Thread: Toning up in P3 and P4..

run 30 min 3x week.
use a 5 to 8 lbs weight

squats with dumbell rows 15 reps
lunges with shoulder presses 15 reps
dips with one leg in the air. 15 each side
Push ups 12-15
bicycle crunches 50 each side
and leg lifts to work your lower stomach. 40

In between all the excercises listed above do 30-40 jumping jacks in between non stop for 1 minute.

Do all of this 3 times.

I'm not new to the exercise world, but I started 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels. It's a 20 minute routine, with levels 1-3. It's basic toning, and if your starting out it's a great way to do it at home. Personally, I think you should still add cardio to the routine. But again, if your starting out, a video like that is a great route. I also really like Zumba. I am keeping it easy for me in P2 which is why I've chosen 30Day Shred, Zumba, 30 minutes on the elliptical, or walking with weights.

Personally, I have the best success with a workout and get the most out of it when I do a weight training routine and then 20-30 minutes of cardio AFTER, not before. Also make sure to stretch after! Helps prevent injury.

You can get a great toning workout at home with 3-5 pound weights and your own body! Good places to look too are MSN's "Fitbie" (under the lifestyle tab) or just google workout routines. Many major gyms also have a circuit training course already mapped out if you don't want to take a class.

From what I've read, working out really hard in P3 isn't the best idea because your body resets used to vigorous exercise. I'm planning on sticking to my P2 workouts through P3 and hitting it hard in P4 when my body is all done resetting it's metabolism. But I'll still pick it up a tiny notch cause I can't wait to get back into training :-)

As far as moves go..... favorite staples of mine are lunges in place or walking lunges, squats, push ups, chair dips, standing back flies, and I'll do shoulder raises or bicep curls during either lunges or squats. I'll do simple things like triceps extensions while sitting and watching TV :-) Don't forget abs.... basic crunches are always good, bicycle crunches, and leg lifts. You can make up your own routine with basic moves. I do three reps of each move in a workout, with 12-25 reps.

Personally, I have the best success with a workout and get the most out of it when I do a weight training routine and then 20-30 minutes of cardio AFTER, not before. Also make sure to stretch after! Helps prevent injury.

i posted an article on this in the past- he said the same thing, to do the weights first.

From what I've read, working out really hard in P3 isn't the best idea because your body resets used to vigorous exercise.

not true- i just posted on this- i think maybe it was a question of yours? but another thread. let me know if you don't see it.