16 Reasons You Should be Talking About Fitness Challenge

"If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health." ~ Hipporates

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namaste. I've been working out for the last eleven months since I'm looking to lose weight and I'm at that point that I'm becoming discouraged since I feel like I haven't seen anything different. If need be, I'm looking to join Planet Fitness but my indentions are there as to why I want to work out and I'd say the same for Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts. I have my reasons why I want to take up martial arts and I feel like I'm getting more for the buck so to speak. Another thing is if I were to take up martial arts but I'm not sure it's not all that necessary to do yoga as well and I figured it'll be the best health investment I can make one can make for themselves. For those who are on a budget and live in the New York City area, there is a Shape Up NYC, a lot of these programs are free to try, especially for the curious. This blog took me a while to write because I wanted to make sure I have what I wanted to say sound interesting and also make mention of what videos worked for me before feeling like I want to take it to the next step up, such as joining a Planet Fitness or a Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts or Renzo Gracie Academy since I have a curiosity towards Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. My main goal is to make sure my bank account is plentiful should something arise, such as unemployment or whatever the situation may come up. My goal is to go at my own pace, so I'm not so easily discouraged and purely frustrated. Of course, there'll be days where I'll become very discouraged and frustrated, disappointed but I'm determined to get my personal goal because I'm doing this for me, myself, and I since this feels natural. What I mean I want my fitness journey to feel as natural as possible is that this feeling should come from within and nothing else. I have my reasons on why I work out is because I am doing for me; I want to feel good about myself. I'm doing this for me, myself; and I; I want to stop the negative cycle of body image issues and passivity embrace my body so I can be a better version of myself before I become a better version to other people.

-Weight Loss Journey-

"Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them." ~ Lee Haney

As most of you already know, I've been focused on getting in shape and for the first time in over five plus years my weight has gone from 201.4 pounds down to 196.6 pounds since January of this year! I'm currently taking Jardiance for my diabetes and when I'm at my goal weight of 125 pounds, I no longer plan on taking Jardiance since there are side effects involved. However, let's see where life takes me in the upcoming months. As much walking I have done this past year, I'm surprised and a bit disappointed I haven't lost more! I don't eat a whole lot of sweets or carbs; I eat enough carbs, but I don't overdo it and I just eat a small portion of carbs. Very rare I crave sweets but when I do consume sweets, I eat sweets in a mindful way. Talk of dieting should be for a separate blog and this is more of a fitness bog than anything. I've found several fitness videos that made me feel sore for several days which is what I'm looking for as a result and I enjoy feeling sore when working out. I'm doing this for me, no one else and I want to feel good. Reasons why I work out is because of sleep (I have mild sleep apnea), I want to improve my self-esteem; reduce risk of surgery (if need be), I hope to increase my metabolic rate; increase my metabolic rate, increase my range of motion, increase functional strength; I'm looking to improve balance and coordination, I've taken notice that exercise helps with my depression, I want to control my weight and since I'm in my early 40's, it's a challenge to drop my pregnancy weight and keep it off, another goal is to reduce aches and pains, lose hidden body fat; I want to improve my energy level and for longer; I'm also looking to strengthen my back and core muscles so I'm not preventing any discomfort of back pain; I want to change my body shape; I want to feel good about myself in my own skin, a.k.a. feeling confident in my own skin; Boost my flexibility through yoga/stretching; and I want to live as long as I can because I want to accomplish more in life. I still have places in the world I so want to visit but let's start with Japan first! If you wish to keep track of your fitness journey, here is a Six-Month Body Measurement Tracking Chart you can print out for your own records! I recently purchased Booty Bands for Working Out, Fabric Resistance Bands for Working Out Women Thigh Bands for Workout Bands Resistance for Women Resistance Bands for Leg Bands for Working Out Woman Glute Bands for Women from Amazon and I love it! I have another resistance band but for upper body fitness routine. My main weight loss goal is to get my weight down to 125 pounds and will go at my own pace, I'm in no rush to lose a lot of weight but only to gain that weight back on! All that effort, for what? I'm doing this for me. Main areas I'd love to focus on are abs (oh my gosh, have you seen Janet Jackson's abs when she did the All for You tour, and Angela Bassett's arms, here's an article from Entertainment Weekly, An ode to Angela Bassett's arms - and the power they possess. As most of you may be unaware, respectfully speaking, I'm a fan of Janet Jackson (and would love. love, love to see Janet Jackson on her next tour) whether or not she's been blacklisted from whatever an event may be since that whole Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show featuring Justin Timberlake. I'm sorry, I've lost all respect for Justin Timberlake more so now than nine years ago. Justin Timberlake [as I feel] should be the one to be blacklisted from music and movies, not Janet Jackson. Not the case, I need to focus on myself, health wise for the most part.

-Information-

"There is a moment when you get older when your metabolism slows down and you don't feel like working out anymore, so you don't want to keep yourself fit anymore, but that's your decision. Why should you be judged for it?" Janet Jackson

If you wish to learn more about yoga and here are five pieces of information you can view at your own leisure. Three of them are YouTube videos in regard to yoga with an article of yoga and the other are articles of yoga. I wish you the best of luck on your fitness journey and be sure to set realistic fitness goals for yourself. Go at your own pace and that's the best way to go about. For those who are on the fence in regards on whether to begin your yoga experience and here are some videos I've watched for you to view or read at your own leisure! From the times I've done yoga [at home], it's very relaxing and I enjoy doing yoga. Here is: What Happens to Your Brain and Body When You Do Yoga Regularly. I want to also include these videos and articles for you to check out at your own time. Yoga and its connection to mental health | Nikolai Blinow | TedxSalveReginaU; The Health Benefits of Yoga - How Yoga Helps You Stay Healthy | Sadhguru; 8 Lesser-Known Benefits of Yoga; 20 Wall Pilates Benefits: You'll Wish You Knew About These Sooner! and Wall Pilates is the new low-impact exercise everyone's trying - but is it worth your time? At the end of the day, your own research is entirely up to you and I'm not going to force anyone to do yoga. Yet, it is very relaxing at the end of the day, and I have my own reasons why I'd want to do more yoga in the evening before bed! It's good to have Ignite by SPRI Resistance Cord and Tone It Up Exercise Sliders N' Sculpt Discs for Toning, Set of 2, Teal. Here are two additional workouts to go with the Resistance band and sliders discs: 12 min RESISTANCE BAND ARM WORKOUT | Upper Body | All Standing and CORE STRENGTH AND BALANCE SLIDER SCULPT WORKOUT. There are additional videos to go with these items on YouTube to view at your own leisure!

-Videos I've Tried Out in 2023-

"Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you've got to squeeze your buns. That's my formula." ~ Richard Simmons

Last but not least! Here are some of these YouTube channels I follow during my free time while my mother is out running her errands: fitbymik; getfitbyivana; MADFit; Mary Braun; and Mr. London. I do what I can while I have the apartment to myself while my mom is running her errands and it's not much time, so I squeeze what I can into a half hour to forty-five minutes, often an hour if I'm fortunate enough without taking breaks!

1. 5 min WARM UP ROUTINE Before Your Workout | Low Impact | Wrist Friendly
2. 25 min STANDING DUMBBELL WORKOUT | Full Body | Lower and Upper Body Routine | No Repeats
3. 5 min COOL DOWN STRETCH ROUTINE | After Workout | Muscle Recovery
4. 10 min TRICEPS WORKOUT with Dumbbells | No Pushups
   
5. 10 min STANDING ARM WORKOUT | With Dumbbells | Biceps, Triceps and Shoulders | Zero Pushups
6. 12 min STANDING ARM WORKOUT | With Dumbbells | No Pushups 
7. 15 min STANDING ARM WORKOUT | With Dumbbells | Upper Body
8. 15 min STANDING ARMS AND ABS WORKOUT | With Dumbbells | Upper Body | No Repeats
9. 20 min STANDING ARM WORKOUT | With Dumbbells | No Pushups
10. STANDING TONED ARMS & BACK In Just 10 Mins/Days ~ Lose Back + Arm Fat Faster (Weights vs. No Weights) 
11. 10 Min ABS + SMALL WAIST | All Standing - No Jumping, No Repeat, Warm Up + Cool Down, At Home
    
12. 10 Minute Flat Abs Workout for Insane Results!
    
13. 10 min BRA BULGE & BACK FAT WORKOUT | Chest, Back & Arms
14. 5 min GROW YOUR BOOTY WORKOUT // No Squats No Equipment
    
15. 10 MIN LEG/BOOTY/THIGH WORKOUT (No Equipment Killer Legs)
16. 30 MIN PILATES FOR WEIGHT LOSS | best calories burn,
17. 20 MIN ABS & BOOTY - on the floor, no squats/lunges, you will feel it in your abs if done properly!
    

Back Fat Blaster!!! // Upper Body Workout with Weights
BACK & BRA BULGE 5 Min. Workout | Lose Back Fat in 2 WEEKS!! (No Equipment / Upper Body Burn).

Best of luck to those achieving your own personal fitness goals! 😘

-Lower Body Workout-

"The clock is ticking. Are you becoming the person you want to be?" ~ Greg Plitt

This is for those who want to focus on lower body as well if you wish to check some of these videos out to further your fitness goals.

1. 10 MIN TONED INNER THIGH WORKOUT - effectively target the inner part of your legs (dumbbell only) This is my go-to inner thigh exercise routine!
   
2. 10 min | 10 Days | 10 Exercises to GROW BUBBLE BUTT - Intense Booty Challenge
3. 10 Min Slim Inner + Outer Thighs | All Standing Workout, No Jumping, No Repeat, No Equipment 
4. 20 min LOWER BODY WORKOUT | With Dumbbells (And without) | Low Impact | Legs and Booty
5. BOOTY & LEG BUILDING KETTLEBELL WORKOUT
6. IF YOU HAVE CELLULITE... (WATCH THIS!)

-Upper Body Workout-

"Setting goals is the first step into turning the invisible into the visible." ~ Tony Robbins

More for your goals! Whatever your personal goals are, continue your hard work and you will see results. Keep in mind, weight loss will not happen overnight but with time and be patient because you will see results. Even if you may not see your desired results right away, I'm sure others will take notice of your weight loss. I'm proud of you for making it this far with your fitness goals and keep pushing forward. Make realistic goals for yourselves.

1. LADIES, STOP DOING ABS !? [DO THIS FIRST]
2. FUPA SHRED In 30 Days | New Year Workout Challenge! (2023)
3. 2 in 1 FLAT STOMACH AND ROUND BOOTY Workout | (30 Min)
4. 7 DAY CHALLENGE - 10 MIN WORKOUT TO LOSE BELLY FAT | AB WORKOUT TO LOSE INCHES!
5. 10 MIN LOVE HANDLES AND LOWER BELLY FAT WORKOUT Standing Only | No Equipment!
6. 10 min STANDING ABS WORKOUT | One Dumbbell | Low Impact | Beginner Friendly 
7. 10 min RESISTANCE BAND ARM WORKOUT | Tone Your Upper Body

 -Full Body Workout-

"Don't wait until you've reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching the goal." ~ Unknown

I'm going to end it here before I end up adding more videos for you to do. If you're looking for a workout challenge, check out fitbymlk since she has some decent workout challenges and feel free to check them out at your own leisure! Keep at it and challenge yourselves because it will pay off in the end, keep pushing yourself. Be mindful on your diet as well.

1. WEEK 1 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
2. WEEK 2 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
3. WEEK 3 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
4. WEEK 4 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
5. WEEK 5 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
6. WEEK 6 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
7. WEEK 7 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE
8. WEEK 8 - WINTER WORKOUT CHALLENGE

Extremely Powerful Fat Burn Frequency || 295.8 Hz || Weight Loss Binaural Beats, Burn Fat Cells.

Best of luck on your fitness journey and never lose sight of why you began this journey!

 

 Blessed be,

Jennifer

Public Assistance Resources

“The biggest and most deadly ‘tax’ rate on the poor comes from a loss of a various welfare state benefits - food stamps, housing subsidies and the like - if their income goes up.” ~ Thomas Sowell

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and sane, especially those who are parents [regardless of marital status] with young children but I mean that with endearment (yeah right, *Please note the sarcasm*). All links are provided in this blog for easier access to necessary documents to print out but you can view them at your own leisure time. I wanted to provide New York City residents with some resources that I have on my end but to the best of my knowledge for the moment and one that comes to mind is Single Stop because I’ve utilized their services since early 2015 in regards of public housing; filing for my taxes for free (providing if you earn under $54,000 annually) which is called FREE In-Person TAX Preparation; annual Medicaid and SNAP recertification. Single Stop also assist people with applying for both SNAP and Medicaid or Medicare. However, the only resources I am only able to [currently] provide is Single Stop and as well as participating CUNY colleges such as CUNY - LaGuardia Community College and CUNY - Queensborough Community College. Don’t get me wrong, I am aware that there are other resources similar to Single Stop where you’d be able to get everything or get as much done as possible. To me, it’s worth it because I don’t even earn heck of a lot at Staples and especially during tax season where I don’t get to pay anything since it is after all is free in-person tax preparation. I’m not cut out in doing my own taxes since I become easily frustrated and yet impatient but I will give the tax preparers more credit than I will ever give myself in this life. I’m sure there’s people out there that have more confidence in me than I have from within. And come to think of it, I have one more resource for those with children living in the New York City area. It’s the Child Center of New York and they provide services for counseling or even employment opportunities. It’s best to contact Single Stop at your earliest convenience if you’ve felt that you’ve fallen on hard times with putting food on the table or keeping up with the rent, etc. So far, as far as my knowledge are Single Stop; Child Center of New York; and select CUNY Colleges that are actively participating in Single Stop. The rest I would have to research a little more and update this blog or extend this blog into a Public Assistances Part II. If you’re looking to apply for public assistance online, there is also ACCESS - HRA and Fresh EBT and you can also download both apps on your phone as well. Both apps are available on Android and iPhones. Here are several articles I’ve found: AM NY: Here is a list of resources for those struggling during the coronavirus crisis; Daily News: How to stop NYC from starving: A coronavirus crisis imperative; USDA: SNAP benefits up 40 percent; New York Post: Why NYC grocery stores that cater to the rich are struggling amid coronavirus; Daily News: New social distancing efforts coming to NYC farmers markets, as vendors fears a shutdown; and The New York Times: Why Outdoor Farmers’ Markets Matter More Than Ever. Again, feel free to check it out at you own leisure.

-For Further Resources-

• ACCESS - HRA.
• Alternate High Schools and Internships.
• Child Center of NY: Single Stop.
• Reduced Fare Bike Share.
• Participating CUNY College locations for Single Stop.
• Department of Labor.
• Fresh E.B.T. [Electronic Benefits Transfer]
• Food Bank for New York City.
• Greenmarket Farmers Market.
• New York City 2019 - 2020 Year-Round Farmer Markets.
• Single Stop - USA.
• SNAP Now [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]: (718) 762-7669.
• If you would like to request an in-person interview, call HRA’s info line: (718) 557-1399 to schedule an appointment or go to your local SNAP Center.
• Time Out: The best farmers’ markets in NYC.

-CUNY College-

Participating CUNY [The City University of New York] colleges for Single Stop.

• BMCC: CUNY - Borough of Manhattan Community College.
• Bronx Community College: CUNY - Bronx Community College.
• Guttman Community College: CUNY - Guttman Community College.
• Hostos Community College: CUNY - Hostos Community College.
• Kingsborough Community College: CUNY - Kingsborough Community College.
• LaGuardia Community College: CUNY - LaGuardia Community College.
• Queensborough Community College: CUNY - Queensborough Community College.
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice: John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

-SNAP [Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program] Benefits-

I am going to make an honest suggestion for those who have fallen on hard times in regards of putting food on the table is to apply for SNAP benefits is by making an appointment with Single Stop or through the website ACCESS - HRA, but first, you have two choices of Adorama or B&H: Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders for flash drives and please do yourself a favor, buy yourself a flash drive such as a Kingston flash drive [in the links provided below] that can stay on your key chain full-time, gather all of your important documents and head to your local Queens Public Library [links are provided below] that have scanners and so far, I only know of four public libraries with scanners. Before you stop by at the library to scan your documents, make sure you have your landlord fill out the Primary Tenant’s Statement Regarding Occupancy of Secondary Tenant and this is when you make your way to the library to scan the documents. There should be considered miscellaneous set of documents but have the last ninety days worth of receipts from when you’ve gone grocery shopping and as well as clothes shopping. I would suggest gather all your receipts from clothes shopping, school supply shopping, if your phone carrier is: Boost Mobile; Total Wireless; T-Mobile; or Verzion [prepaid], visit a Duane Reade, CVS, or a Walgreen’s for a phone card and if you rely on public transportation, save all of your receipts for all three months. Make sure you pay for most or all of your groceries in cash so these people at the food stamp office cannot trace these transactions back to you and every once in a while is acceptable to use a charge card but not too often. On your flash drive, make sure you create a folder titled Public Assistance (all in capital so it’ll be easier to locate for future use); create separate folders to put different documents into each folder for when you’ll need to go into that specific folder for whatever documents you may need. At least have one folder titled Family Documents, meaning within that Public Assistance folder create a folder for yourself, if you’re married then create a separate folder for your spouse, and if you have dependents (children), create individual folders for everyone in your household. Be sure to even include an official transcript from high school, college, and also include at least your high school diploma along with at least two recent report cards from school. Do the same set of documents for you and your spouse and make sure you’ve included everything if in the event that these people at the food stamp office give you a hard time regarding your documents you’ve recently submitted. Let’s hope they’ll have all your documents on file and make sure you’ve scanned every document onto your flash drive as proof in case if your personal information gets lost in the mail. Reason being for individual folders for everyone living with you is because anything could happen within your household, meaning any situation relating to an unexpected death or a divorce then I’m sure you’re not looking to delete all the information you’ve spent time and energy scanning documents then having to start from scratch so to speak. When the time comes to do your annual recertification, make sure you make an appointment with Single Stop so they can properly assist you with your annual recertification for both SNAP and Medicaid. Just follow the guidelines for the documents you’ll need to submit and make sure you’ve scanned any paperwork that you’ve filled out so this way these people at the food stamp office cannot say shit to you that you’ve “never submitted” this document or that document. If you’re receiving SNAP benefits and Medicaid, check out these two articles but I don’t know how legit this is but worth the investigation of it: How To Increase Your Food Stamp Benefits and How to Get Free Government Internet and Laptop. Way I feel about the free laptop and free government internet is for Big Brother to keep tabs on your every move you make but not for your best interest but for themselves.

-SNAP Documents-

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Documentation Guide!
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Income Guidelines.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - CBPP.
• SNAP Application/Recertification - Office of Temporary and Disability!
• Primary Tenant’s Statement Regarding Occupancy of Secondary Tenant!
• W-532 Letter to Past and Present Employer.
• I know this form is used for in Family Court but I’m sure in its own way is useful for when you are submitting documents to the food stamp office. Income and Expenses NYC Family Court.
• It’s a great investment to have a presentation book from Staples to store your personal documents and a spare SNAP application to keep yourself organized. Staples Letter Clear Cover Presentation Book!

-Queens Library-

Here are some links to the four Queens public libraries with scanners. Be mindful that often times that some of these scanners tend to freeze up on you if you catch the scanner on its menstrual cycle so to speak and I know it sounds cheesy. I’ve had that experience before at both Bayside and Windsor where I was in the middle of scanning, the scanner just quits on me.

• Queens Public Library.
• Bayside Public Library.
• Flushing Public Library.
• Fresh Meadows Public Library.
• Windsor Public Library!

-Flash Drives-

Here are several links for flash drives at Adorama and B&H for your earliest convenience. K&M Camera is a third option for when Adorama and B&H are closed early on Fridays and closed on Saturdays (online shopping is available). Contact Adorama and B&H for upcoming holiday hours for any upcoming Jewish holidays. K&M Camera is open on Saturdays and it’s a great way to go shopping for specific photography items such as 35mm film or any other item you need if you need a specific item that same day. If you ask me, these flash drives are worth the investment for yourself and your children. It’s a headache when you’ve misplaced your flash drive and the option is yours to purchase any of these flash drives. If you’re a photographer or a graphic designer then I would highly suggest the Kingston 128gb flash drive.

1. Kingston Technology DataTraveler SE9 G2 32GB Lightweight USB 3.0 Flash Drive for $9.99
2. Kingston 64GB DataTraveler SE9 G2 USB 3.0 for $12.49
3. Kingston 128GB DataTraveler SE9 G2 USB 3.0 for $25.99

Best of luck to those who are looking to apply for public assistance either for someone you know or yourself and your family. Pass this along to anyone needing assistance with groceries and I hope the information is useful. Be safe out there and be healthy. Don’t let the news media scare you because that’s what they do best!

Blessed be,

Jennifer

*Caution: At the time of this blog, there will be items at Adorama or B&H that will no longer be sold at these location in the future. For flash drives, best to have a flash drive to have on your key chain to prevent from misplacing/or losing flash drive.

A Foolproof Guide to Fitness Challenge

“I work out not to lose weight but to maintain my good health. And anyway, if I did want to lose weight, it would be no one's decision but my own.” ~ Ashley Graham

 

If you're like me of where your weight fluctuates up and down like a yo-yo and you feel ready for a healthy change, you're  making the right decision for a healthier you! To get in shape is to shop for a proper workout attire and comfortable footwear, an iPod, some hand weights or resistant bands, fitness DVDs such as Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss, MTV: The Grind Workout Hip-Hop Aerobics and Mia St. John's Million Dollar Workout: Basic Training, a gym membership if you choose to join a gym and friends who are in the struggle of getting in shape. However, if you're feeling unsure of where to begin, feel freed to try some instructional exercise DVDs for beginners. I recommend any beginners Pilates DVDs such as Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates and The Method: Pilates Target Specifics Plus or if you're searching for dance DVDs such as Crunch: Cardio Dance Blast! With Marie Forleo and Urban Street Heat with MaDonna Grimes: Dance Fitness for Beginners and if you're searching for cardio, there's Mia St. John's Million Dollar Workout: Basic Training and Self: Sculpt Sexy Legs Fast! Choose a fitness DVD that best suits your fitness interests, some people may want to focus on upper body and challenge themselves with resistance bands or while people may want to work on lower body whereas other people may want to focus on a full body exercise routine to gain physical strength. There are DVDs for women who are pregnant looking to stay fit during and after pregnancy. First, set a realistic goal for a successful and healthy weight loss. Go at your own pace and make sure your mind is in the right place. Secondly, you may want to shop at stores such as Gap Body, Kohl's, Athleta or an athletic store such as Dick's Sporting Goods Store or Sports Authority for comfortable workout attire and comfortable footwear. Third, visit your local library or a Barnes & Noble Bookstore for books on health benefits of going vegan or any diet plan that may fit your personal interests. Search for cookbooks such as 'Asian Vegan Cooking: A High Energy Approach to Healthy Living' by Kim Le and '1,000 Vegetarian Recipes' by Carol Gelles for great recipe ideas. Fourth, write any questions you may want to ask your nutritionist about following a diet plan. Finally, speak with your nutritionist about which diet plan is best for your weight loss. Windmill Garcinia Cambogia.

Once when you've found your workout attire; an iPod; hand weights or resistance bands; fitness DVDs; a diet plan that will work for you; a gym membership; and friends who are in the struggle to get in shape! In addition, if you're training on your own, use an iPod as a source of motivation and be sure to set up a playlist of your favorite music to motivate you. If you choose to use fitness DVDs, use the fitness DVDs for cardio three days per week but have fun and alternate every other day if possible by doing yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates. Begin each morning with cardio, Pilates, yoga, meditation or Tai Chi to help you remain focused throughout your day. End your day with some evening yoga or meditation to unwind and clear your mind from the chaos and stress of your day. Dedicate a half hour to an hour each day of your daily exercises to prevent yourself from becoming preoccupied with everyday life and it's always good to have a support team of friends and family to cheer, encourage, remind, and motivate you to keep going, even on days where you want to throw in the towel. If you choose to do your daily exercises without fitness DVDs, it's best to do a full body workout to receive the most benefits of each workout but do a minimum of three sets of tens with a thirty second intervals in between each rep to keep up the heart rate. If you feel you're becoming stronger each week, challenge yourself by increasing each rep by five and to prevent any injuries from accruing is to warm up before any exercises as well as a cool down after every exercise. If you're searching for a challenge in your workout, head to your local sports authority store for resistance bands such as Dick's Sporting Goods; Modell's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority stores for resistance bands. It's best to always challenge yourself with each routine each week and set a realistic goal for yourself on how much weight you wish to lose. If any injuries do accrue, then seek medical attention immediately. However, if you have medical issues, speak with your primary care physician on which kind of exercises best suits you.

On the other hand, if you choose to become a gym member, there are different aerobic classes to choose from such as Zumba, yoga, cardio; strength training and Pilates. Certain gyms have swimming pools and saunas such as 24 Hour Fitness in Douglaston, New York. Check out each gym to see which gym that fits your budget, find out as much as you can on each personal trainer if you feel less than confident training on your own. Feel free to explore different aerobics classes that particular gym has to offer to your fullest advantage and once when you've found an aerobics class of interest then go for it in that particular gym. You should have a minimum of three pictures: one front facing (face to camera), a rear facing (back to camera) and a side view (right or left side facing camera) as your "Before" and "After" pictures. There are pole dancing facilities you can check out such as Body & Pole; Exotic Dance Central or S Factor to get in shape, lose weight and meet new people. There are certain gyms such as New York Sports Club; Equinox; and Crunch Fitness that offer spin classes and there are facilities that offer yoga classes such as Bikram Yoga NYC; Jivamukti Yoga NYC; and OM Factory. Furthermore, if you choose not to become a gym member, you can visit your local martial arts center such as Krav Maga Institute; Evolution Muay Thai; and Tiger Shulmann's Martial Arts to learn self-defense, meet new people, lose weight, and get in shape! There are introduction and trial classes at each facility in which people can check out. Prices may vary at each location and are subject to change. If the idea of becoming a gym member, pole dancing, boxing, kickboxing and martial arts centers are out of the question, your sixth option is you can become a YMCA member where you can join for a monthly fee. After each workout, you'll feel better about yourself as a result of getting in shape and your mood will improve.

Consequently, stick with what you can do but then challenge yourself as often as possible to prevent boredom and consider writing down your goals so you'll have inspiration during hard days. Find local fitness support groups in your neighborhood that will help you remain motivated until you've reached your personal goal! Be mindful and clear about your goals, do some research on different diets such as The South Beach Diet; Atkins Diet; Zone; Ornish; LEARN; vegan; and just to name a few of the diets but however, steer clear of any crash diets that will ultimately sabotage your diet and overall health. A diet may not be suitable for everyone just because one particular diet has worked for one person may not be suitable for the next person who may be searching for a "quick fix" and it's best to make sure that diet is not just a diet but a healthy lifestyle as well! Be sure to search for health benefits are of each diet and for best results, it's best to combine a healthy diet and exercise into your daily routine. It's all about having a strong will, a strong determination and a strong perseverance through all the tough times on how to get in shape! "It's challenging, but you have to at least try to eat right and exercise." ~ Joely Fisher.

Fitness Challenge

Greetings!

I honestly have been wanting to get in shape for the last several months and didn't know where to begin or who to ask. Now, I feel inspired and grew tired of people asking me when I'm going to lose weight or if I'm pregnant. Keep in mind that I have been a yo-yo dieter for a long time and I would say since junior high school. Yet one of my coworkers was saying several months ago that one of the girls in his high school had done a 30 Day Fitness Challenge of doing a thousand squats/lunges and this hadn't hit me until today because I had been wanting to train with someone for a while in recent months! So I figured I would begin my 90 Day Fitness Challenge until September of 2014 and this is a goal rather than a "deadline" because I don't want to rush through my fitness routines than grow disappointed in the end. I have picked out six DVDs for 90 days each (one DVD per 90 days) and if I had thought of this 90 Day for 18 Month Fitness Challenge shortly just before the start of the New Year, I would have began with the Shape: Ultimate Bikini Body Workout from January through March than go onto the next DVD. For more information, please contact me at scorpionimages@hotmail.com with subject "18 Month Fitness Challenge" and I'll send you the information of what I had in mind for my Fitness Challenge. Feel free to call me up and say: "Jenn - Jenn, I'm dragging your ass to the gym [or park depending on Mother Nature] today and I don't care what you have to say!" I wouldn't be shocked if you put me over your shoulder and dragged me to a gym to work out until I sweat these pounds and calories away! My fitness goal is to gain three things: Confidence, Energy, and Feeling better about my physical appearance (especially how I appear to other people).

As of lately, I have been working out to Shape: Make-Over Your Butt, Hips & Thighs until my 90 Days is over which is Phase One of my workout and I've been doing the Ballet Sculpt segment of the Shape: Make-Over Your Butt, Hips & Thighs DVD. So far, I am slowly beginning to feel the difference in my lower body! Fro the time being, I figured the warmer weather is slowly approaching I would workout for ten minutes per day until autumn and winter arrives which is when I'll focus on Shape: Ultimate Bikini Body Workout and Self: Sculpt Sexy Legs Fast! My plan is to include circuit training, cardio and Pilates within the 90 Day Fitness Challenge. My specific troubled areas of where I would love to focus on are mid-section (love handles and stomach), working those triceps but over all arms, inner thighs, getting rid of those cellulite and my derriere. Most of all, I would love to have arms like Angela Bassett when she starred in 'What's Love Got To Do With It' and 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back' and abs of steel like Janet Jackson when she had done her 'All For You' tour on HBO in Hawaii! I think they both look amazing to the point that it's not even funny and I know it'll take a lot of dedication and hard work but I'm willing to put in my hard work. I so want sexy legs as well! Over all, I want to be a MILF (Mothers I would Like to Fuck). Exercising at home by using what I have would save me loads of money instead of joining a gym such as Bally Total Fitness, Lucille Roberts or Planet Fitness because I cannot afford a gym membership at the moment (not until I'm financially stable enough to hold down a gym membership and have someone to go with me). Working out at home is very affordable because you wouldn't have to worry as much when it comes to your membership payments if you were to join a gym and unfortunately if you want a personal trainer, you still have to spend extra money on top of your monthly gym membership which may or may not be worth your wallet (depending on your financial situation). I think having a workout partner would be a life saver because when you're feeling lazy or fall off of the band wagon, and you have that friend calling you up everyday encouraging you to get off of your lazy ass and work out (even if they have to come by to your place of residence to throw you over their shoulder to take you to a park just to work out) for an hour that would be fine by me because I know I will be needing that kind of encouragement from people. I hope to reach my fitness goal by the end of September of 2014 because I figured 18 months would give me time to see and feel the results during this time period and I am hoping this fitness challenge would be much of a distraction from my depression if I continue to stay physically active.

In terms of having a diet plan, truth be told, I have not picked out a diet plan that would work for me and I honestly do not want to concern myself over which diet would be best for me. But if I had to choose which diet to with during my fitness challenge and I would honestly choose a low carb diet. Yet I am curious if I can just exercise without the hustles and bustles of having to sacrifice my favorite junk food or even a slice of pizza. I realize you can't simply just exercise and not diet at the same time to look and feel fabulous. In the end, I want to tell people "Bitch please, I feel fabulous!" and walk away smiling. I don't know of any straight person who uses the word "Fabulous" in a sentence. Would I do calorie counting? For now, I wouldn't even bother with calorie counting because it's way too much work and I can't simply be bothered with calorie counting diet. I also have a diet book: Prevention's 3-2-1 Weight Loss Plan by Joy Bauer and haven't had the chance to finish reading the book. In time I'll pick a calorie diet when I'm ready to begin my diet regimen and hopefully the calorie dieting won't drive me stir crazy because I'm counting calories!

Warm blessings,
Jennifer