Covid-19 and Fitness (Home-Based) Pt. 3

What up my pretty bodies,

 I hope you all are doing well and feeling great even in these trying times.
So to continue and finish out this elaboration of ideas one could engage in during this CRAZY COVID-19 quarantine, let's get straight to it.

In addition to part 1 and part 2 quarantine activities I've listed before, here are a few more.

We touch on the body, the mind, now let's talk about self-care. Yeah, you now the caring of oneself. Yes, it's a REAL thing and it is very necessary for your sanity and general wellbeing. Self-care may be a gimmicky term, but it is also the difference between thriving and collapse.

Of course, when most people (mostly females) think of self-care they think of face masks and massages or maybe a bubble bath. I mean, those are all good and dandy but there is more to self-care than just those things.  For example, meditation could be a big one that many of us forget about. 

Mediate

I know the kids may be home for a while since the COVID-19 fiasco, however, if you have a spouse maybe you two can take turns occupying the kiddos so the other can catch some "ME" time. If you are single and do not have an "other", you can show the kiddos how to meditate with you. The key is for you to find a little piece of quiet to breathe, relax, unwind and release some stress or anxiety.

If your children are too young to understand meditation. You can utilize the iPad and set them down to a good kid-friendly show in their room, while you monitor with a baby cam in the other room.

Now Sit, breathe, and relax. Maybe have a cup of calming tea. Read your favorite magazine, blog, or book. Do some journaling. Maybe open the window and let the breeze take you. Give yourself a pedicure or a manicure. Do something crafty: coloring, knitting, sewing. Do some yoga stretches, listen to some calming rhythmic music or put on some of your favorite jam and dance your heart out. Maybe grab a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage and simply just call a friend.

Just because we are physically apart from friends or family right now, does not mean we can't call them or text them and check-in. Maybe they need to chat or you might want to just catch up. It's your time, you figure out what relaxes you.

You can also do all this with your face masks on or in a warm bubble bath because you deserve it. Just take some time for you!

If all else fails heres some apps that you can use to help you wind down.

1. Stop, Breathe & Think
2. Headspace
3. Calm
4. Colorfy

Just to name a few. These apps can be found on your Google Play or Apple Store.

The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Yes, I know we are stuck indoors for just a bit but take this time to focus on yourself and what you NEED.

Well, I hope you enjoyed these ideas I curated for you all. I'm about to engage in at least 4 of these ideas from pt.1 to pt. 3. Simply because I like to practice what I preach.

Enjoy your day and remember to take some time for yourself as often as needed!

I'll catch you pretty bodies in the next post.

xoxo

AngelS😇

Covid-19 and Fitness (Home-Based) Pt. 2

Hey there sexy bodies,

So I want to continue the list I have compiled for those of us who are quarantined during this COVID-19 pandemic.
So lets me continue on some idea you can get into and no worries this part not about the fitness of the body but the wellness of the mind.

Learn a Languge

Many of you out there have dreamt of traveling and possibly learning another language but once again... "You just can not find the time or money". Well, guess what? I have compiled a list of apps that I use to help me learn a different language. I was using these apps and methods before the COVID-19 pandemic was a thing.

Apps:

1. Duolingo
2. Mango (Military Only)
3. RosetteStone
4. Babble

All of these apps have helped me in any way when it comes to learning another language. I mean you can also pick up books to learn but I feel that the apps are a little more effective in their approach.

These apps help with tone, pronunciation, and general conversation. You may pay for extra features but for the most part the beginner section is vast and free. You can also set you, kids, down and learn together as a family. This will keep you all learning. While you can still dream and plan for your next trip after the pandemic. You can learn the language of the land you plan to visit someday.

Read

Learning does not have to just be in school for you or your kids. Many of us have books at home we have not gotten around to reading. Maybe work and your kids have you too tied up! You are just spread thin these days. Well, during this quarantine you can pick up that book or order that self-help book or thriller off of Amazon and settle in. 

Make sure you have the children sat down with an educational video whilst you take to a quiet place in your home and read that book you haven't had the chance to read. You can also read to your children as the narrator as long as you feel the tone is child-appropriate. Why not get everyone involved in a book. Reading also helps teach self-disciple. So why not... NO MORE EXCUSES

Here are some books I've been into

1. Born a Crime
2. Becoming (Michelle Obama)
3. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
4. The 4-Hour Workweek

All of these books are good reads but if they are not your pot of tea... Check out what you have at home or search eBay or Amazon. I try to stick to cheap or used books. I mean just because you are stuck at home does not mean you have to break the bank.

Pets

I know many of us have fur babies. I am talking about pets. Yes, some states have a curfew or are on lockdown. But you can go on a short walk close to home just to get out a bit. If not only to get out of the house for a bit but also to let your pet get some exercise and relieve themselves. If you happen to come upon another person doing the same while you are out and about...KEEP YOUR DISTANCE... about 6 feet away distance. Do not worry about feeling like you are being rude, because chances are they are not living under a rock and they know what going on and will do the same. We all understand.

Then promptly get home and have a staycation at home and play with those pets. Cuddle them and feed them treats. Maybe try to teach your hound a new trick or do whatever cats like to do!! LOL IDK I'm not a cat person.

That's it for this segment. I will continue with part 3 on the next one on activities that I feel are quarantine approved. 

 Until then check out my youtube channel, my Instagram and check in here again for your fitness and wellness inspiration.

So stay safe, be smart, and stay home my body posse!

xxxAngelS😇

Plateau! How to fix this issue

Hey Beautiful bodies,
I got behind again, but no worries I'm right back still on my journey as well. As a matter of fact, I got so into a healthy lifestyle that I skipped blogging about it. I know, I know this helps me to document my process and reach out to others that are also on this "struggle journey" of being coming a better, fitter self.

Anyhow, I came to talk to you all about Plateaus... Like LITERALLY a fitness PLATEAU! I mean like you workout hard and constantly but can not seem to move the scale or can not understand why you are not in a smaller size. Well, you wouldn't be the first girl or person that has experience this problem.

I have always found that I fit fitness plateaus more than I care to. For whatever reason, it's mostly misconceptions or lack of something. Like the misconception that if you left heavy you will become too bulky or "jacked" aka muscular. That is not the case and my BFF had to remind me of that again on the phone yesterday. It happens lol!!

Other misconceptions and myths in the fitness world are:

1. If you're a woman, lifting weights will make you bulky like a man. 
2. If you isolate a specific muscle, you will reduce fat in that specific area.
3. A 2-3 hour workout will burn more fat than shorter workouts. 
4. No pain, no gain. 
5. Eating carbohydrates will make you fat. 
6. Sweating will help you lose weight. 
7. Aerobic training is more important than strength training

It's pretty easy to think these things are all real and true ways to lose weight or become fit. But many of these will lead you straight to a fitness plateau. I did my research and so should you. Abs are made in the kitchen but strength and endurance are made through constant physical activity. So I am making sure I eat better every day, fewer "cheat days", more physical activities and heavier weights. I can do this and so can YOU!

Fitness and weightloss plateaus can happen to anyone at any fitness level. It just can happen. 

Other fitness plateaus that I mentioned is lack of...

What I mean is a lack of proper knowledge, lack of management, lack of heavier weights, lack of proper nutrition as so on.

I can not believe that some people especially females still believe that eats salads and drinking diet soda will make you magically skinny! Like what?

Um, NO hunty! lol

You are depriving yourself of other vital nutrients and vitamins not to mention sabotaging yourself for later by overeating or worse. Do not deprive your body of the nutrients that it needs. These nutrients are turned into fuel for energy. Why deprive oneself of the energy you need? 

Portion control of coasre, but do not cut out too much of what you like or what you need. Trust me it leads back to just gaining all that weight back because you are sure to fall off the wagon on a "diet like that. 

So eat what you like (in moderation), it's ok to count calories at least in the portion sense, do not deprive yourself of healthy nutrients but eating a bogus diet, and plateaus can happen to anyone but can be fixed with proper weightlifting and cardiovascular routines.

 See how I beat the dreaded fitness plateau with my weekly Youtube videos. Leave me a comment if you have any questions or concerns or are just needing some motivation. Fatloss is hard sometimes for many people, but we can make small changes that help us to avoid those fitness pitfalls and avoid falling into a weight loss /fitness plateau.

Keep up the good work and do not let a number on the scale be your goal, make fitness and being healthy a LIFESTYLE.

xoxoxo,
Angels😇

  

Sleep, wellness, and Fitness

Hello Ladies,

How's your fitness journey coming? Well, I have to say proudly that mine is in FULL EFFECT and I am so excited. I have my schedule set up, I revamped my "Pussy Palace" aka Queendom Room/Home gym. I implemented a dancer pole and I've been doing some outdoor cardio in addition to my routine. 

However, I still have one vice still yet to overcome... I admit I do not get enough sleep as I should. As a matter of fact, I am literally writing this blog because I just got home from work (graveyard shift) and I can't sleep. I tend to have the worst sleeping patterns and mainly because of my work schedule. 

That may have to change. 

Ladies, we NEED our beauty rest...

As a matter of fact, here are some sleep factoids and research.

According to The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), along with a multi-disciplinary expert panel, issued its new recommendations for appropriate sleep durations [WASHINGTON, DC, (February 2, 2015)].

• Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category)
• Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours

“This is the first time that any professional organization has developed age-specific recommended sleep durations based on a rigorous, systematic review of the world scientific literature relating sleep duration to health, performance, and safety,” said Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD, chairman of the board of the National Sleep Foundation, chief of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Baldino Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Harvard Medical School.(https://www.sleepfoundation.org/press-release/national-sleep-foundation-recommends-new-sleep-times)

At my age, I should be getting around 8 to 9 hrs sleep, but it is so difficult. As soon as I get home I have to take off my work clothes, wash my makeup off my face, jump into my pajamas and try to relax my racing mind.

I mean am I the ONLY one that is dog tired by the end of a work night, but comes home and is restless and mind racing? This is such a common occurrence for me that it's like hard to actually break the habit. Crazy right?!

So anyhow, I need to work on this issue, maybe see a specialist. It is said that apart of losing weight is getting a proper nights sleep allowing your body to recharge and repair. 

(Google Stock photos)

Being sleep deprived also raises cortisol levels that make your immune system vulnerable to any viruses around. We all should be wary of hurt we cause our bodies by not getting enough sleep. Your body depends on it. If you can not get the full amount, at least try to get as much as you can. Maybe short an hour or two. 

Sometimes when I lie in bed sleepless and restless. I pop my Power Beats earphones on and Bluetooth some meditation and nature sounds through my Spotify. It many times works when I do not have enough time to try a sleeping aid (Pill). Trust me, it does help out a bunch. 

As a matter of fact... I better get to bed and so should you.

Stay motivated and take care of your lovely self.

xoxox Angels😇