Hola dear friends! First of all, I want to wish you a great Memorial Day and let’s tip our hats off to the brave men and women serving our country–those of the past and present. Thank you tons!
Summing Up My Fitness Routines
If you’ve been reading my blog for some time now, then you’re probably familiar with some of my fitness routines and the ways that I choose to stay healthy. Yes, I say choose because it’s not a matter of being genetically athletic or even having a certain build, but it’s a matter of making the everyday decision to wear those running shoes and hit the pavement.
I realized the other day that I tend to share with you some workouts here and there as well as my thoughts on fitness DVDs, but without taking into consideration that it’s kind of all over the place! Many of you blame your overly organized ways on your type-A personalities. I blame my scatter brained type-AB personality for my lack of organizing skills. Heh. (Well, we’re actually supposed to be more like genius or psychos. You choose.) 
So here’s a compilation of what I’ve been doing lately, if you’re interested.
- HIIT circuits with weights or just body weight
- Running and running with HIIT (Cardio)
- HIIT on the Stepmill (Cardio)
- Hot Yoga stretching
- Leah Sarago’s Ballet Body Downloads (Harder than it looks)
- Insanity DVD
- Playing outside doing fun kid stuff!
- TRX (New at my local gym!)
Obviously, I don’t perform these routines all within the same day! I normally go with the flow while having a loose fitness plan on my mind throughout the week. Typically I like to work out 5 times a week or as time allows. If on a given day I feel like my muscles are extremely tight and need to be “elongated”, then my go-to routines would be either Leah’s Ballet Downloads or some kind of yoga stretching. And vice versa. Whenever I know that my cardiovascular system needs a kick in the derriere, I run on the treadmill or perform body weight circuits.
One thing I would like to remind you of, however, is that in order to live an active lifestyle one doesn’t need to go berserk with a 1-hour sweat session every single day!
No sirree, it can be something as simple as jogging for a good 15 minutes or even cranking out some burpees and squats for a duration of 10 minutes. I really loved these Front Deck Workout tips from Talia because not only are they genius and practical, but they’re a great reminder that as long as we put our muscle [and mind] into whatever we’re doing, we’re still leading a healthy lifestyle.
Although my knowledge on fitness is limited as I’ve never ever taken a course on it, I do know the importance of changing it up as often as we can from personal experience.
So get out there and have fun!
Find what you like to do and what kind of routines best suit your personality and weekly schedule. I know that in the blog world it’s so easy to fall into the “must try this workout because he/she does it” mindset, but the important thing is to keep moving and finding the things you enjoy in fitness. For example, just because I L.O.V.E. Insanity it doesn’t mean that you will too.
Throughout most of my life I liked the idea of being active (and even athletic), but I just didn’t have the motivation to do anything about it! Partly because I didn’t know how.
Nowadays there are many great resources and people with so much knowledge that there is no reason to not challenge your body. 
Even if you start taking baby steps to partaking in a healthy lifestyle, the important thing is that you’re doing something about it and it can only get better from here on out (with a few ups and downs).
Speaking of semi-healthy…
These semi-healthy banana nut muffins are so tasty! I ended up making a batch for Greg and a men’s group he facilitated the other day. I wasn’t sure what their reactions would be since I’m so critical of my own recipes! And with good reason–because sometimes they’re just no bueno.
But you know what? They loved it. Despite the fact that there are onemillionbajillionzillion banana muffin recipes out there already, I will make sure to post it up soon!
PS: Do you notice something different on my blog?! It it’s not obvious then I don’t know what to tell ya. Haha! The layout and template is completely different. However, it’s kind of crazy looking and messy because I’m still getting to know how to work DIY Themes. Oy, my lack of computer skills just kills me. “You’re killing me Smalls!”
In what ways do you choose to stay active?
If you’re wanting to be active but aren’t, what’s holding you back?
This week I will try to ________.
-Be outdoors more often!
Love,
Ellie <33
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Lovely post – and nice to hear what you have been up to. I’m all for active lifestyles that are fun and flexible and varied, not a strict routine that involves *having* to do something on a given day for a given time. But you’re right in that it is also a choice and one does have to put some effort in!
Thank you for the encouragement Ellie!!! Our names are almost alike
I definitely need to find a workout that is good to strength your back Do you have anything good that can help with that?
You’re welcome Allie~maybe we’re twins (almost)
We all need the encouragement from time to time–and it’s so so so comforting when I know that even the great apostles needed it to carry out [their lives] and God’s work. 
Oh yesss do I have a handful! Hmmm I’m trying to describe them here but as you know, exercises are hard to describe with words. But I’ll tell you some names: bent over delt flys, lie stomach-down and slowly and carefully lift up your upper body with hands to your head, lat pulldown, and even lying on your tummy and making a swimming motion while squeezing your scapula muscles together. 
I really appreciate how you are focusing on finding an activity that enjoy rather than hopping on so-and-so’s bandwagon. Although I agree that bloggers can give excellent ideas, they may work for their body and not for yours. Trial and error! And, HUGE thanks for sharing the link to gym-free workouts!
yes, like how you said it Talia! Trial and error. I think it’s great to try things that people talk about and hopefully someday someone will be inspired by my workouts too–but in the end, it’s up to us and our preferences.
No problem girl! You rock.
I just love to run! Holdinng planks between sprints gives me a more define core!
try it Ellie! PS how are u and your man?!
oooo that sounds awesome Angie! Such a simple idea but I know it’ll be good for strengthening. BUT! How do you do it? Because at the gym, you have to stay on your treadmill and there’s people walking around you
Lol. I really need to work on strengthening. I run everyday but, I need to work on building muscle. You have any good strengthening routines, especially for the back? I used to do yoga everyday too, last summer, but time doesn’t allow during the school year. Now, I only do yoga once a week, which I don’t think is enough.
It’s a good idea to vary your workouts and do something you enjoy. Is jogging everyday for 40 min to 1 hr bad for the body, or should there be rest days ? I’ve been wondering that.
OMG. your banana muffins look delicious.
Hola Helen!
I’m glad you’re motivated to do something about it though! great question about the jogging bit. I don’t think it’s healthy or safe to run EVERYDAY for that long, but maybe about 3-4 times a week? And I think it’s safe to vary the times, perhaps 20 minutes one day and pair it up with lifting. And then 1 hr running the next day. Then alternate another day with stretching and a calmer type of exercise….etc. Does that help? Definitely give your body rest about 2 days a week! Plus, it helps you recharge and come back full force.
ooo very nice layout ellie! i like it
you signed up for a gym membership as well?
Susaan! I already had one since several months ago! hehe. Emily came with me once and I think she wants to switch from Gold’s gym to 24hr. Too bad we’re far from each other! I still need to train with you girl! You were so good that one time
Awesome post! Other bloggers can be a great source for fitness ideas!
I like that thought, semi-healthy is also kind of healthy
Now that it’s getting warmer, and there is no more ice-y roads, I’m thinking about biking to work. Actually it probably takes as long as taking the tram, since I have to change once!
Elin, long time no see! xD Biking anywhere sounds so much fun! I kinda would love to get one myself and go places.
Hey Ellie! I’m a sweatpink gal who has just gotten around to your site and this post was SUCH an absolute encouragement to me! Tonight I was planning on going on a bike ride and had my heart set on it–all day while at work I was imagining the breeze blowing through my hair–and of course, my tire was flat and the pump was broke. I was so downhearted. I did 10 minutes of interval sprints and burpees and called it a day. It wasn’t the workout I was planning on and I didn’t love it like I would have loved the bike ride, but I did it. Thanks for reminding me to pat myself on the back for even a small effort.
Heyyy kate! welcome! ahhhh so great to hear that you were encouraged! I know, so many times working out (and many things in life) don’t go as planned, but something always ends up being better than doing nothing about it.
And in actuality, sprinting intervals are noooo joke!
Your muffins look delicious! This week I decided to try enjoying yoga in the morning instead of the evening. I have a fun Shiva Rea video that has 7 20 minute workouts. I was not getting yoga in because of my crazy schedule, so I had to change things up. I like this new system already, my abs feel fantastic! Take care, Terra
Ohh I’ve heard that shiva rea is really good! Great job for your persistence~ It’s always hard when you change things up, but once you do it, it feels so good and rewarding!
I CHOOSE to stay healthy by putting in time at the gym every day after work instead of vegging on my couch like I usually want to!
And I knew something was different on your site, and it took me a second to catch it! I like the change!
thank you Steph! I’m still workin’ on it!
And that takes some willpower, to exercise after a whole day of work!
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