Too busy taking care of everyone else?

This has been a very eye-opening week for women with the passing of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.  Ladies--we are too busy taking care of everyone else when we need to take care of ourselves first.  I know, I know...that's really easy to say, but hard to do (especially as a mom) but it has to be done.  Your health should be one of your top priorities because in some cases, it could be a matter of life or death. 

I have been with the American Heart Association for over 6 years now professionally (2 years before that as a volunteer) and I had no idea before that that heart disease is not only the #1 cause of death in the US, but it is the #1 cause of death of WOMEN.  Many times, the signs of a heart attack in women are different from men.  Everyone thinks you should feel chest pain, numbness down one side of your body, etc.  That's not often the case with women. 

Many times the symptoms of a heart attack in women are:

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.*More info found here

Many times, women ignore the signs and think maybe they're just worn down, have indigestion, or they're just coming down with a little bug.  We don't have time to really pay attention because deadlines have to be met for work, lunches need to be packed and the laundry still needs to be folded and put away since it's been in the dryer for 3 days now (just saying!) So, take the time to read this article from the AHA's CEO, Nancy Brown, about making resolutions for a healthy heart.  Because face it....you want to be around to take care of your babies and your babies' babies, right? 

With Heart,
Emily
xo

Should you workout from home or at the gym?

As we're coming into 2017, so many are making New Year Resolutions with the #1 goal is to get in shape and/or lose weight.  I know I've made that resolution a number of times, then failed by February or March.:(  I used to start something then never finish it when it came to working out.  I had the same excuses as everyone else with the #1 reason being not enough time (too busy at work, too busy with the kids, etc.) 

It's VERY overwhelming the amount of ideas out there for how to work out--you can Google workouts, look on YouTube, make your own Pinterest board (like I have!).  I have so many pages from various magazines, Ebooks, etc. that I have saved over the years that I started and never finished with sample workouts I could do from home.  There are also many different options for the gym--big box gyms, locally owned gyms with group fitness and/or weight training & cardio machines, and then there are the specialty boutiques (barre, spinning, etc.)   

I've gone to the gym to do the "dreadmill" and do some weight training (which I really didn't do much b/c I didn't know what I was doing).  Personally, I have always enjoyed going to the gym and participating in group fitness.  I like having someone tell me what to do--it's so much more motivating!  I enjoyed it so much that I became a Spinning instructor and Insanity instructor.  I became certified to teach these formats at first for my own accountability, but then when I saw how I could motivate others and make the workout about them--it became so much more.   I have been at Cyclebar-Trader's Point teaching indoor cycling (not your ordinary spin class!) and I teach Insanity at Connection Pointe Christian Church every Wednesday evening as my way of serving. 

Back in September of 2015, I started a program called Insanity Max30 from home.  It was a 60 day program of crazy 30 minute workouts 5 days a week (and it came with a calendar to help me stay on track and Shaun T on my TV motivating me as well). I stuck with the whole workout this time--I didn't stop at 15 or 30 days--I went the whole way through and saw results (imagine that?)  I ordered it on whim from Amazon because I needed something quick and intense that would get my booty in shape and give me that "me time" I so desperately needed as a busy working wife and boy mama.  I think the reason I stuck with it was because I enjoyed it so much and it was easy to schedule into my busy life.  I soon became a Coach after that because I had to pay it forward to others like myself who just felt stuck. 

Early morning workout at home (catching my breath!)

So...which should you do?  Workout from home or workout at the gym?  I have the answer for you...ready for it?  Okay....YOU SHOULD DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU!  If exclusively working out at home works best for you, then do it!  If exclusively working out at the gym works best for you, then do it!  If doing a combo of both works best for you, then do it!  You take the time to factor in cost, time and how realistic the format you choose is to go with for achieving your goals.

As you can see, I do my own personal workouts from home but I also teach at my church and at Cyclebar and enjoy it so much because I get to share my love of fitness with others.  We all have the same 24 hours in the day, it's all in how you manage your time.  I get up early to get my own personal workout in at home, and I teach a couple evenings and a Saturday morning to be there for others who need me during those times. 

Now, here's an important thing to remember--it's great to have the motivation to start, but then you have to have the dedication to keep going until your fitness turns into a habit you do almost daily.  Will there be days you don't want to workout?  Absolutely!  I feel that way some days too, but I also remember how much better I feel when I do get my workout in.  It's all in your mindset.

I'd love to see you in one of my classes or I've love to help you get started on your own fitness journey from home (or both!).  Through the end of February, I can help you access every single Beachbody program to ever exist--pretty amazing!  Or you can ride with me for FREE at Cyclebar! 

You can reach me at: coachemilynichols@gmail.com  or

Find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/emilyallheartfitness

If you'd like info on my virtual accountability groups I run, please fill out this form: https://coachemilynichols.wufoo.com/forms/m1jaey3c1l8wvye/

We'll talk next time about nutrition because as we all know, you can't eat ALL THE FOOD and have results even if you are working out!  Until next time!  Happy New Year!

With Heart,

Emily