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“Pick Your Poison” Hill Workout

August 25, 2011

New Fit Friends Challenge! Complete the exercises going up the hill and at the top of the hill. Walk down after completing each set. Check out the variations and … PICK. YOUR. POISION.

1. Hill: jog
Top: 15 lateral squat jumps
2. Hill: bear crawl
Top: 15 mountain climbers
3. Hill: walking lunges
Top: 15 pushups
4. Hill: crabwalk backwards
Top: 15 jumping jacks
5. Hill: two-footed forward jump
Top: 15 burpees
6. Hill: walk backwards
Top: 15 jump squats
7. Hill: inchworm with pushup
Top: 15 tuck jumps
8. Hill: lateral shuffle*
Top: 15 bicycle crunches

Variations:
• If you don’t have access to a hill, complete the exercises on a flat surface. Choose your distance – 90 feet would work well.
• Do just the “Hill” portion. Repeat.
• Do just the “Top” portion. Repeat.
• Do the “Hill” portion. Do the “Top” portion. Repeat.
• Do numbers 1 – 8. Repeat.
• Double up and do each number twice (or more): 1, 1; 2, 2; 3, 3 …
• Do more or less repetitions of the “Top” exercise for each set.

*Make sure to hit both sides – switch your leading leg.

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You Are Not Alone

July 11, 2011

It may seem like other people know what they’re doing, and they’re breezing through life with all the answers. It may seem like everyone else has it better — no struggles, no anxieties, heartaches or disappointments.

Maybe your life is not where you thought it would be at this age. Maybe everyone else has the perfect spouse, big house, successful career, money, phenomenal body and great looks … and you’re just destined to be miserable.

Not really …

Not everyone expresses their pain. Think about it. Would you go spewing your disappointments and anxieties to just anyone?

Everyone is suffering in their own way. Everyone is struggling.

The more we feel alone … the more we feel like people don’t get us … the worse life can look.

Change your mindset. Reach out. Find people that can relate to you. Open your heart to those that love you. Express yourself in different ways. Try each and every day to find happiness. Come up a new plan.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.

Photo by Wildcat Dunny.

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100 Days on Four Hour Body

May 25, 2011

Today marks 100 days of conscious eating. I can’t believe it.

I USED to be able to eat whatever, whenever and never have to worry about it. People used to be amazed at my appetite. Life was good, especially since I’m a total foodie … until I turned 28. I hurt my foot and my activity slowed down a lot. Then, I got wrapped up in drama and stress at work — and gave up on working out. For two years, I was an emotional eater, and had no energy or desire to cook. I ate to make myself happy, and I gained about 25 + pounds. UGH! Eventually I got let go from that job (as did 13+ others), but I still was wrapped up with the uncertainty of my next career move. Plus, we were engaged and I was really bugging out about finances.

When I look back, I kick myself for not being able to get in phenomenal shape for my wedding. Why couldn’t I do it then? But, I was so stressed out with being unemployed. There was always something in my head holding me back.

I finally had an “aha” moment and decided I needed to stop eating garbage. I realized life was always going to be challenging and needed to stop making excuses! I stopped accepting how unhappy I was with my body — and decided to do something — watch my diet.

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