Back Day Blasted!!!

There are two training days that I absolutely LOVE!!! Back and Leg Days. These days are so challenging and I think that's why I love them so. Hmmm.... Nevermind. LOL! Anyhoo...

Today was back day and for once I had my daughter and her boyfriend there to capture some video. I never really get that opportunity as I work out alone A LOT. I still worked out alone today but they were at the gym and videoed when I remembered to call them over. If I can figure out how to post the footage I will.

Tomorrow is MY MOST FAVORITE DAY...LEG DAY!!! I think this is because I want really lean and defined legs. I'm well on my way. I take pics of my entire body every 2 weeks and I must say that my legs are coming along. I still have a ways to go but I'm confident that I will get there.

On a side note. I've been getting tons of e-mails, texts, and social media messages from so many people that it's almost overwhelming. I have had tons of independent sports/fitness companies offer to send me clothing gear if I would wear it, take pics, video and post. I have done this for people I know but it's weird getting these offers and requests from people you don't know. It's kind of scary as you never know what their intentions are and I just don't click with everyone (ha ha, I rarely click with anyone). There are a couple that I am considering. One is a boxing apparel company that is contracted with the WBC, LBF, and other creditable entities. The other is a fitness clothing company based out of Florida. Lord knows I need more fitness clothing. Lol!

I've so been thinking of a fitness business venture. However, I'm not sure that it's something I want to explore alone. It's always good to have a partner or someone to bounce things off of. I also don't want to continue just thinking of things I want to do in the fit game... I actually want to do them!!! A really good friend of mine put more ideas in my head today. And she knows what limited space is there already from all my other fitness related ideas. I'm thinking before the end of summer I'm going to make a business move. I'll start small, and go from there. I plan on taking the Summer semester off from school and 1-2 months off from work. That will give me plenty of time. Until then, I will continue pulling things together and possibly land a dedicated partner or two.

Life Is Good!!!

I know I haven't posted in over a week but I've still been on my gym grind and I'm steady making progress. I can say that this first 30 days is closely coming to an end quick and I will be changing up my program a bit to avoid plataue. 

My schedule is riddled with things related to school, kids, work, the gym, friends, family, and just life. So, I will attempt to blog at least 2x weekly. This blog helps to  hold me accountable and I do need to be held accountable. I have come WAY too far to veer off in any other direction. 

And even though each day that I wake up presents a barrage of challenges, physically, mentally, and emotionally; I make a conscious choice to reject all negative things. Accepting in my life only positive things and people that are conducive to my inner peace. 

Sometimes it takes some situations to repeat themselves (sometimes over and over and over again) before you are able to get a real understanding of what's happening and why you must make a change before it negatively impacts you or your spirit. Life can be just like the fit struggle; it's not easy but you know you have to make some changes in order to see positive results. 

I'm continuing to transform in more areas in my life, in addition to fitness. We never stop learning, growing, or evolving into better states of being. My goal is to get better in every way I can. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. I can't risk allowing allowing anyone to interrupt that process and most times that means forging forward alone. I only have one life and when that life will be over, I don't know. But when I do go, I will go the best me possible. All that being said; Life Is Good!

 

It's my rest day!!! Going shopping, getting some homework done, and placing myself around some people who remind me what life is all about. Remember NEVER settle. 

Gains & Losses....

So, today I went to the doctor and was told that I gained 1.8 pounds of muscle, lost 1.5 inches in my waist, lost 4.something pounds in fat mass, but was retaining 2 pounds in water weight. I'll take it!!! This is in a 2.5 - 3 week period of time. I very pleased with the near 2 pound gain in muscle because I have been working hard at gaining muscle. So, I will continue doing what I've been doing. Taking the advice of those who have my best interest at heart. And pushing my body to every limit. 

Today I engaged in some kick ass cardio and ab work with a childhood friend of mine (Sylvia Flores). It was hard, but it felt so great to get through it! I'm truly addicted. I hate that it took me so long to arrive but now that I'm here I'm beyond excited! Now, I'm trying to get as many people as possible hooked on this drug called fitness as it is some good ishT. 

I know I've been behind in blogging but I'm back in school, working full-time, and managing life. I will continue to blog every chance I get! Promise!  😘

LEG DAY SUCCESS!!!

So, today was leg day and this week I lighted the load a lot and for a couple of reasons:
1). I am still trying to cut fat, while building muscle and increase my endurance. So, it was suggested that I lighten my WORK loads and increase my reps, so I did. I can say that it is not easier. I really think its harder! In fact, I know it's harder!!! I really would like to go back to heavy weight but I feel I would be cheating myself and my progress. Therefore, I will likely just add a few pounds and keep performing 4 sets of 20 reps.
2). I tweeked my knee running up my apartment stairs earlier this week so the lighter loads were helpful. I really do not want to put myself out of the gym by doing anything reckless.

So...It has been a successful week. This will be my 12th day straight training. Granted on Friday and Saturdays I have been doing mostly cardio and ab work. This weekend I plan on pushing myself to do some plyometics, HIIT, and a few push pull sets with the prowler.

I must say that I feel as though my body is starting to respond to the weight training. I was beginning to get worried that I was doing something wrong because I have the best fitness aI understand that I just need to give this time. I have a lot of work to do this first quarter of the year. I am 14 days in and by day 30 I plan on seeing some more great changes. Of course, I'll keep you posted!!!

MOTIVATION... LET'S FIND IT!!!

mo·ti·va·tion

ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/

noun

1. the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

   "escape can be a strong motivation for travel"

   synonyms:

   motive, motivating force, incentive, stimulus, stimulation, inspiration,inducement, incitement, spur, reason;  informalcarrot "his motivation was financial"

   • the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

     "keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation"

     synonyms:

     enthusiasm, drive, ambition, initiative, determination, enterprise; informalget-up-and-go "keep up the staff's motivation"

     
     
   • Every thought, action, or lack of action has a motivation behind it. The reasons we behave in a certain way may be as the result of large number of things (culture, upbringing, living environment, etc.). To us, our behavior is just want it is or it's "normal." Whatever normal is to you. However, when you become aware that a behavior you have engaged in FOREVER is harmful to your well-being or the well-being of others, there may be a call for change. WHOA!!! That's hard! Or is it? Of course it is silly!!! 

   
   

   • 
     
     
   • Things that appear too physically difficult many people avoid (helping people move, running upstairs to get something). We will choose the less physically taxing options (drive-thru windows, having someone else grab it for you, or making a kid do it) to avoid having to get off out asses. Trust me, I know. For me, after I had kids I would try and find any amount of time to rest or just sit and be still because I was taking care of kids all day and night. I have 6 kids so seeking that rest or still time became a habit that I had a difficult time breaking. Even after my kids were older, I had developed that sedentary lifestyle and it was hella difficult to break. Let me share with you what my motivation was...
   • 
     
     

  I have always kept up with getting annual physicals. Although the doctors may have changed over the years, I make sure to get my pap spear, health physical (including blood work), and mammogram yearly. Well last year, my doctor wanted to go over my blood results with me. He informed me that all my numbers came back great but I weighed Two-Hundred and ninety something pounds (as if I didn't know!). He then looked at me square in the eye and said "your numbers are good now, but they won't stay that way. And I'm terribly afraid that you are going to end up having a stroke."  I instantly became motivated! Motivated to avoid the agony, pain, and debilitating possibilities of a stroke. That's what we do as humans; avoid pain and seek pleasure. 

The point of this post is to get you to thinking about what would motivate you to either get started of keep you going in the right direction. Today, I have to say that my motivation is to unleash my inner WonderWoman! I'm talking about a totally fit, cut, sexiER me. I no longer worry about having a stroke or heart attack as I have cut those odds tremendously (and worrying about it does nothing anyways). But, my motivation is KEPT by being more fit tomorrow than am today. I'm always in total competition with myself. I AM MY OWN MOTIVATION! Now are there others that contribute to this, absolutely! But ultimately, I have to do the WORK!!! 

So, now it's your turn. If you have started and stopped in the past, let it go! Find whatever it is that will get you started and then find whatever it is that will keep you started. There is something!!  You may have to dig, but there is something! You are worth it and deserve to live a long and good life free of physical limitations or restrictions. And as long as you have air in your lungs, it's not too late. 

    

Refocused, plan, set, GO!

Well, it's been a full 7 days of training for me so last night I had a couple slices of pizza and a couple glasses of red wine. It's not often that I endulge so, why not!?!?

Leg day has rolled around again and as usual, I'm excited!!! I've been blogging my journey for some time now but since my focus has changed slightly I feel really excited and pumped for the things to come for me fitness wise.

Today, i just want to enjoy my training session. I may just live at the gym today. I plan on adding front squats to my leg day training as they are useful with keeping proper form in other exercises plus they are less taxing on the knees. I want to add some other stuff too like the overhead squat. I feel like my body is quickly adjusting to the movements I'm currently doing so I'm going to add some stuff and change up the order. 

I'm gonna revamp my upper body workouts as well. I'm in love with the cleans and the jerks (which suck when it comes to men), so I want to become fluent in them. They will also help me shred as they can be performed with cardio in mind. 

Abdominal work has been a thorn in my side (haha)! I never liked ab work but I must make it my friend. In boxing training, being hit lightly in the stomach with the medicine ball or while sparring is an effective way to wake up and work the abs. I'm going to get an effective ab routine together and encorporate it 3x a week beginning this week. 

Yesterday, I ran outside in the cold and all the sidewalks are covered in snow and ice so I ran against traffic in the street.  I'm sure that pissed some drivers off. Oh well. Anyhoo, i ran nearly 5 miles in 1hr4 mins which I'll take as it was my first day running in a while.

I love running! It's so freeing and once you are done you feel like there's nothing you can't do. I plan on running a ton over the spring and summer. I'll enter a few charity races and collect some bling! :-) I truly want to run a 1/2 marathon my next birthday which is in July. That's what I'm shooting for. By the time I'm 50, I want to run a full marathon! We shall see. 

WHAT I WANT out of all these fitness goals is to be fully functionally physically.  I don't want to have a bunch of muscle but can't run a mile. I don't want to be able to run 10 miles but can't open a jar of pickles! I want to be able to meet any physical challenge placed before me, whether in the gym or in day to day functions, with the physical ability to KILL IT!!! That's it that's all! The more physically fit and versitile I am, the better off I will and the better off the people I train will be. Whatever it is you decide to do, do it to meet your own personal goals and needs and not because you read some where or was told that's how it should be done!!! DO YOU!!!

RE-REFOCUSED!!! SMH...

Last night I hit the mitts for the first time in a VERY long time. I have to tell you that I was so disappointed in myself and my declining wind. My hands may have gotten faster, I may be more fluid with changing from conventional to south paw, but my conditioning has truly suffered. It's probably from my focus on lifting more than engaging in cardio. What am I saying probably...that's exactly what it is! Can't even entertain lying to myself for feelings sake. I was running a lot of miles in decent time and I just stopped to weight train!!! The pads opened my eyes!

When I got home last night, I could barely sleep. Here I have accepted a fight for May, then I give up all the cardio gains I worked so hard for?!?!? What was I thinking!?!?!? Phucking idiot!!! I mean I should have kept both and built up both; strength and wind! I've done it before and I'm about to do it again!!! I just lost focus. I lost focus worrying about all the wrong things. My fault none the less. No one or thing or things should have that type of power or ability to pull me that far left. Well, as of 12am this morning, when I walked out of the gym, I have recliamed my power and will continue my lifting splits, running, and boxing my heart out!!! I may not be able to lift 405lbs but it's okay for now! 

I have to shred fat with cardio and weight training. I have to increase my wind capacity with hard cardio. Boxing and running will be that hard cardio! I have to gain strength and build muscle with weight training which I'm currently doing so I'm halfway there! Welcome back cardio!

This process is about to be off the chain!!! Will it be easy? Hell no! I've been here before with this the same trainer and at times I hated his guts! He put me through hell in training, but I also did the same for him (I guess payback is a Biiiach)!!!! It's actually a beautiful thing! When you are pushed and give all that you have within you while training, what you have to do in the ring becomes more clear and more easily attainable.  

I'm really very excited about my plan and I will emerge victorious!!! I can literally visualize my results. We all know I'm trying to unleash my inner super hero WonderWoman, and that is exactly what is about to happen!!! There are many that doubt my abilities and that makes this journey even better! The doubters merely sit on the sidelines talking ishT, fat as hell, winded and wounded, while I continuously show and prove. Now,  WATCH MY WORK!