Category Archives: CG

Supplementing your Workout

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My main workout of choice is Camp Gladiator. I love how the workouts are mixed it up to target different parts of physical fitness. I value time with others and growing positive friendships. Recently, I have clung to on-demand virtual. Such a great option when you are low on time, love a certain trainer and like to pick your workout. Virtual works best for me with a child, but community is good when you can get out.

On my random days, I run. Nothing big but run with a target in mind like a distance or space. Recently it is a half mile for time. Goal is to get better while vibing with my music. Music gives me life. It connects me, grounds me, inspires me so the right music is the perfect self care.

A local studio opened up last year in my area that is crazy expensive (like 200 a month for limitless classes), but also offers intense workouts with community. Sometimes people offer the best pick me up and mind focus you need. Arise Kaufman gym hosts cycling, boxing and a new favorite sculpt. Tone and definition is my new goal so this workout is life.

Finally, shakes, energy teas and protein bars are the ways I fuel my body to only further the results. These treats are my motivation as well or even a reward. You gotta inspire yourself sometimes or you will inevitably quit and I struggle with consistency when I am bored.

No matter how you move-just move! We overcomplicate it at times and scare off the people that just need to be told do something…it feels so good when you are done! I believe big our body is a temple from the Lord so treat it well. Life is better when you feel good about yourself.

Who Doesn’t Have 30 Minutes?

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My recent health Journey had me put a hold on intense workouts. For one, I had no calories to burn. For two, the workouts wore me out with my low body weight and muscle burn. Little did I know these last couple of months I had pneumonia and possible kidney disease (we are learning more with tests).

I know a key to handling Lupus is exercise and it workouts are so good for my stress. Add in that at this weight, muscle tone and definition is so nice. And you cannot forget it is swimsuit season so even though I struggle with my bony frame and hair loss…I want to look as good as possible.

Smaller chested brunette😉

Although it feels like I am wasting my Camp Gladiator membership…I have started utilizing the website. Specifically, on demand workouts and quick hitters. 30 minute workouts targeting the areas you want to grow. Who does not have 30 minutes to take care of yourself?

Choose the time, the area of focus, the trainer- it is all up to you. Great for those that cannot go all in, but cannot afford to give up.

Just Cycle!

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I love Camp Gladiator, but sometimes you need to mix it up. So happy to share I found cycling! A new gym opened up in Kaufman called Arise. It is more elite with top notch equipment and technology. I have not tried everything, but I am hooked on their cycling!

Hear me now…it is expensive. 20 dollars a class…makes CG look cheap, but it hurts so good! I love you can track your performance, set goals, compete as a team and it is inside! Hot, cold, rainy…you are good!

Recently I found the love of theme classes! Praise and worship class to feed my soul. Lil Wayne to feed my inner hip hop. Lizzo to feed my diva. The music gets me going as I push myself to new records or just release my stress.

Of course, I still love my CG. Recently I found Camp Gladiator on demand workouts and Quick hitters have hit the spot! 30 minutes- you can do anything. No need to carve 2 hours out of your day…just get it done and check it off!

The live part makes it interactive but sometimes you need people so going in person is nice too. Whatever you choose to do to focus on your health…just move!!

You will not regret it!

January 1st is just another day…

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To me January 1st is just another day. Whatever vision you had on December 31st could be done then…why wait? Why be dramatic about January 1st…it seems like it is setting one up to get on this hig emotional high then fail. However, I do love graduations to reflect and endings call for new beginnings.

Four areas I want to examine:

Relationships

Relationship goals…lifelong friends where you can be vulnerable and fail, but they pick you up.

Spiritual Habits

calendar of praying for a child

Health-mind and physical. I am hopeful to get answers to my weight loss, gain some weight, and not let inflammation bring me down.

My CG trainer and my spin class teacher- mix up the workouts!

Reading-both to grow and for pleasure

Bible Recap Reading Plan

I see these four areas as important to me and areas where I can grow. Work is important too and I have goals there…but at my stage of life…so much time is spent on making a name for myself as a teacher that it is exhausting. Sometimes I just need to live my life and bring that to the curriculum I know.

Teacher friends
Always a learner

My school family!

So today, give yourself grace. Notice the baby steps to be better, but do not suffocate yourself with strict guidelines. Enjoy the journey!

Be you and embrace it!
Appreciate where you are! Some may see this as being complacent but I see it as being content. You are enough!
I love hearing feedback from people I trust, but you cannot make everyone happy.
Move forward afraid.
This is a fun tool to track exercise or books read or classes attended…

Happy 2022. The year I blog until I get busy again!

The face I make returning to school after a long break!

Health Update

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Still no weight loss answers, but up to 102 from 98 pounds so go me! Slowly starting to get back into Camp Gladiator, but added the virtual option so I can go at my own pace. Dressing the weight loss since it is my new normal. Hoping and praying it is nothing more serious and I am fool for not seeking the answers. I feel light headed sometimes but I am small so that makes sense. Really striving to be closer to Jesus and hoping his wisdom brings me clarity to seek the right doctors.

Lupus and inflammation will always be in my story, but hoping to get on the right meds to feel good and take care of my temple.

Pray with me!

Healthy Changes

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So over the past few months I have continued to lose weight without trying. Sounds awesome, but not when you look sick and you are down to a size 0 and under 100 pounds. Only in small outfits does it look sexy…in most clothes I look ill. So I have had to pause Camp Gladiator so I can visit doctors and figure out the root. When you need every calorie, you have zero to burn!

So far I have been to three doctors and received an ultrasound of my thyroid. Gastronologist is next along with a high protein diet, delivered meal plan so I snack all day and eat and protein shakes from Crandall Nutrition. Again, blessed to not worry about losing pounds, but never Google unexplained weight loss.. it is scary! Join me in praying for some direction!

Finally, in all the day to day, I am leaning into my self. Put a pause in working on my relationships, and am focusing on God and my mental health. Sadly, I tend to lose me in us and it is time to look at who God says I am.

Turning 42 flipped a switch. Who am I? Where do I want to be in a year? Who do I want by my side if I have to battle a deadly disease tomorrow? No time to question loyalty…I need to know my team and live in it! Stay tuned for Julia 42.0!

In Lupus related news, I am now on Methextrate and off Plaquenil. Over time, my symptoms began to look more like RA and the joint pain became too much. I now have side effects of headaches and mouth ulcers, but feel better than ever joint-wise. Kinda scared to find out what 62 feels like since 42 already feels like 92, but believing in a cure and a good Lord comeback!

Camp Gladiator Update

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You can tell I am a teacher since I have the time for three posts in a day!

Last summer I tried a new workout to stay out of a pandemic funk, heal my body from the negative effects of Lupus, build muscle and please my husband who loves fitness (gotta be honest). A year later and I am still going strong!

I find I look forward to it most weeks and I am seeing results. I have built new friendships and look better in my jeans so there is a winning all around. Added bonus love is I am seeing results with energy teas and protein shakes…all of it together and I can see and feel the difference.

I am a small girl so I am hoping the protein shakes will help me to look stronger, but I love how I feel and that was my biggest goal from the beginning.

Camp Gladiator promotions are based on referrals and I have none so if you want to try it then I can get you the info! Virtual options make a workout from anywhere possible! Even if you have another workout you love, just keep moving and I will be cheering you on all the way. Summer body is no joke and bikinis can be brutal…we are all doing the best we can!

Wrapping this Crazy Week Up

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Temps are expected to get above freezing today as this winter storm rolls out and I already feel some normalcy in the air. Stores reopening. People driving. Making plans.

It is time. Have not worn a real bra or gotten out of the house since Saturday night. Ate only homecooked meals the entire week….no.take out.at.all. No packages delivered. Just chilled at home. Spent a fortune on water and electricity, but we were fortunate to have no pipes burst. Saw hospitality and kindness in so many different ways. Tried to give what I could in any area around me that did not need it. Walked in the snow to deliver a birthday gift. A neighbor brought me tea bags. Friendship.

Read books, took online classes, worked out virtually, read with my son, watched movies and DVDs. Worked around the house. Binged on social media. Slowed down. Read my Bible and my Book Study for church and school. Recharged. Took a break.

Now back to the grind. Will never forget this week of snow with my son. Taking one last day to enjoy it then kiss it goodbye. Epic pictures and memories to last a lifetime.

100th Check-in with Camp Gladiator

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I started Camp Gladiator boot camps at the start of the pandemic. With virtual teaching, home schooling, parenting, and staying at home…I just needed something for me. It started virtually then I moved over to in-person. It has been a great way to self care, connect with others, and improve my health all while setting goals and working to achieve them. Especially, when we started the foster care process, I needed something about me and to not let my frustrations explode. So 100 check ins was a huge deal celebrating discipline and sticking with something even when things got busy. January you get the workouts for free so sign up and join us online!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1c7d0zYcqI8HCNxFxD41D14ccuS10kZuAgU42WyhCuDw/viewform?edit_requested=true

If you sign up let me know! You can use Julia Tyndall as your referral!

Another added bonus is my kid and someday kids can go with me and run their energy out before bed. It is not always easy but it is worth it.

New Habits

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2020 was the year our trauma was exposed. The year we had a moment to step back and see what God was seeing. Busyness. Greed. Selfishness. Chasing after the wind to gain power, success, money…but losing family, health and righteousness.

2021 can be the year to repair what the trauma exposed. Relationships with family, clarity in our mission, a new way of doing things. A greater focus on what matters and what you really “need” to thrive. God’s way is simple, but costs us everything. God’s way brings life.

2021 is the year of new habits. New mindsets that 2020 revealed are needed. Mindsets of humility, grace, health, knowledge of God’s word, seeing trials as a process for change.

This year starts some new healthy habits that will be game changers.

1. Reading the entire Bible. God gives us direct access to Him and I am taking advantage of it.

2. Changing what I put into my body. More water specifically.

3. Discipline through CG workouts. Build muscle, grow lung strength, push yourself mentally and encourage others around you. Take an hour for yourself to take care of your body and grow your mental toughness.

4. Choosing family and quality relationships while putting down the things that keep us from it. My FB friends do not fulfill me more than family.

5. Financial freedom. Stop using things to buy happiness. Get out of debt .

I struggle being generous because I fear not paying bills, but the truth is I am spending all my money on things for myself to make me happier. Time to stop.

This year is the year to make changes needed now that God has my attention.