Livingloca’s Hot Bodyblog

Had this conversation with one of my best friends (KLTexas) about watching people at the gym bust their tails (sometimes not busting their tails, just moving at a snail’s pace in their workouts).  It’s funny.  They come in several times a week and spend an hour doing a "workout" and you know what? After a year of seeing these same people in the gym, some really killing themselves doing cardio, they STILL LOOK THE SAME.   One sweet lady who runs her heart out and pounds away on the elliptical sweats like a wet rat (that’s me too!) but her body has not changed shape.  This is called… EATING CRAP.  LOL! 

You just kinda want to shake these people and tell them they are doing awesome in their workouts but the eating part has to take place too!  Its like I tell anyone who asks me how to get into shape, I tell them that when you exercise and workout you take 2 steps forward towards your goal of leaning out.  When you eat crap, you take 2 or 3 steps back and you then have to play catch-up to get ahead, unless you want to just maintain your weight.  I personally, have been maintaining, although a friend told me today that I was looking ripped.  LOL!  Sweet comment but I looked in the mirror– i had on a white tank with no sleeves and black shorts.  Ripped? where?  I can see that my arms are a little shapely, but ripped?  lol. 

So if transforming your body or getting ripped is your goal, what is the best thing to do?  Not eat crap.  You have to fuel your body and that means eating at least 1 gram of protein for every pound that you weigh, for starters. Eating 6 small meals a day and drink lots of water.  Clean eating is the best way and the quickest way to shed the fat and get you moving towards your goal.  

There are 3 ladies in the gym that meet MWF and its funny.  They all get on the elliptical together for 10 mins (that’s their cardio) and then they do in unison, different stretches and "lift weights".  By all means, I am not judging them, but they are the typical type that doesn’t do their workouts with INTENSITY.  It’s intensity that you need to really make a difference in sculpting your body and transforming it.  INTENSITY raises your heart rate and it’s intensity that makes you work harder, makes you push yourself to your limit of lifting.  I can be drenched wet in sweat just from lifting weights in 30 mins!  It’s crazy, but just my leg workout will do that and its because I give it my all in the weightroom.  Otherwise, what is the point in being in there at 5:30 am if I’m not pushing myself? 

 I want a hot, tight body and at 39, I feel so lucky to have gotten this far in my training.  So, in order to achieve that goal, I have to stick with my clean eating, have my friday cheat meal and keep pushing the bar to continue to improve my endurance, my strength and my determination and motivation to reach my goals.  It’s not easy for some to stick with it, but once you have tasted success, you want more and you don’t even think twice about making the commitment or dedication to do it.

Keep it rocking and keep training hard!
:)

So I downloaded some new songs last night.  Gosh, I soooooooo love my workout the following day because I know I am in for some good, intense fun at the gym.  Makes your heart go faster and there is a rhythym in your bones that you just have to shake it out.  I don’t usually care if people see me get into my music (No, I’m not singing along…. lol!!!) but if I’m shaking my head a little (not head-banging!) or lift my hips while I’m taking a breather between reps, whatever.  Love it.  I get into it and it fuels me when I’m struggling to make the weight and push that last set.  And yes… getting that cardio on!! Whoahhh!  Nothing better than that!! 

I had to laugh the other day.  In my last blog I joked about lifting your arms up like you were crossing the finish line in a race… there is one song that makes me wanna do that!!!!!!!! LOL!  But no, I would never do that… ha ha ha.. Even the crazy, silly gal that I am.  But there is this one guy in the gym that walks the treadmill (and runs) and he lifts up his arms and points his index fingers  like he is crossing the finish line!!  I cracked up!!! I had to admire him for his "I don’t care what you think" attitude.  I wanted to go high-five him!!  ha ha ha.  Hip Hip Hooray for the funny guy!!!!

 So back to the music– isn’t it funny how it can remind you of a time period in your life?  Even if the song was, say, back in February.  I have songs that when I threw a big party back in April, those songs remind me of dancing that night with my girlfriends.  Songs of friendship… songs of a hurt, and songs of joy, admiration and love.  The inspiraiton of those songs can take you back to a comfy time in your mind where you might want to retreat to and relive those memories.  Love it. 

The problem is I will enjoy a song soooooooo much that I listen to it (kill it) to death!! LOL!  Over and over I will play it… enjoy it, relish it.  I can put a time period, a thought or great memory to it.  Those are the best… the best, I tell you~ (Seinfeld episode line).

 So download some good stuff… and go back to the old stuff you have on your Ipod.  Take a ride down memory lane or crank up that great music you just heard and kick up your workout!!

 Keep it fun and keep training hard!

:)

Are you mustering all you’ve got to get your hiney in the gym and really trying to push the envelope in your workout?  I know the feeling!

Making sure to crank up some intense cardio can be a challenge.  Didn’t get enough sleep?  Work leaving you tired and exhausted?  Feel like your diet and workouts haven’t been getting you where you want to be?  Here’s some fun pointers when you go to the gym next time:

 1.   Wake up knowing you are about to tackle the day with energy–your body is going to make some changes and for the better! Yay!

2.   Get your coffee, your supps or whatever it is you need to wake your butt up!

3.  For Pete’s sake, wear comfortable workout gear!  There’s nothing worse than shorts rub between your legs,  a shirt that is too tight, shorts that are too long, etc. or in my case, shorts that can ride up (darn those deads and squats for working! lol!).

4.  Get your gear ready… heartrate monitor, watch, etc.  Get your water, get all together the night before so you aren’t running around like a chicken with your head cut off!

5.  Go in knowing you are going to make some incredible changes!  That cardio is going to shed that fat, make you mean and lean and your weight workout is going to build some strong, gorgeous muscle!! YES!

6.  In my case, I go in with some funny quips for my best friend who will crack up at the latest silly ideas we recently discussed or maybe a practical joke or two to have ready at any given moment (Don’t do these to people you don’t know… they will NOT appreciate your humor.. lol) Save it for your favorite gymrats.

7.  (I don’t do this but would be a total riot– so try it!!)  When you are on the treadmill, try to race the person next to you and then after 2 mins, throw your hands up in the air like you were going through the running tape at a race and yell "I won!!!!!!!"  The people around you will surely LOVE to hear your enthusiasm… so yell extra loud!!!

8.  Also, if you do Number 7, you have to douse yourself with you bottle of water over your head…. this is very important.  How do you expect to cool yourself off after an intense 2 minute run???!! LOL!!!!!

9.  Make sure you get your cardio done and do it intensely.  I laugh at the women that are reading their magazines or novels while on the elliptical and they are going as slow as turtles.  Yeah babe… you are working up a good workout there (eyes rolling)….lol!  Number of calories burned?  Don’t know.  But not as much as if they would have really put some effort into it!! (and you get more exhiliration out of an intense workout too!) 

 Ok… enough funny nonsense… you get the idea.  I was cracking up this morning while I was running on the treadmill at the replay of SNL’s Palin episode this past Saturday.   Funny! 

So whatever makes you giggle, gets you into your workout and helps you LOVE IT and enjoy it, just do it!!!     The best thing is when I have finished my 45 minutes of cardio and I’ve already finished my weight workout and wow…. I’m feeling incredible!!!  There is a spring in my step and nothing is going to get me down!!

Keep your workouts fun and keep training hard!

Leaning out is a lot of hard work.  Whew!  I’m a drenched wet rat when I’m done with my running, sprinting and biking.  I throw in a little elliptical work just for kicks, but i love to sprint!  The feeling of your legs taking off… it almost feels like slow-mo after awhile.. like your legs are going so fast and your body is staying still.  Pretty incredible!

Cardio just gives that rush, that adrenaline that makes you high.  An unbelievable high.  I have to say that most of my mornings, cardio or not, are pretty fantastic.  I’m psyched to hit the gym and put in all I’ve got!  My day starts out wonderful regardless of what I’ve got floating in my head…  I don’t give myself the choice to decide…. do I feel like going to workout??? Nope.  I never do that unless I’m dying of the flu.  LOL!

And the best thing of all???  after a week of consistently doing cardio and cleaning up my diet, abs begin to pop a little more (although I’m not hardcore about wanting ripped up, wormy looking abs).  A softly, defined midsection is sexy enough.

So what’s the point? I need to continue my mission. lol.  I had a brief thought going…. "is burnout gonna hit soon?" lol.  My knees got a little worn out and it was a sign of overtraining, i know.  I am a blowtorch, as a friend called me, lol.  Always on fire! ha!  I keep burning and as long as it keeps me sane, happy and full of zest, whats the problem? lol.

Keep it fun and keep training hard!:)

It’s 5:15 a.m. and I am all fired up, ready to go!!! Woo Hoo!! It’s almost like I want to go running through the the front doors greeting everyone, and skipping, throwing posies down as I come in!! (okay, not really.  I’m nutty.. but that would totally give me a new name around the gym– CRAZY!!)  But yes, I am totally fired up for my workout EVERY MORNING.  It’s a sickness, I know

I warm up on the treadmill, got my tunes going (don’t you love it when you have new music you’ve downloaded?!!) and everything is all good.  Even the silly commercials which I can’t hear but see, crack me up!! I know, you’re thinking to yourself, "Geez, its 5:15 am who would be awake, amused and giggling at that hour?" (go ahead, point the finger at me).  LOL!

I get into the weight room and start working on bicep curls and then move on to the preacher curl bar.  I’ve done 2 sets and leave my towel spread out over the arm rest as I go get another towel.  I am gone briefly–less than 60 seconds.  I walk back and whaaaaaa????  Red shirt guy has already taken the plates off of the bar!!!!!! Okay, I’m a level-headed gal who doesn’t let silly things get to me but puh-leeeeeeez!!!  He mumbles something.  But you know what?  I’m one of the few women who are in the weightroom everyday without fail.  As the guy mumbles something to me, some of my fellow gymrats seemed surprised.  It WAS rather comical, because it was like they were shocked he took the plates off and as I walked back they were looking at me for my reaction.  lol. I told him "I’m NOT done, but go ahead" and I walked off.  (yes, I was ticked!)

Obviously, this guy doesn’t know I hold some weight in there.. ha ha ha.  Not really, but hey, have a little patience.  My towel SPREAD OVER THE ARM REST is a sign I am coming back goober! 

Let’s just see if the guy comes back.  LOL!  He better have a little better manners ….

Keep training hard!

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!