5.15.2012

Let's Get Physical



Bikini Season. It's Heeeeeere.

Girls, did I ever get physical yesterday evening! And by "getting physical" I mean deciding to take the bull by the horns (or the Asics by their laces) and resume my exercise routine that was in place prior to my surgery in February.

A couple things one must remember when one decides to go head-first into a challenging exercise program after an 8 week hiatus:

1) One will need to take it slow. I remembered this after I went 90-to-nothin' on the first interval set and almost died.

2) One needs to remind one's husband that one hasn't exercised in two months and, therefore, one will need to crawl before she walks. Or rather, jog before she sprints.

3) One shouldn't bother fixing one's hair to run outdoors in the state of Arkansas in May. #humidity

In case any of you are interested in joining me on my rebound into fitness, here's what I did:

5 minute warm-up walk at a moderate pace

20 minutes of walking/jogging intervals. Walk one minute, jog the next, walk one minute, jog the next, etc.

5 minute cool-down walk

5 sets of stair runs (I did this on the walking trail steps near our house.)

I'd show you an 'after' photo, but I'm too vain. Sorry.

Seriously though, I know several of you girls through blogging and "the Twitters", (as my dad calls it), that have recently had babies, had surgery this winter or have just pledged to get fit for summer. I'd love to have y'all join me on my workouts (at least in spirit)...I'll share what I'm doing each week and we can do this together-ish.

What does your workout routine look like right now? Any new programs that you're loving? Do share.

Be blessed, lovelies-

27 comments:

  1. Long time exerciser here: it all depends on your body type and metabolism but as I near 30 I've found my body responds to workouts differenlty. Currently, I do 3 days of 40 min cardio 30 minutes weights and then kickboxing and hot yoga. I also found that when I'm having fun (aka kickboxing) I'm toning and losing more! So point being, enjoy your workouts! don;t run if you're not a runner or bike if you're not a cycler.

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  2. Congrats on getting back on the wagon! :) I'm glad you're feeling better and free and clear to do what you like with fitness!

    I'm trying to work off the weight I got after the wedding, after I stopped working out and started stuffing my face over the holidays but more importantly I just want to feel better. I want to stop being sluggish or sloth like.. I am trying to eat better and be as healthy as I can.

    I started back on the Turbo Fire kick. I workout at home as I can't afford to go to the gym all month long and the home workout WORKS for me. I like it but it's getting a bit too much of the same thing. I want to start adding in walking in the AM and eventually maybe start running.

    I'll be with you in spirit sister! You got this!

    P.S. I feel you 100% on that humidity girl... AL is no different. Makes me long for what I so foolishly thought humidity was when I lived in Maryland.

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  3. Good job at getting back at it! It's hard after you've taken time off! I know you have your hubby's expertise on fitness but, I follow the Tone It Up girls for my toning exercises if you ever want to check them out - they're great!

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  4. I teach Zumba...so I do 5 Zumba classes a week...along with about 15 minutes of strength training each morning. I also try to get in some walks during my lunch break. I don't need any more cardio (5 Zumba classes is plenty), but I could use some more strength training for toning.

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  5. Definitely feeling you, I have to get back on the workout wagon and stat! I recently fell in love with those Insanity dvds, they worked wonders and are really hard, but other than that I like taking yoga, going for jogs or hiking, and taking dance classes. If you can find one, dance classes are a great way to work muscles you dont normally use. On top of working out I have dance rehearsals 3x a week so that helps too!! Yayy We can do this! goodluck!

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  6. I've started planning my two nights off a week (one weeknight and one weekend), so it's a much bigger treat to not go to the gym, and all of the other days I don't try to weasel out of my workouts as I have a fun night planned. :)

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  7. I'm back on the workout wagon myself! After a crazy April, I'm back in full swing for May! On Mondays (the hardest day for me to get motivated to go to the gym - I mean Monday duh! - I take it easy and do cardio only. I do a 30 minute run, 10 minute interval sprint and a 15 minute cool down on the bike. The thought of touching a weight on Monday kills me! I love that bikini! So cute :)

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  8. I dance for my 'work outs.' Well I teach dance so I get a work out that way. I took a ballet class on Saturday and was still sore yesterday. Ballet is the best workout. It is full of strength training and cardio. I need to do it more often!

    Amy

    fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

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  9. I'm still hitting the gym and I am now mixing in toning ballet conditioning videos b/c I mostly do cardio at the gym and cardio does not strengthen. I also have a Pilates groupon that I'll use soon. Welcome back to the work out wagon! I'm sure you'll do great...after that first week of shock!

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  10. You go girl! So glad to hear you are back at it - even if you do need to start a little slower than you did:) And yes, this girl will be joining you in the pursuit of getting fit. I am taking a bikini bootcamp class in hopes that these thighs and derriere are bikini perfect by beach trip time! Let's do it!:)

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  11. Congratulations/good luck at getting back into it!

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  12. Way to go on the workout! I'm doing a similar routine but on the elliptical in my basement instead of running outside (apparently you can't leave your 7-month old babies at home by themselves, even if they are sleeping) ;)

    I'm really liking the intervals but am still waiting for the results. And not so patiently I might add!

    Keep us updated on what your doing!

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  13. Haha! "The Twitters"...too funny! I have been trying to exercise more, also. I love the encouragement that people leave in comments and I have found a few blogs that help keep me motivated. :)

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  14. Also swimming is a good exercise!

    Laura
    fallinlove.com.ar

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  15. Oh my gosh... I HATE working out! I salute you sister! If I absolutely HAD to workout I would probably go the dancing route. I should probably do something, though. But I think being active is good, and I'm pretty active. Good luck to you!
    xoxo

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  16. youre smart to ease back into it! i started back at working out this week... i am thinking of starting jillian michaels 30 day shread once i get back into a routine.

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  17. Just had a baby via c-section almost four weeks ago. Two more til I get the ok from my doc to exercise again, then I'll be right there with you!

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  18. Thanks so much for actually posting what your workout routine actually is! I hate when people say they're excercising but don't say what they're doing. I dislike working out so I like hearing what other people are doing so I don't get in a rut!
    Good luck with getting back on the wagon & keep the updates coming!

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  19. THAT bathing suit is AMAZING!!!!

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  20. I joined a boxing gym a month ago and I feel absolutely amazing! I hate running and feel like I'm going no where, but I used to be a very competitive athlete... So when i didnt have my sport anymore, ive been searching and searching for something i would be able to stick with and not get bored within two seconds of starting... and i finally found it! its awesome! the best hour of working out i could have ever done on my own! Would recommend it to anyone!

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  21. I highly recommend some yoga!!! Low impact, no stress, to keep you going when you're just starting out again! But this is from an instructor-in-training so I'm a little biased! ;o)

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  22. I've been doing Couch to 5K mostly. But last week I joined a different gym (tired of the old one) and I'm starting back to Zumba (Love!), and I need to start some weight training.

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  23. My husband and I are doing P90X. I enjoy everything but the yoga (which is tonight's workout) plus C25K (love that)! Gotta loose the last of my baby weight.

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  24. Did Stephen tell you I was doing couch to 5K? I increased my mile by 40 seconds. He said you've done that and liked it. I really enjoy it. It's hard but it's nice letting it do the work to tell you when to run and when to walk.

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  25. I've been a lurker for awhile now...but thought I'd comment here. My girlfriends and I at work have started doing Jillian Michaels ripped in 30 on our lunch break. Its BRUTAL. However this is my first sit down at a desk all day job in my life...and I've gained some weight and momma needs to work out. Hope your fitness re-entry is going well.

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  26. I've been trying to get back into shape after baby #3 and was determined to wear a bikini this summer. I'm not quite ready, but I will be soon! I post "Weight Loss Wednesdays" on my blog (www.thevittfamily.blogspot.com) each week with some tidbits about what I'm doing. I follow Weight Watchers for the food side of the equation and am enjoying all types of workouts for the exercise side. I started out the year exercising twice a week and thought there was no way I could hit the gym more often. However, the "fitness bug" bit me and I'm not getting in a minimum of 4 workouts a week with most weeks 5 or 6. I'm finding ways to workout outside such as running and biking, and I'm LOVING these two methods for Cardio. I take a Lean Motion class at my gym and copy moves I see while watching everyone else in my gym lift in addition to doing machines and basic moves I've known forever.

    I can't imagine you're too out of shape even after 8 weeks of no exercise, but I'm happy to be inspired by your tips as you get ready to wear that super duper cute bikini!!

    Bethany
    www.thevittfamily.blogspot.com

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  27. If you need a live and in-person bloggy friend workout buddy, lemme know :)

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