[Fitness] Fab Ab Challenge with Greetings from Nolandia

With it finally starting to feel like summer, I thought it was about time to do another fitness post. Warm weather is upon us which means bathing suits and smaller clothing. In other words, it's time to kick it into high gear!

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But before I get into the details of this challenge, I want to emphasis one thing: It is never my intention with these challenges to make people feel like they need to lose weight or that they are fat or any of that. I simply want to challenge people to be their best selves. When I work out, I don't do it to be skinnier. I work out to be toned, to build a strong body, to have energy and to feel comfortable great in my own skin. And that's all I want for you guys. 

Alright, so let's talk about this challenge. I read about it last night on Greetings From Nolandia and thought it was a great idea to get some rock hard abs for summer. Basically what Alexandria is doing is starting the challenge by doing 100 crunches today and then each day for the rest of the month she'll add 5 more crunches. So tomorrow she'd do 105, then 110, then 115 and so on for the rest of the month. You can start with 100 or you can start with 50 or 25, whatever your level is, start there and add 5 crunches each day. If this challenge interests you, head over to her blog to read more and to let her know you're joining!

I'm going to be doing the challenge a little differently. It's going to be the same concept- starting with 100 reps and then adding 5 more each day- but I'm not only going to be doing crunches. Instead I'm going to do a total of 100 reps (or whatever the number is for that day) of various ab exercises. This way all of my ab muscles will get toned. Plus I'll avoid any strain I may put on my neck and back just doing crunches. And let's face it, it'd get bored if I was just doing crunches. However, for people who thrive on repetition, do it Alexandria's way. It'll be easier to focus and get your reps done. I just know I don't work like that. 

So what other types of exercises will I be doing? So glad you asked! I'll be doing my favorite ab workout. Plus moves from this Jillian Michaels video:

So what do you say? Ready to start sweating? Keep in mind, that you also don't need to do all the reps at once, you can break them down into smaller chunks. Do some first thing in the morning, some when you get home from work and some at night. Whatever works for you- just do it!

So who's in?

*Special thanks to Alexandria of Greetings from Nolandia for the great idea!*

[Fitness] My Favorite Ab Workout

It's been really quiet on the blog the past few days because life has been so busy for me. Between job interviews, first day of work, our furniture and kitchenware finally showing up, unpacking, organizing, rearranging, social events every night (have you seen The Place Beyond the Pines?), catching up on school work... the list could go on and on. However, our new place is looking great (I can't wait to share pictures!), I'm making friends in this new town and life outside the blog is all caught up... for now.

Over the next few days I'll be back with more recipes (whole wheat garlic flatbread, guacamole and some tasty breakfast cookies), but for now I thought I would share with you my favorite ab workout.

With summer right around the corner (it's hard to believe, I know), I'm sure your minds have briefly entertained the idea of swim suit season. And what goes better with a bikini than a pair of rock hard abs? This workout is a killer. It is by far the most effective ab workout I have ever done. It works every part of your abs -lower, upper, obliques and hip flexors. I guarantee that if you commit to doing this workout 4-5 times a week between now and when you hit the beach you will  strutting up and down the shoreline showing off your new, toned abs. So without further ado, let the sweating begin!

 I'd love to hear your thoughts on the workout or if you have an ab workout that you'd recommend.

Happy crunching!

Love,

Joy