Fat Mom Blogging Secrets

Every time I see one of those “No Excuses!” headlines or memes, I want to heave a medicine ball at my computer. These posts send the messages that going to the gym isn’t selfish, kids shouldn’t be an excuse for not working out, and there’s no excuse for not taking care of yourself. I agree, and over the years I’ve made working out a priority. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m., I’m at my CrossFit box laboring away. Flamingo images/Shutterstock Unless there’s a snow day for my kids. Or they’re sick. Or I’m sick. Or the doctor/dentist/teacher/speech therapist/freelance client can only meet with me during my scheduled WOD. Or my freelance work exceeds my babysitting/kids-in-school hours for the week. Most of the time, I can schedule around my workout or move my training to another day. But I won’t feel guilty for the days when I just can’t make it in. I’m tired of being told no excuse is ever good enough . Editor’s note: This article is an op-ed. The views expres...

It is entirely possible to train for the sport of weightlifting on a solitary basis. Many have done it this way, and no doubt many will continue to do so. It is also possible to be coached on a one-on-one or even online basis. However, this is not to say that individualized, solitary training is the optimal way to learn and train for the sport . On the other hand, there are some severe limitations to the traditional model of group class instruction that do not lend themselves to holding an effective “weightlifting class.” In a typical group exercise class, the instructor leads the activities by designating the nature of the activity and providing parameters to standardize the activity. There is a short lifespan under which this type of instructional model can prevail for a group of different levels and abilities. Even teaching the most basic exercises for weightlifting will exceed the limitations of the group class model. Know When to Individualize So when is individualization ne...

The sport of strongwoman can be not only incredibly demanding but also a difficult and competitive sport to make a name for one’s self. Inez Carrasquillo, a rising star in the sport, doesn’t have this problem. Her latest astonishing feat is a 136-kilogram (300-pound) log press performed on Feb 2., 2022. It breaks (unofficially) the current world record and is a strongwoman’s heaviest press ever completed from the floor. You can watch the lift below, originally posted to Carrasquillo’s Instagram.             View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by BarBend Strength Sports News (@barbend) According to Carrasquillo’s caption, the lift was “300X1 on the worst log ever.” And, apparently, this has been something the strongwoman has been in pursuit of for a little while: “Been chasing a 300lb press off the ground and I needed this w...

Many of us make resolutions to improve ourselves and reach new goals every year, but life happens, and it doesn’t always go according to plan. That isn’t trouble for Jessica Buettner, who starts 2022 in a pole position. On Jan. 30, 2021, Buettner deadlifted 252.5 kilograms (556 pounds), demolishing her previous personal record by 2.5 kilograms (five pounds). Two days later, she followed up that lift with a bench press PR of 107.5 kilograms (237 pounds).             View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Jess Buettner (@djessicabuettner) Both lifts occurred in training, but both of Buettner’s lifts are heavier than the current IPF world records at 76 kilograms. It’s not surprising to see Buettner reach new heights in her own training time. Buettner is in sole possession of three International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) r...