Monthly Archives: February 2012

Tips: Revamp your fitness

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Despite global warming and this glorious weather we have been receiving here in Maryland, atleast while the sun is up, it is still winter… I find that this is prob the perfect time to give some tips on how to revamp your fitness life so that at the last minute this summer you aren’t scuffling to find abs under an cornucopia fat that packed its bags and decided to move in on top of your tummy and thighs. According to you.. you have been eating healthy all winter (yea I see that slice of cake thru your screen)… So here are some tips that work great, a lot of which ive used at one point or another..

  1. Instead of just going to the “gym” to workout on equipment you may or may not be interested in, start with something that doesn’t require as much discipline.. Sign up for a class, anything you think you might like. ie reg fitness class, kickboxing, dance, hand dancing, water aerobics, martial arts etc.

2. Find a partner.. having one or many people to be accompany you with your fitness endeavors may be the extra boost you need. You can hold each other accountable and it gives you something to look forward to. I know when I don’t want to do something but I have a partner I have to be accountable to, my excuses go out the window, unless theres a real reason. Before or after can also be the perfect time for you all to catch up.. win/win!!

3. Set a goal, write it down and include specifics and how you plan to achieve it. Writing things down makes them more real. You also may become a little more serious abt your desires.. During the process, also keep a journal. It can help you get through your less enthusiastic days.

4. Revamp your diet. Kick your healthy eating up.. Once you do this, you may be more inclined to take it further.. put the doughnuts down!!

5. Buy some new fitness clothes. Now, this one is tricky, for all my shoppers… Don’t be so hyped to shop and when you finally put on your new gear, instead of going to do fitness you just run drive to the store.. I wouldnt propose this would happen if I didnt see it with my own eyes on numerous accounts smh.. Nevertheless, new clothes can be just the boost you need to get back out there. Show em what you working with. Lol

6. Do a workout thats comfortable for you in a place comfortable for you.. this is very important. Even if this means doing zumba fitness dvds or p90x in your house, the point is to be doing it. Sometimes we try to over exert ourselves when we arent yet comfortable with the circumstances for whatever reason. This results in us talking ourselves out of the activity. Do what works for you, you can always change up later.

Hope these few tips help… Perhaps soon I will post tips on how to maintain motivation after you have revamped your fitness life. I also have a few hiking recollection stories from this past summer and tons of other posts coming soon as well. Stay tuned!! 🙂

Getting back into full swing..

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A few days ago I went walking with my aunt and our workout crew. We got out there early on Saturday morning and did about 7mi… It was quite refreshing. While it was a bit chilly, after 10 minutes in I found myself contemplating removing layers, I settled for taking off my scarf. I was so enthused by the eagerness of everyone to get back out into our routine. This group sets the intention to walk every Saturday rain or shine.. While the whole crew wasn’t there, us 4 ladies held it down. If you’re reading this right now and you are not motivated to workout and stay fit you have no excuse. If three 40+ BLACK women (I must emphasize black simply bc of the stereotypical reservations placed on women of color), and one 20+ woman can get out on a chilly Saturday morning and push the limits so can you.. Even if you don’t want to go outside, find something that interests you. I’ve learned that the easiest way to get back in the game is just jump in.. No contemplations, no questions!! With questions come excuses and you’ll find yourself one month before vacation trying to get in shape. Make it your lifestyle!Image

Winter Hibernation aka Laziness

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Somewhere between now and after my birthday, I have found myself wallowed in a stagnant pool of laziness. Between an extremely tight financial budget and the unappealing “feel” of winter, my inactivity could be described as deplorable. I have been doing martial arts, as well as dance, but the level of energy needed for me to exert during these activities is minimal. My fitness level has been built up to such where I need to do a lot, or be high impact about what im doing to see results. Another thing also saving me is my healthy diet.. The one thing ive been pretty consistent about lol.

Until I can figure out what I can do to reemerge my peak workouts there are a few things I do at home that i’m sure most you can do too. One thing I do everyday is pushups.. I have a set number I want to accomplish before the day is up (ie. 100,) so at every random opportunity I get (while home) ill do push ups in sets of 10. So lets say when I wake up in the morning, before I hop in the shower to leave ill do a set of 30. Once I get home in the evening, between cooking, working, or any random activity ill knock out the rest of the sets of 10 (either all together or spaced.) You can also do the same thing with  sit ups or crunches.. As soon as you get up, without thought, knockout between 30-50 (that will make 1 set.) Now its up to you as to how many sets your body can handle. Push yourself, but also listen to your body when it tells you to stop. As I noted in another post, jumping jacks are good to get the blood circulating as well… So if right now youre being lazy like me, or currently don’t have time for a gym, try a few of these activities out.. Theyll make a difference.