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😇

Back at it AGAIN!!!

So yeah, there has been some time in-between where I "relapsed" back into my old ways. What I mean by that is every now and again we fall off the "fitness wagon" and end up right back where we start. Weight gain and demotivation happens very quickly when one quits her workout regimen. This happens to many women that tend to get "busy" or otherwise tied up in life's errands and events. Going to university was one thing that halted my progress. Simply because I was more engaged in getting good grades and keeping my GPA up. Writing endless thesis papers and meeting homework deadlines was all I was worried about. 

Then came the stress eating because my female flag football team had disbanded after our championship win. Most of the ladies on my team were military service members and many their female spouses. So if you aren't familiar with Military life, services members, their spouses, and their families tend to move or "relocate to different places throughout his or her time in the military. Which means making new friends is a common occurrence and well as indefinite. We tend to move all over the continental United States as well as overseas duty stations. 

The ending of our league, work-study, the pressures of student life, and eventually relocating myself; led to the halt in my fitness journey. I know things like this happens a lot to other females all over the world; as we are busy and may also have others that depend on us to keep things afloat. 

However, it is most likely that time mismanagement led to us ultimately pushing our fitness journey out of the picture. That's what I did. Now it's time to get back in the game and drop this college and poor lifestyle weight. I know I can do it because now I have a goal and a plan to reach it.

Would you join me? If so, let me know in the comments and send ya girl some motivation. We CAN DO IT together. No more stopping, no more excuses and no more "letting it go". I owe it to myself to take care of my body and to make sure I make time for self-care. Fitness is apart of self-care, not just facials, bubble baths, and massages. But actually taking care of every aspect of ourselves. To be able to live our BEST lives and to ensure that cater to our minds, bodies, and spirits.

To help me on my journey and to keep myself more accountable I have finally started my lonnnnngggg awaited YOUTUBE channel and I'm super excited to share it with you ladies. 

I am working on my editing from my cell, so please be kind lol! I also will input reminders in my schedule to post blogs about my journey and post on other social media sites with my progress. Make sure to also follow me on Instagram to see what I am eating, what supplements or new equipment I am using, any advice I have, as well as my daily lifestyle happenings. 

This is my plan to help me on my journey and to become better at time management. 

PRO-TIP: You should also implement a schedule to help you with your fitness journey.

xoxox Angels😇


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Weigh in on your WEIGH INS!

 HAVE YOU WEIGHED IN THIS WEEK?

So weigh-in is important for a motivational and informational for one's self!
So one question for you guys that's kinda worrisome lately. That question is when do you all start to see progress from your workouts? I know muscle weighs more than fat, but I'm having a hard time with that fact...
simply because I am not used to my weigh these days, but I'm making a conscious decision to lose this "prison of a body" of mine..lol

My last Sunday weigh-in Jan. 19, 2014
173.2 lbs

So I weigh a little bit more and when I first started working out and I think it's because I'm gaining a little muscle, however, I am not able to see it yet.

So I also keep picture logs on what I am looking like after every weigh-in!

One of my gal pals from my football team THE LADY STINGRAYS; we made a pact to do this every time we weigh-in to keep us on track.

Having a workout buddy is great and helps us to reach our goals, so my suggestion once again is to try to find one...and sweat it out!

My goal and yours as well should not be to just lose weight but to be fitter and gain some muscle. Many people go wrong on this because in their head it's all about losing weight and forgetting about the bigger goal to be in shape.

Yes, I know the joke "ROUND IS A SHAPE", and as funny as that may seem, it's not the shape we are looking for RIGHT?  We want to be fit, live long and be comfortable in our skin.

Taking care of one's self inside and out should be your ultimate goal and something to strive for.

So WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION? What quips do you use to keep you going?

Let us know.

Make sure you weigh it in and keep track of your progress.

Make sure to to check out my youtube channel coming soon!

xoxoxoxox

-BodyByAngels😇

New Year, New You!

Happy New Year to you ALL!!

So getting in to shape is not the easiest thing to do, and Bringing in the New Years with a Resolution to "change one's self" seems easy than actually committing to doing it.

Well what I hope to get out of starting this blog is a community of  people whom are tired of just putting it off, and trying a little each day to not just follow a corny, unrealistic Resolution of losing large amounts of weight, starving, and lifestyle changes that do not fit every ones level of style.

I want the ones, that are willing to learn with me, teach me, and help each other become a better version of ourselves.

I plan on doing this by engaging in with you all on a personal level and keeping it light and fun to get not only fit; but healthy!

I always recommend talking to your Physician and or doing your own research to help "US" reach our common goal!

SO let's embark together on a New Improved self, teach each other and learn how we can better take care of "US" inside and out!

With that being said You can also go and check out our youtube channel bodybyangels for daily workouts, training ideas, and tasty recipes.

Plan to a fitter you

Schedule Your Days

If you make a schedule every day for your everyday life errands, why not add your workouts to your daily routine! What I mean is as exactly what it sounds like; when you go to make a calendar schedule or and day planner schedule, make sure you add your attended workout.

I don't mean every single little work out information, but just a generalization of what you plan to work out that day.  For example, Say you have written down...


Monday- work at 8;00am to 1:00pm, arms and back Day, walk dogs

Tuesday-Legs and glutes Day, work from 7am to 12pm,

Weds-Cardio

Thurs-Abs and core

Fri-Cardio/Zumba, work from 9pm to 5am

Sat-yoga, walk dogs, family night

Sun-off

Or however, you like to plan your days/weeks/months out!
and try to switch which days you do what, and rest days.
You can also go as far as meal planning/logging if this helps you make smart and healthy choices, but we'll get into that in the next blog.

I don't recommend weighing your self every day, but try to do it every end of the week or every other week.
Remember muscle weighs more than fat, so don't get discouraged when your weight seems to not be going down, you may be building muscle which will lead to "killing" fat. I have to remind myself of that a lot LOL!
Also taking a start weight photo of your self at the beginning of your start date. Then another as you see more and more results to keep track and plus self-motivation.

Putting a picture of your self of what you used to look like on a board, wall or refrigerator can help you also to your goal.
Or a celebrity or sports figure that you would like to look like.

Be careful and take caution on which person you wish to look like because most pictures of them in magazines are photoshopped and may be unrealistic.

Here are some pics of my self today before a workout!

And here are a few after, just some fit posing!

I do both home and gym workouts. (Not in the same day though)

Keep up the hard work, grab a partner, make it fun, and enjoy the journey to a better you!!!

Let me know your Fit-aspiration!

xoxoxoxox,
BodyByAngels