Tag: fitness

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Big Chop, Big Shop

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Hello, Hip Huggers!! I’ve missed you. Feels like forever since I’ve blogged!! Hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving with family, friends, laughs, and of course some good ol’ this…

Decided to chop off all that God awful bronze hair. That means I’ll be rocking the hats buzz for awhile…

But enough about life, this IS a random fitness blog right?
Cardio all day… breezy 5 miler. I missed you, mileage.

Home for a little leftover recovery…

Did a billion things today. Let’s just say I murdered Old Navy. We also crashed Walmart. Went in looking for a marked down juicer, wasn’t marked down enough so, I’ll just wait…. online. You’re just too mental for me, Walmart.

Whattt? Can’t believe I found this in there, and for $8! Saves me a trip Uptown.. Yessss!

Walmart also had all their spring/summer workout gear on clearance. Had to get a size big in shirts but hey, $14 for the whole lot! Can’t beat it with a stick!

Just in time because I’ve been very picture heavy on Instagram…

Did you start your Christmas shopping this weekend?

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Coffee, Cookies, and the Crazies

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I woke up moody with a neck ache from those shoulder shrugs yesterday… and also because my house is a mess! Its driving me crazy! I need coffee to get stuff in order. Just want to curl up in a ball and be rolled under the couch with all the other socks and junk I now see under there. Stuff. Just. Everywhere.

Got moving and ready to run away workout. The usual roundup for breakfast. Oats for me are essential for heavy lifting days. I will be shaking halfway through my workout if I don’t have this carb in my belly to sustain me.

I like my oatmeal thick, not just kinda fine..

Coffee in hand, we headed to the gym. Worked legs heavy! Weighted squats, deadlifts, and walking lunges. For machines: calf raises, lying leg curls, leg extensions, sitting leg curls, hip adduction, hip abduction, and leg press with a calf raise superset. Takes just over an hour to do it all. 4 sets of everything. I get busy in the gym. I need one of those massive headphones so people know I’m not kidding, I’m here to put in work!!!

Finished up with a 1 mile hike walk on a 15% incline.. Sweat session complete!

Fiber is a regular in the house. I make sure my kids get a good amount everyday. For tonight’s bakery delight, I made Farmland Flax Cookies. They are delish! Kids love them! Recipe detail below:
Farmland Flax Cookies
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour (I use soy)
3/4 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup ground flaxseed meal
1 tsp baking soda
•Preheat oven to 350
•Blend together first 3 ingredients until light. Add egg and vanilla.
•In separate bowl, mix flour, flax, oats, and baking soda: stir into butter mixture until dough forms.
•Drop by teaspoonfuls balls (about 16) onto ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten.
•Bake for 15 minutes on middle rack. Cool 10 minutes.

Pair with milk, coffee or Bailey’s and Swerve Serve 🙂

Surprisingly, they’re only about 69 calories each. Now, that’s not a license to go crazy!
We’ve got fit goals, remember?

What’s your favorite go to healthy treat?

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Rest Day and the Rundown…

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Yesterday was an unplanned rest day. I just couldn’t get my Friday going. Yes, I planned on working legs heavy at the gym but a) my hamstrings were tight.. b) It was cold, and that made my hamstrings feel tighter, and c) I didn’t feel like walking around with tight hamstrings.. I just didn’t.

So, I got up early this morning and did 45 minutes of Step Aerobics.. before the rooster crowed coffee! Fasted cardio. Sweat equity for real!!

Ran a few errands, which included taking my girls to the library to get books for Thanksgiving Break next week – so their brains don’t completely turn to mush playing Minecraft all week.

Later, went to gym. Way later. Also found out the center is closed Thur-Sat (sucks, right?) and that slams our plans because my husband is off all week and we’d planned to work out every day in some capacity. But, maybe its a good thing! I have been missing my running, and this is the perfect way to get a few runs in without being too fatigued to do a strength workout. The weather outlook is really nice next week! Win? No, because I am gonna miss lifting this week.. we’ll just call it a draw.

Well, my husband brought home almost an entire birthday cake from work. So, of course that meant I had to dive right in make me a sweet, yet healthy treat and fast before I caved. So, I made a quick, yet exquisite Mango Nice Cream 🙂

Mango Nice Cream:
• 2 cups frozen mango
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Blend, serve and enjoy your Saturday night 🙂

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Soap Box 1.0

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Good morning! I’m more of a post workout blogger, but I wanted to stop the world and thank ALL of you incredible people that have read my posts, liked my posts, commented on a post, and followed my blog! This is for you and me! I feel the more I share my journey to help you, the better I become at becoming better. It’s all very becoming exciting!!
I have only one expectation for this blog, to help somebody! Even if that someone is me! There are a flood of blogs that talk about weight loss, health, exercise, crude memes and crazy crossstrikes and living a healthy life in general. Even some where the blogger has the body of a demi-god fitness model and even i’m like, we can just stop making blogs, she takes the cake what am I doing here again?
But see, I didn’t lose weight because I saw a fabulous model and wanted to be her. Or some out of this world weight loss story and wanted those results. I lost weight because I simply needed to, for me. I didn’t follow blogs, or journeys.. I laced up, and got out. However, when I was ready for my body to change, I followed a blog. When I was ready to become a runner, I followed a blog. Those blogs became my workout partners… I was doing what they did because I wanted that change.
And it works! It really does. That’s why I am here! Somebody is ready to change in a big way, and if you have chosen, even silently, to allow my blog to help in that journey– you have made a wise decision given this blog life and purpose, and I thank you for that!

So, that’s my spiel. I’m off to go throw around heavy things! Friday’s post will be up soon! Thank You, Hip Huggers!!!!!!

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Rain, Run.. and Romance

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This weather. Cold front coming through so wanted to get my last outdoor run in for the week. I was warming up for my run (it was a little misty) then BAM! Straight up pouring rain!! So the run was over before it began which totally threw off my whole morning. I came home and was just lost. My husband mentioned he was leaving the office early (I heard him say 2), so I didn’t want to wait around that long before getting a workout in. So, I headed to the gym.

I got there and the gym was totally empty. Refreshing since it’s been so many people there lately..

I warmed up with a quick 2 mile run in the Cardio Zone! Had a chat with a guy on the eliptical about the Ranger’s trade. I like Kinsler, but Fielder is a slugger! Go Rangers!

Worked arms lighter – about 15 lbs less weight for machines, 5 less on free weights, and increased reps to 12.. What a pump!

Home to recover and stretch!! I am always gonna impose encourage this because it is so important!!

My husband got off super early (like 10 am!) which I wish I had known because I really would have loved a gym buddy today was excited about! Mainly because I was hungry and wanted to be treated to lunch. I missed him a little too, lol 🙂
Look, he came bearing gifts! I totally married up.

Went to Saltgrass steakhouse for lunch. Food absolutely hit the spot after that workout! I hope I didn’t totally undo it all.. Eek!!

Vaquero tacos.. Just 2. I can live with that!

What did you treat yourself to this week?

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Sunday before Sundown…

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Hello Hip Readers!! Took Saturday off from everything and just relaxed! Much needed recovery. All rested and ready for the week! Here’s a rundown of my Sunday..
Morning coffee and clothes to fold. Finally catching up on all this…

1 load down, 10 more years 2 more to go…

On my way to church. I was out of huevos, so a PB protein shake it was (see pretty cup)…

Time to hit Legs! Worked back and some triceps too.

Yes, I wear a jacket tied around my waist at the gym… I’m such am advocate for modesty, lol
Food? Yes please. We ate wraps and Triscuits while watching the kids eat chili dogs and Doritos.. Oh the joys of youth!

Time to relax with the family. Run planned for the morning. Looking especially forward to this week! 🙂
Hope you all had a great weekend! Did you get a workout in?

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5 Miles… Nuts!!

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I am suffering from one of the 3 agonies below… ugh, nuts.

As much as I wanted to cry myself a river lie on the floor and do nothing, I had a run planned today!
Peeled myself away from my big tin of salted nuts, and got dressed. These little guys came and watched… nuts!

This weather is nutty! Hottest 37 degrees ever! And. Just. Beautiful.

Run Done! 5 miles complete!

Came home for a quick shower and recovery before running out to do some errands. Flipped through some glossy pages as I rested, too…before I go nuts.

I’m not a vegetarian, however I do make meatless meals often. My family has been real good sports about trying new foods, thank God! I eat plenty of lean meats, but I still supplement with protein drinks and protein rich foods. Protein is the best recovery after a good run or workout for me!
A cup of Greek yogurt (which is packed with protein by the way) and some granola for good measure is the best nightcap when my late night cravings hit! Try it! Go nuts!!!

What has put a snag in your running/workout plans? What do you think about meatless food options?

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Easy Runnin’ + Coolin’

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Hello Readers! Happy Hump Day!!

Wednesdays are my best run days (says NikeRunning, lol) so I geared up for an easy run.Had a queen’s breakfast today, so I am good and fueled up! I did want a little something sweet, so I grabbed a small handful of dried cranberries. Strapped on my Garmin, and I hit the road…

 

Cold…yes! Sunny, blue, and beautiful.. yes, yes, and yes!!!

Easy run playlist fav! This song feels just as cool as the title reads, seriously! Good listen, if it’s your thing…

My easy runs really help me feel/fix my form. I pay attention to picking up my knees and not twisting my torso so much… I’ve improved! My greatest fear is getting injured trying to do too much or doing it improperly and not being able to run at all! Never worth it. I’m a work in progress, and happy with my 10 minute miles for now…

Run done! 3 chilly miles…

Rehydration. I’m a salty sweater 😁💦

My daughters had a Thanksgiving program at their school last night. So, between getting them ready, cooking dinner, and elbowing for pictures, I was spent. I did nothing. I woke up about 11pm and ironed school clothes.. but that was it! I now have many things to get tidy around here, today. I need hired help, or my mom to visit, lol! Until then, my family is on notice.

What does your midweek workout look like? Taking it easy, or going big?

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Second Time Around…

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I am a huge advocate for home workouts. When I first decided to become physically active, I walked and incorporated step aerobics into my life.

Backstory: I found a Step and 4 risers at a garage sale for $5 back in 2008. I bought a step DVD for plus size women online. Mind you, I had never stepped before in my life. I completed the workout 2 times, and then unapologetically retired all that stuff to the hall closet. Step is intense! I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was to get fit that way, or at all. I gave up…

Fast forward 3 years and THIS time, it was the beginning of a great relationship! When I couldn’t walk outside, I made no excuse for not working out. I pulled out that step, threw in that DVD and got moving! Even now, if I want to build up a good 45 minute sweat session, it’s my go to. So glad I held onto it all these years – I absolutely love all things Step. I am also a recent convert of all things Jillian Michaels. I have only watched her on ‘Biggest Loser and a few appearances she’s done, but I made up in my own mind that I really liked her (she may not be for everyone, but she’s for me!) and wanted to try her home workouts. If the opportunity (frugally) presented itself, I was in.
So, we were at a garage sale this summer and my husband spotted a couple JM DVDs: Yoga Meltdown and 30 Day Shred…He got them. And they sat on my shelf until last Monday. The weather was super cold out last week, so I was looking for something at home that would build up a good sweat and involve a little strength training… Voila!
After one week, I’m a fan! I love the intensity of 30 Day Shred. I did Level 1 Monday, Level 2 Wednesday, and Level 3 Friday. That workout is tough! Afterwards, I felt brand new, but it was a real challenge with each new circuit. I used 5 lb. weights for the strength segments… oh man!!

I shared my excitement on Instagram. My sister saw and remembered she had stuffed away her ‘Biggest Winner Collection after losing her baby weight. She saw my interest, and since she’ll never use them (she is an avid runner, I have drawn so much inspiration from her.. that’s another post), she sent them on down to me! With winter coming, these alternatives are perfect! New toys to try!Today’s workout: 30 Day Shred Level 3 (20 mins.) and a 3 mile run…
Done… and done.
Protein recovery… Open and shut.Crazy the mental transformation. I remember dreading putting that step DVD in after my first go. Made up in my mind I was modifying everything before I even started. Now, years later and a mind/body transformed, I go full out! I push it to the limits! I don’t like getting left behind, so I dig! I love working out!
What weightloss/fitness programs have worked better for you the second time around?

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