Tag Archives: fitness

Walking for exercise

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I’ve heard people complain about never having time for the gym. Or they don’t have the funds for a gym membership. I completely understand! I have been in the same position!

Transitioning from marketing to teaching I quit my job to take classes full time to get my teaching license. I canceled my gym membership to save money till I started working again. But I’m not one to sit around and not workout. I needed to do something. Every day I would take my dog out for a long walk. I hate running but walking I can do! My pup and I would walk for an hour a day. Some people laugh and say walking does nothing for you. But that’s actually incorrect.

In addition to a healthy diet, walking can do so much for you. Here are a few benefits:

✴️ Improves your mood

✴️ Improves circulation

✴️ Helps with weight loss (burns calories)

✴️ Can reduce arthritis pain

✴️ Manages high blood pressure

✴️ Improves balance and coordination

✴️ Reduces stress

✴️ Boosts your immune system

In addition to these, walking gives you time to think! If you’re someone who likes time to themselves every so often, walking is a great break away.

Have a young child? Put them in the stroller. Have older kids? Make them walk down to the park with you. Have them kick a ball or play a game while you walk around the park!

Even just 30 minutes a day can do you more good than nothing at all. Get your body moving! 🏃‍♀️

Double pulley workout

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I love a double pulley machine! They are so versatile for so many workouts! Today I did a quick upper body workout. These are two exercises from my workout.

✴️ Alternating close grip pull down

✴️ Wide grip pull down

Both are great for arm, shoulder and back days!

Social Media Break

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Everyone has their “me time.” And I believe everyone needs me time! Mine are my workouts. I don’t answer calls, texts, look at social media, etc. I literally go dark. Unless my husband calls or texts. Then he’s just checking in on Ryder so I of course respond. But besides that I am non responsive.

I know it may sound ridiculous but I believe everyone needs at least an hour away from their phone, computer, tv, etc. Step away from technology and just take a break! Put your phone down or put it on silent. Distract yourself for one hour. Go on a walk, clean, take a nap, workout, read a book, etc. Do something that doesn’t involve your phone! See how different you feel each day. You may be surprised. I always feel a little more relaxed after some “quiet time.”

Challenge yourself! One hour a day with no phone, social media, tv, etc. Can you do it?

Ball Raises

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This is one of my favorite exercises to do on arm days. It not only works your arms but also your core, butt and legs. Not to mention it builds stability. It’s a little difficult and does take a bit balance so be careful if it’s your first time trying.

Get in a pushup position and put one foot on the ball at a time. Find your balance then raise your hips and pull your knees in to your chest. I typically do 4 x 15. That alone gets my arms and abs burning. 💪🏻

Defining your value by your size

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“A clothing size should never define your worth or value.”

I remember when I went from a size 0 to a 2. I FREAKED out. Literally didn’t leave the house for a week because I was ashamed of myself. Again, another moment where I wish I could slap my former self. Why did I think it was so bad being a size 2? Or 4? Or 6? Or….so on. It’s all about how you FEEL. Clearly I wasn’t happy with myself but when you’re constantly negative and tearing yourself down, you’ll never really be happy with yourself. When you learn to accept your body and be appreciative of your body, that’s when you start to forget about the numbers.

A lot of my “size fears” had to do with who I was hanging out with. The girls I had become “friends” with at the time were very size focused. The tinier the better. Somehow I let their negative body image thinking clog my brain. It took me taking a big step back and reassessing the friends in my life to make me realize, this isn’t healthy, normal or fun. Not to mention I remember asking myself, if I really needed these girls in an important moment in my life, would they really be there for me? The answer was no. So instead of a body detox, I did a friend detox.

When I stopped focusing on the size of my clothes and started looking at what I was comfortable in and what made me look good, everything changed. When you look good, you feel good. Attempting to squeeze into size 0 jeans when I was a size 2 did NOT make me look good. It made me look ridiculous and in denial. You know when you see someone in too tight of clothes and wonder if they bought their clothes purposely too small or outgrew them? Yup I was one of those people you saw and questioned. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Finding clothes that are flattering to my body is key. If a size 6 dress fits me, who cares! As long as it makes me look fantastic! I don’t care what the number says anymore, as long as I’m comfortable and I feel good in it!

I’ve said it before, you’re only given one body in this life. Love it and be appreciative of it. It’s the only one you get!

Core Exercises

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I love core workouts that aren’t just crunches! Push-up/plank exercises hit your arms/shoulders, core, stability, etc. These are two of my favorite plank exercise variations that I have worked into my shoulder and core days. They aren’t too difficult but they will definitely get your muscles burning! These two are perfect for the gym or at home if you’re lacking in equipment!

1️⃣ Shoulder taps

2️⃣ Plank up downs

I do 20 on each side (ex: 20 taps on left arm, 20 on right) x 4.

Lunge Variations

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I love lunges! They are easy to do at the gym or at home if you’re limited on workout equipment. There are so many different lunge variations too! I rotate these 6 into my leg workouts at different times. There are more variations of lunges and even squat variations that you can mix in. But these are the 6 I’m featuring today. They’re easy and they get your butt, legs and abs working!

1️⃣ Side (lateral) lunges

2️⃣ Crossover lunges (there are so many names for this one)

3️⃣ Reverse lunges

4️⃣ Walking lunges

5️⃣ Tic tocs

6️⃣ Front lunges

Happy lunging! 😂💪🏻

Back day workout

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Its back day! My back day workouts have changed as well as my other workouts (see previous posts). I love when I get to change them up. I get bored with the same thing after a while so for me change is good! Plus, I love the feel of soreness in your muscles when you change up a workout. It’s like your body gets a little shock, like what just happened!?! 😂

I typically do back and bi together but I only included a few back exercises in this video. I’ll post my bi’s on another day. 😉

These are a few exercises from my back workout for the next 6 weeks:

1️⃣ Reverse grip pull downs 4×10-12

2️⃣ Cable rope pull down 4×10-12

3️⃣ Single arm cable row 4×10-12

4️⃣ Standing cable row 4×10-12

Happy lifting! 💪🏻

Small Victories

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I’ve said it before, even small victories should be celebrated! It’s not a huge visible change but it’s one I’m proud of and worked hard for! There is exactly one month between these two pictures. The difference is 5lbs, more muscle and me loving wearing shorts again!

The picture on the left was taken Aug 10. I weighed in at 130lbs at the time. The picture on the right was taken today, Sept 15, and I weighed in at 125lbs. My goal wasn’t to lose a bunch of weight. It was to lean out a little. Build more muscle and lose a little fat. I think I successfully achieved that! My legs are a little more defined than they were a month ago. I am incredibly happy with my progress.

How did I do it? Consistent workouts, fueling and hydrating my body and a HUGE load of support from my husband. Days that I had no energy and was so exhausted my husband would send me a text telling me to get after it, telling me I can do it and remind me how great I always feel after I push through. Sometimes I just need a little kick in the butt and he knows that. It always worked! And he’s right, I always did feel amazing after, even on my most tired days.😉

My goal now is maintenance! I’ll continue to eat healthy while occasionally treating myself! Like tonight! I’ll be enjoying a pizza, or burger or whatever my little heart desires as my celebration!

Everyone has different goals. But make sure you are rewarding yourself and celebrating even the smallest milestones!

Celebrate your small victories! 🎉

Steam for soreness

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I woke up SO sore this morning! Since I changed up my workouts I swear I’m sore after every muscle group workout now! It’s one of those good sore feelings, like you know you pushed yourself just the right amount. It is however making me a little slow today. Bending over to pick up Ryder has been a struggle. I spent most of the morning on the floor with him so I wouldn’t have to do much lifting. 😂

Today will be a leg day so I can give my upper body a little rest to recover. Then I’ll hit up the Four Seasons steam room.

Did you know a steam room not only cleanses your skin but helps relax stiff muscles and joints, which aids in the recovery process! During a steam there is an increase in blood flow and circulation. This is due in part by heat causing the blood vessels in the skin to expand. Steam also helps boost your immune system and remove toxins from your body. What I wouldn’t give to have a steam room in my house! 😍