Workout of the DAY

Tomorrow I am already excited for my LEG, HAMMY AND BOOTY  workout!!! Monday’s are my favorite because I always start the day out with a big BANG. It will consist of all lower body. Remember to go at your pace and choose weight wisely for your resistance.

WARM UP: 25-50 reps depending on your level

25 -50 jUMP rOPES

25-50 HIGH KNEES

25-50KICK YOUR BUTT

25-50 JUMPING JACKS

Repeat 2X’s through

stretch your quads, hamstrings, glutes- FULL body- 3 -5 min max-Stay moving so muscles stay warm

first circuit:

1) 10 pounds in each HAND:

crab Squat

 

1. Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and turned out 45 degrees.
2. Bend knees 90 degrees into a squat, keeping torso upright and knees over ankles.
3. From that position, step left foot to the right, walking sideways.
4. Take about 20 steps to the right and repeat on the left.

2)Side-to-Side Squat

 

1. Stand with right side facing a step, hands on hips, right foot on top, left foot on floor.
2. Bend knees 90 degrees. Stand up and push off with right foot as you hop onto other side of step.
3. Repeat on left side, alternating 40 times
4. Once I get going I really pick up the pace

3)  Lateral lunges each leg. Basically step side to side in lunge position with knee in alignment with your toes. Push off each leg and have weight in your hands for that extra push. Squeeze those glutes. Pushing off foot, return to start position. Continue with same leg or alternate as prescribed.
Remember to keep head and back upright in a neutral position. Shoulders and hips should remain squared at all times.

Do this 20 times ( 10 each leg)

4) Dumbell Double Lunge
1. Start by placing your feet shoulder width apart and holding dumbells at your side.
2. Step forward into a lunge keeping your upper body upright.
3. Return to the starting position and proceed into a reverse lunge with the same leg lunging backwards.
4. Return to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.
5. Continue 20 each leg  

5) Balance Squat
1. Start by standing on one leg with the other leg elevated.
2. Bend forward keeping your planted leg semi straight and reach for the ground.
3. Keep your back relatively flat during the exercise.
4. Repeat 20 repetitions and then repeat with the other leg. 

6)Squat Jump
1) Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, trunk flexed forward slightly with back straight in a neutral position.
2) Arms should be in the “ready” position with elbows flexed at approximately 90°.
3) Lower body where thighs are parallel to ground.
4) Explode vertically and drive arms up.
5) Land on both feet and repeat. 20 times
Prior to takeoff extend the ankles to their maximum range (full plantar flexion) to ensure proper mechanics 

7)Hip Bridge on Ball
1) Assume back lying position on floor. Place hands at sides with palms down on floor.
2) Start position: Place heels on top of Flexaball with knees slightly bent.
3) Raise hips off floor by pressingheels into ball.
4) Return to start position.

20 times
To increase difficulty, raise and raise and extend arms above chest.  

8)Reverse Curl
1) Start position: Lie with back on floor or bench with hips flexed at 90° and feet in air holding onto a ball. Position arms at sides with palms down on floor.
2) Leading with the heels towards the ceiling, raise glutes (butt) off floor or bench.
3) Return to start position.
4) Remember keep legs from swinging to prevent momentum throughout the exercise. 20 times

9)

Squeeze, Twist and Crunch
1. Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with legs extended and straight up squeezing a stability ball and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest.
2. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor and twist your shoulders leading with the right shoulder.
Return to start position and repeat with the other shoulder.20 times

I usually go through this twice. But I advice to only go through once for beginners. Also everyone’s body type and goals are different. Adjust the weight you need that fits your level!

After Stretch!!!!!! Your body will tighten up if not. 

After make sure to refuel your body!!! Muscle burning and pain soon after a workout is due to a buildup of lactic acid. Your body produces lactic acid when there’s not enough oxygen to feed the muscles. IDEAS TO restore and recoup your body so you can continue transforming it and igniting the FIRE WITHIN:

Do not consume JUST PROTEIN, as in a protein shake or protein bar. Protein fills your stomach and helps build and repair muscles, but it does not refuel your muscles.Your muscles want three or four times more calories from carbs than from protein. If you like the convenience of protein shakes, at least add carbs to them. Blend in some banana, frozen berries, and etc. Keep in mind that recovery calories “count.” Many frustrated dieters complain they are not losing weight despite hard workouts. Perhaps that’s because they gobble 300 or so “recovery calories” and then go home to a hefty dinner. By organizing your training to end at mealtime, you can avoid over-indulging in recovery-calories. For ideas e -mail me at ablifestyle3@gmail.com!

EXERCISE FOR BODY AND MIND!

There are so many benefits to exercise, and every day, we are discovering new ones. A recent Newsweek article discussed how exercise can boost brain power and fight off diseases like Alzheimer’s–more incredible information in an already long list of benefits. New research in animal models has shown that exercise stimulates a hormone called IGF-I or insulin such as growth factor-I, which, in turn, goes to the brain to stimulate another brain-derived-neutrotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is believed to facilitate a process in which an animal’s brain nerve cells branch out and communicate with each other. In fact, research has supported that theory that a brain with lower levels of BDNF is challenged with retaining new information. How amazing is exercise–not only does it build the body, but the mind as well! Exercise not only slows the aging process in the brain, but reverses it. Research has also shown that active adults have less inflammation in the brain and fewer transient ischemic attacks, or ministrokes, which can impair cognition. People who exercise regularly tend to have higher levels of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinepherine. With so many people on psychotropic medication, exercise is proving to be an inexpensive method of maintaining mental health. As with the body’s muscle mass, the same holds true for the brain: Use it or lose it. Within just a short month of stopping physical activity, the new brain tissue connections that were formed basically shrink down back to normal. Many parents of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) already know the benefits of physical activity on their children. It tends to help regulate their moods. An exercise prescription can often be given in conjunction with medication for these ADHD children/or may even replace a medication regimen. This has broad-ranging implications for children in school and their curriculum. With so many schools having downsized the number of physical education classes with a focus on more class time, this could be detrimental. That extra time on the playground may actually boost test scores in all children. The great
thing about introducing physical education at an early age in school is that it sets the tone for future exercise. Once a healthy habit like exercise is established, it tends to carry on. When people understand the importance, it becomes even more of a regular routine. So, we know the benefits of exercise for all types of health. Not only does exercise help with chronic conditions, it also promotes wellness.

FITTING IN FITNESS!!!

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, for at least a few floors. If you have to take the
escalator, make it a point to walk it.
• Walk or bike to nearby destinations instead of always driving.
• When at the mall doing your holiday shopping, park your car farthest from where you intend to shop.
• Get off the bus a few blocks early, or park a few blocks from work.
• Exercise while watching television, especially during commercials.
• Hide your remote control and get up to change TV channels or adjust the volume.
• Busy yourself with housework, such as vacuuming, washing the floors, polishing furniture, washing
the windows or gift-wrapping.
• In the evenings, take your family for a walk around neighborhoods that have great holiday lights on
the houses.
• Take the dog for a walk.
• Work in the garden or yard–raking the leaves or sweeping the patio.
• Go for a short walk before breakfast and after dinner.
• Spend half your lunch hour eating and the other half walking around the building or parking lot.
Get your coworkers to join you.
• Walk up and down the stairs on your breaks at work.
• Several times a day, take a few moments to move around and stretch your legs, regardless of what
you’re doing.
• When on your cell phone or cordless home phone, walk around while you talk.
• Clean up the garage or organize your closets or kitchen cupboards.
• Go shopping. You don’t have to buy anything, just walk the aisles and look at the items.