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5 Simple Tips to Learn to Love Lifting Weights

Workout TipsWhitney Carlson2 Comments

I’ve heard girls in the gym saying, “I’m not in to lifting weights. I’m just not a weightlifter. I’m not one of those girls!” I guess it’s entirely possible to really not like to lift weights. Hey! It’s even entirely possible to hate working out at all. However, it’s just an excuse! An excuse because you may not know how to lift properly. An excuse because you may feel self-conscious, or even an excuse not to have to set foot in the weight area because you can’t convince your girlfriend to go with you. Let’s get over our excuses and get ready to make changes in your body you never thought possible. Cardio, cardio, cardio is NOT the answer! Here are five simple tips that will change your mindset!

5 Simple Tips to Learn to Love Lifting Weights

1.   Make Your Workout a Priority. This may be easier said than done, but making your workout, even if it is cardio, a priority will change your mind set about it.  Think about your workouts ahead of time, plan them out and make the most out of the time you have for your workouts. Consider it a job you WANT to do!

2.   Become Friends with Other “Weightlifters”. We aren’t necessarily advocating that you run up to the first woman (or man) that you see in the weight section of your gym, but try to make friends with those you see time and time again. Ask them to help spot you or just simply start saying, “hey!” If you need help with proper form for an exercise, they may be able to help! (Note: Be sure that their form is correct and they use safe lifting practices prior to asking them.) If you see someone who looks like you want to look, make friends with them too!

3.  Track Your Progress. Seeing yourself succeed in print SO much more gratifying than guessing your progressions. Buy a notebook or a workout log and write down your exercises, the weight that you are lifting and how you feel with your workouts. After you do the same workout a few times, go back and look at where you started – your results will fuel you to keep going and even work harder! Need a plan? Try one of our She Sweats Workout Plans!

4.  Get Help from a Personal Trainer. You might have to spend a little money with this step, but if you are up front with the personal trainer about your needs, you won’t have to pay them more than once or twice (unless you want to).  Hire them to run you through an upper or lower body workout, or just ask them to run through 6-8 exercises for each muscle group.

5.  Buy New Workout Clothes. This might sound a little frivolous, but it’s just like a brand new dress. When you love what you are wearing, you feel better about yourself and are have more confidence in your actions.

How did you learn to love lifting weights?

Let us be your personal trainers with our detailed 4, 6 and 12 week She Sweats Workout plans! We guide your workout each day, telling you exactly what to do and what intensity to work at. We have everything you need! Find out more!

Beat Belly Bloat!

Workout TipsWhitney CarlsonComment

We all want to lose that last little bit of water weight or the bloat before a big event such as a wedding, vacation, party, etc. Since summer is right around the corner - which usually means beach and/or lake trips - we are here to share with you some foods that may cause bloating. Of course, we should all start with living a healthy lifestyle (which includes a healthy diet). So if you haven't already, try to get rid of all the processed foods in your diet (Need help getting started? We have an eBook for that!)! Stick to lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lots of water!

It takes a while (sometimes years) to learn your body and what makes you look and feel your best but these will give you a starting point on things that you might want to cut out of your diet before that big event!

Steer Clear of these Foods that Commonly Bloat:

  • Processed Foods
  • Carbonated Beverages
  • Artificial Sugars
  • Protein Powders/Bars
  • Gum
  • Dairy
  • Gluten
  • Eggs
  • Certain Veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, etc)

There are more foods that can cause bloating but these are the ones that we have experienced personally.

If you want to reduce bloating and/or drop water weight we suggest cutting these out of your diet for 1-2 weeks prior to the event. In order to look and feel your best you should also avoid added salt (which usually means cooking your own food) and alcohol. Here are more tips on how to slim down for your next big event!

Looking for a workout plan to get you started? Try one of our popular transformation plans!

Choosing the Right Sports Bra for You

Runners Resources, Workout TipsWhitney Carlson2 Comments

We have all seen those cute little sports bras that look more like something you may want to sleep in vs. something you could actually break a sweat in. They look adorable and for a moment, you may consider them, but will they really give you the support you need to really kick your workout up a notch?

Cup Size REALLY does matter! (Okay, only in the world of buying bras people!) Take this guide along next time you go shopping for a sports bra.

How to Choose the Right Sports Bra

A-B Cups

Smaller chested women can really wear any sports bra, however, the activity type will be one of the most important factors here. Compression-type sports bras are ideal for women with A or B cups - either scoop back or racer back. Bear in mind that you will have more support with a racer back and thicker straps. So if you are running, you may opt for a racer back with larger straps vs. a cute thin-strapped scoop back bra for Pilates or barre class.

Compression Scoop Back Sports Bras
Compression Racer Back Sports Bras

C-D Cups

Ladies that are a little bustier than their A-B friends, will need to pay more attention to the coverage area that their sports bra provides. Women that are a little bustier may benefit from a combination compression and encapsulation sports bra. Again, function is everything when you are thinking about sports bras - wear your most movement minimizing bra for higher impact workouts like HIIT or step aerobics. Keep the lower-coverage bras for lifting weights or yoga.

Compression/Encapsulation Combination Sports Bras

 DD+ Cups

If you are bustier, you may have a hard time finding a bra that actually minimizes your movement no matter what activity you are participating in. For women with larger D or DD and larger cup sizes, the key to your sports bra is encapsulation! You need a sports bra in a high performance fabric that's actually made similarly to your everyday bras - with two molded cups and thick, dependable straps.

Encapsulation Sports Bras

Need a little extra help with incorporating strength training with your runs? Don't want to think about your workouts? Let us be your personal trainers with our She Sweats 12-week Run Builder and increase your mile time. It guides your workout each day and has everything you need! Find out more!