Wedding Wednesday: Upper Body Workout!

Within the past three years I have really stepped up my physical fitness game which, of course, has shown huge benefits (like the "Elite" rating that I received for my life insurance policy!) in every aspect of my health and well-being.  Now that our wedding is quickly approaching, I've decided to step up my fitness game once again and get this body more shaped and toned - especially my arms and shoulders - so that I can rock my wedding dress.  Seriously what bride doesn't want to look stunning on their big day?! :)

Here is the upper body workout that I've been doing once a week combined with cardio to boost my heart rate!  I have this set up as an 8-week program but will probably extend it and increase the weight to build more muscle.  I've linked these "moves" to videos  for the how-to and added the weight I use as a starting point.  If you are new to working out, it's probably better to start with lighter weight - it's about reps and form, not how much you can lift.

Set 1 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
Bicep curls to shoulder press w/dumbbells  (my weight - 12lbs)
Lateral Raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 10lbs)
Upright row w/ kettle bell (my weight - 20lbs)

Set 2 - Repeat 3x - 15 reps
Pushups
Tricep dips off bench
Lat pull down machine (my weight - 70lbs)

Set 3 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
1 arm bent row (my weight - 20lbs)
Front raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 8lbs)
TRX low row

Good luck - you can do it!  You will look great and feel great! :)

Favorite Workouts

Good Morning and welcome to another Monday!  This is the first time ever that I have done a fitness-related post but health and fitness is all part of leading a beautiful life, right?! I don't claim to be in the best shape ever and have no plans of being a fitness model or getting down to a size 2 but what I really want is a healthy, strong body!

Besides meeting with a personal trainer once a week, here are my favorite go-to workouts. They can be easily adjusted to your fitness level by using (or not using) weights.  If you aren't sure how to do one of the lifts, look it up on YouTube!

Legs

Via

To switch things up for my leg workout, I do plyometrics (box jumps, split jumps, pop squats, jump squats) between each lift.  I generally lift with 12-15 lb weights.  If you are just starting out, trying the workout without weights and once you get comfortable, add weight in.  Also, instead of leg lifts, I do dead lifts with weights to target my hamstrings.

Arms

Via

Core

Via

Finally... this is the most important thing to keep in mind when starting a workout plan.

It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing.

It takes 8 weeks for your friends to notice.

It takes 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice.

Don't Quit! 

I'll email the winners of the E-Design giveaway today! :)