Working on My Fitness| 26-Days of Squats Challenge

I'm going to keep this short & sweet!

I plan on starting today doing a squat challenge.

I saw where Youtube beauty vlogger Montana Deleon posted a picture on Instagram: @MontanaDeleon of her results of doing squats for 30 days.

The results are in the squats!

I plan on starting out today & ending 4/31

-Each day I will add 5-10 squats on top of the prior day

-Every 3 days I will rest *from doing squats*

Today I did 60 squats which means tomorrow I need to do 65 or 70.

Thursday will be a rest day & so on...get it?

Here's my before....

Ps. I'm 4lbs away from weighing 130!!!

I thought this goal would be enough for me, but I'm not where I want to be.

My stomach needs major work. So I'll be focusing on the ab workouts as well

Wish me luck!

Working on My Fitness| My March Challenge-Goals

Hey folks!
I know it's been sometime now. I wanted to update my fitness progress and this month's goals. My goal weight is 150! Once I meet that goal, my main focus is to tone, tone, tone! When I first started my fitness journey in 2011 I was around 163-162. I am now at 157. My weight has been going UP & DOWN lately. I'm becoming quit annoyed so I've put certain goals in place in order to stay on track. I'll name a few below. All in all, 2013 is when I finally reached the 157 mark. During the end of 2011 and the end of 2012 I wasn't as consistent as I am today. It's been hard getting where I am today.

One major difference is how my clothes fit. They are super loose. I'm losing inches in my waist & thighs. That's the main important part of this. I can't get so caught up in what the scale says. Numbers matter when I'm doing measurements. 

Onward....

March Goals: March 8th-March 30th

- 2-3 cups of green tea 

- raw veggies & fruits

-Juice or smoothies once a day

- workout 4-5days a week (the least 30mins)

- no gym days: 30min workout 

-plank everyday for 30 seconds

- a gallon of water

I can't wait to reap the rewards of being so consistent this month.

I have a few items/things in mind to reward myself...I'll share that in another post.

What are some of your fitness goals?

Have any healthy recipes you would like to share?

Comment below or email me to do a guest post <3

Apple Cider Vinegar: Take a Shot For Me...

Below are a few ways to use apple cider vinegar...

I myself, I use it more so on my natural hair. It does wonders for my hair as far as shine, and softness.

I use to take one shot or 2 tablespoons of this to speed up my metabolism. Haven't done it in awhile.

Check out the many benefits for apple cider vinegar & get started!

Prevent Breast Cancer By Eating Certain Veggies...

I don't know how true this is, but it doesn't help to eat your veggies...

I say do your research, ask your doctor & live a healthier lifestyle :)

Like Nuts??? Top 5 Nuts For Nutrition....

Tis the season to add nuts in your meals....

Welp if you're like me & don't eat nuts year around, this is the season to start.

Different nuts are in season, they go good in salads, as well as desserts.

Let's not act as if we've stopped eating sweets all together lol.

I know I haven't.

Anywho, for me, I like to eat nuts solo.

Have any recipes that you can use these nuts in?

Share away!

The Best Cardio to Burn Fat....

GET TO IT LADIES & GENTS!

If you're on Instagram you can follow:

Fitspiration_

For fitness tips, inspiration, & more...

Working On My Fitness: Counting Calories?

This will be short & straight to the point. 

Maybe a few weeks before I went back to work, I was counting my calories...How you ask?

With the app on iPhone My Fitness Pal

where you can check in via laptop or phone through an app.

This app will help you count your calories & meet a certain weight goal by doing so...

I've fallen off because I'm not big on counting calories & punching in & finding out what everything is etc....

It may work for you...check it out

Check out previous work outs I did below...

- Weekend Work Out W. Tiffany Rothe 

(work out videos via Youtube)

- Become a Boxer Babe

(work out videos via Youtube)

A Fat Burning Snack: Peanut Butter Oat Balls

So I was watching the Dr. OZ show many weeks ago, & he was discussing foods & recipes that helps burn fat. This particular segement it was problem areas (tummy & thighs, etc). So I took notes. A very simple & tasty recipe that you can incorporate as a snack or dessert. So check out the photos, recipe & other info below...

What I used:

-Quaker oats

-Vannilla extract

-Peanut butter

I mixed the peanut butter & vanilla extract together

A handful of oats (Which made 4 balls)

This is what it looks like after I added the oats...

The recipe on Dr. OZ's website is slightly different than mine.

You can check that out HERE as well as another recipe for a FAT burning dessert :)

Working On My Fitness: Weekend Workout With Tiffany Rothe

I wanted to share with you ladies some workout videos I was working out to over the weekend.

Another way to change up your workout routine

& workout those abs!

You can also just incorporate certain videos in your current routine.

I like to do that from time to time & change it up.

Hope this encourages & helps someone out :)

WARM UP (1 time)

ABS WORKOUT  (3 TIMES)

BOXING  (1 TIME)

CHECK OUT MORE VIDEOS BY TIFFANY http://www.youtube.com/user/TiffanyRotheWorkouts/videos

Working On My Fitness: Become a boxer babe

The power of the internet...let alone research

I came across this Youtube video because I'm seeking exeercise that'll help slim my waist & tone it too.

You may not know, but I've lost some weight since I've been  on this fitness journey. So it's time to tone. I'm looking forward to losing more weight, but I'm targeting what I eat. And the workouts will be beneficial for me later down the line :)

Check out the video...do this 3 times & you should see results  soon or later :)

Working On My Fitness: Top High Fiber & Fat Burning Foods...

I mean, I owe it to myself. I've had my share of times...days...years! Where all I ate (or had to eat) was junk food, things that made me sluggish & made me gain those freshmen 15 (or 15+ lbs my college career).

Although when our new gym was built I was in there more than I attended parties my last two years of college..

I'm super serious about eating healthier. I can't & won't say I'll eat healthy ALL the time. That's pushing it. But with change, things take time. So anyways...I came across these tips & useful information on Instagram.

Thought I shared it here & have it as a bookmark for myself later down the line.

Knows of any healthy delicious meals I should try out?

Working On My Fitness: A couple of workout plans...

I've been doing this one the past few weeks

I just started this one

I plan on incorporating the two on days I don't workout with my videos or my personal workouts...

Ps. If you don't know how to do any of these workouts, just Youtube them :)

I found these workouts from tumblr/Instagram

Working on My Fitness: My Ex's Are MY Motivation To Get FIT!

I know you maybe looking at the title of this post like, what?! What does that mean Ashley? Lol, okay, don't think I'm crazy & I kind of think this is common but most don't think about it or talk about it. But my ex's are my motivation to continue my get right (fit) & eat healthy on this difficult journey.=

photo from: 8tracks.com

Every time I think,come in contact, or something reminds me of one of them (The memorable ones) that is what instantly gets me up & going!

I want to be the WOW effect when/if they see me later down the line...

Yuppp you messed up.

Of course, physical appearance isn't everything, but it does play a big part for men

To think they COULD of had a smart, fit, loving, beautiful woman who also has goals on their arm still *lol*

Oh well, God has something better for me

 Until then, let me go get my work out on because I'm feeling REALLY motivated

:) 

Working on My Fitness: Waist Trimmer Belt

Hello my wonderful people!


I just wanted to share with you all what I've added to my work outs. A month ago I purchased a waist trimmer belt by Gold's Gym at Walmart for $4.97!!! Great deal to me.


What it says it does:
Lose unwanted weight with this easy-to-use Waist Trimmer Belt. The soft,m rubber foam material is comfortable and helps you shed water weight fast. It's adjustable and fits up to a 50-inches waist.


I like it! I have seen a difference in my tummy. I don't use it around "that time of the month" only because I don't exercise during that time.


All in all, I'm satisfied with this purchase & plan on working out with it tonight.


Today is weigh in day & the day I take my measurements. Sigh...let's see how this goes :-/

Tweet: Health Fact

My  body inspiration shared a health fact a few days ago, thought I share it :)

You can also see what work out tips she shares on her site:  http://getfitwithnic.tumblr.com/ 

Where I'm At Now...

I started working out Sunday afternoon. I said I was going to get back to shredding "Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred", but I've had a change of heart with that work out DVD right now. I'm still working out with Jillian, but I'm now working out to her Banish Fat Boost Metabolism work out DVD. It says you could "Lose up to 5 pounds a week", of course if you're working out to it often!

Although where I work I do a lot of walking, I find cardio helps me lose weight  & it's more fun for me, so this DVD will come in handy. I like doing aerobics, so on my LAZY days I plan on doing my own personal dance aerobics for 10+ minutes. I tend to be too tired to want to work out on the days I work Mon-Fri. So on the weekends I plan on working out with Jillian twice a day IF possible.

The DVD is 57mins long & has 8-7 circuits. As you can tell above, I purchased it for $5 at Big Lots...Each circuit is 5-6mins long. So it really gives you the option to stop & pick back up from the circuit you left on. Love it! As I stated before I plan on doing this DVD only on the weekends/or certain weekdays that I feel I can do this, otherwise I'll be working out/stretching 10+ minutes a day. I need to get something in each day.

Spiritually, Emotionally, & Physically Unbalanced...Time To Cleanse!

Good afternoon everyone!


I didn't plan on blogging over this way today, but I needed to vent/blog about this. I've decided to go on Spiritual Cleanse which will rebuild me emotionally & physically. What this cleanse consist of is...

1. Stepping away from Twitter. More so my personal twitter page
2. Jump starting my work out again (That I started & fell off many times)
3. Meditating- Reading the word, and writing more (I always seem to find my way back in situations where I'm just feeling "blah")


I'm starting the Spiritual Cleanse today and the weekend "detox" this weekend (1/21). I believe in myself, but I'm not brave enough to do both at the same time. Also, I need to stock up on fresh fruits & veggies for the detox. I need to invest in a great juicer as well....ANYONE know of a decent priced juicers you've used or heard about? 


For more information *& where I'm getting my info from* on the
Spiritual Cleanse, check that out HERE
Homemade Detox (Body cleansing) HERE

Hopefully this week will get me back on track with the many tasks I need to complete, and feeling healthier all around. At the end of the day, it's HIM...God that will get me through it all :)

YES, I'm Still Working On My Fitness...Thanks Jillian

The beginning of November I purchased a DVD that was very popular when I was apart of this fitness group back in January. It's called the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels. Although I haven't been on the message board in 3-4 months, I still keep in touch with a few of the ladies that are/were apart of the group. One chica I follow encouraged me to start the 30 Day Shred, and I've been contemplating for awhile. one reason being is, when the ladies would work out at a set time (from stat-to-state) they would mention how sore they were, and how difficult some of the work outs were. So that made me shine it away. Not a good reason...I know.


I said what the heck let me get it. I'm not able to hit the gym like I want to (4-5 days a week). I must say this was a great idea/purchase. I thanked her for having my back & encouraging to go ahead & purchase this DVD.  It has three different levels of work outs. They're approx. 2-25 minutes each. You need weights & a mat (if you choose). I don't use a mat, nor weights. I use water bottles, or you can use canned goods.

[Photo: I'm starting to see a difference in my waist, super happy about that]

I'll also be starting another work out DVD after I'm done with the 30 Day Shred. I'm on Day 9. I had stopped working out the week of Thanksgiving because I was doing a lot of running around & working (retail) & I didn't want to be sore & annoyed as I'm trying to get work done. But other than that, I haven't missed any days. But trust me, there are days where I'm like "I'm too tired & sleepy", or "I'll just skip this day"...My support system is strong & I thank them for that :)


Question: What are you doing to stay in shape? Don't allow the holidays to be your crutches on why you're not doing what's right for you.

Week 1 of The Protein Diet..Results?

So below is what I ate for the first few days...just so you could get an idea on what I was eating...I then later stopped documenting my meals. I got lazy.


9/12:
Breakfast- 1 1/2 french toast (all bad), scrambled egg, potatoes (smh) & coffee
Lunch-Nectarine, 1 slice of turkey meat, half of slice of cheese
Snack- chips & water
Dinner- Salsbury steak & green beans
9/13:
Breakfast- 2 small pancakes, sausage, an egg & coffee
Lunch- 1 slice of turkey meat, half of slice of cheese
Snack- Doritos
Dinner- Baked french onion chicken, & green beans

9/14:

Breakfast- Plum
Lunch- Cereal, & left over bake french onion chicken
Snack- Pumpkin pie squares, & a donuts hole ( I forgot that donuts is bread which equals carbs galore :(
Dinner- Salsbury steak & corn

I did my best to stay away from the carbs-starches, sweets & things of that nature...


I weighed myself today 9/20 & I lost 5 pounds!!! BOO-YAH! My workout was just doing what I do at work with the kiddies. So, my aunt was right...I have noticed a little difference in how my underwear fit. And this is something I've noticed when I was on my fitness challenge in Jan. woot!
I plan on sticking this out & uping my protein intake because I have been slacking this week & I have been eating way more fruits & the same amount of veggies :)
I'll be getting my gym membership next month...I always accomplish my goals that I set. Majority of them aren't easy, but not impossible.....

So set some goals, & execute them folks :) you can do itttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!

UP NEXT! A Protein Diet

Yes, you read it right. I'm going to try to start this protein diet tomorrow. I don't know how that's going to work seeing as aunt flow is in town & I tend to like to snack on things that I don't normally eat heavily. But then again, it would be a great challenge for me.


How did this come about? My mom was talking to my aunt yesterday & she said she's been losing weight. I jumped on the phone & into the conversation and asked what she had been doing. My aunt is known for trying out diets. She actually sticks to them 9/10 & this is one she's familiar with. Any who she said she was on the protein diet which is basically no carbs (Carbohydrates), and one cheat day. I'm still doing some research on it. I wanted to do a small cleanse before starting this, but I guess it depends on when I plan to start this.


I do plan on blogging about it just so I can keep track and share this with you all. I only plan to go a week. My aunt told her friend to try it out for a week and she'll see some results (weight loss, clothes fitting differently). And come to find out she did. Although it maybe different for every individual, I want to see what it does for me. I'm not big on diets just because people tend to fall off...but I actually want to challenge myself with this.


I also, want to incorporate a new workout plan. Some of you may have read my fitness challenge I did for two weeks last month. If not you can check that out HERE. I did pretty good.


Okay, so...I'll start this diet tomorrow (Monday Sept 12th). My exercise for this week will more than likely be me being active at work with the kids. When I'm cramping badly, I can't do much, & since I have no choice but to go to work I'll make the best of it.


-Protein diet tomorrow
-Keep track of what I eat
-Normal activity this week
-Next week incorporate a workout routine
Sounds bomb.com to me :)

Food	Protein grams
1 ounce meat, fish, poultry	7
1 large egg	6
4 ounces milk	4
4 ounces low-fat yogurt	6
4 ounces soy milk	5
3 ounces tofu, firm	13
1 ounce cheese	7
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese	14
1/2 cup cooked kidney beans	7
1/2 cup lentils	9
1 ounce nuts	7
2 tablespoons peanut butter	8
1/2 cup vegetables	2
1 slice bread	2
1/2 cup of most grains/pastas	2

I'm getting some of my information from WebMD (Which is where this table is from).


If you're currently working out what are doing? Working out at the gym, videos, walking? Also if you're on a diet what kind? I would love to know who's doing what just in case we could be of some support to one another.