Get it Right, Get it Tight

Happy Victoria’s Secret Fashion show day. Who else plans to watch alongside their girlfriends while drinking wine and eating things that you assume the models avoided while prepping for the show? I’m sure we’ll all be feeling reaaaalll motivated to workout after watching, so I decided a new workout post was in order to give you a new workout that you can do ANYwhere.

As a bride-to-be, you usually want to elevate your diet and fitness routine to help you look and feel your best on your wedding day. No one wants that perfect picture captured only to have it ruined because you don’t like the way your arm looks. You don’t want to be thinking ‘suck in’ on your wedding day, either. For these reasons, brides work to get it right, get it tight before their wedding days. I am no different. The first few weeks after we got engaged I was killin’ it on the healthy eating and started working out with the trainer. I have since gone majorly downhill with the healthy eating. I have a tradition of doing a Whole 30 in January the past few years and this year will be no exception. I’m hoping that kicks my healthy eating into gear and I can stay motivated from then until our wedding date (07/01/2017.. My OCD loves that date btw). For me, if my diet is off-track then I don’t make the progress I know I can. I always hear that you can’t out-exercise a bad diet and I am a full believe in this because I’ve seen the proof in my own body. In terms of me working out with a trainer, that has continued, although my consistency depends on the week and how busy my schedule may be. I plan to get a little more strict on consistent scheduling in 2017, also.

I’ve always wanted to have a trainer as just a way to learn new exercises, ensure I’m doing them correctly, and to stay motivated. Getting engaged was the perfect opportunity to prioritize a trainer as an expense. A friend of mine who lives in Dallas and works as a model, as well as teaching yoga (follow her for info on her amazing classes in the Design District of Dallas: @kttheyogi) has been going to a trainer in Dallas for awhile who specializes in hip and waist reduction. Her bod speaks for itself, as do many of those that he works with. They call him The Hip Whisper and it is no joke. His Instagram is proof enough: @john_benton_model_fitness. His client list consists of mostly models. Girls literally come from all over the country to work with John to get their measurements down. I am so thankful that he let me tag along with my friend and continue to come to him. He has modified some of my go-to workouts and has helped me even completely eliminate some to ensure that I can help get the long and lean body that I’m going for and that so many of his model clients need for their jobs. Even without being as consistent as I know I should be, I’ve seen big differences. He promotes a healthy mindset and his group sessions not only make training more affordable, but really create a girl-gang of like-minded females who want to work hard for a healthy body. Not only do you learn new workouts in his classes, you make new friends and have fun. Win/win, right?

John has been kind enough to share some of his no equipment workouts so that you all can work out ANYwhere over the holidays. #Noexcuses. Yup, with workouts like this you too can get that VS angel-style bod. I can’t help with the good genes that make you 5’10’ with legs for days, but I can help with getting those abs longer and more defined and toning up without bulking you. I definitely want to share more of the workouts I’m doing with him into the new year and as I continue to get in shape for my wedding (and for life). One of the biggest changes is bye-bye stairmaster, spinning, squats, lunges, and even the elliptical. I was a stairmaster junkie for my cardio before John. He explained how basically I was just doing constant squats, which yes builds up a nice booty, but also builds up hips. That isn’t what I’m going for, so I eliminated that workout and replaced it with short circuits of running with exercises in between and smaller cardio moves to keep my heart rate up as I do toning exercises. To tone the booty still, we do lots of leg lifts, donkey kicks, etc.

If you read any of these explanations and aren’t sure what they mean– feel free to reach out! I’m hoping to get more photos of the moves and maybe even quick videos in the new year. So, let me know your preferences!

Even if your daily movement throughout the holidays is just taking your dog out for a walk or walking around the block while you talk on the phone, make time for it EVERY day. Since getting sweet Maddie I walk at least a mile or two more a day just by taking her around the block twice a few times a day. All extra exercise and movement adds up! Plus, its some great quality-time with my best fur-friend.

Get the do-anywhere workout below!

Do each of these circuits 3 times before moving on to the next one

Circuit 1:

• Run: for 2 minutes either on a treadmill at 6.0 with no incline or jog outside on a flat surface.
• Pushup and twist: Get into push up position on the treadmill or on the ground, do one pushup, then lift and extend one arm up while twisting your body to one side. Repeat with a pushup and lifting your opposite arm up and twisting your body to the other side. Complete 12 total (6 per side).
• Toe reaches: hold your right leg straight up in the air. Reach your left arm over to touch your toes. Complete 6 then switch sides. Complete 12 per side, 24 total.

Circuit 2:

• Jump side/front: Jump side to side doing small jumps left to right 50 times. Jump forward and backwards doing small jumps/hops 50 times.
• Stretch and crunch: Lie on your back with your arms stretched out above your head and your legs stretched out in front you about an inch off the ground. Pull your arms in at the same time you pull in your legs to meet and do a crunch. Stretch out again and repeat 30 times.
• Scissor kicks: Lie on your back with your arms at your side and your legs stretched out in front of you about an inch off the ground. Move your legs back and forth quickly in a ‘scissor’ motion. Complete 30 reps.
• Reach through twists: Hold yourself up on your side using one arm. Cross one leg over the other with both feet on the floor. Reach your other arm through under your waist, twisting your body as you complete the motion. Return your arm back up into a stretched position. Repeat 3o times total (15 per side).

Circuit 3:

• Jump & Twist: Start by jumping up and twisting side to side (almost like your dancing to ‘the twist’). Keep your abs tight as you move. Do 50 times.
• Run in Place: run in place 50 times. Do not do ‘high knees.’
• Tricep dips: Position yourself up on a chair, bench, bathtub, etc. with your arms extended and your hand shoulder width apart. Slide your butt off the front of the chair/bench with your legs extended out in front of you. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in  your elbows. Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. Keep your back close to the bench. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, press down and then straighten your elbows to return to the starting position. Repeat 30 times.
• Bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with your legs extended out in front of you and your hands on your head. Crunch up and meet your right arm to your left leg and then repeat with your left arm to your right leg. Keep your legs up and do not extend all the way out in front of you to keep the motion short. Repeat 30 times.
• Straight leg glute raises: Hold yourself up on the floor with your legs extended and your knees on the ground with your stomach facing towards the floor. Extended your right leg out straight behind you and lift towards the sky. Return to starting position and repeat 20 times. Switch to the other leg and repeat 20 times.

After you do each circuit and complete all three circuits you’re finished with a killer, quick do-anywhere workout. With workouts like this there are no excuses to completely skip your workouts over the holidays!