Author: nitrice

Fitness coach extending a hand to help others on a journey or ready to begin a journey to healthy fit life style. I have experienced weight gains and weight loss all unhealthy. My journey now is for one of a healthy lifestlye.

I Almost ……….

Fail-Stamp

I am reflecting on my beginning days of 80 Day Obsession as I am in Round 2.  I was struggling my first few days of the program and almost threw in  the towel this it.  I completed Round 1 with moderate results and looking for greater results in Round 2.

This for me is a workout  requires focus and commitment.  In my beginning struggles I read people giving up and verbalizing how they felt the program was unsuccessful (1 week), really.  Others stating it was not enough, I knew it. My decision to quit was right or so I thought.

I then begin to think of my strengths.  Do I really want to stop, give it more time as I could hear Autumn saying “We are so close” in day 3 workouts or maybe day 4.  Also how can you evaluate any physical, workout in a few days or one week.  I almost FAILED myself listening to others and not really focusing on the workouts, end results to come.

I encourage anyone performing and  workout regimen to evaluate your goals, the workouts for YOU.  What others experience maybe  totally different of your experience.  Before throwing in the towel, evaluate why is this a choice.  This applies to all workout, weight lifting (increasing the weights), cardio (expanding the time), running, jogging.

Don’t FAIL yourself, BELIEVE in yourself…. the results are coming.

Working Out With RA-Excuses or Not

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Working out with rheumatoid arthritis can be a challenge.  I hear so many people use it as an excuse, and “Why not”.  I know please do not yell, there is pain.  Yes I know because I am one with RA, and at a young age (juvenile RA).

If you are one with RA or know someone with it that continue to say ” I would but the pain is there or I do not want to cause anymore pain than necessary” . I say to them do not talk about it.

First you must be motivated, second you must just begin.  If you are just beginning any workout and have medical issues get the okay from your DOC. Second beginning a new workout start on the low side, in other words MODIFY.  Your body will tell you when to advance. Thirdly know there will be days you cannot move as fast, or lift as much weights, push ups can be challenging.

I am a fan of “beachbodyondemand.com” . I can choose which trainer and program I want to follow with a calendar and modifier on workouts.  This is my focus to fitness on my journey, however I lift weights, run, solo.  There are days my RA prevents me from lifting heavy weights, I do not throw in the towel but I do decrease the weights.  Push ups, which I finally am able to do, I use my knuckles, some days I am on my knees, or using power stands, again I adjust but do not give up.  Jogging, running I am good but then again I may have to do a mix jog and walk.

I am encouraging all those with RA and really want to workout, or once worked out and stopped, PLEASE erase the excuse or excuses. I say adjust for fitness.

My fitness journey now is another round of 80 Day Obsession, weight lifting 2-3 days  and a run of 1-3 miles 3 days a week.

I Cried,I Smiled, I Rejoice

I cried, I smiled and I rejoice.  I feel GREAT.

Sunday I complete a workout Beachbody, of course.  80 Day Obsession with Autumn Calabrese.  This is an awesome phased work outs (3)  and each can be so challenging, but here is my story.  Three maybe four days into this workout, I threw in the towel,  and this was Phase I.  I could not do this, too challenging and too advanced of course I’ve worked out with Shaun T, but this was too too much, I thought.

I found myself, maybe because I felt as if I’d failed myself, not sure, but I did another day. I left weights and am a huge fan of Sagi  “Body Beast”, but these moves with weights, bands, sliders challenged me.

Sunday 15 April, I completed 80 Day Obsession, I cried. I had completed the workout I almost worked away from. The challenge outside of my comfort in movements.

Monday, 16 April, I smiled.  I measured myself and weighed for posting (challenge group). I was 18 pounds lighter and 12.25 inches shredded. I was so pleased I did not give up.

Tuesday, 17 April I rejoiced, did a happy dance.  Completing 80 Day Obsession was not an ending to  my goals it was a beginning to continue. Tuesday I begin ” A Week of Hard Labor” a Sagi- Body beast workout.

To say the least and  the most, challenge yourself when you  feel a workout maybe a bit much.  You too can cry (tears of joy), smile (success of change body image), rejoice (because you are now ready for another challenge)

Should You Allow Age to Define Your Workout?

I am not 25, nope that age is gone. I pulled 25 out of the air circulating about, however my concern is people who allow their age define their workout or no workout.  In posting or discussing how I had to follow the modifier in my workout for 2 weeks about 1/2 of each routine.  I am proud that yes, I can squat 140 pounds and increasing but sometimes specific routines to prevent injury.

I always apply safety. Okay I am verbalizing a bit of anger, however I was confronted by a few friends and peers on workouts.  Several suggest walking,  others don’t you think after a certain age exercising is overrated.  My favorite, “girl that is for the young people”.

What? Huh? I have never went to a gym, purchased weights, ran a 5 K and it  had limit with age in bold print.

I do believe if you are and have worked out for years it becomes a stamp, part of  your life. AGE should not define your workouts, just be safe.  I truly believe in everyone who work out whether you are 18 or 80.

To those believing “No limits to workout, except safety, or injury ” I am doing 15 extra burpee jumps  in a salute to you.  To a great workout …….

BEING ILL WHEN TO RESUME WORKOUT

tired

I, nor anyone can answer this question unless you are under MD supervision.  I was recently diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). I never thought it was debilitating. I  was wrong, so many of the fruits and vegetables I normally eat I can no longer eat, WHAT, WHY .  I was angry,  but I was compliant for a while.

I felt horrible, nothing moving in the gut, walking was painful, ( thankful I was off).  With several intervention, I got relief, 2 days. but my abdomen was in pain. I  felt tired and really wanted to just rest but my body and energy level was saying “you can work out”.  I do not know if you have ever experience your  body out of sync this is so frustrating.

I made a decision, (mainly because my energy was causing restlessness). I dressed  and was ready for a workout.  Well not 100% but 75% was good. My purpose of sharing is to know when your body is ready to resume a workout. Listen to your body, do not push beyond your capability, but if your body and mind says so, do so slow beginning and then WOW sooner than you know you will be back to speed. I did and I am so happy I did.

Resuming a workout can be harmful if MD has reasons to put it on hold, but gratifying  if you are the reason. I will do 50 pound bicep curl to your decision to resume your workout.

NON SCALE VICTORIES

I am first to admit I am not a young lady, I have so surpassed 20, 30, 40 yes but I  will not allow age define my workouts.  I love any and all workouts, but I want to sway away from workouts. How about those goals and victories.

I must confess, I will be the first to raise my hand, hell both of them to frustration at the scale.  I am also aware as I have aged my metabolism has slowed down. I also am aware with many years of an eating disorder I have helped slow my metabolism.  By  the way eating disorder is a disease that will always be with you whether you overcome it or not, but that is for another day.

Working out for 6-7 days a week, weights and not light, running, jogging I look at the scale and I am ready to toss it. I actually went out and purchased another, what the &*^$? I ignored the non scale victories which was reiterated in my workouts with Autumn Clabrese- 80 Day Obsession.  I noted what?  inches lost, a line on the right and left ab indicating I am getting abs, yes at my age abs (never had them, a bit tight but not defined).  I was able to complete certain routines without pausing or breathing heavily.  I increased my weights and at the beginning 3/4 of my workout in 80 Day Obsession was with the modifier my progression amazed me when I no longer had to modify.  I was unaware my biceps were more defined, don’t think the scale measured that.

The NON SCALE VICTORIES, I as you should always  remember.  Of course I still weigh and I am proud  when there is a decrease but I am looking at all my victories.

HOW LARGE ARE YOUR GOALS

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Working out, eating healthy, choosing foods with less or no preservatives, all of these are goals or a change in lifestyle.  AWESOME.  But what are your goals.  We can have so many goals in getting healthy and fit we forget to actually set the goal.

I know, of course everyone is not like me, whom should I give thanks for that?  Setting a goal to eat right, what does that mean to you? Really what does that mean?, eliminating, including but be specific.  If you are unspecific will you achieve your goal.

A lesson I had to learn on my journey, my first goal was to eat right. I  begin eating salads, loaded with dressing, eliminated fried foods, particular about my sweet consumption ( I have a sweet tooth). I WAS NOT eating right. I had to learn a salad over sized was not right, the wrong salad dressing and the amount was absurd.  Decreasing my sweets intake, no I needed to find recipes to both satisfy my palette, reduce my caloric intake that would not put me to sleep or decrease my energy.

I share sincerely, what are your goals? what I recommend or what has worked for me and hopefully anyone can apply is what will you do to achieve those goals.  Working out okay but why, set goals that are true to what you will do.  Working out you ask hmm this is a goal. No if you have not chosen the frequency and when you will increase the frequency  or the weights how long before you increase your weight, maybe a jog run combination how long before you are jogging without the run?

Working out to look good for an event, To just look good and feel good, to be healthy. Map it out, reach that goal, big or small you can do it.  I believe in you.

To a week of success in goal planning and achieving.