Week 5

Week 5 was tough because I was sick in the middle of the week and missed a day. I also started a new job in the evenings, so I have to make sure to get my exercises done each morning. I will be walking about 4 miles every day at work, though, which should help me stay toned and healthy.

Even though I missed a day in week 5, I was still able to meet my goal. I continued my favorite work outs and paid special attention to my abs.

The exercise that I saw the best results from was the side crunch. Side crunches are much like regular crunches, except your hips rotate to one side so that your legs are on the ground. You still lift you body forward with your abs, even though your legs are twisted sideways. I did 30 reps on each side, matched with 40 reps of regular crunches.

I will be trying a new waist-toning work out in week 6, while alternating between ab and butt-focused exercises. It's been over a month since I started this project and I am satisfied with my progress so far.

Week 4

Toning my butt during week 4 was my main objective and I believe that I am slowly but surely making progress in that area. I read online that the key to a firm butt is trim legs. Picking exercises that thing the tops of thighs will also lift the butt. With that in mind, I was keen on booty bridges and the lean leg pyramid work out.

Mixed in with my leg and butt work outs, I experimented with a new cardio exercise. This serious of various exercises in small reps is perfect to get an exercise started on days when I can’t go outside to run or ride my bike.

Also during week 4, I tried a new exercise called bent knee leg lifts. Much easier said than done, bent knee leg lifts are torturous to abs. You begin this work out by laying on your back and bending your legs in toward you with your shins parallel to the floor. Stretch your arms out on either side of you and then slowly rotate your legs to the right, keeping them in the same position. Your head should turn to the left while your legs go to the right. Just before your legs touch the floor, slowly return them to the starting position. Reverse to the other side. I suggest starting with 20 reps. Although I hated bent knee leg lifts while I was doing them, I was very excited about the results. 

I met all of my goals in week 4 so I will continue to mix the exercises I have already tried with more ab-centered exercises in week 5.

Week 3

My goals for week 3 were to firm my thighs and butt, and also to ride my bike for longer distances. I am now able to ride my bike for at least 2 miles without any difficulty. My thighs were noticeably sore on Tuesday, and remained sore for the rest of the week.

 

The pain seems to be paying off, though, because my legs are not as flabby as they were even just a couple of weeks ago. My butt has also been firming, but still needs much more toning before I’m satisfied.

I will admit that it was more difficult for me to stay on track during week 3 because of the holiday. I was out of town the third and fourth and had guests through Sunday, so I had to make a conscious effort to set aside time to exercise.

My favorite work out from week 3 is called the seated bent knee. Easily done, this exercise tones abs, inner thighs, and hips. Start off by sitting on the floor, knees bent in front of you and almost touching your chest. Your hands should be flat, just an inch or two from your hips, and fingers pointed forward. Leaning forward utilizing your abs, point your toes and begin to separate your legs and draw a semicircle around you with your toes.

Once your legs are as wide as possible, bring them back in. Remember to keep your knees bent and abs flexed so that the exercise will work to its full potential. This exercise, and others intended for tightening thighs, can be found on iVillage.com.

I think I accomplished a lot during week 3, but I am getting anxious to see more results. I did find something on Pinterest that forced me to stay realistic and might motivate you too.

Now that I have made time to exercise, it is easier to stay with it. I have noticed that my mood has improved, I sleep better, and that I am able to accomplish more in a day. During week 4, I am going to tone my butt, try a new cardio workout, and eat more vegetables.

Week 1

This past week, I exercised Monday through Friday, running a mile each day, and toning two muscle groups.

I ran first thing in the morning, and the endorphins and adrenaline made me feel good most of the day. By Thursday, though, my body was tired from the daily exercise, and it was harder to run.

After running, I would do two additional exercises. I mostly focused on toning my thighs and abs this week, but also did a cardio work out on Thursday. The cardio work out, which I found on Pinterest, was a series of jumping jacks, push ups, crunches, and squats in small numbers, repeated a few times.

The exercise that was most effective all week was the booty bridge. The booty bridge is an exercise focused on toning the thighs and butt. You lay on your back with your arms down by your sides and knees bent. With your feet in alignment with your knees, you raise your hips until your knees and shoulders make a straight, diagonal line. Once your hips are all the way up, bring them back down slowly, without allowing them to touch the ground. I did this 30 times and could definitely feel the muscles working.

I can already tell a difference in my energy level and abs and hope to stay on the same track this week. My focus for the next few days will be on my thighs and abs again, but also riding my bike. I hope that this week, Thursday and Friday won't be so hard.