this one's for you.

First things first.

It's freezing.

Like.. ridiculous freezing.

Wind chill of -5??

I think it's time to move south.

Yuck.

 

But now onto the point of this post.

Because this one's for you.

Yes you.

The one who desperately wants to change her body image.

The one who wants to workout, just doesn't know where to start.

The one who can't afford a gym membership, but wants to start working on that summer body.

And the one who just wants to get more fit and healthier.

 

I've gotten some questions on different workouts to do at home.

...something that you can do in the comfort of your own home without a lot of equipment.

((I would eventually start investing in a set of dumbells. Start small and slowly build up.))

For this, I turn to Pinterest.

((You can go check out my board here))

 

But to save you some time and energy (cause we all need to preserve energy these days), I've decided to put a few workouts here to help get your started!

Now you don't have an excuse to not get your workout on tomorrow!!

 

So without further ado...

((Sorry... pictures will make this a long one))

 

First. Let's talk Tabata.

Tabata workouts are absolutely fantastic, killer, and quick.

Don't have a lot of time but want a great workout? Do a tabata.

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A tabata workout is working killer hard for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds.

For example, segment 1:

20 sec Mountain Climbers

10 sec rest

20 sec Bicycle Crunches

10 sec rest

20 sec Mountain Climbers

10 sec rest

20 sec Bicycle Crunches

10 sec rest

(repeat)

You can go hard for 20 seconds right? Yea.. that's what I thought.

Need a timer to help keep track of time?

This is what I use:

Free iPhone app right there!!

Need some more tabata ideas? Here's a great website that offers some different exercises:

Tabata Ideas

Warning: I sweat more during tabata workouts than any other workout I do. They're THAT awesome.

 

More workouts:

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Hope those all help give you some ideas!!

Now go kill it!!

 

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One more thing.

Don't be afraid of weights.

The more muscle you have, the more fat you'll burn throughout the day.

You don't have to become a body builder if you don't want to...

but don't skip out on strength training!!

 

Good luck and kick booty on your workout tomorrow!



forbidden.

Dum dum dum...

I'm about to bring up that forbidden topic.

You know...

that "D" word.

{diet}...

 

Yup.

I'm going there.

Embrace it.

 

 
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If only it was that easy...
 

As I've said before, I joined an 8-week weight loss competition.

We're 2 weeks in and I'm down 3.9%!!

9 lbs down.

15 lbs to go until I hit my goal.

 

To do this, I've been sticking to 1200 calories a day.

1200!!

Twelve hundred.

One thousand two hundred.

800 less than a normal person.

300 for breakfast, 300 for lunch, 300 for dinner, and 300 for snacks.
Also known as... HOLY GUACAMOLE!!

 

Do you know how hard it is to stick to 300 calories or less for a meal?

It's hard.

 

But here's where it gets good...

 

I can do it!!

I'm 2 weeks in, averaging 1100-1200 calories a day, and not starving all the time!!

I haven't had any cravings for Mt. Dew.

Chocolate cravings are minimal.

I'm not even craving pizza!!

((Shocker, I know))

 

 It doesn't even feel like a ((diet)) anymore!!
Can I get a {WHOOP WHOOP}!!
It seems to be just a new way of life...
and I LOVE it!!

Losing 9 lbs in 2 weeks?
I've been doing a lot of this:

Running...
 

Eating low calorie lunches... ((soup is delicious on a cold day BTW))


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Finding motivation through Pinterest and Instagram...

I've also been reading a book. I'm only 5 chapters in and I would absolutely recommend it.
The book?
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.
You can go buy it here.
It's worth your money. Promise.
It's helped me tremendously!!
Some snipets?
 

(You can thank me later.)

But...
Moral of the story?
Dont give up.
It is possible to do this.


2013. bring it on.

New year? New resolutions.

Honestly... part of me hates making resolutions.

Why make resolutions when your track record shows that you don't stick to most of them?

Well, the other part of me needs to make them.

Goals.

So here we are. The first day of the new year and I need to throw my new resolutions out there!

So feel free to hold me accountable.

Ask me how I'm doing with them.

Make me stick to them!

So... here we go!!

Physical Health:

-Finally hit my target weight. 50 lbs to go. I lost 50 lbs last year, I can do it again this year.

-Run 3 5k races.

-Train for a 10k race.

-Run up the S curves by the end of the year.

-Run at least 3 times a week.

-Do weight lifting at least 3 times a week. Push for 6 times a week.

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Personal:

-Find a new job that is more financially stable.

-Pay off 2 student loans.

-Try more new recipes.

-Research how to create an Etsy shop and possibly begin the process of starting one.

-Implement a daily/weekly cleaning schedule.

-Stick to a monthly budget.

-Get more organized!! 

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 Emotional:

-Blog more regularly. Aim for once per week.

-Read more books.

-Don't be afraid to take some "me time" whenever it's needed.
-Paint more!!

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Spiritual:

-Read the Bible daily.

-Do a devotional daily.

-Read more Christian books to help grow my faith.

-Pray daily.

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Simple enough right?

To get my fitness goals kicked off, I joined in with a small weight loss competition that my friend set up.

$25 cash to join.

8 weeks.

Weekly weigh-ins.

Cash prizes.

I'm determined to do this.

I've fallen off the wagon lately.

Gained some weight back.

Started drinking pop again.

My diet just went to the crapper.

But no more.

I'm getting back on track.

I WILL hit my goal weight this year.

50 lbs to go.

As far as the new job?

I went out on a limb already... took a leap of faith.

I turned in my intent letter marked as a "NO".

I am officially not going back to Redeemer next year.

And they've already filled my position for next year so there's no turning back!

Luckily I have made amazing friends with some families over the past few years and they are all willing to help me find a new job.

So I'm not too worried about it yet...

I have 5 months.

((yikes!!))

So there it is.

Personally, I think those are all easy, obtainable goals.

There's no reason why I shouldn't be able to stick to them.

I'm ready to get started and make my life better!!

Adios!!