My Workout Routine

With my big trip approaching quickly, I am trying to get in the best shape I can be in. I want to feel good while I'm there, and lets be honest, look good in pictures. 

I have a few pairs of shorts I am bringing, and I will look good in them. It's a promise, haha. 

I will admit though, I was doing great for about 3 weeks, but I have slacked off on the gym. I was doing at home workouts, but slacked off on those too. Woops. Since I have only a little over a month until I leave, now is the time to get my butt in gear!!

Cardio

For me, cardio consists of the bike, the stair master, and the treadmill. I do about 10-15 min on the bike, then 15 min on the stair master, then about 10-15 on the treadmill. I try to keep my heart rate up, but I do take about a 2 minute break in between each machine to stretch and whatnot. Sometimes I do closer to an hour, but I go by how I'm feeling that day. When I work out at home, I do jumping jacks and high knees, and even jumping rope. 

Arms and Back

I love planks. I swear that they are the best whole body workout. I normally do 5 sets of 30 second planks with about a 10 second break in between each set. I also use the weight machines at the gym, but prefer free weights and my own body weight to train. I feel like it's more natural. I do arm dips {I doubt that is the proper name for it} on a bench or chair, and they really do the job. Most arm workouts use my back muscles, so I kill two birds with one stone. 

Abs

Oh ab workouts. It's a love hate relationship. I have a set routine that I love. If I am out of shape, I only do it about 3 times, but my normal amount is 5 times. I start off with a 10 pound weight and just do 20 normal sit ups. I then move onto 30 Russian twists with the weight. Next is leg extensions, where you lean back on your arms while extending your legs and then bringing them into a crunch. I do 20 reps. Finally, I use an exercise ball and squeeze between my feet. I raise my legs up, take the ball with my hands, and then lower both my legs and arms {with the ball in my hands} down and repeat, but this time putting the ball back between my feet. Again, don't know the name of that either, haha. And that is my ab routine! Feel the burn.

Legs

Because my knee is still recovering, I have certain exercises I do the strengthen my legs. I love doing the leg press, it is one of my favorites. I also like the abductor and adductor machine. It's always a challenge but your feel great afterwards. But the best one for me is just simple squats. I use one of the weight benches so it sets a goal for how far down I need to get my butt. It really helps build up my muscle and keeps the booty perky! I heard a saying that I love: "Ass to grass". Its so true!

So that is my workout routine! I normally am at the gym for about 2 hours Monday-Thursday, but on Friday and Saturday I normally have more going on, so it's closer to an hour. Even if it's 30 min, I still feel good because I was able to get some sort of exercise in. 

I also change it up. Sometimes I replace cardio machines with swimming. It's all about what makes you feel the best and gets you the results you want. 

And with anything, do a workout routine that is right FOR YOU! Don't go by what others do, otherwise you could harm your body. 

Happy workouts!

xo

-c