Building up your V02 max

I began climbing the staircases primarily to gain strength in my legs. Building up my v02 max was just a plus. I didn’t realize how effective climbing the stairs would be until I started running again.

Before, when I used to run the slightest incline, my calves would immediately tense up and my lungs would hurt. It’d feel like a cramp, only in my lungs, and was awful I’d end up breathing so heavily that I’d have to slow down significantly in order to regain control of my legs and breathing.

Now, running what I consider to be fairly steep hills doesn’t phase me at all. At the end of a 10km jog (which takes me roughly an 1hr), I find myself not even needing any recovery time. It almost makes me feel invincible!
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Most recently,

I went from climbing the stairs 5x (sets) = 3,620 steps, to 7X (sets)= 4,564 steps.
Instead of recovering once I reach the top, I’ve trained my body to recover as I go down the stairs, which saves a lot of time.

Tomorrow, the goal is to tackle 9X (sets) = 5,868 steps

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These little accomplishments have given me a great deal of confidence, in both my ability as well as my body

Tough Mudder Training- Developing Those Leg Muscles

The most brutal part of last years tough mudder was climbing the slopes multiple times. In order to prepare for it (the best one can anyways…) we decided to start climbing the stairs again. Although it’s a weak simulation of what to really expect, it’s an excellent way to build your V02 max and develop some serious strength in your calves and quads.

Going up the stairs = 326 steps one way
326 X 2 = 652 (one set, up & down)

We started off with 5 sets.

The goal is to continue to increase the sets, decrease rest periods and climb the stairs more quickly.

Girl put in work!

I’ve been eating much cleaner, smaller, frequent meals throughout the day while maintaining my regular workouts.
Although the changes in my body are subtle, I feel great none-the-less! I’ve discovered that my body now has a difficult time digesting foods like Wendy’s, and eating anything high in carbs for dinner also makes me feel incredibly sluggish. The best part about the changes in my meals is that I don’t feel bloated anymore!! yayy

On another note, I’ve got exactly 1 month before my doing my second tough mudder. Time to beef up my training!

Healthy lunch choices :)

Spinach Salad w/ chicken, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms and onions

chicken, small slices of avocado, and steamed veggies

Here’s a little advice from somebody who has no business giving it.

Screw what other people think.

We’re constantly told by the media what our bodies ought to look like. Am I right? As a female, reaching out to all the other young ladies out there, I can’t help but question, what is “ideal” and who’s it ideal to? Men? Eff that noise.

The last thing you should aim for, is to look a certain way for so-and-so, because really, do you REALLY want to be with someone who’s with you only for your looks? I’m willing to bet that “relationship” won’t last very long.

Can I also say that females, myself included, can often be terribly judgemental. Don’t lie and say that you’re not! Even if don’t vocalize it, you think it. We all do it. It’s okay. Within seconds of seeing another female, chances are you’ve already make an opinion of them. “Those are some nasty pants” “She’s got muffin tops” “I wish my hair looked like that” “She needs to lay off the blue eyeshadow”, “She’s got a gorgeous body”.

The second these opinions become toxic is when you begin to compare yourselves to other girls.

One of two things will often happen:

1). You make negative comments about /towards others to boost your own self esteem
2). You constantly covet things other girl have/look like, reducing your self esteem

Either way, it’s just not healthy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We are our own worst enemies.

The best thing you can do is learn to love the body you were born with, will continue live with, and will ultimately die with. I mean, a lifetime of hating your body? That seems like an exhausting and painful task in itself. You don’t like the way you look? Make positive changes. Change your eating habits (moderation not starvation!), enroll in a physically engaging activity with some friends. Do something, and do it for yourself.

I really and truly believe that people naturally gravitate towards others who are confident, because those people tend to be positive as well.

Okay, I’m done rambling!

20lbs heavier and many years later…

I can still fit into my old jeans from highschool

…and I love my body now, more than I ever have!

Incorporating strength training and weights into my workouts has done my body a great deal of justice!

Intensive Ab Workout

→ leg raises-centre (targets lower abs) x10 reps
→ leg raises-left (targets lower abs + obliques) x10 reps
→ leg raises-right (targets lower abs + obliques) x10 reps
*do 2 sets of these exercises (making it a total of 60 reps)
→ jack knives (targets core) x50 reps
→ russian twist (targets core + obliques) x30 reps
→ kettleball raise (targets core) x 30 reps
→ alternate 10 crunches (targets upper abs) + 10 bicycle crunches (targets core)
*do 3 sets of these exercises (making it a total of 60 reps)

Complete a total of 3 sets (this includes leg raises right down to the bicycle crunches)

Minimize taking breaks between the exercises unless absolutely necessary. When your abs starts to feel tense and painful, DO NOT STOP. The pain is an indication that your exercise is becoming effective. Before you know it, you’ll have a much stronger core, and will be able to double your reps pretty easily.

ALSO! Remember, doing straight ab exercises will not necessarily get you noticeable abs! Eat clean, and incorporate weights and cardio into your workouts as well!

BTW! Just wanted to share my sexy new trainers with you guys! <3 <3

Toe Touches

This is definitely one of my favourite crossfit exercises!
It’s a really effective way to build your forearms, and target your core + quads

My form is still a working progress.
I find it incredibly difficult to hold my stance when my feet hit the bar (when doing multiple reps)
In any case, some of you may be able to do this with ease!
Remember! The slower you do it, the more challenging and effective it becomes.

Spartan Beast Training Day 1

Hey guys!

Today officially marks day one of training for the Spartan Beast! My goal is to do this one competitively (for time) and do the Tough Mudder recreationally.

So todays exercises (crossfit) went as follows:

-Started with a 10 minute jog on the treadmill
-Toe Touches x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Pullup x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Pushups x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Jackknives x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Clean & Press (10kg) x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Leg raises x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Weighted squats (10kg) x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Prisoner Situps (5kg) x15 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Lunges x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Kettleball raise (10kg) x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Spiderman x20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps
-Mountain climbers x 20 reps
-Pushup burpees x10 reps

Most brutal workout of my life….Give it a try! Do it for time, and try to minimize taking long breaks

Overhead Squats

Part of my strength training workout;

max reps per min