Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Workout Wednesday - Back from the Dead

Last summer I was super ambitious and started a Workout Wednesday series to fill my empty time - the pros of being a teacher during the summer.

Obviously it fizzled. But we're back. (I was still working out you guys. Promise.)

I've always been athletic and active. But it isn't until the last few weeks that I've found the best gym workout method for me. Just in time for Spring Break suckas!



My dear friend Shannon posted about her workout routine and we started emailing about workout philosophies. We both agree on the following

  • Cardio is pretty much of the devil
  • Spending more than 45 minutes in the gym makes us want to set ourselves on fire
  • Lifting weights is fun
  • Lifting weights makes us feel good
  • Our metabolism and bodies are responding when we focus on weight training
So here's what I've been doing for approximately 3-4 weeks and I'm sold. Seriously. I feel great, I acutally LIKE going to the gym and my body is showing results. 

I go to the gym 3-5 times a week - depending on the week. I pack all my gym stuff and psych myself up for an awesome workout during the day at school. After school I drive to the West Jordan gym, not far from my school, and grind out a workout that I'm looking forward to. If it's the weekend or I'm already home, I go to the Draper Gold's. 

The point is that I get excited for a workout and I tell myself that I'm going to push hard for only 30-45 minutes and feel awesome after. Also the fact that I don't have to kill myself on the dreadmill for 30 minutes before a 30 minute weight workout is a huge factor in my happiness.

I suggest a pair of sick Nike Frees to motivate your workouts. 

I do little to no cardio. Sure, that's an essential part of a workout you may say. But I can either force myself to do crappy cardio and hate every second of it, getting into a terrible mood and doing a bad job at my weight training afterward - OR I can do a quick cardio stint to warm up and save my energy for weight training.

During my workouts I push myself hard. I lift heavy, take short breaks between sets and move quickly from exercise to exercise. That way I get a sort of cardio workout without having to run! Yahtzee. 

I motivate myself with new music and having a purpose - right now is our Spring Break trip to Vegas and St. George. I have 2 new swimsuits and boy do I want to use them. That makes it so much easier to get to the gym, push hard, do that final set.

I have 4 workouts - Lower, Upper, Core (abs, back, butt), and the rare Cardio. I make sure I do the first 3 workouts every single week. If I get in a 4th workout I make that day my cardio - I run for longer, read a book on the bike or treadmill and some interval training. 

The hardest thing for me to do is take the time to stretch every day. I'm notoriously inflexible and trying to fix it. 

I've started drinking protein shakes post-workout and I love it. I got a shakey-bottle and I mix vanilla whey protein powder with soy milk, blend it into smoothies or stir it into greek yogurt with fruit.
**Do any of you guys do protein powder? I want some more ideas of protein shakes and good powders that you guys use. 

On my sore or off days, I mix in some yoga at home - either YouTube or my own sequences. 

I'm already noticing more muscle definition, less jiggle, and a faster metabolism. 

Combine this with some self-tanner and a fresh manicure - I think I'll be able to show my face in a swimsuit next week in Vegas for Spring Break. 

4 comments:

  1. you're a genius. let's be workout buddies. i was reading a friend's blog about crossfit and was totally convinced i wanted to do it until i noticed that it costs about 2-3 times more than even a gold's gym pass! i'm not made of money, you know?!?! i'm not totally set on getting a gold's pass, but there's a gold's gym express that's pretty close to me, and i can work out for free at momentum (they have yoga and a big gym area. i think the only way i could ever get through cardio is the netflix app on my phone,audio books, or cardiocinema, so i have a distraction from the torture, but i would also love to be able to run in even a 10k race, if not a half marathon. i need to work oooouuuutttt

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  2. So I've been going to the gym in the morning before work and even though everyone thinks I'm insane.... I LOVE IT. I try and go every morning (Which turns out to be about 3-4 times a week haha) and mix it up between weights and cardio. Today I started swimming laps and while I about died I was so out of shape it felt absolutely wonderful! So if you really need some cardio you should definitely look into swimming laps. It's a killer full body work out (even when I have no clue what I'm doing and look like a moron). Also can I get your secret on the upper body workout? I need a good arms routine.... Sorry for the obnoxiously long comment, but I think you're great for being so motivated and active!!

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  3. Basically I do this exact same thing on my blog... and today I did a big long post about protein shakes ha! http://brookeshowalter.blogspot.com/
    I love that I'm not the only one doing this :) Keep it up!

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  4. Seriously one of my top motivators for working out is that I love protein shakes. haha so embarrassing, but hey I guess it's better than ice cream. I recently bought the Vanilla Optimum Gold Standard 100% Whey from bodybuildilng.com (so typical right?) but it is so good!! I have heard great things about their other flavors as well- they have so many! I'm almost out of the vanilla and looking forward to trying another flavor. I think mint chocolate chip may be next on my list.

    If you like mint chocolate flavor, try a scoop of chocolate protein powder, one frozen banana, some almond milk (6-8 oz), 1-2 TBSP. of cocoa powder, spinach, and 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract. One of my all time favorites!!

    Good luck, girl!
    xo
    Natasha

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