Saturday, August 2, 2014

Beginners Guide to Supplementing

So if you're just getting into a serious gym routine you're probably wondering if you should start taking supplements like all of those other crazy fit people out there, but where to start?!? 

Now, I am no nutritional expert, so I am not going to give any specific recommendations (plus, it's going to be a little different for everyone), but some general guidelines for getting started. 

Chances are tht you are not getting everything you need for proper nutrition from your daily meals, and that is exactly what supplements are for, literally supplementing your regular diet. 

Meetin with a nutritionist every week can be expensive - I'm not knocking it, it's probably the best way to get a specific nutrition plan customized to your needs and goals, but if you are poor like me there are other options! Vitamin stores are full of people who have been trained on their products, go ask them to help you! Wheater you want a basic multi-vitamin to fill in your nutritional gaps or you need something to help with a specific issue (need to recover muscles faster, need to sooth joint pain, etc) ask someone who works in a vitamin or supplement shop! I currently go to the GNC and Whole Foods which both have very knowledgable staff. Local vitam shops are great too. 

As far as workout supplements, start with a basic protien shake to help recover from workouts. Once you get to know your body better you will start to acknowledge specific needs and be able to tailor your supplementation from there. 

I do also highly recommend meeting with a nutritionist and/or a trainer. Figure out what kind of health and fitness budget you have and find out how you can fit a traiet in. I see a trainer only once a month and we focus on how to exercise so I will have lots to work on in between months. While I am waiting to see my trainer again I keep a log of all my fitness and nutrition questions so I can get some professional input. 

Get out there and get Lo, get fit! 

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

That Awkward Moment When....

Okay, it's only awkward if you make it awkward! 

Tonight I had one of those great sessions in the gym where I suddenly notice myself in the mirror and go, "Yeah... I'd hit that." Okay maybe not lol, but every once in a while you reach some new level you've never seen yourself at before, and for a moment you get to see yourself as an outsider. It's really amazing to recognize how much progress you've made and see your own beauty. 

These moments are what keep me working, striving for the next one. And yes, they can happen all the time! For me it's usually a particular muscle that is showing new definition I've never experienced before. So if it's my quads this week, it might be my abs next week, there's always progress happening all the time. If you push yourself you WILL see the results, and they might make you give yourself a wink! 😉

Get Lo, get health, get fit! 


Friday, July 25, 2014

Go-to Gear Episode 1

My number one go-to that I want to highlight would be my collection of Oakley sports bras - can't beat them! I literally wear them every day, and not just at the gym! Sooo comfy! Weather you need a light yoga bra or a super supportive bra for running there are tons of great options!


No Excuses!

After working out the other night, I went to cool down with ten minutes of cardio. As soon as I began I realized my legs were not up for it at all after having just killed them the day before. "Yeah, I should probably just do five minutes since I'm still so sore from leg day," I found myself thinking...

"Hold on, what?" I thought, "Ten minutes is unmanageable? Surely not."

Let me tell you, those ten minutes were more than I WANTED to do, but they were well within my ability to complete.


No Excuses!

You've heard it before, of course, but probably most often in the context of you excusing yourself to another. The one you've got to worry about is yourself - you're the only one who is actually going to change your behavior when you realize you're making an excuse. Learn to recognize when you're making an excuse to yourself vs. when you are actually pushing yourself too hard or causing injury - usually you can push yourself a little harder!