I am no stranger to fitness posts. A few years back (2012) during an “ask me anything” post, my blog friends wanted to know how I got that “rockin’ body.” I answered them with this post. I would love to tell you I look better or the same as I did in that picture but I am a little heavier now. Balancing work, blogging, a social life, and working out is something I still struggle with. Add an ankle injury to that and you have a recipe for getting off the exercise wagon. Luckily, my eating habits have only gotten better since then and the weight gain was minimal but noticeable TO ME on my small frame. I don’t go around complaining about it, I just know what I have to do to change it. I need to be stronger than my excuses!
In June, I got back into the gym. I could not believe how weak I was! I hired a personal trainer and I still meet with him twice a week. We do mostly fast paced interval training with light (7-12 pounds) weights. I also do a lot of resistance work on machines. I have standing appointments twice a week that I cannot miss. This forces me to go or else I am letting someone else down besides myself. I strongly recommend working out with a buddy or hiring a personal trainer, if getting yourself to the gym is a problem. Or another thing that works for me is that I only let myself shop after I have gone to the gym!
My goal for this year is to get back into the cardio that I love. My trainer has been working with me to strengthen my ankle. I am hoping that I can try rebounding (trampoline) classes again. I have put on a little bit of winter fat weight, that I am anxious to burn off.
June on left and September on the right.
(Disclaimer: This photo was from September and I am a lot less tan and about two pounds heavier now – working on it.)
Here are some of my favorite work out outfits!
This shirt is by Losing it with Lindsay’s Workout Swag. I love the loose fit!
Old Navy has a ton of cheap workout wear. The compression crop pants are great. Above, I am wearing a summer Target sweatshirt and loose tank over an Old Navy ribbed tank. I think I own 30 Old Navy ribbed tanks!
These are Saucony Running shoes. I love Saucony for the cushioning. But, when I want to work on strengthening my ankle, I take off my shoes and do exercises balancing on one foot at a time.
I actually have too many pairs of Saucony sneakers, as evident in this picture. I wore two different ones to the gym…duh!
If you struggle with eating healthy and want to scare yourself into cleaner eating, read Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. I switched to as much organic food as I could after reading this book and gave up my Zone Bars! I also quit soda and fast food for good! If I have fast food, I now feel sick and it is just not worth eating it.
I just ordered this Skinny Bitch cookbook and will keep you posted on how it is.
I had bought this Skinny Bitch cookbook and loaned it to a friend and never got it back! I am just ordering it again.
What are your goals? Remember everyone has different goals. You need to make your’s something attainable so that you don’t give up.
Here are mine:
1. Clean eating.
2. Cook more for myself.
3. Prepare meals in advance.
4. Get to the gym at least 4 days a week.
5. Use MyFitnessPal (my user name is EricaBrookie )
(source health-girl.tumblr.com)
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You look fabulous… I have fitness goals every year and I use hit the goal but never loose the weight I want to loose. Last year it was a triathlon – done… this year is a half marathon and getting down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 12 years ago. I know I will check off half marathon… the weight thing… I never nail that one. I hope this is the year! Go me!!! Go You!!!
I love how you said, "You need to make your's something attainable so that you don't give up." I love having fitness goals. Mine is to run 500 miles in 2014.
Bridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
Love that you shared the cookbooks…can't wait to try!
Girl you look great. You inspire me to take my health more seriously. Think I will get a trainer!
My goal is just to be healthier, but I'm just taking baby steps. My first step is to ease off the soda. I'm going to try hard to get down to just one a day (right now I drink 2-3 per day). I'm also starting regular exercise. Then, move to healthier lunches and less sweets. I love My Fitness Pal. I just started using that again too!
Teachin' First
Erica, you look great and your blog is so inspirational. My fitness goals are to cut down on the soda and instead try to drink eight glasses of water per day. I am also going to go to the gym three times a week instead of my usual two and I will try to walk the dog a little further.
Catarina @ Wild Fitness