Tag: working out

Eating, Fitness, Lifting, Running

Permission to be Paleo’ish

runswithhips

Hello, Hip Huggers!

This is Day 2 of me tracking my calories and I feel like I am finally in a mind frame of peace.  I admittedly have
gotten very relaxed with food portions and fat intake since transitioning from a Paleo to LCHF way of eating.

Now that I am revisiting daily low intensity fat burning cardio, I need to reduce my fat consumption by a bit.
In that, I’ve decided to cut back drastically on the cheese, and dairy. When I initially began
eating Paleo, I was at my most fit! I didn’t indulge in those to groups above and alongside a bit more
cardio, I was very positive about my weight and my physique.

 I would like to reduce my overall body fat percentage and lose about 10 lbs. over the next couple of months.
So, I have recalibrated my workouts 15 minutes of full body circuits and 30 minutes of low intensity, fat burning cardio daily. I know the true change comes in dietary changes, so I am back to eating Paleoish.

So after a happy Paleo breakfast of kale, mushroom, and eggs along side some burnt bacon and black coffee, I was ready to get my sweat on for the day. We did a leg circuit as follows:

***4 Rounds with 5# weights***
15 Curtsy to Squats
15 Squat Pulses
15 Lateral Lunges (each side)
15 Lateral Walks (each way)

 After that burn, we went on a 3 mile stroll around the park. Me getting a good post workout stretch…

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Me getting in a gratuitous yoga pose stretch…

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Once we got back to the crib, my neighbor friend showed me a cool little set of intervals that boosted my heart rate thru the roof! We used the sloped curb and did these drills about 2 minutes. I’ll record it next time and share it with you all!

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78 Minute workout. 630 Calories burned. Poor lighting.

***

Home and looking for food. I desperately need to buy groceries, because eating wraps everyday is a wrap getting kinda boring.

So, I chopped up some peppers and boiled potatoes, threw in sausage and cracked an egg.

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Nothing fancy, but Paleo approved!
***
Stretching and off to the library to find a good yoga Paleo living book!
Catch you later!

Question: Are you Paleo? LCHF? Low GI? Let me know!

 

 

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Fitness, Lifting, Running

Saturday Snags

runswithhips

Happy Saturday, Hip Huggers,

I picked up my kiddos from their friend’s sleepover early
so I could get a workout in on this fabulous Saturday afternoon.
But, I couldn’t leave without snagging some leftover pre-workout…

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Homemade Frozen inspired strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
They were divine! Is there a better pre motivation to workout than this?
***
Speaking of motivation, I’m glad I didn’t let yesterdays run dissuade me today.
Still a little stunned by my digression, I felt like I couldn’t even deal with pace today.
Like, we’ve seriously broken up until I get some answers speed under my feet.
My only tangible goal today was to run 3 easy miles, nonstop.
No pace, no mileage just a full out run is all my poor little discouraged heart desired.
So, we ready? Cupcake Food in Belly? Check. Running gear? Check. Gratuitous Selfie?

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Check… out those muddy dog paws on my floor.
Let me get outta here before someone slips asks me to clean it!
***
Such a beautiful day, so I figured I’d be spontaneous and snagged a new route,
secretly hoping it would be a flatter route and boost my running ego a bit.
By the time I got home, 40 minutes had passed and it felt like about 3 miles.
I’m glad I didn’t have my Garmin because I didn’t want to even know that pace… boo.
But, I have to keep in mind I have built muscle and I’m carrying around a lot more
girl than I was last summer when I was running 100+ mile months. So, to share some
encouraging advice I received yesterday: one must be okay with slow winter running!

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Especially with still waters and blue skies like this!
Thank you Boring Broad Runs for your words!
***
Got home and the hubby and my teenager were working out in the garage,
so I grabbed my weights did about 10 minutes of arms and squats along with them.

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After an hour of working out, I was pleased with today’s effort.
Always awesome when you get a good sweat in on a Saturday, folks.
Afterwards, I stretched, showered, and recovered Naked.

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I am not a huge fan of calorie laden drinks, no matter how fruity.
But these 32 oz. bottles are regular price $4 and I snagged them for $1 each!
Something tasty to sip on with some vodka eggs in the a.m. after yoga…

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I’ll pass on the yoga vodka. This time.
Sleep Tight, Hip Huggers!

Question: What’s the last fabulous deal you got?

Fitness, Lifting, Running

Birthday Bounce Back…and Biceps

runswithhips

Good Morning, Hip Huggers!
No secret my bday was yesterday’s past,
and I was bestowed the perfect gift of a
beautifully peaceful day… if that is ok.

bday
To the future!

***
I am incredibly grateful to see another year before me,
but I am not a huge birthday celebrator.
I am pretty content with a new pair of shoes
and a lemon cake with lemon frosting.
Because I am easy to forget please…

forget
(source)

I thought I was hard remember until
I was getting ready to start my old faithful
daily 3 mile trot around the park when  got a tweet
that my story was finally featured on Yogaudacious!

This is an awesome little space for yogis to share their stories
about their, our first experiences with yoga.
Yoga is a beautiful practice to have a part of one’s daily life, and
I am grateful for the chance to share. Thank you, ladies.

Check out my feature here!

Let me share my workout! Got going on my balmy 3 miler.
Breezy, yet sunny, no one but the strays landscapers.
I was certainly gifted with a beautiful day!

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Returned to mi casa and tripped over onto the weights!
Here’s a bulletin for any new Hip Huggers:
I absolutely love lifting heavy. I see the most change
when I am challenging my muscles on that level.
However, there is a season for everything.
I am currently in one season of working full body and
keeping my heart rate high through the duration
of my workout to burn some unneeded fat.
I’m sorry, I can’t curl 15’s for 4 sets of 10
and still have juice to do exploding lunges.
I will die can’t.
So, I unapologetically grab these 8 lb. weights
and go to town on these guns after cardio:

15 Bicep Curls
15 Single Dumbbell Rows
15 Single Tricep Extensions
15 Alternating Shoulder Presses

4 sets of that and my arms were screaming!
Less can be more! I cant stress that enough.
Birthday Bounce, Biceps and Back Done!

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Like a Birthday Boss!
***
I was on the phone talking to my sister yesterday,
and she asked when I was going to start posting workout
videos YouTube. I concluded never. the last thing folks
need is another know it all. Buuuuut, I must say
there aren’t a whole lot of workout videos for the
pear shaped beauties of the world such as myself.
I mean, you don’t need a plus size video to work out,
but it does help when you can see someone else who
looks like you getting a workout in or just showing
a ‘How-To! Albeit sweating and looking crazy, like me!

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“Mirror, mirror on the wall,
whose the Hippest Runner of them All?”

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That may be a stretch, but vlogging sure wouldn’t be!
A good project I can work on in
the coming months… stay tuned, Hipsters!

Question: Do you do exercise using online fitness videos?

Eating, Fitness, Lifting, Running

Fog, Food, and Free Weights

runswithhips

Hey Hey, Hip Huggers!

This morning, I had planned for a run.. but the fog was ridiculous!

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So, while I waited for the sun to come and do it’s thing,
I cooked up this complete breakfast and grabbed a book to
keep me busy. Just until the fog let up a bit.

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2 hours, a LOT of fog still lingered… and no sun.
Visibility had to be 10 yards or so. Just too dangerous
to run, even at the speed I planned on sloshing about at.
So finally,  I opted for a quick lifting sesh instead.

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For the first time in quite awhile,
I concentrated on just one muscle group
and keeping my heart rate between
70 – 80% by still having an active rest in between.
My workout consisted of:

Shoulders:
15 Dumbbell Presses
15 (ea.) Single Shoulder Presses
15 Pulse to Full Presses
***

Between each of these sets, I performed 15 squats
to keep my heart rate up and immediately jumped right
back into the shoulder work with little recovery.

3 sets of all that and I was toast.

I felt very alive after that burn, so
still wanted some cardio… any cardio!
Luckily, my neighbor text and asked if I wanted to stroll, yo.

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***
Showered, stretched, and satisfied.
Now I’m home snacking on a banana
with a few handfuls nuts and berries.

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***
I’m currently updating my blog page… hyper complicated.
So be patient if ‘ish looks weird on here. I’m a novice.

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Wish me luck, I need a fresh outlook for the New Year!

Question: What is your favorite social media site?

Fitness, Yoga

Nab the Grab

runswithhips

Helloooo Hip Huggers!!
How was your 3 day weekend?
I spent mine trying get my life together…

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Just couldn’t capture it.
***
The weather here in Dallas has been perfect!
The sun has been in a very festive mood.
For the first time in weeks I’ve been able to
expose skin and show off some new kicks!

Speaking of kicks, I haven’t been kicking up my heels running lately.
Not much lifting to report either, but I haven’t been standing still.
I had an awesome yoga session Saturday morning
once I shook off the cobwebs and got down to the mat.
I really just wanted to fold and bend a bit,
so I didn’t set any intentions for practice…

Triangle Pose

I later changed my mind and decided to nab the grab…
Triangle Pose with a Bind

Once I finally opened up and could bend a little,
I warmed up my back and core with wheel pose.
My mantra this year is to open up my back, and I have
been keeping that mindset as I go into every practice.
That may not always happen, but that’s what intentions are all about.
So, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus backbends.
I figured I’d see how ready my hands were to nab my feet in a full bow pose…

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Nabbed It! I love how yoga always gives me a new
perspective on triumphs. Whether it be trying something new,
or doing something better, yoga has taught me
that any process takes time and in that,
be gentle to yourself and be okay in the ‘in between

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Be in the In Between.
How’s this capture for perspective?
***

Now, I am off to Workout + Walk for my WOD!
I’ll catch you Hip Huggers later!

Question: What color is your yoga mat?

Running, Yoga

Catching Up and Coming Clean

runswithhips

Hello and Happy Wednesday Hip Huggers!

I had planned on getting up early and running after dropping off the kiddos,

but I saw a huge Dalmatian that stared at me like a bouncer, and I didn’t have a VIP pass…

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So, I opted for yoga first.

I just HAD to get back on the wrecking ball today. In a major way.

So, in addition to my regular home practice, I had planned on participating in a four asana

challenges this month…but then, after much thought, decided not to.

In August, I only participated in one month-long challenge, #AumSweetAum hosted by YogabyJo

along with another awesome yogi. There was something so peaceful and fun about that

challenge that I honestly, only wanted to participate in their September challenge, #TulaYogi.

But, I really want to work on yoga sequencing aka yoga flow, so I’m doing #back2bayZITs as well.

That’s not to say I won’t dabble every now and then with some of the other poses from those

other challenges, but as far as commitments go, those are the only 2 my heart was in.

So, morning yoga flow + posted 6 asanas to catch up to Day 3 of both challenges…

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Anantasana Variation, Side Reclining Leg Lift w/ Half Lotus

In hindsight, I really could have sharpened up this asana, but no, That’s the beauty of yoga..

it’s your own practice! Some days my body gives 100 %… others, it’s just barely on the mat.

Take it however it comes… because all is coming!

***

Now to running…

I decided I was going to walk or run 30 minutes a day no matter what for the month of September.

Just a little challenge for myself now that the weather is calming down and being outdoors

doesn’t feel like 91000 degrees.  But, I skipped yesterday so now I am in the negative and needed a 4.5 mile run…

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 Just 3 miles done!

Too HOT!  Needless to say, I’ll be catching up on a later date 🙂

***

In other non fitness news, I had an amazing conversation with my best friend yesterday.

We both shared in our struggle to stop settling for less in life. We are conquerors and it

can be easy to get discouraged and put major plans for your life on hold until said courage

is at full tank. I think more for me, I realized that is just no longer and acceptable excuse

to not achieve what I want for my life! I want to work in fitness and on a major scale.

I want to teach yoga, fitness, and have a walking club for geriatric, pregnant, and disabled human beings

of the world. My empathetic heart wants to help those that NEED help and can’t do it alone.

So, I just wanted to put that out there for you Hip Huggers. I’ve shared in a dream of mine.

Now, it’s time to make it come true!

Thanks for letting me come clean today!

Question: Speaking of dreams, I started taking 5 HTP and have nightmares!

Anyone else experience that side effect of taking this natural precursor? Let me know!

Uncategorized

Week Long Runs & Run Downs

runswithhips

Happy Friday, Hip Huggers!

A few pretty cool things happened this week!

Let’s start with Monday

a 5 miler and some yoga pose challenges right…

Well, as I was coming to blog about this massive dead turtle seen on my run,

my hubby came home with a gift bearing a familiar sentiment…

I got an iPad! A blog reader’s dream! I didn’t even beg ask!

Just Love Him 🙂

So, I’m distracted scrolling through Instagram when I noticed I had a message in my inbox.

It was a fellow fit IG’er, Heartbeat4Many, asking if I’d help host

a yoga challenge but not really a challenge #ShadesofHealth on Instagram.

Then she made a collage of all the yogis participating. I was blown away..

…blown away because I cannot believe someone felt I belonged in this crowd of exceptional yoginis.

I’m so humbled and filled with gratitude. I don’t. deserve. this. attention.

***

Tuesday…

has rolled around. I wanted to get a quick yoga session in before my run.

Another IG’er I follow posted a video of her first successful handstand.

Our fears were very similar, so that gave me a sense of strength in that I could do it, too…

Very proud of that!

But with all the energy given to the excitement of it all,

 I needed a jolt of energy to handle this short run…

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The beautiful sky honestly was almost enough.

***

Wednesday…

was a pleasant surprise! My neighbor wanted to run along!

I had 3 miles already planned! Perfect distance  for our friendship so it was just all meant to be…

***

Thursday…

was a much needed rest day from running.

I had been nonstop since the Week before! I needed to break before I broke myself.

But I did get in some yoga…

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**Friday**

Today, my long run was planned. 8 miles was on the menu…

Guess I wanted dessert! Pink Toes!

Today is also my twin son’s birthday and we’re taking them to see Transformers tonight.

So, I’m stealing a few moments with Runner’s World and

a green smoothie bliss and chatting it up with y’all!

Lastly, I got a few questions last week,  so I dabbled in vlogging it all!

Check it out!

Question? What are your questions??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncategorized

Kinda Klassy

runswithhips

Good Evening Hip Huggers!

I just wanted to jump in and let you all know I have been featured on a blog! Again!! And it’s kinda a big deal for me!!!

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Kinda a big deal because it involved oversharing talking about 2 things that I never even considered in my life 4 years ago

that more than  kinda set me apart from the flock of fitness folk…

Fitness and Natural Hair!

Yes, this is a fitness blog kinda, and I absolutely love it that way!

I feel when I was trying to get healthy, I had no one that looked, talked ate like “Me” and that made me go it alone.

My fitness goals were realized and achieved this way, and I have maintained this lifestyle well. But

I know someone needs to see it can happen…that’s why I am here! 🙂

***

I L.O.V.E. being NATURAL!!! Absolutely, 100% happy being Fit Bloggin’ Naturalista!

Becoming natural crazy sounding ain’t it? changed me in a lot of ways just like getting fit and healthy did!

I don’t see a lot of women of my color where I live embracing a fit lifestyle. I’m in no way saying they don’t or don’t exist,

but it’s not something I see often. Everyday. All the time.

I don’t see a lot of women of color where I live embracing being natural either, but that’s ok! To each, her own.

But, for me to make the decision, build up the courage, and shave it ALL off to become content

with what God gave me was…. is…freeing. Something I’ll never forget.

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And if I can help in just one woman’s choice to get fit, go natural or run their hips,

this blog has a heartbeat. And I know it does. I can feel it!

So, sniffle Hip Huggers, please go check out the interview at Klassy Kinks!

Ijeoma is doing great things reaching out to Naturalistas everywhere!

I gave some sound advice on getting started fitness wise and how to keep that natural hair looking fabulous, too!

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Share the knowledge, you never know whose looking 🙂

Enjoy the Read, Hipsters!

 

Uncategorized

Out with the Old, In with the Clone

runswithhips

 

Hello Hipsters!!! Hope you are having a fantastic Summer-To-Be!!

What I have for you is yet, an other awkward post after a nother disappearing act. Yours truly.

Was kinda hoping no one noticed?

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 But, there is new perspective here. So, 3 weeks ago, my Instagram was deleted.

2 years of sharing progress, runs, milestones, food, and MANY other gratuitous pictures… gone. I can’t even get my name back; I’ve tried.

 It’s suspended in uselessverse somewhere. Indefinitely – because @runswithhips just tells me some lame excuse about she’s “not found”… I miss her.

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So, that unfortunate “break” allowed me a lot of time to reconvene what my purpose and point of even sharing is, really.

I mean, was I more disappointed that all my pictures were gone, or that I lost ALL those followers?  My ducklings!

Gah, I couldn’t even deal… I was just done with stupid Instagram altogether.

Then, I (accidentally) sought peace in the most unassuming of places… my blog 🙂

In short: I went back just yesterday and started reading from my very first post. I laughed… A LOT!! The BEST therapy.  I was actually proud of the content and direction I was once going in my blog but furthermore, I was proud I had ever even started it!  Who am I?!?!

I figured this: just like IG 2 years ago, no one cared about runs or hips or how.  It was just another page on a social media site with a bajillion other people posting the same. exact. story.

So, how’d I ever end up with 1000 people even remotely interested in my journey? How’d my page become “feature worthy” or even worth the Shout Out? Or a landing for encouraging words and goal setting? I think folks were genuinely encouraged! And something about my page was…  INTERESTING!!!!!!

So, I removed the clouds out of my brain, and started a new IG page: @runswithips  – Pretty much the same, sans an “h”…
Until Instagram changes its ugly ways, I’ll forever be a clone…

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 A bit painful, because the former was my little baby and I poured into it… but no way could Instagram ever have the audience that a REAL LIVE BLOG ever can. This is real stuff!! My new launch pad.

So, do I stop doubting my blogosphere skills and start making my space here? For real, for real? For real.

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Exceptionally.

Question: Has a Shutdown on social media actually rekindled a LOVE for something else?