Get Ready for the April Challenge!

We've been trudging through March getting in those squats day by day. April is around the corner though, and as we continue to make healthy choices, I thought it would be great to focus on nutrition next month. April's challenge is called "Abs are Made in the Kitchen". See the picture above for what the April Challenge looks like. We will be breaking it up week by week. 

These challenges are meant to help us make healthy life choices, and see the way our bodies react to these choices. As we eat cleaner, we bring ourselves several steps closer to meeting our weight loss goals. So get our home ready, buy the food you need to, start looking at restaurant menu items you'd be able to order, etc.

If you tweet or Instagram the challenge next month, don't forget to include the tag "#Aprilchallenge" or "#Absaremadeinthekitchen" so we can follow your progress!

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Water: How Much of It Do You Need?

If you are like me and spend time reading all sorts of health “suggestions”, you’d know that there are so many different notions on how much water each person should drink per day. If you are alive, you probably know that water is very important. When the body needs water and we don’t feed it, that could lead to various levels of dehydration. And even a little dehydration doesn’t let our bodies function optimally.

Post-Workout Nutrition

Experts are always arguing about what and when to eat after intense exercise. One thing is clear: your body needs replenishment when you've just expended almost all the energy you have and ridiculously torn down those muscles. The question is what and when.

Ready for Some Upper Body and Core Work?

Your bum is still hurting from the booty challenge, right? Unfortunately, that does not mean you stop working out. You still have to make sure your overall body gets some attention with cardio, and that individual areas stay toned. 

Today, we'll be focusing on the upper body and the core. Try the workout above and let me know how you feel. It seems simple enough - 10 reps of each, then 15, then 20, then back to 15, and back to 10. And make sure you use dumbbells that challenge you! Nothing should be under 5lbs please.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Thought you Couldn’t Eat a Burger, Right?

Burgers always get a bad rep. And there is a reason: they usually contain tons of calories. I mean, there’s the patty, there’s the bun, and then there’s always some high-calorie dressing. And if you want to go really crazy with the calories, there’s bacon, cheese, and all sorts of toppings. But hey, if you are trying to eat healthy, this does not mean you can never have a burger.

Day 17 of the March Booty Challenge!

 

Hello fellow squatters! Okay, that sounded all kinds of weird. But how has the Booty challenge been going? We are at day 17 now, which is 170 squats today. We've gone more than halfway through the month! I'm pretty proud of all those who have been doing the challenge. 

30 Minute Cardio Routine

If you've ever worked out to a Bob Harper DVD or watched "The Biggest Loser", you'd be familiar with some of his quotes. One in particular makes sense to me when I hear it. He says that the heart is the most vital organ, and the only way to work your heart and burn fat is to do CONSISTENT cardio multiple times a week, not here and there; not just 20 squats today and 10 pushups tomorrow. Consistent cardio is absolutely necessary.

So as you are doing your booty challenge this month (160 today - yay!), remember not to abandon your cardio routine. Here is a great 30 minute workout to help you work that heart. It's from the CafeMom series, but don't be fooled by the "mom" in the title. It is not easy. It incorporates high intensity exercises with some low intensity active rest periods. When you are done, get down to your squats :)

Cheers Eights & Weights!