JenOni

#fitmom

Strength Training – Why I Love Exercises with Weights

 

The best part of my fitness regimen is strength training.  I love the idea of building muscle with exercises that include a little cardio.   My strength training equipment includes dumbbells and kettlebells.  The most effective way to continue the build as I am learning is to increase my weights.   I am up to 20lb dumbbells and a 25lb kettlebell.

Some of the benefits of building muscle:

  1. Burns fat
  2. Reduces stress
  3. Burns more calories
  4. Circuit training with weights brings results within weeks
  5. Gives me more energy and increases confidence
  6. My clothes have a more comfortable fit

The results improve over time and it helps with maintaining my diet.  Each week I try to incorporate weights as much as I can to maintain my muscle mass.  One benefit I find with strength training is using my core on every exercise.  My core muscles are a lot stronger than when I started 61 weeks ago.  You can start off with lower weights and increase over time as you get more comfortable.   For my home workouts, I use YouTube.   If you have Xfinity cable, you can use voice remote feature to search for YouTube.   It is easier to work out from home if you can view from a tv vs. phone, tablet or laptop.   It’s free and with consistency, you will start to see results in four weeks.

Product Review of AthleisureWear for My Fitness Workout Regimen

*I received this outfit free of charge for review purposes only. All opinions shared are my own.
*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase I will receive a commission.

Athleisurewear

Product Review of Athleisure Wear for My Fitness Workout Regimen

Athleisurewear is my favorite for working out as well as running errands on the weekend.  My fitness routine starts with wearing the right athleisure wear to get me through all of my favorite full body workouts. One of my top brands is Fabletics, so when BrandCycle gave me an opportunity to review a Fabletics outfit, I was super excited. I started wearing Fabletics over a year ago after signing up for their VIP membership. Every month, I have $49.95 debited and added to my Fabletics account. Next, I can select an outfit. The outfits offered are at great price points with different styles offered every month. If you are not interested in shopping or don’t want to be charged that month, there is the option to “skip the month” as long as you do so between the 1st and 5th of the month.

athleisurewear

I ordered the High-Waisted Mesh Powerhold Legging and the Maeve Reversible Sports Bra. As I am getting further along on my fitness journey, I prefer high waisted leggings. I determine a perfect fit by how much the fabric stretches, compresses and fits in all the right places. These leggings offer a moisture-wicking compression fabric, are chafe-free and SPF 50+, have a waistband pocket for keys, and a high waist that helps to me look slim in all the right places. The reversible sports bra offers the same moisture-wicking fabric, the racerback style offers medium support, and I love the reversible styling if I want to change up my outfit.

athleisurewear

 

The best way to test out the fit of athleisure wear is a workout. Today is a workout day with my resistance band. YouTube is my go-to place for all of my home workouts and today is a Resistance Band Workout.

 

 

athleisurewear

athleisurewear

 

The outfit is a great color combination that coordinates with any footwear. The fabric stretches perfectly and is lightweight enough to wear throughout every season. It is also flattering in all the right places. My abs are still a work in progress which makes the high waist perfect for this area. The compression fabric of the leggings is very comfortable and creates a perfect fit. I ordered the size S, regular length for my 5’4.5″ frame. A perfect sports bra is one that fits completely snug in the front and back. The size small is a good fit for me with a 32 band and a larger cup size. I would suggest the sports bra for a low to medium impact workout. After my planks with toe taps and bicycle exercises, I found the front band rolled under, otherwise, it stayed in place. The outfit is nice enough to wear for workouts as well as running errands on the weekends.

Get 2 of the best leggings for only $24 when you become a VIP member today!

 

 

Single Mom Chronicles: DIY Fitness-TRX Suspension Training Kit

********WEEK 4 OF USING TRX*******BEST IN HOME WORKOUT YET

My new work schedule prevents working out during the day and the evenings are out. After picking up my daughter from afercare we are home by 6.   Next up is homework, dinner and bedtime!  It is beyond difficult to expect my little one to sit in a gym daycare after a long day that starts at 7:30AM.

If you can’t go to the gym then create an in home gym.    I decided to purchase the TRX (Total Body Resistance Exercise) Suspension System from City Sports.   When I joined my gym in June I worked out with a trainer  and used the TRX.   

DIYFitnessTRX

Can I tell you I am sold on this in full body workout!!!!!! I found a great 20 minute beginner workout on the YouTube channel #RealFitTv with Dana Lee.

A few tips as you begin with your TRX:

  1. Hydrate, keep water bottle close
  2. Fuel the body prior to the workout
  3. Use your core for every exercise, breathing is key learn to effectively inhale/exhale on each rep, work on form each time you use the system
  4. Pace yourself as you begin and gradually challenge yourself
  5. Do what feels comfortable for your level not what is on the video
  6. Set aside time at least 2-3 times a week, enjoy and love the results!

I will come back to show my progress after about 4 weeks.      This is one mom’s journey to being FIT AND LEAN!

 

Fitness: DIY Workout Plan Week 4

 

FitnessWeek4Cardio

Last week was the end of  week 4 and I am feeling stronger with my weight training.  However a bit disappointed because I have a long way to go for strengthening my abs.   I am going to schedule in the spinning classes.   It is time to CRANK UP THE CARDIO!   The treadmill is not enough cardio.    If you have not heard abs start in the KITCHEN!   What you eat makes a difference so my plan is to stick to oatmeal for breakfast, snacking on greek yogurt, fresh fruit, nuts and of course my GRAZE snacks.     Lunch and dinner are the challenging meals of the day especially if it is a super busy day.   If I’m on the go I will stop for something quick which is usually too many calories and is spending excess money.

I will have to make a conscious effort to eliminate sugary snacks  in the refrigerator or on the shelf.   During the summer month, I crave ice cream.   If there is a food I need to stay away from I just forgo buying during my shopping trips.   I know my kids will be disappointed but I have to go back to these eating habits.

For week 4, I decided to redo workout 1 exercises.    The only change to the workout is to do  circuit training but instead of 3 increase to 4.    For the fourth circuit I just started from the beginning circuit 1.  I’m not sure if this is correct.    Week 5 is coming up and my week is cut short which means I will have to make up for it over the weekend.

week 4
Exercise Weights Reps Circuit
Leg Press 10lbs 12 1
20lbs 12 2
25lbs 12 3
4
Goblet Squat 5lbs 12 1
7.5lbs 12 2
10lbs 12 3
4
Seated Cable Row 20lbs 12 1
30lbs 12 2
40lbs 12 3
4
Flat Dumbbell 5lbs 12 1
10lbs 12 2
15lbs 12 3
4
Complete each exercise in a circuit no rest in between.

Fitness: DIY Workout Plan Week 3

FitnessWeek4Cardio

 


The key takeaway from this DIY workout regimen is that I created a plan that works in line with my goals.   In addition to building muscle mass, I want to strengthen my core to get into my bikini for my planned vacation in October.   I actually love weight training so this comes easy for me however strengthening abs is a tough one.   The three keys factor that impact strong abs 1)Kitchen (what you eat)  2) weight training and 3) cardio.

FitnessWeek4FreeWeights

If you are serious on getting yourself in gear, the internet is filled with multiple sites for fitness.   Just to name a few there is Shape, Women’s Health and Fitness Blender.

FitnessSeatedCableRow

When I started this workout the thought of 4 weeks felt so far away.   Here I am at week 3 and physically I feel there is a lot of progress.    I feel stronger and the weight training exercises are easier to navigate from one session to the next.   In week 1,  it was challenging to do a squat in terms of lack of flexibility.     Also I have learned to engage my core with each exercise even when I’m on the treadmill.   While doing a brisk walk on the treadmill I tighten my gluteus maximus (aka booty) and engage my core.    This helps tremendously with posture!!!   I love the weight training because it gives a combination of upper body and lower body exercises.

FitnessCardioLegPress

In Week 3, the Shape Workout  changes to circuit training.   There are no rest periods from one exercise to the next.  There is only a rest from one circuit to the next.

Day 1- Cardio (30 minutes) on treadmill

Day 2 -Cardio/warm-up(25 mnutes on treadmill) & weight training

Week 3
Exercise Weights Reps Circuit
Leg Press 10lbs 15 1
20lbs 15 2
25lbs 15 3
Goblet Squat 5lbs 15 1
7.5lbs 15 2
10lbs 15 3
Seated Cable Row 20lbs 15 1
30lbs 15 2
40lbs 15 3
Flat Dumbbell 5lbs 15 1
10lbs 15 2
15lbs 15 3
Complete each exercise in a circuit no rest in between.   End of circuit rest 1 minute and start next circuit

Day 3- Cardi0- (30 minutes) on treadmill