This is the time to LOVE ...your body.

I didn't post last week, life's been busy, and sometimes I run out of interesting things to put in this blog!
However I am still making an appearance at the gym daily.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of last week (Feb 1-5) were cardio days, nothing new or interesting to report on that front... I got inserts for my running shoes, and they aren't helping... I hope the answer lies with new running shoes!

Strength training is still ma' fav' and it's fun. my legs are getting stronger, my arms are getting more used to the idea that they are going to be frequently asked to lift things... and they are starting to accept that fact.

I did have some interesting conversations last week about body image.
The image we carry of ourselves, the image we assume others see, and then the image we WISH we were...

That subject will never stop. I have decided there is no point trying to stop people fretting so much, or beating themselves up. But! I really would like to focus on changing that thought pattern.

It's so negative... and we don't really think that way about others, as much as we assume people are thinking that way about us...

confused?

me too.

I mean, we assume people are thinking to themselves (or talking behind our backs) about how huge my ass is, how much it's changed since I had my kid, since I turned 30, since I stopped moving and started eating more cake...
But the reality of it, is that everyone else is so focused on their own ass, they really don't have time to write a book on yours.

Sorry.

I would love someone to write a book on mine...

But the point is, that yes, someone might think something negative about you, screw her. you don't need her! you have me, and I think you are hot!

So, focus on telling yourself positive things about your body.

I read one time, in some distant black hole, about telling yourself 5 things you love about yourself. And I may have blogged about it before, I've meant to, I really can't remember one moment to the next the random ramblings that go on in my head... so I'm either mentioning this again or for the first time.. 5 things. Once a week. Or once a day for a week if you can't find 5 things all at once!
Just 5.

Wanna hear mine? No, you don't. Because no one cares. My 5 aren't 5 things I've gotten compliments on, or 5 things I think should be my 5, it's 5 things that are my 5.

My 5 favorite things about my body.

Having trouble? Take a different approach, how about 5 things you never even thought of?
Maybe you have amazing ear lobes! Maybe you love the size of your feet? (easy to find shoes that fit?) maybe you love that any colour looks good on you! Maybe you love your eye colour, or your hair?

5. No one is quizzing you. So please, for your own sake. Pick 5.

Then, once you pick 5, keep going! I think you'll be surprised.

Your body is with you 24/7. I've tried leaving mine behind, but it's usually my mind I leave at home, and I'm at the grocery store with an empty body!

Doesn't work.
So you'd better start to learn to love that body.
And what's a better time than RIGHT NOW??!?!!!

For those keeping track, that ^^ was about last week, this week (Feb 8-12) I only missed one day while Mr. was working out of town. I thought about going to an evening class, but, you guessed it! The couch and my new while-chocoloate-raspberry chocolate bar from my Mommy, was way more appealing.

Here:

Bliss in a Chocolate Ball

Follow that link. They make amazing balls.
Balls full of energy that I ate before the Gyme for 2 weeks! there are still some left in my fridge!!!!

For more inspiration follow Kayla Itsines on instagram, or facebook, or pinterest... or just find her in the streets and start following her... she's a fitness master, and she posts really inspirational tidbits. She cares about her self-love, and she cares about you.
So go there.

Then, go here:

Let Me Clear My Throat - DJ Kool

For the greatest pump up jam. Ever.

Or, try here:

You Make My Dreams

Actually, listen to both.


Good times. Now you feel like hitting the gym don't you? or at least dancing your heart out!!! I am dancing right at this very moment!

You are absolutely most welcome for all the inspiration, it is brought to you by my own perspiration! 

Now I am off to rest for 2 days. And make bad choices. What are you doing this weekend???

The Week of the Full Moon!!

There is a full moon this Sunday, the 24th. You would think the unusual behavior would only present itself on that day, but I am not the only one who has noticed strange things happening this week! Maybe there's more too it than the moon, maybe not?
What do I know. This is a fitness blog.
Not a moon blog.
Although now I'm considering starting a moon blog... although I'm no scientist, so it would be the same post everyday... "yup. the moon is still there..." and maybe a dark photo with one light dot in it that is supposed to be the moon....??
Okay I won't start that blog.

I will however, start this one!

Okay, This week:

Monday.

Dwayne had to leave at 5:30 this morning for an out of town job. Could I have worked out at home? Sure! Could I have worked out earlier? Sure!
But I didn't.
I still woke up at 4:15 however... and I couldn't go back to sleep! 
So really, there are NO excuses. Except for the reality of the fact that I just didn't wanna.
Do you take any extra steps to ensure you have a healthy day despite missing a workout? How do you do it?
Do I? No. No I do not...

Tuesday.

Gym. 5am.
Cardio. Empty Gym. Weird... did we suddenly decide to start Day Light Savings? And no one told me???

No I did not pause the Treadmill to take this picture. Yes I did. I lied. That would be crazy.
Legs hurt. Need to see a Dr. Is it my shoes? The exercises I am doing? The way I am doing them? My cool down / recovery process? Something else? Not sure. I assume shoes. But I am no Dr. Despite all of your assumptions, I am just not.
So I book an appointment. I will let you know how that goes. 
I had insoles at one point, but they only hurt more. I haven't used them in years...

Wednesday.

Gym. 5am.
Strength day.
Brought my sheets again, and did different sets off of them that I missed last week. I didn't think to take a picture for you. Sorry.
I felt good today. I got distracted by this song:
Outcast - The Whole World
It made me want to dance. Which I did. The gym was not empty today.

Thursday.

Gym. 5am.
Did not want to be here today. hard to get out of bed, hard to convince myself I was going to run today... so I didn't! I went to the gym, yes. I warmed up on the stairs for 5 minutes, that is a long 5 minutes when you don't usually climb many stairs on average...
Then I went to the bike.
Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far Kid
Got me through that 15 minutes!
Then I went on the eliptical, because I really didn't want to run.. but after 5 minutes my mind changed itself, and I ran for 10 minutes!
Music really motivates me to move. I don't understand people who can workout without blasting music... What motivates you?

Friday.

Gym. 5 am.
Strength day again.
I warmed up on the treadmill, went and did my circuit of leg machines, remembered how much I love this song:
DeadMou5 - Seeya
I then did non-machine strength thingys. Like weighted squats, and lifting things until my arms hurt. owchy. 

That was my week of workouts... 

I hope I could be of some assistance in getting your ass moving! If not at least put a smile on your face, or at the very least introduced you to a song you either haven't heard, or forgot about!!!

- Bye.

I Wonder How Many Ks I've Ran Since Nov 2??

I just looked back at my first post - it was Nov 2. Today is January 12.

Does NOT feel like it was however-many-that-is weeks ago...

Monday: If you've been keeping up to date with your readings, you will know that Monday is cardio day.

And if you must know, I ran on the treadmill for 20 mins, then did the fish game on the rowing machine for 5 minutes, went on the elliptical for 20 mins, and finished it all off with some stretching - which is by far my favourite part.
Sunday night I looked up some varying 'routines' to do on the treadmill, and elliptical.
"Where did you look Naomi?" Where every girl between the ages of 10-50 looks for anything these days - Pinterest!

Here is the post for the treadmill and elliptical:

I ran at a 4.7 for 15 mins, then did 6.0 for 1 min, then 8.0 for 30 seconds. Then I died... When the medics revived me, I turned the machine down to 3.5 and walked for 5 mins. So, to sum up, I got ideas from the Pinterest post, I did not do it exactly. Cuz if I did, I wouldn't be here to type you entertaining blog posts.

And you love these.

In case you can't read that Elliptical workout, don't worry because I barely followed it. and I have no idea what it means anyway... it basically says run for a min at this incline with this resistance, which you push the up arrow on the machine, and then after a minute you fall off the elliptical and pant excessively.


Tuesday: Again, keeping up with your readings? Doing your homework?

Quiz time!!! What are Tuesdays??? WRONG!!!! Tuesday is weights and such.

Today I got my inspiration from these Pinterest posts:

And today I actually did a few of those, definitely not all, but I added a few of my own too.

I also 100% altered most of those.

So really, I just put those there for show. They mean next to nothing.

After I did stuff (or didn't do anything, you don't know! you're just taking my word for it! I could just nap in the steam room the whole time! You don't have security camera footage! (do you????))

Wednesday: Cardio!!!! same as per usual, bike, row, elliptical! 45 mins, sweating like it's +35 not -35!
I should have selfied for you. Maybe next time...


Thursday:
Today I wrote down my game plan on sticky notes and brought them into the gym. Nerd alert!
I had 9 arm workouts and 9 leg and 9 abs. The plan was 3 arms, 3 legs, 3 abs, 3 arms, 3 legs 3 abs... you get it.
What really happened was the first cycle, then half of the second... some altering of the game plan... and time ran out so I stretched and left!!

Haha.. oh well I felt good, and my arms are sore.. so I know they got worked!

Friday: All motivation went out the window! or maybe it just froze....
I didn't want to go, I forgot my head band, I forgot to eat my power ball, I didn't have any electrolyte powder, it had snowed, I was late................. and on and on and on.
I went. But I didn't end up needing my headband anyway, because I didn't break a sweat!
I "ran" for 10 mins on the treadmill, but when I couldn't convince myself to do anything more than jog, I got off.
I figured maybe the bike would be better?
I peddled, whilst watching tv...
After 10 minutes of that I switched to the elliptical again...

Today was hard. I don't know if it was because it was the end of the week, or if something else was up. But I had a lot of trouble motivating myself.

I don't want to lose out on a workout, due to lack of motivation! but then again, everyone needs a down day every now and then.. I don't want to push myself to exhaustion, or to not loving working out.

Because even though I hate it! I actually love it.

The Gym has been extra busy lately, which is great, people should get out and get in shape, stay active and get healthy!! but they should also get out of my way... and stop showing me up! They have a tenancy to do that. All the time! I just want to impress someone with my ability to lift 3 pounds... 

Anyway, next week Mr. is out of town... let's see if I can motivate myself to do an at home DVD? or if I take the week off... I may or may not let you know!

You may or may not even be reading this.

I am off to try and find Star Wars Episodes 4, 5, 6. Wish me luck!

Looooooooooong Week

If you want to stress something, add more letters. Ie my week has felt really long, so there are an extra 10 Os. That's how you know.

I made it to the gym all 5 days! It was extra hard. As I have a few new excuses.
Wednesday and Thursday were late nights... and I just didn't wanna.

I made myself though.

Yesterday was Thursday, and I lifted a weight!
It was great.
The gym, I no longer hate.
Don't feel that way yet? Just you wait.
If you need some extra motivation, bring a mate.
I don't think it's a very good place to bring a date...
I have to work on punctuality, and not be late.
Before my workout yesterday, I actually ate!

Okay. That's beyond enough.

I ate some chocolate power balls yesterday before lifting any weight. I felt better, today I didn't eat and wished I had.

I was 20 minutes late on Thursday. I quickly warmed up, then did 3 exercises, then 3 different ones, then 3 more. That was all the time I had, but I think I was sweating more at the end yesterday, than I have all week! Combined, even. Maybe...

Today I was a little late, but not bad. And today was cardio.
I started on the bike for 10 mins (13 if you include the "cool down" and where I may have been using that time to search for songs to add to my playlist, I was still biking, so it totally counts)

Then I went to climb some stairs, and used the other stair machine. You have no idea there is a difference, and I didn't take a picture, so you'll just have to picture a stair machine, now picture a different type of stair machine. Ya, that's the one I used today. For 5 minutes.

Then I went on a elliptical machine for 15 minutes.

Then cool down and stretch.

This is the song I added to my list whilst peddling a stationary bicycle:

Rise Against: Savior

This is a picture of a dog in sweat bands:

And this is my wish to you, to have a good, movement filled, food filled weekend. With the best of intentions, and the best of sleeps - because that's all I want to do right now! Sleep!!!

Adios.

2016: The Beginning.

This is the newest year yet.


And here's my face, ready to sweat:

There is no safety net!

Okay, I promise I won't rhyme this whole post...

Although it's tempting, I bet....

I was wondering about all the resolutioners yesterday, but Monday morning was quiet to normal (Mondays are usually the quietest). Parking lot looked almost empty. I thought maybe 5 am didn't get the resolutioners like you hear about? or maybe it just isn't that bad anymore. I mean, do you make resolutions? Did you this year? 
Was one of your resolutions about fitness? or health?

I don't resolute. Not just because it's the new year anyway.
I resolute all the time, make goals, strive for more, make myself promises... 
but I don't make huge goals for 2016, just because the earth went around the sun again... that's just me. That's what works for me.
If I make a huge yearly "dream" then I set myself up to fail. I don't want any more excuses to quit than I already have! 
I try to make small "step-goals" constantly.
"Step-goals" are where you reach a goal, or are approaching it, so you move it.
I may have made that up, but I doubt it. I know I didn't invent the concept!

It's like when you are long distance running. You start to feel tired, you pick a landmark (ie "when I reach that telephone pole I will walk for a bit") and then when you reach it, you don't walk, you extend the landmark a little further ("okay, I'm at the pole, now to the next intersection") and further and further until you build up your stamina etc.

So that's what I try to do all year long with everything, fitness and health included.

That's me. I don't judge you if you make resolutions in the beginning of the new year, it just isn't my style. So when I pulled up to the gym yesterday, I didn't know what to expect. It seemed to have the usual attendance level...

I did cardio yesterday. That is one of my fitness changes or "goals", is to do cardio 3 times a week and weights, abs etc twice a week. I do have a goal to lose some weight, or at least transform it. And this is what will work best for that goal.
Once that is achieved I will have to switch it up to maintain what I accomplished. But that could take a year or more, no idea.
Treadmill is still my fav. I treaded, I biked, and I finally figured out the Fish Game on the rowing machine!!! and it's a lot of fun!!
(Step 1. read the instructions on the machine - should be obvious, but I never thought of that last time... Step 2. you row hard your fish moves up, you row light he drops down. Step 3. Avoid big fish that eat you, eat fish smaller than you. Points are 30 for tiny fish 60 for medium fish I ended after the 5 minutes with 535 points (you lose points if you get eaten, not sure how many...)) That was way better than last time of 90 points!!!

So that was cardio day! Everyone's dreaded first day back, wasn't so bad!

The last time I gymed was Christmas Eve I think...

New Year, Gym Day 2:

This morning the parking lot was the busiest I have ever seen it... there were people everywhere! Resolutioners!!!! They skipped Monday apparently... but today.... EVERYWHERE!!!!

Okay you couldn't actually tell... except for the full-er parking lot...

The women's only room was normal. I recognized everyone in there. There were 3 new ones when I left after my hour... and yes, I do know all of them. We are secret friends. Secret in the fact that they are my friends, and I know everything about them. Except their names, and we have never spoken...

Anyway, you know what I did today?!? 

Wait for it...............

Build up the tension..............................

and anticipation........................................................................

I WENT ON THE STAIR MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. I did. 5 whole warm up minutes of climbing stairs! I put it on 10. No idea what that means, but it wasn't as hard as climbing the 2 flights at work! and I do that like 5 times a day! Very proud of myself :)  <-- that happy face would be bigger if I could make it bigger....

 there we go! look how happy I am

I did more floor cardio warm ups (jumping jacks, on place yogging, pretend skipping - that's where you pretend to skip, but don't move or have a rope. you look foolish, but you sweat!)

I picked up some weights, and did some stuff.

I laid down on the mat - and thought about staying there a while... but I made myself sit up. Then lay down. Then sit up again.... like 10 times! arg.

I did some abs, then more on the floor cardio, to warm back up after my ab-nap.

Then I did more weights things, then I went to 5 leg machines, before walking for a few minutes to cool down.
Stretches............. and done. (sigh)

The parking lot was even fuller when I left! Woah! Good for you guys! Get in there, get a machine, work that body, make sure you don't hurt no body!

How was your workout today? Did it last night? How did that go? What did you do differently, or for the first time?
What will you try next time?
Do you already have a plan for tomorrow?
Tomorrow is cardio again for me.
And tonight I plan on buying some veggies! I am craving all kinds!

gonna try this recipe:

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-recipes/healthy-steamed-salmon-recipe-veggies

Looks good.

Maybe if I keep using that stair machine (I think it might be called a "stair master" ?? but I shall continue to call it a "stair machine" until I have mastered it) then I will be able to increase my goal to walking 5 flights every morning, from my car to my office?

Maybe.

Until next time!!! Keep fun, and have fit!

Check out the Space Jam vid below!!!

-Na

https://youtu.be/J9FImc2LOr8

I'm Back!!!! - I apologize to all my fans!!!!

Good morning, (or afternoon, or evening, or night - whenever you've taken the time to read this)

I have been away for a while!
But I have not forgotten about you! Oh no.

I have been a bit sickly. I had lost my voice on the 3rd? I think it was. Then was left with a really annoying never leaving me cough. I tried to kill it, but it won't die.
I wasn't sleeping, and that's my reasoning for being lazy bones.

Then Tuesday the 8th Mr. went out of town, and "they" won't let me leave my 4 year old at home in bed along whilst I better my health at the gym :( 

He was back Friday the 11th.  I still slept in Monday the 14th. Didn't feel like getting back into it after 2 weeks off... blame me? Well then you should have been knocking on my door waking me up! I didn't see you out there either! lay off!

Okay where was I? Oh right, motivation...

Ya so Tuesday the 15th I promised myself I wouldn't miss any more gym days this week, and try my best to not miss anymore before the little Christmas break! (where I am sure to consume all of the calories I have tried to work off over the past few months... but I will consume them with glee and regret it later. or probably not regret it, just do it again and again and again...)

Tuesday I hit the gym, promising myself I wouldn't push myself too hard, I would just do cardio. I kept that promise to myself.


Wednesday I took back to the machines, did a bit of leg work, and had a thought/realization. I feel I haven't been seeing results in the quantity/quality I was sort of expecting... Now I realize everything in your life effects how you lose weight or whatever... etc but I was honestly expecting this to go a bit differently... I assumed I'd see results similar to 2 summers ago... 
I think I finally realized [another] reason why (the main reason is diet, I am no where near as strict, nor do I eat as many fresh veggies as I really really really should be!!!!)
Anyway, I [think] it is because I used to do interval workouts, and more intense workouts... 
On my cardio days it was Zumba twice a week, which is full of varying cardio, which works so many different areas and muscles, and pushes me so hard.
Then on days when I would go running, I was stopping at the halfway point and doing muscle work like push ups, arm exercises, squats, you know - the works, then running back again.
This time around, at the gym, I find I don't have time, in the hour I am at the gym, to do all of that. 
I either do cardio, or a warm up and then a specific muscle group (legs, arms, or abs)
I am not doing intervals, I am not doing much variety!
Now I feel the machines do help, and they are a good idea, I am just wondering if I should switch up the frequency in which I machine.. and add in varying land cardio (ie mountain-climbers, jumping jacks, running on the spot etc vs treadmill or bike...)

So that was my thought yesterday after my workout, and it continued on to today, when I couldn't remember which muscle group I had even worked out yesterday... that's probably not a good sign.

So that can be my next week, and new year resolution, to eat more raw veggies, and to do more varied, interval workout. I am now at the point where I would like to start seeing some return on my investments.

That is all for today folks.

Check back tomorrow, I may or may not post. I WILL workout! Although it seems every time I make that promise something unexpected comes up, and I make a liar out of myself...

So I will do my best to workout tomorrow, and my best to post about it.

Have nice times! 

Singed N-dot

Start of Week 4, Day 16 of Actual Gyming.

Today was just as hard to wake up as you would assume.
A weekend of concerts, food, football and more food!
I didn't want to get out of bed.
I'm glad I did of course, it was just tough.

I decided just cardio today. Tred, Bike, Row. I played this "Fish Game" on the rowing machine. It was weird, I did not understand it in the least! There were no instructions, it was just an option on the menu, so I thought "hey why not?" but then it was really weird, there were 3 sizes of fish on the little screen, I have no idea which fish I was supposed to be, or how they moved or how the scoring worked! I just know that sometimes the score would go up, and then sometimes it would go down...
So if there are any Fish Game Row experts out there, some help would be great!

That was my workout today, I'm glad I went.

Okay, now we can talk body image.
I was reading a blog post I follow on Facebook, and it was all about not comparing yourself to others. Great message.
The photo she used?
An amazing and incredibly attractive body.
I'm talking perfectly round underboob (her shirt was pulled up and she was laying on her side) (boobs clearly fake, not judging, not my point, just stating, they were perfectly round), her stomach had muscle lines all down it, she was tanned, she looked like she had just worked out, or was in the middle of a workout (I don't know what kind of workout you do in a bikini bottom, with your shirt pulled up to your underboob, but again - no judgy). She had no pooch, perfectly sculpted legs, no thigh fat... like - why is she the image telling me not to compare myself to anyone? Why is the perfect, amazing image, telling me not to judge my own imperfect body, on someone else?

That just makes no sense what so ever.
I have imperfections.

I read one time a good exercise is to stand in front of the mirror, every now and then, maybe once a week, maybe everyday, however often you need it, and list 5 physical things you like about your own body.
and yes, at first I scoffed at it.

Then, one day, I was feeling down about myself. I had just got out of the shower and was trying to decide what I wanted to wear that day. (The struggle is real y'all)
I made myself do it, there were no witnesses, no one to make fun of me for doing the exercise, no one to laugh at my 5 choices...
And I will admit... it was easier than I expected.
It turns out, there is a lot more I like about my body than I first realized!
I am so constantly focused on what I don't like, I forget to compliment myself!
And no, no one has to agree with you. These don't have to be things you have ever received a compliment about... 
Just choose 5 you love. 5 you find attractive.
I found, I have more than 5.

I can list them if you like. If you don't care you can just skip this next part (winky face)
I like my feet, I like my legs, I like my height, I like my ass, I like my side ab muscles, I like my breasteses, I like my collar bone, I like my hands, I like my back, I like my lips, i like my eyes.

and That's just off the top of my head! (I also like the top of my head)

So, it can be done. It is WAY easier to point out the things I don't like.
WAY easier. But that doesn't help anything.
And that's what this whole journey is about, being done with a certain place I have reached in my life, and wanting to change.
So no list of things I want to change (although if I do a quick count, there are 18 things I want to change physically about my body... that's a few more than 5).

Can we actually begin to look at ourselves the way those commercials for soap, and cereal, tell us to.
Actually build each other, and ourselves up.

I will try.

I will try and stop asking why that girl isn't sweating as much as me, or why she can lift more than me. and why she is 7 years younger... haha all things I cannot change.

Are you ready for changes? Are you bettering your life?
Are you bettering my life? Cuz if someone else could just come do it for me already... that'd be great. I'm tired of this BS.

I really do have a great, wonderful, supportive SO. I lucked out.

I really am ending this now.
- Signed "LoveWatchingMyOwnReflection"

GOLD MEDAL CHAMP!!!

Might be self declared, but who's opinion matters more than my own?

No one's.

I did it! I made it all 5 days this week!!
Today may have been my best day too!
I ran, and did whole body things, and ran again, then did more all body (as in I did an exercise to work my legs, then one for abs, then one for arms - all self directed on the mats)

It was great. Makes me feel good to have good days.
I know I need to work on more, and different muscle groups, but for now, simply showing up is progress!

This is my sweaty sweat band. Yes, an after-workout shot. I did not show up to the gym with a sweaty band. Although I did forget to grab socks, so I wore the same ones as yesterday.

Judge all you like, I can beat you up. You and your mom.

I don't have time, once again, to touch on the Body Image subject, I will just quickly say that it seems to be an issue for us all. Every type, every age, and both genders. I am working on mine, and I love the support I have, and I encourage you to work on yours.

This week hasn't been easy, I am still waiting for that reflection to change (the mirror one) I have read that it takes 2 weeks for you to start to notice a change... well I am what 4 weeks? and I notice nothing. I promise I won't get discouraged, I just want it.
I have been pretty tired all week, but I won't let that stop me from showing up again next week! 
I will be striving for Platinum status!

I would like to thank my SO for being so supportive. I wouldn't be able to do this without his support (and I don't just mean because he is at home with the kid while I go... ) I mean he is encouraging, and supportive, and pretends to show and interest, even though I am sure it is all really boring to him.

He's pretty rad, and deserves a shout out. Even though he will never read this.
xoxox and a heart, and I love you always and forever? Mushy stuff?

Before y'all vomit, I'll stop.

I'm waving hello to you. Arrival time at the gym. 5 AM. Departure 6 AM. Death wish status = high.

I am bidding you goodbye now. 
Have a good weekend, make good choices (just kidding. I never do)
Make a mess this weekend! Messes are more fun.

4 and oh

Record for this week is looking promising...!! So far I am 4 and 0. One more day and this will be my first full week of gym attendance since I started gyming! I think that's a pretty good achievement.

Today was another typical day, warm up on the treader. 7 minutes of full running though! That is an improvement over the 5 minutes with some walking thrown in!
Today was an ab-aber day! I sat up and laid back down so many times. My favorite part was the laying down. My least favorite was when I made myself do scissor-y things.... If you don't know what that is:
You lay on your back (yay!!) and you put your legs out in front of you (where else would they go? folded under you like a pretzel?? No.) and you lift your legs off the ground just as much as you have to, like the closer to the ground your legs can be the hotter you are going to get! I lift my legs fairly high usually, today I was able to hold them a bit lower! Yay, personal improvement #2!
Anyway, once your legs are off the ground, you cross them back and forth, right over left, left over right, looking like scissors. They suck.
And I suck for making myself do them :( Twice!!!

I don't hate ALL ab exercises, I just hate how they hurt...
I did bicycles, and heel touches, and planks of all kinds.

For abs, the half hour almost isn't enough, I will need to give myself more time next time. But that sounds less fun, and more hurty... so maybe I will just add a quick 5 minute ab sess. onto my daily workout? I don't know, I will think about it, and don't you worry! I will for sure let you know what I decide to do.

Zumba!
I miss zumba class... whenst in zumba, I can cardio for the full hour (interval style) when I am cardio-ing by myself, I can barely get through 15 minutes.. I like the class atmosphere, I like the loud music, I like the dancing part! (When I dance in the gym people ask me to leave)
I am not super crazy over the Latin side, it's not my favorite genre, and my knees really don't like that dancing style. So why zumba? Well until someone else comes up with a huge dancing-cardio craze involving hip-hop, techno, and punk rock, I will have to stick with Zumba.
I have heard many many people talk about how they cannot dance.
I cannot dance.
I have zero rhythm. I do not understand flow. Or movement.
I do love zumba.
Just go do it. Just try it! Twice. Try it twice. It took me 2 times to really like it.
I will try harder to get out to a zumba class at the gym, and I will let you know how much I loved it. (or how much the instructor sucks...)

If not zumba, try Yoga. Try Aqua Size. Try Fuse-ball! Just try something! 

Let's Don Johnson and Joanne McLeod this thing! 
Get out there and get moving!

Okay I know I said I'd talk about body image again, and haven't, but I will soon. I promise. It's important. and it angers me.

Peace out

Dear Diary:

Tuesday Nov. 24

It was another snowy day today.

But that didn't stop me!

I put on some big mittens, and big boots, and drove through the 10'' of snow! Just kidding it was like 1 cm...

I was late this morning, which just made my workout need to be a bit quicker, I just warmed up 5 mins, and did the leg machines. 30 reps each machine though! that's 10 more than I have been doing!

Improvement!

I used my cool down time to do some squats, because today was leg day, and I really want to tone all I can, and didn't want to miss out on squats because I spent extra time on machines!

I try not to be vein whilst working out, but I do enjoy cute workout clothes. and I judge those who wear ugly clothes, or the same thing every time. You know who you are. Why do they have to be so expensive? and why are they everywhere?
I have come to realize that the cuteness of your outfit does not a better athlete make.
But I wish it did. I wish you could accumulate cuteness points and exchange them for a calorie free danish, or an extra hour sleep.
THAT would motivate me to but those outfits that clog my inbox/news feed/ all ads ever...

I am tired again this afternoon. I need to figure that part out and change up. I don't like the 3 PM exhaustion... I want to make improvements and I feel I am struggling with this one.

That is/was all for Tuesday, so I stopped there and didn't post. I continue here...

Wednesday Nov. 25

Here we are once again.

Apparently sleeping in is the new "in" thing. Cuz I did it again today.
I even debated staying in bed. But once I convinced myself the extra 45 mins of sleep really wasn't worth it, I headed to the gym ("guy-m").
I ran for a little bit-le, then stretched, then biked all the way to China! Or so it felt like... the machine said I burned 40 calories, and that was enough for absolutely nothing at Tim's but I quit anyway.
I went a rowed. I rowed all the way to China! at least that one is even plausable... where you can't really bike to China... at least not from Canada... I mean, you can bike to China from like Nepal or Mongolia... provided you had the proper documentation... ANYWAY
I rowed my fake boat all the way to China to find ya. But you said you had to get your laundry clean!

I am getting off topic again.
Rowing over. back on the runner. Ran for another 5, and stretched it all out!

Nothing overly exciting seems to happen down in the WOR (Women's Only Room) but there were a few more people than usual coming down when I was leaving! That is a good sign - staying/getting / trying to be healthy is always a good thing. And I always support trying. Even if it means having to get off my couch (sad face)

HOWEVER - these two older ladies, like in their 50s? late 50s? 60s? I didn't ask. Anyway, two of them came in together, and I don't think anyone at the club gave them a tour before hand! they came in to the WOR with their jackets and bags and didn't seem to have any idea where to put them or where to change! That was entertaining. 
Yes I did consider saying something. But I couldn't figure out how to word it without coming across as totally snooty! 
I didn't want to discourage these ladies! So I didn't say anything, but I do hope they ask a worker (like someone who works at GoodLife, not just some random person employed in the workforce... although I bet if they did just ask anyone, they could probably assume there is a change room, and tell these ladies to look for a change room....... or ask a worker where the change room is....) my other thought is maybe they just don't have a lock? I should consider all possibilities before just judging... but I won't. I am just going to say I giggled a little. 
Looking back I should have said something.
But how? That will haunt me for at least another 2 minutes.
Maybe they will be back tomorrow!? and I can offer advice and guidance. After all I am a seasoned athlete down here in the WOR. I will tell them to avoid those $ store lock and key locks though, not to worry.

Okay well this brings us to 4 PM now, and I was feeling the 3 PM tireds, so I made a coffee, and yes I do feel much more alert. Would a tea have done the same? Probably, I just chose coffee. Not because I need it, because I love it. (It loves me too don't worry)

This is me, signing off. I will strive to hit the gym (guy-m) again tomorrow, and I will strive to tell you about it once again.
And I will strive to not be late. I will strive to take more stairs (today 2 flights with my bag winded me, and my shoulder was killing me - still zero progress on the stairs! Insert another sad face here)

Adios mis amigos.

tu amiga, Naomia. 

Machine Mondays

Hello loyal readers!

Thanks for joining me once again on my detailed journey of sweat, [exercise] equipment discovery, and random observations.

Today was a day just like any other. I forced myself out of bed... for once I was a little appreciative of my SO for snoring like a beast. Helped motivate me to leave the blankets.

I was the only one in the Women's Only for the first 45 mins! Which is overly exciting because I enjoy dancing when an extra wonderful song comes on my playlist. And no one wants to see that.
Except for me. and since I was alone, I danced in front of the mirror for a bit!

Today was arm day. Because I 'accidentally' missed Friday.
I used the few machines for arms and upper body, then went to the free weights. Some exercises are getting easier, and I have even increased weight in a few! Which really makes me happy (of course the girls who are on some sort of team come in every day around 5:30 - 5:45 and totally show me up, but they have team jerseys, so they are intense). 

I didn't get to watch any sports highlights, so when I was doing my cool-down I felt unmotivated and just walked the 5 mins... Which I'm not ashamed of, I just like to sweat when I work out.

That's pretty much all I did at the gym today.

I've been pretty sleepy this afternoon, I didn't go to bed early, but I thought I would be fine. I know sleep is fairly important for weight loss, but I wasn't going to skip another day for an extra half hour. I would probably find myself sleepy anyway!

I don't have a song to share with you, sorry, and I didn't take any selfies.
But I do have this eCard

Have a sweaty day!

- Machine Movin Momma.

La Ay Zee

I didn't even hear my alarm go off this morning.

I have an alarm set to let me know when I should be doing a cool down and stretch, at 5:45 and that was the one that woke me up!

I guess I am skipping the gym today...

At least I will be going curling with a work function right? I probably won't be getting my heart rate up to 160, or sweating much, but at least I'm not sitting in an all-you-can-eat doughnut shop.

I wanted to talk about body image today.

It is such a bitch.

All women I have ever talked to, struggle with it! and it seems to be something that isn't quite as big of a problem with men. Yes some, and a lot, of men do have an issue, I'm not saying that, I am just saying that any man I have ever talked to about it, seems perfectly happy with his body! and every woman I talk to seems to have at least 5 things she doesn't like about her body.
And since I am female, that tends to be where my experiences and expertise lie...

This subject sneaks up on your fat ass and smacks you right in the face while simultaneously stabbing you in the back!

One day I look in the mirror at the gym and think "hey I may actually be making progress here!" and then I get home and rememeber that they put those MF-ing skinny mirrors in the gym to make you think that! and then I get the opposite reaction at home! and I think "woah I may have to start working harder, I need to make sure I'm working out 5 times a week. and I still have a long way to go!"

Now those thoughts aren't exactly negative, and I do have the negative thoughts too, it's just that those aren't supportive thoughts. They mess with my head, and break me down a little.

It's okay to sleep in once a week, or twice, or three times! It's okay to not want to run the last 5 minutes of your treadmill session! It's okay to skip your fitness class even though you paid for it, just because you are tired, or busy, or just don't plain want to go!

It's okay to not beat ourselves up over an imperfection.

I know we never let ourselves think that, and we have to keep reminding ourselves to be nice to ourselves.

We need quotes and support from friends, and read magazines... why? I don;t know why! But we all seem to! It saddens me!
Why can't we just listen to that Special K commercial and let it all go and "just own it" as they say?
Because I don't want to own my thighs, I want someone else's!

Why don't I assume I am just as drop dead gorgeous as my man tells me I am? Because I have eyes and he is apparently blind.

Why do my friends not see that I, and most other women, are jealous of them and would gladly trade our (insert body part here ) for their (insert tradeable body part here) ???

I don't know. I DO know that change takes time. Change is harder to achieve for women, change happens in different ways for everyone. You can't change everything. You can't decide or dictate what will change and when or how!

BUT!!! 

You CAN change how you look at yourself, how you perceive your journey, and how you talk to yourself, and the way you tell that other voice to go shove it up her fat ass! You can change and decide to start a journey of your own, you can change one small thing at a time (drink more water? go for one walk a week? a month?) any change helps as long as it is helping your mental well being.
You can change the way you look at and judge other women! Even if it's just in your head (please try to keep all judgments of other women in your head. We are already negative enough on ourselves, let's be nice to each other) and yes I am 100% guilty of it. It makes me feel way better about my own ass if I can tear down someone else's. That's just weird. Why does me saying your ass is ugly make mine any hotter? It doesn't. for sure.

And that is my new goal. be nicer to women, be nicer to my ass.

and that is all for today.

Add your thoughts!

Wobbly Legs

Welcome! 

How are you today?

I walked up all 5 flights with my bags this morning! 
Bad idea, but I made it out alive!

I took the elevator the 2 flights upstairs the rest of the day (I went up 3 times), so I'm still not fully grasping the being more physically active concept. But I don't care.

I feel I slept well last night, and it's getting easier to get up at 4:30 which is nice.
I had a moment of sleepiness after lunch today, but I grabbed a tea (white mocha - mmmmm) and I walked around the office a bit, and tiredness gone!

Gym: The incline treadmill lady wasn't there. I'm worried.

I warmed up on the treadmill today - couldn't convince myself to do the stair machine...

Goal: Stair machine one day next week!

I designated today to be leg day. Tomorrow I am going "curling" with the office. I put it in quotations because I doubt I will do any technical curling, it will most likely be more slipping and ass-falling.
Anyway, the "curling" is why I thought I best do leg day today, and not tomorrow!

I most likely won't be able to post tomorrow, because of the curling. But I will try. I don't want to disappoint my fans.

So this one lady, who is at the gym with me quite often, was ahead of me on the machines (aka she would leave one machine and I would go use it a couple minutes later...) anyway, whenever I would go to a machine after her - I had to lower the weight! I couldn't press, crunch, curl, squeeze etc, as much weight as she could! and that made me push myself harder! 
Should I compare myself to others? No, should I if it makes me push myself harder? Okay maybe that's fine... as long as I don't push myself to run a marathon or something. I really don't want to do that. They sound like the worst thing since un-sliced bread!

Song of the day:

Elle King "Where The Devil Don't Go"

Quote of the day:

"I'm out'a here suckas" - Naomi

Abs and ABS

It snowed.

I took a picture but it's sideways. So that looks stupid. That's where the ABS comes in, the breaks... 

I still went to the gym though! :D

I'm amazing.

I went and I abbed. That's where the abs comes in, I did a sit up.

Oh! and I went on the elliptical! I'm fairly certain that makes me an elliptician.

Except I hated it... I probably won't elipt again.

I warmed up, then did some ab "stuff" then... drum roll...!! I went on the rowing machine!!!

I've talked about it before, but it used to be my favorite machine when I forced to go to the school workout room in high school (everyone had to, it wasn't like special punishment or anything)
and I would always choose the rower. So I've been wanting to try it out!

Today I did :D <-- that's big smile number 2! 

Then I abed a bit again, cool down on the treadmill (cuz it's ma fav)
Streeeeeeeeeetch... and done.

Today I feel I have more energy than yesterday! My hypothesis may have some merit.

I almost forgot to make my smoothie - today it tastes like chocolate mango - because there is chocolate and mango in it.

Today I remembered I love this song:

Alabama Shakes "Hold On"

Ah-Mazing.


In other news: I forgot my phone in the car, parked on the 6th floor. I work on 11. I ran down the 5 to my car, and then...... I went back UP THE 5!!!!!!!!!!! ya. that's right.

I had to pause on 9, but still. 

Goal in sight! I may be able to make it up the 2 flights (between our 2 office levels) without being completely winded!

Okay, that was that.

This is me:

This is goodbye.

Another Successful day!

I didn't go to the gym this morning - success! Phew. I love sleeping. and not moving. I feel so relaxed and at ease.

Unfortunately I am lying.

And not in a bed like I wish I was.

I am lying about loving the fact that I skipped the gym.

I am not completely thrilled with having missed it...

It makes me feel more alert, more energized, my head clearer, and I feel better about myself.

Today I feel lazy, tired, and like I have to watch what I eat extra careful because I didn't burn any extra calories...

Also I'm cold. i'm not a doctor, or a fitness even novice - I'm at least 1 level below novice. Which isn't a thing... So anyway, I don't know if skipping my morning workout is why I am cold, but it's the only difference in my day so far!!!

So why did I skip? Well Dwayne and I were at a fundraiser and didn't get home until 1:00 AM

That is my excuse. I give it a 3/10 fairly lame. But there it is.

That's my excuse. I just didn't wanna get up after 3.5 hours sleep, so I decided to get 5 hours...


On the days I do work out, I eat 2 breakfasts.

Basically.

I make a smoothie, with Vega, fruit, chia seeds etc. and I usually eat oatmeal or something too.
If I don't eat that second breakfast I'm famished before supper time!

Today, I am still peckish even though I didn't work out, still ate oatmeal (with nuts and chia and etc) and I had a fairly decent lunch, and snacks, and chocolate....

How do you feel after a workout? Can you go a while before eating? Or do you have to eat right away? Even before you shower? (ew gross)
Do you need a full extra meal, or can you make up for the calories burned with just a small snack?

All the readings I have done give advice on what, when, how, and why you eat after working out, and everyone is different - I just know for myself that is what works. And I am surprised to find myself hungry today, seeing as I didn't move.... at all...

No good stories for today, no pictures, no highlights etc... I will just leave it here, and hope you're still awake!

- Sincerely, The World's Biggest Skittles Fan (Tropical only)

Another Monday - My Smoothie Tastes Like Chocolate Cake

It is. and it does.

It is Monday. Monday's are getting easier. That is a good thing, I am just not 100% convinced of that yet...

See, if Monday becomes easier, then I have to keep doing them. I enjoy sitting and not doing Mondays. I enjoy sleep. and Netflix.

You know what I noticed? Getting up is hard. Always.

Friday night I was in bed no later than midnight I think (who can remember that far back)
Saturday Morning Alexus was up at 7:44 (that I remember!)
That was hard to get up and put a movie on, and get her breakfast, and go back to sleep.
Then it was still hard to get out of bed at 8:30...

Sunday morning Alexus was in Calgary, bugging Grandma to wake up, I woke up in my own bed on my own (no 4 year old asking if it's morning yet) at 9!
Still hard to get up.

I was in bed at a decent hour last night, and it wasn't as hard as I have found it in previous weeks, to get up at 4:30!

On my way home from the gym, I was less tired than I have been.

That's a good level to reach I say.

I didn't do anything this weekend exercise wise.
I just did a lot of NOT exercising. I sat in a car for 6 hours, I sat in my house, on my couch, in a restaurant, 2 restaurants actually, a few bars, and again on my couch!

I like having rest days. Those days are my fav.

My smoothie tastes like chocolate cake. 

mmmmmmmmmmmm

Chocolate Vega, half an avocado, half a banana, frozen strawberries, coconut milk (Silk brand not like canned stuff.... so it's fortified with vitamins (vit-ah-mins), flax seeds (ground of course) and chia seeds (not ground of course), and water = chocolate cake smoothie apparently.

I have been eating a spoonful of peanut butter with a half a banana before hitting the gym.

Good idea? bad idea? have better ideas?
Want to share your ideas with me?

Music:
I find nothing works better to motivate me. Some people watch the TVs, some people even read, some people listen to podcasts or E-books etc. Me, I need music. and it has to be amazing. Nothing average, or meh. Amazing only.

I have 2 favorite songs right now, Icona Pop "Emergency" check that one out on You Tube!

and Felix Jaehn Feat Jasmine Thompson "Ain't Nobody"

That "Ain't Nobody" song is my top 5 right now. and Top 2 for workouts - obvs

I also took some pics for ya'll.

Pics make things better - visual stumili. You now have audio (and visual) and [just] visual stimuli! big day for the lazy blog!!!

Found in locker 13... Luck 13? Someone left their boobs behind. It is lucky 13! New boobs for Naomi!!! 

Here I is ready, or "ready" because I not like ready ready. Just technically I can't stall any further...

This is my after shot, sorry it's blurry, that's what happens when you upload phone pics apparently. And since you can't really see it, I'll just inform you - that is one bulging bicep you are seeing right there.

Update: No progress as of yet on the goal of walking up more flights of stairs, and not getting tired/ out of breath whenst walking flights of stairs.

I am about to walk down 10 flights...

I bid thee a phenomenal day.

Signed: Chocolate Cake In Any Form

Day Off Does NOT Mean Day Off!!!

Wednesday was a day off of work for I. The gym didn't even open until 7. Perfect excuse! Except you know how many calories excuses burn?

0

You know how many calories I burn? No I'm asking, because I don't know how to calculate that...

It was pretty busy at noon on Wednesday, not sure if that's normal, or if it was because most people had the day off. But I do know that I wasn't crazy about that. I prefer the few ladies I have come to recognize, and we nod at each other, and don't get in each other's way!

I felt a bit more energized running yesterday, not sure if eating breakfast helped, or the later time... Either way I may never find out, because I don't eat a big breakfast before going at 5 am and I go at 5 am!!!

Yesterday I ran for 10 minutes, then arms day! I did a few dumbbell exercises... it was, you know, good? It wasn't like fun per-say, but it wasn't NOT fun... you know?

There are a few machines that work your arms, so I used those too, then I was going to go to the mat for a few push ups etc but it was full... so I paced and then went to the treadmill, but I just didn't want to tread! I walked a bit, light jogged... walking... please girls get up! I just want to stretch and go home!
Oh my goodness the one girl is just laying on the mat going through her phone! Ahhh!!! 

Okay they're gone, 10 push ups, stretch it out. and home. sigh.

I felt a little more tired today. It was a lazy of course, and it felt good, but unused energy, at least for me, makes me even more tired than if I hadn't moved at all, all day!
So I took a short nappy-nap during the 9th run of Smurfs 2.

I really do enjoy doing nothing. Like, a lot. It may be my favorite thing.

I have hours and hours of recorded TV to catch up on, there is so much on Netflix I want to watch! I just want to sit in front of the TV for hours on end and never leave!

and I must admit, working out, makes me feel like I've earned an hour or two of TV. 

That and purse skittles are really all the reward I need. 

(for those wondering, purse skittles are skittles that fell out of the bag and are now at the bottom of your purse. and have been there for an unknown time. and if you only eat 2-5 at a time, they have no calories).

Thursday, 5 am again.

I chose lucky locker 13 again. Did yesterday too. It's mine now. I don't care about 173 anymore. I just want 13.

The gym plays the 24 CBC news station, and when I walked in the dressing room I head "coming up, why breaking a sweat at the gym, doesn't mean you can break your diet" and I thought "well that sounds like a stupid waste of time story!"

I headed to the Women's only - Bike. Looked up at the many screens and the few I could see were on commercial, watched a music video that did NOT sync with my headphones - that was weird... then I saw the CBC screen (they have close captions, and the bikes are close enough I can actually read the words!) 
They were saying how a study shows, that 20 minutes of cardio only burns the equivalent calories of that of a small pumpkin spice latte, or a danish... Now everyone is different, and people work at various paces etc.. so I find with statements like this, you need to take them with a grain of salt... 
This I thought was a very odd story. With fairly obvious information... did you know that you can't just eat whatever you want just because you worked out?
I mean, that's my excuse all the time, and it is my mantra, however, I do know how un-true it is!
They were also talking about how people get hungry after they workout... yes. 

It is a good idea to put good things into your body.

It is a NOT good idea to put NOT good things into your body.

It is a good idea to be active.

It is not a good idea to transform into a sloth.

So, hey you guys! Get up. Go. NOW! I'm not waiting, but I will tell you to go.

I dare you to challenge me.
I dare you to keep up with me!

- signed lazy bones