exercise – Swimming With The Rain

Back Extension Machine

June 30, 2020

When I started back to the gym a couple of years ago (prior to knee injury and broken tailbone), I studied articles that would tell me about the most beneficial machines in the gym. You know the ones that will work out several muscle groups at one time. Yes, I made notes, because that is what I do.

But, as I made my notes and started looking, I noticed a trend. One of my favorite machines was listed as one of the most useless. WHAT?!?! I love the Back Extension!!! So, I am going on record to say, I DISAGREE!

When I started my first adventure at a gym back in 2010, (YMCA – my boys could do swimming lessons or play basketball while I was sweating away), one of the trainers told me that people with back pain really like this machine. So, I added it to my routine, to give it a try. A few different gyms later, with stretches of not going in between, it is still my favorite machine. I use it as my goal ~ “Do all of the other machines and then you can get to that one to stretch!” As soon as I sit down and make sure everything is adjusted to how I want, I do my first push back, hold it, and stretch, continuing with my 3 sets of 10.

Since being back at the gym 5 days a week and using this machine each time, I no longer feel tension in my back, I seldom have to “pop” it, the pain behind my left shoulder blade is gone, and it gives me a bit of an ab workout.

Moral of this story… You do you! Yes, the experts know a thing or two, but you know your body. I can’t workout with all of the hard bodies on the free weights, but I do the machines that work for me, and isn’t that what we’re supposed to do to feel motivated?

Exercise

Starting Noom ~ What you will need…

June 25, 2020

Yesterday, my cousin sent me a link to Noom within facebook messenger. Just the link, nothing else. I replied back and asked her why she sent me the link, since I’m a little suspicious of links without a note. She replies back and tells me that she thought I would be interested since I’m trying to do healthy living. I had to giggle when I replied back, “I’ve been on it for over six months!” Well, she had just signed up so I started asking if she had this, had that, and her answers were no. I told her to give me a day and I would get it all together so here I am!

Keep in mind, these are MY suggestions. If you do not have these things and do not have the money to purchase, completely understandable. Learn to improvise with things around your home.

Obviously, you will need to download the app on your phone and set up your personal info. It’s pretty simple to do.

Purchase a bluetooth scale. This will download your weight to the scale app and also to Noom. I bought this for around $29.99 on Amazon. You’ll see a lot of people talk about the Renpho scale, which is basically the same thing. Here’s a link to what the bluetooth scale does… https://swimmingwiththerain.com/abyon-bluetooth-scale/

A food scale. Soooo important and very inexpensive. You will learn to learn it, love it, live it. In the app, you will be putting in the weight of your food to correctly calculate.

Yes, your phone more than likely counts steps. Maybe you have a watch that does it for you. If you don’t and you’re not sure if you want to spend the money on a Fitbit or something pricier, I suggest this. It has all the same basic functions as the others and comes in several colors. This does sync to the Noom app.

If you already have a water bottle, awesome! I have been using this one for over a year because of a few different features that I LOVE! There’s a handle which is pretty convenient. Time markers as a reminder. AND it opens with just the push of a button, no having to unscrew the lid.

A tablespoon. Sounds silly probably, but along with the weight scale, you will need to measure out salad dressing, humus, mayonnaise, all the fun things that will make a mess on the food scale.

Join a facebook group! This is the one that I joined and they are such a great support group. Before asking one of the many repeated questions, do a search. But, otherwise, post and ask away! https://www.facebook.com/groups/316063085812799

There! You are ready to start this weight loss journey and I know you are going to do great! Stay tuned because next, I’m going to tell you how the Noom app works.

FYI ~ I have not been paid for my endorsement of Noom or any of these products. All photos are based upon screenshots or purchases I have made from Amazon. But, if they want to throw some endorsements my way, feel free to email me. 😉

Exercise

Exercise Motivation Quotes

June 2, 2020

The majority of us do not look like the women modeling the latest active wear. It can be so hard to keep our motivation up when we look around and see all of these “perfect” people at the gym, or doing a morning run, or modeling the latest yoga pants. When you need that reminder or extra push, take a look at these. Better yet, follow us on Pinterest!

Health & Spiritual

Abyon Bluetooth Scale

May 30, 2020May 31, 2020

Prior to menopause taking over my weight, I had just the normal scale and I would step on, make sure it was within “range” and move on about my life. Then a friend posted about this scale and I thought, “Well, how cool is that!” I’m not overly technologically savvy, but if she could figure it out, so could I. The scale syncs with an app on your phone and right there, you have a plethora of information! Honest moment – the first time I saw the bluetooth icon on my phone, I took a picture and posted on facebook asking what it was.

*I’m in a weight-loss support group on facebook and everyone talks about the Renpho scale. Based upon the photos and reviews, it is basically the same thing so grab whichever one you want.*

So, here’s the bool thing about this scale, it measures things you didn’t even know you wanted to know about!

Weight – Obvious what that is.
BMI – Body Mass Index
Body Fat – Body composition fat tissue ratio
Fat-free Body Weight – muscle, in addition to body fat, is a major component of body weight
Subcutaneous Fat – The ratio of subcutaneous fat stored in your skin to your body weight. (Subcutaneous fat is the jiggly fat visible just under the skin)
Visceral Fat – A type of body fat that is found around the human organs and which mainly resides in the abdominal cavity.
Body Water – Water Weight, which includes the blood, lymph, extracellular fluid, etc.
Skeletal Muscle – The ratio of muscle involved in the mechanical system of our limbs and other part of the body.
Muscle Mass – The total muscle weight, including skeletal muscle, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
Bone Mass – Bone tissue consists of bone minerals per unit volumes.
Protein – Protein plays a vital role in the body, as it builds and maintains muscles, organs, and other tissue.
BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate. In an inactive state, this is the minimum necessary energy needed.
Metabolic Age – Ideal physical body age is 2/3 of the actual age.

*The tracking is awesome because you can look at the year…*

*The home screen is very user friendly and shows you your weight along with other fast facts.*

*You can click on each category to see which bracket your percentage is in.*

The great thing about using a scale like this is that it gives you something to work towards and a feeling of accomplishment on little things. Of course I watch my weight number, but I also have been focusing on my body water and learning about foods that help to increase that number. Also, when I started, my metabolic age was 56 (What?!?) and now I’m down to 51.

Use a scale like this for guidance. Just remember, if you are going to take a photo while standing on the scale because you have hit a goal, the flat part does have a glare so if you’re naked…. You’ll be sharing with the world what God gave you.

Do you have one of these types of scales? What do you think of it?

Click here to check out on Amazon (no, I don’t make money off of this)

Health & Spiritual

A bit of exercise at home…

May 26, 2020May 31, 2020

Getting in to an exercise routine can be quite tedious. Finding time (or money) to get to the gym can be exhausting. Plus, the thought of strangers watching us workout can be quite intimidating.

Or maybe you do go to the gym but not as often as you’d like. Getting in to a routine of going generally means that something has to be sacrificed – sleep, picking up kids, being home at a decent time…

This is where I am here to tell you about a super easy trick… Dust off those weights that you have kept on the floor in your closet or pick up a couple the next time you are at the store (they’re pretty inexpensive) and keep them in your living room!

“Listen woman! I’m not turning my living room in to a home gym!”

Yah, I know. Keep them in a cute basket or next to your chair… Somewhere that you won’t crush your pinky toe in to them (it really hurts, by the way). Next time a commercial comes on, pick those little suckers up and start doing some lifts.

A little bit goes a long way and you’ll start to feel better. Give it a try!

Back Extension Machine

Starting Noom ~ What you will need…

Exercise Motivation Quotes

Abyon Bluetooth Scale

A bit of exercise at home…

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