It's Too HARD to Exercise (Joints, Backs, Fibromyalgia)

Welcome Back Workout Warriors!

     I want to talk about EXCUSES today.  Reasons, we may call them... not to exercise.  Throughout my years of coaching, teaching a group fitness class now and then, and the occasional personal training session, I have heard every creative excuse in the book.
     However, PAIN is a pretty strong deterrent from exercise.  When I was in college, my chiropractor told me I had fibromyalgia, based on all the symptoms.  If you know what that is, you understand it's hard to diagnose, harder to treat, and almost impossible to explain.  My extreme workouts seemed to keep it at bay, interestingly, but if I became over-tired, ill, or PMS symptoms appeared, so did the pain.
     It's easy to ignore it when you're young, and despite the so-called "diagnosis", nothing changed for me.  I had always had some body soreness and it seemed normal.  After college, and especially in grad school, I noticed it creeping back in.  Sometimes I couldn't even stand the feeling of a bra strap on my shoulder because it hit a pressure point and caused so much pain.


Tanya and I on a girl's night out :)



     I have a new chiropractor, and she has decided that fibromyalgia is a fad, and I'm just sensitive.  At first I was irritated, and frankly a little offended by the secondary diagnosis, but eventually it gave me a new perspective on things.  My body is sensitive.  I need sleep, I need quality food, and I need moderate, regular exercise, stretching and therapy.  I need to forgive myself when things hurt and I can't be active, and I need to skip the intense workouts when I'm not feeling great.  It's a RELIEF!  Who cares if I have a label?  I'm not trying to wear some "fibromyalgia" badge around.  I'd rather NOT have the label and just work on taking care of myself

   So, if you feel achy, sore, or in PAIN, know that you need your workouts, but not if they are aggravating an underlying issue.  Working through moderate pain, especially with a chronic problem, is often necessary.  I know that I must stay in shape and work through a certain amount of discomfort NOW or I will be in a great amount of pain LATER.  But I'd rather take the middle road and keep myself functional than go all out and be sidelined for the next week.  So be responsible to gauge your own discomfort levels, make sure you've talked with your doctor, and move forward with determination and courage each day.  Don't let anything stop YOU from setting goals and being successful!

Word of the Day:  MODERATION! 

Much love XOXO
Andrea

Super Quick Power Workout!

I had a busy day today!  After a 10 hour work day, weeding the roses, making dinner...I needed to work out, but my hubby wanted to watch a movie with me.  What's a girl to do?

A really short, intense workout so I can get to the movie watching! 

Still nursing a sore back:

20 min. on the stationary bike - HIGH resistance and sprints throughout
50 bicycle crunches
15 pushups - aiming for more, but my back isn't ready yet

     When you don't have a lot of time, ramp up the intensity as much as you can.  Even if you're walking, you can throw in a couple walk/sprints, or even jog intervals.  Get the heart rate up and make it worth your time!
     Did you know that bicycle crunches activate a HUGE number of your abdominal muscles
at the same time?!  Reminds me of Jane Fonda back in the day!  I know this looks like a WEAK workout, but it's certainly better than NOTHING :) 
Get out there and get active!

XOXO
Andrea

Decadence, Binge Eating, Crystal Renn in Vogue

     As much as the new spread of Crystal Renn are being talked about, and of course that's the point, why is my reaction generally one of disgust when I see this beautiful woman shoving food in her face?  What is it about the blatant, out-of-control visual that makes me cringe?   There are several overly sexual connotations, and an interesting parallel between desire of food and lust. Duh.  On a more personal note, I feel a connection, albeit in a much less glamorous way, to the out of control eating expressed in the pictures.  Crystal Renn is gorgeous, and she can continue to do spreads like this as long as she likes, continuing to be fabulous and fashion-y. 

 but I'll still look at this and think of binge eating.  Crystal has overcome an eating disorder, and props to her... anorexia is crazy scary.  I'm kind of amazed she is comfortable enough to do this shoot... 

Thoughts???

XOXO
Andrea
    

Taking a Break, Katherine Heigl, and Tom Selleck's Mustache

  Evening Girls ;)

     I had big plans for my workout today, but they fell flat...Bummer!  Last night I did my lunges, a couple crunches or so, and patted myself on the back for getting started on my goals.  Today I planned to run a bit with my b.ball team and jump into a scrimmage or two.

     WELL it didn't happen.  I started playing and immediately felt something start to give in my back.  So I took a hit to my pride and called for a sub.  Looking like a big wimp isn't my fave thing, but neither is spending the day at the chiropractor's (love ya Dr. Pam!). 

     So I can pat myself on the back for something else; that is, listening to my body's needs.  I'm not a teenager anymore, and I have WAY TOO MANY old injuries.  More often than not, what I need is a good solid cardio session, but on days like today when something feels off... I have to just let it go and try again tomorrow.

     Anyone out there watch the movie with Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher called "Killers"?  How great is Tom Selleck's mustache?!  I bet he would have a crazy tan line if he ever shaved it off!  LOL!

     Katherine Heigl's character cracks me up when admitting to "sucking it in all night" in her tight dress on a first date.  I have a couple cute dresses that need a whole lot more than me just sucking it in!  I'm determinged to fit into a few of those in time for holiday parties. 

Ok, it's bedtime for me :)  Remember to set your weekly goals and try something new and fresh!  I may need to adjust this week for my back and pull out the old yoga DVD.  Let me know how your weekly workout is coming along...

XOXO

Andrea 

Exercising Every Day?!

Hi Ladies...
     I was thinking about the issue of every-day-exercise today.  I coach high school basketball, and one PE class a day... I was thinking about how much my players work out, and imagining that I still did that.  Wow, it's a lot! 
     I simply can't commit that much time to working out anymore.  I have a job, lots of hobbies, a husband, a home, pets etc.  Not to mention the time I "need" to spend shopping on ebay.  obviously.  Let's be real.  My toes need a fresh coat of polish tonight, btw.  So when it's 106 outside, like it was today, and I'm generally feeling unmotivated, sometimes I look through my closet, listen to my dogs whine, or just wander by a mirror and the exercise mood strikes.  Other times, it doesn't. 
   I encourage you to keep a planner handy for workout accountability.  I can't imagine living without my planner, and I've begun using my phone in the last couple years for that purpose.  I have the tendency to lose track of the date, and before I know it, I'm really off track on exercise!  It's up to you, but decide how many days a week you need to workout.  Some kind of activity is important each day, but I know it's not always happening for me.  I need at least 4 days of activity. 
     I used to be neurotic about it, and you would NEVER catch me taking a day off.  But that had a lot to do with the mass quantities of food I was putting away, too!  I tell ya, I used to be able to keep up with the big boys.  So now that my food intake is more moderate, my exercise can be as well.  And I have more time for my other hobbies!  I still count eating as a favorite activity, but not in a weird way ;) 
     SO!  My challenge to you is this:  Give yourself a challenge this week.  Decide on several physically challenging activities you want to do this week, and make it happen.  Let us know how it goes!
    Here's my list:
1.  Do 50 lunges 3X this week
2.  Run lines with my b.ball girls at least once
3.  Walk my doggies 3X

This is Porkchop, and she wants a walk!

XOXO
Andrea

Come check out a real world approach to fitness and life!

Welcome, Ladies!!!  I'm assuming that if you're here reading... You WORK OUT, or maybe you want to start!  I'm also thinking you might not be a size two.  I'm Andrea, and I'm all about a balanced and fun approach to life.  I'm hoping you're out there working hard, playing hard, and experiencing life to the very fullest!

     Being obsessed about food and exercise robbed some delicious and enjoyable years from my life, but not anymore!  I hope you can join me as I navigate the adventures of eating, exercising, and enjoying each moment.

    My name is Andrea.  I live and work in Southern California, but I'm a proud Oregon native :)  Oregon is known for its beautiful scenery, plenty of liquid sunshine, and a low obesity rate!  What a cool distinction.  Oregonians know that, rain or shine, physical activity is super important to daily life.
     You might be here because you're curious about the name, "Big Girls Work Out Too", or maybe because you already know me, and you wonder what the heck I'm up to... I've always been passionate about health and fitness, but it hasn't always been in a balanced way.  I spent a lot of years being weird about my food, obsessive about my exercise, and generally annoying to everyone around me when the subject came up.  I was also a vegetarian, but obviously, I've deviated from that theme ;) 

Amazing Food from the MGM in Vegas!

    
     Things have changed, I'm happy to say :)  And as I've gotten a bit older I've realized that I wasn't alone in my compulsive ways, and a lot of the girls out there are still struggling with this same issue. I'd like to share some of my experiences and perhaps help a few others along the way.  I'm looking forward to sharing my adventures, hearing about yours, and being challenged to make better choices each day :) 

Stay tuned for more!
XOXO  Andrea