Fitness Workout Tips

Fitness is one of my hobbies, but when I first started working out I did “tons” of cardio and very little strength training. I also used to spend up to 2 hours at the gym, doing what? I don’t know, but back then my thought process was that if I wasn’t “sweating like a pig” or literally killing myself, then I really wasn’t working out. Well since then my philosophy has changed, I now do more in 1 hour than most people do all day!

As you all know I have been battling body image issues since I was a kid. I had big legs, nothing up top and “booty” for days. I had a guy in college once say that I had Earl Campbell thighs, and for those of you who don’t know Earl Campbell used to play for the Houston Oilers, now known as the Tennessee Titans. Regardless of the name I was devastated. What girl wants her thighs compared to a pro football player’s?

Nonetheless I was determined to get my weight under control. My goal has never been to look like a stick figure because regardless of what anyone said, I was still a woman of color who loved her curves. I just wanted to be less fat and more “phat.”

Everyone is different, and over the years I have learned what works for me and what doesn’t. Initially heavy cardio worked because there was more of me to “burn off.” But the older I got and the closer I got to my goal weight, I realized that all my "excessive" cardio still wasn't enough, in fact it was actually hindering my results.

I now do more strength training and less cardio in my work outs and the results have been phenomenal. I work out with heavier weights because I like to “push” myself, but don’t worry I have not even come close to looking “bulky,” in fact my new tone and definition has actually made my curves more feminine and toned. Weight training also helps to burn more calories and does wonders for cellulite.

Weight training is also important as you get older. My knees are not what they used to be, so I have had to reduce my running in addition to my regular cardio in the gym. Working with weights helps strengthen the bones and it contributes to your overall joint health.

As I may have mentioned in another article, I was just on a high-protein, low-carb diet which required me to do up to an hour of cardio a day in order to burn fat quickly. I normally only do only 10 minutes of cardio with 50 minutes of weight-training, so all that additional cardio was hard for me.

I am now back to my 10/50 workout and I love it. I also incorporate some pilates and floor work as well. Even though I am not “sweating to the oldies” anymore, I have still been able to keep my thighs under control and make my workouts more efficient, and less “stinky.”