Howdy!

I hope you are having a great week so far! As you know, I am a huge fan of squeezing in exercise anywhere and everywhere I can. Sometimes, we just don't have the time to haul our buns to the gym for an hour long sweat session, but that doesn't mean you can't drop and give me 20 during a commercial break. With that principle in mind, I designed my Lean Legs March challenge 2 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long). I thought we could bring it back for a little 2014 fun!

This program is designed to be done at home and can be performed alone or in conjunction with your current fitness routine for a little extra cupcake (booty) love! It shouldn't take you more than 5-10 minutes each day. The image is easier to read if you click to enlarge it.

For a more in depth description of each week's exercises, see the following posts.

Week one exercises.
Week two exercises.
Week three exercises.
Week four exercises.
Week five exercises (plus the 31st).

I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you give it a try!

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For all of my mommy-to-be friends out there, check out my post over at For Two Fitness on "The Top 5 Reasons You Should Belly Up To The Barre While Pregnant!" Thank you For Two Fitness for allowing me to share my love of barre with other mommies!

It's time for me to whip up some lunch. I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!

Do you enjoy participating in fitness challenges?

Do you set any mini challenges for yourself? I challenge myself to do 50 push-ups every day to keep a strong upper body.

In health,

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Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent most of the day Friday and Saturday at my Pilates training. This weekend was Pilates Apparatus level 3, and it was a blast. I really felt like this weekend tied everything together and we got to do some of the really cool moves like this one.

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My hands are a little raw and my back is definitely sore, but it was a blast! :) I can't wait to start practicing everything I learned! :) Sunday was spent running errands, doing laundry, and of course more flag football. It is really warming up here in the Big D, so I was very excited to soak up the sun at the football field. Unfortunately, my pasty self hasn't seen very much sun over the past year so it went into a bit of shock. I definitely resemble somewhat of a lobster at the moment! :)

Can you believe March is almost over??? I sure can't! I feel like it flew by at lightening speed! We are in our last and final week of the Lean Legs March challenge so lets finish strong.



Bridge Lower/Lift




The name is pretty self explanatory here. Simply lift hips up into a bridge position, lower until glutes barely touch the ground, and then return to start. Really focus on pressing through your entire foot and squeezing your glutes as you lift.

Wall-Sit with weight - Again, pretty easy, just slide down into a wall-sit holding dumbbells a weighted plate, or your dog (depending on how still he/she will stay). You can really hold anything you'd like that will give you a little extra challenge!

Crock and kick donkey kicks



Cross your working leg behind your stable leg with your knee bent. Then kick the working leg directly out to the side trying to keep it level with your hip. This move really works your entire leg! If you want an extra challenge, lift and lower your leg 8-10 times while holding it out to the side! :)

You only have one week left of the challenge, and I know you are all going to finish strong! I hope you have an amazing Monday!

How was your weekend?

How is the challenge going for you?

In health,

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Hello There Friends!

How are you this wonderful Monday? How was your weekend? Mine was pretty busy but a ton of fun. I'll have more on that tomorrow, but for today I want to introduce you to the next exercises for Lean Legs March! How is the challenge going for everyone? Do your legs feel stronger? Mine definitely do! :)

Warning! Blinding White Legs Ahead!! I must apologize in advance for my white legs in the pictures below. They have not seen the sun in many many months! :) What can you do?

Bridge on toes


Simply lift your hips up into a bridge position and then raise your heels as high as you can. Hold for the specified amount of time. If you want an additional challenge, lower and lift your heels while holding your bridge. Hello booty burn!

Wall-Sit on toes


Lower into a wall-sit,  then lift your heels up as high as you can. Enjoy how this takes the burn in your quadriceps and calves to a whole new level! :) It was hard not to shake while Eric was taking the picture. I know, you can't wait to try it now right?

Fire hydrant (yes, it's as beautiful as it sounds)


Start on all fours with knees under hips and wrists under shoulders. Keeping right leg bent lift the leg directly out to the side and then return to the starting position. Perform specified amount on each leg. I know it may not be the prettiest move, but your glutes and outer thighs will thank you for it- I promise!!

I hope you enjoy these this week. We only have two weeks left of the challenge, and just in time for shorts season. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

How was your weekend?

Is it shorts weather where you live yet?

In health,

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Howdy,

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty great minus a killer headache on Saturday night. I had an absolute blast teaching a packed Zumba class on Saturday morning and then celebrating a friends birthday at lunch. On Sunday, we did the normal Sunday things; grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning house, baking, and of course a little napping. Oh wait that was Champ!

The heater gets him every time! :) It was Eric's month to bring goodies for the birthday celebration at work so I decided to go with a St. Patricks day theme! I made E's favorite Fun Fetti cookies, and added a little St. Patty's day flavor (aka green food coloring). I also made Thin Mint Truffles inspired by this recipe!



Although I couldn't eat them (probably a good thing), E said they were good! Now, on to Lean Legs March Week 3!!


One Legged Wall-Sit

Lower yourself into a wall-sit and then lift one leg up in line with your opposite knee. Hold for half of the time specified on the calendar and then switch legs. If that is a little much in the beginning, simply alternate holding one leg up for as long as you can until you complete the time noted on the calendar.

One Legged Bridge

Place both feet on the floor with your knees bent and lift your hips up. Extend one leg out in line with the opposite knee and hold for half of the specified amount of time. Then switch legs. Again, you can alternate holding one leg up as long as you can and then switching legs.

Cross Over Donkey Kicks




Start with your right leg lifted at a 90 degree angle in line with your hip. Lower your right leg and cross it over your left, then lift it back up to hip height. Repeat the specified amount on each leg.

There you go! I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

How was your weekend?

In health,

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Hello Friends!!

How was your weekend?? Mine was pretty fantastic! I told you guys on Friday that I was attending a Pilates workshop all weekend, and it was fabulous. I am a little sore today, but I feel like I really learned a lot. It's always fun to spend the weekend with people who are as excited about fitness and Pilates as you are!

It's week 2 of our Lean Legs March challenge, and I'm here to show you the exercises you will need for this week! (Click the calendar to make it bigger/clearer.)

Inner Thigh Bridge



Simply place a sponge ball or towel in between your legs and lift your hips up into a bridge. Squeeze the ball/towel to engage your inner thighs and hold for the specified amount of time. Think about pressing your big toe into the floor to really fire up your inner thighs.

Wall Sit with Inner Thigh Squeeze


Stand with your back against a wall with a ball or towel in between your knees. Slide your back down the wall until your legs are at a 90 degree angle. Squeeze the ball/towel with your inner thighs and hold for the specified amount of time.

Straight Leg Donkey Kick



Come onto all fours with your shoulders directly over your wrists and your hips over your knees. Extend your right foot back behind you and engage your glutes and hamstrings to lift your leg in line with your glute. Try to keep your hips still and your abs drawn in as you lower and lift your leg the specified number of times.

There you have it! Week 2 here we come! :) I hope you all have a marvelous Monday and a great week!

How was your weekend?

What are your health and fitness goals for the Spring?

In health,

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