Today I Was My Own Personal Trainer

Today at the gym I was my own personal trainer. "But aren't you always, since that's your job?" you ask. The answer is no, I'm not. When I am at the gym I am just an average women there to try her best to motivate and push herself, and not give up. 

I, along with many others I'm sure, often go into the gym not having a plan for what i will do. Most of the time i just wing it. I may do some cardio, then do some work on the cable machine, then some free weights, and probably end off with some stretching and ab work. But generally I don't push myself as hard as i should.

You may be asking why I don't practice what I preach on a regular basis. My answer to that may be the reason why I have hired personal trainers to train me in the past. Or why I am currently attending another instructor's Pilates class on Thursdays. Or why I feel I need to get to the gym to do my workout rather than doing it at home. The answer to that is because I am only human! I will be the first to admit that it's not easy to push yourself beyond your limits. But today I did. 

I started my day off with a nutritious and filling breakfast so I had more than enough energy to get me through my workout. 

Is anyone else loving the ripe pomegranates this time of year!?

Whole grain and granola cereal with yogurt, pomegranates, walnuts, and almond milk

I went into the gym with a plan. And I told myself I would do every single part of that plan. And I am proud to say I did!! I talked myself through every single set. And convinced myself often throughout the workout why I was doing it. Because I would feel so much better after, and because i knew that is how I would get results.  And so I pushed. And pushed. And finished! And the sense of accomplishment I feel now is greater than any other feeling.

Here is what I accomplished today:

30 minutes elliptical intervals
5 minutes dynamic hamstring, quad, hip flexor, and adductor stretches

Superset #1:
Bosu burpee with jump squats onto bosu x20
Curl and press standing on bosu-15 lbs x10
3 sets each

Superset #2: 
Swiss ball jackknives with hands on bench x12
Swiss ball pec flys 15lbs x12
3 sets each

Superset #3: 
Split squat jumps x20
Tricep cable pulldowns 25lbs x15
3 sets each

Superset #4:
Incline leg press 180lbs x10
Push ups x10
3 sets each 

Check out some of my other blog posts for some other great high intensity workouts!! 

You can be your own personal trainer too. You can convince yourself to get to the gym and sweat your ass off. I know you can. And if you feel you are needing more of a challenge than what you're willing to give yourself, then feel free to give me a call!!! I would be more than happy to help you :)

Just remember, exercising is a large part of your health and well being. You owe it to yourself to get your body moving. Ready....go!!! 

Thanks again for reading!!! And have a fabulous weekend!!!!!

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Christine's 90 minute "little bit of everything" intense workout!

I wanted to write a blog post on my awesome workout tonight but I must start off by saying what a great day I've had so far! I was super productive before going to work in Stratford today! Managed to get some work done from home and then cleaned and tidied my whole place. Then Molly and I got out for a 20 minute brisk walk and then she had a great 45 minute treadmill workout while I did my cleaning. After work I stopped to grab some groceries and was so happy to see what almost everything I wanted to buy was on sale!! P.s. if you are in need of toilet paper Zhers has it on for $6 (regular $17!!)

I also purchased a tropical house plant, and these lovely flowers. I figured if we could not feel Spring outside yet at least I could experience it indoors!! 

This evening ‎I had planned to meet my sister at Goodlife at 5 for a workout and was I ever looking forward to it!! I arrived at 5:15 eager and ready to work hard. I was full if energy and had my whole workout planned out in advance. I find pre planning my workouts helps me motivate myself to work harder. If I know what I should be doing with regards to reps, sets, and weights, I am less likely to skip out on some exercises, do less weight, or quit early on a set. 

Loving life on the elliptical 

I got a call when I got to the gym from my sister saying she was going to be late so I got started with a run. I followed this with the elliptical, weights, and finished with abs. 

Here's what I was able to accomplish in 90 minutes; 

- 15 minute treadmill run ranging from 6.5-8.5 mph ( gradually increased the speed as time progressed)

- 25 minutes on the elliptical at level 14 with forward/backward intervals

Superset 1: seated wide grip cable row x12 70 lbs with narrow grip push ups on bench x12- 2 sets each 

Superset 2: Romanian deadlifts with shoulder press 60 lb barbell 2x 12 each 

Reverse lunges with knee up 2x12/ side 

After this my sister was done her cardio and she joined in with me. She did the first part of the superset while I did the other then we switched.

Superset 3: Burpee, mountain climber/push up, shoulder press x10  (yes it sounds complicated and it is so I included a video of this one. Replace the jump with a shoulder press! ) with 5 lb prone reverse fly (5lbs) and tricep to extension (15 lbs) x12 each- 2 sets total of each of the three exercises 

Roman chair back extensions x30. Why wouldn't I do more of these after doing them last week during our Filthy Fifty workout and not being able to walk for three days after!? :P

I finished off the workout with a very short ab workout. I had plans at 7 this evening so I was a little pressed for time! Nevertheless I did get this done:

20 ab crunches 

20 oblique crunches

20 oblique crunches with knee in 

20 crunches legs in air

20 oblique crunches legs in air

20 bicycle crunches 

20 double leg extensions with reverse crunch 

My friends are here now so I have to go!! Hope you enjoyed this post!! I know I enjoyed the workout and can't wait to do it again! 

Girls night!!! 

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WEEK!!! :)

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