Triple threat cardio workout

Good morning <3

I’ll be fully human when I finish this:

Coffee  1 of 1 6

Today is going to be fun because I’m double dipping = teaching two Zumba classes. The goal is to teach both without repeating the same song. It’s aways a little interesting when I go back to older Zumba music (aka that moment when I forget the chorus and make something up on the spot). 😉 I’m excited to get in as much teaching as I can before we go, as I still haven’t quite figured out where I’m going to teach in SD. I think that by exploring different options once we get there, I’ll be able to find my *home*

For last night’s workout, I did strength sets in between various modes of cardio. By doing it this way, it keeps my heart rate up during the strength sets and it’s over before I know it. I’ve felt pretttyyyy lazy since we got back from our travels, but knew that a workout would give me a burst of energy to be productive before bed.

Here’s what I did for cardio:

Triple threat

came home and devoured two leftover salads combined (the rest of the St. Paddy’s Day salad topped with the rest of the giant Oregano’s salad). 

Giant salad

Off to teach! See ya later today on the family page <3

xoxo

Gina

 

When the motivation isn’t there for a workout:

1. Think about why you aren’t feelin’ it. Do you just need a bit of motivation, or is it your body telling you it needs to rest? If you can tell you need to rest, take the day off and know that you’ll come back even stronger for your next workout session. 

2. If you’re really just lacking motivation, take 5 minutes while you get dressed to pump yourself up. Listen to a song you love, get your gym gear together and visualize how you’ll feel when the workout is over. Usually that’s enough to get me going!

3. Aim for a short workout, knowing your can stop or add at any time. You’re in charge, remember? Start to warm up for 5-10 minutes and assess from them. Still feeling blah? You can stop, but chances are that it will be enough for those feel-good endorphins to kick in and push you to finish a full workout.

4. Do what you love or try something totally new. Usually if motivation is lacking, it’s a signal that something needs to be changed in your routine. You could be overtraining or burned out from following the same schedule. Assess and make some changes, making sure to alternate cardio intensities, including strength and rest.

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31 Comments

  1. Catherine on March 19, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Usually I have no problem doing a workout … but there are just some days where it’s hard to motivate myself. When that happens, I throw on my workout clothes and listen my power song to make me snap out of it. Works every time 🙂

  2. Annalisa on March 19, 2014 at 11:49 am

    My problem is I am super motivated to workout but because the bebes isn’t napping yet I can’t in that moment. But then when the bebes goes down for a nap, the motivation seems to slip away. Trying to workout a schedule that works for the both of us.

    I really want to try the st paddy’s day salad!! yum!

    • Fitnessista on March 19, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      naptime always feels like it should be naptime for me, too 🙂

  3. Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A. on March 19, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Those are great tips for when you don’t feel like working out!

    I will trick myself and say, “Ok, well I’ll just go for a quick jog or an easy yoga class.” Once I get into it though I realize I actually had more energy than I thought. Switching it up helps a lot. As does bringing friends 🙂

  4. Lucie@FitSwissChick on March 19, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Visualizing how I feel after – totally helps me to get motivated!! It’s one of the best feelings ever.

  5. Emily on March 19, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    The “just do it for 5 minutes” always works for me. 99% of the time once I’m warmed up I’m ready to kill it. That 1% of the time I find I am truly tired and resting is probably the best move.

  6. Melodie on March 19, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    I have a had a really hard time being consistent with my early morning workouts since daylight savings time change. I never remember it having this effect on me, but man this time, I just haven’t been able to make the adjustment. I started with very good intentions this week and did my first 9 mile run on sunday morning and then rested on monday. then a child was up all night on Monday night/Tuesday morning with a stomach bug and that has begun to mess up the schedule for this week. I’ve got a running date tomorrow morning and i’m hoping nothing interferes. my big problem is that if it doesn’t happen in the morning while the family is sleeping, it is so dang hard to get it in any other time. at least as this season it feels that way.

    • Fitnessista on March 19, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      i totally agree. i have a harder time working out at night.. but i also have a horrible time waking up in the morning.

  7. Anita on March 19, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    I always just focus on how I’ll feel once I’m finished working out. It feels good to start my day on a healthy note!

  8. Abi@AbsofSteel on March 19, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    When I’m unmotivated it almost always means that I’ve gotten bored with what I’m doing and need to change it up. If not it usually means that I’m mentally or physically exhausted and just need an extra rest day.

  9. Cassie Vaughn on March 19, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    I love these motivation tips!

  10. Nikki Sopher on March 19, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Hey Gina!

    To start I will say, I bought SoliBeat and I watched part of it and it looks amazing. I’m swamped with studying this week but I hope to complete the whole thing at some point. I will also be a housewife starting next week so more fun dance/workout time for me!!

    As far as finding a zumba home in SD, what about the base gym? Just a thought. I know that if I were stationed there, I would definitely make it to your classes!

    Love the blog! Thanks for being so AWESOME! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on March 19, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      yay, let me know what you think of it!!
      i’ve looked at the base gym, but think i’m going to try some fitness studios closer to the house first
      thank you so much for reading!

  11. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on March 19, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    Thanks for sharing your routine! I love combining cardio + strength to keep my HR up the entire time. I also get bored easily, so this almost ADD type of workout works well for me.

  12. Jennifer on March 19, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    First – delicious strawberry lemon bread, thank you! I love the workout motivation tips, and reminder to chill when the body needs it. I did 80% of the ballet beautiful workout yesterday before stopping, realizing my body truly was tired. Feeling stronger today and ready to roll.
    Today is one of my longest teaching days, too, best of luck to you!

    • Fitnessista on March 19, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      smart girl! glad you got to rest and recover a little. good luck with your teaching today! xo

  13. Jackie on March 19, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I love your workouts!

  14. Rita on March 19, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Gina, you are so inspiring. I love how you are so consistent with your workouts and blog posts. Thanks for the tips…I like to workout but can easily sidetrack myself with other things to finish.

  15. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on March 19, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    These are great motivation tips! I always give myself a mental pep talk when I’m lacking motivation. Usually I don’t want to wake up at 4:30 when my alarm goes off. But I always remind myself how good I feel after I workout and how crappy I feel when I don’t. That in it self is my personal motivation.

  16. Livi on March 19, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    I love HIIT/burst cardio workouts! Keep that HR up!

  17. Rhiannon @ Bound to be a Buckeye on March 19, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    My motivation is definitely lacking sometimes. I really like your idea of telling myself I’m in charge, so even getting in a short workout is better than none =)

  18. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on March 19, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    I don’t usually have a problem doing the workout once I get into but it is just pushing myself to get it started. Sometimes you just have to push yourself out the door!

  19. Jenn on March 19, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Ugh. Mornings are so hard until I get up and just do it. Then I love it. Can I ask what kind of jacket your wearing in your picture with the salad? I love the mint! Thanks in advance!

    • Fitnessista on March 19, 2014 at 5:47 pm

      thank you! it’s a north face hoodie. i got it at nordstrom rack a few months ago

      • Jennifer on March 19, 2014 at 5:49 pm

        I thought so! I love those! I am looking at the Salathe in purple because I didn’t see any in the mint! Thanks for getting back to me! 😉

  20. Cara's Healthy Cravings on March 19, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    I always breakup my cardio on various machines, as it totally curbs any boredom. 10 minutes goes by so fast if you break it into segments and I find I push myself a bit harder knowing I’ll be done in 10.

  21. Lori on March 19, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Hi Gina! Random question, what do you put in your coffee at home? Also I want to try drinking tea and I recall you mentioning your favorite tea at Starbucks, what was it?

    Thanks!

  22. Domi @ Eat, Pray, Lift on March 19, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Because I like to work out first thing in the morning (as in, 5am, haha), it’s sometimes hard to tell if my body needs a rest day or if I’m just feeling groggy from waking in the wrong part of my REM cycle or something. Usually if I give myself a good mental warm up (devotions or Bible study) and physical warm up, I manage to get excited about that workout.

    Afternoon/evening workouts, though? Eeesh. Never been my jam. I’d rather take a bike ride or go rock climbing in the evening than do a formal workout. Workout out late in the day is especially unappealing lately, since I’ve been having some major food sensitivity/digestive flare ups and a lot of days end up feeling quite sick and bloated and overall nasty.

  23. jodie on March 20, 2014 at 9:46 am

    I change my workouts a lot so that helps when I lack motivation, but if I am feeling tired I will walk about 30-60 minutes just to get something in.

    I thought I would share these cute pictures with you of a mom and her 4 year old doing yoga poses. So cute.

    http://www.123inspiration.com/mother-and-4-year-old-daughter-take-impressive-pictures-of-their-yoga-poses/

  24. Tracy on March 21, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    I use #3 for motivation often. It works like a charm! More often than not I get into the workout and keep going. I love the feeling that no matter how long I workout or how hard, it’s a win because the alternative was no workout! Win!!

  25. frie on March 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    This post is in my pocket list for two reasons: a) I love the workout although I only do the rowing and the treadmill part. After the treadmill I’m sweating like … i don’t know.. 😀

    b) the motivational tips. They are great.:) I want to add another one: see going to the gym as wellness for your mind & emotions. Because it makes us happy. In the morning today, I was very sad (family stuff..) and I was in this “I want to crawl into my bed and hide under my blanket and cry”-mood. But then I decided to go through and I had an awesome workout and it felt soooooo good just to run and row and lift and forget all the stuff for 1,5 h. So, at least for me, that’s another motivation. 🙂

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