Hi everyone,
A few weeks ago, I went along to a friend’s gym where the local camera club (Ards Camera Club) came along to take photos of me lifting Kettlebells and stuff. When I arrived (expecting maybe 5 people) there was about 15-20 photographers – eeek! Talk about nervous! Anyway, after the first 15 minutes, I got into it and I really enjoyed it 🙂 Here are some of my favorites:
I am grateful for the chance to do a photoshoot and am happy at how they turned out.  We are planning a second, studio-based photoshoot soon 🙂
Other news – A while ago, Jordan Syatt interviewed me for Wannabebig. Â You can check it out HERE! I was super thrilled to have the chance to reach their audience because it’s a very popular website and it’s great to have more female voices out there changing the perception of female fitness.
Now for today’s main feature.
The Workout
I value simplicity so much, especially in training. Today is a nice straight-forward workout and it only lasts 18 minutes.
Set your Gymboss Interval Timer for 18 cycles of 20 seconds rest and 40 seconds effort; complete 3 rounds of the following 6 exercises. You can check out my scores in brackets below:
- High Deficit Reverse Lunge (right) (16kg) (14, 13, 13)
- Same on Left (13, 13, 13)
- Roundabout KB Swing (20kg) (didn’t count – got confused LOL)
- Staggered Push Ups (15, 14, 14)
- Inverted Row (12, 11, 9) – these get tough very quickly!
- Alternating Single-Leg Hip Thrusts (final round I did 1.5 reps variation) (15, 14, 10″ish” )
Not a crazy intense workout, but enough for me today!
Hope you all enjoy it too. Â Let me know how you find the 1.5 rep SLHT!
Cheers,
Marianne
Hi Marianne 🙂
Those photos are awesome. The pull up one is my favourite also. I have always loved and envied your back muscles. I can only dream mine would ever look like that.
This was a great workout for me. I needed something less intense but still challenging because I have been working out somewhat insanely and somewhat silly. My body is sore nearly everyday. I always get like this around the festive session because I start panicking about all the drink and food that will be available and not having the time to exercise as much due to travel. It’s silly I know, wanting to lose weight and trying to increase my fitness level ‘ now ‘ so I have a buffer during December. It’s a issue I’m trying to work on though.
Also, as always, thank you also for being honest about your own food, exercise and motivation issues at times. It really does help me knowing, even a pro like yourself has wagon problems lol I agree with Anna from London that most fitness blogs come across as perfect. Perhaps they think we wont read them if they mention any personal struggles.
Anyway, enough Mona Lisa from me. Have a great day 🙂
xx Sarah
Lovely photos though it must have felt quite funny to have so many people staring at you through their lens…hahahha!
Thanks for bringing up the topic of what happens when a set routine is broken. i’ve been experiencing the exact same thing and it causes me a lot of pain, mentally. I love my routine of having 4 short gym training sessions a week and fitting whatever fun activity in, not necessarily ‘exercise’ if you know what I mean. Al was going well and then I went on holiday (Sept) and had cake(s) everyday, booze and no gym sessions, though I cycled and walked a lot. Every since then I just haven’t been able to stay back on the wagon.
So thanks for just throwing it out there – the fact that even fitness pro’s experience what us mere mortals feel 😉 It’s definitely a topic that most bloggers don’t really talk about… Most people, and this isn’t a criticism, just mention that “consistency” is the secret to success.
It seems that the trick is to start small again after a break. Instead of 4 times, I should start by going just one time, rather than beating myself up over not being perfect again…
So much to learn still 😀
Greetings from London, Anna.
Hi Marianne!
This is a great workout for those days you just aren’t feelin’ it. 18min Done! Perfect. This will be a great workout for my teen kids too. Just the right amount of time and variation to get’em moving (and away from the PS3/Ipod)!
Love the darker hair color by the way! 🙂
Take Care
Completed this workout lastnight. I figured I better do something besides sit on the couch all night and this was the perfect little routine! After warming up and cooling down, it took less than a half hour. No excuses.
Looking forward to the next routine!!!
*high five* New workout on its way 😀
Hi Marianne,
You look crazy awesome in those photos! I like the pull up one the best! 🙂
Your last few workouts involve a 20/40 split…any particular reason for that? Not that I mind, because by the middle of the second round, I’m always hoping that I had a longer break!
Anyway, I look forward to doing this workout! Thanks again! 🙂
Wendy
Surrey BC, Canada
Thanks Wendy 🙂
I just like a little extra recovery some days and I like to offer my readers different options. It makes little difference to the effects of the workout 🙂