Banging Body Part 1

This year I'm trying something a little different for my own personal fitness goals and wanted to share with you the steps I'm taking to make sure 2014 is the year of my fitness dreams!  I have broken down my year into 4 quarters and will focus on each quarter as an individual.  In my post I have shared with you the set-up I'm doing for my first quarter January-March.  This year I want to focus on feelings because as we strive to reach our fitness goals truly we are looking to feel a certain way not just to hit this ideal weight, body fat percentage or run a race.  Usually we have a feeling behind the need for those goals.  So as your working on your own fitness goals for the next year think about not only what you want to accomplish but how you want to feel.  This is part one of the banging body series that will be coming throughout the month of January.

To really start your year off right begin my creating a spreadsheet or if your still a paper, pencil gal write your goals down in a chart format.  In the middle record your big goals for the next few months,in the column on the far left write down your ongoing tasks to reach your goals.  These can be small tasks that will help you reach your overall main goal.  Below that are 1 time events to really set yourself up for success record what date you will accomplish your goal.  On the far right record the purpose of your ongoing fitness plan.  So the why behind what your doing in your action plan.  If you don't know the purpose behind your madness it will probably not be accomplished.  So dive into your new year by setting realistic and measurable goals, don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

If setting goals still makes you sweat and you don't know where to begin below is a calendar to get you through January.  There are fun little challenges combined with fitness & nutrition ideas to help you start 2014 off on the right foot.

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In good health,  Andrea

Tips for losing the last 10 pounds

The Living Room Workout

This time of year every thing gets hectic;  malls are crowded, gyms become crowded during the prime time hours, you feel as if you have 100 different things you need to do each day.  So squeezing in your workouts can be quite challenging.  You want to go to the gym but realize by the time you park your car, change in the locker room, find the equipment you want to use, you only have 20 minutes to actually workout.  What's a busy gal to do?  While take that workout inside.  You don't need a lot of fancy equipment to get in a good workout in the comfort of your own living room.  I have provided two great workouts for you to try when you're in need of a workout and need to do it at home.  Both workouts can be done in 30 minutes or less.

Workout # 1

*Perform each exercise for 1 minute, you can rest 30 seconds in between each exercise or perform workout without any breaks.  Repeat this routine 2-3 times.

1. Squats  
2. Walking Lunges
3. Push-ups
4. High Plank w/knee drives to elbows
5. Tabletop crunches
6. Side Plank with crunches
7. Reverse Lunges
8. Dips on chair
9. Side Lunges
10. Up/down planks

Workout #2

*Perform each exercise for 1 minute, you can rest 30 seconds in between each exercise or perform workout without any breaks.  Repeat this routine 2-3 times.

1. Mountain Climbers
2. Knee Drive to downdog
3. Frogger Jumps
4. Squat Jacks to Burpees
5. T-push-ups
6. Skater Lunges
7. Triceps Push-ups
8. Side Lunge with leg lift
9. Side Plank with knee drives
10. Squat Thrusters

The first workout is good for a strength based routine if your looking for more of a weight routine.  The second workout is a combination of strength and cardio which will increase the overall calorie burn.  Let me know how the workouts go via facebook!

In good health,

Andrea

How do I know which fitness dvd to purchase or to workout with?

There are so many fitness dvd's & youtube videos out there now how do you know which one is right for you?  Well trick question, kind of.  Which ever workout you feel motivated to do, which ever instructor you feel you have a connection to and whichever workout makes you feel like you did something.

Most everyone is familiar with the Jillian Michaels, Tony Horton (P90x), Insanity options but there are other great instructors that you might not have discovered yet.  If you go to youtube and search whichever program or fitness inspiration you feel motivated to do that day you will find thousands.  Just because the more famous people pop up first does not mean they are the best for you.  Scroll down and see what other options tickle your fancy.  You might find a fitness pro who lives in a different state or country then you but is fabulous at what they do.

I personally have found many good instructors this way.  I am a fan of http://www.bodyrock.tv/ for those of you looking for more of an intense workout at home.  I discovered them on pinterest of all places.  So if you keep your eyes open you can discover fitness professionals all around on non-traditional fitness platforms, such as pinterest, instagram, and facebook.

I would highly suggest for you to keep looking if you haven't found that instructor or program that you can do at home.  We all have those days where we want to workout but don't want to go to the gym.  That is when you get on youtube and see what you can find.  You might be surprised and what you discover & find a new workout routine that you fall in love with.

 As always check out www.safiretraining.com for more fitness tips & inspiration.

In good health,
 Andrea