major Complaints.

I almost didn’t do it, so comfortable was I in my leopard pajamas and furry slippers, reading the thoroughly delightful cookbook Bought, Borrowed, Stolen, with Smudge in my lap and a cup of Honeybush Hazelnut tea in my hand. But then I thought of all of you. Bugger! The first 20 burpees felt just fine, thank you very much. I actually felt-thought, Wheeee! This is fun. I’m flying. The... read more

Nov 20, 2011 Posted by Mel

Turkey Day Tabata Or Feast Gone Bad

Here’s something you might not know about me: Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I’m sure you’re thinking it’s because of the food. And yes, it’s partially because of the food. But it’s mostly because I associate T-Giving with a laid-back attitude that’s all about togetherness and love. (And food. Which is love. If you do it right.) It always feels like a snuggly... read more

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Reading right now...

The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.