newlyfe’s BodyBlog

My favorite workout is one I don’t have to go anywhere and still get a sweat.  It’s a chore for me to drive somewhere, gathering my wallet, water, towel, towel for the seat of my car……..  Today, I pulled out a Firm Video for thighs and glutes.  It’s a good workout with weights and I did sweat. The I followed with a little more than a mile run.  Back home for a protein shake and I’m done.  It a work day, my meals are packaged for the next 2 days.  I can nap before tonight and have done all I needed to. 

I pulled out all my work DVD’s to rotate though a variety of workouts.  I’m going to invest in heavier weights for home and start looking for cardio equipment for home.  I am all about convenience and affordability.

Peace.     

How do we as overweight people either then or now, know what our set weight is going to be.  Not the competition weight, and not that die hard low weight from continual dieting.  What is the weight you body will hold at with 3-5 healthy cardios a week, weight training for maintenance, an active life style, healthy food choices but can get an occasional eat on at the fave restaurant, guilt free, and have a drink with dinner.    A person will have to get their weight down to the healthy ranges and with the above criteria the body will hold there, effortlessly.  Now effortlessly does not mean you do nothing and it stays. It means you have adopted the new healthy living and active life style and it holds.  No diets, no radical training.  Adopt a lifestyle that is like brushing your teeth, routine.

I’ve held at 159 - 160 now for a couple of weeks.  I’m walking and running, vitamins and supplements everyday, small meals, protien, healthy exchanges.  I am at a good comfortable size. I can buy clothing now I know I can wear a while so long as I maintain and don’t go up.  Healthy exchanges means I have the occassional meal of turkey tacos or my fave spaghetti on wheat pasta, or 2 slices of pizza last night with a side salad. 

I’ll have to meet any changes with a healthy counter action.  Dinner tonight with a friend means HIIT this afternoon.  I still can not bring myself to go crazy but I  know the food will be rich even in small doses.  I’ll take my fight to the table so to speak.

This is the holiday season. Make healthy food exchanges in your recipes, chicken broth for butter, wheat for white bread stuffing, mineral water with lime for the alcohol drink. And for dessert, do your cardio first then enjoy your favorite.  That’s what the holiday is about.   Don’t deprive.  It might cause you to over endulge later.    

Peace BB.com Peeps

I survived the 5k and I ran the whole thing.  Not a feat for some but its the first time I ran the whole thing and beat the time I expected to do it.  I thought 36 minutes. Try 34.  Yea!! We are already talking about the next one.  I got some cool gifts too.  For those that don’t know Busch Gardens is a amusement park and "zoo". So the money is for the animals.  Ever looking for an extra challenge, find a fundraiser run.  You help the cause and get your run on.  Peace.  

I am very content at my current size.  So how do I stay here and enjoy life and not feel like a long term dieter.  Regular exercise, keeping nutrition on course, and short term goals.

Short term goals give me constant focus.  I am running a charity 5K for Busch Gardens Park in Tampa next Saturday.  We get to run through the amusement park.  Very Cool.  So preparation in 60 minute high intensity cardio daily til then.  By then I know that I can go at least an hour and pace.  I’m doing the run at the end of a work shift.   I’ll carb up a little before leaving work. Do the run and then sleep for the next night’s shift.  Wow…now that I think  about it, where do I get the energy?  ;0)

Point is to continue to create goals to work towards and in working, maintain the healthy figure. ;0)  

Peace       

Busted in the freezer section, looking for a frie for my cheat meal.  They did not know I was making homemade steak burgers and fries for my cheat meal.  They commented if I lose any more weight, they would not recognize me.  I pointed to the fries and said I did not lose it eating these.  In actually, I did.  I allowed myself an occassional healthier homemade version of the fast food. I don’t deprive unless I have a dated goal. My weight is holding.  I am staying in the gym.  So….Viva la frie.  I’ll eat it. 

Just took some new measurements.  2 areas that did not need to go up a little did not not surprised, waist and hips.  It’s slight but it’s there.  What is going up is my back width.  I want to bring a bigger back next year and more defined arms so that is a welcome increase.  Hitting the back again today in the gym.

I did only 3 leg exercises this week because it was on a day before work.  I was wise in my choice because I am still feeling the pain from 3 days ago.  Here they are…..

Step ups on the bench with dumbbells

Plia squats with a dumbbell (touch the floor)

Good Mornings with the barbell (Glutes)

I did 65 minute cardio and these exercises and my quads have been crying since.   Oh stop you whining…….

In a pinch, try not to skip the workout but do the exercises that will have the biggest impact.     

Peace. 

Been on vacation for the past 3 weeks.  I’m rested, up 7 pounds (not worried bout that cause I have been working out), got my bag packed for the morning workout at the job.  I know some co-workers will want to join me before they go home.  Got one of my trophies packed for the office. Of course, I got good healthy meals and shakes packed.  I do very well on the eatting at work.  I’ll only eat what I take with me.

I spoiled myself during vacation and ate a little of what ever I wanted. But I made smart exchanges on some foods.  Can’t break the good habits.  I’ll work a new workout schedule and armed with the little knowledge I have with competing, I can gauge my training, eatting, financing before the next competition.

I work best if I have a goal at the end.  Some, I’m sure, can say they just want to look and feel better and I do too.  But if I give myself an end goal and new ones each time, I am working with that goal in mind and I stay on task.

I feel like I am starting over.  But of course, I am starting at a much light weight.  Soooo, I hope I am able to lose more, develop my back and arms, improve my posing.  The goal is to always present better.  

No working out or cardio today.  First day like that in a while. I’m just chillin before work. Peace

Fruit juice of any kind

White potatoes

Whte rice

Potato chips

Donuts

White pasta

Deep Fried anything

White bread

corn

Regular ground beef

Ice cream (excludes frozen yogart)

Milk (all) (I do talk calcium supplements)

Coffee (I have to have creamer so better none at all)

I’m sure there is more but there are things I eat far less of but won’t commit to none at all so I didn’t list them.  That first one was hard, cause I like grapefruit juice.  Don’t need that sugar. OH, add regular sugar to the list.  I will even bake with Splenda.

Back and bis today. Workout is good when you leave with your hands shaking. Love it.     

Back to the grind, 65 minute cardio, several meals of chicken and brown rice cooking, supplement inventory done.  Directions for the Southeastern USA in Orlando printed for my son and I to enjoy a competition and to see Dexter Jackson for the first time in person.  It’s a lifestyle. Will work to improve and remain consistant.  The commitment is there.

Believe it or not, fitness modeling is a goal of a lot of women in this lifestyle but not mine. As a teen, I was a fashion design student, and fashion has always been a passion.  I actually would like to do do local runway for older women.  I might be considered full figure even at a size 8.  I think the walking, stage presence, makeup, will help with competition presentation as well.  They would go hand in hand.

It is not my desire to move into bodybuilding, I like the slimmer look of figure.

My first goal is to train for a photo shoot at the end of this year and start a portfolio.  I can determine then if this is really something I want to do on the regular.

Peace.         

It’s official. I can now say I am a figure competitor having competed in a show.

The All Forces Championship for me was by far the best experience. The competitors were in top shape, men and women. The stage was set beautifully. Everyone……EVERYONE was super nice and helpful and friendly and I had a blast.

Got there early.  Thank God for a co-worker and dear friend who drove me, taking that task from me.  My sister got up early and helped with the shadow and lashes.  It was a great bonding time as her and my mom came down from North Carolina for the weekend.  Got to the venue and was nervous but just watched people as they ate and greeted each other.  

I had a scarf on my head but full makeup.  I know they thought why is this chick in a scarf so close to show time. Method to the madness. First meeting over and we went back to get ready.  Making-a-Change warned the change room could be small. It was. But we were instantly sisters.  Some commented they thought it was because we were all military.  Its natural that we bond as we did then with each new assignment. I agree. Each helped the other each complimented each other. I learned they’re journeys.

I was somehow left off the over 40 list.  My trainer’s wife noticed and sent me out in time to fix the problem as the over 40’s were first.  I coralled the girls into that tiny top and stepped out on stage. I was nervous but I ran through my poses.  We were taken through the turns and exited stage right to wait for the Open Tall.  Back out and went through turns again, less nervous but still thinking "do this and that."

"You’re done ladies, be back at 6."  We went home and I was scared to eat.  I had chicken and brown rice and a sip of water. I took off my suit and checked it for bronzer, Good and all stones were there. I lightened my bag.  My son made flyers for the after party. And then every one left the house.  I retwisted my hair and stole a nap on the couch til 4. Then started all over again.  I pumped my shoulders and fixed my makeup.

I then got a call from my nephew who was an hour away and on his way to Tampa.  I have not seen him in 7 years and He is stationed at Fort Bragg.  My family waited for him and his friends to bring him to the show.  How perfect I was representing my Army service and he was attending.   

This time the show started with us coming out to our military branch song, a moment of silence for fallen soldiers.  My granddaughter yelled from the audiance, "That my Grandma." Then the show begins.

It was easier this time to go out because I knew what to do.  Awards given masters, I won 3rd place Master Over 40. And we waited for the open.  I won 4th place C-Class Tall. 

Once done, I gulped down 2 cups of water and put on my sweat suit and headed for the audience.

A tribute was payed to my trainer who was competed for the first time since he took ill earlier this year.  I put this out in a previous blog but not the severity.  My trainer died and was brought back after 19 minutes. He did a beautiful routine last night, sending his praises to God.

My Mom saw her first competition and was smiling from ear to ear at the gorgeous young men in the tiny suits.  We ended the evening at home with a house full of family friends and love. I had my cheesecake when the house quiet down, every room slept family visiting to include my nephew and his soldier friends. 

I am blessed.