Livingloca’s Hot Bodyblog

Oh my goodness!! I feel like a million bucks today!!!  This is sooo crazy funny, but I went to buy some new running shoes yesterday because over the last several months I have been having a little knee issue that strangely enough, goes from one knee to the next.  A few friends suggested new running shoes. 

So I went to this shop, solely for running, and they measured my foot, made me walk barefoot down the aisle as the salesguy watched my feet (for pronation, but my husband said he was sure it was just to watch my butt) and then gave me a "test" pair of sneakers and watched me from behind as I ran down the sidewalk, again to check how I was landing on my feet during running.  Did I tell you I had jeans on and they were rolled up so he could see my foot, calves?? LOL!! Sexy! ha ha– not!

So i buy the pair of Asics along with some arch supports and WOW!!! I went for a run this morning… NICE!!!  I have been wearing them this morning and I swear, I feel like my quads are strong and tight.  Just walking in these sneakers makes me feel like Superwoman!! It is sooooo strange that such a minor thing as getting a really good pair of sneakers makes a difference in the way that I’m walking, and not to mention, gives me a spring in my step and well, it’s gone to my head… lol.  I feel like my lower body is supertight!! ha ha ha! 

All this is a breath of fresh air to start the new year right.  Lots of focus for the new year and goals I have set.  I never say resolutions, because that is an automatic setup for failure.  GOALS are something to strive to accomplish and should always be realistic.  I have to say that the goals I set last year, I completed each and every one.  No hesitation, no regrets.  Pure enjoyment and perseverance.  Never tell yourself you can’t do it!

Have a fabulous New Year’s Eve and I send the best of wishes for AN AWESOME 2009.  If 2008 was great, ohhhhhh baby— let’s see whats in store for 2009!!!

Keep training hard!

I had one of the best training weeks even though it was Christmas week and I ate lots of stuff that I wasn’t supposed to be eating.  It’s Christmas and those treats don’t come around but once a year so it was ok to have a few  cheat days because i busted my tail every single day working out and doing cardio.  I was in the Southeastern plains of Colorado and went to the local junior college there to workout.  WOW!  That gym was loaded!! I could have stayed there for hours!!

So a friend gave me the name of a fitness photographer.  You see, I am going to turn 40 in June and want to push my training–not for competition, but to take some professional sport pics–for me.  So as soon as I saw the photographer’s website, I was sooooo motivated and inspired to continue kicking butt in my workouts.  Persistence (my middle name– i never give up) and intensity are what it’s about.   Lots of women in their 40s are on this site and you have to know that it is alot of dedication and sweat (no tears) to get fit when you are teetering on 40.  Some women have "mommy" bodies, and yes, I was there too.  I didn’t like it.  I didn’t like being soft, looking and feeling like a mommy.  I wanted to feel strong and sexy and sitting around doesn’t get you there.  It is an incredible feeling to be fit and have that "glow" going on in your head that only working out gives you.  That glow– you know exactly what that is.  It’s the feeling of achieving goals while you have worked so hard for it.

So with the new year comes a new inspiration, a new goal.  I’m continuing to keep up my training at full throttle to get a little more leaner.  I am pushing for April to take those fitness pics and when I turn 40 in June…. ahhhhh I can relish at all my hard work and kick off the summer with a strong, tight, 40 yr old body!  I’m not there, but am pushing the limits to get there! 

Keep training hard and keep it fun!!

:)

I know there are lots of people out there that are working out and thinking "Me?  Get defined, sculpted?  AND get abs? There is no way my my body can do that".  I know I thought that about obtaining a six-pack.  I truly had it in my head that my genetics (Hispanic) wouldn’t allow me a six pack.  How many "Jose’s" do you see with a six-pack? LOL.  (I joke about Mexican’s in general… although I’ve never seen my yard’s guys abs.. LOL!!!!!!) and yes, I am Spanish/Mexican sp I can poke fun at the hispanic clan…lol.

In my gallery, there is a picture where its just a mid-section shot… I looked at it and was TOTALLY SHOCKED it was me!!  Whaaaaaaa?????!!!  ha ha.  Actually, i do that with alot of pics.  I somehow don’t see the image in the mirror the same as when I take pics.  Weird. 

EATING CLEAN:

  I get asked alot how I do it to make it to the gym everyday.  It’s like this– you know you have to eat, right?  To keep your body fueled?  Well, I know that I HAVE to work out to keep it tight and trim.  There no decision-making there. Just do it.  If you really and truly want it, it is as easy as just setting aside some time at the gym AND eating right.  Eating clean.  Eating clean is eating whole food.  No processed foods.  Protein:  eggs, eggwhites, Chicken breasts, fish and all the veggies in the world that you want that are prepared simply, without gobs of butter. Fruit, whole grains (this means oatmeal and whole wheat bread), legumes, good fats and LOTS of water. AND FOR ME:  WHEY PROTEIN.  Eating 6 small meals a day will get you there.  Set aside a day for a cheat meal (some do entire cheat days, but I guess it depends on how overboard you’re going there with the WHOLE DAY!). Just don’t be a PIG! OINK OINK! lol!!!!

CARDIO:

If you are trying to lean out and get cut, shedding the layer of fat that keeps those hot muscles from popping is key.  Getting that cardio in several times a week ALONG with your fine-tuned eating is a sure-fire way to thinning that mid-section and getting you tight. 

GETTING DEFINED:

Well, of course, to have some nice muscles that are shapely and well-defined, you HAVE to lift weights.  There are numerous ways of doing this.  Having a split-routine (my fave) is a very good way of splitting up body parts and focusing on each body part separately.  If you dont’ have the time to do a split work out (bc it usually means 4 to 5 times a week) doing a full body workout fewer times a week.  Whatever your schedule allows and eating enough protein (typically 1g of protein for each pound that you weigh)  will get you at developing some good muscle structure. 

 ABS:

To get those abs you’ve always wanted, start doing ab exercises.  Hanging ab raises, the captain’s chair, weighted ab crunches on the incline, cable pull with the rope while you’re on your knees.  There are tons of variations that will strengthen and build those beautiful ab muscles and make them strong and tight.  I started doing abwork when I still had LOTS OF FLUFF around my middle.  I knew the muscle would be getting strong and that as soon as that crap left my stomach, those sweet babies would be there shining ready to say HI!

I have had the best week of training in a long time.  I really kicked in my eating, watching it precisely and broke a plateau this week.  IT WAS SO FREAKING INCREDIBLE!!!  And the best part of it?  During the holiday season!! YEAH!  I leaned out and loving the feeling of accomplishment!  Here’s to keeping it up and focusing…..

Keep training hard and keep it fun!

:)