Feeling Like A Kid + Upper Body with Resistance Bands.
This weekend we had a light touch of snow.
I get so excited by snow. I love it. And I know I haven’t failed to mention how much I love the holidays.
I truly feel like a kid. I don’t feel like I’m 27. I feel like I’m 7. I’m sure this just thrills my husband. It also probably explains my behavior.
I have never, ever, ever wanted the holidays to be over. They still give me a sense of magic. I’m sure it stems from growing up with an exceptional childhood. I still want to spend Christmas Eve at my parent’s house.
And I’m not referring to presents. Yes, I love them. Yes, if you want to buy me some Christian Louboutin shoes I would gladly accept. But what it all comes down to for me?
It’s family. I think my siblings and cousins would agree that spending Christmas Eve at Mother Lovett’s house is one of our best memories.
Even the year when my cousin, Chris, nailed me in the face with a ball right before I had to sing at midnight mass. Thanks, Chris.
It’s the memories like those that I love. The tradition of opening our gifts Christmas morning, laying around with Chrismas music in the background. You know – to this day – my brothers and I (ages 22, 25, and 27) still make my parents put the presents out after we go to sleep on Christmas Eve? We won’t let the magic die.
I don’t understand the anger that comes out during the holidays. That people can’t wait for it to be over. I am not talking about missing someone at Christmastime. I am talking about the people who just find the holidays to be a pain in the butt. I do think it is a bit much decorating in October, and do not agree with how the media sensationalizes it.
But, the holidays have never been that way for me. It’s never been about decorations and gifts – both of which I love. It’s about the memories to me, the comfort that comes with thinking of them, and the love that has always surrounded me.
I guess in a way, I’ve always believed in the holidays. Are you a believer?
Have you made any small changes yet in December? Are you saving them for January 1st? Don’t feel any guilt about eating and exercising this time of year, but changing one small thing can make a world of difference come January 1st! :)
A note about the December 25 workouts: I haven’t posted these in any succession or as a certain workout ‘plan.’ I’ve just been posting multiple different workouts, and I hope you have been enjoying them! If any of you are interested, I can post a workout plan starting January 1st!
25 Days of Workouts
Workout #7 – Upper Body with Resistance Bands
This can be done in the comfort of your own home, or at the gym. Most gyms provide resistance bands. As usual, make sure to use the band that challenges you the most.
20 Pushups
20 reps of each:
Overhead Shoulder Press (stand/sit with band under feet/chair)
Bent Over Row (stand w/ band under feet)
Chest Press (lay on floor/bench with band underneath)
Lat Pulldown (wrap band around higher object, like stair rail)
Pec Flyes (lay on floor/bench with band underneathe)
Side Lateral Raise (stand w/ band under feet)
Overhead Triceps Ext (stand/sit w/ band under feet/chair)
Biceps Curl (stand/sit w/ band under feet/chair)
20 Triceps Dips
20 Pushups
These are just some quickie guidelines for you. If you are unsure of an exercise, please ask! I’m sure you can also find some examples on you tube of using the resistance band. :)
11 Comments on “Feeling Like A Kid + Upper Body with Resistance Bands.”
my mom still doesn’t put out the baby jesus in her nativity set bc santa always brings him :o) and i’m sure you do this too, but dan and i put our gifts out sometime in the middle of the night (we haven’t run into each other yet, lol) bc how boring would it be to say, hey honey, here’s your presents! hehe
I am a believer! I love the holidays and everything that comes with it. Yes, this time of year does get busy for all of us but I wouldn’t trade it for a thing!
This post made me happy :) I love remembering what it was like to be young and just the great feeling I had. I’m the same way, I would still live with my parents if I knew then what I knew now LOL!
Nice job keeping up with the workouts!!
Yes, I’m a believer of the holidays, and the spirit and merriness that surrounds them. I am just angry that the holidays have been taken over by sales and bargains and gifts, gifts, gifts. I cna’t get over it, but I should. I don’t remember the holidays being so focused on gifts when I was a child even, now it’s all anyone talks about on tv, in magazines, etc.
I’m laughing about your story of getting hit in the face before you sang at midnight mass. Sorry, it’s funny!
Side Lunges w/ tap to floor – what is this? I believe I know what side lunges are , but the tap to the floor part? Are you tapping the weights on the floor?
Hey Jess!! I love the holidays too. I love being out with all the crazy shoppers. As I get older I get more sentimental about it too. Feeling like I need to help everyone (animals included of course) and not caring about my needs/wants. I find that giving is better than receiving. You are such a great friend and thanks for posting your magical xmas memories on here… Hope to see you soon… call me
What a sweet and genuine post! Yes, it’s all about the memories and family- but presents are nice too!
On a side note, that upper body workout looks great and would have be laying in the ground in the fetal position in no time! Thanks for the hardcore workout!
I love this post! I am a believer 100%. Yes Virginia There is a Santa Claus makes me all mushy!
I totally believe!!! And I believe that people should be nice to each other all year round too, instead of for just 6 weeks a year :)
I totally vote for the workout plan come January!
I love the holidays! December for me has always been a time where I feel something in the air. The world just seems happier to me at this time of year. What would top it off would be Christmas in NY. Now that I’m no longer living there I feel that it doesn’t feel exactly like Christmas if it’s not cold like NY was. All the excitement in the air I feel in CA was definitely magnified in NY! So yes, in a nutshell, I do believe!
I love the holidays! My brother and I (28 and 26) still make our parents put out “Santa” gifts. That might only stop when there are grandkids. Midnight mass is a huge tradition in my family – last year I passed out right before communion due to incense and heat. My goal this year is to make it all the way through. My favorite Christmas thing is Christmas Eve supper. My family always does seafood, like stone crab or lobster. It is usually just the four of us, but it is always magical.