December Fitness Challenge

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Brad MacKenzie

December Fitness Challenge

All you need for great physical conditioning, including the abs you want and endless energy, is a clean diet and pullups, pushups, squats and running.

This workout will get you there without special equipment. Improvise something for bicep curl dumbbells and you don't need a gym.

This is a circuit training.  Do one exercise right after the previous one, rest one minute after the last one, and do three sets in all.

  1. Squat - 12 reps. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and sit back as if you were sitting on a chair.
  2. Jump squat - 12 reps. Squat halfway down and jump as high as possible.
  3. Walking lunge - 20 steps. Step forward and lower your back knee to the ground. Repeat, alternating sides.
  4. 1/4 pushup - 10 reps. From a pushup position, push 1/4 of the way up. Do fast, shortened range of motion reps.
  5. Pushup - as many as possible.
  6. Plank - 30 seconds. Rest on your elbows with your body extended in a pushup position.
  7. Crunch - as many as possible. Raise your torso until your shoulder blades leave the ground.
  8. Leg raise - 10 reps. Lie on your back and raise both your legs straight up from your hips.
  9. Pullup - as many as possible.
  10. Bicep curl - 30 reps. Raise as much weight as you can while doing 30 reps.
  11. Diamond pushup - 30 reps. Do pushups with your hands together, thumbs and index fingers touching.
  12. 1/4 mile run - Any speed.

It isn't necessary to finish the December fitness challenge, although that would be great
The point is to start

How many days can you do in a row? 
How many sets can you do in a week?

 

 

Comments (17)

Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Brad this is very encouraging and a must for all people. We cannot get by without exercise. Get off the couch. Turn off your computer. Gimmie ten push ups to start people and I mean now. I am a drill Sargent. Just kidding but I want to motivate. Positive endorphin's coming.

Dec 02, 2013 09:31 PM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Brad: That's a great program without using a gym. Having a healthy diet is paramount, in my estimation. So many people THINK they eat healthy, but they eat too much starch (pasta & bread). I'm into protein plus fresh vegetables and fruit. Oh, and potatoes, my starch of choice.

Dec 02, 2013 09:34 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Brad, I cannot do pushups so I have already fallen short. I guess I will just continue with my regular workout Debbie Style. Have a great week.

Dec 02, 2013 09:39 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Goiod morning, Brad -- good to point out that a good fitness program can be achieved without a gym -- as Hella pointed out the key to a successful program also incorporates good nutrition -- we need to be careful what we put into our mouths.   

Dec 02, 2013 10:43 PM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Good morning Brad, it's important to stay fit and to keep moving.  I am at my gym five days a week at 7:00 AM, plenty of time to get back before time to get ready to go to work.  Exercise, and healthy eating will assure us staying fit for life.  

Dec 02, 2013 11:52 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

So true! Healthy comments from healthy people. 

Dec 03, 2013 12:02 AM
ReadySetLoan Condo Approval Team
ReadySetLoan Condo Team LLC - South Windsor, CT
The FHA/VA Condo Project Approval Specialists

How many AR points do we get for doing this?  I tweaked my knee 4 weeks ago and took some time off from the gym.  I feel like garbage; it's time to get back into it.  Thank you for posting.

Dec 03, 2013 12:48 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Brad - I've been eating very clean for the last month and feel better than I have in a long time. A good diet and exercise goes along way.

Dec 03, 2013 12:49 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Brad, When I was younger, about 45 years ago, I was in top physical condition, Ran cross country and a track sprinter and long jumper.  Now, with a bad knee and ankles, I got exhausted just reading your blog.  I do have a tread mill that I can walk on slowly, but in my mind I think I can do anything.  I should do more, like you say. I can do pull ups and push ups and if I work at it, some sit ups.  See, now you have me motivated. Have a great December.  Let's go do a Triathlon!

Dec 03, 2013 02:03 AM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

Hah, Eric, no AR points!

Good on you, Michelle!

Let's start out slowly, Larry!  See you in the pool!

Dec 03, 2013 05:26 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Brad, you are so right, the point of fitness is to START! However, those lunges and squats are killers.  So, how is a 2 mile walk 7 days a week - yoga and some weight training?

Dec 03, 2013 05:34 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

I work out 5-6 days a week, the days I don't workout is when I have a 7 AM mortgage application to do. Hope you December workout schedule continues to be a success.

Dec 03, 2013 06:47 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
Long Island Cash Home Buyer - Center Moriches, NY
Long Island Cash Home Buyer 516-330-6940

Hi Brad... Both Rich and I just celebrated our 10 year "workout" anniversary... we have an awesome exercise physiologist that trains us in our home 4 times a week and then we train on our own the others days. Rich is an avid Biker (60-100) miles is nothing for him and he loves doing (8-10) mile runs. I train mostly with Ray and the only thing that stops me are health issues but I love working out and plan to do so forever... Happy Day Brad

Dec 03, 2013 08:00 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

Right on, Joanna! That sounds great!

Ha, those early morning calls, Joe!

Fantastic, Beth! 

Dec 03, 2013 08:24 PM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Great encouragement Brad. My best health care plan is a clean diet and regular exercise. I'm a firm believer in both for optimal health and enjoyment of life.

I'm actually going to add more weight training to my fitness goals - I'm great with the aerobic stuff, but realize I'm at the age when I need to maintain muscle mass.

Best of luck with the December challenge - it looks like a good one. D

Dec 04, 2013 02:25 AM
Sondra Meyer:
Colorado Springs, CO
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Brad, fun post..... 

I hate strength workouts.  I'm dreaming of a workout, with the results you describe above, that combines horse back riding, yoga, and 5K's.  Goal - the ultimate abs. 

Can you devise a plan for me? 

 

Dec 05, 2013 12:50 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

Sondra, I once did Bikram Yoga for 90 days in a row. I was never happier. Not that it was easy while I was in that hot studio for 90 minutes a day.

Still, an hour of yoga in a class every day, plus a bit of running a few times a week, and doing things with your horse every day is going to be a full workout. 

I liked it when I had a lifestyle that didn't include "exercise", just "doing things outside". You have a great headstart on that with the horses!

Dec 05, 2013 10:28 PM

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