do you even lift?

So I still wanted to show you another workout before our blogs cease to exist.

My roommate and friend helped me out on this one so thanks guys!

This is a great AB workout that you can do in the comfort of your own dorms. The reason I wanted to do this video because some of you may still struggle to find motivation to hit the gym. Some may be uncomfortable stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new world. I know I was nervous when I first started.

I want you guys to understand that it is okay to be nervous of trying something new. The point is to try it though.

The video I posted is an AB workout that can be repeated 3-4 times. Every workout is timed at about a minute despite the video not showing the entire workout, I wanted to give you the basis of how to perform the exercise.

To find other easy at home workouts, I actually follow this woman, Shonda on Instagram who is a mother of two, and balancing three different fitness accounts, a healthy eats account, her personal, and one dedicated on workouts according to what she did in the gym. I have to tell ya, all of her workouts are not easy, but they do the job!

You can also check out her other accounts for more tips.

Also do not hesitate to ask me for other workouts and tips in the gym 🙂

Live. Love. Lift♥

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbkwcNkI9EQ

There are numerous Ab workouts to do, here are four fun ab workouts that you and a friend can do together 🙂 Special Thanks to my buddies, Angela and Nikki! 😀

1. I’d like to call “Patty Cake”
Both you and your friend are in Plank position, only difference is you’re playing “patty cake” while you do it. High five each other throughout the 1 minute hold of the exercise. (High-High, Low-Low) as demonstrated in the video 🙂

2. Punches
This in particular, you and your partner alternate. Person 1: while holding a Plank position, you alternate arms in, essentially, punching your partner. Person 2: can relax a little, but make sure you hold your arm out about a foot or two away from the ‘planker’. I would like the person planking, to extend their arm back a little more, and fully go for the punch with a little more OOMPH. Don’t hesitate and make it count 🙂 After alternating arms for about 1 minute. Switch and person 2 can begin 🙂

3. Russian [Partner] Twists
This one is a typical ab workout, Russian Twists. Only difference is now you have a partner! Perform this exercise for a minute hold as well 🙂 The medicine ball weight used in the video is 6lbs, but you can adjust accordingly.

4. Sky High [Side Plank Twists]
Honestly, with this one, I keep forgetting the name, so I’ll call them sky high 😀 This is essentially a side plank and twist. You perform this for about a minute on each side. Make sure that when you twist, you really twist your core. When you come down, make your arms parallel as seen in the video.

So there you have it! 😀 four fun and easy ab workouts you and your workout buddy can do in your dorm, or lo and behold the Res/Rec center 😀 Enjoy!

Live. Love. Lift♥

It’s a crazy concept that Pariser brought up during his Ted Talks. When it comes to technology on my phone, Google is packed with fitness and diet filters that continuously come up on my history or social media. Especially on Facebook with its sidebar of advertisements.

While I benefit from the filter bubbles because I constantly search my topic on my phone. Yet, at the same time it closes the doors to other things I can view on my feed.

This is a prime example of polarization versus community. I get involved with the fitness world so much that all the coupon deals that come up on Facebook and other social media is workout clothes and diet fads.

I do not feel the sense of community with other people that enjoy fitness and health topics online.

When it comes to Instagram and those who post photos of their progression in the gym, I do feel a sense of community. Everyone post before and after photos or physical progression photos of them flexing. When I post a photo of my squat personal record increasing, I feel that sense of community.

Overall it goes both ways. there is not just one over the other.

I know with the final weeks of Winter term coming to a close, most of you are thinking, “There is no way in hell I can even think to workout!”

Well trust me when I say, if you’re been scheduling every second of every day with papers, and projects, to the time you get to eat, I’m pretty sure fitting in a half hour workout will not kill you. Actually it’ll give you more energy than a cup of coffee!

For example this week is full of insanity for me, final papers, a take home final, speeches, and exams, but I know that if I do my homework right after my workout I can focus more and get my assignments done.

As weird as it may sound, I’m going to give you an example of my day.

Monday (Week 10)
La Fitness:5-12pm
The Lovely IMS class: 2:40-3:50pm
WONC Final: 4pm
Workout: 5:30-6:30pm
Homework due Tuesday starting right after

Do you see what I mean! It is definitely not hard to fit a workout in. Trust me when I say watching brainless television will not help. Especially for those who think multi-tasking while doing homework is any better.

Just a Fruit for Thought
Happy Blogging and Week 10 everyone!

Live. Love. Lift♥

So being Catholic, I have been following Lent and all rules apply. I decided to give up Ranch dressing that I used for pretty much everything!! Pity me, pity me now. But Lent also means I cannot eat meat on Fridays. Which in turn, means I cannot have as much protein as I would like in my system. Wait who I am kidding..Of course there are meals I have without protein!! 😀

For those vegetarians and/or vegans there are a number of meals one can have without meat that still contains a high set of protein!

1. Cashew Noodles with Broccoli and Tofu

2. Peanutty Quinoa Bowls with Baked Tofu

3. Black Bean Salad

4. Vegan Chili

5. Bean-Kale Burgers With Sweet Potato Wedges

6. Egg in a Basket Grilled Cheese with Asparagus

7. Vegan Tacos

8. Baked Tofu and Quinoa With Chickpeas and Spinach

For More ideas and recipes, I pinned a few ideas on Pinterest. And I won’t starve during Lent on Fridays! Woohoo!!

Happy Eating!
-Ps. The egg in a basket grilled cheese with asparagus is to die for! Easy to make and simply delicious 😀

Live.Love.Lift

One of my really good friends from my work was able to give me a quick interview for this particular entry. Her name is Kyrsten and she is 24 years old. Her entire life she was struggling with her weight. Then she decided to do something about it.

NOTE: This is a personal story that she allowed me to disclose. Please be respectful.

Kyrsten was a typical high school kid, focused on her work as much as she could, balanced a social life with her serious work and then some. Only that she had this annoying pin in her back that did not want to budge. She was actually getting made fun of because of her weight during school. She didn’t want to make a big deal of it to her teachers so she carried on her day. She’s a strong enough person to ignore the bad and continue to cherish every good moment that happened in her life.

“I didn’t let it get to me. I have a great family that are behind be 100%” she said.

Unfortunately, a few years later and she was diagnosed with some health issues that needed a complete change when it comes to her lifestyle.

She started running. Every morning she would wake up at 5-6 A.M and run. She was a college student, just like us. She joined a gym, got herself a personal trainer and BOOM she fell in love with the gym world. Her diet changed, her motivation and attitude changed and now she this someone I look up to. She’s 24 years old and has made such a great impact on her life. She kept saying to herself, “You’ve got this, you can do it. Be the best you.”

She no longer need medication or anything to make her healthier. She went out and completely changed her life. I mean come on, look at her photo! She is such a lovable, happy person and she loves helping others in the gym–that’s how we first met actually.

I wanted to share her story because she started as a college student. Working every single day to reach her goals, and she was still able to balance our hectic lifestyles.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Live.Love.Lift