Not-So-Attacking Lower Ab

 

Continuing in  my quest to actually do some of my workout pins, the next pin on me list was this Lower Ab Attack.

Needless to say, it wasn't so much of an attack, but that could have been because I don't know what a roll-up, flutter kick, or lunge twist is. I took the terms and made my own version. It was semi-tough, but it didn't get me sweaty or out of breath, which is how I judge my workouts.

 

I began with a typical warm-up then started the workout. About halfway through, I decided to give my abs a break and did some leg/arm exercises.

When I completed the plan, I felt like I had just started warming up (I'd like to say it's because I am in such good shape, but that would be a lie), but like I said before, if I'm not sweaty and out of breath I don't count it.

 

My point may be: this is a great, quiet, easy exercise.

I approve.

 

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think!

Loves--M

The 100 Workout

I see little workout plans all the time on Pinterest, but do I ever actually do them? Of course not.

 

I love exercising. Like love-love. I played volleyball and soccer in high school, but since then it has been a whole lot of nothing. I finally convinced myself to start doing something-anything. I had the Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 DVD already, so I decided to start with that. I am very proud to say that I have completed the entire 4-week program! Yay me! But now, it has been a week and I have not exercised even a tiny bit, and I am eating a whole lot of junk.

Perfect answer? Take a look at all the fitness pins that I have and actually do some.

So here is the first:

 

 

I started with a warm up, bits and pieces of random warm up moves that I have learned to warm my major muscles before I started the workout.

When I began the actual workout, it dawned on me that there was absolutely no way that I could do 90 crunches in a row....I'm not Iron-woman. I divided the entire workout.

Here is what I actually did:

3-5 minute warm-up

50 jumping jacks, 45 crunches

50 jumping jacks, 45 crunches

40 squats, 35 leg lifts

40 squats, 35 leg lifts

30 jumping jacks, 25 crunches

30 jumping jacks, 25 crunches

20 squats, 15 leg lifts

20 squats, 15 leg lifts

20 jumping jacks

10 minutes of running

2 minutes cool-down walk

3-5 minute stretch

 

Notice that I still did the right number of everything, just divided up a little better.

I noticed while I was doing the workout, my arms weren't getting much exercise. I think that adding a weight during the squats and pressing them above your head while doing squats would fix that problem

 

In the end, I thought this was a totally cool workout!

Good job Pinterest, I am satisfied.



Forget it and Live

 

In my latest blog, I decided to try a body cleanse. My goal was to live 21 days without caffeine, sugar, gluten, or animal products. So what does that mean? Well, I had to be a vegan. Yummy right?

I began on day 1 ready to go. I had a shopping list of everything I wanted to buy and I had several new recipes that I wanted to try. As I started my day, I looked for something to eat for breakfast. As you may suspect, I found nothing, not-a-thing. I decided that 'ohwell, I'm heading to the grocery store anyways, I'll live without breakfast.' I was fine without food, but my morning coffee that I had to miss irritated me a little (no caffeine remember?).

By the time that I made it to the grocery store, I was about to starve. I realised that I couldn't even look in most aisles because of my strict rules. I bought a few frozen bags of veggies and a few fresh veggies, but other than that, not too much. When I made it home, I noticed my head was starting to hurt from not having coffee and I could not go another minute without eating. I had a plain veggie burger and a baked potato with veggie butter and veggie cheese on it. It didn't taste too bad because I was so hungry, but it didn't fill me up either.

The image of a cheeseburger wouldn't leave me.

I had convinced myself that I would never be able to eat yummy food never ever again. I was mad and hungry. Not a good combination.

I made it to about 8:00 that night.

I went into the kitchen when I couldn't stand it anymore. I acted all sneaky about it when I grabbed something and ate it. It was delicious. Then I asked myself, 'why in the world did you decide to do this?' Honestly, not for a good enough reason. I knew that I was going to be in a terrible mood for 3 weeks, starve, and not be able to enjoy going out because I had such a strict diet. "But the results are worth it." Okay, fair enough. But how long do you think it would take me to get back the same point that I was at when I started? Not long.

These are my reasons(:

 

I was at a Bible study last night and we talked about beauty, it really registered with me because of what I had been doing. I had put my image and my body before what was going on inside of me. Beauty comes from within, not from the outside. I am in no way saying that we shouldn't care about our bodies or our appearance. We have been given these bodies and we should care for them, but not become obsessive about it. When I think about my body more than my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I am doing something wrong. I have been given this body, and I have been given a life to live. I don't want to be angry because I can't keep my body in perfect condition. I want to be happy because my body can allow me to be joyful and have fun. Three weeks of anger and hunger seems to me to be the opposite of what I am allowed to do and should do. There is yummy food that I can eat and memories that I can make when I don't obsess with the little things. I'm not saying that I am not going to try to be healthy, of course I will try to be healthy, but I am not going to think about my body more than I do my relationships, that would be a sad waste.
 

 

I guess that this is all that I have for now. Thanks for reading(:

Loves,

M

Day Whatever

Apparently daily blogging is just not my thing. But I still love to do it so the blogging world will have to live with me for awhile longer. (:

This is my newest goal:

http://www.ehow.com/way_5715248_21_day-cleanse-instructions.html

I am slightly frightened.

Okay, I am terrified. I don't know how I am going to live without my coffee. But I am determined!

I have been inspired by the movement of organic, healthy, cleansing lifestyles recently and now I am going to try something big. I have never survived a process like this, but the end results are so beautiful. I leave myself no choice! I will begin on October 16th and end on November 6th. Once again, I will blog for motivation.

A few updates on my previous goals:

College life-

Exactly the same. Hectic. Boring. Blah. I am organized though! I found that an extra large desk calendar helps keep all of my classes organized and keeps me on track. Since all 7 of my classes are online, it can be easy to ignore them or totally forget about them.

Next, my "business"-

Beautiful! I love it. I have so many ideas and such a nice space to work in. This fall I have been experimenting with numerous ideas and I am so excited about them. I haven't been able to make it to any festivals this season, but because I have only just started, I am making major plans for next fall and winter. This is the beginning of my business so I am not expecting a big turnout. And plus, if I were expecting too much, I would be sadly disappointed. I am just going to start slow and do what the Lord has blessed me with. I am so thankful for the opportunity to even do this. I am very lucky.

Luck- when preparation meets opportunity.

I am not quite sure where I herd this definition of luck, but I like it!

That's all for my previous goals!

Now just a little side note to anyone who cares(:

A few days ago, my sweet boyfriend decided to take me on a hike. We had been on this hike last year at this time. Actually, it was exactly a year ago today that we went. But anyways, we took off to Peaks of Otter. It is such a beautiful walk. It is about 3 miles to the top and back. It can be rocky at times, but the view from the top is so worth the walk to it.

 

It was such a beautiful day to walk. It has been rainy and cold in southern VA these past few weeks, so the break in the weather was a blessing.

I would definitely recommend the hike to anyone on the parkway or around Bedford. It is worth it.

 

So that is it for Day Whatever.

Loves,

M