fitness – mywarriorwritings.com

Home Gym Stories 💪🏻🏋🏻‍♀️🧘‍♀️

I love that pic of Warrior above years ago at his gym in Arizona. He looks so happy and I’m very glad he was able to have that in his life at that time. Years later, he had his barn gym on their property in New Mexico but today, I am sharing a few of MY home gym stories. Fitness has been a huge topic on here over time plus it’s mentioned in my book, “Spirit and Belief” but I wanted to delve a little more into it today. You can say passion or even obsession which I blogged before, but it is different for us all.

I won’t get into my beginnings as that has been told, but of course much has evolved. Working out became fun for me although it may not be for some. It shouldn’t all be sweating your body weight because come on, that’s not fun. Warrior may not agree or look at his routine the same way, but it can be both WORK and FUN! Maybe some aspire to the ” no pain, no gain” attitude and I DID years ago but not anymore. Obviously a bodybuilder or pro wrestler mindset will be entirely different and I respect that. Our mindsets in other ways do take on a few parallel roads as I will share with you all today.

Warrior had mentioned doing 500 sit ups (or crunches which are easier) but my number was half that at 250. Well, the 250 came a few hours after dinner but I probably did 100 or so earlier in the day. Sure, you can maintain those muscles but losing weight won’t happen with crunches unless you combine it with other exercise and diet. It all depends on your personal goals. So, this is about ME now and not what Warrior did or how hard he did things. I did those 100 crunches as part of my routine every day but the extra 250 was because of guilt tripping over food at dinner. Yeah, it was that way for a while. I don’t do those crunches or any at all nowadays but push-ups replaced them. I do 20 but I used to do 30. I feel that more in my core as sit ups hurt my back. If I would’ve been more disciplined with them years ago, perhaps it could’ve gone another way but these times require more of a new approach with my core strengthening which works for me.

Squats were a huge part of Warrior’s regime and as years progressed, they became part of mine. He showed the heavy metal rock band “I See Stars” how to properly do a squat as part of “The Warrior Show” which you can find on YouTube. I watched these years ago but had to find them again for this post. He lifts a bar and shows them how it‘s “like shi**ing over a hole!” Warrior the drill sergeant indeed. We have a 20 lb. kettle bell that I used for a few years and would do 20 squats, 5 days a week. I loved it but over time, the body responded. Readers will know my posterior is nonexistent and a piriformis muscle along with the glutes became affected. I pushed through the pain but needed my PT to help realign those areas. I can use smaller weights and squat but don’t. Oh, there’s more…

My husband has always had weights and lifted on his own workout bench for years. We have some little arm weights of 3, 5, 8, and then bigger 10 ones. The 30 lb. one always alluded me until a few years ago. He would do arm curls and I eventually was able to lift it somewhat at my elbow. I sure did want to try and lift it. I started small of course but it kept calling to me as an “ultimate challenge.” Finally was I able to lift it above my head like a gorilla press! I actually cried. I did 10 reps but probably should’ve just done it on occasion. Never did I feel any pain but after looking at my paperwork from the ulcer (a couple years ago,) a hiatal hernia was listed. My doctor never mentioned it as a concern since internal ones go away with medicine. How would I get that on top of everything else including gastritis? It’s all in the gut for sure. I was never told the specifics (but I DO know how I got the ulcer and it wasn’t medical) so I put it together with lifting that 30 lb. weight. Maybe not but with my lack of power legs and a backside always, I just assumed. No lifting again for me and it made me sad. 😞 I loved lifting that 30 lb. weight and my workouts are fun.

The kids even would say how Mom will miss her work out when we were on vacation. They wouldn’t say that about their Dad! I would do little things in hotel rooms though… They were right so I would either do much before we left or after getting home. Not anymore. Sweating isn’t that common for me either. On the elliptical machine, jumping rope or jacks for a minute, or in the sauna is where I sweat. Still cardio but more yoga and you know what? I am FINE with it. I proved some things but don’t need to at this point in my life. Even on our old elliptical machine I was crazy at times. It was only 20 minutes a set but once we had neighbors unexpectedly come over and I was downstairs working out. For some reason, I didn’t get in my morning time— I can’t remember. I had 5 minutes to go and warriors- I finished before greeting them! 5 minutes can seem fast but when company is over, it is an eternity. I was too close with finishing and just had to do it to the end.

That’s all in the past as my attitude is somewhat more at ease. I still believe in anyone becoming disciplined in the way that works in their life but unlike my emotions~ I don’t push to extremes. It isn’t for me. We now have a more modern elliptical which I get on from time to time plus a few other machines. We also have a big exercise ball I use as well. Does anyone have an inversion or teeter table? It’s great for a whole body stretch and back pain. The guy in the commercials is in his 80’s I think! It works and I love it. The recumbent bike is more of a rarity but those do make me sweat a little more and I need that in the winter. My hamstring and sciatica might act up, but no more other injuries coming my way. The body doesn’t heal as fast as it used to which sucks… I know… ☹️ I do use our chair back massager and belt which works wonders. I’m not gonna get an A** at my age either!

Well, warriors~ those are some of my home gym stories that many who work out may identify with. If you don’t, that’s OK as we all need exercise but our body will tell us. YES, the body can handle a lot but risking pain isn’t my thing like it used to be. Don’t get me wrong as I am not an old lady but I will still be active someway, somehow, even as I age more. Who knows exactly as we probably can’t take all this equipment with us when moving elsewhere but couch potato or TV junkie, I am not! Whether you go to a gym or do stuff at home, just move your body every day. We need to as being active and fit matters. Not excessively, but it does. Warriors get the job done but be your own warrior with fitness. Now, get off the couch and move it!

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. readers! Be grateful always… 🦃🍽️🥧😋🙏🏻🍎🌽

P.P.S. I recently just posted my 50th YouTube video!!! It’s all about a few U.W. fans who had contacted me as I share a little of their stories… Check it out here:

https://youtu.be/_LtbMEbht1E

*** If this link isn’t active, just search up my channel.., I hope you enjoy! It’s called: “To all you Ultimate Warrior fans!”

*** You can find me also on a U.W. fb group, Twitter, and Instagram which has a tribute group as well. 💙🥰👍

Alone at the Top 💪🏻💙🔝

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” ~Marianne Williamson

I think that quote fits for today as does that photo you see of Warrior above. Do you feel alone at the top? Are you even at the top or do you ever want to be? All interesting questions that I’m bringing into focus or should I say: “FOKE!” like Warrior had said. Whether or not one is alone at the top, this concept can apply to us all in many ways.

Let’s start with Warrior. Did he feel alone at the top? First off, as a champion in the business of wrestling, you alone have that title and nobody else so yes– that applies. But, of course I always mean deeper stuff as you know. Some may like it up there where others may feel intimidated. Warrior wanted that title eventually and most who pursue something similar also have that same motivation. It does come with some issues and sacrifices. Warrior’s title wins made others jealous of his fast rise to the top but he set a goal and achieved it. He got attention a different way than many before him ever got and they had been there much longer. People say Warrior was a “loner” of sorts but does being at the top make you lonely? That all depends as they are not the same thing. I can’t really say if he felt alone for sure but it did factor in with how he already appeared to some. He did it his way and had support from those he trusted.

We all run like the Ultimate Warrior did. 🏃🏻‍♀️Yep, you read that right. We do in a way. It’s the running or the chase that excites us to go after that job, relationship, position, or anything that interests us. That strive to get to the top pumps our adrenaline of competition. The question is: When you get there, then what? Do you run to the next goal or revel in the current one for a bit? Being alone at the top can be great when you achieve it but you need to think carefully of your next move. 🤔Once you have that elusive thing you’ve wanted for so long, are you satisfied? Maybe you crave more or perhaps are happy with being where you are right now. I can attest to all this with my writing. It’s up to you warriors. Just know that our lives are fluid, not stagnant. We do need to keep pushing ourselves but it’s quite alright to celebrate a victory for a little while- even a small one.

For some of us, we may never strive for that top status and may never be alone. You can be at the 🔝 without necessarily being alone. The opposite is also true. I of course identify with Warrior on many levels and being alone is one I totally connect to. Being at the top— well, that all depends with how it’s defined. I never pursued a career the way he did but still felt at the top many times in my life. It’s not just that career as I’ve said before. You can be at the top with fitness which is how Warrior trained himself to be. It doesn’t need to be taken literally but just being satisfied with how your life is going. We all need to be better though because we learn and evolve always.

Warrior was alone at the top with his disciplined mindset and his spiritual beliefs. Am sure others like myself understand but at the time of sharing his points of view back then, all alone. He totally echoed other great spiritual thinkers and some I follow today. When I first discovered their teachings several years ago, Warrior’s philosophies sounded so much like work they were putting out into the world. So alone? Maybe not totally but to others outside that thinking, yep.

It’s ok to be alone in your thoughts but we do enjoy sharing with like minds. I am grateful to be able to do that now as these past years of gaining or remembering different beliefs have been a struggle. I do like my alone time but some are afraid of it. The mind will wander, oh no.., Warrior wasn’t afraid of that, I’m not either. We are social creatures but NEED time by ourselves even though some may not know what to do. Being at the top will be different for every single person with how you view that idea. If you give your best and be yourself, you’ll know you were at the top when it’s time to hit that pillow at night.

Just because you achieved that dream, wish, or goal doesn’t mean it’s all over. Plan a new one, keep going, and of course- always believe. Take that time to relax if at the top or even at the top alone. You will know what both of those mean and how to interpret them. The running can be fun but know when to slow down once something is caught. The Ultimate Warrior’s running will always be remembered as his time alone at the top wasn’t long. He needed to be alone to use his mind and attained the top win of all. Whatever your goals, be the warrior you need to be to make them come true.

P.S. Wasn’t gonna have a PS this week but just thought of something… Maybe it was Warrior inspired…. Well, his top win of all involved getting that heavyweight title BUT I can hear him saying what his REAL top win was: his girls… 💕

www.spiritandbelief.com

~~~Find me here for book info or check out Amazon on that guy who’s at the top of this post. His spiritual energy inspired those stories to come to life. I write another blog there so feel free to find that if interested as well. I am also on some social 📲like Twitter fb, and youtube(: THANK YOU all for checking in and that ‘lil video I made about the Warrior bio- well it has almost 900 views. I am ultimately humbled as always….🙏🏻

Morning warriors or Night owls ☀️🦉

Do you remember my city/country post of a few months ago warriors? Well, today’s story is kinda like that one only with times of day instead of places to live. Which do you prefer– the morning warrior or night owl? I’m actually neither since most of my energy is spent in the afternoon. If I had to choose, it would be the morning. I was never a night owl. Guess who was though? You know who I’m talking about– Warrior.

I have referenced this a little before with being a WWE performer and superstar. Sleep would be hard to come by what with all the adrenaline. I know I’d be the same way if I did what they did and do! Downtime is required in order for me to prepare for dreamland… If I don’t get comfy before bed with my routine, falling asleep becomes quite the challenge. Warrior confesses on The Ultimate Collection DVD to surviving on 3 hours of sleep and calling it “neat.” Um, NO– not for me! This post is one of the fews where we are not in agreement upon. Once your body gets used to a routine or practice, it does become hard to change even out of a profession. I’d barely make it for Saturday Night’s Main Event sometimes and I was younger then!

When I was a young child, napping just wasn’t for me. I was good and stayed quiet but not many times of actual sleeping. Kiddos need that rest but it wasn’t happening for me. Now, it’s a little easier with a busier lifestyle and some cold wintery weekends. I was told that I have more energy than ever realized. 😬 That does explain why my brain and body need to work together to achieve rest. Like I always say, we need the balance and that is true with activity and sleep too. 😴

My workout is the afternoon as my husband’s is in the morning. I have done some fitness in the evening but gotta tell ya– it doesn’t work for me. If it’s getting close to 8 p.m., I am way too wired and already know sleep will be difficult that night.

There are some who workout at midnight or so like Triple HHH and Stephanie McMahon. Often, that’s the time that works with hectic busy families. If I had to do that, I would but sleep would have to factor in as well. Sure, sometimes I have a few sleepless nights but it isn’t a constant. I do know that my workout and fitness are a priority so it would get done in some way. Maybe just yoga. Maybe just cardio but probably not all if my schedule was different. I’d rather start at 5:00 A.M. and crash earlier at night instead of trying to find the energy at midnight!

How does this work for you warriors? It doesn’t have to apply to fitness but anything else. I also will never be one of those late night shoppers either. Ya know, the Wal-Mart types. If you are, that’s fine but it isn’t me. Guess I’m not the all-nighter kind of gal. I wanted to watch T.V. and school wasn’t like that for me anyways.

Many activities I prefer doing in the morning versus night like errands or chores. We all do what works for us and some can’t switch their schedule around. I like relaxing more in the evening or doing family stuff minus homework. 😳Our schedules can be so opposite of others but we shouldn’t judge since everyone is different. I love the idea of starting the day with a workout since your energy will get peaked. At the end of a day, my tiredness creeps in and it’s more difficult. If you have some motivation, even better.

Being up all night can have advantages too since most could be sleeping or some even work night shifts. You’d have no distractions at home or very little but will have to be quiet. You can get your own space like Warrior had which worked well out in his barn gym. When we are alone, we can mentally prepare better for whatever tasks lay ahead of us. Knowing myself, I’d probably fall asleep at 7 p.m. being up all night…

So, morning warriors or night owls? Whichever is your thing, just make it work in your life. Do the work of your life as Warrior said. Make your time count because it truly does. 👏🏻😉😊

WORK+REST=BALANCE Always!!

P.S. Last month on Friday, Dec. 13th, we had an owl in our backyard tree! It was so cool seeing this “night owl”! ~~ It was also a full moon!! 🌑

***P.P.S. The card deck above I have mentioned before. It’s the Mystical Shaman Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid. ***

The “Point” of Perfection

Do you strive for perfection? Does it frustrate you when things are not perfect? The photo above looks so perfect to me after my hair was highlighted. That isn’t my “real” look, other selfies will prove that. 😉 I’ve discussed this topic briefly but wanted to explore a little deeper. Warrior wanted perfection in many areas of his life. Some days, I want to scream at him and then some I say: “I get it…”

I’ve never really explored ME and perfectionism. You see, it’s kinda easier talking about someone else but when it’s yourself, that’s tricky… I am a Virgo so being organized is my thing but there’s another challenge. A big issue with me that I have in common like Warrior is body image. O.K.— obviously NOT in the same way but remember, feelings are.

All three of my siblings had the same body type when they were younger and then there was me. I was never that heavy but they were all smaller than my size. Boys metabolism is different than girls but I struggled with weight issues often. I wasn’t necessarily jealous of other girls since being a size 0 is not a number to me.

I even worked out with my best friend at age 12 the wrong way just to lose weight. Now, I have these faded stretch marks that aren’t from birthing babies. Slimfast became part of my life for a few years in high school in beyond. It’s great and worked but the truth is, I didn’t really need it. Plus, it hurt some of my heavier friends that felt intimidated and threatened. Ahhh, girls…

Now, it is much different for me with healthier food choices, a workout of cardio and yoga, and feeling good FIRST. I can’t do a headstand but I can rock push-ups!! It isn’t the number on a scale anymore. Maybe being different then got me thinking more like a warrior. She was always there. I just had to find her. I did get some help later on from the Ultimate one! 🙏🏻💙

Being in a body conscious profession is much different but hey, even “Mr. Perfect” wasn’t perfect! Warrior lived his whole life with that body molded the way he wanted. The truth is– that shouldn’t and doesn’t define us. When I’d watch certain parts of The Ultimate Collection DVD, I would cringe when Warrior discusses perfectionism. He had to go back eating tuna fish and water since having THAT body is what people would remember about his character and “that’s what they were going to get.” I still shake my head in disbelief. Sure, it’s right there in front but his body is never what this warrior girl would remember— EVER. Alright, the teen girl yes, the real me, no. We are all more than bodies.

I always wanted to ask Warrior if he was satisfied with his body. Was it ever enough? Maybe it never was for him. There’s a line in the movie “Welcome to Marwen” that says: “Pain is our rocket fuel.” I paid attention to that and right away thought of Warrior. Perhaps that’s true for some.

I also want to know about why he didn’t get Hulk Hogan “all the way up” in WMVI. I mean, were his elbows bent a quarter inch? He said he “can’t sit with anybody…” Am sure he’d sit with me by now and explain all of it. I would love to hear his side. He even admitted that maybe shaking the ropes on his final RAW appearance was too much. Even then he was still his own worst critic. We all are.

It isn’t just fitness that propels perfection. It can be any area of your life really. Personally or professionally. What is it like for you? Being perfect is non- existent and yet we strive for this in many ways everyday. Sure, sometimes when things line up we feel a huge sense of accomplishment but there is so much more to ourselves, so much more. Often times, body issues tend to reflect girls and women but it does affect boys and men too.

It all depends on your mindset and self-esteem. I thought people would notice me more once I lost weight. Well, they did but at that time it was for others, not me. I hate to use the word “obsession” since it depends on your situation. You can push to exhaustion but is it truly the right way to go? I know Warrior had no regrets but perhaps now as a spirit, he is evolving another way without his physical self.

The pressure is enormous and we put way too much of it on ourselves. You can be fit, healthy, and active but is it worth the pain for you? Maybe it is, that’s your answer to figure out. I always admired Warrior without judging him as we all have mindsets filled with our own perfection.

I cry, scream, maybe laugh, and then just reflect. More and more I try my best to understand Warrior’s “point” of perfection and all the whys. Yours can be big or small but just know life is deeper. We are perfect in better ways and it isn’t our body that needs to to be all the time. I believe we need to accept ourselves more. It can be enough that day even if yesterday wasn’t.

I saw so many other qualities of Warrior besides his character. He wasn’t perfect. I am not either, none of us are in life. My “point” isn’t perfection. It’s respect. Then. Now. Always…….💖👏🏻💪🏻