Muffin Top-Less

A great blog I recently came across that gives me daily motivation to stay fit and healthy!
http://muffintop-less.tumblr.com/

I definitely recommend you check it out if you're looking to start or keep a healthy lifestyle. The author of the blog is now in the fitness industry and even models after leading an unhealthy lifestyle throughout high school and college. She's a huge inspiration!

Achieving your fitness goals

Whether your fitness goal is to lose weight, tone up, or bulk up, there are always standard practices of working out one should apply to achieve their goal. Since not playing sports anymore, my workouts have definitely changed in terms of frequency and content. I started Beach Body Insanity a few months ago and haven't been a gym since, which is so unlike me! In college when training, I would have to do power cleans, lifts, back squats, front squats, kettle ball workouts, free weights, resistance work, med ball work... you name it. But since graduating I haven't really done any hard core weight lifting and, to be honest, I kind of miss it. I always enjoyed lifting weights more than I enjoyed intense cardio, yet I've been doing more cardio lately than weights. Ironic, isn't it?

The Insanity workouts kicked my ass so much that I just figured I would stick with those to give me a great workout, but lately I've been thinking about getting back in the weight room to switch up my routine. And a lot of fitness articles seem to be pushing me in the direction as well.

One article I read lately was really really helpful and reiterated all the training advice I learned and followed in college.

You can read the full article at the link about, but to give you a quick run down it's titled, 10 Things Trainers Wish You Knew About Your Workout.

1. You need to switch up your workouts
2. Cardio isn't the magic bullet for weight loss
3. Wimpy weights will get you nowhere
4. Muscles come in pairs; train them that way
5. Crunches aren't crucial for strong abs
6. A workout doesn't merit a post-gym pigout
7. Bad form is bad news when you're strength training
8. Working out on an empty stomach won't burn more fat
9. A death grip on the cardio machine strains your bod and burns fewer cals
10. The "fat-burning" zone isn't really a fat-burning zone

Something is better than nothing. I even need to remind myself of that every so often. So whether you love cardio, lifting, or both, there's always a workout that you can enjoy. Spinning/biking, running, intervals, circuits, jump roping, skating, resistance, dumbbells, kettles, whatever! The more you mix it up the better, in my opinion. Not only can that elicit better results, but that'll keep your workout more fun.

Decide, Commit, Succeed

I had a really long day today and I'm exhausted so I'm going to keep this short. This morning was the first time in 2012 that I've waken up at 6am to workout before work. It was tough getting back into the routine but definitely necessary! I hate myself for about 10 minutes after the alarm goes off, but I always feel so much better physically and mentally for the rest of the day after getting a morning workout in. I'm rinsing and repeating tomorrow morning so I need to get to bed.

I went to a networking even tonight too which was a lot of fun; I'll be sure to share all thought and aha's vv soon. But until then, and before bed, I'm doing a small part to motivate you to improve yourself, whether that be mentally, physically, personally... I know I need it before my Insanity workout tomorrow AM!

My Love for TED

One of my absolute favorite websites to visit is ted.com. TED is an organization that hosts conferences both internationally and domestically with a variety of themes such as women's rights, environmental issues, tips on living, finance, happiness... the list is endless. The intention of the conference is to inspire the world through a number of speakers with "ideas worth spreading." The ones that are my favorites usually revolve around environmental issues, health, creativity, and living. I've come across a couple of new ones recently that have kept me motivated during my job-hunt endeavors.

If you're gonna watch something online, it might as well be something productive. Some of these just make that lightbulb switch on, change your outlook on something, or offer a little food for thought. It's important to always stay motivated in life and remember what you're working towards. I think it can be difficult to remember that when you're between jobs, but don't ever lose sight of that goal! Not only can these talks get you motivated, but they can change your point of view and help you think outside the box to really change your life -- in a big or small way!

There are hundreds of talks to explore. I'm just posting a couple of my favorites. :) Enjoy!


One of my absolute FAVORITES. By the remarkable Randy Pausch:
Randy Pausch: Really achieving your childhood dreams | Video on TED.com


How do the best inspire? Or Why?:
Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | Video on TED.com


In memory of Steve Jobs (@ Stanford :) ):
Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com