the journey to skinny
my name is amanda. i was that girl in high school - the girl who worked out like a fiend and loved the way i looked. unfortunately after high school, i wasn't quite as active as i should have been, and i packed on a hundred pounds. i don't feel good about myself anymore, and i'm determined to get that self love back through getting myself into shape - physically and mentally. healthy eating, exercise, and whatever else necessary. this is my journey, feel free to take it with me. photos are not mine unless stated.
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tags: #nutrition


fitblr’s 

can someone tell me what exactly defines a fitblr? i see people posting it all the time but i’m not sure exactly what it is.






tags: #personal

weekend recap! 

so, i haven’t had much time to spend online this weekend. friday night was my friend’s 21st birthday and we rented a party bus for it. this thing was basically a club/strip club on wheels. i drank more than i should have, but my muscles have been sore the last two days from literally dancing my ass off. the last two days were just a mixture of relaxing, school, and work. gym time didn’t get to happen as much as i would have liked it to. but it’s a new week!

on a good note, i’m down 5 pounds from a week ago! :]






tags: #fitness


leanmeanworkoutmachine: Need a nutritionist to answer questions at the supermarket? Perhaps a personal trainer for running a first-time 5K? Or surely a shrink to talk out that fear of flying? We’ve rounded up the 63 best apps* that offer these services and much, much more. Check out the list — organized by category — and download a step to living healthily, appily ever after. *Clicking the picture will take you to the list complete with APP description. Clicking the name of each app will take you to their individual site.  Workout Programs Vitogo CardioTrainer JEFIT Fitness Builder Nike BOOM StrongLifts 5x5 Nike Training Club Sportaneous iFightBack  Workout Trackers Fitocracy MyFitnessPal GymPact Workout Trainer GymBuddy Fleetly Fitness Alpine Replay Running runtastic MapMyRun Nike+ GPS Couch-to-5k RunKeeper Runmeter GPS miCoach Zombies, Run! Yoga Pocket Yoga All-In Yoga Nutrition & Weight Loss Fooducate ShopWell Whole Foods Market Recipes Yumee Caffeine Zone Weight Watchers Mobile MealSnap MyPlate Calorie Tracker The Eatery Noom Weight Loss Coach Lose It! CalorieCounter Diet & Food Tracker  Medical HealthTap Express MyQuitCoach ZocDoc Skeletal Systems Pro Epocrates Skin Scan GlucoseBuddy JetLag RX Cooking Green Kitchen Cookwell Cook It Allergy Free Substitutions CookingLight Quick & Healthy Menu Maker Epicurious Recipe & Shopping List Stress Reduction Stress Check Relax & Rest Guided Meditations Awareness Sleep SleepCycle Pzizz Boost Brainpower Brain Trainer Memory Trainer Pro

leanmeanworkoutmachine:

Need a nutritionist to answer questions at the supermarket? Perhaps a personal trainer for running a first-time 5K? Or surely a shrink to talk out that fear of flying? We’ve rounded up the 63 best apps* that offer these services and much, much more. Check out the list — organized by category — and download a step to living healthily, appily ever after.

*Clicking the picture will take you to the list complete with APP description. Clicking the name of each app will take you to their individual site. 

Workout Programs

Workout Trackers

Running

Yoga

Nutrition & Weight Loss

Medical

Cooking

Stress Reduction

Sleep

Boost Brainpower





willrun10milesforfood: Morning Yoga!!  I do this every morning and sometimes before or after a workout. It’s easy, but in the morning it’s a great pick me up and boosts your metabolism!! 1: Mountain Pose - Stand straight with your feet turned in slightly, big toes nearly touching, and your inner thighs pressed together. to work the core, squeeze your belly button toward your spine. Roll your shoulders up and back. Then bring your hands together in front of your sternum. Slightly lower your chin. 2. Warrior 3 - From a standing position, find a spot in front of you to focus on. As you bend forward at the waist, pressing your chest out, lift your right leg behind you. To balance, press down through the heel of your left leg. Work toward lifting your leg high enough to create a 90-degree angle. 3. Half-Plank Pose - After putting your right leg on the ground, lower your body down slowly into a pushup position with your elbows bent. Make sure to align your shoulders directly over your hands and keep your feet hip width apart. To work the core (and get your body bikini ready!), focus on keeping your hips at the same level as your shoulders by pulling your belly button in toward your spine. 4. Downward Facing Dog - From half plank, straighten your elbows and lift hips until your body forms a triangle. Keep a slight bend in elbows to avoid hyperextension. Lower your heels to stretch out the muscles in the back of your legs. ** My own tip: to get proper form make sure your ears are aligned with your biceps, your tail bone is reaching to the sky, and your pulling your chest towrds your toes. ** 5. Warrior 1 - While in downward dog, walk your feet toward your hands to return to standing. Step your left foot back so your toes point slightly forward. Bend your right knee, keeping it even with your ankle. Keep your hips and torso squared forward and raise your arms at a 45-degree angle in front of you. 6. Warrior 2 - Transition from Warrior 1 by bringing both arms down without bending your elbows. Extend one directly in front of you and another directly behind you so your arms are about parallel to the floor. Rotate your hips to the left. To work your core, pull belly button in toward your spine, making a slight scoop with your pelvis. Do not bend knees more than 90-degrees or past your toes to prevent knee injury. 7. Triangle - From Warrior 2, straighten your right leg while reaching your right arm as far toward the floor as you can, tilting your hips left. At the same time, bring your left arm directly above your head. Look up toward your raised arm. It should be almost as if your body could fit in between two panes of glass. 8. Extended Side Angle - After triangle, straighten up into Warrior 2 by bending the knee of your right leg, keeping it in line with your ankle. Then, bend the elbow od your right arm and place on your thigh. Reach your left arm over your head, creating one long line with that side of your body. 9. Revolved Extended Side Angle - Move from Extended Side Angle position into a forward lunge, placing your left knee on the floor. With your right leg forward, bring your left arm in front of your right leg - pushing your tricep back against the knee. Bend the elbow of your right arm and press hands together in front of you. As you twist your torso toward your right thigh, pull your belly button in and up to engage your core. Then look over your right shoulder. You should feel a stretch along your back.  10. Wide-Legged Forward Bend - Come into a standing position with your feet parallel, wider than hip-distance apart. Bring your hands behind you and interlace the fingers. Slowly bend forward at the waist. To achieve proper alignment, try to keep as little weight in the heels as possible Hold each move for 10 to 15 breaths (about 30 seconds) then repeat again on the other side. Good luck, and happy yoga :)

willrun10milesforfood:

Morning Yoga!! 

I do this every morning and sometimes before or after a workout. It’s easy, but in the morning it’s a great pick me up and boosts your metabolism!!

1: Mountain Pose - Stand straight with your feet turned in slightly, big toes nearly touching, and your inner thighs pressed together. to work the core, squeeze your belly button toward your spine. Roll your shoulders up and back. Then bring your hands together in front of your sternum. Slightly lower your chin.

2. Warrior 3 - From a standing position, find a spot in front of you to focus on. As you bend forward at the waist, pressing your chest out, lift your right leg behind you. To balance, press down through the heel of your left leg. Work toward lifting your leg high enough to create a 90-degree angle.

3. Half-Plank Pose - After putting your right leg on the ground, lower your body down slowly into a pushup position with your elbows bent. Make sure to align your shoulders directly over your hands and keep your feet hip width apart. To work the core (and get your body bikini ready!), focus on keeping your hips at the same level as your shoulders by pulling your belly button in toward your spine.

4. Downward Facing Dog - From half plank, straighten your elbows and lift hips until your body forms a triangle. Keep a slight bend in elbows to avoid hyperextension. Lower your heels to stretch out the muscles in the back of your legs. ** My own tip: to get proper form make sure your ears are aligned with your biceps, your tail bone is reaching to the sky, and your pulling your chest towrds your toes. **

5. Warrior 1 - While in downward dog, walk your feet toward your hands to return to standing. Step your left foot back so your toes point slightly forward. Bend your right knee, keeping it even with your ankle. Keep your hips and torso squared forward and raise your arms at a 45-degree angle in front of you.

6. Warrior 2 - Transition from Warrior 1 by bringing both arms down without bending your elbows. Extend one directly in front of you and another directly behind you so your arms are about parallel to the floor. Rotate your hips to the left. To work your core, pull belly button in toward your spine, making a slight scoop with your pelvis. Do not bend knees more than 90-degrees or past your toes to prevent knee injury.

7. Triangle - From Warrior 2, straighten your right leg while reaching your right arm as far toward the floor as you can, tilting your hips left. At the same time, bring your left arm directly above your head. Look up toward your raised arm. It should be almost as if your body could fit in between two panes of glass.

8. Extended Side Angle - After triangle, straighten up into Warrior 2 by bending the knee of your right leg, keeping it in line with your ankle. Then, bend the elbow od your right arm and place on your thigh. Reach your left arm over your head, creating one long line with that side of your body.

9. Revolved Extended Side Angle - Move from Extended Side Angle position into a forward lunge, placing your left knee on the floor. With your right leg forward, bring your left arm in front of your right leg - pushing your tricep back against the knee. Bend the elbow of your right arm and press hands together in front of you. As you twist your torso toward your right thigh, pull your belly button in and up to engage your core. Then look over your right shoulder. You should feel a stretch along your back. 

10. Wide-Legged Forward Bend - Come into a standing position with your feet parallel, wider than hip-distance apart. Bring your hands behind you and interlace the fingers. Slowly bend forward at the waist. To achieve proper alignment, try to keep as little weight in the heels as possible

Hold each move for 10 to 15 breaths (about 30 seconds) then repeat again on the other side. Good luck, and happy yoga :)






tags: #fitness





tags: #fitness
losing-every-extra-pound: Sexy Arms in 6 WeeksIf you’re just starting out, aim for two sets of 8 to 12 reps of the heaviest weight you can handle for each exercise. Looking for more of a challenge? Shoot for two sets of 15 to 25 reps per exercise. Bent-Over Row Step IPrimary muscles worked: lats, back extensors, rhomboids, rear shoulders, biceps, core. Stand with a slight bend at the knees, holding the weights at your sides. Lean over, extending your chest while reaching your hips back. Allow your arms to hang straight down toward the floor with your palms facing your thighs. Bent-Over Row Step II  Looking forward at the ground (not up), pull your elbows up and rotate your hands until your palms are nearly touching your upper rib cage and your elbows point toward the ceiling. Lower the weights to the starting position with control. Repeat.tip: Keep your belly button pulled in toward your spine to engage your core and protect your lower back. Upright Row Step IPrimary muscles worked: shoulders, upper back, biceps.Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with the weights hanging down in front of your body, their ends touching.Upright Row Step IIRaise your upper arms, leading with your elbows while bringing the weights up the front of your body as if you were tracing an imaginary midpoint, stopping when your elbows become level with your shoulders. Lower the weights back to the starting position.tip: Keep your chin up and your belly button tucked in. Chest Press on Ball Step IPrimary muscles worked: chest, front of shoulders, triceps. Sit on a ball and walk out so that your head and shoulder blades are resting on the ball. Lift your hips by contracting your glute muscles to make a bridge. (Your feet should be shoulder-width apart and below your knees to give you stable support.)Chest Press on Ball Step II Bring the dumbbells to your shoulders. Then extend your arms over your chest and bring the dumbbells together to make a triangle over your chest. Lower the weights back to the starting position and repeat. tip: You will need to engage your core throughout the exercise to avoid falling off the ball.Overhead Press on Ball Step IPrimary muscles worked: shoulders, upper back, triceps. Sit on an exercise ball with your belly button pulled toward the spine. Hold the weights in front of your shoulders, your palms facing in.Overhead Press on Ball Step IIPush the weights up until your arms are extended. When your arms are extended, they should be slightly in front of you rather than directly overhead. Lower the weights to the starting position and repeat.tip: Keep your chin lifted slightly and your core stable.from this website

losing-every-extra-pound:

Sexy Arms in 6 Weeks
If you’re just starting out, aim for two sets of 8 to 12 reps of the heaviest weight you can handle for each exercise. Looking for more of a challenge? Shoot for two sets of 15 to 25 reps per exercise.

Bent-Over Row Step I
Primary muscles worked: lats, back extensors, rhomboids, rear shoulders, biceps, core. Stand with a slight bend at the knees, holding the weights at your sides. Lean over, extending your chest while reaching your hips back. Allow your arms to hang straight down toward the floor with your palms facing your thighs.

Bent-Over Row Step II  
Looking forward at the ground (not up), pull your elbows up and rotate your hands until your palms are nearly touching your upper rib cage and your elbows point toward the ceiling. Lower the weights to the starting position with control. Repeat.
tip: Keep your belly button pulled in toward your spine to engage your core and protect your lower back.

Upright Row Step I
Primary muscles worked: shoulders, upper back, biceps.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with the weights hanging down in front of your body, their ends touching.

Upright Row Step II
Raise your upper arms, leading with your elbows while bringing the weights up the front of your body as if you were tracing an imaginary midpoint, stopping when your elbows become level with your shoulders. Lower the weights back to the starting position.
tip: Keep your chin up and your belly button tucked in.

Chest Press on Ball Step I
Primary muscles worked: chest, front of shoulders, triceps. Sit on a ball and walk out so that your head and shoulder blades are resting on the ball. Lift your hips by contracting your glute muscles to make a bridge. (Your feet should be shoulder-width apart and below your knees to give you stable support.)

Chest Press on Ball Step II 
Bring the dumbbells to your shoulders. Then extend your arms over your chest and bring the dumbbells together to make a triangle over your chest. Lower the weights back to the starting position and repeat. 
tip: You will need to engage your core throughout the exercise to avoid falling off the ball.

Overhead Press on Ball Step I
Primary muscles worked: shoulders, upper back, triceps. Sit on an exercise ball with your belly button pulled toward the spine. Hold the weights in front of your shoulders, your palms facing in.

Overhead Press on Ball Step II
Push the weights up until your arms are extended. When your arms are extended, they should be slightly in front of you rather than directly overhead. Lower the weights to the starting position and repeat.
tip: Keep your chin lifted slightly and your core stable.

from this website



diet tip #10 

set mini goals for yourself that lead up to one major goal

let’s say you’ve got a wedding coming up in 6 months, or summer is just around the corner. instead of telling yourself that you want to lose 20 lbs by then, why not set smaller goals that are more easily attained?

setting multiple, smaller goals that eventually lead to a major goal is a great motivator. it’s alot easier to tell yourself ‘i’m going to lose five pounds this month’ than to tell yourself that you’re going to lose 20 pounds in four months time.

each time you accomplish a goal, it motivates you more to accomplish the next goal. and before you know it, those twenty pounds have been shed and it feels like it’s been no time at all!



diet tip #9 

lose the all or nothing mentality

failing your diet for one day is no reason to give up on the diet altogether. instead, use it as a learning experience. giving up on a goal is a depressing thing, and since most people eat their feelings, giving up that diet could essential take things from bad to worse. instead, realize what mistakes you made and figure out the best way to fix them in the future. chances are, each time you realize the mistakes and fix them, you’re increasing your chances of achieving that main goal.