All About Those Legs

It's been kind of a crazy past couple days but I have been trying to still workout. Here is the one that I am going to do tonight when my husband gets home :) Good luck and let me know what you think!

Side-note: My little Charlotte has been eating like crazy the past couple days and I feel like I can't keep up! I am having to eat constantly. I try to eat healthy fats and lots of protein along with whole food carbs. It's just crazy. If any of you have some tips on how to keep up, let me know! Thanks:)

Today is all about those legs!! Get ready to feel the burn and make sure to keep good form. This is also a great workout to begin with 15-20 minutes of a HIIT workout by either running, biking, jump roping or using and elliptical (follow link to lean more about HIIT and why I do them). 

Round One:

Step Ups 15-20 each leg 

Side Step Squats 15-20 each side

Romanian Dead-lifts 15 reps (to learn how watch this video from bodybuilding.com) you can also use dumbbells or kettle bells or even start out with a broom if you are really new to them :)

Repeat 4 times

Round Two:

Reverse Lunge (to make it more difficult do it off a platform) 15-20 each leg

Plie Dumbbell Squat 20 (do a plie squat while holding a weight)

Ankle weight kickback 15-20 reps each side

kick backs

Jump Squats 5-10

Repeat 4 times

Don't forget to stretch and share this with your friends :)

Reverse Lunge

Cardio and Legs

I got back on the bike today!! Yay! I have done it a couple times since being pregnant but I actually did a good workout on it today. It's a great bike and I am so glad we spent the money on it. Here is yesterday's workout that I did. I really had to force myself to workout because I waited clear until my husband was home to do it :) big mistake by me because then I just want to be with him instead. But I worked out anyway and I am so glad I did.
This workout is for me during pregnancy but just like ANY workout, it can be modified to fit your intensity level. If you are more advanced, add more reps and increase your speed.

Warm up for 5 minutes, by either walking or riding on the bike

Cardio: You can run or ride a bike here, I rode on my spin bike
Intervals:
Resting Interval 1:00 (you keep moving at a moderate pace, you don't actually REST)
Sprinting Interval 0:30 go fast and hard! Increase the tension on your bike and pedal hard (you can even stand on some parts)
Complete 12 to 15 rounds

After Riding the bike do the following leg workout (make sure you go deep!)
20 Walking Lunges (10 lunges each leg)
10 Plie Squats
10 Narrow Squats
Add some jump squats to keep the heart rate up if this isn't doing enough for you
Rest for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes
Repeat 3 to 4 Rounds

*If you aren't tired and feel like you can do more, then do!! Remember, this is for me at 5 months pregnant :)
Stretch your legs and back really well. I usually hold each stretch for 30 seconds

My Legs Are Burning

Ok, I am posting this one because it is the exercise I did this morning and it seriously worked my legs! And was a great way to get my heart pumping.
Working out your legs and developing the muscles on them is such a great way to burn fat and calories. Because these muscle are so big, they take a lot of energy to workout and they generate a lot of heat. If you are looking for a great way to tone up your legs and increase your metabolism, I recommend this workout. Just remember that it can be adjusted to fit personal needs and fitness levels. If you are more advanced than me, increase the reps and use a heavier weight. If you are just getting started or aren't used to these moves, decrease the reps and use a lighter weight or not weight at all.
**For Circuit 3 click here for instructions and pictures.**
Now, go burn those legs!

Circuit One:
15 Side Lunges with kettle bell, each leg (I used 10 lbs)
1 minute Jumping Jacks (put lots of effort into those jumps!)
20 Plie or Sumo Squats with kettle bell (I used 10 lbs)
Rest for 40 Seconds
Complete 3 Rounds

PhotoCredit: mummafit.com
Bulgarian Lunge

Circuit Two:
15 Bulgarian Lunges, each leg (you can hold a weight or balance with your arms out in front of you)
20 Scissor Jumps
Rest 40 Seconds
Complete 4 Rounds

Circuit Three:
15 Leg and Arm Raises with kettle bell (I used 10 lbs but don't use any if it's your first time) Click here for instructions
15 Pulse Ups with kettle bell (I used 10 lbs)
15 Bicycles with kettle bell (10lbs)
10-12 Stability Ball Crunches
30 Seconds Mountain Climbers
Rest 1 Minute
Complete 4 Rounds

Circuit Four: This is the cardio part of the workout
8 Rounds of Tabata
10 Seconds Slow/Moderate Pace
20 Seconds High Intensity Pace
*I did this on my spin bike, you can do jump roping, jump squats, running in place, running around a track or pretty much anything that will work as cardio. This is an important part of this workout so don't skip it! Do your best, it is only 4 minutes.

And Stretch!
Make sure you stretch your hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes, quads, and back
Here are some common stretched I do after this workout

Are You Ready For This One?

Another Fat Burning Workout. This one might kick your butt, literally. 

I love this workout and find it a great way to tone the entire body. If you are unsure of how to do a workout, just google it for now. I will have pictures of me doing them soon, they just take time to do. Let me know if you have any questions though!


Round 1: 

Photo Credit: tbfn.info

10 Burpees (look at the picture to the right for reference on how to do it, you can omit pushups if it's too hard)
1 minute mountain climbers (keep that butt low, core tight and back straight)
Rest 1 minutes
Repeat 3 times

Round 2:
1 minute Jumping Jacks (land softly and give it a lot of effort!)
8 to 10 slow Push-ups
1 minute Air Punching (don't hyperextend elbow and keep the arms tight and punch vigorously while tightening core)
10 Front Arm Raises (each arm) with weight of your choice*
Rest 1 minute
Repeat 3 times

Round 3:
Wall-sits to failure (hold it as long as you can!)
30 to 40 second Star Jumps (google it. picture coming soon)
10 Lateral Arm Raises (each arm) with weight of your choice*
Rest 1 minute
Repeat 3 times

Stretch and the end! I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I do!

*Note, lifting heavy weights won't make you bulky (unless you are eating ridiculous amounts of protein and taking supplements with hormones to be a body builder)! Using a "heavy" weight with PROPER FORM and SLOW CONTROLLED movements will make you TONED. Also, by adding fat burning exercise with the weight lifting you will be doubling your efforts towards a toned body. So don't be afraid to do more than 5 lbs. If you can do most of the reps with the heavier weight without compromising form then do it! This is the BEST way to get nice lean muscles. If the workout is too easy or not pushing you enough, then you need a heavier weight :)