Fall Fitness Challenge with JessicaSmithtv.com and a GIVEAWAY!

Hello! Hey--have you entered into my Back to School Giveaway yet?

Hurry up!! Giveaway ends soon for your chance to win $500!!

CLICK HERE!

I've done a few fitness challenges in the past that have been a big hit!
Like my AWESOME ARMS CHALLENGE or my AB CHALLENGE.

But, for the next fitness challenge, I wanted to partner up with someone I work out with occassionally...Jessica Smith. She has an awesome blog and YouTube Channel. She offers a ton of FREE workout videos (not to mention great motivation)! Next month, she is doing a Fall Fitness Challenge and offering some prizes!

What I love about Jessica's video's is that they can be done with little or no equipment and accomplished in a small area, plus--they are not difficult (choregraphy-wise), but they are a little challenging (she shows you ways to increase or decrease the difficulty). And, her dog Peanut (adorbs!) joins her in most (if not all) of her videos.
 
So, are you ready to join me? It's 20 days. It's FREE. She's provides the workouts for you. It's less than 30 minutes every day. Not convinced yet?

Here, watch her video (that's Peanut!):



To join the challenge:

1. Go to Jessicasmithtv.com and Follow her blog.
2. Next, subscribe to her YouTube Channel. You will have to check it there every day for a chance at the prizes.
3. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. (optional, but recommended!)
4. Leave me a comment to let me know you are doing the challenge!

We've got this! We will gain more energy and feel better. There is nothing to lose! I look forward to working out with you! C'mon...it starts next Monday!

Hey! Are you following Crazylou on Facebook or Twitter? Come on over--sometimes I do special things just for my fans on social media! Don't miss out!

 

Awesome April Arms--Fitness Challenge

Hi! How have you been? Did you tackle my March Fitness Challege? I tried. I failed, miserably. Those v-ups were killers, which probably means I need to do them more! I never made it to the four sets, but did the 2 sets consistently. Something is better than nothing, right?

Well, Spring is upon us (even though the weather isn't cooperating) and that means we will be showing off our arms more (mine are really pale!) which means its time for another Fitness Challenge just for our arms.

I found this workout over at FitSugar and I think it is the perfect way to get those toned arms ready for Spring and Summer (aka sleeveless tops, maxi dresses...). You can add this to your daily cardio routine or as they suggested, pair it with your lower body workout. I am going to do this 3 times a week for the entire month. I'm using 8 lb weights at home and 10 lb weights at the gym, but you can use whatever weights you have. Don't have weights? Nonsense...use soup cans or filled water bottles! The important thing to remember is to feel fatigued on the last couple of reps. If you aren't, you need to move up in weight.

You can click on the picture and print it or PIN it for future use!

I found examples of the exercises on Women's Health Magazine's website--it's a great resource for healthy recipes, workouts, etc. And they offer daily/weekly email newsletters, too!:


PUSHUP Photo: womenshealthmag.com

BICEP CURL Photo: womenshealthmag.com





SHOULDER PRESS
Photo: blog.womenshealthmag.com

BACK ROWS Photo: womenshealthmag.com

TRICEP DIPS Photo: womenshealthmag.com

LATERAL RAISE Photo: womenshealthmag.com

TRICEP KICKBACKS Photo: womenshealthmag.com

So, what do you say...are you going to join me? Hope so! Let me know if you're in!

Cindy

March Fitness Challenge Photos

Hello peeps! I hope you had a great weekend! Too bad it's Monday already and I'm heading to work! And bummer, more snow is expected too. I WANT SPRING! So, how many of you are doing the March Fitness Challenge? I started on Saturday, today is my second day! (if you haven't joined yet, you still have time! Click here for the details!)Those V-Ups are a killer! I figured I would show you the exact move you should be doing for each exercise as well as a few Trainer Tips.
My friend, motivator and trainer Linsey was kind enough to help me out with these pictures as well as the Trainer Tips. Linsey is amazing. I met Linsey at the Y where I workout. She is a trainer and fitness instructor at the Y. She is a mix of Bob and Jillian from the Biggest Loser--and I love that about her! She is energetic, fun and silly. She makes every class worth attending. For me, she is a great motivator because she cares about your goals and knows when to push and when to lay-off. And I love that she knows where I'm coming from. She has fought the fight to be fit). Have I mentioned that she is amazing? Anyways, on to the pictures...

On all moves, remember: chin off the chest, keep core engaged with belly button pulled towards spine, and shoulders down and out of the ears.


Scissor Kicks
Trainer Tips:
To help support lower back, hand can be placed to the side and slightly under hips. To advance move, pull shoulder blades up off of the floor in crunch position with chin off of the chest.

Bicycles
Trainer Tips:
Fingertips placed behind the head, not interlocking to refrain from putting extra strain on the neck. Elbows should be wide at all times. Drive up with the core/chest to pull shoulder blades off of the floor.

Toe Touches
Trainer Tips:Keep chin off the chest.

Double Crunches
Trainer Tips: Remember to keep chin off of chest. Fingertips only to back of head, never interlocking to refrain from putting extra strain on neck. Feet flexed, and tucked towards bottom.

V-Ups (or Jack Knife)
Trainer Tips: Move shown is advanced with legs straight.  If move is to difficult to begin then start with bent knee and graduate to straight leg. Also, a side note that if existing shoulder issue exists, complete arm movement as a chest press vs. a pullover. Chin off of chest always.

Plank
Trainer Tip: If doing bridge position from forearms ensure the elbow is directly under the shoulder. Head and neck are in alignment with spine, looking towards the floor. In high position wrists should be positioned directly under the shoulder. Head and neck in line, neutral with the spine.

Thank you Linsey (isn't she the cutest?) for squeezing in time for this photo shoot so I could provide my readers the proper technique! If you have any questions, post a comment and I'll be sure to have Linsey answer them for you!

Cindy

March Fitness Challenge

If you read my post from Monday, you know that one of my priorities is myself. And one of the things I want to work on is a toner tummy. So, why not challenge myself? And why not encourage others to do the same? It's boring to do it alone anyways! I created a little printable--print it out, post it on your frig (or wherever) and let's do this together! I will keep you posted on my challenge through Facebook (not a fan yet, what are you waiting for? Click here and follow along!) and then at the end of the month, I will share my results. Sound fun? Thought so!

Okay then--this challenge starts Friday! The first two weeks we will do 2 sets of the circuit. The last two weeks we will do 4 sets of the circuit. Do this every other day (or if you are really eager, every day)! We will be in it together. We've got this! Let me know if you plan on playing along! Don't forget to share it with your friends, too! The more the merrier!

Cindy