Plank Challenge

So I hope I'm not the only one who fell off the workout regiment a little and is struggling to find the motivation to get back after it. I loved the squat challenge and I felt like it was a commitment that I kept up with so I decided to start that challenge again but to also do it hand-in-hand with this Plank Challenge shown below for core strength. What are you guys doing to push yourself to get back into the swing of things?! I need suggestions!

30 Day Squat Challenge

In preparation for an upcoming Miami trip, I decided to try a 30 Day Squat Challenge. Doing little challenges and setting goals helps me stay on track and hold me accountable. At first I was gliding by thinking this was going to be a cake walk. I wanted to challenge myself further so I decided I would do the squat challenge with weights. Then- I hit Day 17 with 150 squats and I hated myself. Days 17-21 were rough and then I found myself becoming stronger and today marks Day 29! My second to last day - have you guys done any similar challenges? I'd love to try them out so please share them. This challenge is great because it offers break days for your body to recover. I'm not sure my bod looks like the picture below yet HA, but it every bit helps

Ankle Weight Circuit for Home

Just like the last workout I posted, I am always looking for quick simple circuits especially ones that you can do in your tiny NYC apartment if you can't make it to the gym. So that's literally what this post is about - an ankle weight circuit done in my apartment ha. I used ten pound ankle weights- even putting on one, it's amazing what a difference it feels like carrying that extra weight around. Here are 6 ankle weight exercises that I would split into 2 circuits (3exercises in each)

Circuit 1- do 20 V-ups which essentially is a crunch but your legs and arms never touch the ground. Crunch like the top picture and then extend your legs and body out and repeat 20 times

 

30 Glute Kickbacks - (15 per leg) on all fours, take one leg and tuck your knee to your chest and then extend it  up in the air

 

 For the last part of the first circuit do 40 Side Lying Hip Abduction Raises (20 per leg) - rest on your side and open your leg up and down falling 3 inches short of the floor.

 

Repeat this whole circuit 3 times

For the second circuit, start with 40 high knees (20 per leg)

Then do 40 Crabwalks (20 per each leading leg) - get down into a mid squat position and keeping your knees bent, take a side step- continue to side step for 20 paces and then return 20 paces with with opposite foot leading.

For the last exercise of the 2nd circuit, lie on your back and do 20 leg raises so that your butt is off the floor and your legs lift up and down.

 

Repeat this circuit 3 times. Let me know what you guys think of this workout and ignore the fact that the ankle weights make it look like I'm wearing those furry muk-luks that Snooki and Jwoww wear ha