This past weekend Dan casually looked over at me and suggested we change up our routines to be more circuit/boot camp style. I love these kind of workouts but if I want to do them I normally have to do them with my boot camp or on my own so when he showed interested I jumped on it!

My only rule was that since I design over 4-6 workouts each week, I did not feel like designing ours so that was up to him…

Bad call by me!

Our workout was AMAZING but just putting on a bra hurt like hell yesterday!

And any time I shows signs of weakness this is what I heard… “Oh come on Taylor… I wish your boot campers could see you now!” 

I am sure you can imagine the look I would shoot back and how determined I became to kick his ass!

I’ll post our workout below but I will say we’re pretty even on these workouts because while he is better with upper body moves like push-ups, I can do plyo jumps and leg exercises around him all day long (I love to rub that in). Each time he would break to shake his legs I would remind him of his own weaknesses!

This workout was done in an aerobic room at my gym, so you need plenty of space:

The Spouse Killer Workout

Oh… That’s Not All:

Because we hit our chest up so hard with all those push-ups, Dan then thought it was necessary to do a row circuit with the cables…

My response: “Bring it!”

Well he did, and I did… and now my back is done!

Overall, a great workout! Thanks to the hubs!!

I decided to try out a workout app on my phone to see how good of a workout I could get. I have had this app on my phone for quite some time because it also has a really nice food database in it to help me keep track of nutrition and not just calories (carbs, protein, fat, ect).

I had just overlooked the actual workout part until the other day when I didn’t have a workout plan yet and figured what the heck, I will give it a go.

App Review: ALL-IN  FITNESS

What I liked: I liked that it allowed me to pick my workout based on not just my fitness level but my goals as well. There have everything from ab workouts to total body. Which was nice. I chose the Advanced Weight Loss Workout. Then it made a 3-day program of three different workouts… I decided on Day 3.

The workout was overall pretty good, it combined both compound moves (deadlifts and lunges) with isolated moves (leg curl and thigh adduction machines). I was a sweaty mess by the end.

I also liked that they did videos for all the exercises, so if you had a question on how to do something you can just watch the short clip.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t particularly like the length of the workout, it took me 45 minutes and I skipped over the treadmill, bike and elliptical parts. It would have probably been close to a 90 minute workout if I had. I have too much going on to spend 90 minutes in the gym!

I also didn’t like that the only upper body exercise I did were bent over rows. Great move don’t get me wrong, but I felt that 90% of the workout was dedicated to my lower body (which was sore the next day).

I glanced over the other two workouts to see if maybe they were more upper body but they didn’t appear to be. In fact, I felt that had more isolated moves than I would have wanted to do.

And last, I was surprised to find I couldn’t someone email my workout results to me. I wanted to see my overall time and progress but I couldn’t find the function to make that happen. But really I had just wanted to email it to myself so I could share it with you!

But it was a planned out workout and I did give it all I had so overall… wasn’t too bad.

On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 6

Mostly because I do like the nutritional support side of it.

This Saturday, myself along with three others will be maneuvering around a 5.2 mile obstacle course in Columbia, SC. 

It’s the Marine Corp Mud Run! 

Filled with 36 obstacles that include mud holes, pits, walls, trenches, fires, and much more! It’s all about team work and endurance to handle the race and make it to the finish line. Apparently I will be swimming, climbing, jumping, running (duh) and crawling…

BRING IT ON MARINES!! 

Ok, so I won’t lie, I am a bit nervous… my team members are a bunch of marathon running freaks (meant affectionately) and I am well, not. I am not nervous about the obstacles but the 5.2 miles that we’ll be covering. I will give it my all, that I can promise. If I end up passing out at the end that’s fine, as long as I make it to the finish line with my team.

I did the Rugged Race in April but that was only a 5K distance which is my preferred distance but at least I was able to get some practice on what to expect all together. Though I think this is the Rugged Race on serious steroids!

Trust me when I say this is as close as I will EVER get to being in the marines! I give those women and men serious props as I have issues with people yelling at me and telling me what to do… I guess you can say I don’t do well with being bossed around.

Have you done an obstacle course before? Any tips?

My Marine Corp Prep Week: 

• Monday: Light Cardio
• Tuesday: Heavy Lifting
• Wednesday: 5 Mile Run
• Thursday: Light Lifting
• Friday: Walking, active rest

Hummm.... I paid for this torture??

Muscle Baby, Muscles!!

Pictures from: http://www.bakersfield.com and Wikipedia

This past week Dan and I hit the road to visit his family. They live quite a ways a way so we don’t get to see them hardly enough… in fact it was this time last year that we saw them last!

Our first stop was Washington DC to see his sister for a few days before heading to Philidelphia for the rest of the trip to see his parents.

And yes… we really did drive (from Charleston, SC)

I’ll post a few of the pictures from our trip!

It’s amazing how your body can know so quickly when you’re out of the “norm”… we didn’t eat as clean as normal but still wouldn’t consider it bad but my body is craving nothing but the cleanest foods around! I feel as if I ate pizzas, burgers and cookies all trip and we definitely did not!

I did get a few opportunities to workout though… Go Team Taylor!

• In DC, I tried a Barre workout with my sister-in-law. Very different from what I was used to and while I can’t say I would sign-up for the class it was nice to be in a different (much different) environment then the gym.
• In Phili, We started our first full day with a 7+ mile bike ride. Normally in Charleston this would take no time at all but we’re not used to the hills so it took a bit longer and was a great workout for us!
• Then the next morning Dan’s mom took me to her Body Pump class. I do enjoy a good Body Pump class from time to time and it definitely woke my muscles up! My heart rate was increased, legs shaking, arms shaking… it was awesome! I think I got a bit cocky though with the weight, but I made it through.

The rest of the days were filled with walking and I took the time to allow my body to rest. After all it had been a year since we had a vaca! It needed one for sure.

The drive back was hell… no nice way to put it. But we made it back!

South Carolina Monument in Gettysburg

Gettysburg @ the "waterline": One of my fav picts I took

Washington DC (From MLK Memorial)

We had a great time seeing so much history! The National Archives, Pentagon Memorial, MLK Memorial, Capital Building, Gettysburg, and more!

But we’re home now and I have 2 more stays of vacation I am taking full advantage of! What to do in Charleston?

I found this on Youtube today and couldn’t resist. A few of these moves almost brought me to tears and I am contemplating if I should put a few into my workouts for boot camps and The Art of Weight Lifting…

Ok maybe I wouldn’t go that far! But watch this to get a good chuckle for the day!

Top 10 Funniest Workout Videos

Happy Labor Day… I hope you had a great relaxing day with the family. Dan and I worked and got the labor part taken care of! But don’t you worry we’re leave for vacation on Thursday morning!

I am so excited! I ordered a Gymboss and it finally came in. This is a great tool to have, it’s an interval timer and stop watch. I am telling you that since I started using it last week my workouts are more intense and have upped my motivation.

I got silver, but it's available in black, green and pink

I needed a motivational push so this “toy” is helping it happen. I love ending my workouts with a hardcore 12 minute jump rope circuit, and before I was able to cheat a bit… If I didn’t want to do the last circuit, no biggie, right?

Not with my GymBoss, once I have it set on the time of exercise, time of rest and the number of rounds I want to do it gets going and its close to impossible to stop it. And heck if I am going to stop short and listen to it beep at me with each start and finish interval.

On my off days from the gym, I’ve really enjoyed doing a body weight interval workout, and even though I might not be pumped at first to do it, again, once that thing starts there is no stopping it and my motivation skyrockets. LOVE IT!

So how much was my new fitness toy? It was just $19.95… if you’re looking for a new way to up your workout, I am a big GymBoss fan! To find out more about the GymBoss you can visit: http://www.gymboss.com/

Beyonce has been popular for over a decade now… and she is still going strong! Her newest single Run The World has definitely landed a spot on my I-pod workout playlist.

Work it! At first I wasn’t crazy about it but after a second time listening to it, I couldn’t help but dance around to it.

And I’ll add my other new workout favorite… I’m not going to lie either… I discovered last week that I am a Justin Bieber fan. I don’t have the Bieber Fever yet but the cold chills are starting. I have avoided him for a long time and couldn’t do it any longer.

Never Say Never:

Yesterday I packed my gym bag and headed out to my first Strong Woman competition. I had no idea what to expect… I had been lifting heavy for the past 2 month in preparation for it but in reality I really had no idea if  I would be ready.

It was an absolute blast! I didn’t win overall but I did put up a good fight, winning in the Farmer’s Carry and the 50 yard dash. It was even more amazing because everyone clearly thought of me as the “underdog” since I was the smallest by 30 pounds… just goes to show that size doesn’t determine strength!

Here are the events I competed in:

1. 115 lb Deadlift (2 minutes time limit) = 36 reps (the winner did 39)
2. Piledriver = opposite of Tug-a-war
3. 45 lb bicep curl (2 minutes time limit) = 12 reps (not so hot)
4. Axe hold = Lateral hold till failure
5. Farmers Carry (2 minute time limit) = how far can I go with 70 pounds in each hand = winner
6. 50 yard dash = winner

It was such a great day. Even if I didn’t win, to walk away saying I did it and did the best I could made me feel proud and accomplished. I had an amazing support team in Dan and my mom and everyone out there was great at pushing me and helping me go further than I thought I could.

Am I sore today? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!

For the next month, I am changing it up a little to lift lighter weight for higher reps since I have a push-up contest at the end of the month.

Here are some pictures from today

Dan and I near the end of the day... it was hot and we were sunburnt bad!

Deadlifting 115 lbs

Farmers Carry, each weighed in at 70 lbs... goal to carry one in each hand for 2 minutes

Sometimes you just have to let out a good laugh! Enjoy the video below, all I could thing about was how would I react if this maniac started to workout beside me!

Then I laughed harder.

The Shake Weight Gym Workout

P.S. GO STEELERS!!

Dear Fitness Diary,

I have come to the realization that I have a small dependence on sugar-free chewing gum. I know it sounds crazy but if I have it I have to chew it and I can easily go through half a pack in a day. Now I can go with or without of course, but if I’m at the store and I am out then guess what else goes to the register!

My favorite... it's time to say good-bye for a bit. It's not you... it's me!

When I calculate it I spend over $50/year on chewing gum!! Now I am sorry, but that is crazy. That’s dinner out after all, or a pair of shoes. I have heard that chewing gum can actually help your teeth, gums and your appetite but I am going to  challenge myself…

1 ENTIRE month of NO GUM!!

I know it sounds funny, but it will be actually challenging for me. So send me some good anti-gum juju!

I know that I will feel so much better. I hate to admit it but one of the side affects of too much gum include bloating and gas so I will help myself feel better each day. I don’t eat much artificial sweeteners so I feel like I should eliminate them all the way.

On another note my workouts and clean eating are off to a great start for 2011. I did a great butt circuit yesterday that kicked not just my butt, but also my arms and core.

The Butt Circuit Exercises:

• Walking Lunge w/ twist
• Scorpion push-ups
• Squat Jumps
• Wall sit with bicep curls (DB)
• Sumo Squats
• Cable Row
• Shoulder Press
• SB Leg Curl

How’s your 2011 coming?? Getting close to those goals!?

I can’t believe tomorrow is New Year’s Eve!! It’s Dan and I’s first year every going out and I am stoked!! But to be honest I am more excited for Saturday because I have set some New Year’s Goals for myself and I am more motivated than ever to hit them.

My main goal is to drop 3% body fat by March and to do that I am going to be using:

Embark Weighted Jump Rope

Makes me thing of Grade school PE!

Sometimes simple is best. Jumping rope is something you can do anywhere, any time. Plus it’s an amazing cardio workout, burning more calories per minute than running. It’s my favorite way to do intervals.

I like to jump rope for 60 seconds as fast as I can and then rest for 60 seconds. This lasts normally around 10 minutes or as long as I can go! Talk about a fat burner! This jump rope is from Target, I got it for Dan’s Christmas stocking… it’s great and cheap ($9.99)

The Art Of Weight Lifting

Yes, this is my online training site, and I will be using it a ton to hit my goals! The workouts are awesome, the nutritional recipes are delish, and the support from the other members is beyond helpful. This is where I do my tracking for my workouts and nutrition to keep myself going on the right path with my program.

No matter how motivated you are to hit your goals today, that motivation is going to be tested as schedules change and workouts become boring if you don’t know how to change it up!

Check it out for yourself…. The Art Of Weight Lifting

Happy New Years!! I will be enjoying a big plate of collar greens, hoppin’ jon, and lentils for good luck and wealth for 2011… then it’s time to hammer down and hit those goals head on!