A Season for Everything

My Jimmy is in getting fit mode! I love it when he gets like this. It is so motivating when we are both striving for health. He started with a determination to do P90X. I love P90X. It is an awesome program... but it is a big chunk of your day! I finally had to say something, "Are you sure this is the best program for you right now?" He works anywhere from 10-13 hours a day, our kids are both in sports right now, we have church responsibilities. Overall, we have quite a bit to occupy our time. His first response was, "YES!" to which I said, "Ok, dear, go for it!" After a few days, though,  he saw the light. He still exercises every day and some days still an hour or more, but some days he has to cut it to a quicker workout. I love P90X and there is a season for everything and everybody, but I also love that I can feel a good workout in a short amount of time. My friends recently introduced me to this great 30 day gem. I completed day 10 today and I am loving it! My muscles are feeling it for sure. If I have more time, I take the dog out for a jog or get in a good yoga session as well. She's a little crazy but I love some energy in my instructor. ;)  Have fun!

click here ---> Make Fat Cry Challenge

Here's another few!

I am a big believer that a lot of our achievement originates in our brain. What we think and how we think plays a big roll in our lives. Our words are powerful. If you think about it, what we say to ourselves is what we hear all day long! So be nice to yourself and remind yourself that you are strong and you can do this! He talks about using our brain in this 20 minute workout.

(FYI, he does use one swear word.)

This is a fun kickboxing one for you.

(No swear words. ;))

Brutal is right

I heart my mornings. They are my personal time for exercise, checking my email, studying scripture, and drinking my green smoothie. The house is quiet, the sun is rising, the weather is cool. I just love this time of day. The earlier I wake up the better, because the more time I have for said activities. The problem is I also heart SLEEP. I need sleep. I need all of these things. Sometimes, to assure I get the much needed sleep, I sleep later than I really want to, cutting into my special time before the kids wake up. Some days this has a negative impact, but mostly I've learned to let it go and savor whatever time I can carve for myself. This is why these 20 & 30 minute videos work so well for me. When you HIIT, that's all the time you need anyway! This one is only 20 minutes but it's intense! There is no cool down so be sure to leave a little time for that because you will need it. Now go work it!

Wow. I don't think this one is as difficult as it felt.

This is a great quick 16 minute workout, but it felt like a really long one today!

You know how some days are just like that? I was sick last weekend and this week I have done a lot of walking and yoga while I recover. Today I felt like I was ready for more. Ack! It's crazy how one week of relaxing a little can make you feel like you're starting over again. This made me realize I have comfort videos... Yes, really. Workout routines that I can always go to when I just don't feel up to it. (I wish I had chosen one of these today.) I've told you about them before... Yoga Booty Ballet... they sound silly, but when I was starting out they were perfect! I still love them when I'm not feeling up to too much and I feel super after doing one. I suppose my point is that everyone should find something they love. Find something that makes you feel great when you've finished. When you do something that feels this way, do it again! Do it enough that you know it well. When you get tired of it or it becomes too easy, and it will, put it aside for a time and go back to it when you just don't want to do anything else. I don't know, do I sound like a crazy person? Is there any exercise routine that you could fall in love with? Yes, there is. I know there is. ;)

Have a happy day!

If you're in the mood for a little more today....

This is a great way to spend 40 minutes of your life. (Just be ready for a lot of jumping jacks! Fair warning all you mama's out there.)

Low impact and 20 minutes!

Here's another good one for you! Don't be afraid to slow down the moves in order to have correct form. Here's to healthy habits!

I love a good 20 minute workout

Here's another good one for you. Beginners remember you can modify! You can use lighter weights or drop the weights altogether and you can do a lot of these exercises from your knees.  Form is more important than doing exactly what she's doing. No injuries! Remember it's all about creating a habit and once you've created a habit you can challenge yourself even more.

Let the fun begin!

School is starting soon! For a homeschooling mom like myself, that means.... "AAAAA!!!" Haha. Just kidding. But it does mean things are going to get even busier over here. As my kids are a top priority, my daily posts are going to have to drop to 'whenever I can' posts. Hopefully I've given you enough to work with and some ideas and you can put the label section in the side bar to good use.

Feel free to follow by email ------>>> so you can see new posts as they come. Per suggestions, I will try to find some more beginner ideas as well as some more nutrition ideas.

Here are some of my favorites that you could also try out!

Fitness Blenders 5 Day Workout for Busy People - I love these. They're each about 30 minutes and they're great for all levels. Daniel and Kelly are good at helping beginners modify. (Don't let the one funky move in the first one stop you from doing the rest.)

30 Days of Yoga with Adriene - Also fabulous. Good for all levels!

30 Day Yoga Challenge with Erin Motz - These are great too. I can't help that yoga's my favorite. I really think everyone should add it to your routine, whether running is your thing or walking or tennis or football or jazzersize. Yoga is for everyone!

You can also check out Blogilates - A blog about Pilates. My friend recently introduced me to it and I can't wait to check it out.

One more thing I want to encourage - Habit. Habit. Habit. I'm reading an excellent book, The Power of Full Engagement. In it the authors encourage developing positive rituals as a way to make positive changes. If adding exercise to your daily routine is something you are working towards, think of what rituals you will base your routine around. For Example: every day when you wake up; every Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sat; walking on Mon, Wed,  Fri & Strength on Tues/Thurs; right when the kids go to school; with kids; with husband; with friends. It might not even be very much to start. Whatever you decide, forget whether you want to do it! If you don't have a routine in place already, you probably won't want to do it. Make yourself do it when you say you will. (If you have little kids, then just do the best you can and don't stress when you have to cut your time in half because of a crying baby, the important thing is you started.) Eventually it will be a habit. You will feel funny without it, kind of like if you forget to brush your teeth. Also, don't compare yourself to anybody else!!!! You're not like anybody else. Just do what feels good to your body. Push yourself to work past your own comfort zone to build more capacity, but don't worry about anyone else. You've got this.

Laura :)

Kickboxing Monday

Kickboxing is always a fun way to workout. Enjoy!

Have a happy week!

-Laura :)

No-Running Cardio Workout

This is a good one and it includes a cool down.

Another Tabata today

Warm up...

Reminder: One Tabata round is 20 seconds high intensity exercise followed by a 10 second rest repeated for eight sets. You can get great tabata apps on your smart phone.

Round 1  Butt kicks/push-ups
Round 2 Wacky Jacks/squat with a twist (squat, up, twist to the right and back, repeat with a twist to the left)
Round 3 high knees/walk out to plank (bend down to touch toes, walk hands out to plank, walk hands back in, stand up, repeat)
Round 4 Forward punches/ forward kicks
Round 5 Calf raises/bridge

I'm not sure how to explain wacky jacks. Good thing this lady posted a video! 

Fat-Blasting Cardio & What is Tabata

I did this with friends yesterday. 

This is a difficult one if you're a newbie, but you can get creative and modify if you need to.

Find detailed explanations of each move HERE. 

I turned it into a TABATA workout. 

What is Tabata? It's a fantastic HIIT you can complete in 4 minutes. Read about the history of Tabata and the research that explains how awesome it is HERE.

Here's a quick rundown... 

1. Choose an exercise 

2. Workout as hard as you can for 20 seconds 

3. Rest for 10

4. Complete 8 sets

For example, for the above exercises I took 2 at a time to complete one Tabata round.

Cross Jack & Alternating Back Lunge

1. Cross Jack - 20 Seconds

Rest -10 Seconds

2. Lunge - 20 Seconds

Rest - 10 Seconds

3. Cross Jack - 20 Seconds

Rest -10 Seconds

4. Lunge - 20 Seconds

Rest - 10 Seconds

5. Cross Jack - 20 Seconds

Rest -10 Seconds

6. Lunge - 20 Seconds

Rest - 10 Seconds

7. Cross Jack - 20 Seconds

Rest -10 Seconds

8. Lunge - 20 Seconds

Rest - 10 Seconds

I paired the other exercises as well to complete more rounds, with one minute rest between rounds. You can also choose just one exercise for the whole round. (Jump roping is a good one!)

PS There a tons of free tabata timer apps on your smart phone.
PPS Feel free to post any questions or comments.

Happy day!

-Laura