Category: Fitness

Pants that pass the THICC girl booty test…squee!

My booty, but more importantly this pattern fabric is fantastic

Did you hear that all they way over there? That squee of delight when I just tried these pants on last night. I ordered these pants to try them out, and I did a 2.5 hours of training in Muay Thai and Kali. I got them on recommendation from my trainer/coach in Muay Thai. She uses them, and I thought, hey I will give it a try.

I am always on the look out for good workout tights. I work out about 5 to 6 days a week. So I need pairs of tights that will perform, not break down after two washes, have some compression (the ugly truth is I have loose skin from losing 70 lbs), are comfortable to wear and fit over my posterior, and bonus is they have awesome patterns and styles. However, as I have children and a family I could not just buy all the things I wanted. I decided to try one pair of pants.

I will give you all the pros and cons of these pants so far as I see them. I got the Dragon Skin Next Level Leggings.

Pros:

  • They don’t use the “standard” size numbering system, that was developed not taking into account different bodies of all different kinds of women. They use their own models names, and measurements. If you get your measurements and order by that, you will have a great fitting garment.
  • The stitching is strong and stands up to vigorous exercise. (Note: Thighs that rub together. )
  • The fabric feel fantastic its silky and thick, wicks sweat, and moves with your body as you do your exercise. It does not feel cheap.
  • It passed the panty test. (When standing you cannot see the panties through too shear fabric, also normal stretching and bending did not reveal any view of panties.) (I have had tights that you could read the writing on them through the pants just standing there.)
  • The pants stay up, no rolling or sliding down the body.
  • It passes the thicc booty test. (When you have a larger posterior, often times patterns will get distorted and look horrible if they are stretched over an area. It also draws attention those areas that are larger and you may not want to have attention drawn to. As you can see the stretch was perfect and did not distort the pattern. )
  • Last but not least they have fantastic customer service. (They noticed right after I ordered that they were out of the pants I ordered. I had not been to my computer so I did not see the email. In a mater of 24 hours customer service person Chloe had emailed me that they did not have my pants, and did I want to change it, or for the trouble cancel and get money toward a different order? Then in the next hour she emailed me once more that she found them in their Canadian store and was going to have the Canadian fulfillment center send them to me. Heidi was fantastic from the Canadian side as well. )

Cons:

  • For me really the only con so far is that pant leg is long on me. I am a short person. 5 foot, so everything is long on me. But really its not all that much of a con. I am going to try their capri’s next. You can see them bunched up around my ankles in the pictures.
  • Front view
  • Side view
  • Side view
  • View with Grrrl logo
  • Side view
  • Pattern in different less light

Now about packaging. Generally when I go to the store, I have been trying to use less disposable bags. So I did not think I would care about the packaging for this. However, I think they used just enough packaging to ensure that my garment got to me safely, but made the packaging meaningful. I love the little details. The purple-pink of the outer packaging, and the washing instructions on the outer brown paper bag packaging. Both are recyclable and they brought a smile to my face. The best surprise was the tag that the pants had. If you were giving this to a friend, you could address the garment to them.

” In today’s society we are programmed to see each other as competition. At Grrrl, we are changing the game. We exist to break the cycle of competition, and band together as sisters.

As our newest member for the #GRRRLARMY, your initiation consists of letting another Grrrl know something great about her, because chances are, she doesn’t see it in herself.

Flip this card over and fill in the blanks. Sometimes it’s easier to write it down and hand it over. “

Other side:

” Hey Grrrl-FRIEND! I wanted to tell you that

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

Don’t forget, you were born perfect. You go Grrrl!”

You can see in the pictures below if you want. There is not much more to say. I was not paid for this review. It is just how I feel about this product.

I did find on their website that I could become an ambassador for them, and they will give me credit. They gave me a link I could give you, and a 20% off coupon that you can use when you decide to order. Even if they did not have the ambassador program, I would still support this company. It is doing good things for us girls/women/ladies out there. We need to lift up and support each other.

Here is my Thinks with Spinks link for you to try, and below is the coupon code.

20% off coupon code nom1yq8d

As always thanks for reading, and let me know what you think.

  • Packaging
  • Washing instructions
  • Pants
  • This tag says it all
  • Other side of tag

Thursday Muay Thai and Kali…Elbows and Espada Y Daga

Me and my Coach

2 hours and 30 minute training tonight.

30 minute warm up of 200 kicks and 50 knees.

Some days are just mediocre. Here is what I mean. Some days are annoying I am struggling to get the new techniques or even my body to do the old techniques in the correct way. Then there are other days where it is fantastic, I am learning new things, I am buzzing along, and I am doing great while I still make mistakes I am jazzed and doing fantastic. Then the pendulum swings back and hits the middle, where I am doing the techniques I have learned already, and helping less experienced students develop their skills. Helping others is a different kind of satisfaction then beating my body into submission. I am getting some work in but nothing to write home about. Well today was one of those days.

We worked on elbows today in Muay Thai. We went through all 9 elbows. 1 = horizontal elbow, 2 = upward diagonal elbow, 3 = downward diagonal elbow, 4 = vertical up elbow, 5 = downward vertical elbow, 6 = side in elbow, 7 = side out elbow, 8 = tach malach (spelling is probably wrong) or spear elbow, and finally 9 = spinning elbow. We worked on the parry or scoop and entry with elbow. We also worked on scoop, elbow entry, and then followed up with spinning elbow. I have two videos of me doing some of those elbows.

Parry Jab to Elbow Entry
Parry a Jab, Elbow Entry, to Spinning Elbow drill

In Kali we worked on Espada Y Daga. Which translates to sword and dagger. This was fun, and surprisingly easy. I say this even though I made plenty of mistakes and needed to work on my footing. I was able to figure out how to cut my opponent and get out of the drill as well. We then got to spar afterward. Where if we had actually used real weapons I would have died many times. However, I got many good strikes in and would have been able to win a few fights. One of my friends even laid me out on they floor. We say in a knife fight the winner bleeds and the looser gushes. So if you end up in a knife fight expect to get cut. Anyway enough of my babbling. Here is a video of me doing the drill.

Espada Y Daga drill

If you made it this far, wow, I have rambled. But this is the reality of a fitness journey. Not every day is going to be sunshine and sparkles. Not every day is going to suck. Some days are going to be meh… but I have still shown up, and put my time in. These days are days when it may seem like I am not learning a lot, but it will all culminate in the end.

Thanks for reading… =) Keep up being awesome you.

Check out Grrrl clothing for workout clothes. If you use this link it gives me referrals. I have another post to talk about some tights I got from them. https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Tuesday Muay Thai and Kali…Off Balances and Half Beats oh my!

I just completed 2 hours and 30 minute training.

1.5 hours of Muay Thai. For the first 30 minutes of my training, I did 200 kicks over a foam roller, and 100 knee number 3’s into a heavy bag. We then worked on basics again. It’s amazing even though I know these techniques I was having a hard time with them. It occurred to me when I was working on my jab, cross and then horizontal right elbow that maybe I am stiff cause of weight lifting yesterday. Or I just might be having an off day. We worked on entries after the jab, cross.

Then we worked on off ballances so that we could get range from opponent to get your knees in. We got to do the leg bump off ballance which is my favorite. I was asked to come up and demonstrate it to the class where normally I would hesitate and be embarrassed. But to my surprise as I sit here and think back on it, I jumped at the opportunity and to do the move on guy taller than me. I was able to execute it so fast and accurately that he almost fell over and my instructor was impressed. It’s a great off ballance for me cause I am short and shorter than everyone in our class. My instructor always says use what you have to your advantage. If you are tall use that if you are short use that. So I get in close and my opponents cannot see my hits coming if I am fast enough.

The mind bending Kali was also fun. We worked on off beats in Kali. Where we were performing standard six and adding a witik into it. I like the outside deflection witik and the lower back hand almost gunting type off beat. I messed up a lot, and you just have to keep going and pick up the beat again.

Shower and sleep is in order next.

Anyway here is a video of me doing it slowly cause I just learned it today and need to practice.

Again think you for reading and watching. Talk to me if you want. Let me know if you like anything, or want more information on anything I am doing.

A Small Bit of Hope for the future… my progress pictures

Having one of those days where I need reminding that I have made progress. Some days I feel old and achy, and feel like I am not making progress. I am wearing the same shirt/tank here. I can see a small amount of progress… but I have to remember I also had a back injury in between the 3/10/2018 and yesterdays picture. Every day I look in the mirror I don’t see the progress. I know a lot of people have body dysmorphia and I am not a special snow flake, but that is why I take the pictures. (note: I am un-diagnosed with Body Dysmorphia, however, based on the fact that I focus on the negative and do not see the progress its a red flag and easy leap to make that assessment.) So at moments like these I can go back and look. Maybe an see some progress/hope to see progress. The pictures are my small hope that in the future I will see something better.

Please know I am not crying out for positive feedback. I don’t ever want to put the burden of constantly holding me up on my community, friends, and family. However, this is how I cope with some of the negative feelings that crop up. I look at my pictures, try to find some positive things/changes, and then soldier on. I can not make changes if I just sit there in inaction. So no matter how bad I feel, I push through. I acknowledge I am feeling this way, talk to people I trust, and then push through.

I don’t know if this will help anyone. But like I said this is how I try to cope. One day I will look back and hopefully be surprised how far I have come. My little bit of hope I put out into the world. =)

Full Body Weight Lifting workout…for the week 1/21/2019

This is the weight lifting workout I will be doing for this week. As always modify to your abilities. The weights I put in are for my reference so I can keep track of my progress

If you made a new years resolution and are having a hard time keeping it up. Be kind to yourself. I don’t think resolutions are the best way to go about this. This is a journey and you are going to be on it for the rest of your life. Pick up and keep going. Even if you hit a bump. I have been talking to my friends and they feel guilty that they stopped something they started for two weeks. Guilt may just make you pause to inaction. That is not positive forward movement. Don’t let one misstep derail your life change.

| The Ultimate Full-Body Workout | (I got most of the workout from Bodybuilding.com)

Warm-Up: Perform 1 Round

  • 10 minutes on the elliptical
  • Dumbbell Halo: 10 reps in both directions
  • Standing Dumbbell Reverse Fly: 10 reps
  • Standing Dumbbell Scap Raise: 10 reps
  • Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift: 10 reps
  • Dumbbell Goblet Squat: 10 reps
  • Planks for 30 seconds

Complex 1: Perform 5 rounds, resting 60-90 sec. between rounds

  • Dumbbell Clean: 3 reps 20 lbs each arm
  • Dumbbell Push Press: 3 reps 25 lbs each arm
  • Dumbbell Front Squat: 3 reps 20 lbs each arm

Complex 2: Perform 4 rounds, resting 60 sec. between rounds

  • Dumbbell Crush Press from Floor: 10 reps per leg 50 lbs
  • Bent-Over Row: 10 reps 3 25 lbs per arm
  • Reverse Lunge: 10 reps per leg 25 lbs per arm

Complex 3: Perform all movements with right arm, then left arm, resting 60 sec. between.

  • Single-Arm Dumbbell Snatch: 10 reps 20 lbs
  • Single-Arm Dumbbell Farmer’s Carry: 100 feet 40 lbs
  • Sit ups 10 reps
  • Renegade Row: 10 reps 25 lbs

Keep up the good work. If you had a hiccup keep be kind to yourself and keep going. Remember its a journey not a race. But you can’t make any progress unless you keep trying.

Again if you have made it this far, thank you for reading. Talk to me, let me know if you have any questions.

Kali melts my brain…but I love it.

Kali a.k.a Escrima and or Arnis. Is a Filipino martial art. During the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, this martial art was disguised as practicing a stick dance. The Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500’s did not want to have the people they occupied teaching and learning a martial arts.

In Kali we focus on the ability to transition from weapons to open hand combat with fluidity. Kali very much believes that open hand combat uses the same moves as having weapons so both are learned and taught congruently. We learn single stick, double stick, sword and stick, and dagger.

Part of the reason it melts my brain is that forces me to use both sides of my brain. What we learn on the one hand we will learn on the other. So I am right handed and we may learn something like say, the Running Saint Rafael on the right side, but to do the whole thing you have to do it on the left side all together. Making the left side of my body do what I want it to do can and often does melt my brain a bit.

I can say it is getting better, and the more I learn the better it gets. However, Kali class is right after Muay Thai, and my body is usually tired from Muay Thai and then I ask my body and mind to figure out how to move it around and not hit myself with the sticks. I have hit myself, and it sucks, but I am still here and alive. I still love Kali, and love learning it.

I have included a video of me doing the Running Saint Rafael. I am not very good at it, but I am learning, and hopefully getting better. N

Thursday Muay Thai and Kali… Back to basics in Muay Thai…brain blender Kali

I look like a hot mess after a workout. I have never been that kind of girl that can look like she just left a salon after a hard workout.

Workout: 2 hours and 20 mins of Muay Thai and Kali.

We worked on Jab and to left kick transitions, and jab cross to left kick transitions. Smoothness and quickness of transition is important. Your opponent will not have the time to react and or will not see it coming if you do it fast enough. We were working on the basics of Muay Thai and It’s was amazing to see the changes I have made. I can see some of my improvements in the art. What was once hard to just get my body to do I am am able to do and hoping to get tiny changes in form to stick so that I am able to get power in. You see in Muay Thai if you try to force/muscle the move your kicks for instance will be slow and not powerful. If you focus on form and laying the kick in using all of your torso it will be more powerful and devastating in a fight. The move almost becomes effortless. I say almost cause after a ladder of kicks ( 1 kick then 2 kicks up to 5 kicks in a row then back down again to 1) that is gassing. But much less so than when I first started out. Thank you Kru Kristen DeBruycker.

In Kali we had a guest instructor called Inchun Kim. He was an amazing instructor and he taught us some great movement with intention. Not just hitting sticks but focusing on hitting with the intention to hurt, maim, and damage. Where some drills we tap the sticks he wanted us to change our intent and using foot work advance on our target.  I have said it before and I will say it again Kali melts the brain. Especially brain blending when wielding double stick and reverse gripping the stick in left or right hand or both.

I am exhausted and need sleep. First shower and then to bed. Thanks for reading. As always let me know what you think.

Tasty Taco night… Better than Take away Tacos

Who needs take away when you can make beautiful tacos at home? Remember fitness is a way of life, a journey. So learning how to cook well for yourself is very helpful, and you don’t have to rely on take away.

I am a professional chef, and have a Culinary degree, with a specialization in Baking and Pastry.

This is what I make for my family at home. We love taco night and my kiddos love to eat my tacos. Currently my son and daughter are asking for another taco. He ate three already. I would say that is a good sign. These are all whole foods, and things I know where they came from.

The recipe includes the Pico De Gallo, and ground beef mixture. I have noticed that I have readers from all over the world so I will try to add appropriate measurements where I can to help you out. Some may wonder what a Pico De Gallo is, it is similar to a salsa, however, it is not as liquid and sauce like as a salsa. Pico De Gallo is also very fresh and you can add what you like to it.

I set up a taco bar, and let the kiddos decide what they want on their tacos. They both request all of the toppings. I love that my kiddos will eat lots of veg. Starting good habits early will carry them through life. That is the hope at least.


Pico De Gallo Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 onion small dice
  • 2 small tomatoes diced or about 25 heirloom cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 seeded jalapeno
  • 1/2 lemon juiced or a lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbs or Euro 1/2 oz of cilantro chopped – (if you don’t like cilantro leave it out)

Directions:

Dice onions, dice tomatoes, small dice the jalapeno, add all ingredients to bowl. Squeeze lemon over your clean fingers to catch the lemon pips. You want to make sure to add lemon or lime as the acid really will brighten the flavors of your Pico.

Ground Meat Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb or Euro 454 g of ground beef or I also like ground turkey
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1 tbs or Euro 1/4 oz ground cumin
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp or Euro 1/4 oz paprika
  • 1/2 tsp or Euro 1/8 oz of cayenne pepper or ground chipotle pepper (add more if you like spicier)
  • 1/2 cup or Euro 4 oz Beef stock or Turkey stock or Vegetable stock to taste
  • 1/2 seeded small diced jalapeno
  • oil enough to coat bottom of pan
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Dice the onion and saute on med/high till soft and caramelized, add meat, while it is cooking add spices on top. Brown the meat and cook till thoroughly done. Drain extra fat from pan, and add stock. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

Tips:

  • I take corn tortillas and toast them over the open gas flame on my stove.
  • You can add more ingredients to the meat mixture. Granulated/Ground garlic, Cilantro, and ground coriander.

The following is the stats for one taco:

Calories 143, Fat 5.6g, Fiber 1.9g, Carbs 13.3g, Sodium 209.1mg,

Protein 9.6 g

Tuesday Muay Thai and Kali…Thai minute changes, Kali and chewing gum

I am going to try to document my Tuesday, sometimes Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday Thai and Kali workouts here.

I just got home from 2 hours of Muay Thai and Kali. In Muay Thai we were working on our transitions from punch to kicks. I am at a point in my training where it’s it’s minute changes that I have to make. Like kick through the person, after kick bring back and keep knee up. Things I have to consciously apply to get my body to do it. I got a compliment on my speed again from a few people and a compliment on my punches to kick transitions from my Kru. Just have to keep knee up.

In Kali we worked on High box, Low box, and Middle box. Double stick is a brain workout. Making your body do the things you need it to do and avoid getting hit is a full time mental activity. My practice partner was talking to me and getting my brain to think other things. To hold a conversation about something completely different to what my sticks were doing was like listening to a skipping record. I had to start and stop my sentences to keep my hands and feet moving. It’s like trying rub your tummy and pat your head. Or for us even less skilled walk and chew gum! 😃

Thank you Kru Kristen DeBruycker, and Kru Krysta Scharlach

As I write this up I notice a bruise blossoming on my foot just now. Lol 😆 I did not even register I might have hit the edge of the Thai pads wrong.

Anyway thanks again for reading and my adventures will continue on. Let me know what you think, what content you are curious about.

Healthy Lunch…Tuna Avocado Salad…

Healthy lunches… even when you don’t feel like eating. I have days where I am busy, and can’t/don’t think I have time to eat. I have days were I am just not that hungry. However, I know if I don’t eat I will be hangry later, and may make bad decisions. So its best for me to eat something healthy and protein rich instead. It seems to help and I can then make better decisions. I also know that I am working out a great day 5 to 6 days a week.

Today I am going to go run a 25 minute HIIT run, and then do a superset weight lifting workout.



“A superset is a form of strength training in which you move quickly from one exercise to a separate exercise without taking a break for rest in between the two exercises. ”

https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-a-superset-3120397

The above article is a good quick read if you are interested in supersets. This is the workout I plan on doing.

Workout:

25 minute HIIT run on the treadmill cause we are inundated with snow

  • Stretch, and 3 minute warm up
  • Run for 1 minute at fastest I can run
  • Run for 1 minute at a steady pace but not slowly
  • Repeat above for 6 minutes
  • Run at steady state for 4 minutes
  • Run for 1 minute at fastest I can run
  • Run for 1 minute at a steady pace but not slowly
  • Repeat above for 3 minutes
  • Run at a steady state for 7 minutes
  • Cool down jog for 2 minutes

Weight lifting:

  • Full Squats: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Stiff-Legged Deadlifts: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Bench Press: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Bent-Over Rows: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Barbell Curls: 3 Sets x 10 Reps
  • Single leg Dips: 3 Sets x 10 Reps
  • Abdominal Work (Leg Raises, Decline Crunches)
  • Full Squats: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Stiff-Legged Deadlifts: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Bench Press: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Bent-Over Rows: 4 Sets x 8 Reps
  • Barbell Curls: 3 Sets x 10 Reps
  • Single leg Dips: 3 Sets x 10 Reps
  • Abdominal Work (Leg Raises, Decline Crunches)

Tuna Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole avocado
  • 1 packet of Starkist Tuna Creations
  • 40 g of Sour cream or 2 tbs
  • 10 g of Mayo or 1 tsp
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, or about 1 cup

Directions:

Mix tuna, sourcream and mayo. Salt and pepper to taste, slice tomatoes and cut open avocado.

Calories 495, Fat 36.9g, Fiber 15.1g, Carbs 27.1g, Sodium 447.5mg, Protein 19.6g

I hope you enjoy and have a great day. Thank you for reading. I am off to the gym to get my workout in now.

——————————-

My results:

I completed the full 25 minute HIIT run.

Weight lifting: I increased the reps and recorded the weight. Will up the weights next workout.

  • Full Squats: 4 Sets x 10 Reps 40lb
  • Stiff-Legged Deadlifts: 4 Sets x 10 Reps 40lbs
  • Bench Press: 4 Sets x 10 Reps 40 lbs
  • Tripod Bent-Over Rows: 4 Sets x 10 Reps 20 lbs
  • Barbell Curls: 3 Sets x 10 Reps 20lbs
  • Single leg Dips: 3 Sets x 10 Reps
  • Abdominal Work (Leg Raises, Decline Crunches)
Not glamourus photo after workout.