Dumbbell February: Dumbbell Burpees!

You hate burpees... I know. So logically, why don't we make it even harder? Add dumbbells :) If you don't know what a burpee is, here is a step-by-step:

• Bend your knees with your palms on the floor.
• Jump back into a plank
• Do a pushup
• Jump forward into the original position
• Jump up with one dumbbell in each hand lifted towards the ceiling

Try to do 3 sets of 10. Here is a video to help out.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Dumbbell February: Lunge Twists

Want to work your thighs and your core at the same time? Try lunge twists with a dumbbell. 

• Simply start in a standing position holding out a dumbbell in front of you. 
• Step one foot forward. 
• Bend both knees to about a 90 degree angle with your front knee not going beyond your front toes. 
• Then twist your upper body from your waist to face the side of the front knee. You should really feel it in your obliques. 
• Step back and repeat on the other side.

Do the whole rep 10 times on each side, and repeat it for 3 sets.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Dumbbell February: Russian Twists

Use dumbbells to work your obliques. How? Russian twists! Start seated with your knees angled and your heels on the floor (like in option 2 in the image above). Extend the dumbbell in front of you and slowly twist from side to side (twist from your waist, not your neck). As you twist to one side look at that side as well. Repeat 10 times on each side, and do that for 3 sets.

To work your core even more, lift your feet up like in option 1 in the image above. This is harder so try to hold it a little longer every time you do it.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Want a Tasty Salad? Try this Arugula Recipe

I'm obsessed with the green vegetable arugula (also called 'rocket') and so this is a no-brainer. It is a very simple salad and comes to under 300 calories. 

This salad consists of a handful of arugula (I'm not great and measuring green veggies), 1/4 cup of goat cheese, a half tomato chopped up, 1 tsp of southwestern spicy mustard, and about 1/2 of a chicken breast baked for 30 minutes in curry paste. Mmmm... Mmmm... Mmmm... Delicious. Try it today :)

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Dumbbell February: Dumbbell Wall Sits

Want to work those quads? Try dumbbell wall sits! Get into the position by leaning your back on a wall and then lowering down. When you get to a point where your thighs are parallel to the floor, that's a good place to stop. Make sure your feet are about hip-width apart. Try to make the knees square so they don't go beyond your toes. Now, place the dumbbells on your groin area to add in even more resistance. Extend your arms in front of you, hold this position for about 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Dumbbell February: Weighted Squats

Squats work your glutes and your thighs. Holding a dumbbell increases the tension in your thighs and makes your strength workout even better. I am holding a 15lb dumbbell in the picture above. The dumbbell will also help you keep your upper body straight as you lower down. Start in position 1, lower to position 2, and lift back up into 1. Repeat this for 3 sets of 15 reps. As always, your knees should not go beyond your toes, and you should sit back rather than squat forward.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Dumbbell February: Deadlifts

Well, we've begun Dumbbell February! Let's talk about the deadlift because it is one of my favorite weighted exercises :) Deadlifts help to tone your butt (and depending on the type you choose, your abs and thighs as well).