Working It Out… Gym Time and My Favorite Things

Confession: I fell off the workout wagon in the fall in a major way and it’s took me until January to be able to hit the ground running again. Q4 was absolute insanity for me… between so many holiday events, surgery, Sugar Bit events, other commitments and travel, my workouts took a backseat. With that, I noticed I wasn’t eating very well, having cocktails more than normal, and wasn’t happy about the way my clothes were fitting. So I decided it was time to get back in the routine and get myself back on track with a healthy AND fit life.

In January, Julie and I started back with our trainer extraordinaire, Brian at our local YMCA and I am SO happy to be back in the weekly rotation of our 2-on-1 training sessions. For me, it’s about accountability and he definitely keeps us working hard. It’s pricey, yes, but we are able to split the cost of our hourly sessions so it makes it easier to justify and he keeps us on our toes with a variety of workouts and exercises so it’s always different, which I LOVE. We usually focus on light cardio for a warm-up, then move to interval strength training, followed by a 5/10 minute cool-down at the end so we are constantly moving.

Here are a few favorite of my workouts and exercises, broken down by targeted areas: 
Arms/Chest: Chest Presses, Bicep Curls, Push-Ups [yes I do them the hard way], Chest Flies, Front and Side Raises, Tricep Dips, and Kettlebell Swings

Shoulders: Overhead Extensions, Shoulder Presses, Dumbbell Lateral Raises, and Back Rows

Legs, Hamstrings, and Booty: Standing Calf Raises, Leg Curls, Lunges and Squats [this is what I do the most], Mini Band Walks, Bridge Poses, Fire Hydrants, and Mountain Climbers

Core/Abs: Kettlebell Deadlifts, Planks, Jumping Jacks, Sprinter Crunches, Side Planks, Leg Lifts, and Burpees

Other than our weekly personal training sessions, I have been trying to workout an additional 2 to 3 days a week, bringing my total to 4 workouts/week. Granted, it won’t happen every single week and I am OK with that, but I am back on the train and already feeling SO much better!

And yes, I know it can be intimidating starting a new workout regimen… that’s why I love apps on my iPhone that make it easy and break it down. If you’re on the hunt for helpful workout and fitness apps, check out these favorites:

Of course new workout wear ALWAYS helps gets me motivated… looking AND feeling good about yourself are key and that’s why I absolutely love the Shannon Miller’s [yes I know you remember her from the US Olympic Gymnastics team] new line SALTO. It’s well made, comfortable, and it’s perfect for my active, busy lifestyle so I can wear it all day.

TRX | Bosu Ball | 3-in-1 Adjustable Kettlebell | Fit Bit | Weighted Fitness Gloves