Legs, heart and core

Need an exercise that works your legs, heart and core? Do you own a trampoline??? Try it. I jumped with my kids yesterday for the first time since before winter and today my legs are still jello. Bouncing them high into the air is best for the legs, running around and falling and jumping works the heart, and laughing so hard I almost peed my pants worked my core...all the way down to the kegels :)

Plus my kids thought I was the best mom yesterday. Belle even told Tre that they are "so lucky to have a mom and a tramp so she can bounce us SO high". The best exercise is the kind when you don't even realize it's exercise because it's so much fun. Bonus!

Tuesday's Cardio Workout

When I say cardio I mean any activity that gets your heart rate up and keeps it up for a significant amount of time. Some of the best cardio activities require little to no special equipment. Here are some indoor options for you:

Jump Rope: Do this for 20 minutes and you'll be feeling that heart of yours as it beats out of your chest.

Dance Dance Revolution: No, not the video game, but if you turn up your I-Pod or the radio and dance your heart out for 30 or so minutes not only will you get a great cardio workout but you'll have a good time too!

Jack, Ski, Jog, Repeat: Jumping jacks, ski jumps, jog in place with high knees, then repeat. Each exercise is done for one minute. Keep this up for as long as possible but if you make it more than 20-30 minutes at a time I'll be seriously impressed!

Stair Run: Got stairs? Run up and down them over and over and over...you get the idea.

Super Woman House Cleaner: If your house gets as messy as mine, then you can tackle two chores at once. Pretend like you are late for an important meeting and clean like a crazy woman. You'll get the whole house clean in about an hour and you'll get your heart rate up for that long too, which counts for a cardio activity.

There are many more ideas and I'm sure you can all think of some. Leave a comment and let others know your secret "get fit at home" trick.

Intense Cardio Interval Workout

5 min. Warm Up at 4.0 mph on treadmill

10 min. Run at 6.0 mph (or faster)

5 min. Jump Rope

10 min. Elliptical Trainer

10 min. Run at 6.0 mph (or faster)

5 min. Jump Rope

10 min. Incline walk at 4.0 mph on 10% incline

5 min. Cool Down at 4.0 mph

This is a fantastic workout that takes 60 minutes but seems like 20. Do this when it is either too hot, too cold, or too dark outside. Expect to breath hard (gasp for air is a better term) and feel great afterward.