For the Love of Foam

After switching gyms and feeling like the new kids on the block we are finally starting to be comfortable at the impeccabley clean 24 hour fitness in Arlington, Texas. Teaching ourselves the ins and outs of the weight area hasn't been easy and since Anna has the memory of a small gerbil once her work day is over, it's been interesting to watch us wander around trying to remember what goes where. Lucky for us, we are the dynamic duo and we aren't afraid to look a little silly trying out new things-especially if we are together! So last week we finally decided to try out the awkward looking, yet so enticing foam roller- and it. was. amazing!!

WHAT IS IT?

It is literally a foam log about 6 inches in diameter that can give you all the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the price tag! At our gym they are over by the kettlebells and mats if that helps you any!

WHY USE IT?

It helps break up trigger points, stretch muscles and tendons and helps increase blood circulation. It also helps your muscles release lactic acid build up which will help you not cramp up! 

HOW TO USE IT

It is really as easy as it looks! You use your body weight to roll yourself back and forth on the foam. Although not all positions are borderline sexual, you might find yourself with your rearend up in the air and if you are anything like us this will then lead to giggling while asking each other "Is it inappropriate if I do this?" But this is also why we might be kindly asked to never return to our gym...so-do as we say not as we do! The foam roller works great on your hamstrings, quads, glutes and the side of your outside thigh above your kneecap (your IT band).

So give it a try! It'll hurt so good but your muscles will thank you later! We have started incorporating it into our weekly routine at the gym and since they only cost about $20 you can even do it at home to avoid the stares that we get at the gym. But ours are pretty much self induced....

Gaining Street Credit, Like in a Small Gang

We have officially ALMOST hit our four month mark and our bodies are evolving into what we like to call "bad bitch status"...What is this you may ask? It is when we are so confident with our progress we are finally able to rock those super tight, teeny tiny, bright colored shorty shorts ("bad bitch" shorts) that you see every hardcore, dedicated, cut up woman sporting on Pinterest and Intaagram Fit pages. We've day dreamed about the moment when we put a pair on and are able to strut up to that gym door and not question the jiggle in our step or the love in our handles, and I feel that we are seeing the light at the end of this tunnel.

It's all about that goal lately and we have been so dedicated to this new lifestyle that we have almost become obsessed with it. It's a routine to get to the gym, down our preworkout in the locker room all while giggling about cute front desk guys and why our past boyfriends were the ones that got away (or my goodness WHAT was I thinking). We then make our way upstairs and plan out our workout, hoping we didn't waste too much time because if we do, the pre workout kicks in and I resemble a three year old in a toy store and we just don't get anywhere. Then we go kill our workouts-together. The dynamic duo, there to support one another, push each other to do more reps, to do more weight, "Quit buckling your knees Anna!" and always there to give each other a pat on the back because we did it. We are almost to where we want to be-together. But what about without each other? What do we do when we get lives? Boyfriends? Jobs that require more than just your attention from 8-5? Can we do this by ourselves? Will Anna watch her own form and finally remember how many reps are in the last set of pyramid abs? Will I have my own motivation to actually do my cardio if Anna isn't forcing me to up the resistance on the elliptical. Life is finally starting to become an issue in our routine and last week I was forced to go without Anna, without my partner in crime, and one month ago I am almost positive I would have just decided to not go, but last week was my defining moment, alone, by myself with no one else there to hold me accountable, and at the end of my workout the feeling I had was an amazing one. 

Last Thursday I walked in the gym in a somber mood, ready to get in, get out, and be done with it. I punched in my code, quickly got my things in a locker and went straight to the stationary bike for a small warm up before I started my workout. I sat on the bike by myself thinking "Is this what people really do by themselves? This is so boring! What am I supposed to do without Anna to talk to? Just watch the screen? What is this?" As I walked over to the weight area, I had my defining moment when I decided against a boring hour of cardio machines and decided maybe I didn't need her to rock my arm workout...maybe, just maybe, this was something I could do by myself and I did. I did a full hour of free weights and just when I was almost done I decided that I didn't need Anna to finish off this amazing high with some bench press. I usually don't need a spot with her unless I put more than 10lbs plates on, so I put on some small 5lb plates and sat down. As I set my music to some Ke$ha (homegirl keeps my blood pumping), I noticed some stares from the heavily male populated area and I felt a rush. I was about to show all these men that I know what I am doing, that I belong here. And that is exactly what I did. I pumped out my reps, reracked my weights, because by golly I'm a lady and I follow the rules, and I walked over to stretch with a whole new attitude. This is me, this is the new Sheridan that I've always wanted to be. The gym doesn't define me, but it is part who I am. 2 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, this is part of my life, and I love it. I got a few head nods from some of the biggest guys up there, and one even pointed his finger at me like "I see you"! It was the moment I saw myself in a whole new light, and it was like I had gained some street cred of the Iron Gang of 24 hour fitness. I wasn't seen as the little blonde girl lost amongst men, I am now one of them. I'm not sure if that entails any weird gang related initiation period or if I have to pay different dues, but as long as I don't have to behead a chicken or anything I am proud to be officially part of this lifestyle. Now, I just need to figure out if that head nod included Anna or not because she's my homie too, you know?

Switch it up!

Once your busy work week is behind you it is easy to let the weekend get the best of you. I usually find myself glued to the TV with reruns of anything 90s and tell myself the gym will be there on Monday, as i stuff my face with delivery food. With nice weather approaching us the infamous "Sunday Funday" rolls around and you may find yourself joining the masses on a patio somewhere with happy hour frozen margs (extra salt, por favor!) and bottomless chips and salsa. Although we love to indulge ourselves in these shenanigans as well, we have started to try and mix up our weekends with something new and exciting and something that gets us active! It's been fun to test the waters and see what we like and what we might just leave to the pros! Looking for something to get you out of the same ol gym routine? Take a peek at what we have on our agendas!


ROCKCLIMBING
This was our first adventure together and we had a blast! Anna had the advantage of length while I had the advantage of small hands and tiny feet finding the crevices a little easier! Dyno-Rock in Arlington, Texas offers a full rental and day pass for around $20 and they were so helpful in teaching us the correct way to work the ropes! It was a killed upper body and core workout and we got to take fun pictures while we were at it! It was one of my favorite things we have done!

SWIMMING
We have actually started adding this into our weekly routines! It is a fun way to change up our normal routine in the gym and is the ultimate full body workout. We thought it would be a fun laid back way to get us active and we were so wrong. I don't think I've ever slept that hard after a workout. The trick is to keep moving! We both have swim experience but are far from Olympic status, so we take it easy with by interchanging some of our favorite strokes and paddle-board kicks to keep us going for the full workout.

HOT YOGA

So, this is on our agenda, and I am excited to see the fool I make out of myself with this one. I'm the farthest from graceful and I'm not a huge fan of the heat so we will see how this one goes. It's great to stretch out your body because flexibility will really help you perform better with weight lifting. So crank up that sauna and lets see how long it takes me to get stuck in the downward sad puppy...

KAYAKING
Anna and I are both pumped for this amazing Texas weather to make up its ever lovin' mind and stay warm for a minute so we can go try this one out! We are both water babies and love the idea of kayaking. It will be an amazing arm workout with rowing and you have to keep your core nice and tight to maintain a balance as to not inhale the unsanitary river water. Plus, we'll get a killer tan in the sun and what girl doesn't love getting a little color in while working out?

Simple Stir Fry

Let's face it, we live in a fast paced, fast-food America. We are all busy with school, work, and real life that sometimes it is easier to make an excuse rather than make your own meal. Eating healthy doesn't have to include 12 step recipes that require you to harvest your own grains in the deep depths of the Amazon. Here is a quick recipe that has simple ingredients and only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Plus it is only about 191 calories?!

Sheridan's Simply Stir-Fry

4oz Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast

1 or 2 cups Asian Blend Vegetables (depends on how hungry you are, its only 30cals a cup!)

1/4 cup White Onion (chunks)

1 clove of garlic

1 tablespoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce

Salt and Pepper to taste

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sriracha (optional for a kick)

I make sure and dice my chicken and have my onion and garlic chopped while the olive oil is warming up in a skillet. Once the oil is warm saute the garlic and onion, then add in the veggies and chicken. I like to salt and pepper at this point and add in my soy sauce so everything soaks in the flavor. Stir it all up to make sure everything is equally coated in the spices and soy sauce, wait for the chicken to be done and TADA! Add a little Sriracha, or a whole-lotta Sriracha and you're done. It is seriously THAT easy. It would have taken me more time to put on pants and go through the drive though at McDonalds! Hope you enjoy! 

Don't Shoot the Messenger

 

Although you may feel you are making healthier food choices and becoming somewhat consistent with your new fitness routine, there are many other factors that may be contributing to the fact that you are halfway convinced that your scale must be broken. Although a number is just a number and there are so many other fitness milestones to celebrate, to some of us watching the number go down can be the little bit of UMPF we need to keep us going. These are a few reasons why the weight isn't melt off as fast as you'd like.

YOU AREN'T DRINKING WATER

Studies show that not only does water keep your body hydrated (duh), it also aids in weight loss and can even help with portion control. I know we've all heard that drinking a glass of water before a meal will help you decide if you are really hungry, not just bored. Also, try and start your day with a bottle of water, and be consistent throughout the day so you don't feel like your eyeballs are floating from all the water you just slammed down before your workout. If you make it a habit, soon it won't be a chore and it just becomes second nature! I know a special someone (ehm, Aunt V) who absolutely despises drinking water due to its lack of taste, so try adding lemon juice or Mio to shake it up a bit!

YOU ARE DRINKING YOUR CALORIES

Alright ladies, lets get real, we all love to let loose and get a little rowdy once in a while. And if you don't? Well then you might just be a real snooze-fest. Anna and I both know the ins and outs of every dive in the Arlington area, and I might even have a few alter-egos that have come out after Lord only knows how many shots. This lifestyle isn't about going without, its about everything in moderation. Go out, have fun, but just like switching out a Kripsy Kreme donut for a healthier alternative, you can do the same with cocktails! Check out calorie content of certain liquors and be careful not to load up on sugar packed mixers. Switch out the Vodka-Cran for a Vodka-Tonic and try a Jack & Coke for a Jack & Diet. And lets just be realistic-Soda offers your body NO nutritional benefits. 210 calories in a drink is just a waste in my opinion when I could be chowing down on those calories instead. It's all about baby steps people, BABY STEPS!

YOU OVEREAT HEALTHY FOODS

Although there are such thing as healthy foods, these healthy foods still have calories. Sure, its always great to get in some protein after a workout, but not when you are eating spoonfuls of peanut butter. Although its packed with protein you are still eating around 100cals for 1 tablespoon! So just be conscious that although most natural, healthy foods are good for you they are not free of calories!

YOU ONLY DO CARDIO

If you are an avid elliptical girl and have never lifted a single pound in the gym you are only participating in one part of a two part routine! The BIGGEST MYTH IS THAT STRENGTH TRAINING WILL MAKE YOU BULK. Women that look like men, and lift like men, and even might have some questionable hair like men, are trying to look like men. It takes a lot of supplements, dedication and a serious motive to look like that. Strength training gives you muscle, muscle burns more calories than fat, and this all plays in to increasing your metabolic rate which will keep you torching those calories long after you have left the gym

YOU AREN'T TRACKING YOUR PROGRESS

Take pictures, lots of pictures, and measure your progress! Sometimes weight isn't the be all end all of a fitness journey. I can vouch for that. You will be so grossed out taking your first picture if you are anything like I am, but I promise, in 4 weeks you will compare and you will be astounded at the results. After 5 weeks I only dropped 4lbs but my body was changing in other ways that made me realize it is just a number, and my body will get where it is going when it is ready. Here's the proof!

So don't give up, don't fret about that stupid little silly number that sometimes feels like its mocking you define you and ruin this for you. Keep going, push yourself and you will be amazed at what you accomplish!