Looking at this photo of trainer Jackie Warner, you might think I am going to post about getting 6 pack abs like hers.  Well, I'm not going there today.  Although I will give you my two cents on getting 6-pack abs, or even 1-pack.  They start with three things, in this order:   What you are born with (genetics), What's in your kitchen (what you eat) and Hard Work (what you do).  I was not blessed with the Ab gene.  I fight that daily and and end up just plain aggravated.  So, I just try to keep my diet (fairly) clean and work hard.  I keep thinking that one morning I might wake up and magically have some good abs, but at my ripe old age and three c-sections in my past, it's just not looking good for me.  I'm thinking I'll go more into this topic later.  I digress, because I merely wanted to share a workout today.

This is a workout designed to be done at home.  Trainer Jackie Warner, who hosts Thinervention on Bravo, is known as a tough, get the job done, trainer.  She has been known to "tell it like it is" and is quick to say she works really hard and that's what it takes.  I think we all know that!  But, being fit doesn't have to sound like a job!  Enjoy what you are doing and what you can accomplish. I think you have to find some fun in your exercise or you'll end up back on the couch before you've even cranked out one push-up!  Not to mention, any new resolutions will be long gone.

For the workout below, you need some weights, exercise band and an exercise ball. If you don't have the bands, you can modify with dumbells.  If you don't have an exercise ball, I would put that on your wish list.  It's a great "at home" tool.  You can get one most anywhere these days, Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, any sporting good store or online.

She calls this the Home Improvement Workout.  As we are doing some home improvement ourselves (fixing up our basement AND my home gym area!  I'm very excited and the before and after pics are already showing a HUGE improvement!) I thought this workout would fit right in. So, if you are an "at home" exerciser and want some fresh moves or new moves to try at the gym, check it out.  Most things will look familiar, but I always say that if I can take away even ONE new idea or learn ONE new thing, it's a success.

Enjoy your week!

What's your favorite at home workout?

I got up today feeling not my usual perky self.  I'm normally a pretty "perky" person and my sons often accuse me of being too perky.  Today is a cross train day on my new training plan, but I just couldn't make myself get to the gym.  So, I went downstairs and followed the 100 WORKOUT.  You have likely seen or heard of it and I'm glad to say it worked.  It worked so well at getting me energized I did it twice and then added to it.  

So, here's my tip: on days when you just can't get going ( I always say give it 10 minutes and that normally does the trick!) or don't have a good workout plan, try this 100 WORKOUT.  It's quick, easy (not so much) and gets you going and back to perky.

100 WORKOUT

100 JUMPING JACKS
90 CRUNCHES
80 SQUATS
70 PUSH UPS
60 JUMPIING JACKS
50 CRUNCHES
40 SQUATS
30 PUSH UPS
20 JUMPING JACKS
10 MINUTE RUN
(Repeat as you like!)

It was also interesting to note, that while I worked out the TV was on and I was able to watch THREE back to back exercise infomercials!  I was inspired by AB Rev (hadn't seen that one before), P90X (which I have and love) and THE FIRM EXPRESS (I just love listening to the instructors; southern accents.  I think this one is new, also, as it is an Express)

Do you workout at the gym or at home?  What's your favorite?
 
Enjoy