Happy Thanksgiving! Today I have a Squats for Pie workout for you to squeeze in around your Thanksgiving prep. It's only 12 minutes, you won't regret making the time.

I really struggled with today's workout. You're not always going to be able to totally destroy a workout, but pushing yourself to get through it even when it feels really tough is what makes you stronger. Working through challenges is how we grow and change; the struggle is the most important part. You've got to keep pushing, even when it's hard. You have to just keep going, you've got to do it. The days when you really struggle and push yourself to keep going, even though it feels so hard and it feels like you want to give up, but you don't; that is where the growth and the change happens. When you push when you don't want to, you feel like you're not getting anywhere, you feel like you're not strong, you feel like you're not improving or advancing; you are, because you made the decision to push through it. You are crushing it, because if you just keep going even when it's hard, you're doing it. It's not always going to be super fun, but it's always going to be worth it. I never regret not backing down from a challenge. It may not always be pretty, but you can do anything. Never surrender! Come try this workout with me...

​There are a lot of different things that inspire and motivate me each day. I am motivated to continue working out and eating healthy not only because I have lost so much weight and am committed to never putting it back on, but even moreso because I feel healthier (rarely get sick and recover quickly when I do), stronger, and have more confidence in myself and my abilities when I know I am taking care of myself. I believe so intensely in how empowering healthy living is that I strive to encourage everyone to try to see even just some of the light it has shown me. This new workout will make you a believer. It's so fun and over so quickly you'll be shocked and left wanting more. Time flies when you're having fun...

This workout felt really good after, but it took a lot for me to get myself through it. I am very fatigued today, and for the past few days it has felt like 80% of my muscles have been sore. And the best way to deal with soreness is to keep moving so that you keep blood flowing throughout your body and to and away from the soreness, but today I really wanted to just lie down instead. But after lying in bed for a little longer than usual, I felt even more sore, so I got up and as always changed into my first outfit of the day: my workout clothes, and used my foam roller to roll out my back and obliques. It really helped so much to spend a few minutes on that and I felt that relieve some of the tension that was exacerbating the soreness I felt. After this (and some coffee) I was finally ready to work out. Not every workout is going to be amazing, some days you are going to feel weaker or more tired; that's life, that's normal. But you just have to keep moving forward. There's still so many other things you make yourself do even when you feel that way, why should working out be any different? Simple, it shouldn't be. And it doesn't have to be, today's workout is less than 10 minutes long. No excuses, it's over before you even have a chance to remember that you really felt like napping...

If it was, I would literally never do anything. You can go back to being tired after working out and relax then. Just get your workout done and then you can do whatever else you feel like. Or a whole bunch of nothing, whatever you want to do. Just harness a little bit of energy and put it into a workout and you'll feel so much better than if you hadn't. Don't fight me on this one, try it out. This new 7 minute workout is perfect for providing a quick burst of energy...

I was kind of dreading doing this workout, but once I started I quickly got into it and it ended up being really fun. At the end I felt so energized, and not tired or worn out like I feared I might. This is the beauty of short, high intensity workouts. When you put effort forth for a short period of time, you gain a huge burst of energy as a reward. If you work really hard, you don't have to work out for as long as is often necessary at lower intensities. Short and sweet is the key. Try this fun new workout with me...

Don't let fear hold you back. Let it be the reason, your inspiration to try something new and different. Don't be afraid to start working out. Start small, you don't have to immediately jump into anything crazy; and really you shouldn't. Just get your feet wet, try a little something. A great first option is any one of my 5 minute workouts, and I have a new one for you today...

Yesterday I yelled my way through a 2 minute plank hold. It was especially difficult this time because it came at the end of what had already been a very arm and shoulder heavy workout, so my upper body was really feeling it. But I refused to put my knees down or raise my hips up; I kept yelling and I kept holding. I assure you working out won't always be quite so difficult, but even when it is, we have the power to dig deep and find the strength to keep going. Fighting through that pain is how you get stronger. This is true emotionally as well, we always come out stronger on the other side of trying emotional times. Things that are difficult really show you what you're made of. You are strong enough to get through anything life throws at you. But for starters, you're definitely strong enough to get through a 5 minute workout.

​Today's is...

And it should be. Don't roll your eyes and scoff at that, I promise you it actually can be. It doesn't have to feel like unending torture that you have to force yourself through and hate every minute of. If it felt like that I wouldn't be able to do it, I couldn't make myself. I'm not (that much of) a glutton for punishment. You can get an awesome workout in at home in 5 to 20-30 minutes each day, and then get back to doing anything else you want (or need) to do. It doesn't have to take hours; you don't have to go run 5 miles or play at the gym for 2 hours, but if those are things that sound awesome to you then you totally should. The point is, if something sounds awful to you and you hate doing it, try something else. Don't give up and think no workouts are right for you and that you can't possibly enjoy exercise. You can, and it doesn't have to be complicated. I have so many workouts already to choose from; you can do several of them back to back, you can add more reps or change the time limit, or both, and really take it to the next level. Whatever you decide to do should be whatever feels fun for you, whatever you actually enjoy doing. If you like doing something or the way it makes you feel, that will be the motivation you need to keep at it. Stick with me, I'll show you how to have fun and keep things interesting.

​Today's 5 minute workout is...

Your legs are where all of your strength and power is generated from, not your arms. The legs are the biggest muscle group in your entire body. That's why they always say lift with your legs. When you squat or crouch down to pick up something heavy, you are able to use the strength from your hips, thighs, glutes, etc. while holding it to power back up to standing. 

With that said, I've got another 2 new workouts...