Hi there! I hope you have enjoyed the past two Shaping Up entries. I started thinking that some of you may want follow up information or may have fitness, wellness, and health questions that you may like answered. I welcome your feedback on anything health-related. I would love to hear from those who have taken the pushup challenge and how you have incorporated it into your life.

In addition to trying to do as many pushups as possible in one minute every other day, let’s add in a lower body strengthener. It’s everybody’s favorite exercise- LUNGES! I am being completely facetious here. Lunges are dreaded by almost every client I have ever trained. Fortunately, lunges can make a large impact on your leg strength and shape while being completed in a small amount of time.

Challenge #2- On the days that you do not do pushups, complete the following lunge routine: 12 right lunges and rest 30 seconds. 12 left lunges and rest 30 seconds. 12 alternating lunges and you’re DONE!

To do a right lunge, start with your feet together. Take a LARGE step forward with your right leg and proceed into a lunge position (both knees bend to about 90 degree angles). While shifting your weight into your right leg, start standing up on your right foot and bring your left foot to meet your right foot. You have moved forward. Repeat that 11 more times. Alternating lunges involves the same form, but you will change the foot that steps forward after every lunge. One alternating lunge equals a right lunge AND a left lunge. Twelve alternating lunges breaks down to 24 large steps forward. Good luck and let me know how this goes!