I'm My Own Personal Trainer!

I've decided, as part of my amped up workout routine, that I must re-incorporate circuit training back into my work out. When I first started working out and I got set up with a personal trainer, she designed a routine for me that I was supposed to do MWF. It consisted of strength training moves (push ups, squats, etc) split up by cardio moves (jumping jacks, running in place, etc). You then do two circuits of these moves. I did this routine religiously for 6 weeks (the length of the program) and guess what? The pounds fell off.

But then I got uber bored with it and dreaded my strength training days. Running on the treadmill just seemed better. Yes, running was better! This strength training stuff must have really been bad.

But since quitting those routines, my strength training has been more like weight lifting. And I only weight lift for about 20 minutes. Not really a quality exercise.

So now that I'm back in action, I decided to make up my own strength training routine.

You know those workout moves that you see in magazines and think, "Hmmm I like that move!" or "I should try that one!" but then you never really do?

Well yesterday, while making up my routine, I took a look at all of the moves I had cut out from magazines or saved over the year. And from those I made my own routine.

My new "moves"

So yesterday at the gym I gave it a go. The routine itself took me about 40 minutes (with some delays as I was learning the new moves) and I was sweating and panting like a crazy person. Which was nice.

So here's my new routine. These descriptions are from the magazines...so hopefully they make sense!

Tools: Bosu, dumbells (I would recommend starting with 5 lbs), and a mat.

Here is my set. Two moves (10 total) broken up by cardio to keep heart rate up.

1. Bosu Dip.
Sit on the edge of a Bosu and place your hands shoulder-width apart on top of it, fingers pointed forward. Extend legs on the ground in front of you. Raise right leg to hip height and straighten arms so butt is lifted. Slowly bend elbows, lowering butt toward the ground. Straighten arms and repeat. I did 6 reps of this with one leg, then 6 with the other.
2. Around the world Bosu Burpee.
Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a Bosu in front of you, flat side facing you. Squat and place Bosu on the ground in front of feet. Jump feet back into plank position, then tilt the Bosu forward, to the right, toward you, and to the left. Return to center, jump feet foward, and stand up raising Bosu overhead. Do 10.

50 jumping jacks

1. Front to side raise.
Hold dumbell in each hand in front of hips (I used 8 pounds and it was HARD), palms facing thighs, and stand on a Bosu with feet hip-width apart. Find your balance, then raise arms to chest height in front of you, palms facing ground. Slowly move hands out to your sides. Reverse the motion to return to starting position. Do 12.
2. Work the plank.
Start in modified plank position on forearms and toes. Keeping back flat, draw right knee toward right elbow. Return to start. Draw left knee to left elbow. Return to start. This is one rep. Do 10.

20 squat side kicks. (Do a small squat and then kick to the side.)

1. Down dog sweep.
Starting in a pushup position, lift your hips and move into the downward-dog facing dog pose, keeping your legs straight and heels just off the floor. From that position, drop your hips toward the floor as you simultaneously rise your chest and shift your weight foward into upward-facing dog. Reverse the movement to return to the starting position. That's one rep. Do 15.
2. Uneven push up.
Get into a push up position with your left hand on the Bosu. Lower into a pushup until your chest is as close to the floor as possible. Press back up. Do 5 reps, then repeat on the other side with your right hand on the Bosu. If doing in modified position (with knees on the floor), do 10 on each side.

20 star kicks. Stand with arms up overhead. Kick right leg out and bring left arm to extended leg. Repeat with right arm coming to your extended left leg. That's one rep.

1. Tummy Tamer.
Lie faceup with knees bent, shins parallel to floor, legs pressed together, a weight cradled between shins (I used my 8lb weight, which was too much. I'd suggest 5 lbs). Lift shoulders off floor as you reach toward shins and grab weight. Extend les and extend arms overhead until hovering above floor. Return weight to shins for one rep. Do 15.
2. Star Ups.
Lie on your back with your arms and legs outstretched so that your body forms an X. Brace your core and raise your head, arms, and legs, a few inches off the floor. From that position, simultaneously bring your right arm and left leg together over your abdomen. Lower back to start. Repeat on the opposite side. That's one rep. Do 10.

50 butt kicks. Run in place with heels moving high toward butt.

1. Pretzel
Sit on the floor and bend your right leg, bringing your foot across your body; bend your left leg so that your foot is behind you. Try to lift your left knee off the floor 10 times then reverse your leg positions and repeat, lifting your right leg. (This one feels weird, but my booty is sore from it!)
2. Reshaping Reach
Crouch with left foot crossed behind right, left heel lifted, fingertips on floor. Leaving right fingers on floor, lean forward and extend left leg behind you as you reach let arm to ceiling. Return to start. Do 10. Repeat sides. (This one really tested my balance!)

Now do this again for the second set!

That's probably much more information that most of you wanted, but just in case anybody wanted to try my new moves, there are the directions!

It was fun to do something different than the moves I'm so used to. Plus, my body is feeling it today. My shoulders, glutes, and arms are sore. Very nice! I'm planning on doing this TuTh for 6 weeks. Here goes.