Exercise is a lot like dating. The
first few times mainly consist of butterflies, anxiety and excitement. (And maybe some mild and not so mild urges to
puke). With more practice and the right partner, though, exercise is more than
fun and dependable - it's worth
looking forward to!
Spurred from some requests from
Instagram, today I'm sharing what
workouts typically fill my week. I inherited a
love of
exercise - and its stress relieving magical powers - from my dad so I usually exercise every
day, but to different degrees or intensities. My biggest piece of
advice? Listen to your body and your
interests. If you or your body isn't a fan, take a
break from exercise or try something
new!
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| Planks definitely happen a lot! |
During the
school year, my exercise habits obviously depend on my
classes. This semester, I exercise in the morning
before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because I have a tight schedule on these days, I like to use my fitness
secret-weapon: the Nike Training Club app. I've been using this app for over
two years now and have yet to be disappointed or
bored. Users can choose between workouts focused on getting lean, toned or
strong, as well as workouts that target areas of the body (like butt, legs,
arms, abs, etc).
In particular, I love using Nike's
HIIT workouts and the ones designed to increase strength. Lifting
weights two mornings a week helps me build
muscle and while having time to for my arms (or butt - those weighted squats!) to
recover. Throwing the Hollywood
Ab Blast into the mix every once in a while doesn't
hurt either!
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| One of my favorite apps.. |
On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I hit the school
gym to do some multitasking on the exercise machines. After I strained my
IT band two years ago, I went steady with the stationary bike. If you deal with knee issues, I especially recommend a
reclined stationary bike - I can cover 12 miles on the one at my school without any
problems! Don't be afraid to experiment with different
programs as well. I love the Hills and Intervals functions; changes in
intensity and speed throughout a workout are great ways to increase the
challenge of a routine workout.
Recently, though, I've also gotten
hooked on my gym's stair stepper. Although I initially thought endlessly climbing
stairs would be boring, the various programs - from intervals to random - and
intensities always surprise me. Not to mention make me
sweat buckets! Both the stationary bike and stair stepper are also optimal machines for
multitasking college students. I write blog posts, study for tests, read books, catch up on my
Instagram - all while
peddling or stepping away!
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| Stationary bike = an updated, safer (?) version of this! |
I usually do these machines for
forty-five minutes to an hour, often adding ten minutes of ab exercises at the end. I always love the
accomplished feeling of walking out the gym with a workout and my studying
done!
Saturday and Sunday are
wild card workouts for me. Ever since my dad and I began taking yoga classes at our local Core Power studio, I love squeezing in a
yoga session during the weekend (with him if I'm home).
Yoga refreshes my mind and my body, especially when I roll out of
bed and onto my yoga mat. I can also attest that yoga can give you some crazy
improvement in arm and core strength! (Next on my to-do list: handstands).
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| Some weekend snaps! |
Besides that, some
weekends I'll stop by my school's weight room for
weighted squats and arm exercises. Sometimes I go on amazing eight-mile
hikes to Potato Chip Rock with my roomie and dad. Sometimes I don't do anything besides a long
walk across campus or along the cliffs.
Just like dating, exercise is meant to
enhance life, not detract from or control it. It's taken me years to find out what exercises make me
happy and healthy, and my favorite activities have
changed with time. A few years ago, I played
soccer, did workouts on the
Wii and couldn't touch my toes. I can't say the
same today (though I still crave a good soccer game!).
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| A gym friend doesn't hurt either! |
Bottom line? For
working out to
work out in your life...don't be afraid to try
new things, go with the flow and do what makes you and your body
happy!
*Also found at RunningwithSpoon's
link party!*
What is your favorite type of exercise? How have your exercise habits changed with time? Comment below!
I workout everyday, but the intensity and type varies! Same with you depending on my classes, I usually can get all my workouts done super early, but sometimes I only have time for half and then have to do the other half after classes, but it all works out eventually ;)
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