bridal bootcamp: back to bikram

it's back to bikram for me. i've been slacking off since school started and didn't realize how much i enjoyed and missed it.

*i just signed up for 50 classes... {eek!} let's do this.

(image found here)

bridal bootcamp: it's getting hot in here

i tried bikram yoga for the first time yesterday and absolutely loved it. i have never sweated that much in my entire life. it's going to be a great addition to bridal bootcamp.

*when you leave class and walk out into the 105 degree arizona heat and it feels cool, that's how you know it was hot in there.

(image found here)

bridal bootcamp: week six

this week, we're focusing on healthy eating. i recruited a few girlfriends to go all organic, at least for one week. i've noticed i have been putting a whole lot of junk in my body lately (doritos and red bull are not food groups) so i think it's time to make a change. before the wedding i want to be my happiest, healthiest self. how hard can all organic be? here goes nothing...
*my boss was eating jack in the box in the break room this morning. this may be harder than i thought.
(photo via gourmet)

bridal bootcamp: week five

okay, so week four has come and gone with no major changes to the workout... but 24 hour fitness was so kind as to send me a coupon for a free session with a personal trainer ( i heart free things) yipee! i was a little nervous going into the session, for a kinesiology major i know very little about actually working out. but, as it turns out the session was incredibly helpful. we went through and my trainer dan taught me two new exercises for each major muscle group. kelly and i are going to use them to supplement our workouts from weeks one two and three. dan was a huge fan of the bosu ball which as it turns out, makes every exercise you've ever learned about 5 times more difficult.

legs:
lunges with bosu ball- 3x15
lateral lunges with bosu ball-3x15

back:
single leg rows-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)
single leg lat pull downs- 3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

chest:
push ups with bosu ball-3x15
chest press-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

shoulders:
overhead press-3x15 (standing on bosu) *note: it is super hard to balance... good for the core!
overhead press-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

arms:
bicep curls-3x15 (standing on bosu) *see above note
overhead soccer throw with med ball-3x15 (partner toss)

abs:
abdominal twists-3x15 (on cable pulley machine) *note: straight arms, eyes follow hands
sit-ups with med ball -3x15 (sitting on bosu)

*the entire time we never lifted above 10 lb. weights... high repetition, low weight.
** this program is not endorsed by 24 hr. fitness, just passing along what i learned . blah blah blah, disclaimer, blah blah blah.

bridal bootcamp: week three

this week i sort of fell off the wagon, after doing so well on week one and two... i skipped monday and went to olive & ivy with kiwi instead! it was totally worth it, we don't get many date nights these days and it was fun to go out for cocktails and dinner. that being said, everyday you get to start fresh.

so tuesday kelly and i met at the track and did a light cardio workout. yesterday, kelly came to the gym armed with the next phase of our workout plan... and on the back, a calendar complete with an inspirational photo of carmen electra and the words bikini season is upon us below. oh how i love working out with that girl. this got me thinking about my own fitness inspiration, which lead me right to one of my favorite role models lokelani mcmichael. this girl is amazing. at 18 she became the youngest woman to complete the hawaii iron man. "I've been told my muscles are too big for fashion magazines," says McMichael, who has modeled for Elle, Self, Shape, Esquire, and Nike's latest ad campaign. seriously cool.

below is the addition to this week... rob added a leg program for friday, because kelly and i requested some glamorous gams for all those summer skirts and shorts.

legs: friday
step ups with med ball- 3x10
leg press- 3x10

lunges-walking with glute lift-3x10
lunges-regular-3x10
lunges-three second holds-3x10

leg extension-3x10
leg curl-3x10
calf raises-3x10

parisi warm up/ 5 min abs before every workout
every workout must finish with 10-15 min of cardio
*we are going to attempt to do this on fridays before work... we'll see how that goes!

bridal bootcamp: week two

week one of operation: healthy bride went surprisingly well... i already feel stronger and more energized. i actually look forward to the gym, mostly because kelly and i gossip the entire time. for week two i am adding leslie's leg workout. leslie is a fellow kinesiology major and overall motivational lady. she yells at me when i try to use the little weights... leslie and i usually do this on tues/thursdays because it is such a light day on the workout plan. week two, here we go...

leslie's leg workout: *warning i am usually so sore post workout that i can't sit down without assistance. this feeling generally lasts all weekend and i try to talk kiwi into carrying me up and down stairs. this side effect is normal, do not be alarmed.

iso warm up: (from week one)

box step up with dumbbells-3x20
stationary lunge-3x20

hamstring curls-3x20
single leg dead lifts-3x20

front loaded squat-3x20
leg press-3x20

standing calf raises-3x20 (you are almost done, and your legs will feel like jello right about now)

5 min abs: (from week one)
post stretch: take 5 min to stretch muscle groups used

*good luck! if this is too much try just adding it on thursdays... i am just working up to two days/week for leslie's leg workout. remember, baby steps. baby steps.

bridal bootcamp: week one

( doutzen kroes looking buff in the vogue shape issue)

yesterday i began operation: healthy bride. there will be no crash dieting or get skinny schemes. i've got about six months before the wedding and i would just like to be my healthiest, most fabulous self. i hope that by posting this it will make me more accountable/motivated. wish me luck! here goes nothing...

iso warm up: squat-15, side lunge- 15 sec, leg out- 15 sec, push up-15 sec, arm circles-30 sec (2x through)

shoulders + arms: monday super set: front raise -10, side raise-10, 45 degree raise-10 (3x through) overhead press- 3x10, lat pull downs -3x8, vert pullback (rows)-3x8, shoulder shrugs- 2x15

movement: tuesday 4 laps or 1 mile (slow jog on turns, brisk run on straights)

chest + back: wednesday bench -3x8, flys -3x10, bicep curls- 3x10, triceps extension- 3x12

movement: thursday 4 laps or 1 mile (slow jog on turns, brisk run on straights)

legs: friday stadiums- 3 sets, step up squat (repeat) to the top (yikes, this might kill me)

post stretch: take 5 min to stretch the muscle groups used

5 min abs: (choose three from list) russian twist, crunch holds (3 sec), bicycles (20 reps), v-up, full sit-ups, plank, front leg raises, sit up twists (10 reps each unless otherwise noted)

*thank you to big rob and kelly for this awesome workout plan. i look forward to being a buff (not too buff, mind you) and beautiful bride! note: we are not health or fitness professionals (blah blah blah disclaimer disclaimer)