As much as I love to run outside, and go to the gym, I don’t mind working out in the comfort of my own home. It’s actually a nice change of pace. As you may be aware, I already own a bosu ball as well as eight and ten pound free weights. And while I haven’t been using them as frequently as I should, I like having the option to hop of the couch and get right into a workout without ever having to leave my apartment.

I didn’t feel like running outside tonight, or going to the gym, so I decided to use something new and do an at home workout.IMG_7393 An 8lb medicine ball! I picked this up at TJ Maxx at the same time I purchased the prep bowls.

Medicine ball exercises work your core muscles and improve:

  • Strength
  • Stability
  • Balance
  • Flexibility

They’re also inexpensive, versatile, durable, take up little space, and enable you to workout in pairs.

Like Chris and I did tonight!

We began with 20 Standing Oblique Twists.IMG_7394

  1. With a partner, stand facing away from each other.
  2. Place feet wider than shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
  3. Both individuals rotate to opposite sides keeping feet firmly planted.
  4. Both individuals turn to the opposite sides to again exchange medicine ball from behind.
  5. When finished, repeat opposite direction.

Next up was 10 Kneel to Push Ups.IMG_7395IMG_7396

  1. Start Position: Your body will be in an upright position sitting on your knees.
  2. Hold medicine ball at chest level. Keeping your torso erect fall forward and chest press the medicine ball to your partner.
  3. Upon releasing the ball drop your hands to the floor and immediately complete a push-up (I did the girlie ones).

Then we moved onto the Diagonal Chop – 10 times per side
IMG_7399 IMG_7400

  1. Start by standing upright with the medicine ball above and behind your ear.
  2. Make a chopping motion by moving the ball from the starting position across your body diagonally, ending near the opposite knee.
  3. Finish the repetition by returning the ball to the starting position by reversing the motion.
  4. After completing several reps, repeat the exercise on the opposite side.

Next was 10 Squats.IMG_7402 And 20 Single Leg Lunges (10 per side).IMG_7403 My favorite was the Sit-Up Pass. We did 20 reps.IMG_7404

  1. Begin by sitting on the ground facing your partner.
  2. The person holding the ball should lie down while holding the ball overhead.
  3. Perform a sit-up, keeping the ball above your head and throwing it to you partner as you contract your abdominals at the top of your sit-up. You should aim for slightly above your partner’s head on the throw.
  4. Your partner should catch the ball, and repeat steps 2 and 3.

The last exercise in our circuit was the Wall Squat, which we held for a minute.IMG_7406

  1. Place your back against a wall with hips & shoulders squared.
  2. Slide down until knees are at 90 degrees, knees over ankles and weight in heels.
  3. Squeeze a medicine ball  just above your knees and hold.

Once we went through the circuit once, we completed each exercise two additional times. It was fun!

There are several other medicine ball exercise that I hope to try soon. I also added a new Medicine Ball Workouts link on my Workouts Page for future reference.

Wondering what I ate today? Ok! I’ll tell you!

BreakfastIMG_7385 I was in the mood for cereal so I had a bowl of Nature’s Path Red Berry Crunch as well as a clementine.

Lunch

IMG_7387 Leftover Whole Foods salad with an extra handful of spinach and leftover pizza toppings. I added a drizzle of olive oil and white wine vinegar.IMG_7390

I also had several rye Triscuits with spicy Sabra hummus but I dove into it as soon as I got home and forgot to take a picture!

DinnerIMG_7408Leftover pizza. Yum!

DessertIMG_7409

Vanilla ice cream.

Some may think – “Hey, she had pizza and ice cream tonight, how can that be healthy?”

Well, the pizza was a whole wheat crust and was loaded with veggies, and protein from the chicken sausage. Yes there was cheese, but I can’t imagine pizza without cheese! I need my cheese :)

And as for the ice cream, I simply had one serving size. It’s not like I had a half a carton.

If you take a quick look at my eats again today you’ll see that there was plenty of variety and balance. I had whole grains, fruit, vegetables, protein, healthy fat, and a little treat.

Time to go unpack!

Yes, I know, I said that last night.

I didn’t do it.

I am probably stressing some of you out right now :)

Do you ever workout in the comfort of your own home? Or are you strictly a gym person?