Either way, I feel good about my health goals and I approach each and every workout with an intensity I didn't know in my 20's; and I do so as much because I can as because I want to.
Young ain't forever, but fit certainly can be, don't you think?
Monday, March 12, 2012
That Day Is NOT Today
I often look at myself and wonder if I'll be as dedicated to my body in 20-years as I am now. I like to think I will but one never knows what age will do to your motivation. That said, I still feel young enough to be relevant in a pair of jeans, yet old enough to know that it's not always what's in the jeans that matter. So, I guess you can say I'm both fit and wise :)
Either way, I feel good about my health goals and I approach each and every workout with an intensity I didn't know in my 20's; and I do so as much because I can as because I want to.
Young ain't forever, but fit certainly can be, don't you think?
Either way, I feel good about my health goals and I approach each and every workout with an intensity I didn't know in my 20's; and I do so as much because I can as because I want to.
Young ain't forever, but fit certainly can be, don't you think?
Friday, March 9, 2012
Starting With The Woman In The Mirror
Some of you may know, if you've read this site before, that I grew up in a single-parent home where my mother often worked two, sometimes three, jobs to make ends meet. And though she made sure I never wanted for anything, I always looked at the other more privileged girls in high school and college and felt like I could never compete with their beauty or sense of style.
As a result of that insecurity, the early seeds of my need to exercise were planted because I figured what I lacked in beauty, I could make up for in body, and that would allow me to "compete" with those girls a bit more.
Don't even ask what stilted level of logic it took for me to believe that nonsense because even as I typed it I was shaking my head.
Nowadays, though, when I see beautifully fit women—especially those in the non-airbrushed real world—who have managed to remain absolutely stunning through marriage, pregnancy, stress, etc., I applaud them because I know how much hard work it requires to remain true to any sort of regimen when life is throwing so many responsibilities your way.
And while I still compare myself to other women, I can't lie,—I mean it's the nature of the beast to look at another gorgeous woman and say 'wow, I still have work to do',—my reaction to them is less about an insecurity than it is an acknowledgement that there is always another level for me to meet.
In short, I don't bother with the catty, sneering, unnecessary behavior that so many others often feel the need to convey by chopping down other women and accusing them of "thinking they're all that". It's unproductive and would only serve as interference to my personal fitness goals.
We are all uniquely striving for something more than the mirror reflects and if we're doing it the right way, there won't be a need to wonder what everyone else is thinking because that won't matter. If nothing else, stick to you plan and keeping doing you. And let the progress you make be a form of motivation for that woman who's likely watching you and wondering where her next level might be because, trust me, there will always be someone watching.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Hitting The Exercise Wall? Try Some Musical Motivation
For me, it's not usually the desire to exercise that's the problem, it's that last push to get through the routine when your body is spent. That said, I look to my iPod to help me out when I need that little extra something to finish out strong—and these five tracks are currently getting the most rotation.
1. Beyonce', "Love On Top": This one helps get me through my step exercise as I typically do a routine that incorporates heavy weights and a 6 to 8 inch step-up. So by the time I'm midway through 45-minutes, I'm feeling the need to recharge—and this song certainly helps.
2. Michael Jackson, "Working Day and Night": True story. This is the first song I played the day before Thanksgiving. I was solo on the cooking front, for the most part, and had a ton of baking as well as a turkey and sides to get going on—and did I mention it was early and I'm not a morning person? Well, MJ was not only good for some cooking motivation that day, but has also pushed me through a killer cardio circuit that's heavy on mountain climbers, high knee runs, froggers, squats, and lunges.
3. Britney Spears, "Toxic": Don't ask, I know it's Britney Spears. Yes, she's been a hot, holy, mess in the past, but the girl can spin a tune and this is certainly one of my faves. So, sue me.
4. Keri Hilson, "Pretty Girl Rock": Okay, come on, it's a pretty girl's anthem! And I am quite sure there is a pretty girl in all of us. This is just a sassy song to dance to and last I checked, dancing is also exercise—right?
5. Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke": I dare you to listen to this song and not suddenly get the desire to run—anywhere. It's just one of those songs that make you want to put on the headphones, lace up the running shoes (or walking shoes), and get moving. I. Love. It.
Alright, those are simply five of the songs currently in heavy rotation on my 'Fit Mommy' playlist.
What's on yours?
1. Beyonce', "Love On Top": This one helps get me through my step exercise as I typically do a routine that incorporates heavy weights and a 6 to 8 inch step-up. So by the time I'm midway through 45-minutes, I'm feeling the need to recharge—and this song certainly helps.
2. Michael Jackson, "Working Day and Night": True story. This is the first song I played the day before Thanksgiving. I was solo on the cooking front, for the most part, and had a ton of baking as well as a turkey and sides to get going on—and did I mention it was early and I'm not a morning person? Well, MJ was not only good for some cooking motivation that day, but has also pushed me through a killer cardio circuit that's heavy on mountain climbers, high knee runs, froggers, squats, and lunges.
3. Britney Spears, "Toxic": Don't ask, I know it's Britney Spears. Yes, she's been a hot, holy, mess in the past, but the girl can spin a tune and this is certainly one of my faves. So, sue me.
4. Keri Hilson, "Pretty Girl Rock": Okay, come on, it's a pretty girl's anthem! And I am quite sure there is a pretty girl in all of us. This is just a sassy song to dance to and last I checked, dancing is also exercise—right?
5. Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke": I dare you to listen to this song and not suddenly get the desire to run—anywhere. It's just one of those songs that make you want to put on the headphones, lace up the running shoes (or walking shoes), and get moving. I. Love. It.
Alright, those are simply five of the songs currently in heavy rotation on my 'Fit Mommy' playlist.
What's on yours?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I'm Not Trying To Be Pretty When I Exercise
The women who always blew my mind at the gym were the ones who looked so adorable at the end of their time there.
Their hair was always perfectly tousled (a subtle wisp always fell across their eyes), they had just enough sweat on their sports bra to make it look like the elliptical, or that spin class, really did a number on them, and they were so darn perky, too. I mean, they were just about ready to burst into dance from how happy they were when they finally left for home.
Don't get me wrong, I don't take issue with looking cute. As a matter of fact, that's one of the major reasons for my exercising in the first place.
Sure, the health benefits are wonderful and I have more energy than most because I take such good care of my body, but the shallow truth—as I've stated many times before—is I want to be stunning no matter what I put on. That said, I'm all business when I exercise. I literally have no desire to look cute.
Quite frankly, I become a sweaty mess.
My hair, even though it's pulled back, is soaked with sweat, my face is contorted and twisted from the pain of 1,000 lunges and too many sets of high knee runs, and my demeanor can only be described as "stay away from me" because I'm seriously not interested in conversing once I get in the zone. Honestly, I don't have the energy to chat even if the desire was there because I'm always trying to push my body through the next pain threshold.
I'm dead serious about my regimen and the only person who is likely to interrupt its flow is my hubby who, oddly enough, seems turned on by it all—go figure.
My point here is this...well, as usual, a pin says it better.
Does that mean you can't look cute when you get there? Or shouldn't indulge in the deliciously divine gear that they sell us ladies to make us look so sporty while we're doing what we do? Of course not! But if all you care about is looking cute, then honey, you might need to rethink your regimen.
Just saying.
Their hair was always perfectly tousled (a subtle wisp always fell across their eyes), they had just enough sweat on their sports bra to make it look like the elliptical, or that spin class, really did a number on them, and they were so darn perky, too. I mean, they were just about ready to burst into dance from how happy they were when they finally left for home.
Don't get me wrong, I don't take issue with looking cute. As a matter of fact, that's one of the major reasons for my exercising in the first place.
Sure, the health benefits are wonderful and I have more energy than most because I take such good care of my body, but the shallow truth—as I've stated many times before—is I want to be stunning no matter what I put on. That said, I'm all business when I exercise. I literally have no desire to look cute.
Quite frankly, I become a sweaty mess.
My hair, even though it's pulled back, is soaked with sweat, my face is contorted and twisted from the pain of 1,000 lunges and too many sets of high knee runs, and my demeanor can only be described as "stay away from me" because I'm seriously not interested in conversing once I get in the zone. Honestly, I don't have the energy to chat even if the desire was there because I'm always trying to push my body through the next pain threshold.
I'm dead serious about my regimen and the only person who is likely to interrupt its flow is my hubby who, oddly enough, seems turned on by it all—go figure.
My point here is this...well, as usual, a pin says it better.
Does that mean you can't look cute when you get there? Or shouldn't indulge in the deliciously divine gear that they sell us ladies to make us look so sporty while we're doing what we do? Of course not! But if all you care about is looking cute, then honey, you might need to rethink your regimen.
Just saying.
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