Fat burners and metabolism my intrinsic link was something I discovered rather by accident. Again I’ve made it no secret that I’m no spring chicken. The struggle to accept that youth truly is wasted on the young. Learning to welcome the fact we all age, is a constant struggle I’d rather live without.
What I was able to accomplish in my younger times, seemed so easy, but as the years pass by, it’s a constant, now conscious struggle. My body slowing down, my mind and energy tiring, and the ever present struggle with weight management. My physical fitness routine, once accomplished with an element of ease to gain the results I so wanted, and got, is now a small battle of the bulge.
Muscles get softer and harder to maintain, and my time spent at the gym, is just that little bit longer. Ho hum, it’s all of our realities, not just me. A slowing metabolism, that makes you listless, and gain that weight, even with all that careful dietary control and lifestyle changes.
Collagen, the long forgotten protein essential for our wellbeing!
In 2015, I took it upon myself to do something a little different. Thought a little crazy by many, but to compete in a figure competition. It wasn’t so much a no brainer for me, but more the careful encouragement of my small group of close friends who believe in me.
I was already well into my physical fitness lifestyle of high cardio and weight lifting, but to be on a stage I needed to step up my game. If I was to get anywhere near what those career competitors were doing, buckling down, was something I had to get serious about.
So…..I decided to take the plunge after I got over my initial anxiety. Yes, my apprehension wasn’t just about looking good and being able to pass, but if I was truly capable of upping my game at the gym.
For those of you that know my history, I’m careful to take great care of my appearance, and how I present myself to the world. I’m tall, and at 6’1” (however when I measured at the contest sign in, I was 5’11 3/4”, clearly I’d shrunk) consider myself to be fortunate in the gene department, making for what I call, an amazon. Better yet, a “glamazon”.
Not only did I have to lose some weight to fit within the designated classes, I also had to increase my muscle tone. Something most folks outside the world of body building just don’t understand. Almost all believe you need too seriously bulk to gain that muscle. Well I can honestly tell you, that’s not the case.
I got to it!
I upped my cardio, varying the activity within my 30 minute routine from the stationary bike, to the elliptical machine, rowing, and whatever else activity I could fluctuate between. If I wasn’t drenched in sweat, I just hadn’t reached my peak performance. When I couldn’t fit in a cardio session, which I did with every training, I opted to interval train. I upped the intensity during my training so I perspired as though I had used the cardio machines.
Before and After
One key element to my workout I changed, was switching to body weight training. I did this to maximize my muscle tone development, and accelerate my weight loss. It worked like a charm. Trx straps, stretch bands, glide pads, cables, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, floor work, any activity that forced me to engage my core muscles. NO SEATED MACHINES!
What I hadn’t anticipated, was the dull ache in my joints that started to occur. First my big toes, then ankles, knees, lower spine, shoulder caps and finally fingers. It was this strange progression through my body that started in my feet. A wearisome throb that took some time to dissipate after I had left the gym.
This just wasn’t going to work, especially if I was to traipse across a stage in 4” lucite heels, clad only in a bikini and a fake tan.
Research, so I got to work doing my homework on what I could do to alleviate this nuisance soreness. Thinking of my joints, the source of my burn, I came across Collagen. You know, Collagen?
The most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. The substance that holds the body together. Forming the framework to provide strength and structure. Wikipedia spells it all out for you!
It occurred to me, that this could quite possibly be the source of my aches and pains. The lack thereof, not from my diet alone, but from the natural aging process of the body. Yes I’m no spring chicken, but as my father says; “I want to live a healthy active life until my shoes are permanently parked by the front door”!
He’s right, a mantra to live by.
With the help of my gang at Body Energy Club, I started supplementing with Collagen in my morning shakes, cereal and or coffee. Learning and sampling what the different kinds do, or can do. Getting the right one for me. Upping my doses to twice a day, once in the morning, and at night, usually before bed. Slowly but surely, over the span of a 3-4 weeks that nagging soreness gradually began to fade.
My training got better, more intense, I got stronger, lost the weight, and gained the muscle tone I so desperately needed. Not only for the competition, but my everyday life. I feel more active and capable, quite possibly I could say refreshed.
It’s a supplement I plan to keep in my routine, you should too. It works!
age·ism
/ˈājˌizəm/
noun
prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age.
Let’s be honest, there is no better to way to describe ageism but as plain ugly, and for many engaged in sex work, they too are no strangers to the ageist attitudes of those ugly enough to inflict it.
Sex work is complex delicate work that nurtures the souls of those that seek out the services of providers gracious enough to that provide what they need. A delicate nurturing of mind, body, and soul, so it’s no wonder that those who become attached to their provider, stick with them for a very long time. Over the course of that relationship factors that usually dictate otherwise are obvious, retirement, an address change to a new city or location, and in many circumstances, even death. Just to name a few.
Sex work is an industry that has nurtured a youthful appearance towards sex and sexuality, in favour of overlooking the fact, the population ages. That sex is only for and had by the physically young, which begs the question; what of the young at heart, mind, and soul? Bonds between a client and provider are forged in steel and for those that are willing to go that extra mile, these bonds can be everlasting.
As many of you remember I was reviewing adult toys in the not so distant past, things changed and I took a break from it. Well I’m back, sort of!
“Therapeutical Aids,” that’s what I call these toys, because sex and orgasm is supposed to be therapeutic, no?
I’m starting back at it with the O Force 2, male masturbator that boasts “five different intensities to produce potent stimulation” provided by two separate motors, the major difference from it’s predecessor the O Force. On first glance, the packaging is simple, sleek, and without the tacky dated pictures of porn stars with that hilariously fake orgasm face. Instructions are printed on the outside of the box with illustrations detailing the 3 AA batteries it requires, the 5 speeds, and that it’s waterproof. Simple enough.
Another amazing product in my “hotbed” of talent from Vancouver, BC, the place I call home.
Mark and Andy of Schnuck Didit Designs are another of the underdogs that deserve a plate at the table and that I truly love! “Producing top quality, Canadian Made artisan soaps and grooming products”, this husband and husband team also make men’s underwear and bathing trunks, that not only look great, but fit like a glove for men of all shapes and sizes.
With the name Schnuck Didit, why wouldn’t I give it a try! A nickname I am told is for one of the guys, a name that aptly fits for their designs, did it, they did!
The human body is an amazing machine that for the most part, many take for granted without a thought or a care as to how it works and the great care it takes to keep it running at optimal performance. We eat, sleep, and breathe, the basics, to keep our bodies running smoothly, but each of those three basics are much more complex than the oblivious and ignorant care to take the time to learn about. Learning about how your body works, and the process to maintain it’s mobility and optimal functioning, that’s whats sexy the week.
We all have them, and in numerous forms. Be it a love of flowers, cars, jewelry, trips to the gym, food and good wine, bras and panties, or beautiful people, WE ALL HAVE THEM! Obsessions! For some it is a simple infatuation, quickly gotten over in a short time, but for those on the move, doing things with ambition, sometimes a little, or lot of inspiration is what those folks need, a healthy obsession, that’s what sexy this week.
Don’t quite understand? Well let me explain with my healthy obsessions.
As I progress through life and age, although I prefer to use the term “mature” because I believe we are all continually doing so, and I hate the word aging, I am striving to continually to perfect or modify myself for good health and longevity. What do I do? One of the things I do is go to the gym 6-7 days a week, of what is soon to be a year long test of myself after a nearly 2 year hiatus. Some would call that obsessive, I call it healthy, and love watching as my body changes. (more…)
The minute we are conceived deep within our mother’s womb is when it all starts, the essence of our physical health. For all of us it is something we cannot control, for our mother’s body is the vessel that is the environment for us to develop and grow into hopefully a happy, healthy human being. Fed by the nutrients that enter our developing system through our mother’s mouth, however not all that is ingested to enable us to grow is good for you, that is the unfortunate fact we have no control over. However once free of the womb and able to make decisions for oneself (more…)
