Vegan Momma

I admit I’m a fitness addict. I consider it one of my healthy addictions. Come to think of it I don’t have many unhealthy addictions? However there are some days when I don’t feel like making the trek to Bally’s Total Fitness. Yesterday happened to be one of those days. I really didn’t want to work out at the gym. I would have preferred to stay at home and get in a good workout; however, since I’ve decided that I want to go back to how I used to be and get five workouts in at the gym I brushed aside my excuses got my rear in gear and started and got the heck out of dodge aka home. It has been snowing for about an hour when I finally left.

Bootie Stories

I remember this song by Sir Mix A Lot. I heard it a lot when I was younger. Alright so I’ve never had a problem with a round butt. When I was a child and was developing all over the place I remember my snatched a few of my outfits and told me I could not wear them anymore. Her reasoning? My butt was getting too round. I was around twelve, and she didn’t want anyone looking there. During my teenage years I picked up some interesting names like thunderbutt you know butt so powerful that thunder strikes every time you walk past, Onion butt, round butt like an onion, and “muscle bootie” that name kind of stuck and I still hear it today. Yeah, that’s what I like being given a nickname about a particular body part.

Glutes Workout

One thing I think is important during your workout is to concentrate on the actual exercises that you are doing. I really focus on my muscles and what areas I’m supposed to be working on during the entire routine. If you don’t know what you should be doing pick up a good book. If you are still unsure bring it to the gym with you or ask someone when you are there. I have seen people bring these types of books, and I’ve also had people ask me how to use a piece of equipment correctly.

Glutes Isolater Machine

I usually don’t work directly on my gluts I work on them indirectly when I’m doing squats, cross trainer, or leg extensions; however, Bally’s recently brought in new equipment this summer and they have a Glut machine.Yesterday I walked over to it and decided to try it out. Be attentive to the video above and if you have one in your gym give it a try. It not only works your glutes it effective works your hamstrings also. When you are doing this exercise concentrates on the motion and make sure

• Stretch your leg back, concentrating on fully extending your leg
• When your leg is fully stretched squeeze your glute muscles
• Slowly bring the weight back to the starting position
• Repeat

Lying Leg Curls

Yesterday I moved onto one of my favorite pieces of equipment the lying leg curls. Alright, I really don’t like this exercise but it’s one of the best hamstring workouts I do. I’m always feeling the burn on this machine. My workouts are intense so I don’t take breaks between sets however I will hop on another piece of equipment and give that particular muscle a break.Again focus on the range of motion during your exercise. Once you have made the curl squeeze and slowly lower back to the starting position.I also did squats and hack squats yesterday. I’ll be heading back into the gym this morning.

One of the frustrations I have encountered as a vegan was finding products such as weight gloves and weight belts that weren’t leather. As a vegan I quickly learned how dependent we are on animal products. It is found in almost everything. I had to look a long time before I found anything locally. However, online is a different story there are many online stores that cater to the vegan athlete.

Shoes are better depending on where you go however at times that can be a nightmare also. I have a few pairs of tennis shoes. One pair is strictly for running. I have a pair I use for cross-training. I also use a weight lifting shoe (it looks like a tennis boot) that I wear when I’m working out heavy with free weights.Over the years, a few of my friends/family has asked me to make videos of my workouts and maybe some day I will, but you do need another person to be there to tape the video. I also hate being in the spotlight. I’d rather be behind the camera.

[tags]fitness, vegan fitness, glutes workout, lying leg curls[/tags]