Livingloca’s Hot Bodyblog

Injured or sore knees are no fun if you love to run.  I took last week off from running (hated it, hated it!) but knew that I needed to give my sweet knees a rest and get them strong again for future running.  As wimpy as I felt not running last week, I substituted the elliptical and the bike in its place. (umm….biking is not easy if you are at full throttle!!)  I can happily say that I ran today without any of my knee paraphernalia… straps, wraps, etc.  Yay!!!   I was able to run today AND SPRINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I may not be a long-distance runner, but I can fly like the wind!!  (I alway wonder if the people around me think I am totally nuts!!)  LOL!!  So I am back in the saddle with my running and yes, I will follow the advice of my sweet friend, Strongforgood, and not run rampant on the concrete streets.

Yesterday I was in SuperTarget getting my grocery shopping done.  I am wearing shorts and a tank top and I have to say… I have to learn to keep my "blinders" on.  LOL!!!    I walk through the store, minding my own business, getting my things, but the looks I get.  I try to ignore them, but its starting to bother me! I am talking about women.  I later realized it was because I had a tank on and women’s eyes would lock on my arms, my shoulders.  I have subtle definition, so it kinda weirds me out.   As these women look me up and down. (You know, that total obvious "look down then up" look) ha ha.  Kinda makes you want to say "whatcha looking at?"  LOL.   I smile at them… yes, a genuine smile.  Because you know what?  If figure if women are noticing my arms or my shoulders and that helps them to think "gee… I should workout"  well,  that’s great.   I was just commenting to my sister yesterday how there have been several friends and women from the gym that love to ask me questions about nutrition/diet, ab routines, weights and cardio.  It’s really a compliment to have them ask… and I will help them in any way I can.  If I can get to the level of where I’m at… by goodness sake, I want them to do it too!!  And for the record, I don’t want to look like the "typical" mom.  Who wants that? lol!!!    Don’t even get me started on the old, tired mom look…. lol…..

Just this morning a friend from the gym asked me to show her one of my ab routines.  She asked how long should she do it until she gets good abs.  I told her she could work on her abs to eternity, but it takes leaning out to see the definition.  She asked if she would have to give up margaritas… I laughed.  Told her she could have them (and chips/salsa) on her cheat day and mine is Friday.  But you have to jump back on your healthy eating otherwise that nibble of cookie or those other drinks during the week will take away from the 3500 cal goal of shedding that pound and who wants to work their way backwards (as I was telling a good friend this yesterday)   So as she was trying one of my ab exercises, she said her back was not strong enough to hold the weighted ball… so it will take babysteps to get that back strong and on the way to have some sweet, sweet abs

And BTW, who let the floodgates of people in the gym today?  As they arrived in droves….  it was like an ocean of shorts in there, tripping over them.  Like the start of January, they all overate and overdrank (like us all) during the 2 week Hurrication we had as a result of Hurricane Ike.  Why did it seem like such a party when it was really a natural disaster in some parts of our city? lol.  There were parties galore and neverending food… I’m talking GOOD GOOD food.  Steaks, shrimp pasta, roast, grilled chicken breasts, Beef Tenderloin… you name it, it was at the parties (probably bc we also had to tap into the frozen stuff before it went bad!lol)  But the dessert gallery at my bff’s house… omg.  And of course… the BOOZE.  LOL!  So many parties and ALOT of drinking going on.  Who said not having A/C and power had to be boring?? 

So as they say, the party is over!  This girl has kicked it back into gear and saying goodbye  to indulgences (okay, maybe some ) and is determined to reach those fitness goals!  Of course who will thank me for this???????   Those saaaweet little bikinis in my bikini drawer…….

Keep it fun and keep training hard!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE my gym time!  I truly enjoy every morsel of progress that results from me being in the gym.  I have to admit, these last couple of weeks were not the best weeks.  Yes, we had Hurricane Ike come barreling through our city and unfortunately, shut Houston down a bit, but it recovered rather quickly.  A few select grocery stores opened and restaurants started doing business–that was a good sign.  I didn’t suffer much because of lack of electricity (but I did whine about it after it started to get hot) but what changed?  My gym started to observe the citywide CURFEW!!!! Ugh! 

You see, I get up at the crack of dawn… 4:45 am. to hit the gym.  I get my weights in and follow-up with 45 mins of intense cardio.  With the new curfew hours, the gym decided to open at 6:30 am!  Argh!!!  This would mean that I would have to lie awake and restless in bed for over an hour– ancy, ready and waiting to get to the gym!

 The motivating factor of getting your tush in the gym is how it makes you feel.  The progress your body makes and well, seeing such results in the mirror lights a fire for me.  I try to think that I eat well and try to eat rather "clean".  At 39 years old, I relish the changes my body has made and am totally and completely surprised that I have been able to achieve it.  It’s funny, this Summer I saw college girls at the gym and you know what?  I don’t even wince…. lol!!  I am stronger, faster and fitter than most and yet, this body has had 3 kids!   Not being snotty or cocky about it, but I have had total and complete dedication to my training.  I enjoy the fact that I have busted my tail through countless hours of cardio and lifting and it has been so well worth it!  My fellow gymrats are encouraging and well, make it even more fun to make it to the gym! 

So it is with great pleasure that I will be back at my normal early bird gym time this coming week.  The curfew has been lifted! Yee Haw!!!!!!  

I felt this morning like a bionic woman.  lol.  Only because I was wearing extra gear to keep my knees from aching. A blue patella strap on one knee and a knee wrap on the other.  LOL!!!!  WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?  No, don’t say it!!

Before Hurricane Ike graced us with his presence, I was in the middle of doing two cardio sessions a day (somedays) to fire up my metabolism and lean out again.  Seems my vacationing put a few pounds on and it was driving me crazy! Then, the storm came through Houston and the ground was saturated and the streets were slick.  I was chomping at the bit to go running so bad!!! Finally, a couple of days later it all dried up and yes…….  euphoria….. :D  

My gym shut down during this time period because of no power so my alternative was to run the streets like a street rat.  lol.  I ran everyday and noticed my knees were a little sore. A friend of mine got on to me about running on concrete and said it was going to hurt me… okay…. I’m afraid she was right.  So I have tried to cut back, but this morning I jumped back on the train again…. and yep… it was a little achy.   So I will lay off of running and do the bike or elliptical until I can get it back to my spunky self again.  The bad thing of it all is……. I LOVE TO SPRINT!  What am I going to do to get that RUSH??? 

In the meantime, I will take this in stride and try not to feel like I’m getting older.  Goodness!  Parts wear out when you get older??  LOL!!  

Keep your workouts fun and keep training hard!

So yes…..I can be soooooo nutty. My bff’s can tell you that. If you were locked up in a room with me… I would have you rolling laughing in tears!! Oh, wait a second… that’s what we did today! Whether its strongforgood or kltexas, there truly is never a dull moment!
I was at the gym yesterday, warming up on the treadmill with strongforgood next to me and we venture from one topic to the next….omg. I was laughing so hard (crazy silly stuff) that I’m in tears!! I even hit my head on the treadmill!!! lol! A few of our gymrats know that it takes very little to amuse ourselves…but we do a darn good job at it!!

Something always unexpectedly said/heard can be quite shocking, espec if you are very shy.. Shy? what is that?? LOL! I’m such a social butterfly that, well, I could talk to the wall if it would talk back!

The beauty of comedic ingenuity is pure and simple–a relentless mind that has a drive for shock value. What’s the point if you don’t get a puzzled shocked look when u say something?? GO for shocking!! Go for fun!!! lol!!!!!  As long as it brightens someone’s day or it brings a smile to their face… my job is done!!

Lately, HUMOR has been what has gotten me thru this last week of no power due to Ike. (Tina [Turner] coulda told us he was nasty!! ) Heck, I’m hot and a bit miserable now….woke up bc I heard a fly/mosquito buzzing about me and am swearing bc just about 75 percent of the friends in our neighborhood have power!!! My fit bodyspace friend (and funny guy too!) Tickingheart, thinks its time I invest in a nice orange extension cord to suck some electrical juice from the neighbors across the street! LOL!!!

So I am am keeping my cool (somewhat bc the "cool" front is starting to warm up now) and well, the funnest thing right now is to focus on my awesome workouts!!! (and my husband wonders why I come home from the gym in SUCH A GREAT MOOD??) Pure fun! Giggles at 5:30 am?? Insane? I guess I am! What’s the point if you don’t have a good time while working out! That’s what I love about my quality time at the gym… keeping it fun but also keeping totally focused and keeping those workouts intense. 

So always… have fun with your gym time, get some gymrats to back you and lighten things up in your life.  Even though I’m still without power… the sun is shining, I’m  healthy and strong and, well, I have my giggles to keep me going through the day…. that is truly my true power source for me… 

 ps. I am determined to kick someone’s bootay in a challenge to get lean! (bru ha ha ha)

Well… I have never been through a Hurricane, but this was a whirlwind.  Ok, I don’t like living without power but it has been interesting.  Funny how something like this can create new friendships in the neighborhood and well, just makes people a little more friendlier.  I’m always the chit-chat girl, so talking to strangers (although my mommy warned me about that– lol) is very easy for me.  My 9 yr old asked me why it was so easy for me to talk to people I don’t know (in social situations) and I told her… "think about it this way… they may be shy and if you open up to them, it takes the pressure off of them and you make them feel comfortable!  That’s whats nice– you talk and they listen and it will draw them to feel comfortable and open up to you".  So… walking down the streets of our hood waving to people and asking if they need help has been nice.

The kids do not have school this week… and i guess i could say that about most people and their work.  I’m getting a bit tired of the whole candle thing at night, and haven’t seen anything on tv (despite our handheld tv) so I feel a bit out of touch with the world.   I can say, that as soon as the streets dried up, I was on the pavement running my heart out!  I couldn’t wait to get the oxygen flowing again and get that runner’s high.  Saaaweet!!!

I have made it to the gym every day in the morning (not my normal 5 am time) only because we have "curfew" hours that the gym is following… geez.  I have been getting my cardio and weights in and wow… what a difference that makes.  I only missed 2 days of working out during Ike’s wrath on Houston.  Despite eating lavishly during this last week (parties, gatherings every night)  I am doing well at staying lean and yes…. those abs are still shining bright!*  LOL! 

The last couple of weeks I have really upped my cardio intensity and running the streets has taken it on my knees.  oops.  Its that darn concrete!!  So I am feeling a bit worn, wearing my little patella knee strap… but HEY!  I LOOK LIKE AN ATHLETE wearing it!!! lol!!  Gotta love that!

I have had soooooo many laughs lately…. omgoodness!!  Strongforgood’s home has turned into my personal Red Cross haven… lol!!  She has been such a sweet friend–I’ve taken laundry over there (and umm… she did it for me).  She has had gatherings/parties there almost every night (great party gal) and that sinful girl… she’s making a spectacular chocolate cake tonite for another gathering.  I’ve used her house as a hair dryer station, come over everyday to charge my phone and Ipod, and well, the list goes on.  A sweet, sweet friend!

So, despite no electricity, my spunky nature is still intact, I’m still having fun, giggling my head off and enjoying my workouts.   Damn, its nice to be able to enjoy an awesome workout and truly enjoy the progress and results that come from it!!!

 Keep it fun and keep training hard!

What are we supposed to do for Mr. Ike’s arrival?  I love to entertain.. actually my friends tell me I’m the Martha Stewart of entertaining. I’m such a "detail" kind-of-girl.  So… if I want to have a smashing arrival for Ike… I would:

1.  Have the house ready… all the patio furniture is in the living room… woo hoo!  Pull down the fancy-smancy drapes from the front room where we have a HUGE window for those lovely Ike winds to come through…

2.  Appropriate party food:  Hmm… a long weekend ahead?  Possibly without the power?  Easy!! Ravioli (for the kiddos) Cookies, Chips (kiddos again!)  Funny how you are drawn to buying pure junk food in emotional situations! lol!   Me?–  Grilling lots of chicken breasts to have handy, protein powder (check) and all the fruits and veggies to live off!

3.  Booze.  Did I say that?? lol.  I was at the grocery store and every cart i saw, people had bottles of wine.  LOL!  I have a small wine bar/cellar so that’s stocked, but we did get stocked on Patron and Grey Goose.  Since I’ve been training hard, no I mean HARDCORE  hard, these last couple of weeks, with tenacious intensity, I really doubt that I will tap into any of that alcohol. Ok, maybe a glass of champagne or a mimosa to greet Ike as he comes join us for a late night cocktail…. ummm  midnight tonite possibly. 

So, we are glued to the tv and can’t seem to look away (like a bad car wreck) that is getting crazy.  I’m turning it off!  We know big, bad Ike is coming and well, "Bring it On, babe!"

I’ve taken a walk around the neighborhood this morning.  Pretty weird– everyone is home, out for a walk, riding bikes.  It’s a nice, sunny day.  But Ike is making a grand entrance– his winds have begun to slide in.  I  saw people boarding up their windows.  Not me and I’m a little worried.  My house has a large 2-story foyer that has LOTS OF WINDOWS.  Guess I better keep my mop and broom handy. 

Strongforgood, KLTexas and I will be weathering out the storm… but we are all taking it easy and hunkering down….

 Cheers to you!  Keep training hard

Do ya ever get stuck in a rut with your workout and do the same routine, day in, day out?  Well, my dear, I think its time for you to switch it up a bit.

We easily get transfixed on a good routine. We see the movements and relish on the eye-popping lines or muscle expansion and we get so exhilirated by it that we continue to do the same routine thinking "but this has gotten me to this point".  Well…. muscles, like ourselves, get bored and don’t want to cooperate after awhile.  They want variety. 

It occurred to me this week that I have forgotten a few exercises I used to do long ago and I went back to them.  omg.. those muscles got sore (and haven’t in a while).   It seems muscles get used to the repetitiveness of the same routine and need a switch to something new to "wake it up" get it to grow again.  Switching things up will surprise them and works the fibers differently.  It’s then when you begin to get sore again after weeks of not doing so… and that means.. the muscle is growing. 

 I LOVE, LOVE to wake up sore.  (you know, as you roll over in bed and ugh.. the soreness wakes you up)  lol…. love it.  I guess it just reminds me of what an intense workout I had the day before and how much good it did and of course, that my muscles have responded to it and are being sculpted as I sleep zzzzzzzzz.

Switch it up, increase the weight and have fun.  Keep it intense and focus on the desires of your heart which begins with "what is it that I want to achieve in my fitness quest?" 

I had a friend come up to me Wednesday evening while I was out and told me that her husband sees me at the gym bright and early in the mornings.  She said she didn’t know how I did it to be there so early.  I laughed and told her "well, it’s kinda like you know you have to eat?  Same principle.  I know I have to get up early and go workout.  It makes it easier when you don’t give yourself the choice". 

No matter what your goal is:  strength, endurance, sculpting those muscles, bulking for size and growth or slimming down and dropping your bodyfat %, it all takes dedication to get it done.  No one said it would be easy, otherwise everyone would be heart healthy, have abs of steel and the body of a god/goddess….  It takes alot of sweat and focus.  Want it bad enough?  It can be all yours for the price of some sweet gym time

Keept it FUN!   Keep training hard!