Insanity and Focus T25 Hybrid

When I finished my first round of Insanity, I had combined feelings of accomplishment and frustration. I felt like my fitness honeymoon was over and I didn't know what was "next." After doing some research on the the internet, I found that you could do really cool HYBRIDS of Beachbody programs.

I would recommend exploring a hybrid after fully completing a program, for a few reasons:

1. Results: Beachbody specially designs their calendars to help deliver maximum results.
2. Risk of Injury: When you're just doing one program, your focus (no pun intended!) won't be as divided. You will have more body awareness and, subsequently, lessen the risk of injury.
3. Commitment: It's always easier to commit to one program, versus trying to commit to two brand new programs. 

 Here's a hybrid calendar of two of my favorites, Insanity + T25. You could always swap out one of these programs for another activity or program. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact me.

21 Day Fix Meal Plan Sampler

I have had a few people ask about what my thoughts are about nutrition/etc... I am in love with the 21 Day Fix meal plan. I never feel deprived and, honestly, I feel like I will apply the principles I've learned in this program for the rest of my life. I learned a lot about where I was under-eating, particularly in regards to protein. I just can't sing enough praises about the 21 Day Fix! Here is a little "sample" of what a few days of eating on the program may look like. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Weight Training for Cardio Lovers

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I've been addicted to running for quite some time, but I recently decided to break the cycle. I'm focusing more on toning and here's a workout plan that's helping me with my propensity to just do cardio. Also, the beauty of adding in sprints or the calisthenics circuit means that quite a bit of cardio will be peppered into your workout. In addition to the below, I also try to do abs every day, but it doesn't always happen!

Monday - Biceps, Triceps 

Tuesday - Shoulders, Back & Chest

Wednesday - Legs

Thursday - Biceps, Triceps & Chest

Friday - Shoulders, Back

Saturday - REST

Sunday - Legs

Biceps & Triceps Days: 
Warm up: 6 minutes jog + 6 minute Sprint
Superset 1: Bicep Curl + Tricep Press (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minutes sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
Superset 2: Hammer Curl + Skull Crusher (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minute sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
Superset 3: Alternating Dumbell Curl + Tricep Extension (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minute sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
**Repeat 2 more times**
15 Minute Jog

Shoulders, Back & Chest Days: 
Warm up: 6 minutes jog + 6 minute Sprint
Superset 1: Overhead Press + Bent Over Row (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minutes sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
Superset 2: Front Raise + Chest Press (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minute sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
Superset 3: Arnold Press + Back Extension (8-12 times with 15 lb weights)
2 minute sprint or Calisthenics Circuit
**Repeat 2 more times**
15 Minute Jog

Legs Days: 
Warm Up: 15 Minute Jog
Squat
30 seconds Burpees
Front Lunge
30 seconds Jumping Jacks
Back Lunge
30 seconds Mountain Climbers
Step Up
30 seconds High Knees
Dead Lift
**Repeat 2 more times**
15 Minute Jog

Calisthenics Circuit
Complete 30 seconds of each:
Burpees
Jumping Jacks
Mountain Climbers
High Knees

3 Questions To Ask Before Sweating With Your Spouse!

I hear a lot of people mention (especially right after New Years) that a great way to lose weight, get healthy and strengthen your relationships is to exercise with your significant other. For the longest time I felt like an epic failure because my husband and I just never really got into the grove of working out together. If you've also felt this way despair not! Here are some ways to judge if including your mate in your next trip to the gym is the right choice for you:

1. Do you have the same goals? If you and your special someone have the same fitness goals then simultaneous sweating probably works for you. However, if you're goal is to get more flexible while your better half's goal is to build strength then maybe it would be better to just go your separate ways during your daily sweat sessions.

2. Do you enjoy the same activities? My husband plays basketball. My parents put me in non-ball related sports like swimming and running for a reason. I honestly couldn't catch, bounce, hit or kick a ball if my life depended on it. While watching these kinds of sports can be fun, participating in them is a different story. And the same works in reverse. On an occasion during my lets-workout-together-days I decided to take my husband to a yoga class, but quickly regretted it when he let out a loud "no way!" during the first sun salutation. It's just not his thing and he doesn't want or really need to be a yogi.

3. When do you both plan on working out? For the longest time I was used to working out first thing in the morning, while my husband played pick up basketball in the evenings. Whenever one of us would try to change our schedule to do something with the other we would both end up annoyed and agitated. While we are both on the same schedule now, we don't force it. We are both committed to our fitness and respect the others choice to go when most convenient for them. In the end, our relationship is a little more harmonious because we got to do a little something for ourselves.

I hope this helps all those suffering women out there wondering "AGH what is wrong with US?!" If you are one of the lucky few who works out with the hubs, kudos. But for the rest of you, don't sweat it...literally!