Resolutions for March

The weather is absolutely perfect outside for taking walks (which is my favorite form of exercise) and so I'm going to definitely pursue outdoor walking for good weather days in March, but this means that I will be sidelining the gym and the gym is the most convenient place to do toning--but is that really true? Let me be honest for a moment, even when I do go to the gym I spend 30-45 minutes on the elliptical trainer and then maybe 10-15 around the weight machines or the free weights (I particularly HATE the free weights area because I work out at the University gym and there are all these boys grunting and taking up as much space as possible and its surrounded by mirrors and although I do get that the mirrors are supposed to help with form, they just make me self-conscious).

What I'm going to do, is come up with some routines for the month of March to do after evening walks that will help me actually build muscle. I've been losing weight this year (more than 40lbs thus far) and I know that I've lost muscle tone. I don't develop muscle very easily, so losing the little that I have is not good. I am going to focus on my 5lbs weights for my arms and for my legs, I'll work on squats & lunges. For my abs, which I never work out at the gym because I don't like laying on the sweaty community maps after my elliptical session, but even though I vow to do some sort of ab activity at home, I never do...its time for dinner for goodness sake!!! So, for my abs, I'll do a variety of pilates mat moves that I have recently printed out from FitSugar. So, I'm going to mix and match and I'll share the results--can I successful commit to doing toning at home? I think so and I resolve to do so. I'll update y'all in a couple weeks.

By the Way, sorry about the dearth of posts last week, this week and unfortunately, next week. Last week I was in Florida, this week I've been very busy doing worky-work, and next week I'll be in DC. I'll try to get at least a few posts pre-set up over this weekend for next week. We are now up to EIGHT followers! So cool and thanks to all of our regular readers for sticking with us.

So, monthly resolutions: anybody have resolutions for March they'd like to share in the comments?

Toning Before Cardio?

So, I was reading Jillian Michaels' book "Winning by Losing" and she mentioned that it was important to do your toning prior to doing a vigorous cardio workout. She recommends a five minute warm up, then a fast pace toning regime that can serve as both toning and cardio or just as toning prior to cardio. Lately, Mon, Tues & Thursday I go to the gym or I take a vigorous walk outside after work. My work schedule has its advantages and disadvantages, but a 7am start time married to a 40 minute commute does not encourage exercise in the morning (when I have the most energy and am more naturally inclined to workout), so I do evening workouts. Lately, I've noticed how hard it is to do toning after doing the elliptical. So, I'm going to have to figure out how to get toning mixed in with my days at work and then on Fri/Sat (sometimes Sun) do a serious toning regime mixed with outdoor walking or the home treadmill (we're probably going to dump the YMCA membership).

Anyway, Michaels' book has great instructions and pictures for a variety of exercises that you only need small equipment for or chairs/walls/exercise balls. Today I did:

Wall Squats
--5 reps counting to 10
--5 reps counting to 12

Lateral Shoulder Raises
--3 sets of 10 reps with 5lbs weights

Shoulder Press
--3 Sets of 10 with 5lbs weights

Summo Squats
--3 sets of 10 reps with chair

Pilates Pelvic Curls
--3 sets of 10 reps

Pilates Rolling Up & Down
--5

Pilates Single Leg Circles
--Each leg clockwise and counter clockwise for a count of 8.

Pilates Single Leg Stretch
--6 reps for each leg

30 minute vigorous walk outdoors.

Suffice to say, I'm feelin' it--all of it, but I think I'm on the right track. I do not easily gain muscle and I need to work at it and I need to work at it prior to cardio or else I'm spent.

Skinny Jeans Workout

People we need to get some prespective. We can only spot tone and not spot reduce. Therefore, we need too get to a healthy size before we start focusing on getting into jeans. As you can see from the video, there were no size 20s in the class.