Upper Body Blast Workout

Are you looking to tone that upper body?

Well I have the workout for you! It's very simple and will definitely give great results:)
I know this because I created this workout circuit and do it all the time.

Check it out and lock your body down

Remember to always stretch and warm-up your body before beginning any workout!

(Shoulders, Biceps, Back, and Abs)
* (Additional Info at the bottom for these exercises)

25 Sit-ups
25 Crunches
25 Twist Crunches*
25 Jumping Jacks
5 Planks (Hold for 10 secs each time)*
25 Side Twists w/ Weights or Medicine Ball*
25 Side Bends w/ Weights*
25 Side Stretches (Right) and 25 to the left*
Stretch Break!

20 Overhead Press w/ Dumbbells*
20 Push-ups
5 Planks (Hold for 10 secs each time)*
25 Jab cross (Right) and 25 to the left*
20 Leg Lifts*
10 Upward Facing Dog*

Note: Do 2 Full Circuits of all the exercises (Takes almost an hour)

*Additional Workout Information:

Twist Crunches:



Planks:

Side Twists:

Side bends:

Side stretches:
 

Jab Cross:

 

Leg Lifts:

Upward Facing Dog (Lower & raise your body off the mat):

Note: Please consult with your doctor if you have any health issues or concerns prior to doing these excercises.

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." ~Plato

Until my next workout,

-SOLAR 40

Discover Your Purpose

I had the pleasure of hearing a great sermon at church yesterday: "Discover your purpose instead of trying to make God bless you with your plan"

I just had to share this and it definitely was motivation for me. Anyone or anything that is not in your life to assist or aid with your purpose, needs to be removed! We all have a purpose and you have to step out to find it, instead of continuously asking God for blessings around a plan that you made for yourself. He already knows his plan for you but you have to discover this and make it happen. Have faith in yourself and seek that purpose.

So, I encourage you today to look within yourself and examine all associations whethers it's a friend, family  member, job, etc. If they all don't link together somehow to help with your life's purpose, you need to make some disconnections ASAP. Use your talents to glorify his name. Romans explains it a little better than I can:

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:4-8)


Know when to connect and when to disconnect!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"- (Ephesians 2:1)


Until my next share session,
-SOLAR 40

Get It Together!

Today I was reflecting on things that happened in my life last year, and smiling as I thought of all the great things I learned, which I am currently applying going forward. After doing so, I decided to go back and read this great post I had on my older blog last year. Some of you may remember it if you read my beginner blog. So I'll share and hopefully it will inspire or motivate someone to get organized in some form or fashion. In the Twitter world, we all "RT" Retweet, so in the Blog world, I'll make my first "RP" Repost! (haha)

Until my next RP,
-Solar 40

Is Your Life Organized?

Have you ever wondered why your life doesn't make sense all the time? I know I do. One thing I've realized as an avid reader, is that a book has chapters for the purpose of organization and flow. If the material is not presented in an organized manner, it makes no sense. The same applies to my life and yours. When things aren't in order, it makes no sense. Get it together, get organized.

If you often get feedback that what you say makes no sense, then maybe you're getting the indirect hint that you need to get it together. Get it together, get organized.

Chapters represent the stages in your life, whether it's educational, personal, spiritual, etc. Each chapter should be a direct representation of who you really are regardless of what others think. I think I figured this out several years ago as a child. Characterized as mean, too blunt, aggressive, etc, I still manage to take some risks and say and do what I please. This personal freedom and acceptance of who I am has eliminated a lot of pain, misery, and failure from my life. Now don't get it twisted, my life gets a little fuzzy here and there sometimes, but for the most part it eventually falls back on track in my desired path after a little editing and rewriting. Get it together, get organized.

My advice to myself and others is to figure out what each chapter should be like in your life and then determine what each chapter leads to. If it doesn't make sense to you when it's bound, do you really expect others to get it? Let's be real. Get it together, get organized.

Financial Comfort

So today, I started thinking more about my future finances! I have to prepare myself for the future and anything good or bad that it may hold.

So today, I commit to reading up on financial investments at least once a day. If I have nothing to show for what I've worked for when I'm old, then I have no one to blame but myself.

So today, I've done my part and educated myself. Stay tuned for my financial knowledge and stories.

• About.com The Most Important Rule of Investing
• CNN: Money 101
• Black Money Matters: Online Investing

"Never invest money you can't afford to lose."


Until our next Green tip, check out LongMoney for more financial advice and info
-Solar 40

Get on the Map!

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love to Travel!!! I have this goal of wanting to visit all 50 states before I have my first child. Eeek!! Crazy I know! But... I am free to pursue whatever goals I choose in life.

Thus far I have been to 16 states, which means I have a loooonnnngggg way to go!

I recently came back from enjoying and exploring Asia. Along with 8 wonderful existing and new found friends, I explored Beijing, China and Tokyo, Japan for 8 days from December 29th, 2010- January 5, 2011!. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. For my first International trip, I think I made a great choice and I have several great souvenirs, currency, and photos to show for it.

If you want to travel, make it happen! All you need is a plan:) and well money too (haha).

With the great planners from Explorient, we were able to have an amazing stay. Great itinerary, tour guide (Judy) and nice hotels, all helped in making it a wonderful experience.

Get a map and get moving! There's a lot of world out there just waiting for your eyes to partake in its beauty!

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~St. Augustine

Until my next voyage or trip idea, check out some great deal sites and maps in my OnTheMap segment!

-SOLAR 40

LENT 2011

It's a new year and LENT is here with us again. I'm 27 now, and on another journey. Like a lot of other women, I LOVE to shop, shop, shop!! Since last year, my shopping habits have changed drastically. I have found several great ways through couponing how to continue to shop but shop for better deals on a budget which allows me to increase my savings. So with that being said, this year I decided to give up shopping for clothes, shoes, and accessories!! OMG can you say that is BIG! Like any other personal challenge, I will conquer this one as well. No shopping until April 23rd! After committing to this, I suddenly realized Easter is April 24th and I have nothing to wear! So, that means on the 23rd I will be a mad woman with a plan rushing to find something nice and inexpensive to wear on my first day back to shopping. Each day I get weak or have a desire to shop, I can just log into my account and take a quick look at my savings and that will be enough satisfaction to curve my shopping desire. Well I'm off to go save some money Ladies and Gents and I urge you to do the same.

"A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.
-Bob Hope
- SOLAR 40

Check out my Additional Posts

New Year, Healthier Body

We are 2 days into Spring 2011 and everyone is working to get in shape. While this is great, we should do this year round for a longer and healthier life. I encourage each of you to take a stand for your life and get your workout on.

Thus far, I've been working out a minimum of 2 days a week this year consisting of a day of jogging and a day of cardio and strength training in the gym. If you don't have a gym membership, don't fret because if you live in an apt complex like me, I'm sure they probably have a gym that has enough equipment to do some form of workouts. And if you don't have access to a gym, take advantage of the open space in your home and tune in to a workout channel/network or get a nice workout dvd to SWEAT and LIVE IT UP!!

I also recently purchased Zumba Fitness on Wii! It's amazing, so if you are a Zumba fanatic, you will love it!

Stay healthy and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Until next time, get up and keep it moving!

Check out this Quick Ab Workout

"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness." ~Edward Stanley

-SOLAR 40

For workout tips, check out the LOCKBODY segment