On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a 12 minute total body toning workout!

12th of December already can you believe it?

I know I sure can’t!

Somehow I lost an entire week ← yes really!

Turns out little lady has her last day of pre-school today, and I have yet to do any real Christmas shopping which means . . . . take a big deep breath and . . . once I am done with getting my workout on, breakfast inhaled, final school drop off complete, I will be heading out on a serious mission to get my Christmas shopping complete . . .  in one morning!

Wish me luck!

So . . . I’m busy, you’re busy let’s get to work shall we?

Today’s workout is more of a metabolic/HIIT style workout. I want you to grab a lighter set of weights, something you can complete for reps for those smaller muscle groups that we will be working (I’m looking at you lateral raises).

Of course this means you’re larger muscles groups (think deadlifts and squats) will feel much easier but trust me, you will be one hot, sweaty mess once this workout is complete.

Hot sweaty mess = yes but, you will also feel like a million bucks. Promise!

Gotta love those post workout endorphins baby 😉

So here’s what we are gonna do –

12 simple exercises followed by a blissful, well earned, 60 seconds rest and we will repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3 sets.

Each round should take you about 3 mins, add in your 1 minute rest between rounds and you will be done and dusted in 12 minutes flat!

What do you say, are you in?

Everybody got time fo’ dat!

Go grab yourself a weapon of choice – a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, some resistance bands or a combination of all 3, something appropriate for your strength but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. At the end of this workout you should have nothing left in the tank.

12 simple exercises, 1 minute rest x 3 rounds, 12 short minutes – you can do 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!

12 simple exercises followed by our well earned rest and repeat for a total of 3 sets.

You will be all done and dusted in 12 short minutes.

Ain’t no thang, right?

Right!

Now, give each exercise everything you have then move to the next exercise as quickly as possible with little to no rest in-between (of course listen to your body if you feel like you need a second to grab a drink and catch you breath by all means do so but only if you really need it ok?) then, we savour our delicious and well earned 60 seconds rest and kick it through twice more for a total of 3 sets, got it?

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 once you’re done, either 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 get to work –

12 days of Fit-mas – 12 Minute Total Body Toner

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start ay 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.

And that my friend is real love baby 😉

Workout Deeeeeestroyed!

Don’t forget to post either in the comments below give me a shout on the Facebook page or feel free to tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter or on Instagram (@emsswanston) when your done.

Now go get your happy on, it’s Friday baby!!