This Babe Lifts

Accessories are a girls best friend 💪🏻 (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BngnRq0nGMf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qdspiarjklqg

5/5/5 Deadlift Day with the garage open and overcast Oregon weather. Pros: It doesn’t get stifling hot in the garage. Cons: Lots of people out walking their dogs who stop to gawk and judge. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BneXOjXHuYv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8dxv4957b0go

Hip thrusters because I want to be in a rap video and I’ve got some work to do. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnbL7dwni89/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pm35sp2xnchv

Morning warm up consisted of plank side dips, push ups and body weight squats. Once I felt warm I did my upper body circuit 💪🏻 Is it Friday yet??! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnYnyRmH2q6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wfuyycobqnak

Three things I can’t live without: Squats Nike’s Pink Himalayan salt 🏋🏼‍♀️👟🥣 (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWDQy6nFtV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nliokfb12fhx

They say to make an exercise harder just add weight. Is this what they had in mind? . Turn the volume on to watch this 😂 They chose the perfect moment to attack musically! These goobers were so collected during my lift today and then completely LOST CONTROL when I decided to dink around with the @trxtraining straps at the end of my workout. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnTdRNfl8ls/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f1ar9xred2wu

What is your why? This may seem like a silly question, but for me it’s important to always have a purpose. My why has changed drastically over the past three years. When I was cheerleading my why was aesthetics. I wanted to be lean and toned and did tons of cardio to look good. As time has gone on I’ve grown and learned the powerful effects that working out has on my mental and physical health. My why is now longevity and overall well-being. I never step on a scale and I don’t obsess about my workouts. I care about making progress, but I’ve learned that at times my body needs to go lighter and that’s ok. As an ultra competitive person, lifting has given me a healthy outlet to compete with myself. I’m just trying to live a healthy and happy life and hope that inspires you to also. . I love my body & watching how incredible it is, what it can do and lift! When I spend time in the gym it’s not out of obligation, but because it relaxes me, and creates balance for the day. Usually my workouts are no longer than 30 minutes. Fitness is something I love and I have seen influence my life in such a positive way mind & body. . With that said, it’s important for me to set fitness goals and things to strive for and accomplish because I am so competitive by nature (thanks Dad). My goals for this year are to improve my deadlifting form, and increase my weights in deadlifts, squats, close grip bench and rows. Seems simple....but isn’t. . I also cannot stand when people have goals but do NOTHING to reach them. In trying to reach my goals I came up with a workout regime, which focuses on six main lifts. I also created a list of multi-joint exercises for warm ups, accessories, and burnout rounds. . This video is of barbell side bends, an exercise I warmed up with to engage my abs before squats, but actually did not do as a way to specifically train my obliques. One thing I’m focusing on this month is engaging my core in all my lifts, so before even warming up my legs, I’m visualizing and engaging my core. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRKXHiHI4G/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tli3kbttwzdi

Went up 20 pounds today for my close grip bench! Might not seem like a lot, but for this 5’0” body I’m celebrating that as an accomplishment! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnMzVP7HtKS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wgtiacl3oc54

Sporting my white shorts this morning before the "you can't wear white after Labor Day," rule sets in! Truthfully I just won’t be able to follow that fashion custom. Black, white and grey are my forever go-tos. . Silly question, but what are your gym style favorites? I have to force myself not to wear the same black @nike tank, sports bra and shorts every day. I’m not sure if it’s because I used to work for Nike as a Merchandising Information Specialist, or because they’re headquartered in Beaverton, or because they provided gear for me in college, but I always gravitate towards my same outfit. . Fashion statements out of the way, this mornings workout included muscle fiber frying with some dips! @nike @portland @roguefitness @cityofbeaverton (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJL69DHeaY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ryt3bvvfo174

Today I tried some sumo deadlifts for kicks and giggles. I’ve noticed they are controversial, so I thought I’d try them out to form my own opinion. I’m very much a conventional girl, but those are reserved for Sundays, so why not try a variation? . Overall I can definitely say it would take me some time to get used to the stance and general technique. Obviously used some different muscles which isn’t a bad thing. I would never replace conventional with sumo, but I would do them again and continue adding weight as another good exercise. . What are your thoughts on sumo? For those of you who deadlift, what’s your favorite type & why? (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnGjAUenYw3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rojftvls7ncv

It’s important to me to remain chill when all things seem to be headed for crazy. It’s part of my dedication and commitment to a healthy life, which doesn’t only include fitness, but also a mindfulness and devotion to wellbeing in general. So, on mornings like this where I wake up and already feel the looming pressures from work I’m thankful for my morning escapes through garage gym therapy sessions. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders, add 200 more pounds and squat that shit while listening to Ric Flair Drip on repeat. Working on staying tensioned, stable and balanced throughout my entire rep sequence. Also really focusing on not favoring my right side because I’ve noticed I do that when the weights get heavy. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnD_eU3HnHJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jnhf9vniahaj

Short girl probs means you’ve got to be clever with your walk up for pull-ups 🤷🏼‍♀️ (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnBdrxbHtzR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jbp3ytzzm4yp

When you’re trying to keep that body tight for sweater season but bae wants all your attention! 🐶 These lady killers were on one this morning from the second we got up! Anyways, ab rollers are one of my favorite accessories because they’re so convenient and consistent. They get me every single time, they’re easy to make harder (hold at the end longer and slow your pace) and they require so little set up. I do them every week and probably will never stop. Unless we happen across a 4th dog because I think if my little crew here had one more member they could have stopped me. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm-4MjmH2H0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=drekk6iz558o

I’ve been watching a lot of deadlifting online and I have two major take aways: 1: I have a girl crush on @steficohen 2: I need a sassier deadlift walkup routine 😂. Some people do the strangest things and I can’t figure out what it’s about, but I enjoy watching their enthusiasm! No judgement... but if you have a walkup routine, tell me about why! . What’s the best you’ve seen?! Tell me in the comments so I can check it out! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm9DWHdn3pJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=194nzwypfzh0g

For a very long time I was completely opposed to training arms, specifically my traps! While looking at @therock or @markwahlberg is a great time, looking like them was another thing entirely! . I was ok with deadlifting and squatting, I was over my “I need cardio to be lean and toned” phase, but for some reason I was still afraid of getting those arm muscles. Can anyone relate? . Finally, after a long period of avoiding my upper body, I gave up and began training. Here’s what happened: I still look feminine. I feel better. I’m in love with my toned arms. Truth is that hormones and dietary differences allow women and men to train their arms without looking the same. . Find what you love to do and find that balance in life where you can enjoy it and the process. Here’s my favorite lift for feminine traps! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm6jJisnMCJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hkxwf0kyqff7

I recently have been asked some questions about my routine in the mornings! I was shocked that people were interested at all and thought it might be a cool conversation to have with anyone who reads my captions. For me, I prefer just rolling out of bed and going because it clears my head for the rest of the day. After my workout I feel relaxed and accomplished. It’s especially important to me on days where I have a ton going on. Lifting gives me the lucidity and sharpness I need in the morning and I feel like I miss out on that when I do it later in the day. It makes me more productive, more confident, and less likely to let anyone else’s crap affect me because I’m cool as a cucumber. Even before I had a home gym I got my butt down to @24hourfitness at 4:30 am to workout (back in my cardio days - YUCK). Obviously life ebbs and flows, so there are some days where working out isn’t a reality, and that’s ok! But on the days where I can make it a priority I do with diligence, drive and heart. For me, and as a gift to myself for health and longevity, but not for aesthetic reasons. I want to be healthy, not look perfect. Also, because I’ve gotten this question xxxx times now, nope, I do not wear makeup to workout in the mornings 😂. When I get up to grind that is my very last priority! To make it easier on myself I lay my clothes out by my bed the night before, and then get up and dressed in the dark, go wake up the pups & head to the garage! What are your thoughts/reasons on why you workout when you do? Convenience? Work schedule? Nutritional timing reasons? Share in the comments! In other news, it’s pull day over here and this morning my main lift was rows! 🚣‍♂️ (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm3FzrAH7R3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m94mwzpk9rda