'Tis the Season...

TIS THE SEASON TO.NOT.STOP.WORKING.OUT!

I know you are thinking it is the holiday season, tomorrow is the first of December.  Studies show that half of all those polled experienced heightened stress  during the holidays. Perhaps one of the best ways to overcome stress during the holidays or any other time is to exercise regularly. Research shows that physical activity not only boosts your fitness and energy levels but can also elevate your moods.

Remember to keep exercise as a part of your daily routine. Try to exercise an hour a day, four to five days per week.Taking a brisk walk, bike ride, or exercise class will burn calories, release endorphins, and elevate your mood. Do something that you LOVE! If you love indoor cycle, don't miss your favorite classes this month...your instructor will thank you! Did you know that you are less likely to overeat when you exercise. Be extra sure to stay active EVERY day. Enjoy your holiday season without the stress of falling off track. You will feel so much better, you will have energy and you will SHINE!

Tuesday night

10 Thruster / 1 Sumo Deadlift High Pull
9 Thruster / 2 SDHP
8 Thruster / 3 SDHP
7Thruster / 4 SDHP
6 Thruster / 5 SDHP
5 Thruster / 6 SDHP
4 Thruster / 7 SDHP
3 Thruster / 8 SDHP
2 Thruster / 9 SDHP
1 Thruster / 10 SDHP

Push Up, Sit Up Endurance

4 rounds for reps of:

Push-ups, 1 minute

Sit-ups, 1 minute

Rest 1 miunte

So, you will do as many push ups as possible for one minute, go directly to do as many sit ups as possible in one minute, then rest for one minute. 4 rounds. Count your total reps for push ups in each round and all rounds. Same with sit ups.

Team FUN Tabata Style!!

Alternating team members, one person working at a time:

20 seconds/20 seconds (one person is resting one person is working during each 20 sec interval)

16 sets per exercise

*inverted push ups

*kettle bell swings

*Wall ball 

finish with team pistol squats...do the 20 seconds together as a team, rest 10, repeat.

  If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise. Robert Fritz

EARN that bird workout!

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
- Michael Jordan

Make sure that the turkey is the only thing getting stuffed this year! Thanksgiving... the second food based holiday of the season. Did you know the average American gains 7-12 pounds between Halloween and New Year's? Then they crowd the gym January 1, ready to change! How can you stay healthy during this next 6 weeks? Firstly, stay active, don't miss your workouts! Even if it means running sprints up the street and back!
Here are some tips for your nutrition:

• Eat slowly! Take your time between mouthfuls- you will get full on less food.  If this is challenging for you, take a sip of water in between bites to occupy yourself.  You’ll be surprised how much this trick slows you down.
• Choose white meat instead of dark meat, and take off the skin.
• Pick one kind of potato- no need for both.
• Don't eat things you can have anytime- splurge on things that you only get once or twice a year and ENJOY them.
• Fill your plate with Veggies.
• Use condiments sparingly- you would be surprised how many calories you will save by just being conscious.
• Get moving! after dinner, take the kids outside for a walk, or throw the football.  
• Brush your teeth after you eat...you wont feel like picking any more...remember each bite counts and adds up.  

 

Warm Up:

1 minute of Box Jumps

1 Minute of Burpees

1 minute of air squats

3 rounds~

First:

• burpees
• Clean and press
• Push ups
• Jumping Lunges (aka, Alternating Split Squats)
• Dumbbell Thruster (35/25 lbs.)

You will cycle through the exercises, spending 60 seconds at each – the clock does not stop as you transition from one exercise to the next.  After you have completed the fifth station, you will rest for 60 seconds.  Repeat for a total of three rounds. 

then...

 50 Push Press (w:45/55 m:65/75)
55 weighted Situps
60 Dumbbell Swings (w:30/35 m:45/55)
65 Mountain Climbers (r+l=1rep)
This workout is to be done Tabata style with the work/rest interval at 20/10. When the clock starts complete as many push presses as possible in 20 seconds, then rest 10 seconds. Continue the work/rest cycle until 50 push presses are completed then move on to situps.

Last

Burpee/Push Up Ladder
1-10

1 Mile RunBurpee Push Up Ladder
10-1

The Burpee/Push Up Ladder is 1 burpee then 1 push up, 1 burpee then 2 push ups, 1 burpee then 3 push ups... you only do one burpee, it's the number of push ups that change.

It is amazing how much crisper the general experience of life becomes when your body is given a chance to develop a little strength.
- Frank Duff

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your

Thanksgiving Dinner
stay off your thighs!
–Unknown

Better Yourself Thursday!~

Better yourself seven days a week...you don't have to go all out and kill yourself every day..that's overtraining! “You can literally convince yourself to do almost anything,” Trevor Moawad

Trisha is one hard working lady!

“All words are simply tools,” he says, and you have to decide if you want to use those tools to build something up or tear it down.  See you tomorrow as we all take a chance to better ourselves.  Put on your capes, as my friend Kerry says!

1. 1 mile Trial

5 minute warmup then...
Run 1 mile on treadmills As Fast As Humanly Possible.

Team Relay

As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
20 dumbell swings
6 burpees
Run to Caesars and back

One athlete per team completes 1 round while the other athlete does pushups on the curb. Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes.

TABATA
jumping squats
Vsit
biceps
Dips

1. Salty Dog

10 rounds for time of:
15 Deadlifts (135, 95)
15 Clapping Push ups
Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one’s levels of aspiration and expectation.

- Jack Nicklaus, American Golfer

I found another AWESOME Nike ad that I just HAD to share! thoughts?

Portion Distortion....

“The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t ‘ is you. And you don’t have to listen.”

 Nike

5 minutes of TGU’s (Turkish Get ups) AHAP (as heavy as possible)
then
Five rounds, each for time of:
20 High Pulls
30 Push-ups
40 Sit-ups
50 Squats
then...

Grappling Circuit
8 rounds
Do not set the bar down until the entire set below is complete

Recommended weight 65 lbs
Bent Row 15 times
Upright Row 15 times
Military Press 15 times
Split Squat (left and right) 15 times
Thruster (squat low, bar on top of Chest, push up into a shoulder press) 15 times
Stiff Legged Dead lift 15 times
Weighted Abs (with 15 – 20 pound dumbbell) 15 times
~~
Between rounds 1 minute of
run the hill
OR
Jump rope single skip
OR
Box Jumps
or lateral Jumps over Jump Rope and Back

Everyone has his burden.

What counts is how you carry it.

Portion Distortion
 
It is amazing to me how portion sizes have changed over the years and how much food people actually do eat.  Managing your weight, your energy level, your hunger and your long- term health involves mastering portion control.  To keep your protein, carbohydrate and fat intake balanced we must be sure to eat the right portion of each of these foods. One of the challenges we face is the "portion distortion" that has taken place over time in our culture. Promotions such as "Biggy" fries, "Supersize" soda and "Jumbo" franks have made it difficult to recognize a normal size portion of a protein rich food, and then balance it with carbohydrate and fat.

If you are new at estimating portions it might be worth your while to take the time and measure your food at home for a few weeks to help you "see" clearly what a normal portion looks like. Once you have gotten in the habit of measuring your food, it will get easier to look at it and know if you are actually eating correct portions. Consider switching to a smaller size plate, like a 7" luncheon plate rather than a 12" dinner plate. After a while, choosing correctly will be second nature. 
The next time you are at the grocery store, look at the frozen entrees, such as Lean Cuisine.  Notice how small the portions are. It is amazing how much food people actually eat compared to what they NEED. A serving of meat is 3-4 ounces. Your average steakhouse starts serving steaks at 10 ounces. You're already 2-3 times over your serving without adding any sides!  Studies show that people eat what is in front of them. So, if given a giant sized portion of food, they will eat it, given a smaller more realistic sized portion of food, they will also be satisfied. 

Here are some good tips to help you decide what and how much to eat:
•3 ounces of cooked poultry or meat looks like a deck of cards

•A ping pong ball is the size of 1 ounce or 2 Tablespoons

•The average women's fist is approximately the size of 1 cup

•The average man's fist is approximately the size of 1.5 cups

•A tennis ball is about equivalent to a medium size piece of fruit

•1 ounce of cheese is about the size of 4 dice

I found some interesting images that addresses the changes in portion size!!!

LET'S DO IT!

Manmakers...again??

Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.

- Benjamin Disraeli

HEY Thursday BootCampers...we did this workout in last Tuesday night's bootcamp, and it is such a 'goodie' that we are going to repeat it in our Thursday Group.  For those of us that have already don't this, it will be like revisiting an old MEAN friend! I added suicide runs between each set for a little variety and to up the cardio.

For time:
15 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
one set of lampost suicide runs
10 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
one set of lampost suicide runs

5 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
one set of lampost suicide runs

Box (24/20)

Man Maker # – Dbell or Kbell go AHAP (as heavy as possible)
Guys should be around 35-45
Girls should be around 20 to 25 pounds

Go heavier if you can. Good strength movement.
here is an awesome description on how to correctly do a manmaker....How to do a manmaker....
Man Maker... The man maker takes the basic push up and adds a variety of progressively challenging elements. The man maker addresses strength, balance, coordination and mid line stability in one movement.

Start by standing with a dbell in each hand and drop into the plank position with one dumbbell in each hand. Ensure you maintain a solid plank position and engage your abdominal muscles. Execute a full range of motion push up by lowering your chest to the floor. Press away from the floor and return to the plank position by fully extending your elbows.
Now that you have returned to the plank position, pull one dumbbell up to your chest (rowing motion) and return it to the floor. Repeat by pulling the other dumbbell to the chest then thrust both feet forward toward hands (as if performing a burpee) and complete a squat clean bringing the dbells up to the catch/rack position (at shoulders) then press both dbells overhead. We will be adding 2 standing lunges. This is one rep. The man maker requires a lot of abdominal and shoulder stability and balance especially during the movement.

Abdominal strength – Complete 100 knees to elbows after the workout. Each time you have to drop the bar, roll over and do 20 pushups

HILLSPRINTS....we will finish up today with Partner Hill Sprints....wooohooo!!!

Everything worth doing starts with being scared.

- Art Garfunkel

I'm Out of Here!

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self-control, diligence, strength of will, content, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know.

-Charles Kingsley

Tuesday night's Workout! Get there early to get set up...we have lots to do!
5 Rounds

Each round is two minutes. The athlete will sprint to fence and back and use the remaining time to perform as many push-ups until the round is over. One minute of rest after each round. The athlete is scored by the total number of push-ups.


10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.12.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 reps OF:
Thrusters 115/85lbs
Kettlebell Swings 24/16kg
(see below for correct form!)
Burpees
overhead squats

Use your lats to help you stop the backwards travel of the kettlebell at the top, and bring the weight back down. Grip the kettlebell hard when it's overhead, and don't purposely hang out there for too long.

Finally, make sure your core is clamped down TIGHT throughout the movement. The momentum from the kettlebell is going to want to take you over backwards. Don't let it.
followed by:

50 Wall Balls
10 Push Ups
40 Wall Balls
20 Push Ups
30 Wall Balls
30 Push Ups
20 Wall Balls
40 Push Ups
10 Wall Balls

God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight. -Reggie White







Nutrition Challenge for next week:

I Challenge you to eat breakfast everyday this week!
And we're not talking a Starbucks nonfat mocha latte!! But a real full on meal.
Note how your attention span, focus and productivity are increased throughout the morning.
Breakfast ideas...
Scrambled eggs spread with hummus and avocado served with a peach on the side.
Pita bread filled with bacon and eggs, mushroom, onions and peppers.
Oatmeal topped with strawberries and walnuts and served with chicken sausage.
On the go? Boil eggs the day before. Bring hard boiled eggs, grapes and almonds.
Corn tortilla with sunny side up eggs, salsa and guacamole.
Turkey bacon and sliced apple spread with almond butter.
Vegetarian? Saute broccoli, onions and oven dried tomatoes in olive oil. Scramble up with tofu.
Scrambled egg whites with Spninach and peppers (my favorite!)

Please share comments below! thanks Lisl

Rainy Day Bootcamp~

“A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.”

-Albert Einstein

good morning!

its a new day, love the rain! can't wait to work out with ya'll today!

20 minutes Cycle Intervals

20 Minutes Treadmill Intervals..beginning with 1 mile run AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

20 Miniutes Bootcamp


10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 reps of:
 Clean and press
Pushups
Biceps

Amy rocking out an overhead squat!

You only ever grow as a human being if you’re outside your comfort zone.


- Percy Cerutty
are you taking all the opportunities you can to grow...?

My Butt is Big!

“My Butt is big and Round like the letter C"


Oh my, I love this so much~ I might catch some grief for posting this, but, here's the deal...you gotta love what you got.  All of us are made perfectly. When you are strong and fit and you can do things like lift your babies, run with your kids, chase your husband and maybe sometimes even beat him....you are perfectly made. I know so many people, especially since I work in the fitness industry that are completely obsessed. Each bump, lump, small boobs, big boobs, poking out stomach (my pet peeve about me) back fat...I can go on. "Lisl, can you help me get rid of this?" they spend hours obsessing on each part, time spent working out and thinking about working out and what small amount of food they ate. I know girls who not eat all day and binge at night because they are hungry.  I have watched strong and beautiful women starve themselves, because they love to hear, "oh, you've lost weight!"  I have watched beautiful girls spend hours on the elliptical or treadmill to get in the required amount of hours at the gym.  I have been that girl.  My 40 (ahem) something birthday is approaching and I have learned one thing, at the end of your life God won't ask you if you managed to be a size 4 or 6 till the end.  He will ask you what you did with that beautiful body he gave you.

 Love what you got, be strong, be amazing, don't obsess, and love that big butt!~

“It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more ‘manhood’ to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.”


-Alex Karras
Workout will be posted tomorrow!
I would love to hear your comments below!

Manmakers??

It is November 2 and I was thinking today that the season of celebrating, overindulging and partying is about to begin.  Then comes January when the gym becomes overcrowded with people who have put on weight, neglected themselves, been through too many drive thrus and are 'committed' to change.  How about a new way of thinking?? How about this year, you stay true to your vision for yourself and never lose your commitment to your health. How about this year, you make the more difficult choice to go for that run, to avoid the junk food, to say, "no, thank you". You deserve it and its the best gift ever.

Jennifer shows fantastic form! way to go!

BootCamp buddies!

Megan is an inspiration to us all!

1. Burpee Broad Jump...
Women...to the fence and back...Men to the fence and back and 1/2 way to fence again!
2. For time:

15 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
10 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
5 Dbell/Kbell Renegade Man Makers
30 Box Jumps
Box (24/20)
Man Maker # – Dbell or Kbell go AHAP (as heavy as possible)
Guys should be around 35-45
Girls should be around 25 pounds

Go heavier if you can. Good strength movement.
here is an awesome description on how to correctly do a manmaker....How to do a manmaker....

Man Maker... The man maker takes the basic push up and adds a variety of progressively challenging elements. The man maker addresses strength, balance, coordination and mid line stability in one movement.

Start by standing with a dbell in each hand and drop into the plank position with one dumbbell in each hand. Ensure you maintain a solid plank position and engage your abdominal muscles. Execute a full range of motion push up by lowering your chest to the floor. Press away from the floor and return to the plank position by fully extending your elbows.

Now that you have returned to the plank position, pull one dumbbell up to your chest (rowing motion) and return it to the floor. Repeat by pulling the other dumbbell to the chest then thrust both feet forward toward hands (as if performing a burpee) and complete a squat clean bringing the dbells up to the catch/rack position (at shoulders) then press both dbells overhead. We will be adding 2 standing lunges. This is one rep. The man maker requires a lot of abdominal and shoulder stability and balance especially during the movement.

Abdominal strength – Complete 100 knees to elbows after the workout.

If being fit were easy, everyone would do it! I'd love to read your comments below!