Tag: focused

Response To a Workout-my change, your change

Working out for fitness and seeing the body’s response can be fast or slow.  This is the tea- WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT.

Knowing that we are different is to say there will be different responses.  The worst thing is to compare your body’s response to another.  I learned this and had to refocus on ME.  I know that my metabolism is off due to my history of an eating disorder and it’s going to take a bit more of everything not just workouts but nutrition as well.  With this known I know my response to any workout program is going to be slower. Am I upset well NO.

If you want CHANGE it is first to know yourself.  Knowing yourself is to know your body. Cardio workouts may give you little response and weight lifting may display a huge change  or vice versa.  Proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats does not react the same in everyone.  Again I say, know your body and if you don’t just move things around and figure it out or consult a nutrition, metabolism testing helps decide which food groups works best for you.  But whatever you DON’T STOP” just because your results are not as fast as someone else or different body parts are responding slower.

Also don’t forget the non scale victory or should I say victories because there are so many. Just keep working out and know and believe change is happening and your goal awaits. To weeks of VICTORY for working out I’m  saluting you with an extra lift.

How Often To Increase Your Lifting Weight

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Really, How often? Well to be honest I cannot not answer the question, however I can give a few tips I use .  I’m a Beachbodyondemand lover,  all. To say I have several trainers with awesome workouts by a calendar. The trainers do suggest when its time to increase, do I follow?  Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

I increase my weights according to my strength, if I feel the current weight is not challenging I will increase prior to the trainer recommendation. On the flip if the weight is already challenging well no and no I’m not changing my weights.

Now the question is how do I know if they are not challenging, huh, have you ever lifted if not let me share.  When you’re lifting and on rep 3 or 4 you gotta dig in with a face you hope no one is taking pictures or video taping and by rep 8 you;r a bit shaky but know you can maybe do 2 more reps and that’s MAYBE, the weights are challenging.

If you are able to lift and it feels like air or you can continue to lift on and on without any muscle fatigue. Just stop and  increase the weights but if you like to go through the motion okay.  It’s not really going through the motion because if you continue on and on the muscle will fatigue, the increase in weights cause the muscle to work and fatigue sooner, but with safe measures.

With any weight lifting make it about you, as I do, your goals, your challenge and most of all your safety as I also do. To weeks of weight lifting of fun (you have to enjoy your workout), safety and meeting those fitness goals,  ENJOY.

The Struggle is REAL

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It is, and I’d say it one thousand times.  There are many struggles for me on my fitness journey.

1. Pushing myself to workout when I want to be just lazy which is not a good idea because I know me I’d use that excuse even when I’m not.

2. Making certain I don’t over indulge when I’m celebrating with friends and family.  It is so easy to over indulge and there is a difference between enjoying yourself, (which I do) and over indulging.  When I consume way too much my workouts are TOUGH.  I be breathing harder, a 40 pound dumbbell feels like 90, two jumping jacks feel like I’ve ran a mile so I’ve learned, however there are a few times I forget.

3.  When life challenges appear and you want to throw in the towel and just stop everything.  For life challenges drain me, energy and all.  On these time I PRAY and ask God for guidance and strength.  Of course I read and listen to Personal Development books and podcast.

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These are a few of my struggles and I pedal through, keep the focus and  goal in my vision.  For those who struggle just know you are not alone and you too should keep the focus and goal and know your goals are achievable.

Small Changes and Then

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Do you know the value of small changes? I am aware there are people that really want to make a physical change and begin their fitness journey but will not because of easy excuses:

1. I don’t have time or my time is limited – I know but just start anywhere, 5 minutes of a workout will begin a process and progress and outweighs NOTHING

2.  My days are so limited – okay commit to the day or days you do have again JUST GET STARTED

3. I’m not sure if I can lift as much as others, run as long , squat as low and so on- uh huh its not about others, its about YOU.  Yes you give your best, stop measuring your self to others.

Making the small changes, commit, 5 minutes, one day two days, lift 2 lbs, run 30 seconds  squat as low as you can and with consistency all of this will change and those small changes will add up  and not only that you will be so proud of yourself. How do I know, because  this was once me.

SMALL CHANGES MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Challenge the Struggle

There are many days of recent I am struggling. I struggle with getting my butt in gear to work out because I either stayed up too late- sleep deprivation does hinder my workouts or my nutrition was either in a deficit or I consume a tad bit too many carbs which both makes me just lazy. Now I said lazy not tired and when I’m lazy there is really nothing I am favorable of doing.

My current beachbody – beachbodyondemand workout has a few few routines I struggle with because I want to get the most out of my workout , one being lightning bolt, standing and kneeling.  I did modify at the beginning and the struggle oh my when I wanted to progress was a laugh, look like I was hopping, then look  as if I was preparing to scare someone or attack them BUT I didn’t stop of give up and I’ve ALMOST perfected the lighting bolt.

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I challenged my struggle.  On those days I’m struggling to get up and workout, I challenge my body and just do it. Challenging yourself in a positive way can be rewarding. This week how about challenge just one thing you struggle with – make yourself proud of you.

Overworking The Muscles…is it possible?

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Why yes it it.  I know when my workouts are super successful when I am all sweaty, muscles fatigued and I have to sit for a few minutes before contemplating my movements.  This is awesome, BUT there is a BUT with an intense workout it is necessary  to do several things.

1. HYDRATE –hydration is good for the body and muscles and should be done during and post workout.  The choices are enormous and the choice is yours.  For me it “Hydrate”  that’s the name a supplement that supplies my body the essentials naturally and without added sugars.  Water just water is good it is also good to add Himalayan salt to the water.  These are my three choices but there are other products I just don’t use them.

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2. REPLENISH – replenish the muscles with proteins post workout, again there are many what I love most is “Shakeology” , whey or vegan.  My choice is vegan .  If the muscles are worked hard, they need to be refueled. Can’t operate on empty or low fuel to an outstanding level.  You do know you are outstanding, if not well you’ve been informed so refuel post workouts.  Refueling doesn’t necessary have to be a protein shake any protein is good.  A shake is my choice.

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3.  STRETCHING- It’s just easy to complete a workout and move one but stretching post any workout is so important especially with weight lifting. You lengthen the muscles out and get to enjoy the stretch, decrease the chances of increased muscle spasms, you are also cooling both the muscles and the  body down as well as your breathing slowly returns to normal.

Overworking the muscles just  doesn’t mean giving 100 % but you are giving 150 and more but it is necessary to reward the body as I’ve  learned, so it will be prepared for tomorrow’s workout.

To all the over achievers on their workout journey, keep doing you- you are so amazing.

Monday’s Workout ALMOST Failed

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It really did. I had personal things going on and I ALLOWED it to take my strength for a minute.  But first I need to rewind from the beginning, usually after I do my my feline and canine chores in the AM I workout. Monday I decided to take care of a continuous pending issue which is personal and a different response from several people.  I was about to explode and took a deep breathe, muttered a few quick prayers for strength and guidance.  Did it get resolved, NOPE, but I will follow up in a few days.

With this, my energy was drained and I should have taken a few minutes to regroup but I did my set up, weights, workout mat and tuned into DAY 29 of my 100 days of workout.  To begin I was not focused and almost stopped because my heart just was not in it. I paused my workout, took a deep breathe and did a mental conversation with myself.  Allowing my strength, focus and energy to be taken away was a NO NO.  Life is not always perfect but its how you handle it that matters.  Staying focus and not losing sight of my goals is important because I know from experience if I do so without what I consider “ just cause” I’ll keep it up for a minute.  That minute is not 60 seconds it could be days or weeks.

I prayed again, regrouped and gave my workout 100% of me.  I must say I was proud. By the way I know that everyone is not a playful person I respect that, just respect that I am also I pray daily not only  when situations arise; sometimes and some days I have to pray more.

To everyone I say, “stay focused on your goals be it a workout, life change, or empowering yourself for your greatness” Don’t allow situations to steal your focus, it’s life.  Re-evaluate the situation, realign your focus and keep it moving, YOUR GOAL AWAITS