Killer Workout

Matty started Cross-Fit training last week and it's totally revamped my interest in setting new fitness goals. Today was my fifth day in row of gym workouts since I started my 90-day challenge. I'm  challenging myself to see what I can accomplish with my health and strength in 90 days. I've decided to keep things as simple as possible. I'm not writing down my workouts in a journal (although I've done this and it's a good way to track progress) and I'm not keeping a food journal. I have utilized and proven these methods before, so I'm not saying they don't work, I've just increased my ability to retain all this info in my head. And sometimes monitoring too many details makes any fitness journey feel like a 'project' instead of a lifestyle.

I have no intention of blogging all of these details either. I just had a killer workout today and wanted to record how good it made me feel when I finished.

What I did...

1. Cardio (light cardio on heavy leg days)
          a. 5-min warm-up elliptical intervals at level 15

2. Stretch

3. Abs
          a. Roman chair (4 x 20 @ 0 lbs)
          b. Back extensions (4 x 20 @ 0, 0, 5, 10)
          c. Horizontal leg lifts (2 x 20)
          d. Crunches (4 x 25)
          e. Oblique crunches (4 x 25 @ 35 lbs each side)

4. Legs / Glutes
          a. Squats w/ fitness ball; 10 lbs at chest (3 x 15)
          b. Lunges (4 x 20 @ 0, 0, 15, 25)
          c. Glute glider (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 50, 50, 60)
          d. Leg extensions (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 70, 75, 80)
          e. Hip adduction (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 50, 50, 60)
          f. Hip abduction (3 x 15, 12, 10 @ 60, 60, 70)
          g. Calf extensions (4 x 25 @ 35, 45, 55, 65)

I wanted to throw up by the time I was done. This usually happens on leg days, which motivates me even more to keep working at getting my legs stronger. I've always wanted to be a personal trainer so it's fun to try new things with myself as the client because it teaches me new limits and forces me to step out of my comfort zone (the first step to getting results).

I'm not the type to post photos of myself in workout clothes, so I'll keep those to myself for now. Perhaps in 90 days I'll have a cool before/after comparison to share.

Cheers to great health!

My week of Hawaii in Utah

This past week was a busy one. My client from Hawaii was in town to perform two evening shows to promote their upcoming 50th Anniversary next year, and to celebrate the pioneers of Polynesia by participating in the Days of '47 Parade on Tuesday. I had many early mornings with media interviews and late nights executing the events. But I still found time to soak up some Samoan culture (and humor) with Kapp Te'o Tafiti, and I swear I felt a few breezes from the Pacific that reminded me of a little moment in time when I lived on the islands. Aloha.

Buon Compleanno!

Happy Birthday to my lovely mother-in-law today. To quote her, she is 56 years old, born in 1956 at 12:56 pm. ;) We enjoyed a nice dinner at Macaroni Grille with "real" tiramisu and the waitress sang a beautiful Italian birthday song. I'm so lucky to have such a loving mother-in-law and especially grateful to her for letting me steal her handsome son away. We love you, Terri! Happy Birthday.

Another day, another birthday (or two).

So many of my friends have had babies in the past week or two. And July is definitely birthday month in my family and Matt's (which means October is a busy month for the birds and the bees, if you know what I mean). Today we celebrated my brother Kyle's (July 10) and sister Stefanie's (July 18) birthday at my parents' house. We got rained out of the canyon, but had just as much fun at home. My mama sure knows how to pull off a delicious bbq and the desserts were no exception. Happy Birthday, Kyle and Stef! We love you.

Birthday Fun

Happy Birthday to my Matty today. He woke up early and went golfing. Then we worked out, had dinner with his fam (and made funny faces with Michael), then headed to Boondocks to pretend he was only turning 12. (Thanks, Ricky, for the surprise visit and double dose of ice cream sundaes!) It was a fun day and I'm so grateful to have this wonderful guy in my life. I love you.

God Bless America...

Today we enjoyed a family-filled fourth at my brother's house in South Weber. Fireworks and all! Love this holiday and so grateful to call this beautiful country my home.

Someone has a birthday this week...

The one and only Matty. We celebrated early with my family (Pres and Lind, you were very missed) and enjoyed good food, great convos, silly kids, and especially the birthday boy. Here's to a great birthday week! I love you, Babe.