New Year’s Workout and Hydration Tips

2k8a1708

It’s that time of year: New Year’s Resolution time!

I know a lot of you want to get back on the wagon, lose a few lbs., run farther, or just start eating better… and I don’t blame you!
I love having a fresh start!

After nearly 4 years of NO consistent workouts, lots of rest from the gym to heal from adrenal fatigue, I’m finally back on a plan. I’ve been doing TreadLIFT created by my friend Jill Coleman for the past 4 weeks and I’ve seen some amazing progress in my body composition, endurance and strength.

What I love is just having something short and sweet that I can do and get on with my day.
I know that small consistent steps create massive results.

I also started making my hydration a priority.

I started keeping a bottle of water on my nightstand so that when I wake up, I can just roll over and chug! I have always had a hard time with water because… well, the taste (or lack of it)
I just came across these amazing distilled electrolyte waters from Simple Truth and they have some great flavor options and also these:

  • Available in 24 pack and 1 liter bottles
  • 4 flavors in 1L – Blackberry Blueberry, Lemon, Mandarin Orange and Tropical Mango
  • Approximate ¼ price of national brand equivalent water (#FindTheMoneyProject !)
  • No artificial sweeteners, preservatives or calories (boom!)
  • Distillation process: Municipal water is steamed; the vapor is collected and condensed.
    • Distillation removes all impurities and minerals.
    • Electrolytes are added for taste (calcium chloride, potassium bicarbonate and magnesium chloride)
  • Four servings of water are contained in each 33.8 fluid ounce bottle (at eight fluid ounces or one cup each).

2k8a1726

So here is a workout you can do just about anywhere (with a few pieces of equipment) and make sure you’re hydrated before, during and after with Simple Truth water

Twisted 25 Workout

Thrusters

Push-Press

Deadlift

Burpees

Jump Squats

2k8a1717

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

Get Glowing Liver Cleanse

As you can imagine, in the fitness industry I love to check out all the latest research, learn about the human body, how it works, and how to make it perform OPTIMALLY.

Ever since I struggled with metabolic damage and hormonal issues stemming for over-dieting and exercise I have been even MORE consumed with learning how to make my hormones function optimally and what “true” health is.

 

I have tried different cleanses before, I have even created my own.

However, about 8 months ago I needed PROFESSIONAL help (think DOCTOR) with my wacky hormones.
I met a woman, Dr. Tami, at an event, and right away I could tell “She GETS me.. she GETS MY BODY!!”

Sometimes, as women, we just KNOW that something is off, but we don’t have any exact reason for saying so.

Dr. Tami helped me get my hormones tested and helped me understand what was happening with my body… why my moods and periods were wacky.. why I was tired in the afternoon… whew!!

What I love about her is that she GENUINELY wants to help women feel AMAZING.

She recently posted about her Get Glowing Liver Cleanse and I figured, you know, I have NOT been taking the best care of myself (and possibly having a few too many social drinks) and maybe my liver could use a little jump start.

I could tell, that my skin has been a little less “glowy” and my digestion hasn’t been fantastic, so I got going on this cleanse.

I’m just a few days in, but I can tell you right away some things that I LOVE

  • This doesn’t feel “restrictive”- I still get to eat, I just know I need to clean it up!
  • I feel like I’m really doing SELF-CARE. I love the shower and skin scrubbing part!!
  • It’s pretty easy!! I just take out my supplements for the day and remember to drink more water
  • My skin is already clearing up and feeling less itchy.. yay!

One thing Dr. Tami mentioned to me was the juicing; how it is suggested but not mandatory. She doesn’t want people to beat themselves up for not doing it every day.

I have to say, THAT right there instantly made me feel less guilt, and like I am still doing my body a lot of good, even if its not “perfect”

I feel like I can actually incorporate this into my life maybe once a quarter and there will definitely be enough product to do so!
I’m excited to see and feel the results in the next week and a half!!

 

Back-to-School September Challenge

Back-to-School Challenge

Remember back in the day (maybe 4th grade-ish) the Presidential Fitness Tests? (or similar fitness testing?)

Well… its Back-to-School Time —time to do it again! Lets establish a baseline!

Here’s the Challenge: 

 

Only 3 tests:

1. Walk/jog/run 1 mile for time: You can do this on a track or treadmill. Just do your best!
2. Sit-ups for 1 minute: Lock your feet down (or have a partner hold them) then cross your arms over your chest and go!! (elbows must touch your knees to count)
3. Push-ups to Failure: Do as many push-ups as you can (with good form) you may do them on your knees. As soon as you “come down” thats it!

The main goal is to TRY! Do your best! Then for the next 4 weeks, lets work on that fitness level and we’ll test again! Can’t wait to see the results!! READY… SET… GO!!

RULES:

1. RECORD YOUR SCORES THIS WEEK 

2. POST YOUR SCORES IN THE COMMENTS

3. Work your ass off for a month— (incorporate the exercises during the week!)

—— Mondays: Do 3 sets of 30 sit-ups at the end of your workout

——-Wednesdays: Walk/Jog 1.5 miles as warm-up for cardio

——-Fridays: Do 3 sets of 15-25 push-ups

4. Record Scores Again October 26-30th

5. POST YOUR PROGRESS!!

The Witch is Dead– SB Workout #22

IMG_20130425_103922

IMG_20130425_103922

Me Day

Me Day

Me Day

“Me Day”

I’ve had discussions about this “self-made holiday” on Facebook, I’ve mentioned this in the newsletters and I recently spoke about it on a radio show, but I realized I never composed a blog about it!

See, at the end of December 2012, I started to think about “resolutions” and all of those things we tend to do at the end of the year…. memories from the past year and hopes for the New Year… and I’ll be honest, I was not happy with what was going on. I had been dealing with metabolic damage and adrenal fatigue for the better part of two years, and I had started to make some GREAT headway, and then, POW I lost it!

How did I lose it?

STRESS.

I started staying up late again, I started taking on more projects than I could handle, I started putting myself last and others first… you know the deal.

I realized that the THINGS I was doing to feel better, ie. taking care of me, getting to bed early, meditating, relaxing, eating regular meals, taking my supplements, etc.

I had completely stopped….and I was feeling terrible.

In fact, I told my husband, I just want to rent a car and go stay in a hotel ALONE for a few days. (ok maybe a week!)

He was obviously hurt… but that’s how I felt!

I felt as if I was being pulled in a million directions and I needed an escape… NOW!!

So that is where the “Me Day” idea came from.

I decided that for 2013 ONE DAY out of every month, was a day for ME.
RULES INCLUDE: 

  • no phone
  • no computer
  • no alarm clock
  • I can do whatever makes ME feel good– massage, reading, napping, eating
  • no “shoulds” or “have tos”
  • no work

and so, I took out my phone and blocked out the last Sunday of every month for my year long experiment.

Well, January, something came up, the Dani Johnson First Steps to Success seminar was on “MY WEEKEND” so, I just rescheduled for the next weekend! I took my Sunday (it was Super Bowl Sunday) and got myself a massage, read a book and took a nap. I can’t say that I didn’t get on the computer or ditch the phone.. but it was a start.

So my February day came and my husband knew it was my day, but he needed me for a few things, and I have to say  it was kind of ruined. He apologized and it was no biggie… who knew this would be so hard?!! I thought, “maybe this will be better on a week day!”

March came and went, I traveled to 3 states in 3 weeks and there was no time for me, again and here we are, mid April. I have a day scheduled THIS weekend. Hubby’s out of town and I’m disappearing!! For the rest of the year, I moved my “Me Day” to a Friday. Its easier when hubby is at work to BE ALONE.
The moral is: be flexible, be adaptable, but put it in the books.

I’m not perfect. I don’t have children, however, I have a very busy life because I give a lot and a lot of people depend on me. I understand how hard it is to have a day for you. BUT its still SO important. I urge EVERYONE..

I CHALLENGE YOU—-> DO IT NOW.

Schedule your “Me Days” for the REST of 2013 (there’s still 8 months left!!)

Then CLICK TO TWEET IT: I’m taking a day just for me!! #meday #becauseImworthit @SweatyBetties

even if its a “Me Half-Day” — take 4 hours for YOU. I promise you will be less bitter about the things you “have to do”.
Don’t tell me that you can’t, that you don’t have time, or can’t find a sitter…

Don’t be a b!tch. 

Lets just DO THIS…. and then come back and tell me what you plan on doing. Here are some ideas:

  • sit at the park
  • read a book
  • have coffee with a friend
  • sleep in… late
  • watch a movie marathon in your pajamas
  • get a massage
  • get a mani/pedi
  • hang out at Whole Foods
  • Sun bathe
  • sit in a car alone for 4 hours (I’ve totally done this)
  • go on a hike (but please tell someone where you’re going)
  • take a bath
  • take a yoga class
  • eat a healthy meal
  • do an “at-home” spa day- paint your nails, do a face mask, etc.

 

 

 

Sweat is My Make-up Upper Body Quick Blast

34

only have 20 mins at the gym? Need a quickie workout– two sets of exercises, 3 rounds of each and done. This is great for toning, fat-burning, and metabolism bursting while short on time!

You can add some extra cardio if you please, but at least you’ll feel like you got something done. I did this on Sunday and I’m actually sore!

34

Sweaty Betties Bunny Day Workout

Sweaty Betties Bunny Day Workout

Here is a fun workout for you to do for Easter and don’t forget the DIET BET that starts April 5th! It will be a great challenge to lose a few lbs. in  4 weeks if you’re up for it!! The pot is at $5500 right now!!

Sweaty Betties Bunny Day Workout

Wham Bam Thank you Mam-20 Minute Workout

Wham Bam Thank You Mam 20 minute workout

Hey y’all I’ve been having a little bit of problems with my videos lately, but I want to get some workouts to ya right away!!

Here is a fun one, you can do something like this with almost any different exercise, just one minute of each then a minute rest and start again. Use it as a full-body quick workout or a fun routine for cardio instead of boring treadmill jogging!

Make sure you PIN this one and follow my boards on Pinterest

and sign-up for the newsletter below so you don’t miss these or the other fun stuff I don’t always talk about here!

Wham Bam Thank You Mam 20 minute workout

3-2-1 Workout

Screen shot 2012-10-11 at 4.25.08 PM

This workout isn’t quite as easy as 3-2-1 but its effective and you’re done in 20 mins. So with that…. LET’S GO!!

(also, don’t forget to download your FREE 12-week workout program to print & take to the gym)

Kettlebell & Abs Pyramid SBW#9

The Workout

I flew “home” to Vegas this weekend to attend and work at the Olympia Expo. This is a HUGE event that I have attended every year since 2005. It is the event to see and be seen if you are in the bodybuilding and fitness/figure/bikini world… and guess what? I just did NOT want to be there this year.
Why? you ask…

Well, for one, I’ve already spent two months without my husband this summer and he wasn’t able to attend, so 5 more days without him wasn’t making me happy… but then it was just the overall feeling that everyone was trying their hardest to get noticed. They had dieted for months just so they could spray on some tan and show off their abs for two days and I hadn’t… and I really didn’t care.

 

See, I used to be one of them. I used to talk about the Olympia for months and count down the days, and do extra cardio to look my best and get spray tanned the night before, and show up hoping that I could meet someone who could “get me sponsored” or put me in a magazine. I used to restrict my eating, even on my anniversary because it was the week before!

I have just come to realize that REAL fitness isn’t about dieting for a one-day event. Most people in the real world could care less if I have a 6-pack, and my husband would probably love it more if I had a glass of champagne on our anniversary than doing 2 hours of cardio and going to bed early.

BUT… you know what?! I still had a blast being there, because I have made so many friends in the industry over the years, its always great to catch up , to meet fans and to just remember that some of them are really about promoting a healthy life and I can’t let the few that are there for show ruin it for me. To be honest, the majority of people who have longevity in the fitness industry are real, inspiring people, who work hard just like we do. I just need to ignore the show-offs and get on with my bad self 😉

With all that said now… here is a dang workout video! Boy was I glad to sweat again!!

The Sweaty Betties Workout #9