No amount of exhaustion could have kept me away from a free Zumba class. I love free even more than I love Zumba! After staying up until the wee hours of the night watching the election results, exhausted doesn't begin to describe how tired I was. Still I wasn't turning down free. And of course I didn't need to be turning down the exercise either.
For those reasons and the fact that I wanted to check out a different instructor, I pressed my way to the class with my cozy bed not far from my mind. Long story short, what I liked most about the instructor was her long thick twists. Yep, she's a naturalista too. Other than that I wasn't impressed with her. Maybe this is because my regular Zumba instructor, Diamond, has the energy of a fireball that anyone else would pale in comparison. Before Diamond I thought no one could top the first Zumba instructor I had. Then came Diamond. Nevertheless, I think Amber--the latest instructor--is worth another shot.
Why? She's young. And according to her bio she's educated in exercise science. Also during her introduction, she mentioned that she was a hip hop dancer, too. So I figure that maybe she held back a little because there was a considerable amount of older participants in the class.
What makes one Zumba instructor better than another to you? Would you give the new instructor another chance?
20 years is far too long to be singing the "whoa is me" song about the body that I want and only I can create. 2015 is the year to shut up or put up!
Showing posts with label Women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women. Show all posts
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
As Insane as I Get
Finally a night without late night binging--for lack of a better term--on my favorite cereal of the month, Honeycombs. Ironically I awoke the following morning to the Insanity infomercial.
Yes, you know the one. You've seen it. It's the one where a young woman proudly proclaims to have thrown up after the workout. Uhh...that's too insane for me. Yet, on this particular morning, I found myself being lured in.
"Get results that would normally take one year in 60 days!" It claims.
"I'm in the best shape of my life!" Many participants claim.
Working out to that level of insanity, one can't help but be in the best shape of their lives. I know this. I've always known this. And no matter how much I want to be in the best shape of my life, the fact still remains that "Insanity" is too insane for me. While my fitness level is closer to 3, folks need to be like 10 + for that kind of workout.
So, for me, I'll choose my own version insanity, which is any physical exerting exercise program that makes me sweat. Chris Freytag 10lb Slimdown, Jeanette Jenkins Beach BodyWorkout, Denise Austin Blast Away the Fat, or even a brisk walk or jog on the treadmill.
If, and when, I do any of these workouts on a consistent basis and clean up my eating, I do see results. No throwing up needed!
Have you tried Insanity? How is it working for you?
"Get results that would normally take one year in 60 days!" It claims.
"I'm in the best shape of my life!" Many participants claim.
Working out to that level of insanity, one can't help but be in the best shape of their lives. I know this. I've always known this. And no matter how much I want to be in the best shape of my life, the fact still remains that "Insanity" is too insane for me. While my fitness level is closer to 3, folks need to be like 10 + for that kind of workout.
So, for me, I'll choose my own version insanity, which is any physical exerting exercise program that makes me sweat. Chris Freytag 10lb Slimdown, Jeanette Jenkins Beach BodyWorkout, Denise Austin Blast Away the Fat, or even a brisk walk or jog on the treadmill.
If, and when, I do any of these workouts on a consistent basis and clean up my eating, I do see results. No throwing up needed!
Have you tried Insanity? How is it working for you?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Black Coffee--Can it help my belly fat?
After yesterday's wardrobe malfunction, today I got a jump start on casual Friday, sporting black yoga pants, a black thermal top, with a denim vest. Of course, black for its slimming qualities after feeling like a straight up rollie pollie yesterday.
What a difference a day makes? While preparing my morning coffee, I found myself seriously considering no additives. Perhaps a test run of two weeks and see what results occur. Since I'm not one of those coffee-with-my-cream-and-sugar types, I've never believed that enduring black coffee--UGH--would be beneficial for my belly goals.
But everything I read says otherwise.
Check out these articles I recently read:
Coffee: Can it Affect Your Weight Loss
Bellt Busting Tips
Which is Better for Losing Belly Fat
What say you?
What a difference a day makes? While preparing my morning coffee, I found myself seriously considering no additives. Perhaps a test run of two weeks and see what results occur. Since I'm not one of those coffee-with-my-cream-and-sugar types, I've never believed that enduring black coffee--UGH--would be beneficial for my belly goals.
But everything I read says otherwise.
Check out these articles I recently read:
Coffee: Can it Affect Your Weight Loss
Bellt Busting Tips
Which is Better for Losing Belly Fat
What say you?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Today's Exercise Motivation
Today I'm showing solidarity for Domestic Violence Awareness Day with a group of employees at my place of work. We're wearing purple. The choices in my closet were limited to a purple sweater that has a bothersome hole in the shoulder that I conveniently forget about after I take it off and a purple wrap dress. From my outfit selections the past couple of days consisting of dresses, I decided to keep with the trend.
Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse. Not only am I bloated, I've been indulging in cookies, cupcakes, and pizza over the last few weeks. Of course not everyday. But enough. Too bad I hadn't planned on wearing this dress two weeks ago. Maybe I'd have done things differently.
I'm as disgusted by that attitude as I am about how my belly is bulging in this dress. And I'm sad about it too. After 17 years of unsuccessfully trying to get a flat stomach I've come to realize that, while I want it, I don't want it bad enough to make the necessary sacrifices. Life is too short and unpredictable to spend so much time worrying about everything that I put into month. Coffee vs Tea. I prefer coffee with light cream and sugar substitute. Pizza. I no longer eat it 1-2 times per week and indulge maybe twice a month. Sweets. Okay. They're a BIG problem for me, I'll admit. Still there has been great improvement . It's been years since I took down an entire pack of break and bake cookies while the kids were away. Now I might have a naughty treat too many days in a row before I finally pump the breaks.
I prefer to spend more time doing the things I enjoy like reading, writing, blogging, spending time with family. Exercising belongs on that list too, believe it or not. I'm just not trying to get my Jillian Michaels or Tae Bo on. Until today, that is.
Today I'm motivated to intensify my exercise regimen, if not just for today. If nothing else it'll make me feel better. You know it's been reported that no matter ones size, exercise makes you feel better & sexier. I could use a little bit of both.
What motivates you to kick start your fitness regimen?
Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse. Not only am I bloated, I've been indulging in cookies, cupcakes, and pizza over the last few weeks. Of course not everyday. But enough. Too bad I hadn't planned on wearing this dress two weeks ago. Maybe I'd have done things differently.
I'm as disgusted by that attitude as I am about how my belly is bulging in this dress. And I'm sad about it too. After 17 years of unsuccessfully trying to get a flat stomach I've come to realize that, while I want it, I don't want it bad enough to make the necessary sacrifices. Life is too short and unpredictable to spend so much time worrying about everything that I put into month. Coffee vs Tea. I prefer coffee with light cream and sugar substitute. Pizza. I no longer eat it 1-2 times per week and indulge maybe twice a month. Sweets. Okay. They're a BIG problem for me, I'll admit. Still there has been great improvement . It's been years since I took down an entire pack of break and bake cookies while the kids were away. Now I might have a naughty treat too many days in a row before I finally pump the breaks.
I prefer to spend more time doing the things I enjoy like reading, writing, blogging, spending time with family. Exercising belongs on that list too, believe it or not. I'm just not trying to get my Jillian Michaels or Tae Bo on. Until today, that is.
Today I'm motivated to intensify my exercise regimen, if not just for today. If nothing else it'll make me feel better. You know it's been reported that no matter ones size, exercise makes you feel better & sexier. I could use a little bit of both.
What motivates you to kick start your fitness regimen?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Zumba Here I AM
Tonight I made my Zumba instructor very happy. In my mind I see her doing a little happy dance because another one of her students has stuffed her face with all the wrong things. More money in her pockets, not that I'm hating. Maybe if I went to her class to work off frustration and combat the estrogen imbalance of my monthly cycle instead of stuffing my face with Swiss Rolls, Pringles, and Sprite Zero I wouldn't be feeling as crappy as I do the morning after.
Last time I was in class I looked over the class make-up. All body types were represented. The fitness enthusiasts with already nicely shaped bodies, severely overweight people keeping up with the moves at a much slower pace but moving nonetheless. Then there were those in my category--the belly girls without a whole lot of weight anywhere else. Not that diet isn't important with all the other body types but with us in particular diet is of the upmost importance to trim belly fat. I know it. They know it. And our instructor knows it.
So every time we put the wrong things in our mouth our instructor leaps for joy because that means we'll never reach our goal and therefore will have to keep going to her class looking at her gorgeous body in quiet envy.
Always Dieting,
Skinny Fat
Website: www.lajefferson.com
Interesting Blogs of Note:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson
Last time I was in class I looked over the class make-up. All body types were represented. The fitness enthusiasts with already nicely shaped bodies, severely overweight people keeping up with the moves at a much slower pace but moving nonetheless. Then there were those in my category--the belly girls without a whole lot of weight anywhere else. Not that diet isn't important with all the other body types but with us in particular diet is of the upmost importance to trim belly fat. I know it. They know it. And our instructor knows it.
So every time we put the wrong things in our mouth our instructor leaps for joy because that means we'll never reach our goal and therefore will have to keep going to her class looking at her gorgeous body in quiet envy.
Always Dieting,
Skinny Fat
Website: www.lajefferson.com
Interesting Blogs of Note:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson
Thursday, March 1, 2012
SkinnyFat Workout Plans
My daughter was only speaking the truth when she said to me, "Ma, since you're skinny you're going to have to work out harder if you ever want to lose any weight." Harder meaning walking faster than 2.5 for 50 minutes on the treadmill. Harder meaning walking, instead, on 4.0 for 25 -30 minutes.
Is this fair? Absolutely not! However, if I want to do more than maintain my current weight, I HAVE to work my body hard. In retrospect, that's how I did it before. I hit the gym 3-4 days a week and walked and jogged on the treadmill and sometimes on the track. Then, I wasn't on the mission I'm on today. Then, I was working off the frustrations of a failing marriage. In those situations it's easy to--sometimes--to eat less and burn fat.
Today I'm motivated by a few factors:
1. I going to Vegas or Niagara Falls in a few weeks to get married. Ironic, huh?
2. Sometime this year or early next year I'm going on a cruise on plan to look fabulous in my swimsuit!
3. My best friend is getting married in October and whether or not I'm in the wedding party, I MUST look stunning in whatever dress I wear. This is my friend who rocked a bikini on the last cruise we went on last year.
4. Lastly, I want to be as close as possible to my ideal weight when I have that surgery I wrote about in a previous post.
LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger
Website: http://www.lajefferson.com/
Blogs by me:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com/
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com/
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson
Is this fair? Absolutely not! However, if I want to do more than maintain my current weight, I HAVE to work my body hard. In retrospect, that's how I did it before. I hit the gym 3-4 days a week and walked and jogged on the treadmill and sometimes on the track. Then, I wasn't on the mission I'm on today. Then, I was working off the frustrations of a failing marriage. In those situations it's easy to--sometimes--to eat less and burn fat.
Today I'm motivated by a few factors:
1. I going to Vegas or Niagara Falls in a few weeks to get married. Ironic, huh?
2. Sometime this year or early next year I'm going on a cruise on plan to look fabulous in my swimsuit!
3. My best friend is getting married in October and whether or not I'm in the wedding party, I MUST look stunning in whatever dress I wear. This is my friend who rocked a bikini on the last cruise we went on last year.
4. Lastly, I want to be as close as possible to my ideal weight when I have that surgery I wrote about in a previous post.
LaCharmine (L.A.) Jefferson
Author, Writer, Blogger
Website: http://www.lajefferson.com/
Blogs by me:
L.A.'s Literary Love Life@ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
A Day in the Life of L.A. Jefferson @ http://lajefferson.blogspot.com/
All Things Love @ http://all-things-love.blogspot.com/
Naturally L.A. @ http://naturallyla.wordpress.com/
Surviving Work @ http://survivingmydayjob.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter @lajefferson
Monday, January 9, 2012
Fitness Girl Crush
A girl crush refers to the infatuation that one heterosexual woman develops for another woman who may seem impossibly sophisticated, gifted, beautiful or accomplished. It's completely healthy and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have one. On my Zumba fitness instructor. Quite frankly, she has the best body I've seen on a African American female fitness instructor who wasn't on television! It's much more visually inspiring than the last AA female fitness instructor I went to whose belly was questionably NOT flat. Maybe she'd recently given birth. I don't know. What I do know is that I expect someone helping me get fit to already be fit themselves. Not just "healthy" fit, but "hot" fit! No worries with my new instructor. Her body simply rocks! And gosh darn it! I want it!
Guess I better keep going to her class, huh? And find out what she eats on a daily basis.
Want to share your fitness girl crush? Comment below.
Skinny Fat
Guess I better keep going to her class, huh? And find out what she eats on a daily basis.
Want to share your fitness girl crush? Comment below.
Skinny Fat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)