Commit to be fit

Growing up, my sister and I signed up from a competitive cheer team.  When we had initially joined, we didn't think it would be something long-term but we quickly fell in the love with the sport and 11 years later, we were still going strong. I also cheered in junior high and then again in high school.  As most people feel that cheerleading is not a sport, I beg to differ.  The workouts were so intense, and it was hard to keep up!

Our competitive cheer team was super demanding on my body and I developed scoliosis.  That still didn't stop me from doing what I loved most. Cheering. Eventually I was too old to compete and later I found out I was pregnant with Liam.

Working out post baby has been difficult to say the least.  I no longer have the energy that I did when I was younger. Go figure, right?  Working a full time job and then coming home to take care of Liam, there isn't enough time in the day to fit in a lengthy workout. Eli and I will occasionally do ab ripper by p90x, but let me tell you…the "short" 16 minute video seems to be the worst 16 minutes of my life.

After a little research and a few recommendations, I have decided to try
Tabata High Intensity Interval Training.  Get this…each Tabata workout is only 4 minutes long. 4 minutes!!! You workout hard for 20 seconds, rest for 10 and repeat until you have completed 8 rounds of whichever exercise you've chosen for that day.  It is recommended to do four "tabatas" each time you exercise for a total of 20 minutes.  Here is an example of a tabata workout.

Jumping Jacks
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
High Knees
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Push Ups
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Burpees
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times then your DONE)
=20 minute workout

The goal is to push as hard as you can! Start small with a 4 minute workout. If you are feeling confident the next day, add another 4 minutes.  You really want to do these to the best of your ability so you aren't cheating yourself.  With these intense workouts, your heart rate will increase and burn those calories!

Happy exercising!

xoxo
Haley