Motivation Monday and it’s all about the music. Music literally fuels my workouts and keeps me going. If I don’t have the right music, I just can’t push through. I have an extremely eclectic taste in music, but when I’m working out doing circuits and HIIT it has to be rap. When I go from runs it varies from house music to Britney Spears and then some.
My favorite app to listen to music is I Heart Radio. You’re able to chose by the artist, song, and “perfect for” which is a playlist perfect for working out, studying etc. I’ve found that I Heart Radio has the best variety and the least amount of commercials. I also love that you’re able to listen to podcasts and real-time radio channels.
Some of my favorite channels to listen to on I Heart Radio are:
Since my yoga challenge ended on 3/1, I’ve been a little lax on the fitness game. I’ve been busy sending my brother off to the Air Force and didn’t have the time to give it 100%. That’s part of life, there are times where you’re not going to be able to dedicate your whole self and that’s ok. It’s all about how you bounce back and get back to your routine.
For me having a routine is essential to having the best rounded life. It also means I schedule everything like crazy- woops. I’m a creature of habit.
Well I’m finally getting back on my routine (day 1) and it’s not easy…
Here’s is a glimpse of my daily eating routine and workout.
Breakfast
1 cup hot water with lemon, read from Channing Tatum’s nutritionist that if you drink hot water with lemon before you consume anything else in the day, it helps to cleanse and boost your metabolism. I’ve been doing it for about a week and I think it’s made a difference- I feel refreshed and has gotten me on a digestive schedule.
3 Tablespoons Fage Greek Yogurt with berries (blue or straw), flaxseed and pumpkin seeds. This fills me up and the berries help to cancel the nasty Greek yogurt taste.
Work out
I’m lucky enough to have a gym in my office building so instead of taking my lunch break, I go down and squeeze in a quick high intensity workout.
I’m restarting Kayla’s BBG– so I’m on Week 1, Day 1 and it kicked my ass. This workout is something I swear by, I’ve done it 1.5 times through before and it never gets easier. Definitely not for the faint of heart or someone with joint problems or previous injuries. Perfect for those on a time crunch and wanting to see good results.
Lunch
A BIG old salad- like HUGE. One big enough that everyone in the office knows how epic your salads are. I do a full head lettuce along with any veggies I have, top that off with ½ chicken breast. Dressing: 1 squeeze lemon, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. I eat this with some feta and black olives on the side. I’m a sucker for Greek salads and this to be is satisfying.
Snack
Apple with almond butter mix in some cinnamon OR string cheese OR dark chocolate OR sometimes all 3
Dinner
Anything I want in moderation. I always try to eat dinner with family and I want to be able to really eat with them, so I put no constraints. I eat till I’m satisfied, trying to never overeat.
Biggest part of how I’ve been successful so far is sticking to a routine, but giving myself leeway. You can’t stop living life or deprive yourself too much. Listen to your body and do what’s best for you!
Today was the first day I’ve been back at the gym in a month since I’ve started and finished my yoga challenge and boy was it tough. It’s not easy to change it up, but it’s essential in order to prevent your body from plateauing. Gotta feel the burn!
I don’t know about you but I have the hardest time working out my arms, but they could use all the help they can get. Found this interesting arm workout from Elite Daily today and want to challenge ya’ll to join me on this.
Day 22 in my 30-day yoga challenge and I still leave feeling inspired. Today’s message was that nothing lasts forever- not your pose, workout, time or your current situation in life. Change is inevitable, but you have the power to make the change you want. No matter what situation is bringing you down or if you’re at your lowest low, what is most important is how you get back up. That is the true test.
In regards to my physical journey, I’ve always made excuses for myself. That I was born this way, that it was genetics, and that I will always be that bigger. It wasn’t until I decided to take action and actually tried to get healthier that I began seeing results.
Few changes I made were planning out my workouts and creating a good support team.
I used to go to the gym and just wing it, with no routine. Without a purpose, my workouts were unproductive. I thought that I was “putting in the work” based off the amount of time that I spent there, but I would rarely leave feeling tired or accomplished.
I downloaded the Beach Body Guide (BBG) by Kayla Itsines and it really has done wonders. Not only are the workouts great, but I love that it’s scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with set times for each set. The program makes you feel accountable, especially when you follow her on Instagram and the BBG community. On the off days you’re supposed to do some sort of cardio, and I found that the Couch to 5k program was perfect to sub in during those days.
Other ways to create your own routine is to follow other fitness people on Instagram or Facebook. Often times you’ll find workout video clips of their routines, just make sure that you write it down and understand the moves prior to going to the gym.
Use social media to your advantage, as inspiration and accountability. I love SnapChatting funny faces after a hard workout so that my friends know that I’m working hard.
It’s important to surround yourself with friends that are supportive and that might even be taking on a fitness journey of their own. You can put together a Google Document to record food, workouts and progress. Make it more motivating by starting a challenge, putting money on the line definitely ups the stakes. It’s important to remember at the end of the day that you’re there to support and help each other and that you want everyone to succeed.
It’s never too late to start and remember you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
I’ve always said that when I start my blog that I would leave everything on the table. Simply Average means that I’m struggling with the same issues that everyone else is and I want to share my struggles with you.
For me my weight has always been my biggest cause for insecurity and self hate. My weight has always flexed up and down and rapidly. It’s been something I’ve struggled with ever since I hit puberty. I feel extreme pressure due to my family and culture. Asian women are typically seen as petite and skinny, and I’m none of those things. Ever since I could remember my family and family friends have been telling me how much prettier I would be if I lost a few pounds or how clothes would look nicer and that I could wear this or that if I thinner. This added pressure was something I almost revolted against, I didn’t want them to see how insecure I was about the way I looked.
Being heavier wasn’t because I hated exercise and that I hated eating healthy, I’ve always been competitive and pretty athletic and I’ve always loved vegetables and fruit. I’ve just never known balance. I love food more than anyone I know and never could say no. I would always say that I worked out or that I’ll compensate for my consumption some other way.
It wasn’t until last year after I hurt my back, so badly that I could barely walk let alone work out that I realized that this is the only body that I’ll ever have. I was terrified that at 20-something I might not be able to run another ½ marathon or participate in the things that I love to do. That’s when I started really reevaluating my body and my health.
I want to love my body for what it allows me to do. To be able to go on hikes, runs, vinyasa and just be active is a luxury that we take for granted. I learned more about how to feed my body and what it needs to recover and grow. That food is fuel not just something delicious and it’s changed my life.
With this new found perspective, I no longer worry about the numbers on the scale or what size pants I’m in, I just want to be the strongest and healthiest person I can be. With my back starting to act up again, I just wanted to share my struggle and remind myself and to any of those reading to be patient with your body. It’s amazing what the body is capable of and what we do to help our body will pay off.
I’m far from where I want to be, but I’m making progress everyday. I love where I am and I’ve never felt more confident or proud of myself. Remember it’s never to late to start. I’ll keep you posted with more workouts and meal plans if you’d like. Let me know in the comments below. And if any of you are struggling with body image issues please reach out to me. It’s not a journey anyone should take alone.
I hate showing the before picture, but I promised I would be fully candid. #judgementfreezone
Photo on the Left take in 2014 prior to back injury. Photo on the Right taken 2/17/15
Simply.Average 