Circuit/Interval Training

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is over!  In just a few weeks it will be Christmas!!  I heard the other day that the average American will gain 7 pounds this month!  I am determined NOT to be that statistic.  My goal is to lose 10 pounds before Dec. 31st.  That means I really have to watch what I eat and keep the momentum going on my exercise.

The last couple of weeks I have had some really good workouts with my trainer, Melissa and my workout buddy, Denise.  We have been doing circuit exercises.  Simply put, Mel sets up stations around the room, each one for a different exercise.  Some nights we do 3 minutes of each.  Other times, like last night, we did one minute of each.  The shorter the duration, the harder you need to push it.  Some workouts we switch out some of the exercises. It went something like this:

1. Bicep curls with 8 pound weights
2. Alternating lunges
3. Zipper with 8 pound weights
4. Glute leg lifts
5. Crunches
6. Tricep overhead extensions with 5 pound weights
7. Hydrants
8. Tricep Kickbacks with 5 pound weights
9. Wall squats
10. Alternating front lifts and lateral raises with 5 pound weights
11. Kneeling twist & bend
12. Bicep curl to overhead press with 5 pound weights

Of course we started with a warm up of movements to get our heart rates up and after all the stations we did some cool down stretches. 
You can also include jumping jacks, jump rope, running in place, push-ups, squats...you get the idea.  For my at-home list I have alternated upper and lower body choices.  If you really want to ramp it up you can add 30-50 steps between each one (or marching in place if you don't have a step).
Just think what you could do with even just 15 minutes!  That's one minute of 15 different routines.  A full body workout!  If any of it seems too easy, just increase the weights you use.  If you don't have weights, fill a reusable grocery bag or backpack with books to equal the weight you want to use.  And you can do it all while watching TV!

Beat the year end rush and resolve TODAY to start eating right and exercising!!  It could help make 2011 your best year yet!

P.S. There is a great app (Android and iPhone) called Nike Boom that you can set up to sound off at intervals you set.  The music is really great too.  It's free.  Give it a try!