Getting Back to Nature

Some Woodland Framed Roads Near Lake Hartwell, SC

By Laurie Epps

So, I'm all jazzed about the upcoming 5K this fall. Being a blogger myself, I started reading blogs about training for a 5K, and even looked at medical sites like the Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins to see how they weighed into it.

Slowly, some real patterns started emerging. The 5K 101 consensus seemed to be to workout 4-5 days a week with walking nearly every day, and an extra long walk on Saturdays. 

The Importance of Fitness Goals

Just Before My Yoga Class

By Laurie Epps

My weight loss has plateaued. But my overall fitness has improved. I've tried a new yoga class that meets twice a week. I'm really starting to recognize folks at the gym and really enjoy myself. I always feel better after a trip to the gym.

I believe from my research, that yoga really does a body good. This is not only true because of the relaxation and meditation component, but also because it gives you overall awareness of your body. What many people aren't aware of is that there are 14 Types of Yoga. Most gym's, like mine, offer Hatha Yoga which is very fluid and is meant to burn calories. When you're new to working out, it might be hard to keep up, but slowly you'll notice improvements.

Just Before My Yoga Class

Kick-Starting Your Diet

Intro by Laurie Epps

My new fitness routine is going pretty well, although, all good workouts have the support of an equally good diet. What we eat is not just fuel, but it can be the difference between feeling good during your workout, or feeling sluggish or just not too good during your workout. If your goal is to lose weight, then it's essential that your food intake goes hand in hand with your fitness regime. If you're a beginner, that's ok. I started with working out due to the ease for me, since diets seem especially daunting. If you're the opposite, and choose to start with your diet, that's ok. The import thing is that you start the journey to better health. 

Please welcome Cathy Baker, my friend and fellow writer who's going to talk to us today about her first days on her diet. I hope you'll give her the same attention that you'd offer up to me.

Me & Bike #2

By Laurie Epps

At a Birthday Party on May 22, 2015

My second week, I did extremely well. I went to the gym 5 times that week. I wasn't really following a specific outline of a workout yet. I was just trying to do half an hour of cardio, and then five machines in thirty minutes. I alternated upper body with lower body exercises. 

By that Monday, I'd lost another two pounds, and then another pound. So now, I'm up to seven pounds of weight loss! I couldn't be more delighted. I'm heading in the right direction, won't you join me?

Today, I saw on Facebook that my cousin Kay has lost 90 pounds! Wow! I'm so proud of her. I'm begging her to write a blog post for me, but she's in the throws of moving. I think she'd be a great inspiration for all of us. Kudos, Kay!

Me on Bike #2