Monday, July 20, 2020

How to Make Weight Loss Fun

Every New Year's, millions of people make a resolution to lose weight only to fall short before the springtime. It's not because they lack the discipline to accomplish this goal. For some, weight loss is simply hard to do. Think about it. You have to watch what you eat. You have to find time to exercise. And when you do find the time, you actually have to exercise. It's easier to just eat the foods you love and sit down to relax after a hard day's work.

Here's the thing. Losing weight doesn't have to be so hard. By making some changes in your lifestyle, you can be well on your way to shedding those unwanted pounds. In spite of what you may believe, losing weight can be an enjoyable experience.

Healthy Snacking


Watching what you eat brings on quite a challenge, especially when you think of snack foods. I mean, some of the best foods are snacks. Cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream... They're all great. But, they also make losing weight difficult. Most people tend to eat more than their fair serving, feeding their bodies with more grams of fat and calories than needed.

One important note about snacking: you can control the portions that you eat. When you have a taste for your favorite cookie or ice cream, cut the serving you normally would have in half. This will reduce your caloric intake while you get to enjoy your snack. Also, look to add healthy snacks, like fresh fruits and vegetables or nuts, to your shopping list. Not only are they delicious, they also provide the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly.

Anytime Stroll


Whether its early morning, midday, or late night, taking a stroll can be a relaxing way to burn some calories and lose some weight. All you need is some time and a sidewalk (or track). Add some music or walk with a friend to make the time fly. Walking on a daily basis will give your body some good exercise and help prepare it for more rigorous training.

Dance Like No One is Watching


Actually doing it will help you accomplish the weight loss you so desire. There are fewer, more enjoyable cardiovascular exercises you can do besides dancing. It also requires very little equipment. Just turn on some music and let the rhythm take you.

When most people think of exercising, fun is the last thing that comes to mind. Dancing regularly will change that. You can choose to either do it amongst friends, loved ones, and strangers or in the comforts of your own home.

Kids Have the Right Idea


Being a child can be the most pleasurable time in a person's life. Nothing beats an existence filled with playing and using your imagination. As we grew older, somewhere we learned that adulthood was all about working. However, adults can still play too. If you have children, this may come easy. You can simply run, jump, and skip right alongside your young ones. For those without child, you can find other ways to do the same. Take up a competitive sport like basketball or tennis to get your body moving and those calories burning.

Keep it Clean


Wash the dishes. Scrub the bathtub. Mop the floor. Weed the yard. By keeping your home nice and tidy, you'll also be burning many unwanted calories and fat. I'm not saying that you need to become a neat freak to lose weight, but it can certainly help. Your body and your house guests will greatly appreciate your cleanliness.

As you can see, losing weight doesn't have to be a challenge. By making some minor changes in your lifestyle, reaching your goal size will be a cinch. Remember that sugary snacks aren't the only tasty treats you can enjoy, but when you do have them, eat them in moderation. Also, when being active, try to perform an activity for at least thirty minutes to an hour to truly burn some calories. You'll soon begin to see those pounds slip away.

Monday, March 14, 2016

I Like to Eat


Yep, that about sums up my week.

I love food. The greasier the better. The sweeter the better. The healthier the... Infrequently found on my plate.

Don't get me wrong. I love fresh fruit and veggies and try to make it a part of each meal, especially dinner. Sometimes, however, I just want the grease, the fat, the sugar, and the salt.

It be callin' me, man. It be callin' me.

Unfortunately, long gone are the days when I could fill my stomach with anything and not see the effects. Those effects creep up on you. 

At 37, I've been doing well. Breakfast have been mostly plain Greek yogurt, raw fruit, and steel cut oatmeal. Dinners consist of lean meat (usually chicken or turkey), brown rice and steamed veggies.

Lunch is usually where I flip my lid and say, "Gimme that fried, please."

This week those lunch tendencies bled into my dinners. I doubled up on the fried food intake and even allowed myself to skip on the veggies. 

Cheat day? Try cheat week.
I really let myself go. I was bad. Really bad.

Given my fitness goals, this just isn't going to work. I'm going to have to tighten up on my meals. No more letting my cravings get the best of me. 

This goes for lunch too. 

It's meal prep time. I've done it before. It was quite boring. A bunch of apples, bananas, Greek yogurt, unsalted nuts, peanut butter, egg whites, etc.

I want to liven it up so I don't fall into the "I'm sick of this bland crap" hole.

Do you meal prep? If you do, do you have any suggestions on how I can make it exciting every once in a while?

I'm a realist. I understand it will be a bit boring, but I would like some variety.

Also, how do you choose the foods you prep? What macros are you targeting?

Monday, March 7, 2016

Feeling Good, Feeling Great

Good Day All!!!

I realize my posts have been a bit sporadic, especially since I ceased shilling for BeachBody.

Sorry about that.

I know you all miss my updates of how much I sweated and lifted and my continuing hatred for all things lunge related (I'm sure they're evil).

I know you miss my shirtless bathroom pictures.

I know you miss my bad jokes.

You don't?

Well, too bad. I have plenty more shirtless pics and bad jokes to share with the world and I'm not giving that up for anybody.

All jokes aside (I mean, really? How do you not think I'm funny?), I want to help, inspire, and motivate others to get in shape.

I'm not saying that I want everyone to become ripped, hulking beasts walking around chest bumping, high-fiving, and shooting the breeze at protein shake bars.

I just want people to be able to live longer, healthier lives while also enjoying all that life has to offer.

Is that wrong?

So yes, you may have to suffer through a few more shirtless pics and bad jokes (I'm trying to see how many times I can fit the word "jokes" into this post).

Also, working out makes me a bit vain and I want to share my vanity with everyone.

I also want to get in shape to try my hand at a competition or two, although I still have a long way to go (ALL FRIED EVERYTHING!!!). So, this is also a way to track and share my progress.

I have some friends that have inspired me to pursuit this goal (Go Yanick and Amber!!! You guys are great!!!).

There you have it. A small update on where I am in regards to my fitness goals. Please feel free to share your fitness goals with me.

Have a bless day and #letsgetstrong.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Two-A-Days and I'm Pumped

 
Last week was about going hard, going home, and going hard again.

I began a two-a-day regimen that left me feeling strong, sore, and sleepy. I hit my full body workout once in the morning and once in the evening, hitting the weights hard with plenty of variety to go around.

From leg raises and preacher curls to upright rows and leg curls, I made sure to leave it all in the gym. No body part was spared.

Every time I left the gym, I felt accomplished. I felt physically renewed and drained at the same time. I had found a weightlifting euphoria.

It could be because I've never been close to being a morning person, but I found myself looking forward to hopping out of bed and into my workout clothes at 5:30am.

A quick climb on the stair stepper and I was ready to every machine and free weight I saw. What a wonderful feeling to look around and take in all the variety a good gym has to offer. The Jewish Community Center has such a gym.

And yet, I felt the need to use the exercise room at my apartment complex that has been there for me for the better part of three years.

Combining the two put me into a zone that I can't wait to experience again next week. I'm already crafting an intense session for Monday morning in my mind.

So, with the New Year come and gone, you may have made the decision to embark on a journey to better physical fitness. Try to find something that helps you reach that euphoric state. It may be swimming or running or weight lifting. Whatever it is for you, don't let that feeling get away from you.

Happy New Year and #letsgetstrong.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Sunday's Workout - Free Samples

Free Samples!!!

As I stated in my Madness post, I received my free samples from Beast Sports Nutrition. Sunday was the day I put some of them to use. So, after a tasty lunch, I took the Beast Sports Creature Powder (creatine) and the Beast Mode pre-workout.

After waiting 30 minutes, I went to the workout room and went at it.
  • 1 set/12 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 30 lb dumbbells
  • 1 set/8 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 35 lb dumbbells
  • 1 set/5 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 40 lb dumbbells
  • 1 set/5 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 40 lb dumbbells
  • 6 sets/25 reps Calf Raises - 40 lb dumbbells
  • 3 sets/10 reps Shoulder Shrugs - 40 lb dumbbells
  • 1 set/12 reps Dumbbell Curls - 30 lb 
  • 1 set/8 reps Dumbbell Curls - 35 lb
  • 2 sets/5 reps Dumbbell Curls - 40 lb
  • 2 sets/12 reps Lat Pulldown - 120 lbs
  • 2 sets/5 reps Lat Pulldown 160 lbs
An hour's worth of effort and I was spent. It felt pretty good to get a pump on Sunday. So good, in fact, that I slept most of Labor Day.

I still found time to feed my face, having baked chicken for Sunday dinner and steak and shrimp on Monday. I also received some confirmation on my increase in size. Lets me know the hard work is paying off.

Did you get pumped this holiday weekend? Let me know what you did.

Until next time... #letsgetstrong.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Random Thoughts - Really? Two Blog Posts?

Why do you care about my workouts?

Why would you have wanted to buy BeachBody products from me (I'm not selling them anymore)?

Why do you want to see half-naked pictures of me possibly flexing (maybe a little) in a mirror?

The answers to these questions are probably:
  • "You work out. So what?"
  • "I didn't need those over-priced videos or protein shakes"
  • "I don't want to see that. Stop posting them. Put a shirt on."
That's understandable. Not everyone enjoys exercise as much as I do. Hell, sometimes I don't feel like doing them either.  (See: I'm Slacking... Big Time)

It's just... when I do exercise... I feel good.

I see the progression and I feel encouraged... motivated... inspired. It reminds me that with effort, I can achieve and succeed. Working out brings me peace when I need it. It allows me to empty my mind of the distractions that keep me from thinking clearly. The gym becomes my Fortress of Solitude (I like Superman. Deal with it).

I like to share my workouts and my progress. I want everyone to see what my efforts have created. I'll accept whatever comments you have for me about my showing off.

Maybe someone will be inspired by my efforts. Maybe I'll just be some eye candy (I have no problem with that). Maybe I'll be the butt of some jokes (I like to laugh to, so please share). It's all good with me.

Can you tell I'm up too late? Why are you still up?

Anyway, let's keep moving forward, let's keep being thankful, and #letsgetstrong.

Madness

I couldn't wait to leave work and head to the exercise room. Once I got home, I decided that I would have a bit of coffee before I went to workout. Saw an article suggesting it and thought I would give it a try.

(61 Ways to Fight Fat)

This is what using coffee as a pre-workout gets you:
  • 5 minutes Stationary Bike
    • On Resistance 8
  • 2 sets/15 reps Lat Pulldown 90 lbs
  • 2 sets/8 reps Lat Pulldown 120 lbs
  • 2 sets/4 reps Lat Pulldown 150 lbs
  • 1 set/12 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 25 lb dumbbells
  • 3 sets/5 reps Dumbell Squat/Shoulder Press - 40 lb dumbbells
    • 150 Sit-ups (15 Sit-ups completed after each set of exercises)
  • 2.5 minutes Stationary Bike
    • On Resistance 8
  • 1 set 15 reps Upright Row - 70 lbs
  • 1 set 15 reps Upright Row - 90 lbs
  • 1 set 10 reps Upright Row - 110 lbs
  • 1 set 8 reps Upright Row - 130 lbs
  • 3 sets 10 reps Dumbbell Squats 35 lb dumbbells
  • 5 minutes Stationary Bike (cool down)
    • 2.5 minutes on Resistance 5
    • 2.5 minutes on Resistance 3
That was one heck of an hour. I wore myself out and it felt great. Probably not the best idea since I had to be at my overnight gig tonight, but who cares. It was a great workout.

Also, I received some free samples in the mail from Beast Sports Nutrition. I can't wait to try them out this holiday weekend.

Everyone enjoy their Labor Day.

Be safe, have fun, and #letsgetstrong.