Please don't stop the music

This is true for the most part-- but today I felt that I needed that EXTRA bit of strength to push me through my workout.

This is when I have to whip out one of my 3 (and 4 when I'm pregnant)back-up plans for motivation, when my workout/desire just isn't motivating enough. And sometimes this happens a little more often when I'm 7 months pregnant then when I'm not pregnant....

Here is what I do to get myself out of that "rut" when I'm already in the gym:

1. MUSIC- I have a handful of backup songs to get me through those last intense 5-10 min. in the gym. Sometimes I have to listen to these songs the whole 30 min. of cardio..... but I have them on back-up for when I REALLY need that push to keep going and NOT give up!

2. I imagine I'm running in a race, or lifting for a champion title, and if I quit now- I will not make it- and if I just do that one last rep, or that one last quarter mile- then I will have conquered the WORLD!!

3. When I was competing I would remind myself that there were other girls out there who were competing for the same title and working just as hard as I was, and if I quit and they didn't- then they would be that much further ahead of me and I wasn't about to let that happen!!

4. (when I'm in my 3rd trimester) I walk into that gym feeling empowered! Like, LOOK AT ME! Yeah- I'm preggers and proud and I'm still able to 10 push-ups and lift with the best of them (ok, not really) BUT I do feel proud that I'm still in there doing whatever I can. So, when I feel like ending my workout early when I'm ready to pop this kid out... I just think about how strong I am and that I can do this and I'm not going to let my pregnant body quit because "I just don't feel like it" Now- pain- yes, I would stop- but just because I lack the desire--- ain't NO way!:)

So, while YES- desire (along with work) gets us motivated and gets us there in the long haul.... we need a back up plan for when the desire just isn't there in that moment and to get it re-kick started.

What do you do when you feel like just giving up?? What are your secrets??
(this is where you ALL share your comments so that others can try your secrets;))

2 fun new exercises to do WHILE pregnant or while not.....

Here is a new video post as promised! I haven't been able to do one since moving and I'm afraid picking a location in my apartment with good lighting was difficult, so you'll have to forgive the darkness- and I hope you can still see me! Also take into account I'm 7 months pregnant... so I may look awkward:) LOL!

I also messed up with the music- next time I'll probably just forgo the music, but I wanted to try it out and see what it was like. I hope you can at least hear me well enough to get the gist of the exercises. I'm doing the plank with a bear crawl back and forth and then a body weight exercise for your shoulders. You can do all of this in the safety and comfort of your own home!:) (you'll also want to pause the music on the right to make sure you can hear me)

Let me know what you think and as always


HAVE FUN AND HAPPY TRAINING!

Work IT!

She GOT legs!

Monica Brant is a fitness ICON!

I LOVE HER!

I also LOVE her legs.

If you want great legs you need to work them out.... HARD!

My personal favorite is finding a hill and sprinting up as fast as I can( I mean- full out sprint, using your whole body, sprinting on your toes, literally RUNNING for your LIFE) and then walking down to recover.

After I get 6 or so really good sprints in... I start to do walking lunges UP the hill, and depending on how I feel - power skipping downhill, or jumping, sometimes switching left leg for 10- right leg for 10 hopping down the hill. You can do this up the hill too... but no matter what try to add in some hill work into your leg workouts.

Hills are AWESOME!

Don't be surprised if you feel it right AWAY!

It feels good.

For more fun leg workout tips... I direct you to one of my newest FAVORITE sites...Jodiojo.com: Daily ponderings from a physique transformation guru

Jodi is AWESOME! I worked with her on my nutrition when I was competing in fitness with The Savage Girls- and let me tell you-- not only is she amazing- but she gives you the information bluntly, directly and HILARIOUSLY! I always learned from her, because it was never boring and neither is her blog! You definitely want to sign up for her newsletter and RSS feed.

Happy leg and hill training!
(ps. I don't sprint while pregnant... because literally I can't breathe when I'm done.. just in case you were wondering;))

Starting back up!

I'm so sorry that I have neglected my fitness blog! I do have good reason as to why I have not posted pics and stats of myself- but I sadly do not have a good reason for neglecting my readers and giving you what you want and need! So- here is a video for you that I actually taped a month or so ago- but never got around to posting it--- It is more functional training to add into your workout, and get you out of the doldrums of monotonous training. Training should ALWAYS be fun and keep your body guessing.

How have you guys been keeping up while I've been away??

I hope to be back to my regular blogging self, now that summer is starting to slow down.

I do have a question regarding my videos for ya'll. Do you like the way I do just the tips and random exercises for you- or would you like to also see sometimes me actually doing a full workout, so that you can follow along? I've gotten lots of good feedback recently from random people who read my blog- and THANK YOU so much for your comments! They really mean a lot. Keep that feedback coming.

Until, then happy training and enjoy the video!!

Jump it out ladies... JUMP IT OUT!! (video)

I feel bad I have not had the chance to upload video's lately. I thought I better cease the opportunity while I had a quick moment-- (hence my outfit) and JUST DO IT! I call this one.... Jumping it OUT!

Now GET jumping:)

Get ready to PLLYYYOO-- with video!

Hey ladies!!! Well here it is-- an almost 10 minute video for you! Usually I have to cram everything I know into 1 min. and a half, but I now have a new memory card that allows me to video tape for 3 hours! YEAH-- aren't you EXCITED!! A possibility of seeing me on video for 3 hours?? Just kidding- well, not about the for real 3 hours part.

Anyways-- I'm excited for this video- again, it isn't perfect, but instead of doing a 2nd "take" I was like- that was freakin' 8 min. long- I can't do that again! I'm just posting it-- even if Ethan does walk in the room in the end and shuts off my camera! LOL! So, I hope you are able to at least get some exercise ideas out of it and below the video I have typed the exercises I do and what you can do with this functional/plyo training workout.

Plyo/Functional Training Workout

1. football hustle/drop and do push-ups
2. shuttle run/mountain climbers
3. in-n-out squats/jump in place
4. alternating front and back kicks
5. crunches/supermans
6. skiing/run high knees
7. switch lunge/jumping jacks

Now you can either do each exercise for 30 seconds and make each "number" a minute long, and then move onto the next number- or you can repeat the same number making it a total of 2 minutes long. Then either repeat the WHOLE thing one more time- or you can do it later that night- but this is perfect to do while your kids are taking their naps. Or before they wake up and right after they go to bed for the night.

Functional and plyometric training are good for switching things up, and giving your muscles that extra push- they also work your core muscles-- and you don't need any equipment (for these exercises at least) And you can count it as cardio! Who doesn't like that?! And yes- you will be sore the next day. But don't forget you get out of it what you put into it.

So do your BEST! And next time, turn your best into a little better!

Another tip for your ABS!!

Hey ya'll! Here is another one of my AWESOME videos- with my latest tip on how to get GREAT abs! Don't forget-- your muscle will not show unless your diet is in check too-- so do the exercises, but keep in mind your diet too.

You are on your way to amazing flat abs!

You wanted to know about ABS....

I'll tell you about ABS! Here is an easy killer exercise with a few fun variations on it! Enjoy... and just remember to keep those abs tight! And focus on the improving your time each time you do it. I would recommend doing this 3 times a day for as long as you can... doesn't matter if it is 5 seconds or 90 seconds-- we ALL start somewhere!:)

AND..... more exercises to come! (my camera got cut off.. I need a better one.. anyone want to donate me a brand new HD video camera??;))

What is another AB exercise you would like to know more about? I'll check it and give you the dets. in my awesome Bia Brazil workout pants!

ps- todays workout tune of the day is courtesy of Katie's playlist-- Thanks Katie!

I want to play your fav. songs too- so let me know what they are!!