There is so much information about diets and nutrition...what to eat, when to eat, etc. It gets very overwhelming because you don't really know who or what to believe. I am not a nutritionist, but I say keep it simple and as unprocessed as possible. Personally, I don't count calories anymore because I was getting too anal about it. I just listen to my body, eat every few hours and drink tons of water. If I have something "bad" I will definitely feel it pretty quickly. Plus its my health and I want to put the best nutrition in my body. If this works for you too...AWESOME! If this doesn't work based on your health and fitness goals, try something else. What I would highly recommend is to pick something, stick with it and don't deprive yourself of too many calories. This is a lifestyle change and not a "diet".
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
It's Not All About The Gym...
Fitness is not all about going to a gym. If you do not enjoy doing cardio on an elliptical or lifting weights, then I say don't do it. It's all about doing what you love, staying active and having fun. There are so many things to do, so everybody should find something they enjoy. There's the gym, fitness classes, various sports, sidewalks to run and walk on and the list goes on and on. The most important thing is just staying active.
For me, I LOVE the gym. I usually lift weights, but sometimes I do some cardio on a machine. My favorite is the stairmill! I like to listen to a recorded AdvoCare call while doing my cardio. It makes time go by faster and I feel really accomplished when it's done!
Another thing I really like is variety. It's very hard for me to do the same thing, over and over, for many days or weeks on end. I have been consistent with my weight training, but over the past year I have tried (or reintroduced) several things, including spinning, Bikram Yoga, hiking and most recently tennis! I have really enjoyed myself on the court again, and it's such a great workout!
Moral of my story...gyms are overrated. If you enjoy them...EXCELLENT! If you don't, find something that you enjoy that includes getting up and moving!
For me, I LOVE the gym. I usually lift weights, but sometimes I do some cardio on a machine. My favorite is the stairmill! I like to listen to a recorded AdvoCare call while doing my cardio. It makes time go by faster and I feel really accomplished when it's done!
Another thing I really like is variety. It's very hard for me to do the same thing, over and over, for many days or weeks on end. I have been consistent with my weight training, but over the past year I have tried (or reintroduced) several things, including spinning, Bikram Yoga, hiking and most recently tennis! I have really enjoyed myself on the court again, and it's such a great workout!
Moral of my story...gyms are overrated. If you enjoy them...EXCELLENT! If you don't, find something that you enjoy that includes getting up and moving!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Every Minute Counts!
We live such busy lives, but everyone has the same 24 hours in the day. I try to not stress about getting everything done, but I try different things to be more efficient and that leads to getting more things done! :)
I take various supplements, but one of them I need to take 30 minutes before I eat my first meal in the morning. Now, I usually wake up pretty hungry and I always want to eat as soon as possible. It seems to save me a few seconds, but I put my morning supplements and water by my bed before I go to sleep. Then even before I get out of bed, I take my supplements. Then 30 minutes later I eat my first meal, head to the gym, and live my day.
There have been a couple of times where I forget to do this, and I get distracted. It doesn't seem like much, and it's not, but every moment counts!
I'd love to hear any feedback if this little tip helps anyone else! Have an AWESOME day!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Tennis and My Thoughts
I wanted to share my thoughts on my afternoon cardio from yesterday. I played tennis yesterday for the first time in over a year. It was only the second time that I had hit in probably about three years. It felt so good to be on the court again and I had SO MUCH fun!!! I am not really sure if I will join a league, play tournaments or just hit to break a sweat. But what I do know is this - If I am having fun, I will do it.
I was also extremely excited yesterday because I felt NO PAIN after hitting! No back pain, no foot pain...NOTHING! Wooohooo! I am not sure if it was due to my child-like excitement or the fact that the last time I stepped on court, I was probably 10-15 pounds heavier than I am now. I am a short person, so that extra weight is a lot to carry. It's just amazing to me that I felt so good and those extra pounds could have made all the difference in the world. It's definitely motivation for me to keep up my fitness level, and even get better than I am now.
Just a few nuggets of wisdom...don't feel like you always need to go to the gym to get a good workout. Not necessary and my philosophy is that if you don't enjoy it, DON'T do it! Secondly, take care of your body and even just a few extra pounds can lessen the chances of any aches and pains to creep in.
I was also extremely excited yesterday because I felt NO PAIN after hitting! No back pain, no foot pain...NOTHING! Wooohooo! I am not sure if it was due to my child-like excitement or the fact that the last time I stepped on court, I was probably 10-15 pounds heavier than I am now. I am a short person, so that extra weight is a lot to carry. It's just amazing to me that I felt so good and those extra pounds could have made all the difference in the world. It's definitely motivation for me to keep up my fitness level, and even get better than I am now.
Just a few nuggets of wisdom...don't feel like you always need to go to the gym to get a good workout. Not necessary and my philosophy is that if you don't enjoy it, DON'T do it! Secondly, take care of your body and even just a few extra pounds can lessen the chances of any aches and pains to creep in.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Hotel Workouts
I was in Dallas, Texas all weekend for AdvoCare Success School. WOW! It was an incredibly amazing experience hearing all of these great stories and being around such great leadership.
Here are two workouts we did while away. One was in a hotel gym, and the other was just in our hotel room. Lots of creativity here. Just like Diane McDaniel said...the couch will not change your life!
Workout #1
Super set, 3 times:
Sumo squats
Reverse lunges
Reverse crunches
Super set, 3 times:
One leg dead lifts
Squats, feet together
Russian Twists
3 times:
Step ups (up 4 flights of stairs, skipping steps)
2 calf raises each step, going up 4 flights of stairs
Walking lunges to elevator, hold squat while elevator comes, squat in elevator, walking lunge back to room.
Workout #2
6 sets:
Hindu push ups, dips, incline push ups, decline push ups
Abs in between each set
Here are two workouts we did while away. One was in a hotel gym, and the other was just in our hotel room. Lots of creativity here. Just like Diane McDaniel said...the couch will not change your life!
Workout #1
Super set, 3 times:
Sumo squats
Reverse lunges
Reverse crunches
Super set, 3 times:
One leg dead lifts
Squats, feet together
Russian Twists
3 times:
Step ups (up 4 flights of stairs, skipping steps)
2 calf raises each step, going up 4 flights of stairs
Walking lunges to elevator, hold squat while elevator comes, squat in elevator, walking lunge back to room.
Workout #2
6 sets:
Hindu push ups, dips, incline push ups, decline push ups
Abs in between each set
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
I LOVE Stairmills!
When it comes to cardio, there are so many things to choose from. Personally, I get bored easily so I like to mix it up. Some days I am just in the mood to stay on one machine. Other days, I like to try a variety of machines or do various exercises at home in front of YouTube to get my sweat going. As of late, I really am trying hard to not stress over the number of minutes I do. It's all about having fun! Now I'm sure this sounds incredibly crazy to most people. But seriously, it's all about fun and sweat!
I hear a lot that cardio is boring, and I agree that it CAN be. These are some things that I do to enjoy myself and NOT make it boring.
~Talk to a friend BUT also keep up the intensity!
~Listen to recorded AdvoCare conference calls. I have unlimited minutes on my cell phone. I keep a directory on my phone and BAM they are available whenever I need them.
~Switch machines. Not possible? Do intervals.
~Watch some TV or YouTube. I have done this many times at home and it's really fun to watch my favorite shows and matches that I typically don't have time to watch during the day.
Lately, I have been doing a lot more heavy lifting and not as much cardio. Not really any reason for this except that it's what I have been enjoying lately. However when I do cardio, I LOVE the Stairmill!!! I feel like I get such a great sweat in the shortest amount of time. I typically do it for about 20-30 minutes at time, increasing my speed as time goes on. Right now, I go for quality over quantity. I don't increase the speed at any set time, but just when I feel like I need it. And many times, I will go as fast as possible for the last minute. I LOVE the challenge!!!
2 words of advice on the Stairmill:
1) Never tried it? Start slow!
2) Don't let your ego get in the way. You are doing NOTHING for yourself if you go really fast and hunch over!
I welcome any comments and/or questions! kelrb8@gmail.com or find me on Facebook keli.roberts8
I hear a lot that cardio is boring, and I agree that it CAN be. These are some things that I do to enjoy myself and NOT make it boring.
~Talk to a friend BUT also keep up the intensity!
~Listen to recorded AdvoCare conference calls. I have unlimited minutes on my cell phone. I keep a directory on my phone and BAM they are available whenever I need them.
~Switch machines. Not possible? Do intervals.
~Watch some TV or YouTube. I have done this many times at home and it's really fun to watch my favorite shows and matches that I typically don't have time to watch during the day.
Lately, I have been doing a lot more heavy lifting and not as much cardio. Not really any reason for this except that it's what I have been enjoying lately. However when I do cardio, I LOVE the Stairmill!!! I feel like I get such a great sweat in the shortest amount of time. I typically do it for about 20-30 minutes at time, increasing my speed as time goes on. Right now, I go for quality over quantity. I don't increase the speed at any set time, but just when I feel like I need it. And many times, I will go as fast as possible for the last minute. I LOVE the challenge!!!
2 words of advice on the Stairmill:
1) Never tried it? Start slow!
2) Don't let your ego get in the way. You are doing NOTHING for yourself if you go really fast and hunch over!
I welcome any comments and/or questions! kelrb8@gmail.com or find me on Facebook keli.roberts8
