Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Wild Workout Wednesday +A Fat Blasting Kettlebell Workout


Happy Wild Workout Wednesday!  Every week I team up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Sarah from Creating a Better Tomorrow, and Michelle from Fruition Fitness to bring you motivation, workouts, recipes, and so much more.  If you have a fitness or healthy living post please be sure to link up!  Enjoy all of today's Wild Workout Wednesday Link up posts.  I know I always do.



About 4 years ago I decided to become Kettlebell certified.  At the time I was working at Lifetime Fitness and kettlebells were all the rage!  In order to use the kettlebells with our clients we had to be certified as they require a certain technique and we needed to be safe with them as well.  I was excited when KettleBell Concepts came to Lifetime to offer the Level 1 certification to all the trainers that wanted to get certified.  After 2 intense days of learning about the different moves, workouts, and safety precautions I tested out and was officially certified.  I used to run a few small group fitness classes and we incorporated kettlebells and my clients were always dripping in sweat at the end of class.  I started to add them to my workouts as well, and I really love the versatility they add to a workout!


Why add kettlebell training to your workouts?  The biggest reason is the functional training that the moves in the kettlebell works offer.  Functional training means that the workouts prepare your body for everyday movements, bending, twisting, reaching and lifting.  These workouts challenge your neuromuscular system different than other workouts to.  The body has to respond to the momentum of the kettlebell and you have to work to get it moving.  You also torch a whole lot of calories in a kettlebell workout, you will be dripping in sweat after a killer kettlebell workout.  If you haven't ever tried a kettlebell workout, I suggest finding a certified instructor to teach you the basic moves and safety of using the kettlebells.  Also, start with lighter weights until you master the move, then you can increase your weights accordingly.  I use mostly 20-25 for swinging movements, and 30-40 when doing more of the strength moves, but keep in  mind I am advanced when it comes to fitness and kettlebells, I have slowly worked my way up there.  Are you ready for a kettlebell workout you can add to your weekly workouts and blast some fat?  Here you go!!

Visit this website to see these moves and for instructions on proper form.

**Disclaimer:  I am a certified personal trainer, but I am not your personal trainer.  Be sure to check with your health care provider before starting this or any new workout.  If you are a beginner, please consult a certified kettlebell instructor before trying this workout.


Are you ready to reach your health & fitness goals?  Need some help getting started?  I have created a  Monthly Fitness & Nutrition Group designed to do just that!  It is affordable and will give you all the tools you need to be successful!  We will be starting on August 1st, and you still have time to sign up. 

Why sign up?  If you are looking to lose some weight, learn to live a healthy lifestyle, get workouts, meal and snack guidelines, motivation and accountability then this is the group for you!  You will receive all this info, your personalized calorie and macro goals and will be added to the AM Fit Girls Facebook group as well.  You will be working toward living your healthiest and fittest life with support from me as your coach and the support from the ladies in the Facebook group.  You can view all the info and register HERE.  Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have as well!


Now it is time to link up!  Check out the Wild Workout Wednesday page for all the link up details, and be sure to follow your link up hostesses in any way you can! 


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Nicole Wilkins Training Event + Nicole Wilkins Inspired Circuit Workout + AM Fitness Monthly Challenge Group Launch


Happy Wild Workout Wednesday!  Every week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Sarah from Creating a Better Tomorrow and Michelle from Fruition Fitness to bring you some awesome posts on workouts, motivation, recipes and so much more.  If you are a blogger we would love to have you link up with us!  The more the merrier.  If you are just here to find some new workouts, or some motivation you are in for a treat!  Make sure to share your favorite posts and pin your favorite workouts for later!  Thanks for joining us today!


On Sunday, I went to the train with Nicole Wilkins event.  It was AWESOME!  Nicole is such an inspiration to me and many women in the fitness industry.  She is 4x IFBB Figure Olympia Champion and she is going for #5 this year!  The event was divided into 2 portions the first was a killer workout, followed by a fitness and nutrition seminar and Q & A.  I made it about 10 minutes early and there were already so many people there, we waited to sign in then get a pic with Nicole and get our t-shirt and signed photograph.  Since there were so many people we had to get started with the workout before I had my chance to get my picture and my stuff!  I was worried I would miss the opportunity to meet her again this year and chat with her.  However I was assured there would be time after the seminar.  We all gathered in a group training studio and Nicole told us how the event would work.  We then did a 5 minute cardio warmup.  While I was waiting in line I met a new fit friend.  We decided we would take each others picture with Nicole at the end.  We hopped on some elliptical machines and chatted while we warmed up.  After we went back into the group fitness studio and Nicole explained the circuits.  We did 7 stations of circuits with 45 seconds of work and 15 seconds to change stations in between.  Some of the stations were lunges with a kettlebell shoulder press (killer!), walking lunges, biceps and triceps, and bench up and overs.  We did 3 different circuits total.  Who knew that 45 seconds could feel so long?  I was dripping in sweat and loving every minute of it.  Nicole was walking around cheering us on, it was seriously so much fun to be in a room with a group of fit chicks (and some dudes)  and then to have Nicole tell you are doing a great job was the icing on the cake.  I had a few fan girl moments!  She is so sweet and so passionate you could just feel her positive energy radiating through the room.  At the end of the circuits she had to challenges, in and out squat jumps and planks.  The first one I thought I had it in the bag...I do these almost everyday!  I made it to the final 6 out of 50 people, and my legs are still a little sore from it!  It was a lot of fun and the energy in the room was awesome! !


After the workout we all went to a larger room to cool down and listen to Nicole give some advice when it comes to fitness and nutrition, we then got to ask her some questions.  She was really honest and helpful.  It was fun to be able to listen to her talk about her passion!  It was contagious!  After the hour was up those of us who didn't get a chance to get a picture with her or our t-shit and signed photo went back into the gym.  I got to chat with her for a second and tell her thanks for the awesome event.  My new fit friend took our picture and then I waited to take hers.  When I looked at my phone only to notice the lighting in the picture made it so you couldn't see our faces, I was bummed.  But I waited patiently and asked Nicole if I could get one more picture since the first one didn't turn out.  After I got the "perfect pic", I was able to chat with her for a little bit about my goals.  She listened to what I had to say and offered some awesome advice, which I have already incorporated.  Nicole is so sweet and such a genuine person, I can tell that she wants everyone to truly reach their goals.  I left the event with a new friend, a ton of great info and advice from Nicole, and was on cloud nine for the rest of the day!  It's not everyday you get to meet your fitness idol, and that she takes the time to help you out.  I can't wait until next years event!  She even mentioned she may do a PhatCamp event here in the fall, and if she does you better believe that I will be there!  I am so motivated to work hard, eat right and reach the goals I have set for myself.  If you ever get the chance to go to a train with Nicole Wilkins event...take it!  She rocks!!  I even created a Nicole Wilkins Inspired Circuit Workout for you!  Check it out and be sure to share and pin for later!





I am excited to announce the launch of my monthly Fitness & Nutrition Challenge Group!  I will be running monthly groups that are designed to help you reach your goals.  I wanted to design something that would be affordable and accessible to women who are trying to reach their health & fitness goals.  The first group will start August 1st.  I will then be running the groups monthly! 


You will receive:
Weekly Strength and HIIT Cardio Workouts- at home or in a gym
Weekly Meal Suggestions
Weekly Snacks
Grocery Shopping Lists
Personalized Macros and Calorie Goals
Tracking sheets for measuring progress
Access To My Private Facebook Group- AM Fit Girls
*Connect with other ladies who are making lifestyle changes too
*Contact me directly with any questions
*Daily Motivation
*Weekly Workout challenges
*Accountability and support from myself as your coach and the other ladies in your group.  Success is found in support!
The cost is just $20 per month, which is just $5 a week...less than your weekly Starbucks habit!  Take the first steps to changing your life and I will help you with the rest!  My goal is to help women find the simple, healthy way to lasting weight loss, optimum fitness and a happy, healthy life!
You can find all the details and sign up HERE.  Sign up NOW for the August group!


Now be sure to link up your fitness or healthy living post for Wild Workout Wednesday!



Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Wild Workout Wednesday + An Update + AM Fitness Launch


Hi there!  I know I have been missing out on all the Wild Workout Wednesday fun lately and I am back!  I am finally in a good rhythm with my workouts, nutrition and I am trying to make the time for all the things I love, and that includes blogging.  I feel like I have a lot to fill you in on.  First I missed announcing Michelle from Fruition Fitness as the newest member of Wild Workout Wednesday, I have been enjoying her weekly posts.  Secondly, that my immune system is finally back on track with the help of my functional medicine doctor, thank goodness!  And last but not least is all the work I have been doing to launch the fitness brand AM Fitness under Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced.  I am really excited to launch everything in a few weeks.

 Thanks for joining us for another fun link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Sarah from Creating a Better Tomorrow and Michelle from Fruition Fitness.  You will find workouts, reviews, motivation, recipes and so much more.  If you are a blogger feel free to link up, we would love to have you!



A little while ago I shared with you a post about my path to finding optimum wellness and that I went to see a functional medicine doctor to see about my immune system and a few other things.  Since then I have been following Paleo, taking all my supplements, and working out regularly.  I have been feeling great so far and my digestion has improved along with my energy.  I went back a month ago for the follow up on my blood work and saliva test.  He said that everything looked really good, and that I would be an easy case.  It was so good to hear.  There were only 2 things that came up, one was low progesterone and the other was low vitamin D.  Both are pretty easy fixes and I will be working to get those numbers up.  He prescribed a progesterone cream and 10,000 IU of vitamin D for a month, then I will go back to my regular 5,000 IU daily.  My markers for inflammation and adrenal stress were both in the normal range so nothing to really worry about there.  I will however be staying on Paleo.  I really feel the best when eating a paleo diet because I focus on getting in vegetables, lean protein and fruits.  I also will snack on nuts and seeds when I need a snack.  I think the difference this time is that my hubby will be eating Paleo with me and that I know I can have some "non-paleo" foods at special occasions and be okay.  It's all about finding what works best for you and enjoying the treats in moderation.  This will give me the freedom to enjoy parties or a night out here and there. I just know that my body responds really well to Paleo, my digestion, skin, energy and sleep all improve when I am not eating dairy, grains, anything white, and legumes.  I have also lost 12 pounds and have lost the belly bloat.  My clothes are fitting so much better and my workouts are awesome.  I am finally putting on muscle and lifting heavier!  I feel fantastic!  I drink a lot of water and focus on whole real food.  Have you tried Paleo?  What would hold you back?

Lastly today I want to share with you my new venture AM Fitness.  I am going to be launching some new training programs for online clients and a monthly challenge group as well.  I love to help others find their love for fitness and bring out their inner athlete!  I am going to be also opening up a few time slots weekly for training 1:1 clients in my home.  I love 1:1 training and it is the one thing I miss about working at LifeTime.  I really enjoy having face to face interaction and helping my clients work toward their goals.  I tend to become friends with a lot of my clients and I still talk to a lot of the clients that I had from LifeTime.

Here are some of the things I will be launching in the coming weeks:
  • Monthly Challenge Groups with a Facebook group- this will include weekly workouts, meal and snack ideas and a weekly check in with me.
  • An Updated 4 Week Shape Up Plan
  •  A HIIT E-book 
  • Personalized online training programs
  • 1:1 Training, if you are in my area :-) 
I am so excited for all these fun things to come with AM Fitness and I can't wait to get everything launched and hear some feedback from you all.  What do you think of my logo?  I love it!  Once again my friend Laura did an amazing job.  Check her out if you need help with logos or branding:  www.laura-schmeisl.com.


Last year around this time I got to meet the Nicole Wilkins at the Nicole Wilkins Classic.  This year I am going to her training session that she is hosting.  It will be a group training session with a nutrition seminar after.  I am so excited for it and I will be sure to share all about it.  She is my fitness idol and I look up to the standard that she sets for women in the industry.

Now it's time for the Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up!  Be sure to add your link, follow all of your hostesses any way that you can and share the link up!  The more the merrier.  We will be sure to share as well and pin your pis to our group Wild Workout Wednesday Pinterest Board.

  Meet your Wild Workout Wednesday hostesses:

 


Here are the rules to join in:
1)  Follow your host and co-hosts in any way you can!

2) Link up with a fitness or healthy living post.  It can be something you just posted or a favorite from your archives as long as it is fitness or healthy living related.   Feel free to link up to 3 posts.

3) Snag our awesome Wild Workout Wednesday Button to make sure to link back in your blog post:

grab button for Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up
<div class="wild-workout-wednesday-link-up-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.angelenamarie.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd-kxmXpYv2iKSVqMHBXs1egmbWRre_vAXNhRyxfJOYdlNdi82yMK51ql6lF9FMXkN-N1aC3QHIcmTOoUMoBJZVlAnvXHKCsxxGWGIK0wh1ASrIfq-S7Z8BeI9Iw3K4DlVOtf4FiSc6aZ/s600/WildWorkoutWed_%25235.jpg" alt="Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div>


You can also display the button on your blog sidebar to spread the word about this fun linkup!
Thanks to my talented friend Laura for creating the logo for our link up.  Check her out at www.laura-schmeisl.com.

4) Make sure to leave a comment on the host and co-hosts link up post.

5) Visit at least 2 other blogs in the link up and leave a comment!

6) Share the love...post with the #wildworkoutwednesday on your posts to share this awesome link up and spread the word.  Sharing is caring!  You can also tag @angelenamarie1, @creatingbetter , @fitfoodiemama and @fruitionafitness on social media sites.