Good Day, Tonight.

It just so happens that my itunes decided to play "Section 18" by The Polyphonic Spree, which starts out with the title of today's post just as I was deciding on an title. Thank you, itunes!

Despite the overwhelming feedback (aka no one), I've decided to change the format of my blog. Primarily because like many other bloggers, I'd like to add my fitness and exercise into a category, and feel like it would get a bit lost amongst all the food and recipe categories. You had your chance to voice your opinion on the matter, but Vote or Die!

I've really been trying to be good about keeping a regular exercise routine going, which for the most part has been successful. I do strength training about 3X a week with at least a 30 minute walk with the roomie around the neighborhood. I've recently started running every other day to get back on track with  my running routine, and trying to get back to the long distances in the Spring. I've started at 3 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 4 miles on Saturday or Sunday, and increasing by 1/2 mile every week. I have to get back on interval running to get my speed back too! So much running to catch up on!

After reading many other bloggers posting their own home workouts, and getting my butt kicked by Jillian Michaels in Shredded in 30, I decided I can make my own strength circuits! And this I did, and got my butt kicked by this gal here.

I've made them based on Jillian's 3-2-1 routines of 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs, for a total of about 20 minutes of non-stop action. Something not even your bed sheets have seen. ; ) Yes, I went there.

Here's the my first circuit for upper body, with links to videos for all the exercises . You will only need a set of 5-10 lb. weights. I used 10 lbs, but feel free to use what is comfortable for you.

Upper Body Circuit 1

30 seconds each of:
Bicep curls
Outer curls 
Tricep Extension
Tricep Kickbacks
Arnold Press (I did these standing up)
Military Press

30 seconds each of:
Burpees
Jumping Jacks ( I'm assume you know these from gym class)
 repeat once more

30 seconds each of :
Bicycle crunches
In's & Out's

Repeat circuit for a total of 3 times. 

The key to making this a good workout is minimal rest. Try to perform the entire workout without resting, especially in between the different types of exercise. You can rest for about 30 seconds in between repeating the circuit, but in order to "feel the burn" I suggest giving it all you got. I was nice and sweaty after I finished, and it goes by much faster if you keep on truckin'. I mean it IS only 20 minutes. That's less than an episode of Jershey Shore. And if you can make it through that, this should be a breeze...

I've also posted a link to the online stopwatch I used to make it easy to transition between exercises. I set each interval for an extra 10 seconds for you to get situated, and take 1/2 a breath if you can. I also labeled each interval with the corresponding exercise to make it easier to follow along. It is however set for repeat infinitely, so you can go eternally, squeeze out another round, or just keep track of when three rounds are up. I'm sure you won't forget when to stop! You can access this here.

Since I didn't feel so inclined to take a picture of my sweaty self after this.. and everyone likes pictures, here's one from this day 2 years ago. I fun apple picking day with the besties in college. I wish I was apple picking now!

Michelle, Hillary, Me, and Karen (and Becky who's taking the picture)

Happy Monday!