Things I love Thursday #12 That feeling

I have come so far in the past 8 months.  I have pushed myself, trained my mind and body and become someone I never believed I could be.  I am not only a lot stronger physically but also mentally.  I spent the first months really focusing on technique, making sure to get everything right so I would not hurt myself and get the most benefits possible.  Then once I had mastered the technique I started focusing on slowly increasing the weight.  It has been quite simple so far but the past few weeks I have noticed something.  When I go to start a dead lift, pick up dumbbells for a chest press or do any other kind of free weight exercise I stop and hold the metal bar before the lift.  This is something I have seen many guys doing in the gym but never really understood myself.  I was psyching myself up for the lift.


In the past I knew that what I was lifting wasn't that much but now what used to be my focus weight is now my warm up.  On Monday I was sitting on a bench with two 14kg in my hands, gripping tight and just looking at them.  It was such a rush but it was fear as well as excitement.  This was only the second time I had used 14s and I had to sit looking at them for a few seconds before actually smashing out the set.  It's the same feeling you get when you take a big jump, take a risk, do something that in the back of your head you know you shouldn't. 

I have always loved weight lifting but now I have more drive, more focus and that feeling that pushes me to keep going.  Its a passion and something I find great pleasure in.  When you find that feeling, no matter what it is you are doing, never let it go.  In life you get the opportunity to push yourself to fifill your dreams.  That feeling is what holds the dream up, don't let that go.  Its the passion that makes ideas a reality. 


Believe in your dreams and they can come true.  Hope you enjoyed this weeks "Things I love Thursday"!  Any questions or comments feel free to email me here or leave a message below!

Things I love Thursday #7 Burning Up and Stressing Down

Day to day life isn't always easy and I know that I get stressed quite a lot.  It wouldn't be a normal day for me if I wasn't worrying about one thing or another.  I have noticed that when I hit the gym, cardio, weights or classes I always feel a lot more positive about life afterwards. You often hear people say: "No one says they regret working out."  This isn't just because of their health or strength increases, a lot of it is the therapy they get from it.  On rest days I even notice that I am still carrying the weight of the day later on into the night.  I am not saying train every day, because your body needs a break, but giving your mind a break is important to.

 For example when lifting weights, let say squatting, do you ever fret about work or money or deadlines when you are squatting?  I know that I don't because I am concentrating on the task in hand (Not falling over is the main one!).  Giving your mind something else to focus on makes it harder for you to worry.  This can also work in reverse and I know this from experience.  Trying to work out when that worry cant be distracted can be very dangerous.  You stop concentrating so much on technique causing you to slip up and make mistakes.  When this happens my best advise is to take a break from whatever you are doing and focus on something easy or repetitive.  Getting on a treadmill and giving you time to calm your head might be the way for you (keep in mind to go slow and not get your heart rate up to high!). I however like doing circuits.  Slamming a ball onto the floor 15 times really helps take the anger and stress out of me. Its not something that you can forget all form for but something that is quite simple to do.

Whatever way it works the gym is there to help and at a much cheaper cost than a therapist!  Keeping fit helps you keep happy and full of energy and is the reason I am a gym junky.  If you ever want advice or someone to destress to drop me an email at amelia.gourlay1@gmail.com.


Keep it up and remember to give me a follow!  See you soon!

Thinks I love Thursday #6 Training Buddy!

For the first few months of my gym life  I was a lone wolf.  I hated training with other people.  Mainly because I only had a small amount of knowledge on my workouts that I wasn't able to switch and change things up for training with other people.  I used to get annoyed when someone showed me a different way to do something because that is not how I had been taught.  I am a grumpy toddler at heart.  Even though deep down I am the same stubborn brat things have changed. 


Going to the gym with someone now is a totally different experience.  Its like being with another member of the pack ready to show the world how it should be done.  This has changed because I have learnt something very important.  Just because its different, doesn't mean its wrong.  When I started out at the gym I was a novice.  I had been taught how to do an action or motion in relation to the workout I was doing, for my body at that time and to help develop a serration area.  Over time building knowledge of my body and techniques I am beginning to understand the difference between bad form and variations.  This is something that is very important when training with someone.  For example the person I currently train with is male, tall and has been training for a few years now.  The variations he sometimes uses are different to mine.  We both might be training legs however he might be isolating one area whereas because I am not as far on I might be working on my legs as a whole.  As a result of this we may be doing things differently. 


Right now I am particularly enjoying working out with my friends who are new to or don't have much knowledge of training.  This allows me to share what I know, and in doing so develop myself.  As people are different I am coming up with plans that suite both of us and using different variations to suite our bodies and levels.  It has also helped me to develop my skills in supporting people within a gym environment. 


Going to the gym with someone and working out together is something I would recommend to everyone.  Give it a shot because it might not be as bad as you think!  Remember to be open to new workouts and styles but make sure you keep your form on point and stay safe!


Hope you enjoyed my Things I love Thursday #6!  See you soon!

Lifting ain't all about the weight

First thing people ask when you are discussing the gym is "So what can you lift?".  This can sometimes be a great question as many guys are amazed at the fact a woman can lift anything other than shopping bags from sales, but its not the be all and end all.  Being able to lift a substantial weight is great but only when you have your form on point.  This is why I am very grateful for my personal trainer.  As much as watching YouTube videos, reading "how to guides" and doing thirty day challenges give your body a boost and test your mind they are not there to support you through each step.  There are so many people that jump right into exercises and workouts that they have never done before without any research.

I am not suggesting that everyone gets a personal trainer but reading up on how workouts should be performed is a minimum.  I would strongly suggest that you pair up with a fellow fitness lover, newbie or not, brain up on how to do things safely and spot each other.  Don't be afraid to as a member of staff at the gym if you are doing it correctly.  After all they know best.  One website I have found that gives an in depth guidance and useful steps is "The Art of Manliness" (www.artofmanliness.com).  This website also helps you to be more manly!  

Without good form and strong technique the only difference lifting heavier weights makes is the amount of damage you can do to your body.  Some workouts might be harder once you have looked up the right way to do them but this is simply because you are now using the right areas of your body to carry it out.  It doesn't matter if you can't lift as high as you might wish.  You will get there with hard work and dedication.  Getting fitter and building strength takes time and is something that cant be rushed.

So grab a guide/buddy/PT and get that form right!