Awesome, awesome workout this morning. I know that part of it was because I decided to fully rest yesterday, but part of it was just because Tina’s bootcamp workouts are a blast.
Today’s workout was a Full Body Ladder Workout (plus an easy, one-mile run on the treadmill to warm up), so if you’ve never heard of it, let me explain a bit.
Basically, with a ladder workout, your reps are going to start out small and then gradually increase to essentially become a bunch of “mini sets” within a set. You can also start with higher reps and gradually decrease to lower reps as well, which is somewhat similar to the pyramid workouts I did a couple weeks ago.
But for example, one of the exercises I had to complete for today was a stationary lunge with a barbell…
To complete the exercise using the ladder format, it looked a little something like this:
- 5 reps, 10 second rest
- 6 reps, 10 second rest
- 7 reps, 10 second rest
- 8 reps, 10 second rest
- 9 reps, 10 second rest
- 10 reps, 10 second rest
- Complete same format on opposite leg
It may not sound *too* difficult, but don’t let it fool you. Choose a weight where completing 10 reps is challenging, then combine that with the minimal rest periods in between and you will definitely challenge your muscle strength and overall fitness level.
I was definitely challenged.
Think about giving it a try the next time you’re headed to get buff!
*****
Lunch
Post-workout and shower, home girl wanted some veggies.
I put together a big ‘ol veggie-packed salad, complete with romaine, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, baby carrots, red onion, red pepper, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and some leftover grilled chicken.
I can’t even tell you the last time I put sunflower seeds in a salad (actually, yes I can, but it’s been a while) but it added a nice little extra crunch.
After I finished the salad, I needed something sweet. I also knew that this was waiting to be eaten…
Yeah, check THAT out guys and gals. Only ONE piece left of my Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Bread…well, at least there WAS one piece left…
Completely dominated in 5 days…all by Yours Truly. I don’t know whether I should be proud or embarrassed? 
Hey, at least I didn’t let any go to waste, right?!?
Welcome to Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life! I'm Courtney, a 28-year old personal trainer living in Upstate, NY. I enjoy all things related to food, fitness, and fashion, as well as feeding my huge sweet tooth. To find out a little bit more about the girl behind the blog, check out my 
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I found the ladder workout challenging too. And be proud – you didn’t waste any food
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance recently posted..Quinoa Burgers and ’90s Boy Bands
I’ve never thought of doing stationary lunges with a barbell, but that looks like an excellent move to try!
Does using the barbell also help strengthen your back muscles? Or is it solely for your legs?
Melissa @ Will Work for Veggies recently posted..Quinoa Pasta with TJ’s “Meat”balls!
By placing the barbell on your upper back/meaty part of your shoulders, you’ll definitely feel it up there as well!
Haha I thought you were gonna say that you dominated your workout- either way, well played
! Is it weird that I find stationary lunges easier than regular?
Khushboo recently posted..Shit “Healthy” People Say
No, I don’t think that’s weird. Generally, I find them easier too…however, this format definitely took them up a notch!
My poor back muscles are still sore from Workout A this week (I have moved around days a bit), it will be interesting to see how Workout B goes tonight.
I’m loving Tina’s program too!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Why Not Try a Tri?
Kudos to Tina for using great training philosophies in her workouts. We do a lot of ladder schemes and we’ll use them with slow negative counts on leg press, extensions, and lat pulldowns. Def gets that DOMS going on!
Carissa recently posted..Update: Knee Injury
Agreed! All of the training philosophies she’s been using are fantastic – love ‘em!
Nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your (baking) labor haha!
I just still can’t believe your husband doesn’t like zucchini bread!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..Tim Tebow’s … feet?
Your next circuit post should be a ladder workout!! Never tried it before, sounds good. And definitely proud of the zucchini bread consumption, sure it’s zucchini bread! Who could resist!
Michelle@Peachy Palate recently posted..Tremendous
no shame in eating that loaf! it actually makes me feel a little better since I tend to do the same thing
Danica @ It’s Progression recently posted..The Bride-to-be Pressure (and the new fad diet)
Great job dominating that bread! I call that an accomplishment!
I loved the ladder workout! And it was great because it was really fast – I didn’t have to switch back and forth between machines or wait for other people. I used one machine/weight, did the move without having to work in with someone and then moved on!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thursday Thoughts
Looks like a great workout! I recently did a pyramid workout with my calves and omg they were sore for 3 days!
Carrie @ Lift Eat Repeat recently posted..Male vs Female Lifts
Ah that looks hard! Looks like your body got dominated and your bread did:)
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness recently posted..Gym meets Nightclub: Introducing Party Workouts
When I make pumpkin/banana/chocolate chip bread, it’s gone within a week, too! When it’s in the house, it’s the only thing I want!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat recently posted..Disappointing Pizza (Anthony’s Coal Fired)
I love the ladder, or pyramid, style workouts! Whew! They hurt!!
I picked up some zucchini today!
Oh goodness I do the same thing with banana bread! There is a whole loaf just staring at me on my counter.. no food goes to waste in this house though
Sarah recently posted..De-Stress
Had to laugh at your comment about ‘dominating’ your baking.
That’s one of the reasons I don’t bake as much any more; I’m the ‘domination queen’!
I love barbell lunges; nothing like em to get a good burn in the legs. Also fun (?) to turn them into a Bulgarian split squat; back foot on bench, laces down. Holy leg burn!
Tamara recently posted..Feeling better bootcamp workout: work, rest, repeat
Dont be emberassed about the bread. 5 days isnt bad. Atleast you didnt all in one day!! Thats definately happened with my husband and I before both tackling a loaf.
krystal @coffeecardiogoddess recently posted..My crazy Starbucks addiction
What a great idea. I’ve been super motivated to really change up my very stale weight and strength training. I’m going to try this- or some variation of this- out. Keep those muscles on their toes!
Emily B. recently posted..Bryce Canyon
Ouchie! Ladders can be hard–but they take you where you wanna go!
Nice workout!
It’s okay…I ate a jar of Trader Joe’s cookie butter in the matter of a week and a half. Pretty sure that had NO nutritional value and definitely confirmed i do NOT need to buy that again unless I bake something with it or am sharing it with 10 other people haha
You should be proud! One time my mom made a chocolate pie, it was gone in two days. We couldn’t help ourselves
That salad looks delish! Nothing beats a veggie-packed lunch
In my book, 5 days is perfectly normal for finishing off that bread. I would have done the exact same thing. Thankfully my husband isn’t a huge fan of the pumpkin bread I made recently. Woohoo, more for me!
Megan @ The I-Do Diaries recently posted..Whirly Ball and #4sqdayATL!
That giant salad looks delicious!
PS: I just got my LOVE in the mail!!!!!!! That is seriously the flavor that I have had my eye on for so long- thanks for reading my mind
I have a question though, it says to refrigerate it after opening..do you do that? I have never heard of refrigerating granola so I was curious!
Maggie @ Running on Fro-Yo recently posted..Fitness Friday!
That salad looks delish…..thanks for sharing!
I’ve never heard of a ladder workout – it sounds like something I’d like to give a shot, though!
Michelle (Better with Berries) recently posted..WIAW and Rachel’s Challenge
Oh my, I love the sound of that type of workout. It would be good to switch it up like that! Impressed that you went through that loaf so fast, just a sign that its a delicious recipe and we should all try it out, right
Lisa recently posted..Cocoa Almond Butter
They’re sneaky aren’t they? When I set it up I thought no biggie, then I tried it out (since I did for all the workouts) and LOVED it!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..I Made It Happen