This Girl Can - Fitness Edition

If this girl can, then so can you. Whether you are here to check out my latest blog post or here to get inspiration to start your fitness journey, know that you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Let me start by saying that I am not a fitness guru, I’m just a girl who is making positive lifestyle changes. I have a love/hate relationship with working out and eating healthy. I really try to stick to a routine but like everything in life, it’s all about balance.

Taking Control of My Fitness Journey

Recently I have grabbed the reigns and decided to take control of my personal fitness. I am currently working out 4-5 days a week incorporating cardio, lifting, HIIT, hot sauna workouts, yoga and pilates. For someone like me who suffers from anxiety, the intimidation of going to a gym was truly a struggle. Growing up I always had an elliptical and weights at my house, so I never really worked out in front of others. This was a hard obstacle to overcome. With time, I finally became comfortable going into a weight room and kicking butt. If I can do it, I truly believe that anyone can.

Overcoming Intimidation & Anxiety

I recently joined a new gym called HOTWORX. A 24-hour studio which combines a fusion of infrared heat, and isometrics. HOTWORX is a virtually instructed exercise program created for members to experience the many benefits of infrared heat absorption. Sessions usually consist of a 30-minute isometric workout or 15-min High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session. There are 9 saunas, that offer a large variety of virtually instructed classes, all while at 130 degrees. Sounds intense.... I know. HOTWORX classes aren’t that easy, yet are seriously some of the most rewarding workouts I've ever done. I’m able to go into the studio, stress free knowing that I’ll be guided through the workouts virtually. For me, joining a new gym came with a rise in my anxiety, so having a visual aid to guide me through a workout took a lot of pressure off my workout routine. I finally didn’t have to worry about knowing exactly what to do in the gym to get the results I want. I give a ton of credit to the amazing staff at HOTWORX, from the moment I walked in the door, I was greeted kind faces and sweet smile that made me feel welcomed and at home. They helped me get set up with a mat and towel, signed me up for classes, and even reserved a sauna for me. To this very day, every time I walk in it feels like a home away from home! Like I said earlier, workout’s at HOTWORX are the best workouts I have ever experienced. The best part is, the studio is open 24-7 so no matter what time of day I can go in and get my workout done. I highly reccomrmd checking out this gym if you haven’t already.

When I First Fell In Love With Working Out In The Heat.

I first found my love for working out in hot temperatures in college. Wilmington Yoga Center (Wilmington, NC) is the best hot yoga studio I have ever been apart of. If you live in Wilmington you should definitely check it out!

What My Day-to-Day Workouts Look Like.

My daily routine usually starts with running a mile or two. I love running in the morning because I'm usually half asleep and don't realize how hard the run is. I'm able to listen to my favorite Spotify playlists ( Hit Clips 2000 is my personal favorite and I think y’all will enjoy too). It’s all throwback songs from the early 2000’s, so the nostalgia is real! It's truly amazing how great I feel once I get a morning run in. It not only helps my day get started earlier, but I feel more energized at work and more motivated to be productive. But I'm not perfect whatsoever. I fall short and some times wake up 10 minutes before I have to be at work. As i said earlier, life is all about balance. While at work, I like to snack on popcorn, avocados, and nuts. I always have a salad or chicken and broccoli for lunch. After work, if I haven’t already worked out, I head to HOTWORX to get an intense sweat session in. My fitness journey has been very eye opening. But I’m so intrigued with experimenting to see what works best for my body. There isn't just one perfect formula that works for everyone, and it’s important to know that the trial-and-error is all apart of the process. My journey has truly been a whirlwind of hitting plateaus and finding out what works and what doesn't. The key is to not let obstacles stand in the way of hitting your next goal.

My Go-To Fitness Tips

1. Setting small goals is key. Each week I sit down and ask my self what I would like to improve. Sometimes it's little changes in my diet such as intermittent fasting. Often it's waking up for morning workouts. It all about finding what makes you feel good. Don't get discouraged because you will find what works for you!

2. Find foods that you like, figure out the healthiest ways to eat them and stick to it. I am the type of person that can eat the same meal for a period of time and not get sick of it. Right now it’s broccoli, chicken and rice!

3. Get a fitness tracker. A Fitbit or Apple Watch can record your workouts and track your steps. It is recommended for women to take at least 7,500 steps a day. A fitness tracker will help keep you accountable and focused.

4. Finding motivation and energy can be hard when you’re always on the go. Try an all natural pre workout drink for a quick boost if needed. My go-to pre-workout is Celsius. This is a product you hear me talking about a lot because it works extremely well for me. Not only is this drink the best energy drink to hit the market, it is also delicious and NATURAL. Who doesn’t want to speed up your metabolism, burn fat and calories from an all-natural energy source.

It's not all about the physical benefits, working out has also been a therapy for me. Physical activity is not always easy and it helps train yourself to be ready for when life throws you difficult obstacles. Fall in love with taking care of yourself and do it for YOU. I can promise you the benefits are amazing and you will feel so much better in your own skin. Working out and taking charge of my heath has not only helped me with managing my anxiety but also has given me a confidence and security with who I am as a woman. I hope you find the security and confidence that I found in my fitness journey, in your own. I truly believe that if this girl can, then so can you!

xoxo,

yours truly

BK