Back in 2012 when I first started to seriously get into shape again I could not do one single push up. I remember vividly to this day how I got into the plank position, bent my elbows and the next thing I knew I face planted to the floor. I could not believe how weak I was!
Now I don't actually go to the gym. I used to sign up every year for NY Sports Club and never really went. I prefer doing most of my workouts in my bedroom or living room. I started using 5 lb dumb bells and gradually worked myself up to 15 lbs. I've got a decent collection of kettlebells. They range from 15 lbs to 30 lbs. This year I'm going to master using the 25 lb kettlebell.
February 2015 is when I looked my fittest ever. Now, I laugh and say presently I'm fatter, but I'm stronger. I'm definitely not as lean as I was and could be. A lot of it is eating smaller portions and eating clean, which is harder than any of my workouts.
Below is my typical outfit. I love wearing Victoria's Secret Angel Sports Bra because of the back closure. There is nothing worse than finishing up a super intense workout and you're all sweaty and having to pull a sports bra over your head. The shorts I'm wearing are Yoga Shorts. Some of the colors are actually on clearance for $14.99! I'm so tempted!
When I looked my fittest, I was doing 2 workouts a day for a month. You might be thinking, TWO workouts a day? Who has time for that?! Well, I woke up at 6 am every morning, put on my workout clothes, rolled out my mat, did a quick 10 minute warm up and my workout would be short. 15-20 minutes tops. Then a quick cool down and I was done by 7am. When I got home from work which was around 7:30 pm, the second I walked through the door I would change into my workout clothes and do another routine. I was done by 8:15 to 8:30 pm. And the results were amazing. The only bad thing about doing two workouts a day? They can drain your energy and exhaust you. I needed a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night. 8 preferably but that meant I would have to be in bed by 10pm. That was not happening I could tell you that right now. If I was good I would be in bed by 11pm.
So you may be asking which 15 minute workouts do I do? I signed up for Zgym, which is an online fitness gym taught by Zuzka Light. I've been doing her workouts for the last 4 years and this is the best shape I've ever been in my life. If I didn't eat as much as I do I would be much leaner. The subscription fee is $9.99 a month and I think it's quite worth it. If you're skeptical about it, you can always try her youtube workouts that she has for free to see what it's like. She has easy beginner workouts and 5 minute workouts you can try. If you're intermediate to advanced I would say try doing her 5 minute workouts and see. If it's too easy? Repeat them 3 times for a full 15 minute workout.
I don't know anyone else who does her workouts so I don't really have anyone to talk to about them. The best thing is you can do them in your living room or bedroom. Most of them are body weight exercises or minimal equipment such as a pair of dumb bells, kettlebell or a swiss ball.
Other than doing her workouts, sometimes I will run to get some extra cardio in. I'm not really a runner so I only do 2 miles on average. Sometimes 3 miles if I'm feeling good.
Now I don't actually go to the gym. I used to sign up every year for NY Sports Club and never really went. I prefer doing most of my workouts in my bedroom or living room. I started using 5 lb dumb bells and gradually worked myself up to 15 lbs. I've got a decent collection of kettlebells. They range from 15 lbs to 30 lbs. This year I'm going to master using the 25 lb kettlebell.
my weight collection
My 25 lb KB
Below is my typical outfit. I love wearing Victoria's Secret Angel Sports Bra because of the back closure. There is nothing worse than finishing up a super intense workout and you're all sweaty and having to pull a sports bra over your head. The shorts I'm wearing are Yoga Shorts. Some of the colors are actually on clearance for $14.99! I'm so tempted!
This was when I was at my leanest. February 2015
When I looked my fittest, I was doing 2 workouts a day for a month. You might be thinking, TWO workouts a day? Who has time for that?! Well, I woke up at 6 am every morning, put on my workout clothes, rolled out my mat, did a quick 10 minute warm up and my workout would be short. 15-20 minutes tops. Then a quick cool down and I was done by 7am. When I got home from work which was around 7:30 pm, the second I walked through the door I would change into my workout clothes and do another routine. I was done by 8:15 to 8:30 pm. And the results were amazing. The only bad thing about doing two workouts a day? They can drain your energy and exhaust you. I needed a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night. 8 preferably but that meant I would have to be in bed by 10pm. That was not happening I could tell you that right now. If I was good I would be in bed by 11pm.
Before and After. 30 days of working out 2 times a day.
I should have mentioned I have a bad left knee. When I was in high school, I took a weight training class and I was doing leg presses on the machine. The weight I was using was probably way too much and one day my leg slipped off and the weight came crashing down and it basically jolted my left knee cap. It took months before I healed and my left knee has never been the same. But doesn't stop me from working out. I just have to listen to my body and know when I'm pushing my limit.
So you may be asking which 15 minute workouts do I do? I signed up for Zgym, which is an online fitness gym taught by Zuzka Light. I've been doing her workouts for the last 4 years and this is the best shape I've ever been in my life. If I didn't eat as much as I do I would be much leaner. The subscription fee is $9.99 a month and I think it's quite worth it. If you're skeptical about it, you can always try her youtube workouts that she has for free to see what it's like. She has easy beginner workouts and 5 minute workouts you can try. If you're intermediate to advanced I would say try doing her 5 minute workouts and see. If it's too easy? Repeat them 3 times for a full 15 minute workout.
Zuzka's Results
I don't know anyone else who does her workouts so I don't really have anyone to talk to about them. The best thing is you can do them in your living room or bedroom. Most of them are body weight exercises or minimal equipment such as a pair of dumb bells, kettlebell or a swiss ball.
Other than doing her workouts, sometimes I will run to get some extra cardio in. I'm not really a runner so I only do 2 miles on average. Sometimes 3 miles if I'm feeling good.
This is a typical running outfit with a Swiftly tank on top.
On colder days I'll wear a define when I run
Hope you liked my post. By the way, if any of you are wondering about my age, I always like to say to my husband, not bad for a 34 year old, huh?
Great post! Congrats on all your fitness achievements. You look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm back to doing 2 workouts a day to hopefully get back to where I was. Not sure how long I'll be able to keep it up though.
DeleteGreat job! Thanks for the insightful post! I only wish I had the time and energy. I know this sounds like an excuse but it's hard to fit it in when I have a toddler to take care of. I really only exercise in the summer because I can take baby with me in a stroller.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Thanks for the insightful post! I only wish I had the time and energy. I know this sounds like an excuse but it's hard to fit it in when I have a toddler to take care of. I really only exercise in the summer because I can take baby with me in a stroller.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't have any children, maybe someday though, so I can't say if I would be able to still do these kinds of workouts, but I think I would still like to try to do the 5 minute ones and sprinkle them throughout the day, like when the toddler is down for a nap or maybe they are playing by themselves for a bit. some days when I am really stuck for time I just do like 100 kettlebell swings. You would be surprised at how fast that goes and how out of breath you get just in a couple of minutes. I would actually LOVE to see if you could try the 5 minute ones just for one day and let me know how you did.
DeleteWhen I feel super duper lazy I always think, the only bad workout is the one that never happened. And It's so true.
Great post! Zuska is tough! hats off to you who manages to follow her workout and be demotivated after a few minutes (which actually happened to me).
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are soooo comfortable!! I'm 5ft 4in 135lb so I usually fall somewhere between large and medium. Ordered the workout gear and they fit great they are just the right amount of snug to be supportive but not so tight that they are uncomfortable.
ReplyDelete