Today I’m sharing a short, sharp lower body workout that you can do anywhere, anytime in just 15 minutes , with or without equipment, totally your call.

You guys know how how much I love, love, love my lower body workouts, The lower body is where your powerhouse muscles are (I’m looking at you quads, glutes and hamstrings) which means you get a serious bang for your workout butt, I mean buck

So, here’s what we are going to do –
♦ Squat
♦ Lunge
♦ Glute Bridge
♦ Fire Hydrant
♦ Donkey Kick

Aim to do 8-10 reps of each exercise (count reps per leg where applicable) then repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3-4 rounds (or as many rounds as pretty in 15 mins), resting as needed. Sound good?

Once that’s done, if you’re feeling up to the challenge, we have ourselves a bonus burn out round!

Grab a timer, and do as many jump squats (or pulse if jumping is not your thing) in 1 minute!

Remember, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

Now, for those of you who are just getting started or may not have access to a gym of any kind of weights you can absolutely do with workout without any added weight and let me tell you, you will be feeling it.

Not even kidding, this was me the day my first attempt at this workout –

Just because you’re “only” using your body-weight as resistance doesn’t not make this an easy workout. Your quads and glutes will be burning by the final round and you will definitely be feeling the effects of it tomorrow I assure you.

You have been warned!

For our fully functioning/more advanced lifters who might be looking to make things a little more challenging – grab yourself a weapon of choice – a set of dumbbells, a barbell, kettlebells, your EmPack, some resistance bands or any combination you like. Make sure you choose something appropriate for your strength but, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

Although, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

And because nothing makes a workout challenge more fun than getting a buddy to join you. Why not grab your BFF or a family member or your fave workmate and have them join you, power in numbers baby!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how you did once you’re done. Either leave me a message in the comments below, or you can give me a shout on the Facebook page or tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter , or Instagram (@emsswanston) . I mean it, I wanna hear how you did!

Ok enough chit chat time to work –

15 Minute
Booty Burn

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start your workout – Run on the spot, do jumping jacks, jump rope, dance around your living room, anything to get you warm then it’s time to get serious.

Finish with a nice little cool down and stretch, maybe take a walk or something anything to help bring your heart rate down. Finish with a few of your fave stretches. Please don’t skip the stretch people, its like dessert for the body.

Now onto our smoothie recipe . . .

How does a secretly choc chai cookie dough crunch shake sound?

Subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, seriously chocolaty, perfectly spiced and choc full of choc chips!

No one would ever know that it also happens to be good for you!

Packed with protein, high in magnesium and loaded with gut healing goodness!

I won’t tell if you don’t!

Chocolate + Chai = a match made in heaven and when you add in that cookie dough crunch . . . you take the experience to a whole new level!

Oh and I should probably mention that not only does our delicious, nutritious, smoothie like a absolute magic but, it also happens to be Dairy free (if you want),  BANANA FREE, DATE FREE, sugar free, Low Carb, Vegan, Keto and Paleo friendly – so much to love I tell you and love it you will!

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self on this fabulous Friday – or anytime because, yummmmm.

 

Choc Chai Cookie Dough Crunch Shake

Dairy Free – BANANA FREE – DATE FREE – Sugar free – Low Carb – Vegan – Keto – Paleo  

Makes 1 all natural, creamy, dreamy, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, secretly healthy super smoothie

Ingredients –

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (or 1-2 scoops of your fave ice cream or fro-yo)

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice) – more or less to desired consistency

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1-2 Tablespoons of cacao – depending on how rich and chocolaty you want it.

1/2-1 teaspoon of chai spice mix – more or less to taste

1 Tablespoon of almond butter – sub 2 Tablespoons of raw almonds, soak in boiling water for 10 minutes before blending if you don’t have a high powered blender

1/4-1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso – optional but recommended to help enhance the richness of the chocolate

1 Tablespoon of choc chips (or cacao nibs)

1/4-1/2  cup of ice – more or less to desired consistency.

NOTE – If you prefer a sweeter shake, add 1/2-1 tsp monk fruit sweetener, a few drops pf liquid stevia, maple syrup, honey or sweetener of choice to taste – I didn’t add any.

Optional add ins;

1 Tablespoons of melted dark chocolate to swirl your glass  – pure happiness

1 teaspoon of maca – for hormone balance

Reishi & ATP Science Cort RX– boosts immunity, calms the nervous system & my busy brain

1-2 scoops of  collagen – for gut healing goodness

1 Tablespoon of chocolate creamer – makes it extra lush

1 scoop protein powder  – for extra protein ( I think vanilla, chocolate or unflavored would work best in this recipe)

Chocolate cookies, crumbled – for serving

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into your blender and process until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with toppings of choice.

Enjoy xo

Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you’re done – hit me up in the comments below via the Facebook page on Twitter or on Instagram

Now go, and remember;

and have yourself a killer day xoxo

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Question of the day –

When it comes to exercise do you prefer upper body? Lower Body? Total body?
Personally love a good lower body workout best!

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make this smoothie (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

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