Tag Archives: workout

My first attempt at Orangetheory

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I had a friend talk me into trying out Orangetheory with her. She’s had a membership for a while and loves it. She’s also the one who talked me into going to SoulCycle. I knew nothing about Orangetheory so I figured why not give it a try.

If you’ve never been it’s basically circuit training. They had us using the rowers, treadmills, bosu balls and free weights. Apparently it’s different every class. For the first twenty minutes I would say I hated the class. I like knowing what I’m in for and what to expect. I felt like I was trying to find my way for the first part. After a bit I got into the flow of things and started to relax and get into my workout.

There is a large screen and it shows everyone stats as they’re going. I like but hate this. I like being able to see my own stats but seeing others compared to mine brought out my competitive side. They have colors for heart rate zones. Grey(lowest), blue, green, orange and red(highest). The goal is to keep your color in the orange. Every so often the instructor calls out everyone’s names who are in the orange to praise them. I didn’t hear my name one of the times which pissed me off. (There’s my competitive side.) No I wasn’t pissed at her, I was pissed at myself so I pushed harder to get my heart rate in that orange target zone.

After the class ended my friend asked how I liked it. I honestly felt indifferent. I really feel like I need to go again and give it a second chance. The confusion at the beginning, trying to find my way, really threw me off. However, like I said I did start to like it eventually. So it looks like I’m going back to give them another try. That way I can really give them a fair chance now that I know what I’m in for.

As I said before, I HATE group classes. I didn’t love this group setting but it definitely could have been worse. My class was small (8 people) which I didn’t mind too much. Apparently during busy times the class can have up to 20 or so. That would not work well with me. Too many people to “compete” against. Lol 😂 At least I’m honest right!?!

If you’re thinking about trying Orangetheory I’d say go for it. Again, I’m indifferent. Hopefully once I give them a second try I’ll be able to decide whether it’s something I could continue doing on occasion or just push of to the side as a “well I tried.” So for now my opinion of them is to be continued……

Progress

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I’ve pushed hard at workouts these last few weeks and I’m finally feeling like myself again! My muscles are rebuilding, I feel stronger and I’m more energetic. I’ve been detoxing and clean eating this week so that’s definitely made a big difference! I swear my body is just all around happier!

Looking back at pictures of myself over the years from when I was competing and “ripped” or when I was living at the gym eating minimal and skinny as a rail, I see what look I like best in pictures. I like a balance. Muscle with a little softness. That’s my look. It’s fitting to my height and frame but also decently easy for a busy mom like me to maintain. There are always going to be challenges like how and when to get to the gym. I have a little one and a husband that works a lot. So I have to be creative with my workouts. Sometimes I can get to the gym, other times I’m up in our guest bedroom squeezing in a quick at home workout while Ryder naps. As for diet, that isn’t always the easiest either. I LOVE food. So for me, I refuse to deprive myself just to have a “good body.” I prefer to reward myself. Eat clean during the week, then on the weekend I’m a little more flexible. It’s all about finding your balance (and happiness). Do what’s best for you not what everyone else is claiming you should do. Listen to your body. It talks to you! Maybe not in a verbal way, but your body gives you cues telling you what it needs (rest, fuel, movement, etc). You’re only given one body in this lifetime. Enjoy it, love it, and fuel it!

Group classes

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Yesterday I went with a friend to try out SoulCycle. I am one of those people who HATES group classes. I am extremely competitive by nature so I am always internally competing with everyone around me in the class. While this sounds like it might be a good thing, it’s not. I’m so focused on pushing harder or doing better than the others that I lose sight of the actual workout. I end up being more stressed during the workout than when I actually came in!

Surprisingly this wasn’t the case at SoulCycle! I LOVE how the room is kept very dark. You can just make out figures of people so it can be kind of hard to see how fast or slow others are petaling. This was great for me because not being able to see everyone else forced me to focus on myself! I had a blast! The workout was intense but not draining. I don’t know that I’ve ever sweated that much in my life! I was honestly impressed with myself for keeping up as well as I did. I seriously can’t wait to go back! It’s actually got me wondering if other cycle classes are similar and if I’d like them to! I’m still not into the idea of group classes (due to my own competitiveness) but this style I may stick with! 😉😂

If you’ve never tried SoulCycle, it is a little pricey compared to other cycle classes. It’s because you’re paying for a class and the shower facility. If you use the showers and all the fancy soaps, razors, etc that they have available you are definitely getting your money’s worth. If you just go for the class and leave then yes it’s a bit over priced. I won’t go multiple times a week but a few times a month I would totally do!

Posture when working out

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My mom used to harp on me the importance of posture. Mind you she was referring to me sitting upright in a chair, not slouching forward. However, some people don’t think about posture when working out. Did you know there’s a right and wrong way to lift in regards to posture?

When you do most exercises, you should have your spine aligned. That means you can draw a straight line from the top of your head down to the lower part of your back. (Mind you this does not relate to EVERY exercise) You’ll often see people in the gym leaning over, lifting weights while looking in the mirror. Their neck will be bent and head turned. This is not good posture/form. You are actually putting strain on your back and neck. I understand looking over to check your form, but don’t watch yourself in the mirror the entire time you lift. Keep your spine aligned and make your muscles work without straining them due to bad posture.

When doing things like a shoulder press or curls, face the mirror so you can see yourself. Are your shoulders square and are you sitting upright in a “proud” stance? Make sure your shoulders aren’t rolled forward with your back hunched. You can feel a major difference when you hunch forward vs sitting upright.

Posture may seem like a minor thing to some but it can drastically affect the success of your workout. Next time you’re in the gym focus on your posture. See if your workout feels any different!

Reduce Cellulite Naturally

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Everyone battles cellulite. Some more than others. There are a few natural ways you can minimize its appearance:

1. Apple cider vinegar: Elements found in ASV such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and minerals, play a key role in flushing out toxins from your body. It helps reduce bloating as well.

2. Clean eating: Reduce or eliminate processed foods and sugary foods from your diet

3. Hydrate: Drinks lots of water. Water helps to naturally flush out impurities from your body.

4. Build muscle: Muscle toning helps to act as a “filler.” Your skin will look less dimply with muscle.

5. Massage: Increasing blood circulation to areas with cellulite will help minimize its appearance.

Cheat meals

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Ryder and I spent the weekend eating and hanging around the house. We ate practically everything in sight. Ok maybe that was just me. Needless to say my body definitely doesn’t bounce back as fast as it did in my 20’s! I’ve been a bit bloated these last two days so I’m glad to be back to my clean eating schedule. Do I regret or feel guilty about the food I ate this weekend? Absolutely not! I eat clean and lean 75% of the time. The other 25% of the time I choose to enjoy and eat as I please. I’m not one who will completely deprive themselves of good food.

I think some people’s biggest downfall is they crave a “cheat meal,” have that meal then feel so guilty afterwards. Why feel guilty? If you work hard all week at your workouts and eating well, why not reward yourself!?! As long as you aren’t eating these “cheat meals” regularly a couple times a week, you’re fine! Pick one night a week and indulge. Or do what I did and have a weekend where you splurge, then get yourself back on track for the next few weeks. One day of bad eating won’t kill you. Neither will one weekend. The weekend may set you back a little further than just one day will (hence me being bloated and a little slower than normal). But like I said, it’s fine if it’s not a regular thing. Life is too short. Have that steak, burger, etc. Just do everything in moderation!

You have two homes…..

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I heard the best quote the other day. “You have two homes: Earth and your body. Take care of them.” I love this! When you think about it, often times we are careless with both. My biggest pet peeve is when people complain about how they constantly get sick or keep gaining weight. Are you taking care of your body? Are you eating vegetables, fruit, carbs, fat (good fat) and protein? Are you taking a multi vitamin? Are you limiting your alcohol intake and avoiding smoking? Do you workout at least 3 times a week? A lot of times the answers to this question are no. God only gave us one body. Take care of it! Fuel it properly and care for it so it will last!

The same goes with earth. I hate when I see someone throw trash out the window of their car. You couldn’t put it in your cup holder and throw it away when you got home? Was it radioactive and had to be thrown out of your car that minute? I live in Plano and I love how our city has trash cans on almost every corner. When I get in the turn lane to go left I know there will be a trash can I can pull up to and throw things away. Yes it’s something so minor and small but even the little things make a difference.

These are the only two homes we will have in our lifetime. Take care of them!

(Yes that’s me doing a handstand on the edge of a boat in the pic)

Running

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Every morning ryder and I go for a 2-3 mile walk. It’s our way of getting out of the house to get some fresh air while also letting me get a little light cardio in. I’ve had SO many people tell me I need to start running. They tell me how “freeing it is” and how I’ll love it. Let me tell you what’s NOT freeing to someone with a tear in each meniscus, a right side MCL tear and a previously fractured knee cap……RUNNING! Would I like to run? Maybe. I never was a huge fan. I always said I only run if someone is chasing me. Lol

I’m sure you’re wondering why I never got my knees fixed. Well, back when I was younger when the injuries happened, we didn’t exactly have a lot of money. Plus my brother was on his 4th meniscus tear and he needed surgery. I was at the end of my college cheerleading career and he was up for multiple wrestling scholarships coming out of high school so the obvious choice was for him to get his done. I built up enough scar tissue over the years that my knees are fine for every day use. However running isn’t exactly in the cards. Running is painful. My knees hurt for days after just ten minutes of light jogging. It honestly sucks because my husband is a runner and I always thought it would be fun to run together. Some days I get this “high” and think I can do it, and I’ll push through a short jog. But then the pain hits for a few days after and I think….that was stupid. Do I still have hope I’ll be able to jog without pain one day? Yes of course. But it’s a slow process to build that knee strength. Not to mention it’s frustrating having people tell me I need to start running. I need to start running like I need a hole in my head. 😂 It’s too much to explain to them why I don’t just up and run, so I just smile and say “maybe” every time. I’m going to keep trying and slowly pushing myself. But it will definitely take some time. Longer than the norm that’s for sure!

Always remember you know what’s best for your body. Listen to it! If something hurts, stop! I have seen so many people get injured trying to push through actual pain (not soreness or tiredness) to keep up with others. It’s your body not theirs, remember that.

Don’t let someone tell you you can’t

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There is a difference of about 5 years between these two pictures yet I’m rocking the same shorts in both! When I got pregnant everyone (literally almost everyone) told me to get ready for a new closet. They said after having a baby my body would never be the same and none of my old clothes would fit. I found the comments to be discouraging, then after a while it was like I was being challenged. Having people tell me I’d never get back to my old size just made me mad. So I worked hard every day to push myself past their comments and get back to close to my old size. Yes they were correct when they say your body will never be the same again. Things definitely change. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back to where you were or make yourself better. It may just take a little more time and effort than before! I’m proud to say almost all of my old clothes fit again! There are a few items that don’t fit but in all honesty I probably shouldn’t have been squeezing myself into them before. 😂 Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can’t do something. Negativity breeds negativity. Surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you and help you try to meet your goals!

Summer Resolution

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Swimsuit season is here. We are our own worst critics. I’m guilty of being too hard on myself regularly. I would say 80% of the time that I look in the mirror I focus on what still needs work. I beat myself down pretty often about how I look. I have to stop and remind myself I had a baby! That really takes a toll on your body. AND I’m not 20 years old anymore! My body doesn’t bounce back over night like it used to. I have to work harder now days.

I also have to work hard to not compare myself to others. It’s so hard when I see these instagram moms who got their bodies back after 5 months, etc. I try to remember that everyone’s body is different. What works for one person might not work for others. Some people get lucky with genetics and they bounce back fast. Others take twice as long.

Since we aren’t close to New Years I’m going to do a summer resolution. And that is to try to focus less on what needs work still. Instead I need to be proud of how far I’ve come. I’m constantly telling people not to be so hard on themselves and not to beat themselves down all the time. I need to learn to take my own advice!