I know, Monday’s can be the worst. So I’m here today to bring a little Monday Motivation and extra encouragement for you to kick today’s ass (sorry I really couldn’t substitute – it’s Monday), and start your week off right. How do we do that? How about a killer arm and ab’s workout that is perfect for summer AND you can do with minimal equipment in the comfort of your home. Are you feeling better about Monday now? Yeah me too. We GOT this.

 

 

 

It’s been a while since I’ve done a fitness post and I am SO happy to be back giving you some wellness goodness in the form of a new workout. Part of my staying healthy and happy in my own life means working out, consistently. This was not always my story though. I had YEARS of flip flopping with workouts, not liking what I was doing, feeling too exhausted mentally and physically at the end of the day to get to the gym.

Now I cannot imagine going a week without working out let alone a few days. I need it. I crave it. I miss it. How did I get this way?

Let me start by saying that everyone is different, and what my experience has been with working out may not resonate directly with you – though let’s be honest, I hope it does 🙂

My true commitment to working out probably clicked around the time I got engaged. Obviously after the engagement I was extremely committed to the notion that every bride has that “for my wedding I will look the best I’ve ever looked”. So that meant working out, eating right, and finally putting moisturizer on my face.

I had a friend write me a fitness program and it was entirely based around lifting weights, something I had dabbled in before but mostly like a small child who finds hand weights amusing than an adult who knows what they are doing. This was my first taste of circuit and weight training and after a few months and some muscle later, I was hooked. I really enjoyed the variety of the workouts, challenging myself to get better at them each time and obviously the results I was finally seeing after years of elliptical and treadmill training that did little to produce the results I wanted.

During wedding planning we dealt with all the usual drama that a bride and groom go through and between that and a demanding work schedule, I needed some kind of break. I found that break through working out. It was therapeutic to have time to myself, where I wasn’t having to answer to anyone else or plan a wedding. I could put my headphones in, focus on me, and it felt wonderful. It became nearly addictive, and it was finally something I truly enjoyed. It’s true what they say about making it a habit. Once I was doing it consistently for months, I couldn’t imagine my life without the mental vacation that was my workout, the challenge that I pushed into it, and the fun results.

So how can we sum up how I finally got serious about consistently working out? I found the workouts (and variety) I loved, I saw it as my “me time” where I could catch a break, and a made it a habit. Everyone is different and what workouts you like might be completely different than me, but I encourage you to explore different forms of working out and figure out what you enjoy (and certainly what you DONT enjoy). I recommend involving variety so you never get bored, which also allows you to work different muscle groups in different ways. Also instead of looking at it as punishment or a chore, think of it as your “me” time. Time to get away, focus on you, listen to a good podcast or the music that gets you going.

To help with your variety, I’m giving you a great arm and ab workout below that you can rotate into your weekly schedule. I recommend starting with some sort of cardio workout (jump rope, running, even jumping jacks to get your heart rate up), and doing as many cycles as you can (and challenge yourself as weeks go on to push your cycles and rep numbers).

 

ARMS & ABS

Circuit 1 (3-5 rounds)

• 10 Push Ups
• 30 Shoulder Taps
• 10 Push Up Side Squat (refer to pics above)

 

Circuit 2 (3-5 rounds)

• 50 Dead Bugs
• 50 Alternative leg lifts
• 25 Eagle Crunch

 

Circuit 3 (3-5 rounds)

• 15 Bicep curl should press
• 15 Front Shoulder Raises
• 40 Mountain Climbers

 

The Finisher

1 Minute Planks (Each side and center)

 

Try this out and let me know how it goes? Are you still struggling with finding your workout flow or do you have a solid consistency? Until next time.

 

XO,

JESS

 

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