My exercise routine and 1 month challenge

I enjoy working out, but till recently I was doing it purely to stay fit and good-looking. Since the spring 2013 when I gained heavy interest into processes of how the body works, what really fuels it and what keeps it healthy my focus shifted from working out for good-looks to exercising for long lasting health. Ironically, since then it’s so much easier for me to motivate myself to get up every day and exercise and having good shape which is a natural effect of these actions is almost effortless. 

What happened to make me change my focus? Nothing in particular, I just started to be very curious about how to provide optimal conditions for a body to thrive and as they say ‘when the student is ready, the teacher arrives’; I came across a series of youtube seminars by Nutritionist and Naturopath Barbara O'Neill  packed with amazing healthy tips and insights which just resonates with my mind, soul and body and ever since I made little adjustments to my diet and exercise routine, I can feel big difference in my body.

Now I am setting myself a 1 month exercise challenge for two reasons:

1. It will be my first month off the Pill after over 5 years and I want to welcome my natural hormones into the optimally healthy, strong and fit body

2. I have just came back from 3-month travelling/backpacking in South East Asia where I did no exercise at all (it was probably the longest period of me not exercising since I remember) and I wasn’t able to keep my diet clean either so I’m ready to go back in track with my fitness routine.

My plan is to:

-          Exercise 6 times a week

-          Do 15- 20 min run 4-5 times a week before breakfast

-          Do my favourite arms and ABS workout every second day, or 3 times a week (apart from day off)

-          Do my legs and buns workout every other day when I’m not doing arms and ABS, or 3 times a week (apart from day off)

Over the years I found my favourite ‘guided workouts’ and regardless occasionally trying different routines, I always come back to this ones (may be old-school looking but very up to date with effectiveness) and they are : 

One of my favourite excersise from 8 minute Arms

8 minute Abs

8 minute Arms

And my modification of  

8 minute Legs and 8 minute Buns

 

I like them because:

-          They are quick (I wish I loved long gym sessions, but working out 15 – 20 min every day (usually + 15 min running) works best for me and my time)

-          Easy (I have different size ankle weights when I want to add extra intensity which I pretty much always do)

-          Work for me (I’m faithful to them from last 8 years and they shape my body exactly the way I want)

This month December 2013 I’ll be faithfully sticking to above fitness routine. In one month time I’ll upload pictures before and after. I already cannot wait for my new, fit body!

What fitness routine or workouts do you use and recommend?