Empower Blog

I love to cycle, so whenever I can I take myself outside and jump on my bike. Whether I’m climbing mountains or cruising the streets, riding clears my mind, gives me a chance to breathe some fresh air and allows me to exercise outside of the stale gym environment.

In addition, cycling allows me to challenge my muscles in a different way from the step and strength classes I normally teach. It switches up the muscular skeletal or biomechanical stress on my body. This keeps my muscles working hard rather than allowing them to get so used to any one type of exercise that they get lazy.

So if you’re getting bored with your current workout routine or feel like you’re at a fitness plateau, it’s not as important what exercises you add to your regime as it is to add change of any kind. For example, switch from running to swimming, treadmill to elliptical or yoga to ab ball training. Or take a cue from me and climb on a bike. It’ll make you feel like a kid again while giving your butt and legs a killer workout.

Rest and Recover

I’ve been sniffling and sneezing, not really feeling like myself but also not sick. When I’m feeling “under the weather”, I always debate if I should exercise or not. Sometimes I feel better after a workout, then other times it makes it worse.

So you’re not feeling quite full of energy but when should you forego your workout? I’ve learned to listen to my body.

If you’re fatigued, then tone down the intensity of your regular workout. It’s true that there is a fine line where a light workout will energize you or further wear you down.

If you’re tired or not feeling well, you can become sloppy with your form or push yourself too hard and be susceptible to injury. When your body is fighting an allergy, virus, or illness it needs rest to recover.

The smart choice is to take it easy with your exercise regimen or even take a day off. Then you can turn up the intensity when you’re feeling like yourself again.

Did you know that how you treat your body in the minutes and hours after you exercise has a direct effect on not only muscle soreness, but also muscle strength and growth, and staying hydrated?

What to do first: Cool Down
When you are done exercising, the first thing you need to do is cool down. Even if running was all that you did, you still should do light cardio for a few minutes. This brings your heart rate down at a slow and steady pace, which helps you avoid feeling sick after a workout. Walking on a treadmill for five minutes is a good and easy way to cool down as well.

Next Up: Stretch
After a workout, muscles naturally contract. Stretching prevents muscles from shrinking and allows them to rebuild, which allows you to get the full benefit from your efforts. Stretching after exercise also relaxes your muscles, helps speed circulation to joints and tissues, and helps removal of unwanted waste products, which helps to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness.

Drink Water!
After your workout, you need to keep replenishing your fluid levels. It’s recommended that you drink 2-3 cups within two hours after you have finished. Then, drink water regularly afterwards. You may not feel thirsty anymore, but you still need to replenish yourself to avoid getting dehydrated.

Last but not least: Refuel
Eating is one of the most important items to do after a workout. You need to replenish the carbs you have burned through as well as repair your muscles and boost your energy level. It’s recommended that you eat within 90 minutes of your workout, but the sooner the better. Look for foods that are packed with complex carbohydrates and high in protein, like a tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread.

So, the next time you complete your workout, remember to follow these post-workout tips to get the most out of exercising!

Don't skip your stretching. Yes, I'll admit it - I preach the importance of stretching to everyone else but when I’m short on time I skip my stretching for five more minutes of training.

Well, I should say I used to skip my stretching.

I know all the reasons we need to stretch after our workouts but until recently I could get away without regular stretching (and not feel the repercussions). Maybe the change is because I’ve increased the intensity of my training, or maybe it’s because I’m not 25 anymore.

Whatever the reason, the past few months I’ve been feeling some aches and pains that I’d never felt before. I’ve turned over a new leaf when it comes to my workouts. Whether I’ve just finished a strength workout or a cardio session I take at least 5 minutes to stretch. At first it was hard to break my bad habit but I’m feeling the relief and enjoying the increased flexibility. I’ll be honest that there are still days when I opt for the extra workout time and forego the stretching… however I now make sure to stretch at night instead of skipping it completely.

A post-workout meal or drink after strength training is important to help the body to recover quickly and will maximize your results.

Timing is key: this should be consumed within 30-90 minutes of your workout.

Best bets? Carbohydrates, lean protein, potassium-rich foods, and fluids!

• Carbohydrates are important in replacing depleted glycogen stores after a workout.
• Lean protein such as chicken breast or tuna helps the body rebuild muscle tissue that was broken down during a workout.
• Potassium-rich foods such as bananas or raisins can help replace the potassium lost through sweating.
• Fluids such as water or fruits that contain a lot of water such as watermelon, oranges or grapes help the body rehydrate after exercise.

Sample Post-Workout Meals

• Sandwiches are one of the easiest and quickest meals to put together after a strenuous workout. Two slices of whole grain bread, four ounces of a lean protein such as chicken breast, and any type of vegetables desired.
• A baked potato topped with salsa and low-fat cheese and a side of fruit
• A bagel with peanut butter

Post-Workout Recovery Drinks

If you have trouble eating solid food soon after an intense strength training session, a post-workout recovery drink specifically designed to replace both glycogen and lost fluids may be your best choice.

Easy post-workout recovery shake

• 1 scoop of any flavor whey-protein powder
• 1 banana
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk or soymilk
• Blend in a blender until smooth!

Dial it down for a day. Little sleep and long days don’t leave much energy for my workouts. My daughters have been gracing us with very early wake-up calls.

My usual workout time is 5 am while my little ones are sound asleep but the unexpected wake-up times have made that impossible this week. Most weeks I’m able to sneak in a mid-day workout when I’m working from home. However, my schedule this week has had me on the run all day.

By the time we finish dinner, play with the girls, and wrap up bedtime, I’m exhausted. Although I would love to hit hard with my workout late in the evening, the energy simply isn’t there. Since becoming a parent, I’ve learned that at times I simply need to dial it down and let my body rest.

I haven’t skipped my workouts this week but I have toned them down a bit. Instead of putting in an hour at night I’ve cut it back to 30 minutes in exchange for a little extra (and much needed) sleep. In a few days I’ll be ready to kick up the intensity again!

Get some sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than half of Americans have difficulty sleeping. If you have young children like me, then this statistic rings true. I’ve realized that sleep is a valuable commodity with little ones in the house. The most frustrating part is when the kids are finally sleeping and I can’t seem to wind down.

I decided to try implementing some relaxation techniques to help improve both my quantity and quality of sleep.

• To block out noise many people find it helpful to wear earplugs.
• Run a fan at night to help create white noise.
• Set up a bedtime routine that will help you begin winding down for sleep.
• Take a relaxing bath.

For me, letting my mind wander into a Lifetime television show or a good book is the perfect way to make my eyes heavy. Find a relaxing activity that calms your mind and body from the chaos and hurried pace of the day. Improving your quality of sleep can have a positive effect on all aspects of life, including your workouts.

We all have times when we 'fall off the wagon' and somehow miss our workouts. There are legitimate reasons why we have to put exercising on the back burner – life happens! The problem is that sometimes once we start down that path, there's no end to the excuses we come up with to take a break from exercising.

Did you know that it takes only about two weeks to start losing your level of cardiovascular fitness when you stop exercising? And that after about three to four weeks without exercise you'll start losing muscle? Don't forget that losing muscle is the worst thing you can do when trying to lose fat!

We already know that exercise is good for us. We try to work out on a regular basis, reminding ourselves that the payoff is well worth the effort. The best advice is really to stay consistent. Make your exercise time a priority – schedule it in your planner, write it on your calendar, block it out so that nothing else can be scheduled in during this time. If you have to miss one session, just make sure you make the next one and get right back into your routine.

Consistency is the key to success in health and fitness. Commit to exercising at least three times each week. Commit to strength training at least twice a week. You made a commitment to yourself that is worth keeping - so keep it!

Want to actually achieve your goals? Whether it’s to live a healthier lifestyle, to change your career, to get something better out of life – you must first empower yourself to take action and make that first step.

For me, empowering myself meant making a career change after 15 years in the corporate world. It was terrifying to leave a secure position, with a good salary and benefits, and risk it all on “following my passion” of fitness and nutrition.

I started from scratch, went back to school, and got my degree in personal training and nutrition. Coming out of school, I had one clear vision: to teach other women how to empower themselves through fitness. I found out first-hand that pushing myself physically and being successful at achieving new goals translated into having the confidence to tackle financial, relationship and other real-life goals as well.

I have empowered myself to become the person I want to be. I now own and run a fitness business, where I am lucky enough to see this concept in motion every day. I see clients setting and reaching goals they never thought possible. I am inspired every day by their hard work, dedication and commitment to living their best lives.

The first step is always the hardest – fear, doubt, uncertainty – these are forces that work against us when we think about change or taking a risk. Don’t let these prevent you from reaching your own goals and dreams. MAKE YOUR MOVE today – empower yourself to do something great. You are worth it!

E- energy
M-motivation
P-positive attitude
O- optimism
W-wellness
E- enjoyment
R – rejoice

Empower is a verb, which means to enable or invest with power. What a wonderful thought, what an even better action! To enable ones energy, motivation, positive life attitude, and optimism in the face of challenge; while at the same time improving their state of wellness and ability to enjoy life to the degree that they can rejoice in the beautiful, vibrant human they have become. ~ Whew, now that’s a mouth full :)

As I dissect the concept of empowerment I can best relate it to the 7 dimensions of Wellness; a well-known tool used by health educators to help people understand the interrelated components of a healthy lifestyle based on self-responsibility and personal choices. When applying this tool to the goal of personal empowerment it would look like this:

The Empower Wheel

When I relate the 7 dimensions of Empowerment to my own life, I immediately think of those positive things that have made me the active, healthy, strong woman I am today; my family, my friends, my belief in a higher spiritual power. I feel blessed by all the things life has given me, from a healthy body to a loving support system.

But I also realize that the choices I make everyday are interrelated and have a direct impact on the things I hold most dear. I have had the opportunity to learn from the best educators about the power of health and fitness and it’s tremendous impact on the way we think, feel and act. I have also had the opportunity to share my knowledge and empower others towards a healthier lifestyle. In doing so I have tapped my own empowerment wheel… and continue to do so everyday whether it is through the example I set for my family, the workouts I lead in my community, or the knowledge I impart in my writings. By tapping this wheel I am in a continuous state of positive energy. I realize that there are negative forces and bad days that may come along in my life and the lives of those I strive to help. This is when it is even more important to reflect on the empowerment wheel to solve and rise above any challenging or dark days with a sense of optimism and self-fulfillment.