Why hello there, September, you’re looking rather dismal today.
Maybe a cup of coffee to perk you right up? And how about some breakfast to go along with it?
Greek yogurt – blueberries/banana/peach – Puffins – Kashi Cinnamon Harvest – almond butter
Worked like a charm. Well, for me anyways – the weather certainly didn’t appreciate my efforts and decided to stay mopey for the rest of the day.
Pft. Fine. Be that way.
It’s not like I need you to enjoy one last summer weekend BBQ or anything.
Actually, I do… but seeing as the clouds looked like they were about to burst any second, I figured that my chances of having an enjoyable (read: dry) day at the lake were slim to none; even going out for a walk around the neighborhood seemed like it would be tempting fate. Plus, I really don’t like being out in the wind. So, seeing as I couldn’t go for my daily walk or bike ride, I decided to come up with a workout that I could do right at home. Warm and dry.
“But Amanda!” you’re saying. “You just told us you don’t work out!”
You’re right. I did. And under normal circumstances, I don’t. But today I made an exception and got a great workout in, so I figured that I’d share it with you!
. – . – . – .
. Amanda’s Total Body Weekend Workout .
To start, warm up for about 10 or 15 minutes with something easy.
This gets your blood moving and helps prevent injuries.
Once you’ve loosened up those muscles, grab your favorite cardio machine and get your heart pumping.
Aim for at least 20 minutes at moderate intensity.
When you’ve worked up a good sweat, it’s time to do some heavy lifting.
Make sure to watch your form! (read: separate your colors)
But wait! You’re not done yet! To really optimize your workout, do 10-20 minutes of HIIT.
Include moves like “scrub your counter” and “scrub your floor”.
Make sure to really push yourself hard and give it your all!
Finally, it’s time to bring that heart rate back down.
Cool off for at least 10 minutes with something easy.
Congratulations! You’re done!
. – . – . – .
So what’d you guys think of my routine? Going to try it out? 😀 I have to say that I worked up quite a sweat!
But in all seriousness, I honestly do see housework as a good workout. I tend to neglect it during the week, so by the time the weekend comes along, I have a considerable amount to do and it wears.me.out. I might consider peeling myself off the couch afterwards if I have a good enough incentive to do so…
… but doing anything strenuous on top of cleaning the house? That’s like two workouts in one day when normally I don’t even do one. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to plant myself back on the couch and enjoy the rest of my night.
After all, I worked out hard today 😉
See you tomorrow! And happy September!
. – . – . – .
Do you consider housework to be a good workout?
Talk to me! How are you doing? How was your day? What’d you do? Don’t be shy!
Holy – i was laughing SO DAMN HARD when i reached the first picture!
I was in shock – because noo i was so happy to have found a fit and healthy blogger, that didn’t work out for an hour every day and suddenly – Workout? No way!
Really girl – you are awesome. Your blog is one of the few i can read without being triggered.
And thanks a lot for your e-mail advice, I’m the ex-runner girl from Berlin!
I threw away my scale, stopped the binging, went home for some days, learned intuitive eating with my family again and started to enjoy the exercise I really want to do. Now i can feel healthy enoug to start college again.
Have a nice sunday
!!!! Eeeee! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve been doing so well Christine! Thanks so much for popping in and letting me know 😀
This was too funny! I need more of these workouts in my life. My house would benefit greatly… haha 🙂
You and your pudding! I remember when I first started following your blog I was like.. pudding?! on oats?! And then I tried it and LOVED it! I need to have that soon! Sorry you can’t have your oats anymore 🙁 What about breakfast quinoa or rice bowls? Those are almost as good 🙂
I miss my pudding oats! Maybe I can try them again in the near future 🙂 And I’ve tried having quinoa and rice for breakfast, but it’s just not the same thing 🙁 I miss the texture, taste, and glue-y ness that come with oats.
Haha! LOVE this! And omg, scrubbing the tub IS like HIIT! Housework is most DEFINITELY considered a workout in my mind…at least the way I do it anyway…which seems to be the same as you! There’s no half-assing it when it comes time to vacuum! I only have carpet in HALF of my house, but there’s always, always, ALWAY plenty of cat hair stuck to the couch to keep me busy (and sweaty) for at LEAST 20 minutes! I swear, one day I’m just gonna take the vacuum hose and go for the source…look out Tiger, I’ve got YOU in my sights! Muahahaha!
Last week, I skipped my “workout” and went on a special date…with my new lawnmower. Holy hell! I forgot how much yard work can take out of you! One freshly mowed lawn, complete with weed-eating, swept sidewalks and driveway…yeah, pretty sure I burned like 92387236 calories!
I’ve been craving a good cold-cut sammich lately, but the meat always seems so salty to me…makes me wonder if it’s even worth it to pick some up at the store or if it’ll just end in disappointment. But your picture…ah, you make it look so gooooooooood!
Hehe. I just did “this kind” of workout yesterday. 😉 I love your posts so much Amanda — you are always so much fun! 🙂
YAY! I had that same workout today 🙂 we could of been workout buddies! Haha! I did do a power walk though around the neighborhood, just nice to get out!
How exciting about your upcoming travels to LA and Palm Spring! Cali is SO beautiful and fun! You live that vacation up, every minute of it!
<3
This is a really cute post 🙂 Yes, housework is totally a “work out”! Any type of movement counts as activity, and many of us move a lot just by living our daily lives. The concept of a treadmill has always been a bit bizarre to me. Why would anyone want to run and not get anywhere? And just stare at a wall the whole time? I know some people like it (although sometimes I question whether they actually do, or they just feel like they have to do it). I know gyms are a foreign concept in a lot of European countries and people get their daily activity from walking everywhere. And most of them are healthier than us, so maybe they’re on to something 🙂
The last time I was travelling in Europe, I was actually amazed by how good the girls looked considering that the majority of them never set foot in a gym. They also eat real food like butter, cream, bread, cheese, etc. and yet always seem to be able to fit into their skinnies. They’re definitely on to something, and I think everyone should take a trip to Europe… you know… for educational purposes 😉
Cleaning is a good workout! I think people often forget that. I have to be in JUST the right mood to clean though.. but when I am in the mood.. I will do EVERYTHING.. top to bottom! 🙂
Hope you are having a great weekend, Amanda! 🙂
I get that way too! It’s like I won’t feel like cleaning anything for a good while, and then the mood strikes and I end up cleaning everything all the way down to the tiny details. Too bad it takes forever to do that!
For a great all-body workout, cleaning the bathtub has all the elements, including reaching, twisting, balancing and high-intensity scrubbing!
Every post makes me love this blog even more. Cleaning is an AWESOME workout if you put time and effort into it!! Plus you have the nice reward of having a clean house afterwards!
win win 🙂
My mom would LOVE this post! I LOVE this post! Cleaning is a workout if you do it right and thoroughly! Thank you for posting this! I think a lot of people who “workout” outside get in a rut on a rainy dreary day. you just proved that being active is all it takes!
Hhaha I need to start this workout routine bad…vacuuming has taken a backseat and the dust bunnies are beginning to multiply at ungodly rates 😯
Haha I love this! Housework can definitely be a good workout, especially when I neglect it for a month and then realize I have like 3 hours worth of cleaning to do in a day! 😛 And I bet I’m going to have a lot of it to do when I get back to my apartment today since it’s been empty for 4 months!
the concept of cleaning as working out is perfect. check two things off my list at once! i think i’m scrubbing floors today and NOT doing my run. 🙂
ps i just want to say (since we’ve never been in touch, sadly, because i started really following you after your leave of absence (or whatever)) – that you are the wonderful reason i eat pudding, like every.single,day. perfection.
Yay! Pudding is wonderful! 😀 It’s one of my staples, even if I can’t put it on my morning oatmeal anymore [for now]…
LOVE THIS! 🙂 Yes I can get a major sweat on when cleaning my flat, it totally counts as a workout in my book 🙂
Cute post Amanda – it had me smiling throughout! Cleaning is definitely one tough workout! But in the end nothing beats a clean house! 🙂
Haha,thanks,Amanda – you just made me laugh in the early morning which is definitely an accomplishment! 😀
Housework truly can be exhausting,I agree with that. The part with the cardio machine is my least favorite for sure,especially since it’s so LOUD! 😛
As always, you’ve brightened my day (err, early morning/late evening)! <3 Gym workouts have nothing on your total body *miracle* workout. Miracle? Yep, all that's accomplished at the gym is the creation of sweaty, smelly clothes, but this workout is different. The end result is a *clean* and *organized* pile of clothes. Love it! 😉 If I were to try this one in my house however, it would be akin to a marathon. I live with MESSY boys—in a four story house! Cleaning the kitchen alone takes two hours. :-p
In all seriousness though, I love your moderate approach to fitness. I'm still learning how to be 100% okay with "alternative" workouts, but I've definitely warmed up to the idea. 🙂
Hope you're having a fantastic weekend! xoxoxo
Yikes! That definitely sounds like a marathon. Mine takes me long enough and I don’t have to clean up after anyone else. Make sure to train properly and pack snacks 😉
Haha- this is adorable, Amanda. I love it.
I definitely consider cleaning and doing chores around the house to be a workout! It wears me out. My apartment could use a good, deep-cleaning…I think I know what’s on the agenda tomorrow.
And, I have to say, I’ve missed your gorgeous photography! Oh my goodness…
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. (:
Ugh this reminds me that I desperately need to clean this weekend 🙁
Hmm, I know you aren’t supposed to work the same muscle groups on consecutive days & do the same workouts everyday, or something like that. But, if you fancy it , my place could reeeaally benefit from one of your workouts. Ill have almond milk & oatmeal choc chip cookies waiting for you when you’re done. How bout it?
Umm, yeah, I hate cleaning. A lot. It does feel good to get it all done though, or have someone do it for you:p.
Oh, how iv missed your gorgeous photographs Amanda!
Xxx
*Gah! That was insensitive of me! I meant an oat-FREE choc chip cookie:)m
Xxx
Oh, I donno if I could handle doing another one of these today; I’ve got some serious DOMS 😉 I will take those cookies though 😀
AMANDA!! aah I am so so happy to see you back blogging!! I’ve missed you chica!!
haha I totally count housework as my strength training…lifting laundry from the basket to the machine is enough lifting for this girl 😉
and your food looks delicious as always. drool.
love you, have a great weekend!! <3