And now for something completely different...

Hey there...

So today is the first time I've ever written a blog at 7 in the morning!!! Truth be told, I am NOT a morning person. I get up in just enough time to make my bed, shower, get dressed, untwist my hair and go to work. Remarkably, I can do all of that in about 40 mins if I'm rushing... Granted, I also like 7 mins from work LOL!!! (I love it!)

Anywho, we are about halfway through the fitness challenge and I really want to hit my goal. Well truthfully, I just want to see more results overall and I know that in order to do that, I gotta do something more. I currently do FIT camp 3 days a week (Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) and I currently do NOTHING all of the other days lol. It's not intentional! Tuesdays I have praise team rehearsal, Wednesdays bible study, Fridays...........nothing (ha!), and Sunday is church and homework. My evening schedule is kinda set at this point so the only logical way to get in more exercise is to do something in the morning. **Please reference the first paragraph here** I LOATHE getting up early...it's just so not ME!!!! lol.

But what happens when you decide to change YOU?? That's what I decided last week. I decided I wanted to add something additional into my routine. I want to do something different with a high expectation of the results. And so, I decided that I had to do something in the morning. It was the only way to fit anything additional into my schedule. I started looking for area boot camps that did morning sessions...kickboxing sessions...anything. Well I found a few but they were pretty pricey for what I was trying to do. I needed to find something other than just going to my apartment gym and running on the treadmill without costing me an arm and a leg. When I determined that my options were too much money or started too late in the morning, I reminded myself that jogging outside was FREE (HELLO SOMEBODY!!!!). So channeling my inner +Hope Reid, I got up this morning and headed out for a light jog.

I am by no means a runner folks...I actually don't really like it too much lol. But, I don't mind jogging outside. It was a good way to start my day. I did a little under a mile and a half in about 20 mins. It's exactly what I need to add some additional exercise to my routine.

My point is this...at some point, you're going to have to step outside of your box and do something a little different to get results. If I, yes even I, can get up in the morning for a little run, SO CAN YOU (lol)!!

You can DO THIS!!!

Thanks for reading :)

SN: Rochelle, I haven't forgotten you....next post >>>>>>>> CRAVINGS!!!! :)

GUEST POST : PLATEAUS

So I asked one my faithful readers to write a post based on her journey thus far....ENJOY!!!

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein

I hope everyone is losing pounds & inches with the fitness challenge. Recently, I hit a plateau and the scale stopped moving. The inches were coming off but the scale decided that it was not going to budge. If this is the case with you, then be not dismayed.

In any fitness regimen there comes a time when you hit a plateau. Hitting a plateau can make one think that they are just coasting or that their efforts are not enough. 

Avoiding a plateau/overcoming a plateau:

1. Stop doing the same exercises each time you work out. Switch it up! If you keep doing the same exercises each time then your body will adapt.
2. Increase your intensity. This is especially true for the strength training portion of any workout. A simple tip my trainer gave me was for the first set try the lowest you can lift and gradually increase it with each rep.
3. REST! Give your body a chance to recover from your workout. Two days of rest can make a huge difference in any workout.

Never give up and don’t allow a lack of progress frustrate you. Any little changes keeps the body challenged.

Happy exercising!  You can do it!

Rochelle 

Celebrate every little success...

Not a long post for you today, but just wanted to take a moment and encourage you. Sometimes it seems like this journey is so slow and tedious. I mean we live in a day where it's normal for everything to be done fast...the microwave and fast food society. But the journey to health and wellness is not a quick process...it is a journey. It is filled with highs and lows, winding roads and sharp turns, detours and construction. But eventually, you'll be able to find a smooth path and it will be clear where you're going and how to get back on track if you lose your way.

So be encouraged today. Celebrate every little success. You lost .5 inches on your waist?? CELEBRATE. The scale read 1 pound less today?? CELEBRATE. You were able to walk in the bakery today and pick up your salad and none of the abundant cake, cookies, cupcakes, etc??? CELEBRATE (this happened to me today LOL)....

(this is officially one of my favorite sayings!)



You are DOING this :)

Thanks for reading :)

Being your BIGGEST cheerleader!

Sometimes I used to wonder why a football or basketball team needed cheerleaders. Or why was it necessary to build these big venues for thousands of people to come to just to see someone run up and down the court or drive around in a huge circle in a fast car. The truth is, things seem to be a little easier when you have someone supporting you and cheering you on.

I've never been someone who could really play any type of sport...just not my forte lol. But I could ALWAYS cheer you on from the sideline. There's something about someone sitting on the side saying "GO YOU!!" that just motivates you to do more...

Then it comes to working out...and for me...total different ball game! LOL...I LOATHE going to gym at the risk that someone may be watching me. I mean what is that??? I still to this day don't really like going to the gym, but that's another post for another day (hehehe).

When I hired my trainer and started going to FIT camp...I would always feel better when my trainer was there cheering me on...and he's pretty good at it too lol. But then the UNHEARD of happen....he decided to go on vacation. I mean how could he do that to me??!?!?!?! (ummm...dramatic much??) Anyways, he left some exercises for me to do and what not but when I stepped into that little gym at my apartment complex, I was like....ummm...who's gonna cheer me on to get through this workout??? I need some MOTIVATION folks!

It was in that moment that I learned a very valuable lesson. I had to be my OWN cheerleader! No relying on the encouragement of others to do what I needed to do. Now when I work out, I literally ZONE OUT and in my head I say "Come on April...you got this" "Ok, 2 more rounds" "Faster April, Faster!!" I've  learned how to push myself...to overcome my own limitations. Because of this, I am now able to work out on my own and keep motivated for this journey.

You can do this (say it to yourself!!)

Thanks for reading!!

Keep on truckin....

So I had a few people who joined in the fitness challenge with me! YAAY YOU!!! I'm proud of you...

I hope you are still motivated and you are ready to bust out these next 7 weeks. I fully expect for you to see results in your body and your mind...

Comment below and let me know how it's going :)

CHALLENGE TO CHANGE 2013

Hey my friends!

I wanted to find out if you all would be interested in joining in my challenge with me...

Our FIT camp is starting a fitness challenge on Monday, March 25th. We are working out like normal and eating properly and seeing who loses the most weight and inches in 8 weeks. Nothing drastic or out of the ordinary...just a strong commitment to change...

Can you do it? Are you with me?

I may throw in a little prize at the end as an incentive.

Come on...lets DO THIS!!!


If you want to join in, comment below and then send me your starting weight and your waist measurement (have someone else do it...it needs to be a tight measurement at your belly button with your hands by your side). Send to me at ahall0510@gmail.com


I hope you'll join me :)

Thanks for reading!!

Out with the old...in with the New!

Hey ya'll...

Just wanted to quickly talk a little about letting go of the old and embracing the new. As you begin your weight loss journey, you will OBVIOUSLY start to need new clothes. Now for someone like me who doesn't like shopping all that much but LOVES new clothes (lol...go figure), this won't be a hard thing for you. But I used to hold on to old clothes FOREVER!!! One day I wore some pants to work and someone came up to me and said, "Ummmm...those don't fit you anymore...you should probably get rid of them!" LOL.

You know how we are..."these are my fat clothes and I'll hold on to them JUST IN CASE." In my opinion, HUGE mistake. You are setting up yourself for failure (again, my opinion). Why have a contingency plan for giving up your journey? Don't do it to yourself. When clothes start to get too big, weed them out of your closet. If you don't want to throw them away right away, bag them up and put them in the garage or the attic.

I've talked before about getting your mind right...this may seem like a small thing, but it's another way to get your mind on board for the long term. Every time I looked at those bags (that sat in my room for a few months lol), I reminded myself that I will NEVER go back there.

Try it...let me know if it works for you...

Thanks for reading :)