Thursday, January 9, 2014

"Weighs" of Life

 I can tell you almost each and every year of my life since I was 15 what my weight was.
I like many in this world have grown up with a complex.
That the weight by which society see's us, gives weight to who we are
Here is a brief journey in the "ways" in which I have "weighed" my life
"My Little Pumpkin"
"Look at those big cheeks"
"Oh what a little butterball"
"A healthy child, her mother feeds her well"
"Our Big Pumpkin"
"There's just more of her to love"
"She looks like one of those Gerber kids"
"Your too fat to fit on that swing"
"You can't be on our team, you can't even run"
"Your gonna bend the monkey bars with your big butt"
"Fat girls don't belong in gymnastics"
"Winner of the Turtle Award: An award given to the slowest kid"
"You can't run? What are yous stupid?"

"Sweet 16 and I weighted 118. Doctors said I was 10 lbs too heavy for my height"
"Big Boned, no its called lazy"
I hid most of my teen years in black, it was more slimming
Age 21: Weight: 118  I was finally were the doctors said I belonged
I hardly ate, I had no energy, and what's funny is my siblings still called me fat
and my mother called me anorexic.
Sweet 30: Weight: 170.  Overweight and a size 14
What this doesn't tell you are all the successes I had in my life the last 9 years
The amazing 3 boys, my supporting and loving husband, and my success as a business woman.
And the truth of the matter: I am doing what I love to do, so why do I just see a size?
Age: 35 Weight: 185 Size 16-18
Feet going numb each night
Hard to breathe
Feet swollen and painful to walk on
Can't run or chase my boys and I was tired all the time
-----------------------
Time to face reality....time to find a balance in life......
Age: 37 Weight: 125 Size 2-4
I had never run before, and here I was running 10 minute miles
I was asked to teach Pilates, Yoga, and other fitness classes
Me the unhealthy unfit girl...
A dream come true!
-------
or was it?
No matter how hard I worked
No matter how strict the diet
My clients knew when I gained a lb. or two
I was always being asked when I was going to start to loose the weight again
Tons of my professional friends were being asked to be on video
Some where even becoming famous
and yet I was still being told I was too fat.........
so I worked harder, better, stronger, you name it I tried!
I thought that I had hit my own success when I was teaching
17 fitness classes a week!
----------------
I thought
---------------
I was weighing my priorities in life by the wrong scale
This is me after a year of being on bed rest
After thousands in therapy and doctor visits
Don't ask how many needles I had been poked with
Don't ask how many crazy and deadly drugs they tried to stick me on
Can I tell you my weight in this photo....yes..I could...
but it doesn't matter anymore

When one is faced with the truth that they may never hike again, ever bike again, or ever run again
it changes the weight of everything!

I have spent almost two years in bed
I have discovered a rare disorder that I have with my hip
I will forever have this disorder
It was going to happen sooner or later in my life
I just ran my clock faster and harder than I needed to

So where do I "weigh" my priorities now...

Well that's another blog!


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Side Planks: From Basic to Advanced

Please consult your physician before starting this or any other fitness program
 

Side Planks are great for an

All over body workout

But………

Fitness and Health should never be

about beating your body into submission

Its about teaching yourself to

listen, to tone, and to focus on doing it right

And remember no matter what

Level you are at

If your body screams for you to stop, its best to listen!


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Plank Series 3 of 3

Hey Fellow Bloggers and Followers!
I just want to let you know that I am moving most of my Blog over to Wordpress....
Yeah I know its so sad, but the format of Wordpress works so much more like a Webpage
Since I have so many amazing subjects, it helps me keep them in easy to search tabs!
please come by and check it out!

fitness4anybody.worldpress.com

However, for a while I will still post here because I love helping you
towards your health and fitness goals!

Enjoy!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Yoga and Pilates Planks: Set Two (Off The Floor)

Who said it has to be done on a floor?

Quick Note
If you have sweaty hands or your hands keep slipping
try using weight gloves, a door way, or a chair to hold on to.

If you prefer the floor, then watch Set Three!

Please consult your medical doctor before starting this
or any other fitness program

How Long Do You Hold A Plank?

Try holding a plank for 30 seconds
Take a break
Then come back and do another 30 seconds

Its best to do a one minute plank 
Three times a week
Using it with part of your toning exercises

What is your Maximum Hold Time?

3 Minutes is your maximum hold time
If 3 minutes is too easy then you should 
move on to the next harder level
(See Other Vlogs on advanced planks)

When is the best time to do them?

I encourage my students and clients to 
hold planks each food commercial
Its a great way to add a small bit of toning
Plus it keeps you from running up the stairs 
or out the door for a snack!



Yoga and Pilates Planks: Set One (Using Props)

PLANKS

I Swear every fit class does them
and I continue to see many people doing them wrong!

Here is a fun guide to learning about your body
and how to adapt towards this amazing full body workout

Remember to consult your doctor before you start this
or any other fitness program

When Planks are done correctly
the core should be shaking on each exhale

Most people find themselves holding their breath in this pose

I personally like to close my eyes during planks
this insures that I can feel each muscle in their correct place
and that I can fully focus on my breath!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Leg Lifts Plus Extra Challenge with Elevator Legs

Leg Lifts

Define and Firm
All aspects of your core, thighs, and glutes

Remember to consult your doctor before you start this
or any other fitness program

Remember the following
Keep the Spine Imprinted into the floor
Keep your pelvic girdle engaged
Always keep your knees and thighs together
(Its very easy to let the thighs part)
Bare feet are best, shoes add too much weight

Note: 
If your Hips start to hurt cross your ankles
If you can't go the whole distance, 
then try not to go as far 
or bend your knees to lessen the weight






Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Bridge Pose: From basics to advanced

Bridge Pose
Remember to please consult a medical professional
before you start this or any other fitness program


Main Purpose 
Strengthen Hamstrings

Secondary Purpose 
Strengthens Core, back, triceps, and shoulders

Stretches (Opens up)
Hip Flexors and Chest

Pilates Ball
Challenges balance and enchances difficulty
Strengthens stabilizing muscles, tendons, and ligaments

Yoga Variation (not shown)
Clasp the hands together under the back,
palms facing each other
fingers angled towards toes.
Insure Triceps are fully engaged 
to protect the neck and back.
You may also switch your hands into 
prayer position with fingers towards shoulders
but this is usually for those with very flexible wrists

Possible Health Concerns
Changes pressure of blood flow
Can cause dizzyness, headaches, and numbness in lower limbs
Neck pressure is increased
Lower back (lumbar) pain
Breast/Chest tissue can be heavy and cause breathing difficulty

Remember to check with a doctor first
Second, if you can't go as high....don't!

Bridge can be done just by barely lifting 
your hips off the ground and then placing them back down

As I will always remind you...we are not
all built the same!
Move within your own
body's possibilities