I’ve been reading Holly’s blog for a long time now and absolutely love the workouts she posts. They’re challenging and really help me push myself when I’m in an exercise rut. This girl knows what she’s doing in the gym! I reached out to Holly about guest posting on PBF in hopes that she would put together an awesome workout for you guys to enjoy and she definitely delivered. I hope you all enjoy her post and her kick-butt workout!
Guest Post: Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices
Hey there Peanut Butter Fingers Readers!! I’m Holly, and I blog over at Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices. (Longest blog name EVER!! 
) My blog is all about what it’s like to be a newly-wed (just married on May 27, 2011!), working a full time job in finance, enjoying fitness and loving the Baltimore Ravens & Orioles! (Sorry, had to include that last part…hopefully I didn’t lose some readers for my choice in sports teams. )
I feel so honored that Julie has asked me to write a guest post for her. I feel like she is a blog celebrity, I mean who doesn’t love reading her posts every day??!
Today I wanted to talk to you about what I’ve learned from reading blogs and how they have affected my life. I first started reading healthy living blogs about two years ago. Health, fitness, and cooking were always a huge part of my life and I decided to follow a few blogs (including Julie’s) for some new workout ideas & recipes. What I didn’t know is how much they would influence my daily life and feelings about my body.
Growing up I was always very active. In high school I ran track & cross country all four years, and found my love of running from my Dad. He would always go out for runs in the mornings, and I could NOT wait until I was old enough to join him.
After high school I attended the University of Central Florida, (where Julie went too- GO KNIGHTS) where my love of running continued. Once I graduated college living in the ‘real world’ was a nice change. Luckily I was able to find a job that I love (what I’m doing now) and had a boyfriend (now husband) who supported me in decisions that I made.
Growing up, I always had issues with body image (as many girls do) and found that my way to control these thoughts and feelings was to exercise. Exercise helped me get rid of stress and just made me feel better about my body image. For exercise, I always enjoyed running and never thought that I would EVER consider weight lifting as part of my workout routine.
Once I started reading blogs though, I read all of the benefits of adding weight training to a workout routine. I was shocked! I always thought that if I started lifting weights that I would bulk up & turn into a ‘Hulk-like Woman.’ 😉
I could not have been MORE wrong! I figured that I would try adding a few days of lifting weights into my workout routine, if I didn’t like it then I would stop. Much to my surprise I actually LOVED it. I loved the feeling of being STRONG, the definition in my muscles, and how my body reacted!
I realized that there was so much more to weight training than I originally thought. I always thought in order to get a good workout that I MUST run. Of course I still love running and do run everyday, but sometimes the run might just be for a warm up before I begin my weight workout. I typically do 1- 2 long runs per week, and then 20- 30 minute runs when I am having a weight lifting day. (I also like to incorporate a lot of HIIT runs when I do them for a warm up- I typically run at 6.5 for 1 minute, and then sprint at 9.0- 9.5 for 30 seconds & repeat until I get to 20 minutes.)
I figured that I would share a few workouts with you! Maybe if you are not doing any kind of weight training yet, you should try it out. It never hurt to try, right?!? You might actually really enjoy it, like me.
Workout #1 – Full Body Weight Workout
Warm up: 10 minute run on treadmill (you can do a mini HIIT workout like I normally do, or you can just run at a steady pace for 10 minutes)
Weight workout: (Do 3 sets, 12 reps of each exercise- I did them circuit style)
1. Deadlift to Upright Row (combination move- works both hamstrings & back)
2. Walking Lunges with Overhead press (12 each leg) (another combination move- works both legs & shoulders)
3. Reverse Crunches (on bench or on the floor)
4. Dumbbell Chest Press (on bench or stability ball)
5. Overhead Triceps Extension (using dumbbell)
6. Squat Jumps (to get some cardio in between weight lifting)
7. Alternating Bicep Curls (12 each arm)
8. V-up Crunches
9. Bent-over fly
10. Calf Raises (on machine, or just holding heavy dumbbells)
Cool down: 5-10 minute run or fast walk on treadmill, once you are finished stretch! J
Workout #2 – Leg, Glute and Ab Workout
Here is one more workout that is great for your legs, glutes, (BUTT!!!) & abs.
In the below workout, do 3 sets of each exercise. I listed the weight that I use, just as a guideline, but use a weight that YOU are comfortable with!
| Exercise | Weight | Reps |
| Split Squat | 10 lb., each hand | 12 each leg |
| Sumo Squat | 35 lb. dumbbell | 12 each leg |
| Hip Raise on Stability Ball | 20 lb. weighted bar | 12 |
| Lunge & Lift Back Leg | Bodyweight | 12 each leg |
| Plie Squat | 20 lb. weight | 12 |
| Bosu Ball Calf Raise | 20 lb. each hand | 12 |
| Prone Glute Lift on Ball | Bodyweight | 12 each leg |
| Leg Extensions | 60 lbs. | 12 |
| Calf Raise | 70 lbs. | 12 |
Workout #3 – Ab Circuit
Repeat this circuit three times.
| Exercise | Reps |
| Bicycle Crunches | 50 each side |
| Bosu Ball Crunches | 50 each side |
| Plank Hold | 1 minute |
Well, thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. 😉 I hope that you enjoyed the workouts, and if you try them, please let me know! I have more workouts listed on my blog, so if you need any other ideas, you can check them out on there.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!! And please feel free to swing by my blog anytime!
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Hey Holly! I’m a fellow Orlando gal too 🙂 Julie will be missed, but thankfully she’s not going to far! I’m actually in Apopka and went to UCF myself!
Loved your post today!! I’m pretty new to working out regularly but thankfully I’m there now, and a regular goer of body pump class. But I need to learn about other stuff I can do in the gym too so this was a great post for me! Thanks so much woman!!
Hey Roz 😀
So nice to know another Orlando blogger!! I’m going to have to check out your blog now!
Thanks for the comment, you are so sweet- let me know if you try any of the workouts- would love your feedback 🙂
Thanks girl! I’m kind of in transition with my blog. I have another blog at http://www.RozPearcy.com that I’ll be transitioning over to a more health and fitness focused blog…I’m kind of merging both of them together. I think I’ve found my niche! Helping fit/health conscious bloggers with internet marketing. It’s still in the works with what I want to focus on, but over the next few months I will be transitioning so it’s not so “ViSalus” focused with my journey there. I love ViSalus but want to blog about other things to :).
I am looking for a more cardio/treadmill based workout that I understand b/c I’m a newbie. I still don’t get the interval stuff lol…I have a lot to learn! I will be sure to give my feedback though!
Terrific post! I’ve been putting together a binder full of strength training workouts and I’m totally going to print this out and use it!
I’m checking out your blog too. 🙂
Thanks Trisha!
Please let me know when you try it & what you think! 🙂
Great workout ideas Holly! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’ve gotten on the strength training train recently too and absolutely love the results so far.
Hi Holly! Very cool post. I’ll have to check out your blog. 🙂 I’m a newlywed, too, and my blog is all about trying to become “super-wife” (although I know that will never really happen haha!). I went to UF in Gainesville, and I always loved Orlando. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your workouts! Have a great day, and I’ll definitely be checking out your blog soon!
Great workouts! You are one awesome chick! 🙂 I have to try these workouts
Love the post (and your name!) Holly — Strength workouts make me feel so good — so strong and so fit. I was marathon training early this year and now that that is over I”m dedicating more time to strength and I love it!
Holly is a pretty awesome name 😉
Love the workout suggestions! Can’t wait to read more on your blog 🙂
great suggestions 🙂 I always feel better and stronger when I do strength training!
Awesome guest post! I love reading about how other people strength train… Heading to your blog now 🙂
Thanks for the workout girl!!! Your story is so similar to mine. My Padre is a huuuuge runner, he’s done like 7 marathons…no big. Ahah have a good day giiiirl!
Great workouts! I absolutely love strength-training and I’m always looking for new workouts – thanks! 🙂
Holly you always have the best workouts! Love you!
Aww thanks Lindsay!! xoxo
Great guest posts!!!! I’ll definitely be trying these workouts soon!
Yay for the Ravens and Orioles!! Are you originally from Baltimore?
No, my husband was born & raised in MD 😀 He got me hooked!
Love this post Holly! I am one of those people that loves to lift too!I feel like having physical strength gives me the mental strength I need to tackle anything! When I get mad my husband even calls me the hulk because he thinks I am that strong. 🙂
Great post, Holly! Thank you so much for sharing these workouts. I, too, love the way strength training makes me feel. Can’t wait to try these out! 🙂
Great post! I am really trying to incorporate weights into my routine, but have had a hard time so far!
Aww, I love Holly and her blog so much! Great guest post, girl!
Awesome for Holly! I was so excited to see her over here!
I used to feel the same way a few years ago.. but now I don’t know what I’d do without strength training. My strength days are typically now much-needed rest days from running.
Julie-I just saw Ocala, FL on MTV’s True Life: I’m homeschooled haha!
Hi Holly,
Congrats on being a newlywed. I got married on 5-30-11 and I work in finance too…a few things we have in common.
I started doing strength training about a year ago, and I never looked back after that. I don’t have big muscles but I feel strong because of it.
I added an extra day of weights a few months before my wedding and I can see the difference, my posture is taller and I just carry myself differently when I feel strong. Thanks for sharing your workout.
Have fun your first year being newlywed and Congrats again Mrs. 🙂
Thanks Lea!
Congrats to you too!!!
Love the whole body workout Holly. Great post!
Your weight workouts are great, I really need to start trying some of them because I keep doing the same workouts!
Nice post! Lifting weight is dabombdotcom!! 🙂
Great post! I will have to venture over to Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices. I always love reading about new workouts to help me come up with new ideas!
I LOVE THE RAVENS AND ORIOLES!! GO BALTIMORE <3
WOOHOOOOOO!! 😀
Great post – I enjoyed seeing your workouts and your wedding pics were beautiful! Heading over to your blog now. 🙂
I’m a HUGE fan of weight training! Thanks for this workout 🙂
I love your weight workouts, Holly! So happy to see you on another one of my favorite blogs 🙂
Go O’s!!!
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re working with?
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Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed
reading it, you are a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back at
some point. I want to encourage one to continue your great posts, have a nice morning!