Birthday Celebration & A Workout

birthday cake

It was my birthday and I wanted to enjoy with celebrations which meant  a lot of carbs. I knew this would affect my workout but I was uncertain to the degree it would affect it.

I received a shock when I was unable to run a full 3 miles well not at the speed I usually do. At first I thought something was wrong, then I remembered. It was the meal I had eaten that night in my system affecting my performance.

I thought I had everything measured out just right but I was wrong. You see when your body get used to eating for function and not for hungar,greed, boredoom , celebration; over eating on carbs or any food does not fuel the body. Instead is slows it down.

This week I am in for new beginnings just like an oil change on a car, I got to get my engine which is my body back to operating speed and geared up to go. How a few hours of  fun can affect several days of functioning, WOW.

My journey continues, slow down but back to speed. I am not upset though because I needed to enjoy my birthday probably at a lesser degree.

So for any and all who had few days that they were off their schedule, do not quit be a winner because you are a winner you and I are in it to win it. To a great week of my success in yours as well.

Pictures…Tell a Story

I recently looked at a picture that was taken of me on a family reunion. I really was not satisfied with the picture, in my mind I saw a fat roll, my cheeks a little chunky, really I have hig cheek bones. Then I thought about it, this is progress girl, remember what you look like last year.

I was unable to fit the pants, I wore a  two size shirt larger; had I forgetten  my progress. Of course, there was a little roll, which I did not want to see, but it did turn things for me. It showed me my progress and  what areas I really need to work on. Also I am in size 10 pants,  that are getting baggy, last year I was a size 16. Last year I  wore extra-large T-shirt, this year a medium.

Sometimes we as people critique our current situation and forget our accomplishments. Actually I did become somewhat depressed looking at my pictures, then that bright star begin to shine. I had to turn this into positive and I did. I looked at my picture and saw  greatness, I saw improvement, I saw all accomplishments, I saw things that I was omitting.

Some times we look at pictures and see the small things we would  like to erase or crop out. Ok let’s  make those changes but do not forget how far you have come. Compare, look at where you was and appreciate where you are today so that you can move forward to tomorrow’

To a great week of work out in a better picture of you.

Timing Your Workouts

 

Every day, every week,  time your workouts. The purpose of scheduling  your workouts is so that you get the ultimate response from each and every squat,  cycling, bench press, push up that you do. If you schedule your workouts and  really incorporate them  into your daily and weekly life you become  committed. It is now a habit.

It is essential as I have found, yes there are times  I must adjust, the times not the workouts nor do I omit a workout planned on a day.  Well only if I am experiencing an arthritic flare (severe). I do  adjust if I am physically  fatigued, because I know that will be a poor, piss workout. On the flip side if I have allowed frustration to enter into my life I will go for it, (these days I give it a bit more) and I feel great after.  A power nap really makes a difference for me, I se an alarm and use no excuse when it goes off, COMMITMENT and my WHY.

To a great week and a great workout!!!!!!!

 

Nutrition is A Key Part of Workouts

 

Working out has become a part of my life. My workouts have assisted me in transforming my body and my lifestyle. I also know regardless how hard and the frequency of my workouts, it is all ccancelled if I my intake is out of control.

Not only must I have adequate nutrition, my portions and frequency must be correct. I was unaware until a year ago well until  I became familiar with  portion containers,  I was eating healthy but my portion sizes were all wrong.  I also learned that contrary to the traditional three meals a day this  did not apply to me.

On my journey to health, fitness, and lifestyle change,  frequency and quantity of consumption  is what I had to focus on. I previously  believed  I was doing good, fantastic, bragging,  consuming so many vegetables and probably as many fruits.   I was really increasing my weight, because I was yes, yes, and yes, overeating

On my  journey I’m still learning,  as well as  improved.  I am consuming protein, vegetables, healthy fats, fruits, dressing, seeds in portions with my workouts.  I feel good and the transformation is HAPPENING, yes.

If you have a problem with your weight loss and this may not be the complete solution but look at your  nutritional intake, the frequency and the amount that you’re consuming daily   An adjustment  may make a difference.

To a powerful week,   great workout and awesome nutritional intake…..

Is it Always Good to Push Limits In Workout

Is it ? is  it always good to push the limits in a workout? I’m not sure about this. I do think it is individualized and everyone must know their limits.

I do believe pushing the limits is great when you have had adequate sleep, nutrition, energized and ready for the challenge. As for myself I know that without either of the stated not only am I unable to push the limits my workouts are so sluggish. When I feel this going on especially with me getting into the weightlifting I know it is best for me to put that day on the burner or take a nap to rejuvenate myself.

One of my worst regrets that I have found out in my workouts is when I do a half @$$workout. I feel like I have cheated myself and wasted my time, when all I had to do is either take a nap are just do it all tomorrow. Which sometimes this   happens that I end up doing it all tomorrow.

I have learned to value my time; but the greatest thing it all workouts is to have a relationship with your body and know your limits went to push through and went to pull back.

To beginning a new relationship with your body and workouts have a great day of work outs.

When to Increase Your Weights

barbells

Increasing your weights is a decision that I have found several females have difficulty knowing when and how much. This should be a very easy decision, how ever it can be made difficult if you are listening to the negativity of weightlifting especially for females.

I know as I have and many females have her lifting heavy weights will make you bulky. There is truth and there is none truth to this. The truth is there are female bodybuilders that put a lot into their weightlifting and they are going to bulky, but also lean. And that is a routine that they are working on a goal that they have in mind. If you just want to work out with weights which will make you leaner, burn fat faster and really make you look good increasing your weights will not make you bulky.

If you are a new weightlifter as I am at an older age as I am just kidding any age female your body will tell you when it’s time. The current weight that you are using will become so light  and make the workout feel useless it is time the end to increase your weight. Our you can stay at your same weight but increase your reps you will still get the same results. However if you feel that you’re not challenging yourself it is time to increase the weights.

As females we must become the master of what we want to be, our own goals, believing in ourselves.  Now put a plan into action erase the negativity in thoughts and words and become the best YOU  are at weightlifting.

To a week of unleashing negativity and building those muscles I’m wishing you the best.

Wednesday Leg Workout

Today was a great leg day workout:

Side to side squats  25x2x10x3

Alt. weighted squat jump 20 x10x3

Figure 4 squats 20x10x3

Slider side lunge 20x2x10x3

Low rocking side lunge 20x2x10x3

Sumo double slide 20x10x3

Sumo cross jump  20x10x3

Goblet sumo squat 40x10x3

What a leg day

My Workout Struggle With Flares

sign-clipart-caution

There are days when working out things so difficult especially when I am having a flare. I have to make a decision whether to continue a workout or put it to the side. Then I think do I really want to be a quitter every time I feel plain that I know I can endure. So I had to make a decision whether to push through to meet my goals are just put everything on hold for a few days.

I did make a decision, I am not a quitter so I decided to do my workouts. The difference is I had to decrease my weights, I had to modify some of my movements. I had to proceed with caution. My workout was a success my pain remain the same but I was able to do my workouts without harming my body and I was proud.

I know everyone cannot do this however I do encourage those who are working out with RA began to know their limits and not be a quitter. I am saying this because this is a autoimmune disease that I’ve had to battle since childhood. To have a quality life sometimes we have to push through just with caution.

To everyone working with rheumatoid arthritis I ask you to know your limits be caution but never give up, never quit. Just as I believe in me I also believe in you have a great workout week

Braging on My Progress- Workouts

 

I am currently doing a workout programmed with focuses on total body with many different routines and Phases.  I have completed  Phase 1 and am sharing a few of   my progress of Day 1 to the completion of Phase 1.

REVERSE LUNGES     15X2X15X2 30X2X10X3
SQUATS  15X2X15X2` 30X2X10X3
SUMO SQUATS 12X2X15X2 40X2X10X3
HIP HINGES 15X2X15X2 45X2X10X3
BENT OVER ROW 10X2X15X2 30X2X10X3
HAMMER CURL 10X2X15X2` 20X2X15X2

For understanding : 15×2 = 2 15 dumbells, x 15 reps  x 2 sets.  I know this may not be a huge weight lift for many, however as a female of older age, history of eating disorder and a year ago thought this was impossible I am proud of me.

As I enter into Phase 2 now 2 weeks in I will share improvements.  To all weight lifters I salute you.

Fatigued and Workouts

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Having long days working sometimes really interferes with my workouts. It really takes self motivation and on these trying days, however I reflect on my why.

My why is two-fold.  1. Is to be healthy, after years of battling with an eating disorder, reflecting and sharing eating disorders are not always a consistent behavior nor is it a teen disorder.  I did begin in my teens but I am way into adult hood, yes many years. 2. I love working out and weights have always been a want to do and thought I could not do, but yes I can.

The reason for I thought I could not lift weights was only because my body was so malnourished, 2 lbs.  was heavy and yes I teared for a few years and now I have wiped those tears away.

My fatigue is a motivation for me as to not make an excuse, take necessary adjustment to stay focused. Yes I may have to lift lighter or run shorter distance but I am focused.

This week I challenge any one with lost of focus and use “fatigue” as an excuse, refocus, find your why and adjust your schedule accordingly, even if it means a nap.