Taste Testing

So whence attempting to shed fat for a weight class drop, or just to improve your overall fitness, you tend to go through a research process. What workouts are most effective? Which ones are most convenient? What will take you to the next level? How in the heck do you just lose fat and not gain muscle sans-supplements? You know, basics. So recently I've been trying some new workouts to tack on to my training because I only have 1 month left to drop this weight class, and man is it tough. But instead of calling it research, I figure taste testing is a more appropriate name, because it's a treat! OK I'm lame, that's fine, I've accepted it.

I wanna be like Lucia

But more about the treats, I mean workouts. As I've mentioned before in a few posts I've been trying out some cross-fit, but it's a bit more difficult when you don't have the means or a spotter to do the olympic lifting stuff. I've been using the dumbbells that I have at home in place of the bar and plates which is good but not nearly as easy as a bar, and when it comes to increasing weight so that you can max out it's becomes very difficult to see how much your max could actually be. Regardless, I love (attempting) cross fit. If it weren't for the super expensive gym fees, I would join instantly. Maybe I'll just have to use the weight room across from our boxing gym and convince one of the guys to spot me. Shouldn't be too hard, right?

I have also been looking into basic fitness/ figure competitor workouts. Now trying not to increase muscle mass with these workouts is tough so I figure (haha pun-ny?) that sticking to calisthenic and body weight exercises recommended is a safer bet. Now why is it ok to do the olympic lifting from cross fit and not from figure/fitness lifting? Well to put it this way, competitors are aiming to look a certain way, cross fitters are working hard to create maximally functional muscles. Completely different. And I would go off of their diet-plans, but holy cow those ladies inhale supplements, and I'm not a big fan of un-natural stuff entering my body. I'll stick to my current semi-paleo diet (it's only semi because I do have a cheat day, so sue me). I am hungry all the time despite the crazy amount of food I'm eating, so if anyone has a really good diet plan for athletes please let me know.

Yesterday I also discovered Tabata training which has to be the coolest thing I have ever come across. You are supposed to max out your muscle consumption of oxygen which not only helps your body burn a lot of calories super fast, but also for a long long time post-workout. I tried it out with squats yesterday and loved it. You should check it out. And it's only a 4 minute workout, LITERALLY. You have no excuse to not try it.

So here are some links to the flavors of workouts I tried this week. Feel free to give me feedback on what you hated, loved, or if you have another workout that's better.
CrossFit Kinetics Workout of the Day (WOD)
CrossFit Pasadena WOD
Fitness/Figure/Bikini Competitive Workouts
Tabata Explained
Tabata Timed Workout Tunes

I realize that some of you have absolutely no desire to workout and get no joy from it, but I love it and have to share. And most of these workouts are pretty easy/ short to try out and modify for your personal fitness and equipment level. You can always find a way to do intense workouts with just your body weight, no excuses. Give 'em a shot

Mmmm flavors

Everyone please enjoy the weekend!! Stay safe, Have fun, Be blessed, and don't forget to smile.

-Educated & Unemployed