Hello blog friends. Mariah here…..I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. In my previous post, I mentioned I would share some of my favorite recipes and healthy alternatives to key ingredients, but I will save that post for next time.
I have received various messages asking me what I do to stay fit so I thought I would reveal my “health secrets.” To be honest, there is nothing “secretive” about my health routine. It is straight forward. Eat healthy, workout, rest, and repeat. A few weeks ago, I talked about my nutrition on the blog post titled, “Diet vs. Healthy Lifestyle.” In this article I explain why “a calorie is not just a calorie” and why proper nutrition is key to maintaining a healthy figure.
Although I briefly discussed the importance of exercise, I did not explain my weekly exercise routine. Like many of you, I don’t have the time and sometimes the energy to go to the gym every-day. In an ideal world, I would join all the spin, cardio, and Zumba classes because they are fun and the instructors make the workouts worthwhile. I mean, who wouldn’t want an instructor like Jillian Michaels screaming “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” or “Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going!” This type of encouragement and motivation helps you endure the workout. However, a lot of us don’t have the time to attend these workouts every day, or even a few days a week. The good news is, you don’t have to go to the gym to maintain your figure. You can perform workouts at home.
Right now, I have 10, 15, and 20-pound dumbbells and resistant bands and that is all I need. Three days out of the week, I perform a set of exercises targeting my legs, arms, and abs in addition to my daily run. These workouts include squats, lunges, reverse flies, bicep curls, arm raises, bridges, and single-leg deadlifts. An illustration of these workouts can be found here. I usually do three sets of 10-15 reps, depending on my weights. Each day I focus on different muscle groups. For instance, one day I will focus on my glutes, hamstrings, and back. Another day I will focus on my biceps and triceps. After each set I perform a five-minute ab workout. Towards the end of the week I like to complete a resistance workout that targets my glutes and hips. These workouts include side lateral leg raises, sidekicks, and band walks which again, can be found here.
If you find it hard performing a home workout by yourself, follow along with Jillian Michaels on YouTube. Even though she is not there in-person, she yells and stares directly into the camera, making it feel as if she is right by your side. If that doesn’t do the trick, reward yourself with a nice treat. If you are like me, food is a great motivator. Schedule workouts into your weekly agenda if need be. No matter what, don’t give up! Whether you are a stay at home mom, working mom, or student, you can achieve your fitness goals.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit