Last week, I posted a video of me working out on my fitness page. I try to post a few exercises, as much as I can, to help those who may run out of ideas to stay active. I know some days I struggle with what exercises I need to implement, especially with my at home workouts, so I try to help eliminate the excuse of others not getting a workout in if that makes sense. One of my followers posted in the comment section of my post…..
“Hi! If you don’t mind sharing what are your fitness goals i.e. lose weight, tone, etc. And what area do you target the most and what exercises have you seen to help you out the most?
I realized I never really share what my fitness goals are or even how I plan to reach my goals specifically. I always speak about being healthy by eating clean and staying active. But in this blog, I will give you more insight about what my goals are for self and what works for me to reach my body goals.
My true fitness goals are to be lean and have muscle defintion. I am a thicker girl, so sometimes I get discouraged because it seems like it is taking me forever to get any defintion in my legs. There are areas around my stomach/waist and legs that I want to lose body fat and then tone. I love having big legs, but I want them to not only be strong but look strong. This is one of those moments I would say embrace your flaws, stretch marks, cellulite, and all. But having cellulite sometimes gets the best of me when wearing shorts and rompers. So, being able to tone my legs and get rid of some cellulite is a huge goal of mine. I also just want a little muscle definition line in my thigh. That is a major goal. I am a huge fan of thick thighs save lives, so my legs do not have to be small.
Working on my stomach is a huge fitness goal as well. As you know or maybe not, I gave birth to two amazing boys that took a toll on this mommy body. I honestly have embraced the stretch marks on the sides of my stomach. But, I do want to lose fat around my midsection and off my waist. My ideal waist goal is a 25/26 and I would be happy. I also want an ab line….now if I get some abs I AM WEARING CROP TOPS WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL. So my goal is definitely to lost body fat around my midsection and get an ab line.
My upper body and back is not really an issue for me as the other two areas. I am working on getting more definition in my back and arms and losing some body fat on my arms. It is not a lot, but of course we are our worse critics. I could be a 32 B and happy. I have a certain body type in my head for myself. Despite what other may tell you about your body, “you aren’t fat,” “people wish they had your body,” “you are perfect,” etc., it is okay to have a certain look you want and continue to challenge yourself to get the look. I know some people may have one focus area that they target the most, most women think abs and glutes, but for me I don’t want any parts of my body to be lacking. The total package for me and the areas I target the most is all…..my goal is to enhance all areas of my body.
Typically, I try to incorporate weights in all of my workouts. Some days is heavy weights but when I am not lifting heavy which is typically at home workout, I try to increase my reps. I always want to make sure I feel the burn when working out. I enjoy lifting over any type of body weight workouts. I feel defeated when I do anything that has to do with lifting my own body; however that is when I see my body at its best shape. When I am at my best shape I am incorporating cardio, body weight workouts, and heavy lifting days. Also, my eating is on point….meaning one cheat meal a week, no alcohol, and I am getting 6-8 hours of sleep a night. One time, I went 60 days without alcohol and my body LOVED ME! I really need to challenge myself to that again.
My body has gone through many changes, good and bad. Literally, fitness can be like riding the wave, will you swim and stay afloat or will you sink. Your thoughts can cause you to sink in your journey. You find yourself not eating like you should, not giving 100% when working out, doubting yourself, how do you plan to stay afloat. When you swim, you give your working your muscles, you remain calm and don’t panic, and you trust that you are going to make it to the other side because you are determined not to sink. The saying “trust the process” is exactly what fitness is all about. Trust that your body can change mentally, physically, and spiritually. You have to know your body to know what works for your fitness goals. Doing ONLY cardio would not be beneficial to my journey, however for someone who is just starting to work out and want to lose weight that may be very helpful. My body goals include me lifting heavy multiple times during the week, cardio which I walk at a 3.4-3.8 pace on an incline of 8-10 while not holding the handles when walking, body weight workouts are so helpful because it is harder for me to do than lifting so for me it feels like it shocks the body. For some reason moving all this body around is a lot harder than being stationed in an area to lift. Also, working out in the cold is not helpful for me. I like to get a good sweat from working out so, I typically turn the air off when working out at home or turn the heat on. If I am at the gym I wear extra clothing so I can sweat.
The hardest but most important part that may keep me away from reaching my goals is sleep. You do not realize how important your rest is to recover. So, if you feel like you may not be reaching your goals ask yourself WHEN DO YOU REST?!? That can take a huge toll on your body. So getting an adequate amount of sleep that is not interrupted could be the ultimate thing you lack in reaching your goals. Fitness goals are not all about working out, you have to eat and eat healthy, having a positive mindset and get your rest. You truly have to encourage yourself and not wait for others to do it for you. Others cannot want it for you as bad as you do. That drive and push comes from within. You are only as strong as the body you take care of, so take the time to fit YOU in your schedule….don’t let that go over your head, but into your head. (Note to self!)
“They said I could be ANYTHING, so I became the BEST VERSION of MYSELF.”
Life~Love~Lift