Losing weight is such an important thing in life because it can help make you happier, healthier, and more attractive. There are a lot of things in life that you need to work on, but weight loss is one of the key ones. It is important that you have ideas and tips you can use that are going to go some way toward helping you lose weight effectively.
Many people in 2018 battle with the bulge, and we are constantly looking for ways of improving the way we exercise and workout. There are so many areas involved in losing weight, and the more you can do to achieve significant weight loss the better. There is no better time to start than right now, and you should make sure you do as much as possible to work toward effective weight loss with these awesome tips.
The struggle many people have when it comes to weight loss is the fact that they don’t enjoy doing exercise. This is a pretty natural feeling to have toward it, but you need to try to get yourself out of the mindset. Unless you can improve the amount of exercise you do you are going to struggle to lose enough weight. Do what you can to make sure you fall in love with exercise as much as possible, and this will be the first step toward you losing more weight. Having a strong exercise regime is so important and will go a long way toward helping you work toward better health and greater weight-loss as a result.
Motivate Yourself
Motivating yourself can sometimes be the hardest part of the battle to lose weight, especially if you’re trying to work out early in the morning. So, you need to come up with something that is going to help you improve and enhance your motivation and inspire you to do more. Perhaps you have an ideal size you want to work toward, or maybe there is a particular person whose size and shape you want to emulate. Whatever you can do to ensure you have the right level of motivation, this is something you’re going to be in a position to get right as much as possible.
Diet Properly
Making sure you take dieting seriously is also a really important part of the process and something you have to work on right away. There are a lot of things you need to think about when you consider going on a diet and looking at the list of approved HCG foods is one of the best ways of doing this. Dieting properly, and ensuring you are not eating the wrong sorts of things is so important. Going on a diet is the perfect way of making sure you lose weight in the right way.
You have to remember that losing weight is not an overnight thing. You’re not going to be able to click your fingers and suddenly have lost 9 pounds. There is a lot more to it than that, and it is a process that takes a while. But, if you can follow the ideas on here, you will have put yourself in a great position to help you lose weight and improve your health at the same time.
Oh how we wish we could fall in love with exercise as much as we fall in love with dark chocolate on a bi-nightly basis, able to commit to the burn every day with a smile that won’t fade and a passion that can be paused for anything or anyone. That’s the dream right there, and one we share with so many women.
It’s being able to love exercise. Not because we want to lose weight or shake off those flabby bits, but because it makes you feel happy, centred and fantastic about you and your world, in the same way chatting to your best friend does or dancing to your favourite songs in just a towel after stepping out of the shower. That’s the same sort of love you want to have for exercise. And you can because exercise is epic at making you feel awesome and making your life so much richer.
So, without further ado, here are some simple ways to fall in love with exercise, and turn your frenemy into your bestie.
Find An Exercise That Makes You Smile
Shock horror, no one enjoys lifting weights. Nor does anyone enjoy running a marathon. So forcing yourself to do these things is a surefire way to begrudge the very idea of hitting the gym. But to get fit and reap the benefits of exercise, you don’t need lift weight or pound the pavement. No way. You could go salsa dancing, join a yoga group, get into rock climbing, swim twice a week – anything. So find the one you enjoy and stick to it.
Give Yourself An Exercise Why
Now that you have got a couple of exercises that don’t make your brow furrow, you want to give yourself a reason to keep at it – a reason why. This is because losing weight is not a reason packed full of joy. Instead, each attempt will feel like a chore. It’s a much better idea to exercise because it makes you feel good, it fills you with confidence, you’re picking up a skill, it’s good for your sleep issues, our libido has skyrocketed and your depression has reduced. Those are the reasons why you should cling on to.
Never Train Alone
Nothing is going to give you that get up and go more than exercising with someone. It’s having that person to chat to and bounce off, inspire and be inspired by. It doesn’t matter if you get into the habit of doing an evening park run with your best friend or you book in with a personal trainer at somewhere like Elite Training – having someone to exercise with will make the whole thing a million times more enjoyable. You could even grab a coffee and have a proper gossip afterwards and use this as some valuable catch up time, which we all know to be super-important the older you get.
Get All The Gear
It might sound incredibly superficial, but having the right clothing and gear can work absolute wonders when it comes to motivation and enjoyment. It could be slipping into a pair of new running shoes or slipping into a pair of tight leggings that perks you up, which is because when you look good you feel good too. Try and opt for brighter colours though these little suckers can really cheer you up.
Are you one of those people that claims they don’t like exercise? Maybe you say you don’t like getting sweaty, you don’t like certain exercises, or you don’t like something else about it.
Whatever story you’ve been telling yourself, you need to realize that it’s just that: a story. You can change your story at any time you like by simply changing it. Usually, people who say they don’t like exercise simply haven’t found anything that they really love yet. There are all kinds of ways to exercise that work for different people.
This post is for the people who say they don’t like exercise. Read on and you’ll start questioning your old beliefs:
One of the most important and overlooked reasons to work out is because exercise makes us feel good. It’s great for our mental health. If you struggle with things like stress, anxiety, and depression, getting into a regular exercise routine could help you to feel so much better. Endorphins are released while we exercise, as well as afterwards, and these are known as the body’s happy hormones.
You might hate actually getting to the gym after a long day at work. You might hate stinking and sweating. But really pay attention to how you feel after exercising. You might notice that you actually feel pretty good!
Exercise Sets A Good Example
If you have kids, then you should realize that exercising sets a good example. Do you want your kids to be more like those kids that sit around all day with their heads bent towards a screen, or do you want them outside playing, climbing trees, doing gymnastics, playing football? You want your kids to be healthy and happy, and that means getting outside and exercising. It doesn’t matter what you tell them to do. If you’re not doing the same thing, they are going to take your lead. Wanting the best for your kids means wanting the best for yourself too.
Exercise Helps Us Live Longer
Exercise helps us to live long, healthy lives. If you’re going to live a long life, you want it to be a high quality of life, right? Exercise will give you this. You’ll live longer, be fitter, and likely be able to watch your grandchildren grow up. You don’t want your bones to click and to have to live with chronic pain for the rest of your life. You don’t want to end up in a home, or relying on somebody else to take care of you. Exercise reduces the possibility of this ever happening!
Exercise Helps Us To Look Better In Our Clothes
As a bonus, exercise helps us to look better in our clothes. We stand up straighter as we develop better posture. This instantly knocks pounds off our frame. Then, it’s likely some belly fat will be lost, meaning less lumps and bumps. If you’ll feel and look great, what more could you want? You might even have to buy smaller clothes eventually.
Try Different Types Of Exercise
People who claim that they don’t like exercise just haven’t found the right kind for them. There are so many different types of exercise that it’s impossible not to find something you love if you really give trying different things a go! There are workouts you can stream anytime and do at home, or you could go walking, or you could do some sprints. You could go for a swim, or do some yoga, or lift some weights, or try a class. You really have endless options and opportunities to get fit and healthy. Usually, getting into the exercise habits only takes around three sessions a week for three weeks. Then people often get addicted to the feel good buzz afterwards and don’t want to give it up!
Change The Story You Tell Yourself
One of the main reasons most people don’t get into fitness or reach their goals is because they are telling themselves a story that doesn’t match up to that. We all tell ourselves stories, whether that’s about work, our love lives, or something else. We will live up to the stories we tell ourselves, so it’s important to acknowledge that we can change those stories if we really want to. Here are some stories people commonly tell themselves that stops them from becoming fit and healthy:
Being fit is not in my genes.
I don’t have a body type for fitness.
I’m not good enough.
I’m too lazy.
I don’t have time.
You can’t get fit after having kids.
There are so many things people say that aren’t true. Recognize that most of what you tell yourself is nothing but BS. If you’re telling yourself you’re not good enough, or that you don’t have time, it’s all an excuse. Everybody has them, but it’s important to recognize what yours are so you can overcome them. If you start believing that this is something you’re capable of, then you will do it. However, if you never bother to change your story, nothing will change in your life. Even if you start to exercise but hold on to that story subconsciously, you’ll give up eventually.
Take a look at youtube videos to really master your mindset. There are lots of different techniques you can use, so find one you like and just start. If you can get your mind on board, the rest of your body will follow.
Conclusion:
If you’ve been saying you don’t like exercise, it’s nothing but a story. Nothing but an excuse. We are designed to exercise, and even to enjoy it. If you try a few different classes and types of exercise and make an effort, eventually, you’ll realize that you enjoy it. That it makes you feel fantastic. You’ll have bags more confidence, your self esteem will go through the roof, you’ll cope with daily life better, reduce illness and pain, and so much more.
We all know that we need to workout, but knowing that doesn’t always make it easy to actually get it done! If you’re someone that wants to take care of themselves, and wants to be healthier in life, but you know that you can’t stay motivated to exercise, maybe you need a new approach? Most of the time, just being able to get yourself there is half the battle. The idea of having to workout can often feel like so much of a drag that we just don’t do it. And then, weeks go by, we feel sluggish, we feel guilty, and we wonder how we even got here in the first place! It’s safe to say that vicious cycle tends to go around more than we’d like it too. So wouldn’t it be nice to be able to workout and actually enjoy it?
Well, as much as that may feel like a pipe dream, it doesn’t have to be. If you would love to be able to stay on top of your health and fitness and actually enjoy it, then why not think about trying out new ways to exercise? If you’ve tried joining your local gym and you just never go, or if you’ve bought tennis shoes but you never go running, you need to switch things up. And if you just have no idea what to do, these fifteen (yes – fifteen) ideas are going to get you started. The best part is, they’re all pretty fun and effective too!
Get A Running Buddy
Maybe you like the idea of going for a run, but you just never seem to do it? When that’s the case, think about getting yourself a running buddy. When you have someone to run with, to motivate you, to talk to, and more importantly – hold you accountable, you’ll enjoy it more. Not only will you actually be able to get yourself outside to do it, but you’ll boost your social life too.
If you always feel put off by traveling to exercise, then do it at home. While you may not have a full gym at home, there’s certainly one thing that you can do from home – yoga. Just grab yourself a mat and head to YouTube. Even if you’ve always wanted to try yoga but you don’t want to go to a class alone in case you don’t like it, doing it at home first can be a fun way to get started.
Go To A Dance Class
Or maybe you want something really fun? Something more high-paced and energetic? Then you’re definitely going to want to look into the types of dance class, using these details here, that you could take. You may even want to think about doing a dance fit class too. Go with your friends and give it a try. You’ll probably spend the entire class laughing and having fun, without even realizing that you’re working out too!
Give Pilates A Go
If you want to try a fun class that will push you, that will strengthen you, and also work on your flexibility too, pilates will be the one for you. The best part is, that this kind of exercise can be really great for your mind too. So you’ll end up feeling energized and relaxed when your session is up!
Play A Sport
From here, you’ve always got the option to try out a new sport. Or all of them! Playing sports is always fun, and hardly ever feels like you’re working out. Whether you used to play hockey in college or you’ve always wanted to give cheer a go, do it. There’s no way to have a workout, without feeling like you’re working out. like playing sport.
As a step on from that, you may even want to join a local sports team. Maybe you’ve tried out tennis and now want to play regularly or you just love the idea of playing soccer for fun, a local team could be great for you. And if there isn’t one, think about organizing a recreational sports league so that there can be!
Do Army Training
If you really want to be able to mix things up, then military-style training could be exactly what you’re looking for. Think about how this could switch up your exercise and be a lot of fun too. It will be a challenge, but definitely not a drag. Look online for benefits of this workout style to see if this will be something that excites you.
Try Boxing
Another fun but incredibly effective style of training is boxing. Have you always wanted to box but you’ve always been afraid to try? Well just get yourself one session and make it one-to-one. See how you feel about it and whether boxing style training is going to be your avenue for working out without feeling like you’re slaving away.
Enjoy A Stretching Session
But you don’t always have to do high-intensity workouts to actually be working your body and exercising. Even though it can seem like it. Even doing some really great stretching exercises can help your fitness along. For times when you don’t want to do anything too intense, or you’re just not feeling anything else, having a good stretch still allows you to get a bit of a workout in.
Maybe you’re looking for a more holistic approach to your fitness? If you want to turn this into a treat, then you’re definitely going to want to think about joining a gym that has wellness facilities too. Think about how you can workout with all of the benefits, and look online for more details on the facilities you’ll find at local gyms. With a sauna, massage options, or even beauty facilities, you’ll have every incentive to workout first.
Go Swimming
Of course, if you do get a gym with great facilities, then you might like to think about going swimming too. Swimming is a great full body workout, but it can feel quite leisurely and enjoyable too. You don’t always feel like you’re doing an intensive workout. You could even do this at your local pool or in your own yard if you have a pool at home – you don’t have to have a gym membership to enjoy this.
Go For A Hike
If you want to have fun with your family and ensure that everyone gets to stay active, then going for a hike can be a lot of fun too. But you’re going to want to ensure that you get the most out of your hike using those tips too. To try and make sure that it doesn’t feel like too much work, go with your friends too and take a picnic. Then it can be enjoyable for the entire group.
Get Competitive
From here, you could also look to get competitive with yourself. While you can push yourself to beat times in any kind of exercise, there’s nothing like competing with yourself when you’re in a spin class. It’s incredible fun to push yourself to get to a certain speed or to keep up a certain intensity. After awhile, it’s way more fun than it is hard work!
If you know that you want to get the most out of the workouts that you’re doing, then you definitely need to think about working with a personal trainer. Maybe you feel like you just can’t push yourself or you have no idea what you’re doing – so working out feels not only boring, but ineffective! When that’s the case, hiring a trainer can mean that you get to push yourself but you also start to enjoy it too.
Find The Best Time
But also, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re working out at the right time for you. So technically, this fifteen and final point isn’t a type of workout, but it’s still a way to workout. If you’re trying to workout after work and you’re tired and hungry and there’s no motivation left in you, then don’t. Get up early and try a morning workout instead. Sometimes, you’ll find that changing up the time that you workout will help you to enjoy your workout more and actually stick to it too.
So now that you’ve seen a full range of ways to workout, are you feeling more motivated? Can you see how you can change your approach to fitness and your lifestyle overall, to make a positive change? Maybe trying to go for a run on your own just didn’t workout, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip exercise altogether. You just need to be sure that you can do things in your own way and actually enjoy your workouts too. Then, you’ll find that you’re consistent and taking care of your health comes naturally to you.
The workout bullet is one that most of us like to dodge. It’s a bullet we have gotten very good at dodging. But working out just comes with so many benefits, more benefits than not working out does, that’s for sure! So why do so many people hate it? Well, it’s down to the simple fact that it is a big ordeal. For one, you have to find the time to fit it around your busy schedule. Working, home life, socialising etc. it all finds a way to get in the way. But if you can make time for sitting on the sofa watching all of the TV you watch of an evening, you can find the time to workout for an hour every other day! So, to stop you dodging the workout bullet once and for all, here’s how you can get into a nice little routine.
Actually looking good whilst you’re working out is one of the best ways to get you to workout in the first place. It massively helps to boost your confidence, and it allows you to enjoy the body you have. Kit yourself out with some new trainers, such as these jordans on sale, some new leggings (preferably three quarter length ones to keep you cool), a sports bra, and a top to go with it. There are some really good brands out there offering some great pieces of clothing to get you in the mood. In the beginning, you don’t necessarily need to splash the cash, you just need something basic that feels comfortable to you. When you start to notice that you’re getting into a routine, you can start spending your money on the things that matter, such as supplements to aid your workout, as well as the clothes and shoes that you might like to wear.
Get The Motivation
Sometimes you’re just going to need help with your motivation. It’s hard to sometimes find the motivation to get off the sofa and walk to the toilet, let alone go to the gym. But we promise you that if you stick with it for at least six weeks, you will 100% get into a routine. Somehow, the gym will become a way of life that you just can’t ignore. One of the main reasons for this is the changes you’re going to notice with your body. You’ll find that you have so much more energy, and the endorphins that your body will release after you stop exercising will make you feel even better. To get into that routine, you might benefit from finding a partner to train with. Whether that be your partner, your friend, a parent, it doesn’t matter!
Eating Clean
All of the good that you will be doing with the gym, you’ll be undoing as soon as you put that cake in your mouth, or perhaps that cheese filled cottage pie. You really do have to watch your diet and make sure you’re eating clean if you want to see any results. Having one cheat day a week is fine, but try and limit yourself to only that. Here is a simple clean eating guide for you to follow.
Whether you are looking to start your first workout session or have been neglecting your fitness for a while, there is a perfect routine out there. To help you find it, we have listed a couple of things to consider before creating a plan to lose weight, feel lighter and healthier, and look after your mind and body better in the future.
Before you start planning, it is important that you consider your own limitations. You should have realistic goals when it comes to building strength and losing weight. If you have allergies, you will not be able to work out in the park during the spring and the summer, and have to find an indoor activity. If you have past injuries that limit your ability to lift or bend, you will have to find a gentle form of exercise, such as water aerobics, swimming, or yoga.
Before you would get too excited and join the first fitness class, you should check out the different styles of instruction and the moves. Yoga has dozens of different versions, for example. Vinyasa yoga is the most dynamic, but some instructors combine it with HIIT to get you faster results. Try a couple of sample videos before you decide which form of exercise is the right for you, so you don’t end up wasting your money on programs that don’t work for you.
Consider How Much Free Time You Have
It is also important to stay realistic about your availability. If you work full time, you need time to rest and relax, and you cannot spend every night in the fitness center. If you have limited time, try to start with building strength. Choose the right equipment and clothing by visiting Garage Gym Builder, so you are prepared for the challenge, and commit to a program.
Schedule Your Time Off
You will have to stick with a routine to make it work for you. It is possible that you will have to make adjustments to your daily schedule and wake up earlier than usual on some days. You could also skip lunch and have a late dinner if you spend time exercising. No matter what you need to do to stick with your workout routine and stay motivated, you will not see results without commitments and sacrifices.
Adjust Your Diet
Whatever your chosen workout routine is you will need to adjust your diet to the changing needs of your body. You might want to swap your morning yogurt to protein shakes to give you more energy and help you build strength. You could also find some magnesium and zinc rich food sources, or even food supplements to support your body in developing muscles and burning fat.
If you are planning on creating your own workout routine instead of seeking advice from a fitness instructor, you will need to consider the needs of your body first. Second, make sure you have enough time to spare and can stay committed to the schedule.
Happy V-Day to the lovers out there celebrating today! You can spend the day waiting to be seated at a restaurant or in a cold movie theater but you have probably done that before. I have a date idea that you might not have tried…exercise. Okay, keep reading before you roll your eyes! There two reasons why an exercise date could give you a whole new take on your relationship. I’m talking levels that lead to an even more successful, full-filling relationship is your goal. And they are…
Reason # 1: Exercise makes you horny, baby!
There’s tons of research out there about exercise being an aphrodisiac. It creates endorphins (feel good chemicals) in the brain, increases blood flow to genitals, and building muscle mass can increase testosterone levels in men. As a matter of fact, some consider exercise to be the most effective aphrodisiac.
Having spent years working out, I can attest that this is true. Nothing happens with cardio. Not for me, at least. But lifting weights is a different story. Horniness ensues everytime. There’s definitely blood rushing somewhere when I’m lifting. No complaints here. 😉
Reason #2: Working out together strengthens your bond.
I don’t need to read research to know that this is true, either. Here is how I know. I have been with my fiancé for over 13 years. During that time, I have made it my business to maintain a workout routine. Each week, I’d go exercise and he would stay home. He had absolutely, positively, no desire to start a workout regime. Until about 1 year ago. Out of the blue, he decided that he wanted to start exercising. He has been my consistent workout partner ever since. Up until then, I’ve always done it alone. Now, we plan our workouts together, encourage and challenge each other, laugh at each other and share new experiences that we never have before. Exercise has helped us to become even closer.
If a sweat session for a date now sounds like a great idea, then get ready! Here are 3 calorie torching, highly sweaty exercises you can do with your boo.
Thoughts on exercising with boo?? Let me know in the comments…
Exercise has been a part of my life for soooo long BUT not forever. Up until my early 20s, I would definitely consider myself to be plus size. Being less than 5ft tall and more than 170lbs “technically”, I was obese. But I embraced it. Funny thing is, I never considered myself to be overweight until…I noticed that I was overweight. LOL.
I remember it like it was yesterday though. It all started when I was invited to a pool party and rocked my electric blue one piece bathing suit with cutouts (which were outlined in white). I thought I was the shit, not gonna lie. Not to say that I wasn’t the shit because my confidence was certainly there but my health was way off. That wasn’t the day I realized that I needed to lose weight. It was when the pictures came back! For those of you who are unaware, there was a time when you had to wait for your pictures to be developed. Unless you had a Polaroid camera, which we didn’t.
Two days after the party, the pictures came back and I was HORRIFIED!!! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I mean, that was actually me in that awful bathing suit looking like a busted can of biscuits because there was fat exploding out of each cutout. THAT is the moment that I started to realize that eating a tub of sour cream with a family size bag of Doritos (in one setting) was a bad idea. Maybe 5 sugar-filled sodas per day was a bad look. I literally had a flashback to all of the bullshit that I eaten while sitting my butt on the couch. I knew it was time for a change. That was over 15 years and more than 50lbs ago.
Now that I’ve told you all of my business 🙈; check out what I do to stay motivated!
Put On My Workout Clothes
Put on your workout clothes as soon as you can. If you’re off for the day, wear them around the house. If you work that day, put them on as soon as you get home. It will be a physical reminder that you have to exercise today…no excuses.
Set A Schedule
Keeping the same workout schedule each day is damn near impossible. Look at your your schedule for the day, see where you can fit in your work out. It is easier to stay on track if you have a set time to do it.
Say It Out Loud
I don’t know about you but there is something that happens to me when I say something loud enough to someone to hear me. Something as simple as, “I’m going to workout today.” It’s that whole the atmosphere hears you thing. It works for me!
Change It Up
If my workout routine consisted of running on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day. I would have quit a long time ago. It is so easy to get bored. Change is up by taking your run outside or going out on a hiking trail. Plus, you can find so much inspiration on new ideas from fitness blog and social media accounts.
Keep Your Size In The Closet
Leggings are nice, but they can also lie to you! Since they offer so much stretch, it would be definitely to feel a difference in your weight each time you wear them. But it’s not like that with a denim skirt, for instance. Clothes that are made of more structured material has to be in your true size and they don’t “give” if you have gained weight. You don’t want a closet full of starchy clothes that will lie to you. Keep styles that will hold you accountable.
Track Calories
Calorie consumption is empty. It may sound like a daunting task but knowing how many calories you eat per day is important. It helps determine how much you can eat to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain you weight.
Set Up Challenges
This is similar to changing it up. Setting up new challenges that take your routine to another level. If you enjoy running, start tracking your time and challenge yourself by trying to beat it. Or add a new challenge to your regime like learning how to do pull ups or Martial Arts.
Get The Household Involved
Get your family involved in exercising and eating healthy. It may not be easy or take a while but don’t give up! Make it fun, celebrate the benefits. It’s much easier to stay on task when everyone who lives with you is too!
I hope these tips help. What tips would you share?
Last week, I shared with you that I went to Denver for a birthday trip which turned into a fashion inspiration trip. I like to make a big deal of my born day and this year was no exception. So, in addition to taking a roadtrip to Denver, I wanted to kick it up a notch.
As another way to celebrate, I created a fitness challenge to workout every single day for the 39 days leading up to my birthday. Exercise has been apart of my life for almost two decades. No really, my routine for almost two decades is to hit the gym and exercise for 4 to 5 days a week. I’m so used to it that 39 straight days sounded like nothing. Additionally, my fiancé (who was only a few months into beginning his own exercise journey) was along for the ride. The final day was to be a hike up a huge mountain in Denver. Here is how it went.
Day 1:
Week 1 & Week 2 was a breeze. We hit the gym around 6pm Monday through Friday like clockwork. The first week, we did our usual routine. (45 minutes of cardio on the treadmill 2 days/week, 30 minutes of cardio with 20 minutes of strength training 2 days/week, weights only on 1 day/week, 4-5 mile park run on one day of the weekend, &, HIIT on the other weekend day.
Week 3 we changed it up and added hiking in on one of the days. By the end of week 3, the conversations on our 5 minute to the gym changed. It used to be about what we were going to do after the gym or what happened at work earlier in the day. The convo changed to, “My hip hurts, I can run on an incline today” or “Did you put the menthol cream on your leg so it will stop hurting?” and even, “Let’s get this shit over with”. One break day was all we needed, but we had to push through.
Week 4 had it’s highs and lows. Although, we were dying to take a day off, we also found so much pride in knowing that we’d come to far to turn around. One of the days during this week 4, I had menstrual cramps so bad that Midol wouldn’t take them away. This was on the same date that my fiancé had shin splints so bad that he spent the night before staying up late looking for ways to make the pain go away. We both wanted to lay on the couch and lay around so bad. But instead of doing that, we waited until around 8pm when it finally started to cool off a bit. And we took a slow and steady 3 miles walk around our neighborhood.
The last 3 days was a challenge. Not because we were sore on every part of our body (because we were ). But planning for a road trip from Texas to Colorado meant we had to make sure the car was road trip approved by getting tires, oil change, etc. Planning, packing, and figuring out how to exercise while on the road.
Day 36we left Texas at 8am and finally arrived in Denver around 9:30pm. Traveling in my workout gear was a good idea. Because after checking into a hotel, we dropped our bags in the room and knew what we had to do. So, we found ourselves running 3 miles around downtown Denver at 10pm. It was exhilarating!
Day 37, we woke up in Denver and I was ready to hit the hills. Look, I enjoy day drinking while on vacation. The only way I could start early was to work out even earlier. Which is why, we were at the center of downtown Denver running like a maniac with the rest of the early morning runners and cyclists. I have to admit the elevation did affect our breathing on the run. At some points the tightness was real but we continued to push through.
Red Rocks AmphitheaterRed Rocks Park
Day 38, was even better than I expected. I woke up super early to find out the hiking hot spots so we can be at the top of someones mountain before noon. After much scrolling, we decided on Red Rock Canyon. After a winding drive to Red Rock, we hiked up a bit to find a mecca for fitness people. The Red Rocks were amazing and the views breathtaking. Lucky for us, there was no event going on at the auditorium portion. We walked around the corner into the auditorium to find people of all shapes, colors, and athletic levels exercising their hearts out. Running up the stairs, tricep dips off the seats, even burpees up and down the auditorium. I got dizzy just looking at it! But we were no exception. Push-ups, jump-ups, sit-ups, leg presses…we did a complete burn under the Colorado sun, right in the middle of the mountains. It was absolutely amazing!!!
I wish I could give you detail on our exact pound and inches lost. But I’ve had a habit from a long time ago of staying away from the scale. I exercise and eat pretty healthy. Stepping on a scale each week isn’t going to do anything but make me neurotic about a number. And since I don’t know what that number is…I decide to not bother with it. I go based on how I feel, how my clothes feel, and how I feel about what I see in the mirror…period. But I can say for sure that we both dropped pounds, inches, and became much stronger. My #39daysweatchallenge helped to support my idea even more that I can do anything I put my mind to. Just take it one day at a time…fearlessy.
The next challenge has already started and it involves pull ups. I will let you know how it goes. Have you put yourself through a challenge and what was the outcome? Let me know in the comments…
When the topic of fitness comes up, I find that most people are either all the way in or all the way out. It’s a commitment to changing your lifestyle, for sure! But you don’t have to run 10 miles a day, 7 days a week to be healthy and in good shape. Moderation is key, like most other things in life.
I’ve been passionate about living a healthier lifestyle, which lead into being a fitness trainer. Working with many different people, personalities, and of all fitness levels. In doing this, you wouldn’t believe some of the excuses that I’ve heard. Or maybe you can believe it?! Either way, check out 12 of the biggest BS excuses people have used to avoid exercising. Plus, how to overcome some of them.
📷 by Ismael Nieto
“I’m too old” – The saying “you are only as young as you feel” has some truth to it. Many people think they are too told to exercise. People in their 70s, 80s, and 90s are running marathons. No joke, google it! Exercising not only helps with weight and health but as you get older it can improve your posture, help to boost your memory and prevent age-related diseases such as dementia. (source: WebMD)
📷 by Pineapples
2. “I’m too far gone” – Working out can be considered difficult at any size. Small steps are the best way to start your workout and then gradually increase. For instance, if you find yourself only being able to complete 10 minutes, then do it! Then increase as you feel stronger. Be sure to set a short term goal however, so you won’t be stagnant. Adding 5 minutes per week is an achievable goal. Excessive weight can lead to diseases like such as diabetes, heart disease, and even lead to a stroke. If that isn’t reason enough, I don’t know what is? Take it from someone who dropped over 60 pounds 🙋, there’s nothing to it but to do it. But no matter what your size, love the skin you’re in!
📷 by Mick Tinbergen
3. “I’m too busy” – People make time for what they want to make time for. Which means, you would have time if you really wanted to. Find a way to make the time. That might mean waking up an hour earlier, it may even mean using your lunch break to do it, whatever it takes. You only get one body, there are no do-overs. Your body deserves to be spoiled with exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
📷 by Shanice Garcia
4. “I’m too full” – Some people prefer to workout on an empty stomach. It’s not something that I recommend though, because the food will give you the energy, period. And if you don’t have the energy to workout, then…? Just keep it light, don’t over do it. A light, healthy snack of less than 300 calories is a good place to start. Be sure to eat it 45 minutes to an hour before hitting the gym. Snack suggestions: a sandwich made of up of 1 piece of wheat bread, a couple slices of turkey breast, and mustard; an apple with a spoonful of chunky peanut butter, or a protein shake.
📷 by Louis Magnotti
5. “I travel all of the time” – This is an easy fix. Most hotels have gyms these days. That was easy. But if that’s not an option or want to try something different, I have four words for you…jump rope & tennis shoes. Jumping rope burns around 10 calories per minute. Yes, that lil’ rope is a serious calorie burner! Here’s my Jump Rope Workout: 30 minutes jump rope, 5 minutes of push ups, 5 crunches. This is my favorite workout when I’m traveling or short on time. Make sure to wear your tennis shoes. It hurts so bad if the rope hits your toe. 😩
6. “I like to eat too much to work out” – You sound like the perfect gym candidate! People who are active actually need more calories than someone who isn’t. That doesn’t mean that you should go out for ice cream everyday. Again, moderation is key. Of course, you still have to make good food choices but your body will require more calories. Your daily caloric is based on your activities, weight, etc. There are lots of ways to calculate the recommended amount of calories your body needs to lose, maintain or gain. But make it easy by downloading an app like MyFitnessPal, which can take care of it.
📷 by Fabian Blank
7. “I can’t afford a gym membership”– It’s true that gyms can be expensive. But it’s also true that you don’t need a gym to workout. Invest in a good pair of running shoes and get your butt outside! Walking, jogging, and running down the block is a excellent workout. You can still be close to home, if that’s your concern. And the calories will burn, baby, burn!
📷 by Jesse Orrico
8. “I have a health condition”– Check with your doctor before trying this excuse. Although, there are some exceptions, most doctors recommend some sort of exercise to all of their patients. Adjustments can be made to be more suitable for your condition. For instance, people with knee problems can try a cycling bike instead of using a treadmill. It’s easier on the knees. But eczema shouldn’t steer you away.
📷 by Scott Web
9. “I don’t feel comfortable at the gym” – Try not to be intimidated by other gym patrons. There are people there who are all shapes and sizes. Plus, the ones who are fit were not fit as some point in their life. Besides most people are focused on getting their burn, not worrying about yours. Don’t sweat it! Make sure that you have your headphones and you will be good!
10. “I don’t have a workout buddy” – You don’t need one! You have to be able to depend on you, period! I hate to say, “you can’t” depend on your friends but “don’t depend on your friends”. Use it as your alone time.
📷 by Sander Smeekes
11. “I don’t have the energy” – A balanced diet of protein, carbs, and fiber helps to sustain your energy. To be honest, there will be days when you just don’t feel like it. But there’s something about getting up anyway and putting on that workout outfit that can make you go from yes to no. And if that doesn’t work, try a sugar free energy drink or espresso shot. It may not be the best option but a girl has to do what she has to do sometimes, right?! Make sure it’s for an early workout. You might be up all night if you drinking a shot of espresso too late in the evening.
12. “I don’t like to sweat” – Really?! I have no words. I didn’t then and I don’t now. 😬
No matter the excuse, get active for you. Look at it this way, you are doing your part in living a longer, healthier life. Have an excuse or tip to share? Leave it in the comments!
