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…Fitness Hacks!…

If you are like me, each day can be chaotic and full of activities from the time that I wake up until I jump into bed at nigh. There are always small things that can be done to help our busy lives run a little smoother.  This can be more helpful for those who say that “they are too busy” to workout or just have a bad habit of forgetting things that are needed to go workout (leading to another reason why people make excuses to get out of working out).

Throw out junk food

This is something that I help practice with my clients.  Is there a need for a jumbo box of Twinkies or king size package of candy bars?  Sure, your kids or significant other may enjoy these treats.  If there is no reason to have them at your house limit how many of these kinds of food you have around.  It will help by not tempting you to want to eat those things.   If you do have to have them at home try to keep them in a hard to reach place or have them hidden so you can not find them.  Until you can create your own will power to stay away from those things getting help from those around you can help you to become successful with reaching your health goals.

Have a box of food that you are trying to get out of your house? Instead of throwing it away consider donating it to a local school or food bank!

Is your favorite show on tonight? Watch it WHILE you workout

This is a trick that I personally use and I tell ALL of my clients to use.  If you have 1-3 shows that you watch each week plan your cardio time DURING those shoes. You can be on the cardio equipment and not miss your favorite episode.  It will also allow you to kill two birds with one stone!

Pack a bag

Each night before I go to bed I try to get everything ready for the next day.  This includes my workout clothes.  Getting them together allows me to double check that I have everything needed so I wont forget anything.  I will place my gym bag near the door so I will not forget it when I leave in the morning. I also keep a small “emergency fitness bag” in my trunk.  This bag has the following: ear buds (because I am always losing or forgetting mine at home), socks (you never know when you forget to grab some when you wear flip flops or tights to work), sports bra (I bought a spare sports bra and keep it in the bag because sometimes all of my workout clothes are in the washer/dryer and I need one), hair ties, and an empty water bottle. Make sure to add anything that you typically forget.

You can also follow this trip to save you space if you have to pack your gym clothes in a small bag or purse:

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Plan ahead!

Make sure to PLAN the days you want to workout AND what you want to do on those days.  Consider your workout time an important meeting that you have set with yourself.  If you have meetings for work or for other hobbies you are doing, do you plan your day/schedule around those meetings so you can attend them? Treat your gym session just as you would treat any other meeting you will schedule.

DRINK MORE WATER!

It is clear that most people are not drinking enough water. You want to make sure that you are allowing your body to get the hydration it needs! Here is a great trick that I teach my clients to use to help them drink more water:

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Take time to recover!

Although some people enjoy working out 7 days a week, it is also recommended that you allow your body to have time to recover.  This is a great time to stretch and just let your body heal! Ice packs and self heating ointment can be great things to use to help you recover.  Here are some at-home remedies that you can try on your own:

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Set realistic goals!

This is probably one of the most common mistakes.  You have to set a goal that will be reachable in a realistic amount of time. If you set goals that are hard/impossible to obtain this could contribute to you not reaching your goals. Start with a smaller goal and then gradually work towards that (adding other small goals along the way).

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…What To Do w/ What It Do: Introduction…

This series is to help those who need suggestions or tips to help them get ready for fitness activities and endurance events. Questions, comments, concerns? Shoot me a email at: [email protected]

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…5 Minute Squat Challenge…

I saw this challenge by one of my favorite fitness gurus CT Fletcher.

He challenged people to put some weight on…and just squat….for 5 minutes…. NON STOP!

TALK.ABAOUT.A.BURN!!!!

I of course wanted to do my squat challenge with a twist.  I added some weight to my ruck sack and started squatting. Let me tell you…when I was done, I had to sit down and relax for a few minutes before I could stand up again.  I felt a deep and throbbing burn minutes event after I was done with the squats.

Let me break it down for you…

SQUATS:

There are various ways to perform a squat.  You can do a front squat, regular back squat, sumo squat, pistol squat, siff squat, dumbbell squat, plate squat, goblet squats, squat jumps, any many more.

The benefits to squatting and produce chiseled and nicely sculpted legs and glutes (also known as your BUTT!).  When you squat (or lift weights in general) your body will release hormones that will aid in muscle growth. The hormones are then circulated through your body which can then lead to the building and development of other parts of your body.  So in an essence, squatting promotes a full body workout if done correctly.  Squatting can help to also promote core strength via strengthening your core and back. It can also help to improve your balance, along with various other benefits.

Squatting is a great exercise for you to incorporate into your weight lifting routine.  BUT BE CAUTIOUS! You would want to seek the guidance of a health care professional when attempting to do this.  You do not want to improperly do these exercises as it can result in injuries.

So this is what I challenge YOU to do.

Ruck up…and SQUAT! Squat steady, slow, and deep for 5 straight minutes.  See how well you are able to maintain your composure throughout this 5 minute exercise.  I would suggest doing this at the end of your scheduled leg day lifting routine.  Trust me…

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…Fitness: One Step At a Time…

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The first step to reaching your goals is acknowledging that there needs to be a change. You need to realize that your current habits and life style are not healthy for you (and possibly not healthy for your family). Why do you want to get more active? Why do you want to lose additional weight? Your answer to those questions should be to improve your overall lifestyle.  Investing in your health NOW can help you to sustain a healthy and active lifestyle when you are older.  People who remain active at an older age tend to have less health problems and remain mobile for longer than most elderly people.

Start one step at a time:

The best way is to slowly start to incorporate healthy habits into your life.  For example try to add things week by week…or bi-weekly.  For the next two weeks try to drink more water….cook your own lunch instead of ordering fast food…walking or biking to work instead of driving…taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  Then you can add more things (and you can also possibly include a friend or get your family involved!) Try to walk for a certain amount of time when you get home in the evening. Do a workout routine while you watch your favorite shows (and take a water break when the commercials come on).  Getting into a routine can be easy if you incorporate healthy activities with your current routine!

No Gym? No Problem:

You do not have to be a member of a gym to start working towards your goals.  You can find numerous at home workouts that can be done.  You can use common house hold items as weights (such as gallon water jugs, filling backpacks with rocks or sand, stairs, etc.).  People are unaware of all of the resources that they already have at home that they do not have to go and purchase!

Eating is the main battle:

Get your eating habits on track and the inches and weight will start to melt away!! It is amazing how many people are eating improperly! And truthfully, a lot of people are not eating ENOUGH food! YES YOU NEED FOOD to fuel your body and to help you shed that extra weight. If you are not eating enough it can hinder or halt weight loss. Try to eat more protein and balance your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.

In reality it will take 6-8 weeks before you can start to see results.  So the other key to success is to stay persistent and BE PATIENT! It will take time!!! Find things that will keep you motivated.  Try to find mini goals to obtain throughout your whole journey. The more fun you have with your journey the less stressful it will be!

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… Time to get ready for the summer…

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Christmas has come and gone. You have had the chance to relax with your loved ones.  You also had the chance to enjoy some good home cooked meals (and desserts!).  So as 2015 quickly gets here, you should get ready to start working towards your health and fitness goals.

Like most people, I am sure that you may have started to create a list of things to accomplish in 2015.  Instead of making 30…60…90 day mini challenges try to strive for LIFESTYLE changes that will be beneficial for you and your family.

You can try things such as:

  • cooking more meals at home
  • limiting how many meals you eat out at food establishments
  • planning the meals you will eat when you do go out to eat
  • finding a facility that will accommodate your workout routine and fitness goals
  • trying to improve your overall eating and drinking habits (healthy snacks and drinking more water)
  • setting REALISTIC goals to achieve (like losing 1-3 lbs a week…preparing to participate in an athletic activity at a certain time later in the year)

Another important thing to also find is a good support system.  You have to have people around you that will help you stay on track and to help you stay accountable for your goals.  You can create this group with friends who have similar goals or you can ask your family.  These people can be a form or motivation and encouragement for you on the days it is hard for you to stay focused on your goals. There will be days that you will want to give in and give up.  But, you have to remember why you want to achieve these goals and find ways to stay motivated and on track with what you want to do.

I am BIG on rewarding the efforts of friends and clients who reach their goals.  If it is something small or simple, any prize can help you to stay enthusiastic and motivated about working towards your goal.  You can ask family or friends to contribute to your goals.  Every time you lose a pound or an inch towards your goals, they can put a dollar (or pledge something else) for you to have when you start to reach your other goals.  Lose 15 lbs, have your family or friends take you out to your favorite place to eat.  Lose 30 lbs have your family or friends take you to buy a new shirt or pair of pants.  Reach your overall goal and reward yourself with a new pair of shoes or new clothes (that will fit your newly sculpted body 😉 ).

There are so many things that you can do that can help you to stay on track with what you want to achieve.  The hardest part will be to plan everything out.  But once you get started, it may be hard to get you to stop!

Stay dedicated. Stay motivated. And keep striving for success! 

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… Fit Chicks Guide to #lifestylesofthefitandflexin…

There are just some things that you DO or DO NOT do once you cross over to being a fit chick.  These things are adapted simply because…it is what most fit chicks do!  Yeah I am going to go ahead and say “all of the kool kids are/are not doing it” because lets be honest….most fit chicks I know have slowly transitioned to doing/not doing some of these things!

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{1}… Throw away the scale…

At this point…who cares!!! You have been eating healthy (most of the time), crushing the weights in the gym, and looking leaner and BETTER than ever.  The scale does NOT define the fitness success you have accomplished throughout your fitness journey.  You now measure your success via the slimming waist…bulging muscles…and wonder woman like strength that is slowly developing.  REJOICE for  you are now no longer a slave to the scale (and you may even get excited when you realize you have actually GAINED a pound or two!)

{2} …You look forward to rest days….but spend some portion of your rest day looking forward to when you can get back in the gym…

Yes…sometimes you do need to take a little break from the iron temple.  You do have to listen to your body and know when to just stay at home some days.  Although it may be hard it is still necessary.

{3}…Stay away from Whole Foods (or any other health food store)…

I am in NO way bashing these places…but believe me your pocket book will thank you later for it! I can not remember ONE trip that I have made to my favorite health food store that I did not drop at least $100.  Darn those sample trays and weekly “new hot item” signs.  *sigh* they get me EVERY time…and of course you can not just grab one!  They are usually on sale for 2/$5 or 3/$8….or some random price.  And of course they will have several different flavors for you to try. So why not just grab one (or two) of each to try! What can it hurt!?? It is healthy AND on sale!

{4}…find a good tea infusing mug AND tea pot…

Realistically who makes just one cup of tea?  And for those of use who can not find time to sit at home and actually enjoy the cup of tea you have to learn how to be mobile.  Stores like Teavana sweetly beckon to you every time you walk by.  And do not even think about taking a stroll down the tea isle at the grocer store!  There is always tea on sale and they store always has new/seasonal teas brightly and boldly on display.

{5} …invest in the stretch….

When I speak of “the stretch” I am referring to Stretchy clothing.  Stretch pants…shorts…tank tops…shirts…and even bras!  Fit chicks around the globe can probably relate to me when I say that some of your favorite brands of clothing may not fit the same once those muscles start to develop.  Jeans that are too tight on your thighs but too big in your waist…cute baby T’s that wont fit over your arms….cute boots that wont zip up over your calf…*sigh* growing muscles come at a small price but you do not have to sacrifice fashion for your new physique! You will just have to learn how to adjust via new brands and stretchy material.

Hopefully some of this information was helpful.  I would like to think that it is safe to say that some of my fellow fit chicks can relate to what was said in this post.  If not…that’s ok! Maybe you can teach me a few things that I have not figured out yet!

 

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…Legion Of Boom…

 

 

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“Legion of Boom”

A connected group of individuals who help, encourage, and fight for their fellow fitness brethren.

A group of people championing the ideas of pushing yourself past your limits and demanding excellence out of everything you do.

A group of people feeding into the power of being connected via some form of strength and desire to succeed.

A connected family progressing through the trial and tribulations that life may produce yet overcoming them ten fold and stronger than  yesterday.

A group of people never settling for meritocracy, but working together as one to uplift and motivate the fitness masses.

Never working alone…but as one unit…crushing goals and aspirations…navigating to that next level sh*t…

 

When you finally feel like you have found your purpose in life….BOOM

When you have a purpose to live for and fight for every singe day….BOOM

When camaraderie supersedes any means of selfishness or feeling alone….BOOM

Knowing that you are not alone on this road to success.  Even though you can not see those working just as hard as you, they are there every day grinding and pushing as hard as you RIGHT BESIDE YOU…BOOM

What does it mean for YOU to be apart of such a big movement?

Are you ready to join the Legion? 

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…Simple Fitness Tips…

Need a quick guide to some health tips that may be helpful to you and your health goals?  Well look at these Ready-to-use lists that will be provided for you!

Top Rules to Healthy Eating and Living

  • Try not to skip meals! If you wait and let yourself get too hungry you are more likely to make bad food choices (by eating the first thing that you are able to get your hands on) Try to pack a light snack in your bag, purse, or desk just in case you are caught in a need to eat bind!
  • Try not to go to the grocery store on an empty stomach! Those cravings you have suppressed may take over your better judgement allowing you the chance to purchase unhealthy food options
  • I can not stress this enough but WATCH YOUR PORTION CONTROL  when it comes to preparing your meals and snacks.  Achieving your health and fitness goals greatly depends on your eating habits! So you have to be knowing of what you are consuming and how much you are consuming.
  • Try to cook your meals and take them to work.  This will allow you to be more mindful of what you are eating AND it will allow you to save money in the long run!
  • If you do have a bad meal do not stress out too much!! You still have your other meals to worry about. You can still eat healthy your other meals/snacks that you have that day.
  • Start keeping a food journal.  This will allow you the chance to see what you are eating and keeping track of what you are consuming.  It will also allow you to see what you are eating too much of or what you are lacking and you can add/subtract things from your next weeks food menu.
  • PLANNING IS KEY! Try to plan out your meals for the week! And if you know you are going to a restaurant try to look and see what they have on their menu and find their healthy options so you can know what is safe to order before you get there.
  • Restaurant tips: shy away from the bread/chip basket! Those are extra calories just waiting to jump in your mouth! If you do only have one or a handful of chips.  When you get your entrée cut EVERYTHING in half. You can have the other half for your lunch or dinner the next day.  Restaurant portion sizes are traditionally twice as big as the recommended portion sizes.  Order sauces and dressing on the side.  What to drink? WATER!
  • Watch your favorite shows DURING your workout! You can DVR it or watch it online.  This will help you to pass time and it will allow you the chance to catch your favorite shows without feeling guilty!
Like I said there are just some quick tips to go by for those who need a remainder of what they should be mindful of when they are setting their health and fitness goals.

Remember optimal health goals should be planned for losing about 1-3 pounds a week.  If you lose more than GREAT! But if you are in that range you are doing great!

Stay focused! Stay Committed!

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…Weekend Workouts & Meal Planning…

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My clients say that they slack off the most during the weekend.

After a long hard week all most people want to do is relax and enjoy some good unhealthy foods.  This is OK as long as you enjoy some good food in moderation AND you still stick to your workout plans.

Reaching your health and fitness goals does not mean that you have to give up your favorite foods or miss out on quality time with your family and friends on the weekends.  This is when you HAVE to learn how to balance your life so you can accommodate your goals as well as the other things that are going on.

Key tips to sticking with your workouts on the weekends:

  • Sure you want to sleep in! Sure you want to be lazy and stay in bed all day.  But these things will not help you reach your goals!  The truth is you should probably get up and get your workout done first thing in the morning.  Even if you get to sleep in just a little bit, still find motivation to get up and get it done.  This will allow you to get it done and have the rest of the day to lounge around or get other things done!
  • If you like sleeping in, that is OK!  Plan another time later in the day that you can set aside to get your workout done.  Get in the routine of having your workout during the weekend around the same time.  Getting into this routine will help you to keep up with your workout schedule.
  • Try to find ways to incorporate the family or your friends!  Get up and get fit with them!  Find activities that you all can do.  They can also help keep you accountable for getting your workout done.

Eating healthy is also a hard task for some people.  BUT it should be EASIER on the weekends!
For those who are usually super busy during the week, you can utilize your extra weekend time to cook and prepare meals for you (and your family if you have one) for the whole week!

I personally use Sunday as my day to cook and prepare all of my meals.  I will head to the store on Friday or Saturday to get everything I need.  And Sunday morning after my workouts I will come home and cook all of my food.  It seriously only takes me about 90 minutes to cook ALL of my food for the next 7-10 days.  YES THAT IS ALL IT TAKES!

Once you make a plan and get into a routine it is easy to keep it going.

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…Holiday 5K!…

 

How did you and your family kick off this past 4th of July weekend?

Are you looking for more fun and HEALTHY things for you and your family (& friends) to participate in during the upcoming holidays?

A great suggestion…

RUN A 5K!

 

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This past weekend I managed to roll out of bed early and run the annual Firecracker 5K that my local food bank hosted

All of the proceeds went towards purchasing food and other good for our local food bank.

These types of events go on ALL THE TIME! And they are more frequent during the summer because of the great weather and more people can usually participate in them.

If you are looking for a reason to get you and your loved one more active find a 5k in your area and sign up to run it!

NO you do not have to run the whole time.  You can run at your own pace and if you need to stop and walk you can do so.  There should be staff members along the route just in case you have any medical issues.

You can train with your friends/family and participate in the event together.

Some of these races do offer prizes for top finishers of the race.  Some of these races give out free gifts at the end of the race (such as shirts, medals, drinks, food, or other items other local companies have donated).

Like I said, this is a GREAT way to kick off any holiday weekend.  AND you can do these kind of events with your whole family!  If you have a child you can push them in the stroller.  If you have a pet, you can have them walk (or run) with you during the race!

This is the perfect way to work towards your health and fitness goals AND support a local charity that is in your area.

I hope that you guys had a safe and HEALTHY holiday weekend!

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