It was just the intro video so… Not much of a workout. But it’s great. The guy who does it… Diamond Dallas Page… The wrestler… And there are all these references in it, haha! Love it.
If you’re wondering, “Why not Insanity like you planned?” Well. Drew really wanted to do it. Especially because the videos aren’t as long. And I thought that was reasonable, considering the fact I’m taking summer classes. And I might just be getting a job. So. Yeah.
This was me in August during p90x. I hope I can get even better results the second time around, considering college forced Drew and I to stop. (No place to do it!) I could look at it and think, “Oh, my waist could come in a little bit more…” But I’m really proud of this. I think I look amazing. And I was. Because I was doing intense hour plus workouts and eating very well. And you know what else? I was up to almost 50 pushups in a row at that point. Do my arms look bulky and manly? No. The lighting in this picture is odd… But I have a little v-line, oblique lines, and that line down the center. Not to mention the hip/butt line, there. I am satisfied with that. I don’t need to get a six-pack I can’t maintain with my lifestyle.
My friend wants to do a tough mudder. I’m just barely under “tough mudder” status, apparently, so I plan to work up to that level of fitness so I can join!
(Source: healthylivingforyou)
(Source: healthylivingforyou)
utterlyintertwined replied to your photo: Today is sundae, so I thought I’d have one. I’ve…
i like how you think and that you’re willing to stray for your soul a little too :)
First of all, thank you! It’s great that you made that comment, because I’ve been meaning to post something about this.
I’ve been thinking lately about my fitness/nutrition goals. How when I’m in college I find it hard to have time to go running every day when my workload is essentially endless. More so this semester since I have maxed out credits. To a lot of people on tumblr, this is considered an excuse. But my questions is… An excuse for what?
I’m not a body builder. I’m not training for a bikini competition. I don’t have any intentions to run a marathon any time soon. I don’t even want a six pack out of personal preference and practicality. I don’t need to do any of this to be considered healthy and fit! Especially if I’m not basing my lifestyle off of fitness.
Ever since I’ve started working out a few years ago when I started this blog, I have worked out 6 days a week, or at least had that mentality even when I didn’t. But I’ve been thinking… Do I really need to? While it’s recommended you get a certain amount of exercise each day, stressing about not having time to complete mandatory assignments tends to deter me from working out at all. So I’ve decided to change my mentality.
I’m going to now aim for at least 3 days of exercise a week instead of 6. That’s half of what my usual is, but it’s a lot better than doing none of it, right? I am a perfectionist and I have very high standards. But in this case, it’s been doing me no good at all. So I’ve decided to change my thinking. Yeah, I may be considered less impressive to some people on tumblr now. Not as “cool” of a fitblr. Something like that. But even if no one thinks any of those things… This is my blog and I have the right to do whatever I want, right? I think I’ll have some trouble figuring out what workouts to do and whatnot when I’m restricted to 3 days, but I’ll figure something out. I decided to join a running club (for the running and the social junk), also. So I may end up doing more than 3 days anyways. We’ll see.
So to conclude this post, I would like to offer some advice to the people who may need it. Stressing out about doing a perfect amount of exercise is not worth it. For me, it stopped me from exercising during college as a result. So, if you are having trouble maintaining an arduous workout schedule… Try reducing it a little and see how it affects your stress levels. Working out even one day a week will give you some stress-relieving endorphins, so just do what you need to do. Don’t make your goals higher than you can maintain. It’s not giving up. It’s being smart. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to do something if it’s not realistic for you. And don’t let what you see on the internet pressure you, either.
What “fat-free” usually means…
• Most likely contains neurotoxic chemicals like sucralose, MSG, aspartame, autolyzed yeast extract, etc…
• Most likely contains digestive disruptors like guar/xanthum/cellulose gum, carrageenan, etc…
• Always contains preservatives and additives to enhance flavor and extend shelf-life
• Most likely contains GMOs, usually in the form of corn starch/syrup, many times HIGH amounts of high fructose corn syrup
• It means that you won’t ever be full, you are missing components to build healthy cells and hormones, and the fat that they are 99% of the time referring to is saturated fat, which is the BEST type of fat
• It usually means that you shouldn’t eat it
In other words, when you see “fat-free” 99% of the time think, NOT PRIMAL and loaded with crappy chemicals.
I agree with this for the most part. But I’m just gonna assume you meant UNsaturated fat is the best type of fat. Because saturated is just the opposite.
Why? Because of inconsiderate little boys. This kid was walking away from the barbell, so I took that opportunity to go over there. As I’m taking his weight off he comes back saying, “Uh, I was using that.” I figured I’d be polite and avoid a petty argument, so I walked over to the treadmill to run for a bit. After 20 minutes I look over and see that kid and his buddy switching between using the barbell and going to the water fountain. Honestly, I just was not gonna wait all day for these kids to decide to share, and I definitely wasn’t going to use the one in the women’s room that is connected to a pully system. (It restricts your movement to an unnatural linear motion.) So I just left. After I was done stretching in the locker room I went to leave and they were still there. I just can’t stand it when people monopolize equipment when there are only one or two available.
Anyways… I started my workout with 15 mins of the elliptical at 10 resistance. Did the leg press at 60 lbs for 10 reps, then at 80 lbs for 3x10 reps. After that was when I tried to go do squats. Then I did 15 mins of running at 6.2 and 5 minutes of cool down.
Today wasn’t that great of a workout. Not just because I didn’t get to do squats. I just wasn’t feeling it today. I was more winded than usual at the elliptical and running. But I did it.
Now my gym trial is over, so back to pilates for now. I’m going back to college Sunday. I really want to figure out a yoga routine to start asap, and I may just work on that tonight. But as for using the gym at school… I’m not 100% sure if it’ll be open during the two weeks of my extra class. Which is bad because that could eliminate running. I am adamant about not running outside in the winter, especially in a location where we get sooo much lake effect snow. I really don’t wanna be busting my hip, face, etc. After all, I have other cardio workouts I can do. Maybe I could do p90x plyo in the lounge with closing doors. There’s barely gonna be any people on campus anyways…
(Source: healthylivingforyou)
Not hating on New Year’s Resolutioners, but it really was so crowded today! Though I guess it doesn’t make that much difference to me because I still don’t know what half the machines are for or how to use them.
Today’s workout was kinda lame if you look at it. Being that there were so many people at the gym it took forever to find a machine that was open, so I decided to make my workout harder instead of waiting around for a machine until my heart rate drops too low. I do assure you, though, that what I did was pushing hard. I started out with 15 mins of the elliptical, half of it on 10 resistance and half on 12. I believe I had more than 1,500 steps. Next was the leg press where I did 2x15 at 60 lbs and 2x10 at 80 lbs. While waiting for the squat rack to open I did 2x15 hanging knee tucks. At the squat rack I did 2x10 at 50 lbs (the bar + 5 lbs) and a 30 sec hold, all full and deep squats. The bar by itself is still pretty tough for me, but I thought I’d see how I can do with a little more added weight. I walked swiftly for a few minutes to give myself a little rest before running at 5.8 for 15 minutes. Phew, was I sweating. Felt good!
I forgot to post it! But I did 15 mins of the elliptical then 15 mins of running. Woo! Cardio day. Haha. Today is a rest day because the gym isn’t open. Yup.
Yeah, it’s just “gym day” because I’m still figuring out the machines and don’t have a schedule or anything made up. There was one called the “butt blaster” that sounded intriguing… But it had no instructions. Boo. Problematic for me, haha. Anyways!
- Elliptical: 15 mins targeting all up the legs and glutes
- Leg Press: 2x15 at 60 lbs, 5 at 80 lbs
- Glute Press: 15 at 50 lbs (each leg), 15 at 60 lbs (each leg)
- Shoulder Press: 2x15 at 25 lbs
- Calf Press: 2x10 at 40 lbs
- Leg Extension (Quads): 4x15 at 40 lbs
- Abductor Thigh: 2x15 at 40 lbs
- Adductor Thigh: 2x15 at 40 lbs
- Leg Curl: 3x15 at 15 lbs
- Squats: 15 at 45 lbs (I didn’t add any weight to it, the bar is enough lol)
- Knee Tucks: 15
- Treadmill: 5 mins
I’m gonna figure out how I wanna go about it all on New Year’s Day since the gym is closed anyways. I think tomorrow I’ll try to do mostly running. Maybe some elliptical, too. I just wanna get a fair deal of cardio in. Haha.
Oh. And I heard “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour at the gym again, today. If you like WWE you’ll get it. But it pumped me up, because I love CM Punk!! Haha
(Source: healthylivingforyou)
For anyone who is a new follower, I’ve only ever done body-weight workouts (such as yoga and pilates) or running prior to today.
I started off doing 15 minutes on the elliptical with my dad. Then he showed me some machines. For the most part I didn’t really like them. Maybe I wasn’t adjusting them right. Maybe I wasn’t doing it right. I just did what my dad showed me to do, haha. There were a few that I like, but I don’t remember what they’re called. I believe they worked the inner thighs, the outer thighs, and abs. But damn, there are so many upper body machines. I put a much bigger focus onto my lower body and abs, so naturally I didn’t like that. When I got to a squat rack, I did like that, though. And squats are definitely a workout I wanna do. Having weight on my shoulders just makes it better. After that I ran on a treadmill for 10 minutes and we left.
Right now I don’t really like the gym. Maybe it’s because all these machines are foreign and I don’t wanna be a noob. But I feel like I should have a good plan for what I wanna do for tomorrow and the next week if my dad paid for me to have a week membership.
My current fitness goals include running for 20-30 minutes, strengthening my entire back, getting my abs back, having stronger thighs, and getting a better/stronger butt. Anyone have machines to recommend for these things?
(Source: healthylivingforyou)
Hmm. Interesting. But I’m thinking this is for women who are losing weight, since it says “Based on a 1400 calorie diet for women.” I would like to see something like this for maintaining a healthy weight.
[NOTE: I posted this last year when my following for this blog was a MUCH smaller fraction than it is now. I think it’s really informative, and after reading through it, this is exactly what I’ll be doing again this year. Want some guidance on how to approach Turkey Day Dinner with a health-conscious mind? Read on.]
With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I wanted to share with you guys how I stay healthy at the dinner table for my favorite holiday ever:
1) Don’t arrive hungry
It’s easy to enter a holiday meal knowing it’s going to be higher in calories than you normally eat, so you find it logical to skip a meal earlier in the day. By the time the big meal comes around, you’re famished; you’ll likely overeat. Do yourself a favor and have a few healthy snacks during the day beforehand. My plan? Some scrambled egg whites, onions, and salsa for breakfast with a cup of tea; an apple, some veggies and light ranch before I leave for my aunt’s house. My stepgrandmother is from Thailand, so I’ll be helping myself to some Thai deliciousness before dinner as well :) All of this ensures that I won’t be starving by the time we sit down in our buckled shoes and pilgrim caps.2) Say yes to the turkey
Lean protein is absolutely the way to go, no matter what meal you’re at. Grab some delicious white meat and don’t feel guilty going for seconds. Did you know that Turkey is even a SuperFood? Yes, yes I will be covering my turk with some delicious cranberry sauce. And it will be oh, so, good.3) Drank dat wata
I’m sure you’ll be spending quality time with family a little before the prayers are said and the turkey is served. Forego the soda and keep a glass of ice water in your hand. Not only will this prevent you from consuming empty calories in sodas or punches, but this ensures you’re keeping yourself hydrated, so by the time dinner rolls around, you’re not mistaking dehydration for hunger. Thus, you definitely won’t be overeating!4) If you want it, eat it
Thanksgiving is absolutely, without any doubt, my most favorite meal of the entire year. I do understand that being conscious about what I eat means not eating a lot of the kinds of foods that are served (green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, holy-my mother’s-stuffing-is-the-best-thing ever, pumpkin roll YES…) but I love them. I really really love them. So you know what? I’m going to eat them. However, my approach? It’ll all be there after everyone else gets their food. Why not get a smaller-than usual portion, eat your heart out, wait a few minutes, and if you’re still hungry, go and get some more? I swear, the food will not grow legs and walk away from you. That turkey has already kicked the bucket. It’ll be there in 15 minutes, so why not start small?5) Now walk it out
My aunties and I always go on a walk after a big meal. Throw on your scarves and your glovies and your big comfy parka and do a lap around the neighborhood. Being away at school means I don’t get to see my family too often, but I love using times like these to catch up with the people I love.
What to Eat After a Workout:
After Cardio- you need to replenish fluids and more carbs than proteins. try:
- Oatmeal with skim milk and a banana
- Toast with cottage cheese and jam
After Weights- you need mainly protein. Try:
- Chicken breast with broccoli
- Egg white veggie omlet with salsa
After Weights and Cardio- you need a carb to protein ratio of 3:1. Try:
- Protein shake with fruit
- Sweet popatoe with greek yogurt
follow: www.health-freeak.tumblr.com
Peanut Facts:
- The peanut is not a nut, but a legume related to beans and lentils.
- Peanuts have more protein, niacin, folate and phytosterols than any nut.
- Peanuts have a higher antioxidant capacity over grapes, Concord grape juice, green tea, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, carrots and many more.
- Peanuts and peanut butter contain over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients.Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free.
I introduce to you your new favorite protein bar. I’m so glad the two of you are now formally acquainted, because a long, happy future spent together will certainly be the result. With a measly five minutes of preparation, 89 cents, and 23.8 grams of protein it’s no wonder you’re already in love.
The nice thing is we don’t mind sharing, and also, these protein bars taste better than anything that your local supermarket can offer.
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
1/2 cup skim milk - $0.04
1 cup creamy peanut butter - $1.74
1 1/4 cups of vanilla whey protein powder - $4.56
2 cups rolled oats - $0.76Directions:
- Heat peanut butter and milk in a medium-large stockpot, just heating until warm and thoroughly mixed together.
- Remove from heat, and add protein powder and rolled oats.
- Press into a 9” x 13” pan (it may help to use plastic wrap to press mixture down). Cover, and freeze for fifteen minutes, then cut into eight pieces.
Makes approximately 8 servings.
Total Cost: $7.10
Cost Per Serving: $0.89Nutritional Information:
