So Long, Farewell!

Yes, as you've been able to tell by my recent blogging, this school year has been simmering down to an end, and with it my blog. I'm not sure if you're one of my original blog-readers, but in my first post I did mention that this was a 9th Grade English assignment, so as much as I truly do love blogging, A day in the life... will live in memory, along with all of my other 9th Grade experiences.

Through blogging consistently, it's given me such a freedom to write about what speaks to me, and in doing so, giving me so much opportunity to channel my voice into the words I've been typing on the screen. I've felt that my voice has really come through more and more with every post I've written. As a follower, I'm sure you've begun to see more and more through my writing each time you read. This blog has tracked my through my freshman year, it's documented what's been impactful on myself throughout this school year, and even sometimes I entertain myself by revisiting my older posts; mostly because I see how much I've changed in just this year.

By changed, not only has my voice and literal writing grown and improved, but I see the change in myself as a person. Remembering the thoughts dashing through my head when writing some of my old blog posts makes me giggle. Something that may have seamed like a life's crisis when I was writing in October is something I can now laugh about and reminisce on.

A day in the life... was absolutely a day in my life. My blog absolutely reflected me from the first to the last post. It was an amazing opportunity to not only vent about my daily happenings, but to improve my writing by experience. I believe in the saying of practice makes perfect. This blog was a slightly more nonchalant way to just... write. It was an amazing opportunity to be able to write about whatever I felt would be cool to get out of my head. Since this was an open-ended opportunity to write about whatever I wanted, what I chose to write about reflects me as a writer as much as the writing did itself. I believe that what I wrote about transformed towards earlier dates as much as the writing itself did, maybe even more so in some cases.

Thank you thank you thank you, thank you, reader, for joining me on this adventure. This blog all in all was really good for me, and I've gained so much experience from it. I really appreciated the hand along the way, and just knowing that people are on the other side of the screen was really neat. Hopefully you enjoyed a day in my life, through the ups and downs, I think it's safe to say that we made it.

Actually maybe I should wait to see my final grade before it's safe to say that we made it. Whatever, you guys made it by this point, we'll see how I do when grades come in.

Photo Courtesy plzrtpodcast.com

4 Kick Ass Workouts to Achieve the Summer Bod You Really Want

With Summer just around the corner, the short-shorts, swim suits, and cropped off t’s are resurfacing in my closet. When it comes to this attire, it does always boost my confidence to feel in-shape and as sculpted as possible. These exercises are sure to do the trick:

Exercise #1: Ball Squats

With shorts and bikini bottoms exposing your booty, it can’t ever hurt to get a few squats in. Guys this one’s for you too, a nice butt is always a good thing. Squats are a universally know bum burner, but if you don’t have the correct form this exercise can come back around to bite you in the back (quite literally). Coming from someone who has gone through countless back issues, take me seriously when I say it is so important to have good form when doing squats; this is where the exercise ball comes in to play.

Set up a decently sized exercise ball against the wall, line it up against the small and mid-section of your back, and position yourself so you have enough tension between your back and the wall to keep the ball squished in-between. When you bend your knees and sink into the exercise, make sure that your legs are bent no more than ninety-degrees and your knees do not overpass your toes. Once positioned correctly and comfortably bend your legs and squat as you would normally, making sure to engage your glutes and hamstrings as well as your quads.

Photo Courtesy momtaxijulie.com

This exercise is sure to tone your tush and strengthen your legs as well.

Exercise #2: Candle Sticks

I understand that this exercise might not look the most professional and let me warn you that you will feel silly doing it, but it truly is one that works. Start by lying flat on your back with your whole body parallel to the ground. Raise your legs up so they are perpendicular to the ground, making sure that your feet stick together. Next, engage your abdominals and crunch your back and butt off of the ground, raising your feet several inches higher into the air, then come back down and repeat.

Photo Courtesy www.cf-inc.com

Candle sticks are a great ab and core workout to define that six-pack coming in, they’re an awesome workout and you’ll surely feel it if you have the right form; make sure that you are engaging your abs to lift your legs each rep and tighten your core to maintain control.

Exercise #3: Cross-Over Toe Touches

This abdominal workout will get your stomach fired up for swim-suit season; cross-over toe touches are a fun and dynamic workout to get your abs in shape. For this one, start on your back just like you did for candle sticks. The next step is to ring your right hand to touch your left toe. Then return back to your original position and to the same with the opposite arm and leg. Repeat these steps over again.

Photo Courtesy www.trusper.com

For good form, make sure to keep your leg and arms as straight as humanly possible. It’s also important to keep your core tight and engaged to protect your back.

Exercise #4: Go for a Run

Runs are underrated. I understand, running isn’t for everyone. It does put a lot of pressure on your joints and isn’t always the most pleasant cardio, but the more you do it the better you get at it, and that’s a really rewarding part of running. Running is an amazing all over body work out and will shred calories, all-around toning your body and getting your heart healthy for the summer as well.

Photo Courtesy /www.allposters.com

Good luck to you and remember, form is everything.