Crunchy Granola Spinning
As a veteran gym-goer and Group Exercise Instructor, it has been my observation that there are three weeks of the year when attendance at the gym spikes:
1. The first week in January
2. The first week the kids go back to school in September (what I call the New Year)
3. The first somewhat warm week in Spring (when people begin to realize that yes, they will put a bathing suit on again)
So, here we are at the busiest time of the year for The Gym. Classes will be packed, you may need to wait for machines, and the track at the Y will resemble the Indy 500. It’s always fun to see lots of new faces and sometimes I get new devotees to my Pilates class. But more often than not, numbers go back to normal by the time Superbowl rolls around.
Most days, I get my workout in during the wee hours of the morning. I am lucky to have a great gym close by where I teach a class and have the opportunity to work out with an inspirational group of women on a daily basis. These women are a brave bunch. We get going at 5:45 am. That means you have to be out of bed by 5 or so, get your car warmed up on these frigid mornings, and get bundled up for the dark trip over to the gym. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s so much easier in the summer when you roll out of bed, the sun has already risen, and you don’t need a coat.
I have to admit, that while I’ve been an early-morning exerciser for many years, I had to take a break from this routine when my children were babies. Being a mom to infants is such a 24/7 job that it is nearly impossible to leave the house for an hour in the early morning. A friend of mine who has a larger than life career with a major health insurance provider and two young boys told me that she used to climb the stairs during her lunch hour when her boys were babies since it was the only way to get her workout in. It was not until my second child was almost a year old that I was ready to get back on the early morning wagon. And the ONLY way I could do it was with a buddy. You just are not going to roll over and go back to sleep if you know that your neighbor is in your driveway waiting for you. So, if you are thinking of starting an early-morning exercise routine, it’s been my experience that having a partner with the same goal really works to keep you on track.
One of my favorite early morning classes is Spinning. It’s a great Cardio blast and I burn almost as much calories as I do while running without the wear and tear on my knees.
It’s not just the calorie-burn that insprires me to get out of bed for Spin Class. I’m lucky to have a couple of inspirational instructors who choose some great music to get me going. One of those instructors, Alicia, knows just how to push me to try my best every class. Alicia is one of those Incredible Moms that I’m proud to introduce A Better Bag of Groceries Readers to: she works full-time for a Ginormous Company, she has two beautiful little girls, she teaches Spinning for fun, and she and her husband participate in many races and triathlons. Instead of relaxing things as we got close to Christmas, she held a 75-minute Spin Class on December 23rd. Yes, we had to get up even earlier to attend, but it was worth it. Our Reward? Alicia made us all her famous HomeMade Granola as a little Spinning party favor.
Alicia was kind enough to share her Granola recipe with me and with A Better Bag of Groceries readers.
Column 1 Column 2
8 cups of oats ½ cup oil
1 ½ cup brown sugar ¾ cup honey
1 ½ cup wheat germ 2 tsp. vanilla
1 8oz package coconut
1 ½ cup sunflower seeds
1 cup sliced almonds
Blend ingredients in Column 1 in large bowl. Heat ingredients in Column 2 until bubbly. Grease 2 pans of cookie sheets. Mix column 1 and 2. Stir well. Pour into pans and bake at 325 for 20-30 mins- stirring a few times. You can freeze the granola in ziplock bags.
I have been mixing a small amount of Alicia’s Granola into my vanilla Greek yogurt and it makes a delicious snack.
Now, if you would prefer to buy your own granola, you should definitely check out these NuVal scores before you do. (Remember, NuVal scores foods from 1-100 based on their nutritional value, and 100 is best). I was amazed at how they varied!
Cascadian Farms Honey & Oats Granola: 18
Quaker 100% Natural Granola: 23
Kashi Granola, Mountain Medley: 31
Bear Naked Fit: 91
Wow! When my stash of Alicia’s granola runs out, I’m off to buy me some Bear Naked. It’s just what I need after a rousing early morning Spin class!
So, if your New Years’ Resolution includes beginning an early morning exercise routine, remember that research shows that morning exercisers are more likely to stick with it. It’s not easy, but with the right support (whether it’s that neighbor waiting for you in your driveway or a super group of comrades at the gym), you can make it a great habit that will change your life.
Question of the Day?
At what time of day do you fit in exercise?
Posted by: Melissa 9 comments
