Happy Monday everyone!!

Not sure about you but my butt is dragging this morning so I made sure I got up and stuck to my plan for getting my work out in...that always seems to kick me out of any morning funk I may get into (I am absolutely not a morning person!).

With that in mind I was thinking about you all and wondering where do you work out? What about the days (if you do go to the gym) that you do not feel like it or can't leave? Do you have stuff at home to work out?

Personally, I am a trainer so I almost always have access to a gym but honestly, I prefer to work out at home with my boyfriend. We have a blast plus it takes out that excuse for me. As much as I love fitness and working out sometimes the toughest part is just getting started!

or when I am traveling... that is another occasion I find is necessary to have the equipment you need to get in a good work out!

Here are the essentials:
1) resistance tubing/bands- weight training wherever you need it...while it's effects on muscles are a bit different from weights you can still get in a great work out with these and they are sooo portable!

2) a good pair of sneakers! you can literally make anything into a work out but you need proper foot wear to ensure you do not get any injuries!

3)a good set of work out dvd's you enjoy and can do when in a pinch or traveling (I swear by P90x and turbofire!)

4) a good set up dial up/down weights- we have the boflex selectechs and also the power block! I cannot speak highly enough for how compact these are yet they work just as well as the dumbbells in the gyms

5) a jump or yoga mat-trust me...cushion those jumps and poses!


6) pull up bar...you may struggle with these but you will get there!!!

Some add on's for fun:
~Medicine balls- great for adding a little weight or training with instability
~Bosu ball- this thing pretty much speaks for itself...there are literally hundreds of things you can do on this!! from push ups for plyo you name it!
~Stability ball- great for instability training and abs!
~Yoga block-helps you gain more flexibility when you are just starting out
~Foam roller-pain a first then muscles are soothed...heavenly!
~ab wheel
~push up stands- especially if you have wrist issues with regular push ups!

And of course if you really want to get serious...
~EZ bar with plates
~T-bar with plates
~treadmill

You name it and you can do it...just don't invest in junk that doesn't work (Cue in hokey machines that vibrate away fat).

So what home equipment do you have?

Soooo this is where I was at the start (day 1 of the program --post P90x2 which I need to do my review of!! SO sorry guys!)

Start weight 132
Height: 5 ft 8 in

So as you can refer to below I have been sticking to the schedule with the exceptions of with the intensity of these workouts, I have decided to stick with Live Fit a little more and take weekends off. Trust me much needed and I have still been active other wise!

Goals: To add more muscle to my body and work my way to my first competition (I need to figure out when exactly but I am thinking Spring!) and photos! YAY!

After vacation I cleaned up my diet again, back to 35g or less of sugar per day (that includes natural from fruits), and other wise following the live fit meal plan!! (Go to the recipes section and try some!) YUM!

I am tracking my calories with myfitness pal (add me :-) emsimpler). I try to eat anywhere from 1500-1700 daily! As you can see the clean eating makes the biggest difference in the stomach!

I will say this I am SORE!! I haven't exactly like this before so I am really enjoying it and learning sooo much about it!!

Favorite part of Live Fit: lifting for sure...I have done a variety of programs in the past but the intensity and style of this workout is amazing!! I can already see my body changing and I love how I feel! The hardest part is taking the rest sets and rest days!!

Favorite part of Turbo: this is my "soul mate workout" my absolute favorite form of cardio so I love all aspects!!!!

Supplements I take:
-shakeology (chocolate)
-vanilla whey
-BCAA's


Tips:
-Make sure you eat enough calories!! Eating too little is just as bad as too many!
-Stay the course!! Consistency and following the guide is really key!

Stay tuned and check back for more recipes!

Have you tried either of these programs? What did you like the most?