Friday, October 30, 2015

7.2 Recovery Review



Not sure if any of you have heard of the 7.2 Alkaline Diet, here in Iowa it seems to be exploding.  A friend of mine reached out to me and wanted me to try a sample of the 7.2 Recovery, I was told that it helps make you feel less sore after training.  I train hard and after leg days my legs are extremely sore for about 3-4 days.  I was leery of the claims and told her I wasn't interested, she was super nice and let me know that if I ever changed my mind to let her know.

Well then my husbands boss had started taking it, a chiropractor she is friends with was selling it so Kyle got a sample and I decided to try it out.

Recovery with HydroFX


Alkalizing:

7.2 Recovery with HydroFX is a potent alkalizer, serving to effectively neutralize excess body acids of all types including lactic acid.

Enhanced Cellular Hydration:

7.2 Recovery with HydroFX has been shown to increase cellular hydration by enhancing the body's ability to move extracellular water into the cells.
I only added two of the benefits I was mostly intrigued about.  Honestly I was pretty excited to try it out, two pills three times a day, the benefits sounded amazing.  I've tried many supplements though and very few give me any true benefits.

This product has done nothing for me, the biggest sell for me was that it takes the lactic acid out of the body while it's being made.  We know lactic acid build up is what leads to the soreness.  My biggest test was 48 hours after leg day, I lift HEAVY on leg day and it takes about four days for the soreness to go away.  Sadly it didn't work for me, I continued taking it and have had the same level of soreness with all of my workouts.

Now again I'm not sure if my "odd" body type is what makes this product not really work for me.  Some supplements work for people and not for others.  My friend believes in it 100% and swears by it.

This is why it is so important to always get a sample of product, especially when it is something pricier.  I do not like to waste my money that I could spend on some new workout gear on supplements that don't work for me :)

Not gonna lie, I was hoping this was a "miracle" pill that would help with soreness.  In all actually drinking enough water and stretching are enough for me.  I shall continue to walk awkwardly after leg days and do some extra foam rolling!


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

WeightLiftingGloves.com Ambassador

I am thrilled to share with everyone that I am a new Ambassador for WeightLiftingGloves.com!  This company is based out of Portland, OR and they carry a huge variety of products from weight lifting gloves to CrossFit gloves, wrist supports, lifting straps and so much more.

With my new training program I am lifting five days a week.  I've been without gloves and can't wait to get some to review for everyone.  My hands are taking a beating, now there is nothing wrong with callouses they are like a badge of honor but I do like to keep my hands soft.  I've had tennis elbow for over a year, it will never go away because I can't take off months from lifting or volleyball, straps are a must have for certain lifts, especially deadlifts.  Recently I started training with kettle bells at the gym Kyle runs, Kosama.  When I saw that WeightLiftingGloves.com carries KettleGuards I was so pumped, these are something I've never tried and would help protect my wrists.

Can you tell I am excited???  I am hoping to eventually do some give aways after trying out some of these products.  I truly believe there is something for everyone.

Dream big, work hard and don't be afraid to go after opportunities, you never know what will happen!




Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Perfect Workout Buddy


Having a great workout buddy is so incredibly important.  They can be the one that pushes you through one more rep, helps you increase the weight when you thought you couldn't, makes you run one more mile, encourages you to improve in your sport and helps you get to the gym when you just aren't feeling it.

Throughout my life I have been blessed with many amazing workout buddies.  I have played volleyball with my doubles partner off and on for 19 years (EECK, showing my age a bit).  Chris pushes me to be my best, we are very much in sync with each other on the volleyball court.  The best part though is that we have fun even when we aren't winning.  Our doubles game has vastly improved over the years, we trust each other and bring out the best in each other on the court!


Running has been a part of my life since I was in elementary school.  I didn't get into distance running until after high school.  In track I ran 400's and 200's, later in life I found myself actually enjoying half marathons, which is something I never imagined I would do.  One of my best friends from school participates in these races with me, Shalae makes the runs fun and we push each other to do our best.  My sister Jenn just started running longer distances, we do well with each other, my brother Larry even started this year, I just love that I can participate in this sport with my friends and family!  I adopted my sweet boy Hurley this spring, we've still got some work to do but he really makes me pick up the pace and simply makes my runs very interesting and fun :)

Shalae and I at one of our half marathons.

 My sister Jenn, the Dam to Dam 2015 was her first half marathon.

My brother Larry, the Newbo Run was his first half marathon.

My sweet boy Hurley, always happy to go for a run!

As I've gone through life working to stay healthy I achieved my biggest goal back in 2013 by competing if my first figure competition.  This was a personal goal I had worked so incredibly hard for with my husband as my coach/trainer and my best friend David by my side through so many workouts.  As I trained I focused on keeping balance in my life, teaching my daughter that you can achieve anything with the right people supporting you, a good plan and a positive outlook.  Bella, our daughter, gives my life such purpose.  Don't get me wrong, my life has always had purpose, but having her watch me changed things.  I want to raise her knowing she can be strong, healthy and enjoy living her life that way.
Last year I faced a huge change, I am one that does not deal the best with changes, especially extremely difficult changes.  My best friend and workout buddy moved from Iowa to Florida.  I knew it would have an affect on me but I really had no clue just how much it would affect me.  Over the past year I've continued to run races, participate in Kosama events but one thing has been lacking, my weight training.  Lifting heavy, seeing growth within myself and getting stronger was always something that was very special to me.  I had begun to wonder why I let that slip away over the past year.  My husband supports me in everything that I do, with his new position of running Kosama and making changes there he has been understandably focused on that.  Don't get me wrong, he still focuses on me and helping me achieve my goals but I've felt so lost.

We started my new training schedule and program this past week.  Kyle is so thorough in knowing the areas which need the most growth and how to achieve that growth.  Kyle goes with me when he can and he pushes me in an entirely different way than David, Kyle knows he can push me through every tough area I hit, he knows how hard I work and his pride in me makes me work even harder.  

As I've headed to the gym by myself I realized what I am missing, my workout buddy.  I used to be so excited after work to head to the gym with David, working out together was filled with hard work and silliness.  Without speaking a word we would know what the other was thinking, we knew each others limits and how to push one another past them.  I miss him, I miss him so much it hurts sometimes.  My days in the gym are very different but I imagine that he is there with me.  Last night I was struggling with my pull ups but I knew if David was standing next to me he would have told me to do one more rep, so I did.

 Don't get me wrong I still very much enjoy my weight training, my headphones are on very loudly blasting Rob Zombie, Korn and Die Antwoord.  I am in my own world dancing around, pumping myself up for each lift, but it is different.
I cherish my workout buddies, each and every one.  Make sure you always have that person beside you when you can and appreciate them making you do one more rep and pushing you a little harder.  The two most important men in my life are my biggest supporters and I would not be where I am in my fitness journey without them.



Kyle, my husband, my trainer, my rock supporting me as he always does.


I know how lucky I am to have these guys in my life.  Kyle beside me every day, constantly blessing me with his support, training and understanding.  David may not be here physically every day with me but his constant support and love still push me to be the best ME I can be each and every day.