Weekly Workout Schedule- Turbulence Training program

Say hello to my big-assed friend (a.k.a. brunch a few hours earlier):

I'm telling you right now- for a woman who didn't believe in eating raw vegetables until after she was 35, my mother makes a fantastic salad. As in the best salad without mayonnaise and/or other fattening sauces I've had. And I'm not even a huge salad fan.

Am decimating a large plate of honeydew right now along with the salad post-workout. Sugar and carbs, baby.

For this week and the week after (until I leave for China) I'm going to be following the free Turbulence Training 4-week bodyweight program.
 Well, as much as I can stick to any program anyways. I shudder to think, with my ineptitude to follow any sort of instructions, what would happen if I required a sobrerity program.
I just did workout A of the program for intermediate, and it was really great. Hard enough so I could push through it with some soreness and really feel like I'm working, but not so hard I can't do the whole thing. Although for now, I'm subbing the first pushup part of workout A for 10 pushups instead of fifteen, and 8 tricep rows instead of the pull-ups due to my lack of a bar.

In addition to the 3 strength sessions and 3 interval sessions, I'll be adding in a couple cardio days; mostly just for therapeutic purposes.

Happy Memorial Day, everybody!

Down the Mississippi

Last night I went with my parents on a boat trip down the Mississippi river. It was for a conference of amazingly dedicated intellectuals...??? or something like that. I just know my dad's the host of the event/chain of conferences and everyone thought he did a great job.

...I hope my dad doesn't read that last sentence; I harbor a genuine fear that if his head gets any bigger, it'll cause some sort of mythbuster-style combustion sequence.
Not really feeling like typing words today so here are a bunch of pictures I took on the ride. I know the river scenery is bit monotonous and not the most exciting, but I feel the need to justify at least a few of the 91 pics I snapped away in boredom on board (so punny I know) yesterday.

We didn't get home until around one o' clock in the morning, thanks to some "interesting" driving... (the car door made friends with the wall and my unintoxicated mother was pulled over. Nothing serious though; just the cost of a pair of Louboutins.)

Random Ramblings

Whoooo!
The workout today was reallllyyy tiring. But reallllyyy fun. I would say that I've been looking forward to it all week...but that would make me look like an exercise fanatic with no life...?
Not that it isn't already obvious enough.

The ZWOD was probably an 8.5 on a scale of 1-10 for difficulty (personally, anyways), and although I love Zuzana, she did seem to be having a hard time keeping up. Oh well. I guess we all have our off days. And besides- her workouts are not only terrific, I believe they're a fantastic way to get your boyfriend to quit his porn addiction really inspirational body-wise. Abs and Ass baby. Though I guess in my case I really need to work on toning my upper arms, a.k.a my problem area...

Okay I guess I should've put a disclaimer at the beginning of the post stating that I am so tired and rambl-ey (I hope that's a word. If not, it is in my world so deal with it) nothing I say is creditable to my sane state of mind. Or I guess it is because when I am in a totally rational/calm frame of mind I generally think all my options through before doing something stupid and then do it anyways... so I'm really just skipping a step in my decision-making that probably doensn't impact my decisions anyways.

I have a feeling when I look back at this blog post later I won't know whether to cry or to laugh. It' an interesting paradox that my parents display at all my antics.

Weekly Workout Schedule + Treadmill Sandwich workout

I've really been enjoying these bodyweight HIIT style workouts; the only thing I would say is to ADD MUSIC. If you're working out and your mom can hear it, she might be suspicious of all the moaning and groaning coming from the computer screen. ;p

Hot Viral Sweat Workout
Zuzana Light ZWOD #1
Enjoy the Burn Workout
POP HIIT(s)

The weather's been super volatile lately, as in hailing-in-90-degree-weather cray cray, so if my outdoor runs don't work out, I'll probably do some tabata workouts or treadmill sprints.

Workouts that I'm planning for next week:

Metabolic Dumbell workout
Metabolic Dumbell workout prt 2

And, as promised, here's another workout created and tested by moi-

Have a Happy Sunday, everybody!

Failure with Launchpad

After doing the first Launchpad workout on Monday, I felt like it was not for me. Don't get me wrong- I think it's not a bad program for beginners- but for somebody who is already fairly fit, it's a bit too easy. I like to push and push and push and basically go all-out sadistical with my workouts, and my stategy has always been to inflict as much swearing torture possible in a short amount of time.
I can't say anything about the actual Shapeshifter program, other than that I've seen some great reviews of it, but the Launchpad workouts are definitely too easy for me.
Lolz I realize how much I sound like a stuck-up gym-rat (which is pretty much my opposite; try self-deprecating home workout video scavenger) but all of the above is my genuine point of view.

As for my workout routines this week, I pretty much copied in scrambled order borrowed heavily from next week's schedule.

On a completely random sidenote, check out these pics of dogs epically humping photobombing!!!
(Yup in the first picture the dog is humping a sheep.)

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The Shapeshifter Launchpad program

We celebrated Mother's Day in advance yesterday, as I'm barely going to see my mom today with all the errands we'll be running back and forth. I made a very lovely vanilla pound cake, which I consumed slathered with nutella.
For this week's workouts, I'm going to do the Shapeshifter Launchpad program!
I came across this program while randomly googling/web surfing while I was supposed to be doing homework.
It looks like a pretty basic beginning bodyweight training program, and is absolutely equipment free. After this week, I'll let y'all know how it went, or you can try it and go by your own judgement. Either way, it's only a 6-day program and 100% free.

Modifications- This program is probably targeted towards more of a beginner/intermediate level, so I can't wait to unleash my inner sadist and make them more difficult. I'm doing more of an active recovery (as pertaining to my more advanced fitness level) and doing 30 sec of burpees with pushup in the stead of 2 of the spinal rock intervals. Also, I'll be doing jumping lunges instead of simple front lunges.

Links:
Enjoy the Burn Workout

Have a happy Mother's day!

Skimble Workout App

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post (though if you would like to sporsor me, feel free to contact me!) but only my own opinions and reviews after using the app. Use at your own risk and read the disclaimer for the company first with no responsibility going to me.

Since I've taken a break from running, bodyweight floor workouts have fulfilled my need for a good sweat. And guess what I found? The almost-perfect tool that gives you numerous workouts for every fitness level and is practically all you need, besides a little floor space and a lot of willpower, to get yo' fitness on!
Plus, it's 100% free!!!
Now does it get any better than a triple white chocolate brownie dunked in nutella which I devoured right before I discovered this app in a quest to burn it off this??!!

You can download the skimble workout trainer app in the app store on your iphone, ipod, or (I think, I'm not totally sure so please don't call me out on this) most other mobile devices with wireless wifi/internet connection. You can also use it online at home on your laptop or computer.It goes anywhere with you, and in my opinion is a total gem for people who have to workout on-the-go, or for people who travel a lot.

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There are a lot of options:

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...and a lot of programs.

The majority of these workouts and programs are free! The one downside to this app is that the trainer's voice is super automated.
Anyways, I've been using this app for several months now and have been lovin' it, so I wanted to spread the love. This is just my review on it, and you should read the website's reviews and disclaimers if you are interested.

Life in School- Update

As the end of the school year is creeping up on us with a startling abrubtness, the hallways, bathrooms, and doors are being pasted over with a wallpaper of notices and sign-ups. Students are rushing to get their forms in on time for next year's activities and clubs. Since I'm too lazy to join student council and get up at 5:30 every morning, and Diversity council applications have already passed the deadline, I only applied to two positions in other clubs.

Obviously, the Ivy Leagues have a voracious appetite for devouring the precious sleeping hours of students, so I need to throw myself headfirst into the lion's den and be in at least two extracurriculars. In addition to schoolwork, next year I will be the co-president of Synergy (a volunteer recycling group), a possible member of the Leadership Team for Volunteer Club (membership pending), as well as keeping up with piano and exercise/school sports.
Sounds harsh, but I really shouldn't be complaing. Compared to some, (V, cough cough, 4.5 GPA on a scale of 4.0, cough cough) I am quite the slacker.
I blame my aptitude for procrastination on being stricken with a truly unfortunate case of "senioritis," minus the school spirit, about three weeks into my Freshman year.

Anyways, here's what you actually came to read about, since you probably hear enough bitching about high school at home or from acquintances...

My workout today wasn't fantastic, though I did sweat a helluva lot. I started in on the bodyweight strength workout routine, but overstretched the side of my hamstring (the area in the inside of the thigh right under the groin). My leg felt fine when running and jumping, but squats are probably off limits for now. I compensated with a 60 minute bodyweight cardio routine finished with 5 minutes of sprinting intervals on the treadmill.

Dinner was a muy delicioso shrimp, celery, and tofu stir-fry:

(I feel bad because I haven't taken/posted pictures in a while... and with my current schedule and finals looming ahead, can't promise I'll be able to make it up... but I will try my best and not let my photography skills get too rusty!)

Weekly Workout Schedule

You know those times when you overload yourself and pile a load of stuff on because you're feeling great at the time, but then when you actually start doing it, you know there's no way you can finish everything?
I totally didn't do that with my last two workouts...
...Uh yeah I did that on today and Saturday. I had been aiming for an extra HIIT session + pilates on Saturday, but I half-assed it and only did the Jillian Michaels one. And today really wasn't my fault; I worked out too soon after I ate and was afflicted with a griveous stomachache about 35 minutes into it. (I know on the schedule it says 90 minute group tennis lesson for Sunday but I forgot something else had come up and I had to skip that.)

The moral? Don't overload your workout and make it too complicated unless you can follow through with it.

With that lesson in mind, here's the coming week's workout schedule. You'll notice I kept the workouts intense, short, and sweet:

Links-
 Plyo Workout
30 Minute Full Body Circuit Workout
POP Fat-blasting Cardio
Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism workout

Plank Walk

I adjusted my workout schedule a bit; I'm going to add 30 minutes of pilates and 30 minutes of POP HIIT to my Saturday workout on top of the Jillian Michaels one, as well. Today I also deviated and did 15 minutes of plank walking at 1 minute plank walk, 30 seconds marching + 20 minutes jumprope intervals.

Plank walk:
Get into full plank position

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Crawl forwards across the floor (like a crab walk, but straight forwards towards the direction your
head is looking towards) keeping your butt tucked in plank position, legs about 5 inches apart.

This one's a toughie, no lie, and it puts a lot of stress on your ankles. So if you have any ankle or shin issue, you may want to check to make sure your ankles can take the pressure without hurting first.

The forwards plank walk is great because it incorporates every part of your body, particularly your abs, and is also a wonderful cardio workout.

Sorry I've been kind of lax with the photography lately; I just don't want to bore y'all with more pictures of my food...

Oofta, my quads are killing me after that workout- off for some recovery antioxidants by the name of Ghiradelli!

Tough Bodyweight Workout

Skipped yesterday's Pilates workout because I had to volunteer at a fundraising event. Not super stressed about it; yesterday was supposed to be kind of an off day anyways.

Here's the workout I did today. Let's just say it was tough. Like, really tough. Like now-I-can-barely-stand-up tough.
Can't wait to do it again.

That's what she said.
Lol sorry- gotta remember; you're dealing with a high schooler here!
Anyways, this workout is super advanced and difficult, especially for a female (who is not a gymnast.) It definitely shows how you don't need ANY equipment and still get in an awesome strength workout.
I had to make a couple of adjustments to each move, but swore through managed to complete the entire 5 circuits.

Workout: (I did 5 reps of everything and 20 Mahler body blasters)

Handstand Pushups - 5-10 Reps
One-Arm Pushup - 5-10 Reps
Door Pull-up - 5-10 Reps
One Legged Squat - 5-10 Reps
Knee Jump - 5-10 Reps
Headstand Leg Raise - 5-10 Reps
Mahler Body Blaster - Work up to 25-50 Reps

Variations:
Handstand pushup-
I can get into a headstand position against the wall, but cannot lift my head off the floor. So I did it in a bridge pose with my legs up on a chair.

One-Arm Pushup-
Did a tricep pushup on one arm and a wide regular pushup on the other; 5 reps per side

Door Pull-Up-
The doors in my house are definitely not trustworthy enough to try this... so I did a chakra pose and slide forwards while still holding it, then back up into plank again for 5 times.

Headstand Leg Raise-
Did a tripod and just moved my legs up into headstand for 5 reps.

Hope y'all enjoy, and this one's a real ass-kicker!