Bye, Bye Love Handles

The thought of wearing a bikini in 4-5 months is a pretty scary thought! So instead of looking like this :

....here are some great exercises to target Love Handles!

And remember....for best results, these need to be completed along with your regular cardio/lifting routines.  Full body workouts that are designed for weight loss, paired with muscle building exercises is the formula for success (which can be applied to any area of the body!).

The Killer Twists
1. Find a weight. A 5-lb. medicine ball is a good starting point.
2. Get into a low squat position and hold the ball to one side of your body
3. Stand up tall and twist your body to the other side. Your arms should be above your head
4. Return to starting position and Repeat. 3 sets of 8-12 reps on each side should do the trick! Make sure you do the sets in a row without a break. This will keep your heart rate up. If you need a break try to keep it around 30 seconds.

                                 Step 2                                          Step 3

Dumbbell Side Dips
1. Hold a weight in one of your hands (around hip height)
2. Bend your body to lower the weight closer to the floor (as far as you can)
3. Now, bend your body the opposite way to lift the weight as high as you can.
4. 3 sets of 8-12 reps on each side

                                Step 1                                          Step 2

Weight Pass Around
1. Use a weight or medicine ball (around 5-lbs.) and sit on the floor, feet flat on the ground.
2. Lift your legs up slightly and grab the medicine ball with both hands.
3. Turn your upper body at the waist, towards your right and place the ball behind your back.
4. Return to starting position (without ball)
5. Retrieve ball by turning back to your right. Do not move your legs.
6. 3 sets of 8-12 reps on each side.

Do you have any other favorite oblique exercises? A great website for finding exercises is http://www.divine.ca/en/health/exercise-finder/c_266/

Commit to be Fit

To me, it is always intimidating to go to a new gym.  You don't know where things are, what equipment is available or the overall processes of that gym (Suggestion: Ask for a tour of your new gym before your first workout).

After making my way through the locker room, I was feeling as intimidated as ever.  I felt like everyone else at the gym knew exactly what they were doing (which I know is not true!).  I looked over towards the treadmills; knowing that I am out-of-shape, I figured this would not be a good starting point.  I was hoping to use the elliptical but those were very full, so I decided on the exercise bike.  I wanted to do 25 minutes of cardio, to get my heartbeat up.  There were definitely moments that I wanted to quit, but I knew I had to push myself.  I knew it was all mental and even if I had to lower the intensity level, I could make it.

After finishing my cardio, I wanted to do some lifting or ab work.  I still wasn't feeling quite comfortable using the machines, so I decides on ab work.  I kept it simple...a 60-second plank and 50 crunches (5 sets of 10 reps)

Plank : 

Once I get more experienced, I want to start working in more planks and side planks.  I have read that crunches can actually cause damage to your spinal cord. (See : Article)

Side Plank :

  What are your favorite ab workouts?

Goals

So...I made it through my first workout of 2012 and I'm pretttty sure I already look like this :

Well, maybe not.

Before I started my workout, I weighed myself. 146 lbs. While this may not seem like a lot to some of you, it is to me.  This is the most I have ever weighed.  According to this ideal weight tracker, my ideal weight it 134 with a healthy range of 119-149.  I'm just FOUR pounds from being outside of my recommended weight range.  Now again, this may seem like no big deal to some people but the fact that I have gained probably 20 pounds in the last 3 years is scary to me. Not to mention I was 138 less than 1 year ago.  I do not want to continue that trend.

So now it's time to make some goals :

• 1st check-point : 140 (I will reward myself for hitting each check-point with some new work out apparel)
• 2nd check-point : 130
• Goal weight : 125 (Haven't decided this reward yet....ideas?)

I have never been able to wear skirts like this because of my body shape (aka - I have love handles).  So this is a huge personal goal for me.

• I want to work out at least 3 days a week, even where there are a million reasons not to.
• When it gets warmer, I want to try stand-up paddle boarding
• Most importantly, I want to keep myself motivated.  I want to change my lifestyle and I want to be happy with my body.

Next blog : My First Workout

And So it Begins....

Hello! I want to start off this blog by introducing my weight-loss/dieting background....

• I've worked out before.  I played sports in high school and I used to be very active.  I've done some running, I've been a member of a gym, and I've done the exercise tapes.
• I've dieted before. I've tried Weight Watchers and counting calories....as a means to eat healthier not necessarily to lose weight.
• I'm by no means overweight.  But I could definitely lose 20 to make myself healthier.

But....I don't know how to maintain a healthier lifestyle.  I've never been successful at sticking with working out or dieting for more than a month or two.  That is the theme of this blog...how I will change my lifestyle to become a healthier, more confident woman.  And losing a few pounds won't hurt either! :)  I want to share this journey with others who face the same challenges.

This motivation came about mostly through Pinterest. There are so many motivational images/recipes/quotes that it is almost impossible to not become motivated.  (PS...I am just getting started on Pinterest but please check out my boards!)

So I'm motivated to lose weight....what now?  Unfortunately, you cannot lose weight by sitting on the computer staring at 6 pack abs.  (If anyone knows how to do this....PLEASE share!)  The first thing I did (and am still doing) was research.  I wanted to know what other people did, what works, and see actual success stories.

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Because I am getting a late start on this blog, I am going to recap everything I have done for the past week.  I don't want this to be another New Years Resolution that I don't keep; I started this the day after Christmas.

Step #1 : Cut pop out of my diet completely.
I am the person who drank one diet pop per day (sometimes TWO).  This combines two out of four of the NEVER EATS on this list.  I'm currently on DAY 9 and couldn't be more proud of myself.  I even avoided any pop on New Year's Eve!  It really hasn't been as hard for me as I thought.  I haven't gotten any caffeine headaches and I made a conscious decision to make sure there is no pop in my apartment.

Step #2 : Go grocery shopping.
Since I've lived on my own my pantry and freezer are always full and my fridge is empty.  I'm starting to realize just how unhealthy that is.  I pretty much lived off of canned soup, pasta, and anything in a box.  So I again, started to research healthy food...keeping in mind what I would eat, and what I know would end up being thrown out.  And then I made a list of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to insure I would have enough options to eat for each meal.  Next time I go grocery shopping, I will put my grocery list up!  I wanted to make sure I had as many fresh foods available as possible.  It has been a great experience to actually cook fresh veggies for dinner instead of throwing some Rice-a-roni on the stove!

Step #3 : Join a Gym.
I've been working at my company for 1 year. I've been talking about joining the gym at my work for AT LEAST 6 months.  I finally gave in and joined.  It is only $26 a month and is extremely convenient!!  I have chosen to work out during my lunch; it gives me a great excuse to get away from my desk for an hour a day!  I usually get suckered into just working through my lunch because I'd rather be productive.  My current plan is to work out 3 days a week for about 45 minutes.  25-30 doing cardio and 15-20 doing lifting/abs, etc.  I still have a lot more research to do when it comes to this.  I have always been bad about knowing what types of work outs will most benefit me. More to come on this as I become better educated.

I think for now, that pretty much catches us up to where I am currently.  To come soon : what groceries I buy, what workouts I'm doing, deciding which cleanse to try and more....

Today will be my first workout of 2012 and I am very excited.  I'm sure it will be miserable, so I'm going to end this with some thinspiration!!