I have a confession to make. I have been doing a bad job practicing what I preach. With school, work, FitFluential, my medical problem, writing for Bee Well for Life, and the other freelance work I have been doing, oh and having a life, my workouts have suffered.
Now that summer is here my body is NOT looking the way I want it to. I have gained almost 20 pounds since last summer (some of which is muscle, but most of the weight gain has come from my thyroid problem and from quitting smoking).
While I love my scale, I am not a numbers person. I care more about how I feel and how I look. Right now, I am not loving myself in either of those two categories.
Now that summer has arrived and school is over, I have more time to devote back to the life I love: my active one. So this morning I hit the gym and thought I would share my workout with you all. I kept the weights low as I plan on doing this workout another 2-3 times this week.
For those of you who don’t frequent the machines at the gym, each machine links to a photo and explanation. While the pictures are a bit outdated, I love the way EXRX explains the machines.
Seated Leg Extension: 3 sets of 12 reps at 30lbs
Seated Leg Curl: 3 sets of 12 reps at 30lbs
Hip Adductor: 3 sets of 12 reps at 30lbs
Hip Abductor: 3 sets of 12 reps at 30lbs
Chest Press: 3 sets of 12 reps at 20lbs
Biceps Curl: 3 sets of 12 reps at 20lbs
Triceps Extension: 3 sets of 12 reps at 20lbs
Pulldown: 3 sets of 12 reps at 30lbs
*While I am calling this a total body workout, I did not include abs or lower back in this routine as I do not like using the machines at the gym to work those two areas. After you complete this routine, feel free to add your own lower back and ab moves to the mix!
Now, post workout, I am sitting at Panera enjoying a coffee and a bagel with cream cheese (and of course a Smart Water because if you know me in person you know I never go anywhere without a liter of it).
Do you ever find that sometimes having a career in fitness can actually take you away from the fitness aspect of it? Do you use the machines at the gym? What is your favorite total body workout?
Jennifer is a 27 year old personal trainer living in Connecticut. She is "Coach Jen" at 
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: jamiemarin
June 1, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I think Plyometrics would have to be my favorite total body…targets the bum and legs but also makes you hold your core pretty tight! They always make me goodn sore
Jamie´s last [type] ..Day 57- Tuesday May 31- 2011
I agree – I LOVE Plyo workouts!
Twitter: rikerjoe
June 1, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Thanks for sharing your workout. Finding balance between work (or school in your case) and life can be a challenge. I like that you gave yourself permission to start anew. Good luck!
Joe Williams´s last [type] ..Scientific Method and Teams
Twitter: hippiehealthnut
June 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Hey there, I’m a new reader.
Great blog!
I was training part time in addition to working my full-time job last year and it definitely took a toll on my workouts. I was more motivated, but I didn’t get enough sleep to progress the way I wanted to. I use the machines for certain exercises, but definitely not lower back or abs. Free weights are more beneficial in almost every case, in my opinion. Hoping to post some workout videos of my own soon!
Casey (The Hippie Health Nut)´s last [type] ..Memorial Day Weekend Recap
Welcome! And thank you!
I agree that free weights are almost always more beneficial. I like to do a few weeks on the machines when I am getting back into the groove, and then switch over to free weights or body weight exercises. I am all for you doing some videos! Let me know when you do and I will link them!
Twitter: hippiehealthnut
June 1, 2011 at 8:38 pm
I’m trying to get brave enough.
I’ll keep ya posted.
Casey (The Hippie Health Nut)´s last [type] ..Memorial Day Weekend Recap
I didn’t know you were a former smoker–congratulations on kicking the habit! Really impressive.
Thank you! Yes, I smoked for about 10 years and finally gave it up right a few months after starting this blog, so it has been almost a year this summer!
It was not easy but 100% worth it.
You’ll totally get back on it! Thats SO awesome that you quit smoking- good for you!! The workout sounds great. Luckily, teaching pushes me to stay in shape. I hope you’re having a good week so far!
Erica´s last [type] ..Plain Jane Pancakes & A Giveaway
Twitter: livelovexercise
June 1, 2011 at 9:04 pm
For a full body weight training experience at my gym I go by their circuit! It is awesome because it is even numbered for you. In between I like to do jumping jacks, or if I remember I bring my jump rope, to really get my heart rate up!! Happy you are back to your active self and feeling a bit better
thanks for elaborated explanation!!
It really makes you fit and healthy. Workouts are really good in terms of handling the good posture and it really makes you feel better. I definitely love workouts too
Cynthia´s last [type] ..stretch marks on back