Fitness Friday #5 - April Round Up

Now I realise it has been a long time since I have done a fitness post but don't worry I haven't given up on fitness I am still working out most days following Lucy's monthly calender. 

This month she decided to do a challenge for us which was #lwrhiitin4 which was a 4 Minute Hiit workout uploaded every day at 6:30 with one rest day a week which was the same as the rest day on her monthly calendar. 

With each video she uploaded the workouts got harder and harder which is good as it means your body is working harder too. She also provides a variation on the moves if you are just starting out in fitness too, so the challenge is suitable for everyone.

If you want to start the monthly challenge Lucy has created a playlist here, so you can start whenever you want.

I wanted to share with you my favourite five workouts from this series: 

These aren't necessarily the ones I found the hardest, (because omg some of the week 4 ones are so hard) but the ones I feel I benefited from the most afterwards. Obviously as I have been following it in order I haven't done any twice yet but these would be my go to ones in the future. 

So here are my before and after photos, you probably can't tell the difference as I haven't gained or lost any weight just maintained. But my before is on the left and my after is on the right. 

I do have to say though that after completing this challenge I feel a lot better within myself. I don't feel like I have wobbly bits on me any more I feel like I have toned up a lot more all over, in particular my abs and my arms. I feel a lot more confident within myself now. 

The other positive thing is #LucysSquad there are loads of people out there now doing the challenge and its nice to see other peoples achievements as it keeps me motivated. 

Lucy is also bringing out an e-book on May 3rd to go alongside this series which will have a few extra workouts and it will have some nutritional advice in it too, which will compliment the workouts. I can't wait to see the e-book. 

Next month Lucy is starting another challenge #lucys100reps which is where Lucy will be uploading a new video every day with 100 reps in it. I can't wait to see what challenges she brings. 

Thanks to Lucy for being so dedicated to her job, I don't know many people who'd want to film and upload all those videos in one month and now she is doing another. Such dedication. 

What have you been doing to keep fit in April? 

See you soon. 

Jess

x

Fitness Friday #4 - January Round Up

So this week is the last week of Lucy Wyndham-Read's intermediate January calender, I wanted to do a round up of how the month went. 

First of all, this is the first month in a while (I'm talking a couple of years here at least) that I have worked out so consistently. I mean I think I have only had 6 days off from exercising, which I think is pretty good going. I have got to the stage now, where I don't want to break my trend and even if I am low on motivation I still feel like I need to do it so I can say, I've worked out six times this week. This may be a little immature, but sometimes you need to be proud of yourself and this is one of those times. I have also really enjoyed the workouts and although I feel pushed doing the workouts I don't get so completely exhausted that I can't do another one the day after. 

My eating regime has also become a lot better, this week I have started doing fruit salads for myself as a snack at work, and I really look forward to eating this. This month I also started making my own soups and although this hasn't gone to plan every week I am getting there. I also have to point out that although at the weekends I don't completely let myself go I am a lot less restrictive with what I eat, and this even happens in the week sometimes too. 

My Goals For February:  
I am going to make these small goals but something I think I can definitely achieve: 

• Make some iron rich soups - this month I have made all vegetarian soups, as I thought these would be easier for me to make, which they have been but I am a little worried that my iron will start to go down. So if anyone can recommend any soups that are high in iron, preferably vegetarian that would be very helpful.
• Drink two litres of water a day - I feel like if I can get into a habit of this my body will benefit a lot. 
• Stop drinking diet coke - this is the one thing I want to get rid of out of my life, I feel like it is so bad for me yet I still keep drinking it. I am not as bad as I used to be. So I am going to do the first two weeks with only one diet coke and the last two with none and see how that work out for me. 

Now here is a look at my workout for the week, although I have enjoyed this I can't wait for Lucy's new programme next week:

Friday - 
100 high knees
15 Minute No Excuses Bodyweight Workout - POPSUGAR Fitness (This had a warm down in it so I did this at the very end of my workout)
6 Minute Thigh Hiit Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read

Saturday - 
100 high knees
20 Minute Total Body Strength and Cardio Workout - Fitness Blender
Stretches for Tense Shoulders - PsycheTruth

Sunday - Rest day :D

Monday - 
100 high knees
Hiit That Booty - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Found this hard today, don't think I left enough time after eating, ooooops) 
Some stretches of my own. 

Tuesday - 
100 high knees
At Home Cardio Workout with No Equipment - FitnessBlender (omg this was tough, had to take a few extra breaks)
3 Minute Arm Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read
Yoga Camp Day 25 - Yoga with Adriene 

Wednesday - 
100 high knees
Calorie Melting and Total Body Chair Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read (I still can't do those lunges without hitting my foot on the chair :/) 
Light Cardio and Stretching Coold Down Workout - Fitness Blender 

Thursday - 
100 high knees
Hiit 2016 Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Twice)
Some of my own stretches. 

See you soon.

Jess
x

Fitness Friday #1

So it is that time again Fitness Friday. This week I thought I would share with you my workout routine for the week, as I would find it really interesting to know what people get up to for their fitness routines. Although I am mostly following Lucy's intermediate fitness calender, I do like to change things up a bit. I also do all of my workouts at home and with no equipment unless otherwise written as I am tight with my money and lack motivation to actually get to the gym. As this is a Friday post I will go from last Friday until yesterday. 

Friday - 

100 high knees

15 Minute Cardio and Total Body Toning Boot Camp Workout - Fitness Blender 

6 Minute Thigh Hiit Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read

Gentle Yoga - Yoga with Adriene 

Saturday - 

100 high knees

Belly Fat Burner Hiit - Fitness Blender (this was so so hard, will deffo need to do this again when I am bit more fit) 

I did my own series of stretches as a cool down. 

Sunday- 

Rest Day 

Monday - 
100 high knees
Hiit That Booty - Lucy Wyndham-Read (Cannot wait to do this again next week and improve on this week. This was much harder than it looks)
Relaxing Yoga for Stress and Sleep - PsycheTruth

Tuesday - 
100 high knees
15 Minute at Home Bodyweight Cardio Interval Workout - Fitness Blender (Omg the burpees) 
3 Minute Arm Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read
Fitness Blender Upper Body Stretching Routine - Fitness Blender

Wednesday - 
100 high knees
Calorie Melting and Total Body Chair Workout - Lucy Wyndham-Read
Yoga Camp Day 5 - Yoga with Adriene (Who knew sitting could be so painful!) 

Thurday - 
100 high knees
Hiit 2016 Workout - Lucy Wyndham Read (Twice!!!!! Deffo hardcore) 
Yoga Camp Day 6 - Yoga with Adriene 

This week has been hard but not ridiculously hard, I can't wait to see if I improve next week. Now that you have taken a look at my fitness routine,I thought a share a few more health and fitness tit bits. 

Instagram accounts to follow - this week I have started looking for more health and fitness instagram accounts (leave yours down below, I don't believe you can ever be following too many insta accounts) are @averagejoefoodie and @tammyhembrow. Hannah from averagejoefoodie posts every single meal and snack she eats on there and it is really good for meal inspiration and Tammy has just got a beautiful body and I use her for fitness inspo. 

Healthy food - last week I told you I ordered a hand blender to make soups for my lunch and so on Sunday I had my first attempt at making one. I went for Moroccan chickpea and although it did not go brilliantly it still tasted good.  To make it I cooked celery, onion, garlic and cumin in a pan until browned. I then added vegetable stock, plum tomatoes and chickpeas for around 10 minutes added some frozen broad beans and done. And it actually tasted good. 

I also started having a snack after my tea of greek yoghurt and fruit and it is actually so satisfying. 

Gym Gear - now here is where I need some help from you guys, I need some nice new gym gear to workout in as however low this may sound it really motivates me to have new gym clothes. 


Let me know what you want to see in next weeks post, as I feel it may get a bit repetitive although obviously it changes every week and remember to leaves ideas for gym clothes. Sorry there is no progress pic, hopefully there will be one next week. 

See you tomorrow. 

Jess
x