Hey, hey everyone! I hope you are kicking your week off in a great way.
Today, along with the rest of this week is going to be jam packed for me. With dancer auditions coming up this weekend, expect to see a lot of clean eats and workouts coming your way!
After a surprise (and awesome!) date night Thursday, Scott and I decided to keep things on the less exciting side Friday night. That morning, we planned to pay an evening visit to the gym together, and when his return from work came later than expected at 8 p.m., a trip to the gym and the grocery store became our master plan for the night. Gettin’ crazy!
I like going to the gym on my own and doing my own thing, so we usually end up doing separate workouts even if we go together. I generally focus on cardio, core, and light weight training, while he spends his hour or so on strength training exercises.
This time he talked me into completing a chest workout with him. About half-way into it, I decided that was plenty for my weak upper body and turned it into a chest AND booty workout day. A little T&A if you will. <- I’m sorry… but I had to on that one. It’s too good. 😉
T&A Chest + Booty Circuit Workout
This is a circuit workout that can be done alone or with a partner. Scott and I completed the upper body section together. I completed the second half on my own, while he finished up the rest of his chest routine.
Skeptics, beware: three full sets of those first three exercises had my arms shaking. After the lower half circuit, I really wasn’t sure how I was going to make it through three miles on the treadmill for cardio.
That’s when I turn to mind over matter. My first rule of working out is always to listen to your body. Mine was certainly being challenged, but I could tell that I could keep going. If I am simply challenged, (not injured or seriously hurting), I push through it and try my best to complete what I planned to do for the day.
Another perk of completing a workout with Scott was having him there to take pictures of me doing the exercises. In case you’re looking for demonstrations as to what means what, here they are:
Upper Body Exercises
pictured above: bench is flat
pictured below: bench is around a 45° angle.
Lower Body Exercises
Air jacks is just another term for x-out jumping jacks. I first started doing these in my cathe XTrain videos, and they are basically just a controlled jumping jack that leaves the ground.
I use a set of 15 lbs. for my dumbbell weight, but this is completely optional. You will still be working the same muscles without the weight, but (as always) doing so will increase the challenge level of the exercise.
Pictured above is just the right side. Walking lunges have a pattern of together, lunge (right), together lunge (left), together, lunge (right), and so on.
After two sets of everything, I had to pump myself up to push through the third. Some people call the last set their “burn” or “fail” set, because it can be extremely hard to get through every rep of it.
My advice is just to do what you can. Push yourself, but don’t overdo it.
Soy Discussion Thank You
I wanted to also take a quick minute to bring up yesterday’s post on my new concern for soy + genetically modified products. Thank you to all who brought up points of discussion in your comments, and please know that I take them all to heart.
Like I mentioned yesterday, I think it is very important for me to educate myself and others on knowledge of products, both the positive and negative. I plan to take this concern of the negative effects of consuming soy products long term seriously, and share ways to eat around GMOs.
Please don’t ever feel bad for commenting on anything you know about the subject (or any subject on that matter), even if you are challenging what I write. I am very clear in my disclaimer that I am not a certified health professional, and that everything I post on the blog is subject from my personal knowledge and experiences. I am very open to hear from those of you who are educated or well researched on what I post, and see it as an opportunity for me to learn and grow as a health and fitness enthusiast.
I will be sure to keep you updated on how this new “light on the soy, no GMOs” journey is going for me.
Have a wonderful rest of your day, and let me know if you give the ‘ol T&A workout a try! 🙂
Disclaimer: I am not a certified personal trainer, but consider myself a fitness enthusiast. All workouts and advice I post on this blog stems only from my personal experience and knowledge. Before adding anything new into your fitness routine, I always recommend consulting a doctor or health professional first.
Kelly @ KellyRunsforFood
Nice workout! I like mixing in my circuits with treadmill runs too.
Heather
Thanks! It was a tough (leg) night at the gym, but well worth it! 😉
Lisa
Loving the workout. I keep meaning to put my pilates teacher training to good use and uploading a good workout, but um..I fail at using my camera sometimes ha. Oops.
Heather
You totally should! 🙂
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats
I do something similar to this when I work out chest with my fiance…while he lifts I do squats next to the bench until it is my turn to lift again. Keeps me moving and helps me make the most out of my gym time!
Heather
Yes! I hate just sitting around, lol. I feel like I should constantly be moving at the gym!
Bobbi
why can’t I look as cute as you in those head bands! AWESOME workout friend!
Heather
Haha, stop it! That one is literally from CVS. 😉