Determination is Key!

I know most if us struggle with staying motivated and focused on our fitness goals. There usually comes a time in which you say I have to do this, and you do. However, how hard you push yourself is an art form. You don't want to push yourself to injury but you don't want to undertrain either. So, a good rule is to do one more. If you have a specific number of reps that you can get through just as your muscles begin to burn, crank out one more. Challenging your body is the key to building strength and muscle. Also, if you can do 12-15 reps then ADD MORE WEIGHT!!!! Light weight is for beginners, the injured, or those who are deloading but normally lift very heavy. 

I plan on writing more about how you know if you're lifting the correct amount if weight. Hang in there! 

No Way Around It!

I would love it if I could gain muscle and endurance, lose weight, and be fit without doing anything but monitoring my diet. However, that is not how this works. Granted what you eat is essential to all those things but so is exercise. Both cardio and weight training. Without weight training you will lose muscle; which you do not want to happen. The benefits to getting that heart rate up with cardio and weight training are endless. You don't have to be a gymoholic, but you do have to be dedicated and persistent to get results. It doesn't take long before you start to feel and see the results. If you do only all cardio or only all weight lifting, you're missing out and cheating yourself, your body, and overall health. Get fit and improve your overall functioning by incorporating eating clean, performing at least 30 mins of cardio and 30 mins weight training, 4 times weekly. Your body will thank you. 

Emotional Eating.....Ugh!!!

We have all been there! I was there yesterday! Eating foods that I know will slow my progress and keep me from reaching my goals. One advantage that some individuals have over others is their workout regimen. Eating bad foods and working out is bad. Eating bad foods and not working out is deadly. So, yesterday about 5 fun size milky ways, some hot stuff popcorn, and a piece of key lime pie! Omg, that pie was the bomb!!!! Oh yeah and I had some Pringles. I count calories daily and yesterday I went over my daily allowance by like 10 calories. That would have been 410 calories had I not put in an hour worth of weight training and 200 push-ups. The thing is, developing an exercise routine that become habit/lifestyle, can save you on those poor diet/cheat days. You are entitled to those every now and again, but make them few and far in between. Emotional eating can kill your goals and your spirit, so utilize working out to combat those feeling or boredom that tends to plague us all every once in a while. Hang in there! 

I Will Not Quit!!!

Today was a challenge for me. I didn't go to the gym and ate a little bit of junk. I did get my 200 push-ups in but not being able to run has got me down a bit. I was going through my pics and came across the one used for this post and realized I have to stop focusing on what I can't do and get what I can do done! So, for at least the next 2 weeks I will have to continue focusing on my upper body. My arms are showing improvement and my bench press is building to a respectable weight. Lol! That is all. 

Don't Talk About It, Make It Happen!

I am one that usually does what I say I'm going to do. That doesn't mean I am immediately successful at it, but I will keep at it until I get it right. I have cheated myself for years with losing weight then gaining it back, not knowing I was doing more harm than good. Plus, it's not an easy task. However, you owe it to yourself and others to strive constantly to take care of your body. Most of us know what we need to do, now we must get out of our own way and make it happen! You have to get started and now is the time. 

I Got 99 Problems but a BENCH ain't one!

Today was my first day back in the gym and I killed my upper body workout. The push-ups have greatly improved my push, so I will continue those even after the June challenge is up. Today I maxed at 135lbs. That may not seem like a lot but it was to me before my injury and today it was not as hard as it has been. Plus I only had one leg for leverage. When I'm able to use my right leg, I will be able to ad more weight. So, my goal is to be bench pressing 150 or better by the end of the month. I think I can do it! You guys have no idea how great it feels to be back! 

My Worst Enemy.......Me.

Since I have not been able to lift weights or run I have had so many negative thoughts go through my mind. I actually have to check myself. The leg injury has set me back greatly. I have been out of the gym for 10 days now and I know I have lost some of the gains I worked so hard for. I have cut my calories dramatically to prevent weight gain and that really isn't the answer either. So, I have to dig deep and find some motivation. I think I will get dropped off at Monster Garage Gym after school today. I need to get some wisdom from my lifting buddies. I'll let you know how it goes.