Gym intimidation + WSU news
Hi! I’m so glad you guys are loving the 10 days of giveaways! Apologies for the blog crashing last night, too. Turns out she was just excited about some Stitch Fix clothes. I wish I could do giveaways like this all the time- it’s been so much fun. The good news is that we’ll have some more fun prizes on the way in January with Winter Shape Up.
I have some exciting news about WSU this year: I’ve teamed up with my good friend Anne to provide the meal ideas and grocery lists. I’ve been wanting to get the help of a Registered Dietician for some time -as I don’t feel totally comfortable giving out whole meal plans, as I’m only a certified personal trainer- and she’ll help create satisfying combos for fitness performance and fat loss, if that’s your goal. I’m really excited about it!
(she was there for my first pho ever. It was a big deal)
At the gym where I’ll most likely be teaching Zumba, they gave me a free 2-week pass to check out the facilities and classes. Last night, I decided to venture out for some cardio and weights and.. I forgot how it felt to be the only girl in a room full of muscle dudes. It was PACKED in there, bench space was limited, and I had to grab the weights I needed for a tiny pod of space to strength train. I got pretty comfy working out at work, and late at night, I often had the entire gym to myself. Not the case anymore!
Here are some of the things that have helped me with the intimidation factor in the past:
1) Have a plan. I know what I’m doing for training now, and walk in the gym with a solid plan, but even back in the day -when I did arm and ab exercises everyday. Fail- I still pretended like I knew what I was doing. Keep moving, keep working, and get it over with.
2) Focus on your own workout. Everyone is usually too busy to worry about their own workout to care what you’re doing. Even if they’re not, see #3
3) Wear headphones. You pretend you don’t hear anything and are super into your playlist/workout.
4) Laugh in your brain when you grab a heavier barbell than one of said muscle dudes.
Dinner was a classic fave, using some wild rockfish I got on sale at Whole Foods. (Usually fish, on sale, in Arizona, is a scary concept but it looked fresh and beautiful.)
Grilled in foil packs with garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, butter and capers
along with some multicolored carrots and spinach.
(Phone pic… our kitchen lighting is a little horrible at night)
One thing I’ve noticed in the winter months that it’s more challenging to get Livi to eat green veggies since there isn’t much available. We do a lot of frozen broccoli, peas and zucchini, but I’d love any ideas you may have, too. When we’ve been slacking on produce, a green juice usually does the trick… especially since she’ll slurp it up and leave me about 1/8 😉
Dessert was courtesy of Janae from Hungry Runner Girl. She sent me an amazing goodie package with lipgloss, nail polish, leggings (exactly like the cute printed ones she’s been wearing), lotion, a hat for Bella…
(so it wasn’t originally for Bella, but I was sure that she wanted to try it out haha) and chocolate-covered Oreos. They were amaaaaaazing- just right with my glass of vino.
Today, Livi and I are off to get the favorite things packages put together for the winners, and maybe heading to the children’s museum. Hope you have an amazing day and I’ll see ya later with a giveaway!
xoxo
Gina
Do you slack on veggies during the winter season?
Have you ever felt intimidated in the strength training room with a bunch of dudes? When I was first getting started in fitness, I was extremely intimidated, especially since I didn’t have a solid fitness plan. I think it’s so important to get over that fear, especially now that I’m looking back on how I originally felt. Everyone in the gym has a goal and a right to feel comfortable as they work to achieve it. I think, if anything, everyone is silently cheering each other on and would love to high-five one another. I would, at least 😉
And just in case you were wondering, this is what it looks like when an almost two year old wants to wear your hoodie:
hashtag tiny wizard.
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Those leggings! Love! Any idea where they’re from? I love wearing cute printed leggings under solid dresses in the winter.
Tiny wizard! Ahh!
Learning to work out at the gym on the enormous Army base we live on was the gym intimidation challenge of a lifetime. There are about 100 colossal infantry soldiers in there at any given time and it’s terrifying, but the headphones and the game plan have helped a ton! And eventually I learned that they are just in there beefing up their biceps and chest anyway – the glamour muscles. 🙂
I love kale in the winter months, especially in soup. Great way to get your greens in.
I LOVE it when I am using heavier weights than some of the beefy guys!
Will you have a vegetarian and/or vegan menu option as well when you and Anne put together meal plans? *fingers crossed!*
Yes please!
Yes yes! Vegan options!
agreed!
Oooh, I would also love a vegan option!
Yes, I’ll be sure to give some vegan love in my meal ideas! 🙂
Awww Livi looks so precious in your hoodie! I know how you feel about the green veggies I too am living on frozen vegetables right now! Especially in the place we live in!
I am glad that Livi seems to have a great appetite and isn’t too picky!
Ahhh that last pic has me cracking up at work. The spiky pony + too big hoodie is a great combo. Love the tiny wizard hashtag too. Haha. Thanks for brightening my morning!
I am dying over that photo of Liv! Adorable! I like to try out new veggies in the winter but my standard go-to is kale. Can’t beat it. Exciting news about WSU! It’s going to be great! 🙂
That hoodie looks like a robe on Livi!
The way you made the fish is one of my favorites! I generally stay out of the heavy weights area of the gym since all the stuff I want to use (kettlebells, medicine balls, and dumbbells) are right near the cardio section. It works out perfectly for me! I’m with you on silently cheering people on. Since I see the same people almost every day I get excited when I see them being awesome at something. Gives you a little extra motivation!
Your thoughts about gym intimidation really ring true for me. I went through a cycle where I would join a gym and be enthusiastic about wanting to get in shape … until I walked in the door and had no clue what I was doing or how to use the machines properly. About a year ago, through my employer, I won a 12-week ‘Fit Start’ package at a local gym, which included a free membership during those 12 weeks and a group personal training session once a week. Not only did they teach us how to utilize each machine in the gym properly, they also showed us workouts and did a before and after fitness evaluation. I am no longer intimidated to go to the gym because I feel comfortable with what I am doing! I ended up becoming a member after the program, not only because of the results I saw, but because it really changed how I feel about working out!
Livi = hashtag super adorably awesome.
It’s weird but during the Winter months I tend to eat more veggies, I think it’s because I go soup crazy and seriously stuff and veggie I can into the soups I eat. And Olivia’s little hoodie is just the cutest. She’s so adorable.
I blend veggies into sauces, such as butternut squash in mac and cheese, grated carrots or chopped spinach in the tomato sauce in lasagna. When we make pizza at home, our one rule is that there has to be at least one vegetable on it!
Ha ha, love #4, I tend to laugh out loud at those guys;) I thiink something that helps me get over the intimidation factor is knowing that no one really cares what your doing. I’ve been working out for years in a gym and I’ve only been approched a handful of times by guys to give me pointers. Just focus on form and have a good time, who cares about the other people there!
Green Veggie Idea: I just saw this on the Food Network on Sunday, forget which show. Put the shredder attachment on food processer and throw in brussel sprouts, kale, shallot and garlic (opt.). Then mix up a dressing with lots of lemon, olive oil, vinegar, dash of dijon and a handful of parmesean. It was so good and I have been bringing it for lunch too. Today I threw on a spoonful of salsa to moisten it back up and it was delicious.
Whoa this sounds awesome and so healthy! Gotta try it – thank you! 🙂
I tend to crave heartier foods during fall/winter too. Maybe you could try frozen chopped spinach and portobella mushrooms in lasagna or since she likes smoothies, blend a handful of fresh spinach into a pb and banana smoothie? She will love the lovely bright green color! 🙂
In CA, it was super easy to get fresh veggies all year round, but here in the frozen north it isn’t so 🙁 I’ve been trying to figure out how to still eat lots of veggies in the winter, which usually tanslates to eating frozen veggies.
if you’re looking for new tasty greens, I would check out your nearest asian grocery store. You’ll find baby bok choy, chinese broccoli, mustard greens, river spinach (chinese spinach), pea shoots -my fav, some interesting new types of zucchinis like silk squash. Its a little itimidating at first- Make a list with the chinese name/photo so if you’re a little confused you can try to communicate with other shoppers or workers to help locate it for you.
I used to have serious gym-timidation when I first changed gyms a few years ago. My gym is a really great locally owned place, open 24 hours a day. When I went during the day there was a mixed group, but I started going after I got off work (11:30pm-ish) during the summer months, and there was nothing but huge guys lifting massive amounts of weight. I avoided the weight training area totally for a while, but then realized that they don’t care at all, so I just did my thing (with my earbuds in, of course…lol).
I totally slack on veggies in the winter. I try to incorporate them in soups and sides. At my gym, there are actually a decent amount of girls that workout in the weights section, so I never feel super intimated when I venture to “the other side.”
I feel like I have to come up with some serious courage to get anywhere near a weight bench at our gym. It’s so much easier to just stay on the cardio deck. And even though it’s probably true no one cares what I’m doing, I still feel like since I’m a girl there’s at least 5 guys watching me at all times down there… It’s really hard not to feel silly and I hate that!
When I joined my gym about 2 years ago, I was SO intimidated (muscled, hot guys? toned girls? what?), it wasn’t even funny. I eventually started working out w/a friend who was more into fitness than I was at the time, and that helped a lot. Then, I bribed my parents into personal training sessions for my 25th/finishing grad school gift, and LOVED it. Now, I am so comfortable in the gym and feel so confident when I walk in the doors. I go fairly consistently around the same time every day, so I see familiar faces-women and men-and feel like I know them, even if it I just see them at the gym. (that is also I how I landed my last boyfriend. apparently, no make up, sweaty face, dirty hair, and gym attire is attractive to some people 😉 ). I try to smile and say hi to people who look nervous or uncomfortable, because any little bit helps when trying to overcome the intimidation factor in fitness land 🙂 (also, liv is beyond adorable)
Could not help but laugh out loud at ‘tiny wizard’.
I tend to eat a lot of pasta in the winter and chop up as many veggies as I can to throw in there. But other than that I do have to make an effort to get my vegetables in the winter too.
i need to get over that whole gym intimidation thing, i checked out my college’s weight room once and then walked right out once I realized it was packed with workout machines and testosterone. I just really like having my own space (note: bubble person) when I exercise but I might have to get over it cause i really want to try out their equipment
In college I got really intimidated because the muscle dudes were also random people I vaguely recognized from classes so it was a bit strange, now I don’t really care and I just try to do my thing and get out.
i’m quite the opposite – i have no problem eating TONS of green veggies during winter because i love roasting veggies (especially brussels sprouts, zucchini, and bell peppers).
and that pic of livi wearing your hoodie is adorable. she’s such a cutie!
Does Livi like edamame, celery or cucumber as a dipper, or those baked breaded green beans or zuchinni dipped in ranch?
She’s an angel!!
Love the last picture, so adorable
Oh my gosh that picture of Livi – TOOOOOO cute!!
Yes, honestly sometimes I STILL get intimidated! Strength training is still fairly new to me, I’ve always been a cardio gal and only within the past year have I really started to incorporating that. Because of that, even when I go in with a plan, sometimes I feel REALLY intimidated when surrounded by a bunch of guys who clearly do this for hours on end! I’ve actually started taking a Cross Fit beginner’s class to compensate for my lack of knowledge – and because I KNEW that if I spent money like this, I would force myself to go and learn strength training moves better. I don’t know if I’ll necessarily continue with CF as an everyday routine, but it’s been a good way to learn (and it’s moved me out of my fitness comfort zone!).
Love the tips. I think the biggest is just to act like you know what you’re doing. If you look confident everyone will think you totally belong there. I’m now 30 weeks pregnant and still lifting and I’m definitely getting strange looks from people but I just walk out there like it’s totally normal to be doing squats with a giant baby belly and I think that gets rid of the shock value for most people.
I bet I have one of the worst gym intimidation stories. I belonged to the YMCA in the neighborhood where I used to live in Brooklyn for probably more than 3 years. I never once went in the weight room (the one with the machines) and I couldn’t even tell you where the free weight room was (and I went to the gym consistently 4-5/week). I’m really big into strength training now so I can’t believe my former self (even though, when I belonged to that Y, I did a lot of bootcamp and strength classes so it wasn’t totally falling by the wayside).
Bella looks like she wants to kill you for putting that hat on her.
I always wear headphones when working out in the gym to also let people know I am not there to chit chat, but rather train. I like to be in and out and don’t understand how people can talk so much during their workouts. HA! I actually don’t get intimidated while in a crowded gym. I get in the zone and just do what I came there to do and maybe show those muscle dudes how a lady trains hards. They could learn a lesson or two… 😉
Even as a personal trainer I still get intimidated by a weight room full of guys. I remind myself that I know what I’m doing, and often times laugh at the shall I say “interesting” exercises I see around me courtesy of the muscle heads.
Love the tips, hopefully more ladies will feel less intimated by the testosterone dominate weight rooms…
I used to be intimidated by guys in the gym, but like you I finally just got over it. I used to teach fitness classes, and one of my favorite things was when some big muscle guy would come in my class thinking it would be easy, and he would leave huffing and puffing. 🙂
I love getting in and getting out when it comes to the gym. I pretty much only use the gym for cardio/ classes/ or spin. Since we have a gym (weights and such) at home, I never have to worry about space or going during off peak times, which is nice. I know not everyone has this convenience. I definitely love the head phone trick. No one knows if you are listening to music or just have them in your ears half the time. 🙂
In regards to Liv eating green veggies, as long as she is eating ANY veggies, I would be a happy mama. So many little ones aren’t getting veggies and are getting plenty of packaged gummies, goldfish, etc instead (which have their own place in a childs diet). Have you ever thought of making zucchini fritters or mashing potatoes, throwing in chopped frozen spinach/ zucchini/ or broccoli then baking mini ‘bites’ in muffin tins? She may like the finger food aspect. Dr. Praeggers also makes ‘Lil Broccoli Bites’ and ‘Lil Sweet Potato Bites’ that WF has in the freezer section. Good ingredient list too. How about kale chips? Since she likes to mimic you, maybe she would eat what you eat? I would stick with smoothies and juices if she won’t touch greens otherwise. 🙂 I’m sure you are doing a better job than what you may perceive. We are our own worst critic!
#tinywizard hahaha I love it! She’s so cute!
I’m a veggie, so we find ways to creatively get veggies in or we don’t eat. 😉 I LOVE making soups in the winter time and my immersion blender makes that pretty easy. Tripp loves to dip anything so give that kid a slice of crusty bread and a bowl of soup…boom, done. We try to make pizza once a week or so too and its usually a random combination of vegetables (that I find some way to include broccoli on every. single. time.) Veggie quesadillas/fajitas, lasagna and spaghetti squash are winter favorites too.
Oh man, when I was in Colombia the muscle dudes were a real problem. I felt comfortable and just went in to do my workout, but they wouldn’t leave me alone! Some tried to give me “tips” (like spot training triceps and using that wheel that kills your back) while others just straight out flirted. They couldn’t get their head around the idea that a girl would lift real weights. Any good comeback ideas?
when that happens to me, i pretend i don’t speak english haha
Mama’s clothes! Cute now, but wait when your closet is empty in 10 years 🙂
So excited for Winter Shape Up! I did it last year for the first time, so awesome! I will be following along from abroad this year (I’ll be in South East Asia) so I would ask (pretty please) for there to be emphasis on bodyweight workouts again 🙂
I used to get intimidated just getting on the treadmill! Then I realized all the dudes sweat as much as I do, so it’s OK 🙂
chocolate covered oreos– sounds scrumptious!!
I am a big slacker with eating veggies in the winter! Not only is there not a lot available, but it is the last thing I want to eat when it is so cold outside. Chicago is already at six below zero, not including the wind chill!
I agree 100% that having a plan makes a world of difference! I’ve been a gym rat for years and I still feel intimidated when I go in without a plan!
PS Bella is ridiculously adorable
I actually like to be in a gym with a lot of guys when I lift weights. Hello eye candy 😉 But seriously, it kind of makes me feel empowered, especially when I do lift heavy. Or at least–heavy for a girl 😛
For veggies ,I love making like a winter squash and whatever-vegetable-i-have-on-hand/is-in-season mash up.
Normally just mashing pre-roasted squash (butternut, acorn, my absolute love KABOCHA, etc), with seasonings, sometimes a yummy fat( coconut oil, ghee, topped with hemp seeds etc, ) and whatever veg I want that I’ve steamed lightly ( cauliflower and kale are fab).
I can go to town on this with a spoon, especially with a hefty sprinkle of nooch on top.
Hope that doesn’t sound too unappetising lol!
Xxx
In the winter I definitely get most of my veggies through soup & roasted veg — I do still eat salad, but soup just seems so much more appealing on chilly days 🙂
She does look like a wizard..reminds me of Mickey Mouse in Fantasia!
I have such trouble with the veggies…and I’m vegetarian! Can’t wait for the tips
Regarding the gym tips…I’ve gone so far as to leave my headphones on when the iPod died 30 minutes ago, just to avoid chit chat and keep moving!
Hey gina!
Quick question, you said, but even back in the day -when I did arm and ab exercises everyday. Fail-” when/how did you realize what you were doing was wrong, and what exactly were you doing wrong? I never (try to) do the same muscles two weight days in a row! (But sometimes I do a bit when I only have weekend off from sports)
Thanks! 🙂
I absolutely have a problem getting veggies at this time of year, as everything I enjoy during summer is either sad looking or not available. I’ve been stocking up on cabbage and brussel sprouts, as well as squash and sweet potatoes, but there’s not much out there locally on the salad veg front 🙁
Gym intimidation was the biggest thing that kept me from working out when I first started. I found having a plan is really what helps so I’m not wandering around aimlessly. Going into the weight room with one of you WSU/SSU plans helps!
Veggies aren’t an issue for us in winter months–lots of fresh broccoli and asparagus if nothing else. We always have baby carrots around and sometimes sugar snap peas for go to snacks.