Alright party people, it’s that time again, time for another round of Fit Friday Fun, are you ready?!

Today I’m sharing one short, sharp lower body workout that you can get in and get done in just 20 minutes , what do you say, are you up for the challenge?

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 –

5 basic exercises – Reverse Lunges – Squats – Forward Lunges – Good Mornings and Side Lunges.

We will aim to do 8-10 reps of each exercise (count reps per leg for lunges) then repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 3 rounds, resting as needed. Sound good?

Just because I’m not allocating any specific rests breaks in today’s workout does not mean you push through without taking any rest!

I want you to listen to that beautiful body of yours and anytime you feel like you need to take a break to catch your breath and grab a little drink then by all means please do so, and take all the time you need. However, if possible try to wait until you get to the end of each set or the bottom of each round to do so but, do what you gotta do, OK?!

If you feel like you need to stop, grab a drink and catch your breath, by all means do so, take all the time you need,  then get straight back into it and repeat for a total of 3 rounds, deal?

5 exercises
8-10 reps each
x 3 rounds
Boomshakalocka, done

Nothing complicated, basic movements done with good form for a short but effective lower body workout.

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, 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.

The final reps in each set should be tough!

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 –

20 Minute Leg Day Lunge Fest

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 bonus smoothie recipe . . .

It’s so important to nourish and re-energize your body post workout, you want to make sure you give those muscles some fuel so that they can rebuild and repair themselves after working so hard.

In honor of it being national chocolate day today I thought I would make us something a little extra special . . .

How does a nice tall, decedent, rich, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, creamy, dreamy, secretly healthy, seriously chocolatey, coconut infused smoothie sound?

You guys, this smoothie is seriously delicious. A chocolate and coconut lovers dream.

Believe me it has rightfully earned it’s title as being the ultimate chocolate lovers coconut smoothie!

So decadent, so rich –  no one would ever know that it’s actually incredibly good for you!

Seriously you guys, this smoothie is in a world of it’s own!

Oh and I should probably mention that not only does our decadent and rich, creamy, dreamy, seriously chocolatey, coconut infused smoothie taste like an absolute dream but, it also happens to be vegan, dairy free and paleo friendly!!!

So much to love I tell you

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self and refuel and re-energize that beautiful body of yours on this fabulous Friday.

The Ultimate Chocolate Lovers
Coconut Smoothie
{Vegan – Dairy Free – Paleo Friendly}
Makes 1 nice tall, decadent, rich, delicious, nutritious, creamy, dreamy, coconut infused  secretly healthy, seriously chocolatey smoothie

Ingredients –

1/3 cup coconut or Greek style yogurt

2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)

1/2 an overripe banana (preferably pre-frozen)

1 Tablespoon of cacao

1 teaspoon of vanilla (or 4-6 drops of vanilla cream stevia – I like to use Sweet Leaf Stevia )

1/2 a teaspoon of coconut extract (or 2-4 drops of coconut stevia I like to use Sweet Leaf Stevia )

1 Tablespoon of coconut butter

A pinch of salt

1 teaspoon of maca – optional for hormone balance

1 scoop of Vital proteins unflavored collagen peptides optional for an extra dose of protein and gut healing goodness

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

Optional but recommended for serving –

Cacao nibs

Coconut Flakes

Method –

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

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with cacao nibs and coconut flakes if desired.

You could also add in a scoop of protein powder (chocolate, vanilla or unflavoured would work really well in this recipe – I like to use The Healthy Chef – WPI)  for an extra boost of protein if you’re into that kinda thing – do what you feel baby

Enjoy xoxo

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

And don’t forget . . .

now go have yourself a killer day xoxo

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Question of the day –

What’s your favorite way to refuel after a workout?

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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