Wednesday Workout - Legs!

Legs day at the gym is one of my most absolute favorite days because of how many different exercises you can do. You can isolate muscles and just do quads, hamstrings, glutes or you can do it all! But most of all who doesn't want to look good in a cute pair of shorts this summer!

I typically change up my workout routine every few months so my muscles don't get used the same motions and repititions. So here lately this past month this is what i have been doing.

Goblet Squats- 3 sets of 10-15 reps

This is one of the easiest squats to do and it provides a good warm up for your quads and hips.

Leg Press Machine- Single Leg Presses 2 sets of 10-12 reps and 3rd set to failure

Good Mornings- Use a 20-30lb barbell and set it on your shoulders behind your neck. While slightly bending you knees bend down until your back is parallel to the floor. Do this for 3 sets of 10-12 reps

Glute Kickback Machine aka the Booty Blaster- 3 sets of 12-15 reps
One of my most favorite machines because it gives a good leg workout but it also works your glutes really well! I use 35-50lbs but please start lower and then work up if it is too easy.

Hack Squat Machine- 3 sets of 10-12 reps

Calf Machine- 2 sets of 10-15 reps and 3rd set to failure Depending on your gym there may be a few different machines (ie. seated calf raise, standing calf raise) so pick which one you feel works best for you.

Lying Leg Curl- 3 sets 10-12 reps
One of the reasons I like the lying leg curl is that you can isolate your legs and do one at a time. You naturally have a dominate leg so by isolating and working each leg individually you are getting the equal amont of work for each leg.

These are just some of my favorite leg exercises. You can mix and match (ie quads, calves, hamstrings in one workout) or you can isolate and just work quad or just work hamstrings and you will still get a good workout.
One of the biggest things I stress when lifting is form is the key! If you don't have good form you are setting yourself up for injury! Also go slow if you feel like you need to rush through the reps maybe take it down in weight so that way you can go slower to work on form and feel the burn just that much more.
Also if you aren't sure of what these exercises are go check out Bodybuilding.com as they have a workout section that goes over exercises for any part of the body. It is good to use to find new exercises so your muscles don't get used to the same 5 moves every time you work out!
So go enjoy the workout!

*Editors note- I totally work this like 2 weeks ago but has had such a crazy schedule and didn't realize i didn't hit send! 

Finding the Right Babysitter

The time has come that we have started to look for a babysitter for the girls. It will be nice to have a night out every once a month or so but also with our work schedules getting only crazier it is good to have someone that we can count on. Sure we have lots of friends here that watch the girls for us but I don't want to strain any friendships over it as it has happened to me (the one being strained) in the past.

So with this babysitter thing officially decided I need help! What questions do you ask your potential babysitter? I know obvious ones...Are you CPR/First Aid certified?  Do you have any references? etc. But what are some good ones you have used or can think of?

We are also looking to go through Care.com to find one but has anyone else found one a different way? I am not looking for a teenager in high school because if for some rare situation I need them during the week and I'm at work til midnight I know they wouldn't be available.

I am excited to have a more permanent sitter that the girls will get used to and have fun with but let me tell you this overprotective momma sure is nervous! Makes me wanna put some nanny cams all over my house when I leave!

So please pass along any advice you may have! 

New Year New Blogging Ideas!

Welcome to 2014!!!

You may have noticed I took a leave of absence from the blog but I am back! I got back from my deployment at the end of November and needed some quality time with the family and to also re-adjust to mommy life again and it can take some getting used to after 7 months of just fending for myself.  

This year I have taken on a different perspective for a New Years resolution. Instead of trying to do one or two things better why not just strive to make 2014 better than 2013?!lets be honest anyways when you make a specific resolution most times within a month you have already forgotten but I think just trying to make the whole year better in general doesn't quite put as much stress on it.

So here's to new blog ideas and a great new year!!