Happy Power Monday! So it finally warmed up with weekend! In the upper 50s, but that comes with a price. Rain. Tons of rain. So really the weather was pretty depressing. It poured all day Saturday, was dark, dreary, completely not my ideal weather. At least I only had to go out for grocery shopping which was another pretty depressing experience. They were out of like everything I needed, like my new favorite hummus and....PSPs! So I had to settle and buy some white sweet potatoes. Never had one, but hopefully they will make up for the lose of the PSP (probably not though). And I was in dire need to place a Vitacost order so I was able to do that and hopefully those essential will get here quick!
Do you go through phases where you just crave certain foods everyday and become obsessed with certain ingredients? Over the summer I was obsessed with smoked paprika, cinnamon, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Now I am obsessed with unsweetened cocoa powder, cumin, fenugreek, carrots, and PSPs! I have been going through my cocoa powder like a beast! Breakfast just isn't the same with out it, haha. O and I also am really like raw hazelnuts. I don;t think I had ever had a real raw whole hazelnut, but I got them at the grocery for a recipe and now I absolutely adore them. I love how each nut and seed has its own distinct and unique flavor and texture π
Anyway, (awkward transition) I am definitely in need of a Power Monday this week and I have a good one I have been saving up for you guys!
So this is probably my favorite lower body workout of all-time. It was originally created by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean (she says it is her all-time favorite too!). I found this workout probably last year and have modified it a lot since then. So I wanted to share my version of it with you guys. It is so fun and I always get through it relatively quick, but it always leaves me feeling like I have worked hard and strong!
Notes:
+ I use a 60lb BB for squats, two 20lb DB for both types of lunges, two 20lb DB for deadlifts, two 20lb DB for calves, 60lb BB for plie squats, one 20lb DB for bridge lifts with my legs on a stability ball, and body weight for everything else.
+ I like to break these exercises in to sets and usually go out of order from the lists. Divide everything up as you like, but keep the jumps all together. Remember, you are only doing this one time through!
So that is it! Pretty straight forward, but a lot of fun π I always pick this one to do when I am having a crappy week and just need to zone out and get my power on. It is the perfect back-to-basics workout! I have a question that I have been meaning to ask you'll. How do you like to keep track of your sets and reps? I go old school and just use a pad of paper, write down the reps and sets for each exercise in a chart (like an Excel grid), and then as I complete them I just put an X in each box of the chart. Keeps me organized and then I don't forget what I did. Which is a good thing because lately I have been forgetting if I have done stuff already or not. Like when I am in the shower I can never remember if I already shampooed my hair. It has become so routine I guess that I am pretty sure I did, but then I am always like...wait maybe not...so I probably end up doing it twice π Not a good sign at my age, hey?
Well I am off for today. This was a quick post, but I have a busy week, so I scheduled a bunch of recipes and food related posts for the rest of the week that I know you will love! And next week's Power Monday will be a bit different! I will be guest hosting a link-up so you all will have to come over and check it out. As for the rest of this week for me (the first actually full week of full days of school...unless we get snow) will be packed with work, and studying for "mid-terms" for next week...ugh! Yoga is going to be needed in full force!
So tell me:
How do you like to keep track of your sets and reps?
Do you have an all-time favorite go-to workout?
What food can you not get enough of lately?
Deborah Smikle-Davis
You make fitness easy with posts like these! Crazy 100s covers all the major bases! Thank you so much for sharing these super fitness tips with us at the Happy, Healthy, Green and Natural Hop! All the best, Deb
strengthandsunshine
Fitness is love!
Emily N
Good workout, it looks fun! About how long does it take you?
strengthandsunshine
I do my workouts pretty slow and always include a stretch at the end so for me its 45-60minutes but most would do this quicker
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome
Oooh that looks like a good one! Pinning now!
strengthandsunshine
Haha, thanks Giselle! It will definitely be a workout thst will leave you knowing you did something π
Rosi
I did this this morning, loved it! π I did each one all at once, what a butt kicker! All time favorite go-to...maybe running and HIIT stuff.
strengthandsunshine
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it, you made my day! And I agree with HIIT! It is the only cardio I can get myself to do π
WriterMom Angela
I definitely, definitely get obsessed with certain ingredients or certain types of cooking. I tend to go on Mexican binges where everything I cook has a Mexican type of vibe to it. Usually the hubs has to reign me in!
strengthandsunshine
Haha! I am the same way with Indian cooking and flavors!
Marina @ Lazy for Diet
Completely I share your passion to cocoa! My morning begins with oats with cocoa, milk and cinnamon, and comes to an end with hot cocoa with milk and mint. And I made jelly with cocoa... Yes, it is love π
strengthandsunshine
The best thing is that it is so healthy and has tons of health benefits! Only 10 calories a tablespoon and no sugar π
Lindsay L, RD (@LeanGrnBeanBlog)
looks like a great woorkout!
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Lindsay π
Mommy Got Fit!
That's a good workout! I tend to do either 3 sets of 8-12 reps or do an exercise for a minute depending on my goal.
strengthandsunshine
3 to 4 sets is usually what I always aim for especially with upper body! But I usually do about 20 reps.