Workout Free Weekend

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My weekend was workout free, 

 

I decided not to be a superwoman and take it easy a couple of days out of the week. However, it was very active. I decided to sign up and volunteer with the Houston Humane Society and help them out at one of their mobile locations. We met bright and early at the facility, walked the dogs that were selected for the mobile (all still available for adoption if interested they range from 4 months – 2 years), loaded them up and went to Tom Bass Pro/Outdoor World. I underestimated the vastness of this place. It was like a mall for everything you would need for hunting, camping, fishing, atving and some. It was an amazing place. I would love to go back if I ever decide to deal with wildlife. LOL. Anyways my dog of the day was Winter. She was a 4 month old lab mix (Who I mistook for a boy LOL) and she was very cute. She was cuddly, she was a little shy but everyone who petted her she wagged her tail for. I taught her to climb the stairs and fed her a million treats and after a few hours, she was exhausted. She stopped walking with me at one point and just had the most cute exhausted expression ever. So, you know what I did? I did this:

 

 

Held her like the baby she was. She let me and I took advantage. I kept handing her off to people and they ate it up. She almost got adopted this way a few times. LOL. My dog never allows me to hold him like this he has far too much spunk to be associated with this cuddly calm hold, so I had to get my 30 minutes in. After the mobile I helped out at the facility for a few more hours and went home to shower and change. I started to study for the GMAT, and almost forgot an appointment I had at Walgreens. In order to get into school you have to have a meningitis shot and I have no clue if I ever got one. So I got one. I then proceeded to go to the store and I had a craving for Crab Legs. I made them a little too spicy but it was sooooo goood! 

 

Yum. So I ended the day with a movie. Iron Man. MAN HOLD UP! It was amazing. Must see I recommend it! So I finally passed out. Sunday I spent the day with my dog, studied for 2 hours and went to brunch with a friend at Baby Barnaby’s and the dog park and ended the night with a few Reality TV shows.  Action packed eventful, and not a single workout was done. This week however Monday – Thurday! It goes down! 

 

Revamping my Workout Schedule

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As my schedule fills up with things to do;

  • GMAT preparation
  • Humane Society Volunteering
  • Personal time
  • Grad school applications and Meet and Greets

I have to re-arrange my workout schedule. I typically workout in the morning if I work a later shift at work, but I am working a very early shift this month and I usually workout after work. No sweat. Well, Yes, Being that I have added 3 extra things to my life, I realize I did not leave anytime for working out. I mean I am finally at the place I wanted to be at in my fitness journey and I cannot let myself get back to the near 200lbs I was! So I decided the solution is to workout during lunch. Sure, yeah no one wants to do that but I feel like I just meander during my lunch. I sit at my desk, and I read blogs. That takes me zero effort. Today, I burned 348 calories with a 20 minute cardio session and 1 round of weights. I actually had a good time doing it too. Hopefully as your life fills up with things to do or accomplish, do not let them get in the way of your fitness goals! Stay motivated!

 

GMAT Adventures

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Yaaaaayyyy I’m going to take the GMAT!

*record scratch* No. I am not elated, I am currently reviewing what I am up against and I am now realizing. I should have started studying MONTHS ago. I plan on taking the GMAT sometime at the end of next month (AHHH!) I can get with reading and comprehension, those have been my strong subjects throughout my life, but the Quantitative portion of this test. Jesus, Allah, and Jehovah, help me! I have not seen an integer since sophomore year in college, and an isosceles triangle since the early 2000′s. I am rusty. I know with a little patience and hours of crunching I can wing it. I am excited to embark on this post graduate trek, HOWEVER, I believe that this entrance test is pure malarkey. I guess my student loan debt receipt and my diploma is not enough to get me into grad school.

Oh wells, many before me have had to take this test, and I have asked a few friends and acquaintances how do they feel about the GMAT? A lot of it was not that positive. One person even looked at me like I had 6 heads when I asked them about their experience. One reason a friend gave me is that it is difficult, because the test adapts to you (making it difficult to prepare and study) two because it’s about stuff we will never in life get to use unless we are an engineer, biochemist, or an architect. I look forward to spending the 250.00 and I better pass with flying colors, because Sallie Mae has a death grip hold on my bank account. I cannot afford to take this test this year again. So wish me luck!!

*disclaimer I am not usually this cynical but based on what I am reviewing I feel overwhelmed*

15 minute Ab Workout

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Happy Thursday!

I started out my day in a huge rush. My alarm did not blair this morning and I was appalled. How dare my trusty alarm I have had since 12 not go off! So I rushed to get dressed and out the house in 15 minutes. I am here, I am sore from yesterday’s workout and I have a picture! I posted it on Instagram and it looks like my one ab is getting some shine. This is so exciting. One Ab that’s my nickname!

Ignore the baby wipes. I hit the elliptical machine and did my 3 sets of 30 seconds exercise I posted in a previous blog (here). Boy my lats are feeling it. I also discovered I may have a possible groin injury. I felt a knot on my right side where my hip connects to my pelvic bone. It only mildly hurts when I press down on it and when I cough it stays in place. Meh. Today I will workout my core I found an interesting 15 minute workout for abs on Pinterest. Pumps and Iron is the name of her blog. I haven’t had a moment to read any of her other posts but trust me I will!

15-Minute Ab Workout

This workout is broken down into three sections and you’ll rest for 30 seconds in between each.

15-minute ab workout

First Sequence

Complete three rounds of the following exercises. Don’t take a break between rounds.

  • 30 seconds Windshield Wipers: Lay on back, legs perpendicular to the ground and arms outstretched for support. Lower your legs to the right, twisting your hips, until they are just hovering above the ground. Lift back to starting position and over to the left side. Continue back and forth in a windshield wiper motion.
  • 30 seconds Bicycle Crunches: Lay on back, hands behind head. When you crunch up towards your bent left knee, your right leg should be extended out and not touching the ground. Switch sides, crunching over towards the right with your left leg extended. Continue in a fluid, cycling motion.
  • 30 seconds Boat Pose: If you practice yoga, you’re probably familiar with boat pose. Sit in a “V” pose with legs held straight up at about a 45-degree angle with the ground and arms out straight. If it’s too difficult to keep your legs straight, bend them at the knee for Half Boat Pose. Hold for the 30 seconds.

Second Sequence

Complete three rounds of the following exercises. Don’t take a break between rounds.

  • 30 seconds Side Plank Lifts (right side): Start in a side plank position. Lower your hips towards the ground, and then lift upwards, crunching into an arch passed your original straight plank position. Continue lowering and raising.
  • 30 seconds Side Plank Lifts (left side)
  • 30 seconds Elbow Plank: A plank…on your elbows/forearms.

Third Sequence

Complete three rounds of the following exercises. Don’t take a break between rounds.

  • 30 seconds Reptile Planks: Bring your left knee (bent out to the side and parallel to the ground) up to your left elbow, crunching your obliques. Repeat on the right side.
  • 30 seconds Crunch Pulses: For these, you’ll be holding a crunch position (shoulders off the ground) and pushing your hands through your legs, making small ab contractions (crunch pulses).
  • 30 seconds Leg Hover Hold: Lay on your back with hands by your sides for support. Lift your legs off the ground a couple inches and hold. Really engage your core; try to keep the small of your back on the ground and resist arching your back.

Looks challenging enough!  I also discovered a very inspiring blog through fitfluential.com About a woman who was ridiculed and called Precious by her college professor and turned that embarassing painful moment into inspiration to get fit. Home girl is looking GREAT. Read her story here.

Look at her transformation! It is absolutely inspiring. She has a lot to say, she is encouraging and most of all she is so down to earth!

What are your fitness goals today?

Have you ever had a groin injury?

Who inspires you?

It’s Finally Here!

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So,

 

I have slaved away, worked out relentlessly,  even on days I did not want to. Yesterday, I FINALLY saw some definition! It is beginning!!!  I have wondered if this day would come. I wondered, if all the clean eating, push ups, and circuits were all in vain. Well 6 weeks into a consistent workout regimen and a better diet ( I have cheated), it’s here! I know you are supposed to be patient, and I am working on that trait, but YES!

This just goes to show you even if you don’t see it, it pays off. Hard work gets the results, and someone can tell you that until you are blue in the face, but, until you physically start to see it, it is not a reality. I know I am not the only one out there who set a goal and thought they would be there a little quicker than they anticipated. Being tall makes it that much more difficult for me to shed pounds. Seriously. I can lose inches like no tomorrow, but pounds. Pshh. My body is against it. I am convinced! lol. So I hope this motivates someone to keep going, keep striving, keep pushing. It will show. It will manifest. I am a testimony! I will post pictures of my one ab later. LOL . (Really there’s just one). Right now I have a water baby (Stomach is full o water).

Oh. Side Note. I do not recommend drinking 2 protein shakes with in a 3 hour period. You will signal that your body just ate a very large meal, and whatever you ate previously will be on it’s way. Learn from my error. O_O (TMI but seriously! I wished someone would have warned me!)

 

Stadium Sprint Challenge

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If you like a great challenge, then a stadium sprint is definitely a way to go. Tribesports has put together a workout that will work your upper, lower body and core. The best thing of it all is that you can use your own body weight. I am considering doing it sometime this week. I live where I have access to stairs (stadium not needed if you do not live close to one). I love that Tribesports puts up new challenges every week and day. It is refreshing to switch up the routine and keep it spicy. Follow them on Instagram as well, they have some really awesome challenges of the day that they post. Mini Circuits and Supersets galore!. Click the picture to take the challenge

stadiumsprints

In other news:

I went to Las Vegas this weekend and had a blast! It was a nice little birthday get away with some amazing friends from Dallas. We did everything we wanted to do! We walked, ziplined, danced, ate, toured, gambled, rode bulls, shopped. You get the point. I walked at least 10 miles each day. At least it felt like it. Here are a few pictures.

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Tribesports Giveaway!

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Tribesports is having a product giveaway! If you are like me, you probably love free things. (Lord knows I do!) All you have to do is Tribesports here and list the reasons why you train! I train because I want to keep away the hereditary diseases that run in my family(High blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, ect), I want to be healthy, and I want to look good naked (honest truth)! Why do you train? You will be able to win one of 3 Tribesports T Shirts  15 chances to win a pair of elasticated lock laces and one winner will have their ‘I train because….’ answer turned into one of our inspirational images! So come on! Let’s all win together!