Healthy Helpers....

HELP ME, HELP YOU.....

I'm on week 8 of my healthy living, exercising and eating and I'm down 15 lbs...whoot whoot!  Slow & steady and I'm feeling so much stronger.  I've increased the time of my workouts and the pace...but still doing cardio/weights 6 times a week and yoga 7 days a week.  I can see muscles in my arms and I'm soooo LOVING that...these arms can hold a plank and do push-ups for a long time now.  Remember meal plans for each week are linked under the HEALTHY LIVING tab at top of my blog (I have to add in last week & this week's...I promise to have it done this week lol).

I thought I'd share a couple of my "helpers" that I've found enable me to put in the best workout I can and some videos/workouts I'm loving right now.

WAG Gloves 

I got these gloves after several recommendations from yoga instructors and I must admit they weren't cheap but they were worth every dang penny.  I have funky joints especially in my hands and wrists and sometimes I simply couldn't hold a pose because my wrists were in so much pain.  Well these babies have a gel insert in them that keep your wrists from overextending themselves and makes holding the poses a bit easier...they don't decrease the amount of strength you can get..they simply help your wrists FEEL better.  So if you have any issue like me, they are worth the investment.  And they can be used for any workout...I don't just use them for yoga but for pilates and any floor/core work.  (they also help with grip issues if you are sweaty or on a slippery surface)

ToeSox

There are ALL kinds of yoga socks and wraps out there...just research what works best for you.  I alternated between the wraps and socks but figured I'd START with the socks and see how they do.  I got them for grip reasons, not to hold in my ankles or anything.  I slide even on my Gaiam yoga mat so thought these would help a bit.  They are only $16 and come in all different colors and styles (and full-toe versions too).  The Nike studio wraps are here if you want to compare.

Lifefactory Glass Bottle

I have a weird quirk...I have a few actually but we'll only talk about one today LOL!  I hate drining out of anything plastic..HATE IT!  If its the only choice then I will deal with it but I prefer glass.  (hate that crinkling noise & I know those bottles are made with all kinds of chemicals..yucky)  My family knows that I will only drink out of our glass glasses and my older water bottles were stainless steel which isn't terrible but I don't like it much either.  So a few months ago I saw these in one of my exercise magazines and knew I had to order it.  I drink A LOT of water these days and I love that this is a glass bottle and you can use a straw, I just pour it in my mouth lol..I keep it filled up all day with ice-cold water.  They come in different colors and what not...but I really do love it.

Empower Fingertip Grip Medicine Ball with DVD 
 I also am really liking adding a medicine ball routine to my workout 1-2 times a week along with the kettle bell.  The medicine ball really works your core out and is great lo-impact exercise to get you in shape fast. This ball comes with a DVD and I went with the 6lbs (they have 4 & 8 lbs as well).  You can find lots of other medicine ball workouts on Youtube and Amazon to mix it up.  I like to use different videos regularly so I don't get bored and my body doesn't get complacent...its a win/win!

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YouTube has some amazing workout videos...and they're FREE..nothing better than that.  Make sure you read the reviews on the videos and make sure that they are getting fairly good feed back.  You don't want to watch a video where the wrong form is used or they do something that isn't safe for your body.  

Right now I'm loving the short 15-30 minute yoga videos put out by Meera Hoffman and Erica on youtube...both are certified yoga instructors. They have great, lean bodies..nice voices..and good explanations of all the moves and range from beginner to intermediate.  I do 30 minutes of stretch & energizing yoga in the morning and another 30-45 minutes of calorie burning yoga in the afternoons. Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown is on youtube too and its a workout.  But just enter yoga, beginner yoga, 30 minute yoga and go through the videos.  Everyone likes different versions, voices and techniques so you have to find one you really like.

Like I said before I was never a yoga lover...but at this moment in my life its exactly what I needed. I cannot express how much better I feel after I do yoga...my body feels stretched, relaxed and out of pain and my mind is lighter and freer.  The hubs asked me the other day if I was going to turn into a yogi because everytime he's around I say "I gotta go do some more yoga" hahaha!  I'm committed to it now and if I miss a workout I feel slightly out of sorts. So no matter what I get in at least 30 mins of yoga and 30 mins of cardio/weights six times a week whenever I can.


Do you have any exercising helpers to share??

BEAST MODE!

Happy Wednesday Friends!!

So a few people emailed me and asked me what my favorite workout clothes were...which I, in part thought was hilarious...because I'm ummmm, not the best workout dresser there ever lived.  Just saying ;)  I don't go overly stylish...I go for comfort and clothes that are clean hahaha! I don't feel the need to have $100 Lululemon pants (even though I've heard they are great) and everything doesn't have to be matchy matchy for me to be able to get in a good workout.

However I do like clothes that fit well and breathe well...those things ARE very important to me.  

I'm not the girl you will see out in her sports bra...no way, never...nor will you see me in crop tops.  Hey, I may be getting fit and all that but at age 40 I'm just not into showing off my belly no matter how good it may look.  I like to have t-shirts and tanks on to cover up that area...but that's just me.  If you got it & want to flaunt it...then why the hell not...that's up to you!!

I own the following items:

sports bras

long, loose t-shirts

longer tanks

workout shorts

yoga pants
warm-up jacket

yoga capris/running capris

running shoes

Beast Mode T-Shirt
 This was a fun t-shirt I got from Amazon as well..it makes me smile & comes in lots of colors!
I liked the pink best..sometimes you gotta have some fun in your style right?

These t-shirts from Reebok are my fave...a little silky, easy to move in, great colors & only $20!

I try to pick out t-shirts that are made of wicking materials that also breathe well...no one likes a sweaty, clingy shirt while they are working out.  I usually order a size larger because I like them a bit more slouchy.  I pay from $7 - $30 for my shirts...lots of times I see them at Target for $12-15 and will pick up a couple.  You don't have to have the most expensive, name-brand workout clothes to get the job done....spending big $$ on workout clothes seems silly to me...I'd rather spend it on shoes, purses or items for my house LOL!

Victoria Secret Yoga Pants
Yoga pants...I LOVE yoga pants...great for all kinds of exercise.  Now you won't find me wearing them out of the house unless its a quick run to the grocery store or to a doctors appt...I prefer other pants for being "out" LOL!  But these are hands down my favorite...they are under $40 and wear so well.  I have had 2 pair for over 4 years that still look great...so many colors to choose from too!

Spalding Women's Capri Legging

I like the yoga/running capris a lot.  I have 5 pairs and they wash and wear well.  I got a couple pair from Amazon that are by Spalding that I love, love, love..and only $18 a pair.  I prefer to get my pants in neutral colors (black, gray, navy) because then I can pair them with fun, colored shirts and tanks...but that's just me.

Because I do yoga a lot I like workout apparel that works for yoga AND all the other exercises too.  I love these Under Armour shorts when its warmer or I'm doing power yoga and need to have my skin BREATHE and feel the air LOL!  $19 a pair...I have 3 pair and they are fab!  There are longer versions available if these are too short...or looser running shorts for those that need that style too.

I also have a slim-fitting warm-up jacket...this one is pretty similar to mine. Its great for workouts outside when the weather has a bit more nip in the air but not yet freezing.  Also great for heading out to the gym.

I also like loose-fitting sweatshirts...these are my current fave because they ware so soft, a little slouchy and a great price at Nordstroms.  I have 2...shhhh I want another though..and they are on sale..bonus!  ;)

Sweaty Bands 
And if you have long hair you know you gotta have that up and out of the way...nothing like hair sticking to sweat...EWWYUCKY!  I usually wear a high ponytail or bun when I'm working out BUT I use these Sweaty Bands as well to keep hair from slipping into my face. I love these bands..I have 2 of them and they are super comfy, fun patterns and work well on the sweat beads.

Last but not least there are sports bras!  I'm not going to list any that I wear because they are so buyer-specific and really you have to find one that you love.  Its so important to have one that is comfortable & supportive.  I have two from Victoria's Secret, one from Nike and one from Under Armour and I love them all....different styles but ones that I can wear doing most exercises.  So shop around...try them ON please...and find one that works best for you!  And you "may" pay more for a sports bra than you originally wanted to...but if it works wonders why you are boppin' away at a workout its worth every penny trust me!


So there ya go..you now know what I'm wearing when I go full BEAST MODE!!

The Turtle Beats the Hare....

Slowly but surely I'm persisting....as of today I've lost 11 lbs and I'm pretty excited about it.  

I refuse to do anything drastic because it never works well in the long term. Slow & steady wins the race...and I'm focusing on calories, good workouts and feeling better and not feeling deprived or sad about anything. HUGE difference!  I feel stronger & hey I'm fitting in my pants again...that's a nice incentive for sure.  19 lbs to go but I'm motivated to make it happen by Christmas.

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Here are my meal plans for this week below (and last week's too, sorry I forgot to add it).  

If you are looking for healthy meal plans and new recipes you can find lots on my Pinterest Board HERE and all my meal plans are linked in my side bar or by clicking the HEALTHY LIVING tab at top of blog.  

FYI: Any meal that has (P) next to it has the recipe on my pinterest board.

I'm finally able to get through a 60 minute workout and I'm loving the Kettlebell and Jillian Michael Shred workouts...they work if you stay consistent and push it every workout.  I'm also enjoying yoga..I've been trying many different workouts via Amazon Prime Instant Video and like to mix it up each week.  I went from holding a plank for 5 secs to a minute-thirty...so every step up is encouraging.

And also the Lose It app on my phone has been great for tracking each & every calorie I put in my mouth...makes it easier to plan my meals and days out.

So if you are on this journey too....how are you doing??

Bust a Move!

 Week 4 of Workouts

So I'm on week 4 of my workouts...its been tough..I won't lie.  I'm not gonna lie about how easy it was to get back into the routine, how much I love working out and blah blah blah cuz its just all not, period.  I am sore most days STILL...I push myself on each workout a little more than I did the day before...I want to make sure I'm getting all the BANG for my BUCK if ya KWIM LOL!  **NOTE:  On my water drinking...I'm actually doing amazingly well I say...I am drinking 5-6 glasses of water a day, one juice and then a Cherry Coke every other day.  I'd like to cut back to just 1-2 sodas a week period but in time.  And for those that miss the caffeine...well you can buy caffeine pills...yes you can and they work.  So if I feel like I'm dragging I will pop a caffeine pill although I've only taken 2 in 4 weeks so far, but its a good alternative without turning to soda or coffee.

But I will tell you that I am feeling stronger and healthier.  My muscles always do better and feel less tense when I lift weights and get stronger...I also sit up straighter and feel my abs pulling in a bit.  I will say I do enjoy lifting weights...my body responds to it pretty quickly and its nice to feel strong again.  My stamina is slowly picking up and I'm able to do more each workout and even though I'm sweating buckets AND cussing out the TV and huffing and puffing, I know its all worth it.

So how do I do my workouts?  Well I will tell you I'm not a big gym junkie...I have nothing against them but I feel I can do just as much at my house....making it easier to fit in workouts when I can and not have to always plan a trip to the gym.  I'm also TERRIBLE at classes...I'm the girl in the back that isn't too coordinated, that's probably talking to herself and huffing LOL.  So I prefer to do DVDs down in my rec room where no one can see me...then if I am off a count I'm not messing up the whole room of exercisers...you feel me?  Plus I can go longer if I feel like or take a 5 sec breather if need be without everyone lookin at me thinkin' I'm a wimpy-woo LOL.  So you don't have to be a member of a gym to get a good workout.  My "gym" has bands, hand weights (2 lbs, 5 lbs & 10 lbs), a Bosu, a Step, a Bar and then I also have a treadmill and elliptical machines.  So I always do Jillian Michaels DVDs...they work great for me, I get in shape quickly and then I'm able to add on as I want.  Then I might start adding on more treadmill or elliptical time after I do a workout.  And here's a note for you....my TV downstairs is 80"...so yeah Jillian is life-size...she's SCARY hee hee!

These 2 videos are my standby's...the ones that I know work and are tough enough to get me in shape but enough variety that I don't get bored.  I don't like to do 40 or 60 mins of just ONE thing...ugh.  So these are 25 min sessions each, 3 sessions total.  So I do Level 1 for a week, then Level 2, then Level 3...then I switch it up and do Levels 1 & 2 together or 2 & 3 together.  And I alternate between these two videos...its a great mix of weight lifting, abs & cardio and it WORKS if you  are consistent with it.  And come on...everyone can fit in at least 25 mins a few times a week.  I do my workouts later in the day...I'm not a morning gal...so I usually work out between 3 and 4:30. That way I'm finished up before the teens get home and I can get a quick shower before dinner.  But some days I wait for Alexa to get home at 4:30 and we work out together, it just depends.

Then once I start feeling stronger I start adding in some kick-boxing routines to amp up the stamina and calorie burn.  This is 3 sessions on one DVD...each session is HARD...but once you get thru one session it gets easier to add on each time until you do the whole DVD.  And yes you will lay on the floor in a puddle of sweat, face bright red and cussin' Jillian out....errrr well at least I am LOL!

And then when you want to add some more moves to your routine, you can add this DVD in.  My problem child is my abs....after 2 kids and multiple stomach surgeries its extremely hard to get it toned and I don't want any muffin top over my jeans.  I may never have a stomach that looks like Jillian's but I do want a stomach that is strong, no layer of fat and that will carry me through each day well.  A strong core helps a multitude of body problems including keeping my lower back pain at bay. 

And I'm no seller of Jillian's stuff...I don't get any commissions LOL...I'm just a gal who has done them and had success and they work for me.  Its all about what works for YOU to make it work period.  But dammit...I plan on being around this earth a darn long time...to raise as much ruckus as I can LOL...so I gotta be healthy as I can be! :)

I have a cardio dance and Zumba DVD coming to me courtesy of Amazon.com...we shall see how I do with those.  NO hidden video cameras puh-leeze ;)

So what kind of workout works best for you?