Okay, so at this point in our gym-ing ways, we've probably seen some toning, shrinkage and most importantly — stamina. Hooray!
For me, I chose 9Round Fitness. And all it takes is 30 minutes. It's a full-body circuit training with an emphasis on kickboxing. There's even one within walking distance from my place so I have no excuse! At this point, I've been going for three weeks, three times a week. I love the results I've seen my body go through. I have tighter arms and my hamstrings look and feel amazing! I learn how to do new exercises each time while also getting to do what's called Trainer Drills during the kickboxing rounds. Those focus on combinations you have trouble with (jab, cross, uppercuts, etc.) or if you've mastered those as second nature, you can also introduce new ones during those drills! I never leave my 30 minute workout without dripping in sweat. If you do decide to do the traditional route, stick to what you know. Don't be intimidated by the gym nuts who stare at themselves in the mirror as they deadlift 70 lbs. Really? If what you're comfortable with is a Stair Master, do it. Cycling. Do it! Walking on a treadmill. Do it! Going into the farthest and darkest corner and doing arm curls with 5 lb dumbbells? Do. It. It doesn't matter where you start, all that matters is that you start. Build up your stamina even more while building your confidence. Let me know what gym avenue you decide to take! Since 9Round is only 30 minutes, let's stay on the same level and keep your workout only 30 minutes as well. We will bump it up to 45 minutes in our next installment of Gym Like You Want It! Keep in mind to stick to Health Like Me's homepage to see an updated Favorite Blog(her) on the 25th that goes along with this episode of Gym Like You Want It. Archives
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To access our full potential in the world, we have four reservoirs of energy that we can tap into. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is important to know that one of these reservoirs cannot function without the other. They all influence one another.
Rather than simply telling you about the video, my goal here is to encourage you to watch the video yourself. It's not long - only 22 minutes! I included the link below. But, take a look at some of my notes in picture form that I thought helped yours truly reach her full potential. P.S. - still a work in progress! Share your note-taking pictures (or just words) of what you took away from Tony Schwartz's course with the rest of us below! Who knows? Maybe you picked up on something I didn't...
I'm a firm believer in laughter being great for your mental health. That being said, I'm going to share with y'all this hilarious post I stumbled upon from Bolde.com. And when I say "stumbled upon", it's good that you know I mean "read all the stories under the tag 'Single AF'. Guilty. So for this episode of Monday Mental Motivation we are going to laugh as well as see why I chose 23 Pieces of Advice Single Women Can't Stand - How We Really Want to Respond to coincide with the mental health of single women like me. Also.... can I follow the author of this post? She seems awesome. funny,It's pretty laughable that someone I don't even remotely know feels my pain and expresses it verbally the same way I do every time one of these phrases are even mentioned in my general direction. The author's tone for her post is creatively sarcastic and screams "I'm fed up and irritated with your slightly judgy undertone!" And rightly so! Are you even trying to hid your condescension anymore? I have responded to each one of these phrases more times than I'd like to count politely and frankly, you're lucky I just don't say what Halle does. |
I have a few favorites that I "love" hearing: 7. "Stop Being So Picky" - This one I probably hate hearing the most because whenever someone says it to me, it's as if they want me to just go out with whatever (yes...whatever) says "hi" to me first. Sorry I want to be with someone who stimulates ALL of my senses. Sorry I don't want to settle and be unhappy in 20 years. You know what goes through my mind when I hear this phrase?: "you don't deserve to get what your heart desires." So let me just stop you there because my normal response to this is to not respond at all. 4. "Have You Tried Online?" - Yes, and I stand by my original anathema to the stupid fad. I've been hit up by the lizard looking guys, the extremely and disrespectfully forward guys, and the one guy that went further than a few messages ended up ghosting me after a few meet-ups. I'm going to assume somehow, somewhere it's my fault and I'm being too picky. 12. "You're Never Going To Meet Someone Sitting In Your Apartment" - My mother is the worst culprit of this one! I get it. Staying within a routine day-in-and-day-out only affords me to see the same guys that I've already written off. But believe me when I say I will not go to a bar by myself or any kind of speed dating JUST to find a guy. I believe in the organic magical meeting. What can I say I'm a romantic! One expression I'd love to add to Halle's refreshing take is when my mom says that I "should wear makeup more and dress to impress, you never know who you might see." Okay, let me just spend hours globbing on pore clogging foundation and weird color eye shadows before I squeeze into a barely breathable outfit. If I meet and hit it off with a guy, he should see how I truly am. And if I don't feel comfortable and secure, I'm sure he'd pick up on that right away! |
connection,
There's something that goes through the mind of a woman who hears these phrases coming at her from all sides. For one, I'm dealing with enough trying to figure out if I'm the problem. I put myself through a lot mentally - as I'm sure other's in my predicament do, too - with lots of "why's" and "what if's". My confidence is going through the ringer enough as it is. So in order for me to take care of my mental health, just stop, keep your face to yourself and realize that it's hard enough out here without your unsolicited advice. |
It happens annually. And the time frame surrounding the month and a half leading up to Easter is referred to as many things: Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), Lent, Ash Wednesday, etc.
For many across the nation, Lent can probably be seen as a do-over for your New Years' Resolutions - even though it shouldn't be because Lent falls under the religion category and your resolutions -- well -- do not.
But if you gave up anything for your resolution and it fell through within the second week of January, you might actually want to use Lent as a re-do! And that's a-okay! However, let's take it a step further and really test ourselves. Instead of doing your usual no sodas or no coffee for 40 days and 40 nights, do it the whole year!
Yay challenge!
I thought of a few common and some not-so-common "give ups" that we all could benefit from health wise. All of us could come up with more of what I call "first world pleasures" if we try hard enough. But for now, I think four is manageable to start off with!
For many across the nation, Lent can probably be seen as a do-over for your New Years' Resolutions - even though it shouldn't be because Lent falls under the religion category and your resolutions -- well -- do not.
But if you gave up anything for your resolution and it fell through within the second week of January, you might actually want to use Lent as a re-do! And that's a-okay! However, let's take it a step further and really test ourselves. Instead of doing your usual no sodas or no coffee for 40 days and 40 nights, do it the whole year!
Yay challenge!
I thought of a few common and some not-so-common "give ups" that we all could benefit from health wise. All of us could come up with more of what I call "first world pleasures" if we try hard enough. But for now, I think four is manageable to start off with!
So pick your poison, keep notes for the next year and see yourself on the other side!
Archives
LOL.
Actually, here's just part two of HealthLikeMe's gym time. For today's post we'll do butt, lower abs, some simple cardio and inner thighs -- my worst nightmare!
As an added bonus to this post, I'll share with you a mini-playlist to go along with these exercises.
cARDIO:
I've never been huge on cardio. When I was younger and religiously doing sports, the only thing exercises like running did was keep weight off me. Cue the nostalgic "issues you still wish you had" eye roll. But now running still sucks but for the reason of my boobs playing their own game of Paddle Ball on my rib cage.
Nevertheless...
Nevertheless...
- Jumping Jacks - I have started incorporating a minimum of 25 into my morning routine. Seriously! That's it! Just a quick something to get my heart rate going, wake me up, and duh - work out.
- Burpees - everyone's favorite; do the favorite number thing I suggested in the first Gym: The Minimalist Way (I wouldn't go over 10, though)
Ass:
Should I be all proper and say it correctly? Gluteus Maximus... Nahhh!
But man do I love...
But man do I love...
- Squats - I am determined to make my best asset my ass. Research shows that anyone with a good pair of knees can do this exercise. However, do be careful to do your squats the proper way! Sit back like a chair is right behind you butt.
2. Fire Hydrants
3. Butt Ups
4. Donkey Kicks/Kick Back Crossovers
All four of these are so difficult to describe. I always look over my shoulder to make sure I'm doing them right! My suggestion would be to google or search on Pinterest for them. My description for how to do them might have you throw out your back.
3. Butt Ups
4. Donkey Kicks/Kick Back Crossovers
All four of these are so difficult to describe. I always look over my shoulder to make sure I'm doing them right! My suggestion would be to google or search on Pinterest for them. My description for how to do them might have you throw out your back.
Lower Abs
In our gym part one, we worked out our obliques and the main part of our abs. Unfortunately, there's one more part of the core muscle family. It's the part that we affectionately call our "food baby" after a good burrito meal. To get our food baby holders toned up, let's try:
- Butterfly/Scissor Kicks - lay flat; hands under butt; lift upper body inches from ground; left legs about a foot off the ground. For butterfly kicks, just alternate slightly raised legs up and down. Same position for scissor kicks but instead of alternating legs up and down, spread legs apart and cross over the other back and forth like scissors do!
- Crunches - self explanatory and you've probably been doing these ever since middle school P.E.
- V-Ups - see fun GIF below!
Any at home exercises you'd like to share? Leave me a comment below and it could show up on the next Gym post here! And as always: Do It For The Booty!
Archives
The first time I said a truly and definitive no to a request that clearly shouldn't have even been asked was so liberating I just had to do it again - five years later.
LOL.
But let me tell you, this most recent no, while at first gave me serious heart palpitations, was just as freeing if not more so than the first. I just hope it won't be another five years before I get the chance to assert how much I value my well-being! Maybe if I remember these six results of standing up for myself and then not being worried about thinking of an excuse as to why, my next time won't feel so fretful.
LOL.
But let me tell you, this most recent no, while at first gave me serious heart palpitations, was just as freeing if not more so than the first. I just hope it won't be another five years before I get the chance to assert how much I value my well-being! Maybe if I remember these six results of standing up for myself and then not being worried about thinking of an excuse as to why, my next time won't feel so fretful.
Learn who you are
When you say a quick no to weekend plans, you open up a world of possibilities you may not have known about. That park you always wanted to read your book at or that brewery at the boardwalk by your home that has the best turkey burger. It could even mean you recuperating from a crazy work week by getting a good sleep. Say yes to yourself and in the long run you'll feel emotionally and mentally stable; while also giving you a chance to learn more about who you are and who you want to be paving the way to a self-assured you.
becoming Brave, Confident and independent
The two examples of me saying no in the introduction to this post? Those were said to people who I put into the category of "frenemy" or "Small Dose Friends". You know, the ones that will run roughshod over you if you let them? Distancing yourself from those negative energies that zap you dry will make you a stronger person. Be brave and confident and let them know you are a person with feelings, too. Assert your independence.
Respect yourself
There is nothing wrong with wanting to please the right people. I repeat: THE RIGHT PEOPLE. And even there's a limit to doing that. But that limit aside, we are all entitled to a certain amount of respect. Saying yes to any and every things means you don't respect your own well-being or your time. Individuals in your life can pick up on that subconsciously and therefore not respect you as well. Break out the Aretha if you need a fun reminder about the word RESPECT.
less stress and more time
There are moments where I dread the anticipation leading up to an event that I prematurely said yes to. So much so that I literally have a quick dance party if the plans eventually fall through. But imagine if I had initially said no. How much my stress level wouldn't have shot through the roof? How much time I would have saved if I hadn't been planning some excuse to get me out of it? All that time could have been devoted to something I personally wanted to do on "me time".
burnout
Feeling burned out makes you feel lousy. Duh! Personally, I'd rather feel burned out from working productively, blogging, or hell, even crying over yet another guy who didn't notice me - but that's a different topic for another blog. You never want to feel burned out from something you could have controlled if you had thought about what YOU had wanted a little bit more
Prioritize your priorities
What are YOUR priorities? Every time someone asks you for/to do something, 9 times out of 10, it has to do with what they want or how it would benefit them (remember those "small dose friends"). When you say no, you leave the door open for what you consider more of a priority! Restructuring your resume? Say no to going to the bar to watch the basketball game. Trying to eat better and don't want to gorge on chips and salsa at On The Border? It's alright! And the friends that matter to you and care about you will understand.
** No articles were "harmed" in the making of this post. Got to love experience, right? **
** No articles were "harmed" in the making of this post. Got to love experience, right? **
Why No "Why?"
So you said no to plans with a group of friends? What's next is the dreaded, "Well, why not?". The automatic defensive response you want to give is, "Because I said so." But you know what's an even more powerful response than that?!
Silence.
A "why" isn't always needed and us as females almost always are expected to give a reason or an excuse to pardon why your "no" was given. Just don't.
Men aren't expected to. So why should we?
So the next time a "why?" or "why not?" is asked, try empowering yourself by not responding! An internal "no!" so to speak.
Silence.
A "why" isn't always needed and us as females almost always are expected to give a reason or an excuse to pardon why your "no" was given. Just don't.
Men aren't expected to. So why should we?
So the next time a "why?" or "why not?" is asked, try empowering yourself by not responding! An internal "no!" so to speak.