HIIT workout for the week

This week is HIIT week... actually AMRAP week (As Many Rounds As Posssible). This also means trying out a different workout set to test myself for the week. Unfortunately I can only think of so many different exercises to piece together until I find myself bored with it. Thankfully I am subscribed to Zuzka Light on YouTube and her workouts kick your ass every freakin time! If you are interested in seeing this week's workout here is her breakdown of the workout. 

So this is how I normally record my cardio workouts. Writing it out so I know what I'm getting myself into.

The video says that you should get a hold of a 30lb dumbbell. However, I don't have that so that means I can't do the workout, right? WRONG. This is my go to option for weight: 20lb home made sandbag. 

Looks like just a plain duffel bag...

Instead I have 2x 10lb sandbags in here. The nice thing about this bag is the size and number of handles it has so that I can drag the bag where I need it during the exercise.

 Handy-dandy timer that my best friend bought for me 2 Christmas' ago :) Set at 12 min.

So, I don't know if I'm quite ready to film a cardio workout yet. I know some of you expressed to see me do it. To be honest I do this in my room. Not exactly the ideal place to film my workout. I'm thinking about doing this in the weight room with a tri-pod at some point this week. That's a little more ideal and you could probably see the moves better. Anywho, down below is the result of today's workout. Let's see how many rounds I can do tomorrow! Maybe Thursday I will film as I get used to this workout... We shall see. 

Here's a motivational picture for the week :) 

Keep going and don't give up! 

- Marie

Stairs & Trying Something New

4 laps of stairs today... I think I am outta shape but I'm glad I was able to do 4 as my first time in a while. My legs are definitely feeling the burn so I made sure I stretched out thoroughly. Let's see, here's the workout breakdown:
Lap 1: descend, ascend without skipping steps, at the top 15 spider planks each leg.
Lap 2: descend, ascend with side-lunge steps (can skip steps if you have longer legs), at the top 12 push-offs (start on your stomach, hands off ground, then push off ground into plank/push-up position, hold for 3 seconds, return to starting position, make sure you don't drop yourself onto the ground)
Lap 3: descend, ascend running steps (skip steps), at the top elevated planks (legs up)
Lap 4: descend, ascend running steps, at the top cool down, stretch.

I wanted to do a ice bath but I definitely don't have enough ice... grrr. Anyway, post-workout "meal" was 8oz milk + last measly scoop of whey in my jar... The whey was from Costco by Muscle Milk I believe. But at this point I got tired of using their stuff so I looked into Optimum Nutrition that my bf and many others invest in. The quality is supposedly better so I bought the Vanilla Creme flavor to try it out. And it came via UPS today! Woop! Can't wait to try it out tomorrow. Wait... tomorrow. Hmmm, what should my workout be?

Thinking of another HIIT. Arms and... hmm... legs I did today. Arms and core it shall be. I will post the workout, breakdown, and results after completion.

On another note: my shipment came with a sample to try what seems like a workout booster thingamabob. I honestly do not trust what is in it or what it does. If it says to not take it if someone is under 18 how would it be any different from someone that's 20 y/o? It's not FDA approved or regulated and I really don't want something synthetic in my system.  While I'm trying to lose inches and tone I want to do it as natural as I can make it. Meaning eating clean and maintaining daily exercise. I don't care how long it takes, I want to treat my body the way it should be. I take a daily multi-vitamin supplement, and may start implementing fish-oil (thanks to the reinforcement from the bf), and the whey protein. Although now I want to start drinking more green tea. It has such overall great benefits so I want to add that to my diet.
I know that some of you may want to get thinner, toner, bigger, faster, better overnight or in one week. In reality it's NOT going to happen that way. Maintenance and consistency is the slow and steady way to achieve your goals. I know I learned that the hard way but if you have the right support system and the right approach you may not notice any differences until someone points it out or you take a picture a month later. Keep going and stay persistent.

Persevere!

- Marie