Work It Out.

I have talked a lot about eating healthy and exercising, but I have never shared with anyone exactly what my workout routine is. I have mentioned before that it all started with a Dancercize video I bought from Target and then I took it to the next level with the Jillian Michaels DVD 30 Day Shred. Since then, I've done a lot of research and modified what good ol' Jillian taught me. I made a workout that works for me. I highly suggest that people who are afraid of the gym try out a workout video. Your local library will probably have a large selection, so you can try before you buy. But, all that being said, here is what I do five(ish) days a week. I say "five(ish)" because I slack sometimes. And then I feel horrible.

I do about 3-5 minutes of dynamic stretching. This literally warms you up. Dynamic stretching is going to get your body in a state where it can perform better during your workout and make you less likely to hurt yourself or pull a muscle. I usually do a couple sets of 40 jumping jacks amidst some neck movements (basically rolling your neck around while otherwise standing still) and side bends or hip circles. This is a terrific website for instructions on numerous dynamic stretches.

Next, I do five minutes of weights and strength, followed by three minutes of cardio. I repeat this three times and then throw in some ab moves here and there.

For weight and strength, I use five pound weights (which I need to upgrade to eight pound weights, I've just been too cheap to buy them...) and do a number of different arm movements and a few sets of 20 or more push ups. I usually try to do compound movements, too. Here is a GREAT site that shows you quite a few compound movements. Warning: if you Google compound exercises, you will find mostly body building websites. I am certainly not knocking body building, but I'm guessing most people who read this blog probably aren't aspiring body builders. Just a heads-up so you all don't waste 30 minutes of your life sifting through stuff that doesn't apply to you.

Cardio is entirely up to you. You can jog in place. You can do (personal favorite) jumping jacks. You can do burpees (personal least favorite.) You can do mountain climbers. You can do punches. You can get onto an elliptical or a stationary bike if you have one. I usually do five or six different moves mixed up throughout my workout. And I try to do each move for 30 seconds to one minute each.

And abs. Plain old crunches are great. The general consensus though, is that the bicycle crunch is the most effective ab move. I have watched many videos and spent a lot of time online to find out that a lot of trainers and coaches prefer the bicycle crunch to any other ab move. Try it out! Then there is evil planking. No one likes it, but it will make you feel, without question, that you have really worked out for the day. Try to throw a 30 second plank into the mix. Here are 10 ab exercises you can try.

When you're done, make sure that you stretch. Do some static stretches with your arms, legs, back, and neck. Spend about five minutes on this. It's the difference between the "good sore" you feel after a workout and the "can't sit down without cringing sore" you would feel if you didn't take the time to stretch.

Finally, if you've done your workout for the day, don't let that deter you from going for a walk, jog, bike ride, whatever later in the day. Move as much as you can! You will sleep so well and, honestly, in a few months, you will love the changes you're seeing in the mirror. How can you beat that?

I suppose I should put a disclaimer: I am not a licensed physical trainer, the workout regimen above is what has worked for me. Consult your doctor before you start a new workout routine.