Give me a break

This is not a picture of me btw - but it is the closest picture I could find of an average looking lady working out.  Below is an actual picture of me working out.

I have been actively working out for years now.  I have been using the treadmill, doing weight training, cardio, yoga and HIIT to name a few.

Am I seeing a difference in my body?  A little and it feels good.  What does that say?  I need to change it up. Guess I have hit that dreaded plateau.  But where should I go from here, to whom shall I get accurate information from?  It can be very confusing. Do this don't do that eat that not that, get this amount of sleep drink this much water...etc. I have even heard a trainer say that you can do a really great workout but that sitting all day will Veto it.....wth?

I go to YouTube and look up different workouts and do them at home cause I really don't like the gym scene.  What I have found is that a lot (not all) of online trainers have 5-10 minute workouts with 3 lbs weights - as if that is going to do ANYTHING for you. Ok in fairness if you are a TRUE beginner at exercising then any amount of working out is good, just get started.  But come on, to try and sell this is absurd. GIVE ME A BREAK. Here you are watching these lovely men and women who are tight & fit & yummy looking trying to tell us that "you got 5-10 minutes a day? Then workout with me and you will see results"....no you wont!! What you will see is disappointment and the feeling of being a failure.  Those trainers workout for a living with years of experience and workout for hours a day to get that physique - don't let them fool you.

Check out this (annoying) 5 minute video I found on YouTube - listen to her language and how she is trying to sell this quick workout for your arms.....mean while she is a well known instructor working out for decades & probably hours a day in and out.

http://youtu.be/OzhKXShsp3c

Here is what I have noticed for me and my workouts (may not be true for you)  I find if I rotate cardio, strength (10 lbs. each dumb bell & working on increasing that) HIIT, Yoga.  At least 30-40 minutes a day (rest Sundays) I generally look and feel better.  Also a few months ago I started really looking at the food I ate. Lower carbs (but not eliminating them), ate more veggies. Once I did that I started to see even greater results. 

I heard someone say don't eat to fill up - eat to fuel up.  This resonated with me. 

Use food as fuel not as a filler. As best you can, eat things that are closest to nature, & not processed and drink water, get into a challenging exercise routine. Everything in moderation, even moderation.

My Bottom line:

We are all different and what might work for 1 person may not work for another. Keeping your body tuned up is vital on so many levels. So to sum up Watch what you put into your body - find a routine to rotate through on a REGULAR basis that really challenges you and you WILL see results. Maybe not in the 6-8 weeks these online trainers tell you - but eventually you will and it WILL be worth the effort. Do it for your future self, you will be happy you did.

If you have any workout tips to share please comment below, thanks.

Oh - here is the picture of me working out.  I try.....and keep trying.... :) Right now I am doing the Jessica Smith November Fall Challenge. Here is a link to her web site: http://www.jessicasmithtv.com/