My New Workout! (Harry Potter Marathon Weekend)

I just need to take a second to pat myself on the back... I have been doing a really good job of trying out new workouts recently. I actually have started tackling the things I pin on my Fitness board and the routines I pull out of magazines. It feels really good to change things up and try out new moves. If I love them, I can incorporate them often; if I hate them, I can find a move I like better for that body part. I filled out a workout calendar for the month of July, with each day focusing on a different area (legs, arms, abs, etc). Even though I haven't been following the calendar 100%, it makes me think a lot more about which muscle groups I'm targeting. I think in a few months I might even post a workout calendar on this blog!

Even though I've been pretty consistent with doing my workouts, I have really been avoiding hardcore cardio. I think it's just the hot summer weather- I don't want to go outside, and I'm tired of doing the same "cardio blasts" (jump rope, burpees, jumping jacks). I've been thinking about joining a gym again, but I'm not sure if it's worth the money. There are a couple new gyms in town- a Farrell's and a CrossFit "box"! Anyone have any advice? Have you been to one of these gyms?

I tried on wedding dresses last week, and I think I may have found THE DRESS. I would totally post a picture, but my faithful fiance reads my blog and looks at my Pinterest boards, so I'll have to keep you in the dark. I'm right between a size 8 and 10, and I would love to fit in the size 8 before I decide to make the purchase. Maybe that's what's behind my new-found fitness motivation!

A very popular pin on Pinterest is this Harry Potter Workout. I've seen it before, but I saw it posted on a blog I regularly read this past week and I realized that ABC Family would be showing the Harry Potter movies over the weekend. Here's the jist:

I did this 2 nights in a row. The first night (Chamber of Secrets), I ended up doing 125 push-ups, 200 jumping jacks, 200 bicycles, 150 crunches, etc etc. The second night (end of Goblet of Fire and most of Order of the Phoenix), I changed the exercises to work different muscles. I ended up doing a lot of side planks, calf raises, triceps dips, and side lunges.

Reasons I LOVED this workout idea:
-I burned 400-500 calories each time
-I got a workout in while watching something I probably would have watched anyway
-There was enough time in between exercises that I hardly even felt like I was working (125 push-ups in one night?!?!? Unbelievable. I'm still a little sore).
-I got a spark of inspiration to start making these workouts for things I normally watch- Modern Family, Say Yes to the Dress, Biggest Loser, and so on. I already made the Modern Family workout today... but you'll have to wait a few days before I post it! What do you think about this idea? Are there any shows you want me to make a workout plan for? Let me know!

Last but not least, the Workout Move of the Week: Sumo Squat Swing

Source

Start with feet wider than hip-width, with knees and toes slightly turned out. Hold one end of a dumbbell (or kettlebell) with both hands.
Squat down and tap the dumbbell on the floor. Stand and swing dumbbell overhead, using your hips to propel you up. Squeeze that booty!

Try a workout during your favorite TV show or movie and let me know how it goes!