...so goes my favorite excuse to skip my workout for the day. Forget the fact that I've waited until nearly midnight to get my sweat on. It's way too late now, so I better rest up for tomorrow. And then, into the bed with a cup of tea and my current novel, I go.

If this is your main line to get out of a workout, check out these great HIIT workouts that you can do at home. I've tried some of these with great results while others are rather new to me. But the bottom line is, contrary to popular (or maybe just my) belief, you can get a hell of a workout in 15-25 minutes and at home. Consider this a sample of small manifesto of HIIT workouts I've collected over my fitness journey.

Tone It Up's HIIT Workout from the Love Your Body series
The great thing about this video is that the ladies formulated the moves to be super quiet. So, if you have people living beneath you, you can get your workout in without someone banging on their ceiling with a broomstick. Another good thing: it's only 18 minutes total! Wam bam, thank you ma'am. But don't be fooled. This workout (& pretty much every TIU workout) kicks my ass, which is bad, but oh so good too.

24-minute HIIT Routine
I discovered this routine in a workout book I owned a few years ago, and it was a major factor in helping me get fit the first time around. Consider it my "tried & true"; no matter what new exercises I find, I'll always rely on this one. It's longer than other HIIT workouts because it allows for a longer rest period (which you could always shorten to increase difficulty).

There are 4 exercises, performed one after the other, and then the entire set is repeated 6 times. You perform each exercise for 30 second and then rest for 30 seconds.

*note: I = increase difficulty; D = decrease difficulty

Squat Jump

I: Click your heels together when you jump as it requires you to jump higher; D: Do straight up squats.

Pushup to plank 

I: Add a pushup after returning to pushup position; D: Remain in one position for the entire 30seconds.

Alternating Lunge

I = Add weight or try leaping lunges; D: Don't alternate until the next set

Jumping in place

I: Try tuck jumps; D: Lower your jump or just do toe raises.

The Catching Fire HIIT Challenge
Remember that note I left to myself after seeing Catching Fire in theaters? Must be as badass as Katniss Everdeen. Well, I'm trying to make good on it. Or at least I have every intention to. I barely got through one set with modifications and I nearly died. But I mean, even she's struggling through it and she is iinnn shape. It's a killer 12-minute routine and it's an entire 30-day series, which gives you a schedule and variety. I can't wait to start this challenge when I'm a bit more fit, but for those of you who are already there, you may find this to be just what you need. Check the video below; it's tough! (Warning: most of the instructors on this channel believe in very little material as clothing, so only view if you aren't offended by such things).

CHECK-IN #3: In the bustle of Mr. Big & Tall's birthday and Valentine's Day, I skipped the second weigh-in. But I'm down -11 since the first check-in! :)

1; 2; 3; 4; 5 - me. 

The Next Stop is: Sweat Junction

I've completely fallen off the "workout wagon," and have been merrily riding the overeating and 2AM cookie train all the way to the end of the line. Now that there's no good excuse for lounging around and eating copious amounts of sweets (Is there ever really a good excuse for it?), I'm getting off at Sweat Junction. See what I did there? :) For anyone who's looking to jumpstart their workouts and see quicker results, here's my program for the next few weeks:

Workout Program
I've created a workout plan that will kickstart my journey to a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle. Enter the two-a-days. When you google search "two-a-day workouts", you get results concerning men's fitness and body building. But I really think these types of workouts can be beneficial to women too if done correctly.

For my first workout in the morning (or as close to the morning as I can get it!), I aim to complete an hour of cardio. That's right - an entire hour. Don't give me that shocked/quisitive look. Yes I'm aware that most people aim for about 35 minutes of cardio per day (doctor's orders!). I get that and I respect it, but this isn't a "let-me-get-a-quick-burn-in-before…" workout. This is a "let's-whip-this-fat-ass-back-into-shape" workout and the ultimate goal is to sweat.

My afternoon/late evening workout although shorter than the morning one is much tougher, and its mostly about conditioning and very light weight training (remember the goal is to shed fat not build or tone muscle at the moment). During this session, I get into the plyometrics and HIIT workouts. Each night, I choose one of five routines, all of which usually take me between 20-30 minutes to complete and all of which were created by the lovely Lisa Marie (see her full YouTube fitness channel here; she's amazing and riipppeeeddd). Here's 2 of her HIIT videos that have been kicking my butt nightly:

Nutrition Program
I must disclaim before I begin that I am not a nutritionist or health specialist in any way. I am simply someone who has shed the weight before and is trying to do it again. All of my tips regarding nutrition and healthy eating are the product of my own personal research and experiences.

First and, in my opinion, the easiest change to make is my liquid intake. Most of the drinks I consume are water, which includes sparkling water flavored with a Crystal Light packet (It tastes just like soda, I swear!).

Secondly, if you are intending to kickstart your fitness, a regular "no dessert after dinner" alteration just won't cut it. This plan requires a diet that is very clean (the dreaded "d" word, which is only appropriate here); enough to get you through the day which now includes 2 workouts, but not indulging yourself. Basically, it is meant to function as somewhat of a cleanse. My meals usually consists of lean protein and a vegetable, like an egg white, tomato and mushroom omelette for breakfast, grilled chicken in a salad for lunch or a tilapia fillet with grilled zucchini and asparagus for dinner. Fresh fruits replace any snacks and can usually satisfy any sweet craving that rears its ugly head. My absolute favorite sweet tooth snack is ½ grapefruit with a  ½ teaspoon of sugar. If you've never tried it, do so! Grapefruit is also known to be an excellent appetite suppressant, which means you won't be raiding your pantry at midnight.

This is my second time around in the quest for a fit lifestyle, and I surely hope this is the last time I'll need to stop at Sweat Junction. For anyone else making this emergency stop with me, good luck! We got this :)


xoxo,