Tuesday DONTS & Update on coming MizFit’tractions.

by

First the tips.

We’ve had some fun tip gatherings in the past and, I hope, today won’t be any different.

Except that it is.

This week I’m seeking all your *don’ts* when it comes to health, fitness & life-harmony (note the lack of B-word there. Balance? Elusive in this woman’s world).

It’s opposite day up in herre.

Just as it worked for George Costanza, I’m hoping that compiling a list of doing what’s OPPOSITE from our natural inclination might be precisely what we need to keep moving forward in our quest for overall health in 2009.

I’ll start us off:

  • DONT wait too long between weight training sets! Try using an approach called SUPERSETTING to shake up your weight training routine no matter your training level.  Supersets are when you do different exercises for two body parts with no rest in between (and then, if you choose, you may take a break).   For example: a set of a tricep exercise, a set of a bicep exercise and THEN a 45-60 second rest period.  Doing this will both shake up your routine & increase your workout intensity (still unclear? you know where to hit me up…).
  • DONT be afraid to ask if you can work in.  Someone on the leg extension machine that you need to use? Dont skip the exercise—merely ask to work in.  When you work in, or alternate sets with another person, DONT forget your gym etiquette & wipe down the machine after you use it if youre sweaty. Bonus points awarded if you remember the other trainer’s weight and change the machine back accordingly.
  • DONT skip your warm up.  No matter the workout this time of year it’s important to start slowly. Even if you dont live in a frigid climate (Hello Texas! Land I love.) it’s still coolER than your body is used to.  Since we’re all busy & attempting to jam exercise into our schedules this common sense notion bears repeating. You’ll save a few minutes by not warming up—-until you’re sidelined by injury.

Ok. Your turn. 

Serious (have you made a fitness error you wanna share which mightcould save us all a learning experience) or silly (now’s your chance to unabashedly mock some of the crazyass things you see at the gym…without naming names).

Please to hit us up in the comments.

Now the brief update of sorts.

Some What’s Shakin Behind the MizFit Scenes if you will (she types pretending she’s a major corporation):

First the important stuff (wink):

My I’m Turning 40! tattoo.

The plans are all in motion & it looks as though I shall be getting the entire outline FIRST & then color in the images as I have time for appointments.

The font I chose for the quotes: kristen.

The excitement up in herre: mounting.

The chance you’ll see me walking Blogher this summer only 10% finished: high.

The date of my first appointment: May 2nd (Id be disappointed but nothing bodes better for the end result than a booked up artist.)

Next, I have the opportunity to ask Dr. Barry Sears another round of questions about The Zone.

I still have your input from this post—but if you have additional questions for Dr.Sears feel free to chime in below.

Lastly (cue drumroll) MizFit Magazine is ON ITS WAY.

(Ill letcha sit with that for a moment).

We’re launching a magazine up in herre.

All PDF.

Most likely monthly.

All free for you.

All about accepting the advertisements in order to KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Why am I telling you this instead of merely writing & pdf’ing?  I want to know what you wanna see between its virtual covers.

I know what Im thinking (more of me. personal stories experiences etc. more of you. columns. stories. journeys. etc.)—-but what do YOU want to see?

What do you wish we had more of around here?

Are you longing for more THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN snarky product reviews?

Curious about a psychologist’s perspective on this thing we call ‘attempting healthy living?’

Craving more kitchen time?

Excited for more exercise tips?

You know what to do.

Please to hit us all up with a DONT (tip) or a DO (include) or a query (Dr. Sears)  in the comments.

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Comments

  1. Everything you suggested sounds great for a magazine!

    Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to give my weight loss a quick boost as it seems to be heading for a plateau and I’m desperate not to hit one. Any ideas?

  2. On the don’ts – I think I have learned my lesson to not do the same thing and expect a different result. Like starting an excercise routine that I don’t like or joining the gym when I prefer excercising outdoors. I look forward to the magazine!

  4. WOO-HOO!!! A magazine?!?!? Color me ecstatic (as long as “ecstatic” isn’t a pastel … I don’t do too well with pastels …)!

    So here’s my Don’t/Do that I’ve been trying to nail into the brains of some of my fellow babyfat moms. This was originally written specifically to a mom who had a 2 year old AND a 15 year old (I’m all about recycling):

    DON’T let not having a gym membership OR having a baby be your excuse for not exercising! I’m assuming that your husband or your 15-year old can handle the baby on their own for at least 10-15 minutes at a time, right? If you have a laptop or a tv/dvd player in a different room of your house/apartment/whatever, how about picking up one of the dvds of 10-minute workouts or a 1-mile Walk Away The Pounds (15 minutes for that, I think)? They HAVE to understand (or start understanding) that you’re doing this for the whole family and that if it means seeming selfish by taking 10-15 minutes “off” to do your thing, you’ll ALL be better off for it in the long run. You’ve got your own washer/dryer, right? Turn laundry into a workout by adding squats or lunges while waiting for a load to be done or loading/unloading. If you do dishes by hand that’s also a good time to do squats or high knees … sneak some standing pushups in up against the kitchen counter or even in the shower … do some twists/turns/stretches/squats/whatever while you brush your teeth. Your little one’s a toddler now and that in itself is a great way to sneak in exercise, at least for me & MY little one since I can burn a good bunch of calories playing tag or getting down on the floor with him and when he climbs on my stomach/hips either doing situps (which he thinks is just me trying to “get him”) or raising my hips as high as I can — which raises him up and makes him get the giggles. I also just picked up a kids Tae Bo dvd “for him” that he loves trying to do AND gives me a good little workout, too. There are LOTS of ways you can sneak in a little exercise here and there!!!

  5. Magazine!? SUPER EXCITEMENT!

    As for the don’ts…Don’t follow the path of your significant other (if they are under-achievers at exercise) instead recruit them to join in…taunting usually works, “ha, ha, I can do more push-ups than you!”…like a charm 🙂

    Have a great day!
    ~rupal

  6. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to give my weight loss a quick boost as it seems to be heading for a plateau and I’m desperate not to hit one. Any ideas?

    DONT do the same stuff repeatedly. from food choices to workouts.

    keep your body guessing and your muscles CONFUSED.

    Doing lottsa cardio? add in weights or yoga or a bodypump class.

    Doing loooong cardio? shift it to high intensity training for short sessions.

    eating 3 meals a day? eat the same calories even but in SIIX minmeals a day!

    keep things changing and you wont plateau!!

  7. I have a Zone question:

    What is the first thing Dr Sears would recommend I do to get started?

    The VERY FIRST THING?

    Clean my kitchen? Exercise?

  8. Love the idea of a tattoo for your birthday!

    How exciting is a magazine??!! Can’t wait to see it.

    I loved this post, great tips on going to the gym.

  9. To Mizfit: DON’T spread yourself too thin! The magazine sounds great, but if it gets overwhelming, DON’T drop this wonderful blog! Perhaps the two could eventually be combined; we can all live with some advertisements.

    To Moonduster: DON’T be too reliant on the scale weight, and DON’T use a plateau as an excuse to throw your hands in the air and stop exercising and eat junk food. Everything has an effect. You may not see it immediately, but it all has an effect.

    To Lara: DON’T wait for a reply from Dr. Sears to start doing something. Start TODAY. Take a walk around the block (or something similar) after every meal. That’s how I started several years ago, and look at me now!

  10. Magazine!!?? How exciting, I can’t wait, all your ideas sound fabuloso…

    Here’s some donts (hmm that looks a bit like donut… don’t eat too many donuts??) now seriously….

    Don’t rely entirely on the scale as a measure of your success at weight loss, look at tape measurements and achieving fitness goals to keep you motivated.

    Don’t go it alone, the support team is essential when it comes to keeping you positive and on track not to mention having a work-out buddy there by your side to cheer on and have cheer you on.

    Don’t forget to congratulate yourself for doing it!

  11. DON’T spread yourself too thin! The magazine sounds great, but if it gets overwhelming, DON’T drop this wonderful blog! Perhaps the two could eventually be combined; we can all live with some advertisements.

    It’s the ever elusive how do I quit my dayjob conundrum. there are ads here now and the amount the pay would make yer head ‘splode.
    Ive made about 200.00 from MizFit over the course of a year. (just so you know Im not gunning for a six figure income :))
    struggling struggling.

    AND the mag seems as tho it would be more the MEMEME place. Ramblings about my own experiences with exercising with my Toddler.
    And more the YOU YOU YOU place as well. There could always be a D’Mamma Column?

    (hinthint)

    we shall see.
    Im all about hurling the proverbial sh*t at the lovely crayoned walls and seeing what sticks!

    Miz.

  12. I have to agree with Dragonmamma.
    I would love a magazine but would not want you to stop the blog.

    Although I never really thought about the fact that I come here every morning and would hate not to see a new post and that this isn’t your job.

    I read it like its my job 🙂

  13. Looking forward to the tattoo!

    I DIDN’T skip my warm up today!

    And thanks for explaining what a superset is! I’ve heard it used, but never knew what it was 😀

    Oh, and a while ago you mentioned about a clarinet performance? I’d love to hear/see something!

  14. Love all the DON’T’s. I think that list could be never-ending.
    I’m all for the MIZFIT MAG. I’m all in.
    And I can’t wait to see the TAT (coming from someone who has 3)
    WOOT WOOT

  15. Hey Miz a mag?! Yay!!! How exciting is that? I love workout tips. 🙂 Maybe routines? Weight training routines scare me. Even if I remember what I did in a group training session I probably won’t go to the gym and do the workout on my own in the weights. Which brings me to my DON’T. I’m talking to myself people!

    DON’T forgo your weight training because you’re insecure and you think everyone in the gym is looking at you thinking….What the *insert fav word here*!

    Ooh blogher, wish I could go! Maybe next year!

  17. Can’t wait for the magazine! Woohoo!!

    And, I’ve learned lots of personal don’ts over the last year. Here’s one:

    DON’T do lunges every day, unless you enjoy hip muscle pain.

    DON’T make excuses. Do it or don’t; you’re not fooling anyone, including yourself.

    Well, MizFit, since you’re turning 40, it seems appropriate that you’ll be wearing longer tattoos. 🙂

  18. MizFit Mag… has a great ring to it doesn’t it?

    DON’T skip stretching.

    DON’T overdo it.

    DON’T forget to put sunblock on that hot new tattoo of yours.

    =)

  19. Ok I have a don’t:

    Don’t stop.

    I lost 60 pounds by just eating less and moving more but I stopped the exercise for some reason.

    I still eat ok but the weight came back on.

    And I saw your tweets this weekend about making rub on tattoos of the words Be Present.

    Are you doing that for sure?

    I’d love one.

  23. Are you going to be the covergirl every month, a la O… I can’t wait to seasonal issues… Miz @ Christmas, Thanksgiving Miz, summer Miz… fabulous 🙂

  24. Oh goody, a don’t that hasn’t been listed yet.

    DON’T skip breakfast. I still have friends that try to maintain/lose weight by skipping breakfast. I took to heart the expert’s information that the majority of successful maintainers/losers eat a good breakfast. Now its my favorite meal of the day.

    Miz, I am a MAGAZINE JUNKIE. Oh, to feed my addiction without leaving the house and for free??? I can’t wait! The idea of the psychologist’s perspective on this thing we call ‘attempting healthy living’ appeals to me because I am always trying to figure out why ‘it’ works for some people and for some ‘it’ doesn’t.

    Oh, and you could use progress photos of your tattoo as the ‘cover’ shot, or maybe on the ‘what I know for sure’ page, LOL!

    Go, Miz! Oprah AND Martha need to have you on their show!

  25. My girlfriend would love that I am saying this:

    Don’t get caught up in the amount you lift DO worry about form.

  26. Hmm, Stacey already said what I was going to say, but it bears repeating.

    DON’T be afraid to take a rest day when you need it (or at least tone down your workout).

    One day I attempted step aerobics when I was really tired (and felt like I had lead feet). I ended up twisting my ankle badly. Then like a dolt I thought it was better and tried step aerobics again the next day. Duh. I ended up sidelined for weeks. Then since I wasn’t working lower body so much when I started back my knees were weak and started giving me trouble. It was a bad slippery slope. I also gained 20 lbs. All because I didn’t listen to my body and try something a little gentler on that lead feet day.

  27. wow, Miz you never cease to amaze me with all you do! Looking forward to the mag!

    Well, I think during my long and continuing weight loss journey, I have learned:

    Don’t give up; time is gonna go by anyway, so you might as well keep trying instead of starting and stopping.

    Don’t expect “old eating habits” to magically go away when you have lost weight. I have learned that they don’t completely go away, you just learn to manage them better.

    Don’t beat yourself up when “old eating habits” rear their ugly head. *yeah, I’m still working on this one 😉

  28. OK, that sounded kind of silly, but the 20 lbs really did seem related to the injury–I was working out much less but didn’t alter my eating enough to accommodate the lack of activity. Plus the lack of endorphins might have contributed to the eating trouble. I’m sure someone who’s less of an idiot could hurt their ankle and not end up gaining weight!

  29. peeking in from the glam task o’trash taking out (todays workout. Please to see tweets).

    Dietgirl? What I hear you saying is:

    Please to have me on the cover, Miz.
    I know you’re not a fan of getting yer pic taken so allow me to step in!

  30. Meant to add that I’d love to lend a hand with layout & design. Hit me up.

    **cue confetti shaped like teenytinyMizMags**

    We have a confirmed 😉 offer to help out with all the layout stuff.

    THANK YOU.

  31. My would love to ask Dr Sears how he eats!
    does he always stick to The Zone?

    I would really enjoy hearing about that!

  32. Very excited about the magazine. I think the idea of a psychologist’s perspective on the whole process of trying to make one’s life as healthy as possible would be WONDERFUL. Cause you know I’m all about the psychobabble.

    My don’t? Don’t give up when you slip up. Or, as Voltaire said much better, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” If you make bad choices, they don’t invalidate the good ones you’ve made, so don’t think giving in to that doughnut means you should just forget about the steamed veggies and salmon you’d planned for dinner. Good is better than nothing, and perfect is an elusive and self-defeating goal.

    That’s the one thing that I have to constantly remind myself of – the hardest thing to learn, and the one thing that keeps me from just throwing it all out the window and going back to my two food groups, chips and chocolate. 🙂

    V.

  34. DO write everything down so you can track your workouts and measure your improvements.

    DON’T think that pretending to hula hoop is going to have much impact on your abs…especially if you only do it for 30 seconds.

    DO remember to breathe

    DON’T loudly count your reps.

    Can’t wait for the magazine!

  36. Don’t let a lack of don’ts keep you from posting a comment.
    I just now watched yesterday’s video. Great idea. Joy is good.
    I would think that to some, the age of 40 would be the age of tattoo removal. And what’s the tat you already appear to have on your arm?

    And happy birthday soon to you. I have mine in March but am not planning a tattoo. Will you get one for me?

    Congratulations on the magazine. I hope this endeavor provides you with even more joy.

  38. Great news about the magazine and congratulations Miz. It couldn’t happen to a better person. I’d like to see editorial comment along with health and wellness stories. Maybe even a guest column from the likes of Crabby, Merry and Charlotte just to name a few.

    As for the don’ts:

    Don’t wait until you’re 50 until you start an exercise routine.

    Don’t consider fast food a nourishment staple.

    Don’t drink useless calories, i.e. soda, shakes, juices, etc.

    Don’t think you can stay up all night and feel you’re prepared to take on the day.

  39. this?

    would think that to some, the age of 40 would be the age of tattoo removal.

    made me laugh.

    this?

    what’s the tat you already appear to have on your arm?

    a tattoo from a highly regarded artiste: The Toddler Tornado.

    I wont ever have any tattoos I couldnt hide in a long dress or pantsuit/sleeveless top should I wanna take of my jacket.

    Just my preference.

  40. DON’T wear an unpadded bra to a chilly weight room after 60 minutes on the arc trainer. And if you DO, DON’T stand in front of a full-length mirror in a line of 20-year-old college males lifting weights without first checking the nips situation.

    Not that I’d know this from personal experience or anything.

  44. Greg? Please to describe aforementioned noises.

    is it OOOH I SO WANT ONE AND AM GONNA RESEARCH THE BEST POSSIBLE ARTIST FOR THE JOB AND GET A KICKASS I.AM.40.HEAR.ME.ROAR TATTOO?

    If not, send her my way.

    Miz.

  45. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really learned the importance of the warm up. Thanks for the reminder!

    So cool about the MAG!!!!

  46. Don’t compare yourself to others! We are all unique and special in our own ways. Do love yourself daily! 😀

    Ooooh a MAG!!! Coolie! Good luck!

  47. Ooh, forgot to add my 2 cents about the MizFit magazine! Very excited to hear about it. I vote for snarky reviews! In fact, wouldn’t mind contributing some snark. I may seem all kinds of sweet on my own blog (do I? I think I do) but I am really a queen of sarcasm and snark in reality.

  48. I learn so much just from reading your blog and other bloggers comments! And now a magazine?! Girl, how do you do it?! *humming tune from “I’m a Woman…W O, M A N…*

    The only don’t I can think of is Don’t quit blogging when things get tough. Bloggers are unconditionally supportive. And when I read about another’s struggles, I am motivated to reach out to them and offer my support.

  49. MizFit Mag? Sounds marvelous! Mahvelous, even ;). I would love to see some reader success stories: maybe folks who have applied some of your blog tips or inspirational ideas and made exciting healthy changes to their lives as a result.

    I still want to know if Dr. Sears has mellowed toward saturated fats at all now that some evidence has suggested they aren’t the diet demon they have often been painted as.

  51. I’ll add a don’t: Don’t get too comfortable with your routine. Shake it up once in a while — my trainer used to advise a week of just cardio every once in a while, followed by a step-up in weight training and cardio the following week (not sure if you agree with that trainerly advice, Miz. What do you think?).

    MizFit Magazine? I KNEW big things were in store for you. Congratulations — can’t wait to see it!

  52. I dont’ know if someone said this for a don’t, but DON’T IGNORE WHAT YOU’RE BODY IS TELLING YOU!!! I did and boy did I hurt big time! Couldn’t use my arms for two days! Try lugging a laptop bag, a rolling bag for the projector and a small bag of speakers for a lecture while trying not to use your arms much. lol. It was quite the sight!

  53. One that seems to ALWAYS cause me problems:
    DON’T let the numbers drive you crazy, just keep on keepin’ on.
    and
    Don’t beat youself up.

    And? the psychologist’s perspective? Sounds really cool! Yay for a Miz Mag!
    🙂

  54. hehe..awesome on the tatoo..wish I wanted one! Well I do want one..but not enough..if you know what I mean?

    About the DONT of exercising..here is my silly one for the day:
    When doing the statioary bike at the gym and reading a amagazine, DONT slow down when the article gets interesting (i ahve seen people stop without realizing it :D)

  55. Don’t:
    -cut out any food completely. If you want ice cream, have a couple of spoonfuls. If you really want a burger, make it worth it – turkey on a whole wheat bun with avocado and lowfat cheese. Cutting out a food will only make you crave it more and splurge.

    -tell yourself you can’t do something. If you do, you’ve already defeated yourself.

  56. How cool about the magazine! I can’t wait!

    Fitness don’t: Don’t ever say you don’t have the time to workout. That’s like saying you don’t matter enough.

  57. LOVELOVE the donts (and the ‘don’t slow down when on bike & reading’ Disha? Not silly at all & I see that all the time!).

    Here’s hoping we can get some peeps wanting to ADVERTISE in MizMag.

    We all know they want our .02 for reviewfree….now we wait & see if it’s worth a comparitively tiny investment.

  59. For my don’t: DON’T let the bulky boys in the weight training area intimidate you. YOU have every right to be there, too! Plus, you’re cuter.

    (Congrats on the magazine! Lemme know if you need a proofreader–n/c.)

  62. Yay to a mag – hand up for anything that needs doing at all!

    My don’t have been mentioned somewhere above I’m sure:

    – don’t treat healthy living as an all-or-nothing thing that stops the minute life intrudes. Life happens.

    – don’t stick to the same routine day in and day out – your body adapts and gets stronger. Push it all the time.

    – don’t be afraid to take a rest day though – if you’re exhausted, you’re more likely to get injured.

    – don’t make excuses – make time instead.

    🙂

  63. So awesome about the Mag! I’d like to see:

    ~ Success stories: couch potatoes to kick ass athletes!
    ~ True or False: Fitness myth dispelling
    ~ Giveaways (I’ll win one of yours someday!)
    ~ 15 minute quickies: tear/cut out card with a quick outline of 15 minute workouts (for those of us with no time).
    ~ Psychology/Sociology focused articles: why are we a nation of fat people? What holds people back?

  64. I am so excited that you’re actually doing a MizFit mag!! I love all of the stuff you’ve mentioned- just more of it 😉 I lovelovelove the personal experiences, both from you and from others.

    As for things NOT to do, I’d say DON’T expect to get the same results as someone else, and DON’T exactly mimic someone else’s workout/eating plan. Everyone is different and we’ve got to accommodate for that.

    Also, DON’T wear skimpy underwear if you’re out running. It’s kind of embarrassing to be trying to run while holding up your underwear because it’s starting to slip over your hips.

    And, DON’T keep wearing the same sneakers until the cloth wears through and the plastic pokes at your heel, because trying to walk down the street with bleeding heels is not much fun at all.

  66. I often hear/read this from many of my friends: I have been exercising however the scale doesn’t budge and actually my weight has gone up. I am fatter now that I am exercising.

    Don’t confuse weight with fat. Losing weight includes both the muscle and fat, losing fat well that is what we want to lose.

    Let’s learn to say, we want to lose FAT not weight.

    Congrats on the magazine! I don’t know if I can be of service, but I would love to help in some way. Just let me know.

  67. Don’t be smug about stretching- do it faithfully so you don’t get injured. Sadly, I have the pictures from last year to prove this point!

    Don’t be afraid to try something new and have fun with it. All workouts don’t require a machine and an iPod/TV to pass the time.

    Don’t wait for ‘xyz’ to happen before you start. There will always be an ‘xyz’ to overcome..

  68. OMG I am SOOOO excited for you!

    I’d love to see things like in-house workout routines, or examples of complete routines for cable or free weights (I have access to these things, but not enough money to pay a personal trainer to teach me what to do, so I add tiny little new exercises in one at a time as I learn about them, but I always feel like I could be doing better.)

    I’m also a good sucker for Then and Now stories… I love seeing weight loss successes, endurance training, etc…

    Still. VERY EXCITED!

  69. A magazine????? Way cool! (Need any help? :))

    My don’t? Don’t ever say can’t. Take a page from President Obama’s book – yes, we can.

    Oh, and don’t fall off your exercise ball. It hurts. ‘Nuff said.

  70. Loving the idea of a magazine. (ya need some guest columists?? -wink).

    Don’t:

    Don’t forget to stretch after a workout.
    Don’t forget to eat some quality protein and carbs after a workout.
    Don’t mindlessly do the same routine day after day. Shake it up.

    Do:
    Smile.
    Breathe
    Smile.

    Moonduster(Becky).. seriously, shake things up with some supersets. Or change your cardio. Or change the time work out if you can.

  71. Don’t fear rest days if your body needs them. Your legs will not forget how to run, nor will you gain 20 lbs overnight if you take a day off from exercise.

    Thanks for the tattoo update as I was curious.

    So excited for the Mizfit Mag – more exercise tips please!!!!

  72. The tips just reminded me about the people at the gym who spend a lot of time “in the mirror” and spend the other time lagging between machines while they talk to fellow meat heads about lifting and maximizing muscle mass and how hot the girl is in the pink top… And try as hard as they do there is more bulk than lean definition… (reflections from the elliptical brought to you by me!) They are the one’s that usually include a T-shirt that has the armholes cut out all the way to their waist! HAHAHHAA!

  73. You’ve got a lot going on you crazy over-achiever! How about Don’t save a Step/mat for your friend who is 30 minutes late in an over crowded aerobics class. Makes me MAAAAAD. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

  74. Don’t rush when lifting weights. Slow and controlled, not swinging wildly. See far too many people swinging weights around using momentum instead of their muscles.
    Can’t wait for the magazine! I’ll read everything you put in there but would really love to see weight routines. I switch mine up regularly so my muscles don’t get used to what I’m doing (and I don’t get bored!) but I find myself going back to certain things over and over. Looking forward to whatever is in it though!

  75. GASP!!!! Magazine?? DO DO DO! Product reviews, exercise tips, mental wellbeing! Yay.

    My alltime DON’T is Don’t be afraid to try new food. Can’t stand them picky eaters! The more variety, the easier it is to eat well, and happily.

  76. Magazine? That rocks!

    My don’t tip of the day is…

    Don’t think because you’re not perfect, you can’t lose weight/be healthy/accomplish your goals. If you are working towards your goals like 80% of the time, and slacking 20%, it’s still better than not doing anything at all! Take it from a previous 150%-er or nothing…it’s much better this way!

  78. Supersetting! I’m going to try it today.

    Magazine– seems like a GREAT way to organize some of the things you’ve got going on the blog and make ’em more readable (not that I don’t love sifting through comments & archives, but it is time-consuming): recipes, exercise demonstrations, even commenter dos and don’ts. 🙂 (And interviews! I love the interviews and agree that my favorite questions are things like, “OK, fine, this is what you espouse, but what do you DO? How do you make it work in the real world?”)

    Don’ts– don’t use food or exercise as punishment, for yourself or others. Don’t reduce yourself or others to their physical selves. Don’t ignore the physical benefits of taking care of yourself emotionally. Don’t wait until you’re forty to get a tattoo, tfh! You KNOW you want to reward yourself for your marathon w/ one…

  79. Most of my “don’ts” run along the obvious “DON’T BE AN IDIOT” lines (e.g, don’t think that you can do a lot when you haven’t done anything in ages. Don’t think that you have to kill yourself to do something.)

    I like reviews. I like everything, really, but I particularly like stuff that is good for my head and sense of being centered and balanced and present in the middle of all the things that want to pull me away from that. When the head is ok, the body follows.

  80. I am so excited about the magazine. Good for you!

    Also, I love supersets, a huge benefit (besides the better workout) being that they save so much time.

    I’m a bad girl about warming up before lifting though (shhhh…).

  81. Okay, you already have over 70 comments, so mine will likely go unread by the majority of people here. But I absolutely do have some things to add! 😉

    Many of the “don’ts” in working out depend entirely on your goals. For example, I can bust the very first one on your list by telling you that I’m working out for strength! When trying to gain strength, it is proper to have long rests between sets. Not everyone is trying to look like a bodybuilder or fitness model competitor. Some of us just love to lift really heavy stuff!

    Congratulations on the magazine. 🙂

  82. Yay! I can’t wait for the magazine!! That is so exciting!! Good point about warming up. I never NEVER skip warming up and cooling down. I’m am much less sore and less exhausted when I do a good warm up and good cool down.

    Also, good point about asking to work in, although I’ve had some people say no >:( Not “NO.” but they say things like “that’s okay” or “I’m almost done, etc. etc.” Which is fine, but they usually aren’t almost done. There are signs all over the gym that say to get off the machine, don’t rest while sitting on machine, let other people work in, etc, but people just DON’T WANT TO. Okay. Rant over 🙂 Can’t wait for your tat!!!

  83. More of the same, please.

    I’d love to see a section of MONTHLY FOCUS– and you choose 3-5 core exercises we can print, laminate and carry around!

  85. A MAGAZINE?! *jumps up and down like a 4-year-old* HOW COOL! 😀 Do you want a healthy recipe column? I can write that – or at least contribute. (Especially if it’s a once-a-month endeavor.) Also, if you want energy-woo-woo articles a la The Secret, I can contribute some of those, too. 😉

    Oh, and the don’ts?
    DON’T wait for the “perfect” time to make a change. There will NEVER be a “perfect” time. Just start now, imperfectly. (Now if I would only take my own advice . . . )

  86. You guys have once again come up with GREAT tips.

    and I wasnt sure.

    not that I didnt trust ya’ll but in my HEAD I had a ton of tips which were donts—-and sometimes things from my head, well, dont convey as well on a blog.

    I also really appreciate all of your offers to help w/the mag.

    Im envisioning longer of what we have here sometimes.

    For example I still have a few more answered questions from Dr Sears to run (my bad, Dr S) & could put the remainder in there for you to peruse if you are interested.

    and I WELCOME the guest posts from people whose interests are not mine (cooking, spinning) or whose skill set isnt mine (I have a VERY COOL eating disorders expert who has expressed interest in helping out)

    keep your thoughts coming & Ill letcha know as things develop.

    no ads? no mags.

    we need the companies to put their money where their mouth is (do people even say that anymore?) & show they value us.

  88. A Miz Fit mag? CAN’T WAIT!

    What do I want?…
    More of you
    More of us
    Maybe a monthly workout routine that can be done at home?
    healthy recipes
    And definitely a picture of the upcoming tat!

  89. Oh my gosh I have so many do’s and don’ts for the gym. People annoy me, especially guys who do these tough-boy moves that are doing NOTHING for them.

    DON’T swing your weights as you lift them. Cheater! Lift lighter weights if you can’t handle it.

    DO wipe off your cardio equipment. The spray bottle and towel are not there for looks.

    DON’T talk to me. LOL I know that’s not a don’t for everyone, but I am not at the gym to make friends. I’m there to do my thing and GET OUT.

    DON’T sit on a machine I need talking to your friend or contemplating maybe using it one day. Yeah I can ask you to move, but then there’s that us talking thing. See above.

    DO wear deodorant. And plenty of it.

    DON’T look at me funny when I’m in the “guy” aka weights section of the gym. The “women only” section is great but it gets crowded with old ladies doing side bends.

    I know there’s more. Like I said, I have issues with people. Now I need a good workout to calm me down 😉

  90. OOh, I got more:

    Don’t think that weights will bulk you up – weight lifting is crucial to body health.

    Don’t think that fewer calories = losing weight all the time. Your body needs fuel, esp when you’re working out and being active.

    Don’t make food the devil – see above.

    Don’t assume that the skinny girl in your office is healthier than you are – some people are ‘skinny fat’ and couldn’t lift a bag of groceries if their lives depended on it.

    What to see in Miz’s Mag?
    Product reviews
    quick home workouts
    eat-clean recipes
    reader success stories
    reader letters

    Basically, this site in mag form 🙂

    Love ya!

  91. Hello! Hello!

    I’ve been a ‘lurker’ for awhile…just always too busy to comment. But I wanted to give you a long-distance, suportive high-five for your tattoo! I’m going to be 40 in May and, as my reward for losing almost 200 pounds, just got my tattoo about three weeks ago. It hurt – yes, not going to lie – but nothing talking non-stop for three hours to the poor tattoo artist didn’t help. : -) So yeah, you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!! I love mine and I know you’ll love yours also!

    And keep the wonderful blogs coming! I look forward to your ‘byline’ in my inbox every morning and often share your tips, etc with my classes (I’m a spin and pump instructor at a gym, as well as a certified weight loss coach – who’d’ve thunk!?!?) – and the idea of a magazine excites me. I’ll have to think on your questions re: content and possibly actually post here again! : -) It wasn’t so hard and didn’t take that long at all!

  92. Oh, a magazine! How exciting! Are you set on PDF? I also like this style here from my home town http://www.davislifemagazine.com because I like turning the pages…but that’s just me!

    Do’s: Monthly weight workouts that show you how to increase. They usually tell you how to start but not how to progress through the later stages as you get stronger.

  93. i am so fricking excited about a MAG!!

    how fabulous! def wanna see personal stories…always find those so motivating!!

    DON’T hit the drive through (starbucks, mc d’s or otherwise) on the way home from the gym!!:)

  95. Woo!!! SO much goodness!!!! I can’t wait to see the tat design! And if you need any writers to fill in columns put me on the list! (i’ll most likely be number 3450 or something but HEY I’m on there!)

  96. my favourite part of any health or fitness mag is the success stories. not the month to month kind but the before an after “look at me now!” kind.

  97. oh, i am excited about a magazine!!! sounds fun!

    i would love to see before and after pictures with stories of the journey!

    i would also love some good and healthy recipes.

    can’t wait.

  98. Well, people pretty much mentioned the tips I had thought of (not skipping breakfast, not measuring progress only by the scale, not taking a rest day, etc). I guess I need to start waking up earlier so maybe I will be comment 28 instead of 98. 🙂 I am not sure if I missed this or not, but one don’t I would add is Don’t let yourself skip workouts (unless you’re ill with a fever or something). My workouts are like appointments, and I don’t let myself break them. Oh, and don’t keep the hosue full of your trigger foods! And don’t think that blowing it one meal means that you just count the whole day as a failure and binge on donuts and potato chips (not that I’ve EVER done that…)

    And a magazine??!! So excited about that!

  99. at the gym, don’t feel stupid lifting 10 lb weights when there are really buff dudes around you grunting and lifting much heavier weights. everyone does their own thing.

  100. and, (if you’re me) don’t feel stupid cutting out sugar because you recently went kinda overboard out of old habit and are trying to cut back even though people eat muffins and all sorts of crazy sugary crap every day.

  101. Oh Mizfit! I just discovered your blog online and I love it! I have 100 lbs. to lose and am struggling, but moving forward. I think a magazine would be fab! If you need someone who is GOING TO LOSE 100 pounds as a regular feature, I’m your girl….really I’d love to be your biggest loser…..Here’s my don’t…Don’t worry if you waited until 50 to get into the best shape of your life. That’s what I am going to do. 50 is strange. I’m just a kid really, but uh..maybe not…I should have payed closer attention.

  102. It’s funny. I’m working on noticing my emotions and choosing to stay positive. So…i guess the only thing i’ll share is the humor i find when i trying to figure out some of the new machines at the new gym i go to. I use to wait until i saw someone else on the machine and watch them, then i realized that they might not now how to use it. Finally i realized that there are instructions right on the machine =) It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself.

    Great news. The gym i go to now has size 8 weights, which is perfect for bent over revers flys. 10 was too much and 5 wasn’t quite enough =)

  103. I’m so excited about the magazine! And I agree with the commenter above on my #1 don’t — don’t stop! Keep on keepin’ on.

  104. DON”T stand in the back if you’re new to a class at the gym. It’s harder to see the instructor from back there – and no one really cares what you’re doing anyway!

    Also, stoked for the magazine! 🙂

  106. Don’t set your weights down on anything but the floor! I learned that one last week. Ouch!

    Don’t have your joints moving in crazy directions. The foot and knee should track in sync while standing on the legs. When on your back and not supporting your weight, you can turn your foot to work out different muscles.

    Don’t overwhelm yourself with too hard of a workout or having it take up too much time. Both are hard to stick to.

    Those are my don’ts. Congrats on the magazine!

  107. A new spin, a tattoo and a magazine announcement all in one post??? Goodness! I can’t even contain myself!!

    How would one go about getting an ad???

  108. The plan: a call for submissions (the list of subheadings etc) and an ad sheet will be posted here soon.

    The reality: hopefully the above 🙂

  109. DO try HIIT. It keeps the workouts fresh.

    DON’T forget to do warm up sets.

    A magazine sounds fantastic. Anything about nutrition or fitness is something I would want to read.

  111. DON’T forget to sit up straight 🙂 (umm, oops, guilty!)

    DON’T think it’s bad to ask for help when you need it!

    **claps hands** mizmag!!!

  112. WOW!!! LOOK AT YOU!!!

    mizmag?? Dr. Sears AGAIN?

    You. Amaze.Me

    the only don’t i can think right now is ..
    DON”T use exercise as your sole therapy. Or, soul sole therapy lol.
    I’m sitting here very stiff after…the 30 Day Shred, 45 minutes on the treadmill, and an hour pilates class. All to “keep my mind off things”.
    oh and..
    DON”T assume your body can’t do things. i.e with weak knees and a back injury i always skipped the jumping jack part of things..One day i just did a few to see what would happen (ok cuz jillian was yelling at me that she had 400lb people doin them, i could to!)..and i could. And i did. And i still do:)

  113. I always superset. A magazine and a tattoo. I have a few tattoos myself. What are you thinking? As far as the magazine goes, you will be super successful. Just look at the success of your blog in just a year!

  114. Congrats on the magazine! Turning 40 isn’t so bad, I mean what’s the alternative! Your success will be unbelievable turning up new fitness ideas!

  116. I love the magazine idea! I think you should have a featured blogger every month… someone who is doing what it takes to change his/her life and get healthy and fit.

    DON’T. EVER. GIVE. UP.

  118. Oooo, a magazine! Sounds great! I volunteer writing and/or proofreading…maybe Kel and I could tag team on the editing?

    Don’ts? Hmmm…
    – Don’t try to coast on the gym’s spinning machines, like you would on a bike ride. (ankles…ow!)
    – Don’t wear a bra that doesn’t have padded shoulder straps if you’re…um…endowed. (chafing…ow!)
    – Don’t wear thick, waterproof plastic pants when running a race, even if it is raining and you’ve got a cold. (slow *and* squeaky)

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