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Olivia Ostrom Shares “Firing” Glutes Workout, Saying "Let's Get It!"

Here is everything you need to know.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Olivia_Ostrom21
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

Olivia Ostrom (oliviaostrom_) is getting her sweat on – in a sports bra and leggings. In a new social media post the fitness trainer and influencer shares her glute-firing workout routine with her half-million followers. “IT’S LEG DAYYYY! My gloootes were firing after this one, let’s get it!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥” she wrote in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about the workout – plus her tips on how to lose weight without dieting.


Here Are Her Firing Glutes Workouts

“This 30-minute workout is right from @liftwithliv app,” she says about her “Dumbbell only leg day” workout.

  • 3x12 Sumo squat

Superset with 12 curtsy lunge

  • 4x10 Staggered leg deadlift
  • 3x10 Glute bridge

Superset with 10 single-leg glute bridge

  • 3x12 Pull through

How to Lose Weight Without Dieting? Start By Making a Plan

In a YouTube video, Olivia reveals how to lose weight without dieting.

Her first tip? Sit down and make a plan. “I want you to think about how many times a week it's actually realistic for you to be working out. A lot of times when people are like, okay, I'm ready to go. I get back into the gym, and they think, okay, I need to be in the gym five, six times a week. But for a lot of people, it's not realistic, myself included. A lot of times when people end up going all in, they're like, I'm going to work out six times a week, and then they don't get to the gym six times a week because it's not realistic for them, and then they feel like they failed themselves, their confidence is shot: Instead, be realistic and plan," she says.

“Once you figure out how many times you want to be working out, schedule them into your calendar like you would for any other appointment. If working out, getting healthy, or losing weight, whatever your goals are, is a priority for you, then you need to make them a priority like you would for a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, or a work meeting. You should also pencil in the time. “Be mindful of that when you're scheduling it, and don't just schedule it and say, okay, Monday I'm going to work out. Pick a time, schedule it in like you would for any other appointment,” Olivia points out.

Restrict Yourself Less

Olivia_Ostrom6Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

Next, she suggests restricting yourself less. “A lot of times when people are beginning a fitness journey or when they're getting back into living a healthier lifestyle, they will go from zero to a hundred, and they will restrict themselves from all of their favorite foods,” she says. While that can work in the short term, it’s not realistic for the long-term. If you start out saying you're going to “eat a hundred percent clean” and restrict yourself from all processed foods, you are going to start to crave them, give in eventually, and then maybe throw in the towel altogether. “That's because it's not realistic for you to be restricting yourself from all of your favorite foods,” she points out.

“So what I love to do is to just incorporate balance and really make sure that I'm maintaining that balance every single day of eating a large majority of wholesome foods, but not to the point where I am always saying no to those foods that I love. I like to follow the 80-20 rule. So, 20 percent of the time, I enjoy those yummy foods. I love my ice cream, I love chocolate, I love sweets. That's where my heart lies, but I need to incorporate them daily because it just helps me,” she says. “A lot of times when people restrict, restrict, restrict, they end up overeating,” she says.

Change Your Mentality

Olivia_Ostrom5oliviaostrom_/Instagram

“Tip number three is ditch the I will start again on a Monday' mentality,” suggests Olivia, explaining that for many years, she would “struggle on the weekends and be constantly restarting over on Monday” and that the “all or nothing” mentality is not sustainable.

“Now, you can imagine that if somebody is starting, let's say, their healthy lifestyle on Monday or their diet on Monday, and they end up falling off track on Wednesday, and they completely throw it in the bag, and they're like, you know, what? I'll start again tomorrow, and then tomorrow rolls around. They don't get started back with that healthy lifestyle, and the next day rolls around, and before you know it, they're telling themselves, I'll start again on Monday. Well, that's five full days of waiting and waiting and waiting because you have that, I'll start again on Monday mentality. And for whatever reason, I guess it's just the beginning of the week, people feel like that's just the best time to get started,” she says.

The best time to get started is “now,” she maintains, “when you feel that gut feeling of like, okay, maybe I overindulged, or I skipped a workout, or whatever it is that made you feel like you fell off track or maybe made you sway away from your nutritional plan or your just healthy lifestyle changes that you were planning on making. As soon as you recognize that you have the choice to make a change, then and there, don't feel like you have to wait until tomorrow to make a change.”

Consume High-Quality Protein

Olivia_Ostrom8Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

The next tip “is one that a ton of people don't pay any attention to, and that is the quantity of protein that you're consuming,” she says, noting that about 90 percent of her clients don’t eat enough protein.

“If you want to see results, if you want to gain muscle mass, if you want to lower your body fat percentage and see some more definition like you need to be eating an adequate amount of protein, protein is so amazing, it's going to help you feel satiated. It's going to help you repair your lean muscle mass. It just helps with so many different functions in your body, and it's such a vital macronutrient,” she says. She suggests using an app like MyFitnessPal so you can “just input the food that you're eating, and it'll let you know how many grams of protein that you're having in a day, and that'll let you know your starting point of where you're at right now.”

Be Consistent

Olivia_Ostrom11Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

“The next tip that I wanted to share with you today is that consistency is the most important thing in your fitness journey,” she says. “To see results in a fitness journey, it takes time. It's definitely not something that happens overnight; it doesn't happen in a week. For a lot of people to even see initial changes, I say give it like six weeks. That's how much time it takes to see real results. So I need you to be patient and just be consistent.” She adds that this is why she promotes balance.

“You can enjoy yummy food, enjoy your workouts, enjoy moving your body because that's going to allow you to see the most success, and that will allow you to be consistent and actually just enjoy the whole process.”

Don’t Rely on the Scale

White scale on a wooden table top view, fitness and weight loss conceptShutterstock

As actual progress goes, while being consistent, “do not rely on the scale to see results,” she instructs, noting that the “number on the scale will go up and down and up and maybe up again and then down” because weight often fluctuates on a daily basis. “It's normal for us to gain somewhere between three to five pounds when we're on our menstrual cycle,” she points out.

“There's so many other ways to monitor progress. Some of my favorite ways are progress photos, measurements, how you feel in your own skin, your energy, what you see, the changes you physically see when you look in the mirror, how your clothes are fitting, how you're sleeping at night, how your lifts are going, how much weight you're lifting in the gym,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to lose weight and keep it off, make sustainable lifestyle changes instead of going on restrictive diets. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

More For You

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Olivia Ostrom (oliviaostrom_) is getting her sweat on – in a sports bra and leggings. In a new social media post the fitness trainer and influencer shares her glute-firing workout routine with her half-million followers. “IT’S LEG DAYYYY! My gloootes were firing after this one, let’s get it!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥” she wrote in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about the workout – plus her tips on how to lose weight without dieting.


Here Are Her Firing Glutes Workouts

“This 30-minute workout is right from @liftwithliv app,” she says about her “Dumbbell only leg day” workout.

  • 3x12 Sumo squat

Superset with 12 curtsy lunge

  • 4x10 Staggered leg deadlift
  • 3x10 Glute bridge

Superset with 10 single-leg glute bridge

  • 3x12 Pull through

How to Lose Weight Without Dieting? Start By Making a Plan

In a YouTube video, Olivia reveals how to lose weight without dieting.

Her first tip? Sit down and make a plan. “I want you to think about how many times a week it's actually realistic for you to be working out. A lot of times when people are like, okay, I'm ready to go. I get back into the gym, and they think, okay, I need to be in the gym five, six times a week. But for a lot of people, it's not realistic, myself included. A lot of times when people end up going all in, they're like, I'm going to work out six times a week, and then they don't get to the gym six times a week because it's not realistic for them, and then they feel like they failed themselves, their confidence is shot: Instead, be realistic and plan," she says.

“Once you figure out how many times you want to be working out, schedule them into your calendar like you would for any other appointment. If working out, getting healthy, or losing weight, whatever your goals are, is a priority for you, then you need to make them a priority like you would for a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, or a work meeting. You should also pencil in the time. “Be mindful of that when you're scheduling it, and don't just schedule it and say, okay, Monday I'm going to work out. Pick a time, schedule it in like you would for any other appointment,” Olivia points out.

Restrict Yourself Less

Olivia_Ostrom6Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

Next, she suggests restricting yourself less. “A lot of times when people are beginning a fitness journey or when they're getting back into living a healthier lifestyle, they will go from zero to a hundred, and they will restrict themselves from all of their favorite foods,” she says. While that can work in the short term, it’s not realistic for the long-term. If you start out saying you're going to “eat a hundred percent clean” and restrict yourself from all processed foods, you are going to start to crave them, give in eventually, and then maybe throw in the towel altogether. “That's because it's not realistic for you to be restricting yourself from all of your favorite foods,” she points out.

“So what I love to do is to just incorporate balance and really make sure that I'm maintaining that balance every single day of eating a large majority of wholesome foods, but not to the point where I am always saying no to those foods that I love. I like to follow the 80-20 rule. So, 20 percent of the time, I enjoy those yummy foods. I love my ice cream, I love chocolate, I love sweets. That's where my heart lies, but I need to incorporate them daily because it just helps me,” she says. “A lot of times when people restrict, restrict, restrict, they end up overeating,” she says.

Change Your Mentality

Olivia_Ostrom5oliviaostrom_/Instagram

“Tip number three is ditch the I will start again on a Monday' mentality,” suggests Olivia, explaining that for many years, she would “struggle on the weekends and be constantly restarting over on Monday” and that the “all or nothing” mentality is not sustainable.

“Now, you can imagine that if somebody is starting, let's say, their healthy lifestyle on Monday or their diet on Monday, and they end up falling off track on Wednesday, and they completely throw it in the bag, and they're like, you know, what? I'll start again tomorrow, and then tomorrow rolls around. They don't get started back with that healthy lifestyle, and the next day rolls around, and before you know it, they're telling themselves, I'll start again on Monday. Well, that's five full days of waiting and waiting and waiting because you have that, I'll start again on Monday mentality. And for whatever reason, I guess it's just the beginning of the week, people feel like that's just the best time to get started,” she says.

The best time to get started is “now,” she maintains, “when you feel that gut feeling of like, okay, maybe I overindulged, or I skipped a workout, or whatever it is that made you feel like you fell off track or maybe made you sway away from your nutritional plan or your just healthy lifestyle changes that you were planning on making. As soon as you recognize that you have the choice to make a change, then and there, don't feel like you have to wait until tomorrow to make a change.”

Consume High-Quality Protein

Olivia_Ostrom8Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

The next tip “is one that a ton of people don't pay any attention to, and that is the quantity of protein that you're consuming,” she says, noting that about 90 percent of her clients don’t eat enough protein.

“If you want to see results, if you want to gain muscle mass, if you want to lower your body fat percentage and see some more definition like you need to be eating an adequate amount of protein, protein is so amazing, it's going to help you feel satiated. It's going to help you repair your lean muscle mass. It just helps with so many different functions in your body, and it's such a vital macronutrient,” she says. She suggests using an app like MyFitnessPal so you can “just input the food that you're eating, and it'll let you know how many grams of protein that you're having in a day, and that'll let you know your starting point of where you're at right now.”

Be Consistent

Olivia_Ostrom11Olivia Ostrom/YouTube

“The next tip that I wanted to share with you today is that consistency is the most important thing in your fitness journey,” she says. “To see results in a fitness journey, it takes time. It's definitely not something that happens overnight; it doesn't happen in a week. For a lot of people to even see initial changes, I say give it like six weeks. That's how much time it takes to see real results. So I need you to be patient and just be consistent.” She adds that this is why she promotes balance.

“You can enjoy yummy food, enjoy your workouts, enjoy moving your body because that's going to allow you to see the most success, and that will allow you to be consistent and actually just enjoy the whole process.”

Don’t Rely on the Scale

White scale on a wooden table top view, fitness and weight loss conceptShutterstock

As actual progress goes, while being consistent, “do not rely on the scale to see results,” she instructs, noting that the “number on the scale will go up and down and up and maybe up again and then down” because weight often fluctuates on a daily basis. “It's normal for us to gain somewhere between three to five pounds when we're on our menstrual cycle,” she points out.

“There's so many other ways to monitor progress. Some of my favorite ways are progress photos, measurements, how you feel in your own skin, your energy, what you see, the changes you physically see when you look in the mirror, how your clothes are fitting, how you're sleeping at night, how your lifts are going, how much weight you're lifting in the gym,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to lose weight and keep it off, make sustainable lifestyle changes instead of going on restrictive diets. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to get in shape? According to Courtney Fisher, a fitness trainer with over 1.3 million followers on Instagram alone, there are five exercises that can help you achieve a long and lean Pilates body fast. Fisher, who swears by her 3-2-1 strength x pilates method that will get you into “the best shape of your life” in 30 to 45 minutes three to five times a week, shares a free workout with her followers. “I want to be lean and strong and do strength x pilates, but IDK what to do,” she says, is a question she is being asked lately. Here are all the exercises that she recommends.


Full Body Combo Moves Hit Multiple Muscle Groups

In the caption, she explains that “Full body combo moves” help to hit “multiple muscle groups and burn tons of calories in a short amount of time.”

Overhead Reverse Lunges

Courtney_Fisher_justtcocoo8justtcocoo/Instagram

She starts with overhead reverse lunges, holding dumbbells with her arms flexed straight into the air. She recommends 10 reps and three sets.

RELATED:9 Ways to Lose Weight Without Counting Calories, According to a Coach Who Lost 160 Pounds

Lateral Lunge Plus Row

Woman doing walking lunges outdoors overlooking the river. Fitness, sport and healthy lifestyle concept.Shutterstock

Next up, lateral lunge plus row. She also holds free weights and, as she lunges to one side, rows. Again, she recommends 10 reps per side and three sets.

Lemon Squeezer and Out

Courtney_Fisher_justtcocoo7justtcocoo/Instagram

Her next move? Lemon squeezer and out. A complex ab move that involves laying on your back and squeezing legs together while drawing your upper body in with weights. She recommends three sets of eight.

Dumbbell Glute Bridge March

Athlete,Dumbbell, Bodybuilding, weights, lifting, exercise, gym, weightsShutterstock

Next up, dumbbell glute bridge march. She says to do 12 reps and three sets.

Dumbbell Squat Swings

Squats With DumbbellsShutterstock

The last exercise in the circuit are dumbbell squat swings, 12 reps and three sets.

Related: The #1 Best Ways to Get Fit When You're Short on Time

Also, Walk Daily for 10 to 20 Minutes

In another post, Courtney also stresses the importance of “walking daily” and claims that you don’t even have to get 10,000 steps in. She suggests 10 to 20 minutes, which she does on the treadmill. Walking briskly on a daily basis can help you maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat, as well as prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, says the Mayo Clinic. It can also help improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve muscle endurance, increase energy levels, improve your mood, cognition, memory, and sleep, improve your balance and coordination, strengthen your immune system, and reduce stress and tension.

💪🔥Body Booster: Instead of doing simple exercises, try to work multiple muscle groups at once with combination moves like these.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you trying to lose fat in your belly and lower body area? While there aren’t exercises that can totally spot reduce lower body fat, there are some that can help. Trish Koeslag is a women’s nutrition and fitness coach whose mission is to help women over 40 simplify macros and movement in order to lose weight. In a new social media post, she reveals the moves she does to blast lower body weight. “4 exercises you need to start today,” she writes in the caption.


Exercises Cannot Spot Reduce

Trish starts the post with a disclaimer. “There are no specific exercises that can spot reduce. Just like there are no specific foods that will help you lose fat. But….there are exercises that can definitely point you in the right direction!” she writes.

She Recommends Specific Exercises

However, she has found some exercises that are more effective than others. “These are movements that I have found work very, very well for me. It’s so important to incorporate movements you enjoy, that work well for you and your body, and don’t interfere with any movement limitations you may have,” she writes.

RELATED:She Lost 9 Pounds in 4 Weeks With This Simple 1,600 Calorie Meal Plan

They “Target Major Muscle Groups”

Why do they work? “The four moves below are effective because they target major muscle groups in the lower body, helping build lean muscle and increase overall metabolism, and will give you a leg up on getting burning!” she says. Here they are:

Romanian Deadlift

The first exercise is a Romanian Deadlift (RDL). She explains that you make the move “with a barbell, dumbbell, on a reverse hack squat machine, etc.… Any variation is good,” she says. “This move focuses on hamstrings and glutes, helping build strength and tone the back of the legs.”

Squats

The next exercise? Squats. “High bar, low bar, heels elevated, dumbbell, barbell, etc..all variations are great,” she says. “They may hit differently, but the point here is to squat,” she adds. “This move engages multiple muscles in the legs, core, and glutes.”

RELATED:She Lost 110 Pounds in 2 Years By Walking 30 Minutes Every Day

Reverse Lunges

Next on her list? Reverse Lunges, “regular, deficit, alternating, etc., they’re all great,” she says. “This exercise activates the glutes, hamstrings, and quads, promoting muscle balance and stability while targeting the lower body.”

Hip Thrust

The last exercise she recommends to burn lower body fat is the hip thrust. “With a barbell, on the smith machine, on a glute drive, etc, the thrust is a must,” she says. “This primarily hits the glutes, helping to shape and strengthen them.”

She Also Walks 10,000 Steps

In another post, she stresses the importance of walking. “I walk 10K+ steps. There are far too many benefits not to walk. And yes, even on my rest days….when did rest days turn into a days of zero movement??? That’s beyond unreasonable. Get up and move,” she maintains.

RELATED:A Trainer Finally Reveals the Only 10 Things You Need for Weight Loss

And, She Hydrates

And, especially for those who are exercising regularly, hydration is a must. “I drink 4L of water every day (with electrolytes). Yes, pure water - my 4L does not include coffee, tea, Diet Coke, etc. I love water and what it does for my digestion, hair, skin, and nails. I fill up my water bottle at night so that it’s ready to go the next day; hence…zero excuses not to drink it,” she explains. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 31 Fitness Tips Every Beginner Needs to Look Sexy, According to Coaches.

Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to get your glutes sculpted for summer? Sophie van Oostenbrugg is a fitness trainer and the founder of the Gains with Brains app. She regularly shares workouts with her 2.4 million Instagram followers on how burn fat and build muscle. “i grew up hearing that women should be as small as possible. that’s why I loved being able to share my bulking journey on social. I’ve done 2 bulks so far.. and I was thinking about starting and sharing a 3rd one,” she wrote in a recent post. She also revealed her “medium leg day” workout, that will help you tone up fast.


She Does Multiple Leg Days a Week

“I have good news today..it’s a medium leg day!!!🫣🤭sooo I split my leg workouts & currently have lighter, medium and heavier days. this helps me with recovery, train through a variety of rep ranges and make it more enjoyable,” she explains in the post.

She Does 8 to 12 Reps of Each Exercise

Sophie_van_Oostenbrugg_gainsbybrains1gainsbybrains/Instagram

In the video she explains that she has “multiple leg days per week.” She goes onto reveal all of the exercises she does with “rep ranges from 8 to 12.”

RDLS

Strong woman exercising with heavy weights. Fit female doing deadlift workout with barbell in old warehouse.Shutterstock

“I started with RDLs, four sets of eight,” Sophie reveals. To do Romanian deadlifts, start with both legs pressed evenly on the floor. “Slightly bend knees while bending over,” says The Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian. “Keep your arms pointing down toward the floor and lower with you almost touching the floor. Keep hips and shoulders square facing forward throughout the exercise. Return to standing.” She suggests repeating 10 to 12 times with the right leg and repeating on the left side. “Progression includes holding a weight in the arm pointing toward the floor,” she adds.

RELATED: 7 Best Exercises to Support Your Running Routine

Sumo Squat with Kettlebell

Citizen in grey sport trousers holding the kettlebell between her legs by the handle with both handsShutterstock

“Then I moved on to a sumo squat with kettlebell. You know the deal, form over everything, so go slow and control the weight,” she says. Sumo squats are similar to regular squats, only you point your toes outward.

Glute Bridges

Young athletic woman lifting her hips while doing glute bridge exercise on the floor at home.Shutterstock

“Then I did glute bridges,” Sophie continues. You can do glute bridges with or without weights.

Cable Step Up

Woman Using Jumping Stool During TrainingShutterstock

Next up? Cable step ups, using an exercise block. “These are great as they help with balance and therefore they're easier to overload,” she says.

Seated Leg Curl

Close up view gym seated leg curl machine exercise woman at indoor in gymShutterstock

She sits down at a machine. “Then I did a seated leg curl,” she says.

RELATED: 7 Pilates Moves for Core Strength You Can Do at Home

Core Exercise

Sophie_van_Oostenbrugg_gainsbybrains3gainsbybrains/Instagram

“I finished with some core exercises,” Sophie concludes. “I want to get my core as strong as humanly possible so I can keep recording more intense ab workouts.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Try splitting up your workouts into light, medium, and intense days to allow your body ample time needed to recover.



FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want a pumped up booty like Kelli Ramirez (@kelliirosee)? In a new social media post the influencer and fitness expert reveals the booty-busting workout responsible for her famous backside. “I’ll let the pump speak for this Glute & Hamstring workout,” she cheekily captioned the post. Here is everything you need to know about the workout and all of the other diet and fitness habits responsible for her body.


Here Is the Workout

Kelli suggests starting with an 8-minute warmup before the set. She also suggests increasing weight with every exercise and decreasing reps.

  • Body weight walking lunges, 2 rounds, 15 reps
  • Walking alternating RDL stretch
  • Hip rotations
  • Ankle rotation
  • Body twists
  • Slow RDL to deep squat stretch
  • Hip thrusts, 5 sets, 10/10/8/8/6
  • Glute biased RDLs, 3 sets, 8/6/4
  • Deficit reverse lunges, 3 Sets, 8/8/6
  • Glute Medius kickbacks, 3 Sets, 10/8/6
  • Hamstring curls, 3 Sets, 8/8/6

Related: 3 Tips That Helped Me Lose Body Fat

Calorie Deficit

Screenshot 2024-03-07 at 11.04.05 AMkelliirosee/Instagram

“A calorie is simply the measurement of how much energy a food provides. Similar to a car, your body requires fuel to keep it moving. How much fuel it needs depends on a number of factors, including height, weight, age, biological sex, muscle mass, lifestyle, and so much more. If your goal is to lose weight, you will need to be in a calorie deficit. If your goal is to gain weight, you will need to be in a calorie surplus,” she wrote in a post.

"To lose weight, you must be in a caloric deficit. A deficit is when the amount of calories that you consume is lower than the amount of calories you burn (usually around 300-700 calories). In a caloric deficit, our body mass decreases. The two primary ways of achieving a deficit are reducing how much you eat or increasing how much you exercise, usually by adding cardio. You can still gain muscle while in a deficit.”

Her 20-Minute Salmon Recipe

Kelli swears by “20-minute healthy dinners,” including this salmon recipe she recently shared.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 c. honey
  • 1/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 6-oz. salmon fillets, patted dry with a paper towel
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds

Whisk together

  • 1/3 c. honey
  • 1/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes

Here are the steps to make it: “Season Salmon with salt and pepper. Add salmon to pan and season other side. Cook salmon until golden brown, and then flip! Add garlic to skillet & cook for 1 minute. Add honey mixture & sliced lemons. Cook until salmon is 130 F. Garnish, and then enjoy! I served mine with White rice and Broccoli! Bon appetite,” she wrote.

Discipline

Kelly is all about discipline. “My Goal: outdo me,” she wrote in a post. “It's easy to dream, but the real magic happens when you turn those dreams into goals. Wanting something is just the beginning; it's the discipline, dedication, and hard work that transform desires into reality. No one else can walk your path for you, so it's up to you to take the first step and keep moving forward. Embrace the power of discipline and watch everything unfold.”

RELATED:Quick Home HIIT Workout Exercises to Get Your Body in Perfect Shape

Her Five Tips to Help You Reach Your Goals

Screenshot 2024-03-07 at 11.04.13 AMkelliirosee/Instagram

Kelli recently shared “a few essential tips to help you conquer your goals.” The first? “Craft a Solid Plan,” she said. “Begin with a well-thought-out plan tailored to your goals. A structured approach is the foundation of success.”

Second, prioritize nutrition. “Recognize that nutrition plays a massive role in achieving any fitness objective. Fuel your body with proper nutrition to support your workouts and recovery.”

The third is tailored training. “Tailor your training regimen to align with your specific goals. Whether it's strength, endurance, or flexibility, your workouts should align with your objectives.”

Next up, be consistent. “Consistency is the secret sauce. Stick to your plan and maintain your healthy habits, even when motivation wanes,” she says.

Finally, embrace the journey. “Understand that achieving your fitness goals requires effort and determination. It won't always be easy, but the journey is where growth happens. Embrace the challenges and keep pushing forward.”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you want to build your glutes, you are going to have to carefully select exercises – like various lunges, squats, and RDLs and increase weight over time. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Ashley DiGiacomo Schwartz the busy mom method
Coach Reveals the Only 8 Things You Need to Know to Blast Belly Fat
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We all know by now that you need to amp up your protein intake and focus on eating high-protein food to lose weight. But can you know if something is high in protein? Ashley DiGiacomo Schwartz (@the.busy.mom.method) is a fitness and nutrition influencer and Fitness & Nutrition Body Recomposition Coach-BA/IMBA who regularly shares tips and tricks on how to lose weight. In a new Instagram post, she reveals her game-changing hack to quickly determine whether a food is high in protein.

“Not sure if something is truly high in protein? Here’s a quick trick to figure it out FAST!” she writes. “Look at the calories per serving and drop the last digit (0). The number left is the minimum grams of protein the food should have to be considered high-protein.”

Cottage Cheese: High Protein

Delicious fresh cottage cheese in bowl on table, closeup​5. Greek Yogurt/Cottage CheeseShutterstock

She shares a few examples, starting with cottage cheese, which has 185 calories per serving. According to her hack, it would need at least 18 grams of protein to make it high protein. “It has 25g of protein,” she says. “Amazing protein source!”

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Tuna: High Protein

Canned tuna on wood background​7. Canned FishShutterstock

Her following example is tuna canned in water, which has 120 calories per serving. “We want at least 12g of protein,” she says. Since a can has 20g of protein, it is a “powerhouse protein choice!” she says.

Greek Yogurt: High Protein

Greek yogurt in a heart shaped bowl, overhead scene against a rustic wood backgroundShutterstock

Greek yogurt, plain and nonfat, has 100 calories per serving. “We want at least 10g of protein,” she says. “It has 15g of protein,” making it a “great protein option!”

Mozzarella Cheese: Not High Protein

Mozzarella cheese balls with tomatoes and basil. Dark slate background. Top view.Shutterstock

Whole milk mozzarella cheese has 85 calories per serving. “We want at least 8g of protein,” she says. It isn't a great option because it only has 6g of protein. “Not a high-protein food! (Mostly fat, not protein but delicious so keep eating it!)” she says.

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Edamame

Edamame,boiled green soybeans with salt45. Edamame (boiled): 44 caloriesShutterstock

Her final example is edamame at 180 calories per serving. “We want at least 18g of protein,” she says. “It has 18g of protein = Great plant-based protein!”

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Bottom Line

Young woman eating tasty yogurt, closeupShutterstock

The bottom line? Her hack easily differentiates high-protein foods from the rest. “If a food has more protein than the number you get after dropping the last digit, it’s a great protein source! If it’s way under, it’s not a high-protein food,” she writes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Kelsey_Rose3
​Also, Do Strength and Pilates
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

If you aren’t a fan of crunches, you aren’t alone: Many people despise the ab-flattening exercise. Luckily it isn’t the only effective move to flatten your midsection. Kelsey Rose is a fitness trainer with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. In her viral Instagram posts, she regularly shares all her tips and tricks to staying in shape, and, in a recent one, she reveals the ab exercise that changed the game for her. “I finally started snatching my core & defining my abs when I swapped crunches for this,” she writes.

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She Does Standing Core Ab Exercises

How did she get her “abs on fire”? According to Rose, it was due to ditching crunches and starting to do standing core ab exercises instead. “If you’re still doing endless crunches to strengthen your core, it’s time to level up!” she says.

Weighted Side Crunch

“Standing core exercises—like this Weighted Side Crunch—engage more muscles, improve balance, and help with functional strength (aka, strength that actually supports you in daily life!). Plus, they’re easier on your back and great for anyone who doesn’t love getting down on the mat,” she says.

RELATED:I Got My Best Body After 50 and Here’s How You Can, Too

Pro Tips

She also offers a few pro tips:

  • Keep your core engaged—think of pulling your ribs toward your hips
  • Slow + controlled movement for max muscle activation
  • Don’t swing the weight—let your obliques do the work!
  • Exhale as you crunch to activate deep core muscles
  • Use a moderate weight to challenge your obliques without straining

You Will Feel the Burn

Just because side bends don’t feel as hard as crunches, they are effective. And, you should expect to feel the burn. “You will DEFINITELY feel these tomorrow, especially if it’s your first time! “ she says.

Mix Strength Training and Pilates

In another post, she revealed a few more tactics for transforming your body, starting wth mixing strength training with Pilates workouts 3 to 5 times a week. “This combination is the secret sauce for building lean muscle while staying mobile and injury-free. Strength training helps you sculpt and tone, while Pilates improves flexibility and strengthens stabilizing muscles. Plus, incorporating daily deep core work will tighten your waistline, flatten your tummy, and give you that strong, balanced core we all love,” she says.

Walk for 15 to 30 Minutes

“After every strength or Pilates session, set aside 15-30 minutes for walking,” she says. “This isn’t just about burning extra calories—it’s about keeping your body in fat-burning mode while improving recovery. Pair that with hitting 10k steps daily to keep your metabolism thriving and your energy high throughout the day. Small actions = BIG results.”

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Focus on Nutrition

Also, focus on nutrition. “You can’t out-train a poor diet—so let’s focus on hitting 30g of protein per meal to fuel muscle recovery, support fat loss, and keep you full for longer. Minimize sugar intake to stop cravings in their tracks and prevent energy crashes. Remember: abs are made in the kitchen, and this step will truly set you apart,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Have you ever hit that point where your workouts just feel like going through the motions? That's exactly where Makari Espe found herself. As a fitness enthusiast with 140,000 YouTube subscribers, she was stuck in a comfortable but unchallenging routine – just lifting weights twice a week for 20 minutes. "I want to be harder, better, faster, and stronger," Makari says, deciding to shake things up by lifting five times a week instead. Could just a few extra gym sessions actually make a real difference? That's what she wanted to find out. And honestly, if you've been feeling stuck in your own fitness journey, her results might be exactly the motivation you need.

The Challenge Setup

Before diving into her intensified routine, Makari established a baseline to measure her progress. "I did a 1 minute and 30 second plank hold, 1 minute wall sit, 2 chin-ups, 10 push-ups, and 25 shoulder presses with 10 pound weights," she shares. This initial test wasn't without emotional hurdles. "The last time I did a test like this, I was about 19, and I did a lot better then. So at this moment right here, I'm currently comparing myself to how strong I was as a teenager," Makari admits.

RELATED:Tone Sagging Arms in 2 Weeks With These 5 Exercises

Week 1: Building the Foundation

Makari's new routine followed a strategic split to maximize results while preventing burnout. "The idea is to do two big muscle groups per workout so that each muscle group is rested by the time you work it out again, and we're not all out here hating our lives," she explains. Her weekly schedule included:

  • Day 1: Back and biceps
  • Day 2: Legs and shoulders
  • Day 3: Rest
  • Day 4: Chest and back
  • Day 5: Legs and core
  • Day 6: Rest
  • Day 7: Chest and triceps.

Adjusting to Longer Sessions

Young fitness woman looking at her smart watch while taking a break from outdoor workout. Sportwoman checking pulse on fitness smart watch device.Shutterstock

The extended workout time was immediately noticeable. "As someone who is used to doing 20 minute workouts, I'm definitely noticing that extra 10 minutes," Makari points out.

Week 2: Increasing the Intensity

Moving into the second week, Makari transitioned from beginner to intermediate workouts. "The intermediate program is significantly harder than the week 1 program. The positions require way more coordination and core stability, and I'm fitting a lot more reps into this 30-minute time frame," she reveals.

This increased difficulty targeted specific muscle groups more intensely. "My triceps are killing me. More so than any other muscle group this whole challenge so far, my triceps are dead," Makari shares.

RELATED:12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster

Mental Hurdles

Tired woman having rest after workout. Tired and exhausted female athlete sitting on floor at gym with a water bottle.11 Weight-Loss Secrets Most Experts Won't Tell You, From a Leading Personal TrainerShutterstock

Despite the physical challenges, mental obstacles became apparent. "Morale is a solid 6 out of 10. The 30 minutes are going by way faster than before, so that's good. But I still have to drag myself to the gym, and repeatedly tell myself to trust the process," she admits.

Week 3: Finding the Rhythm

Gym and dumbbell weight training equipment on sport ,Healthy life and gym exercise equipments and sports concept ,copy space​The Workout StrategyShutterstock

By the third week, Makari's body was responding to the consistent training. "I've gone up a weight. My heavy is now 20. It used to be 15," she says proudly.

Recovery became equally important as the workouts themselves. "The swim was amazing for many reasons, but the main one was it was so nice on my sore muscles," Makari explains after incorporating swimming on one of her rest days.

Nutrition Support

salmon steak with fresh herbsA Year of Successful MaintenanceShutterstock

The combination of consistent training and nutrition adjustments began paying dividends. "I changed my diet up a little bit last week. So I'm putting so much more good fuel into my body which is giving me more energy to perform in the gym," she shares.

RELATED:I Got My Best Body After 50 and Here’s How You Can, Too

Finding the Joy

This holistic approach transformed her relationship with exercise. "I've crossed the threshold or I've found the joy in weightlifting again. I'm not just lifting weights to go through the motions and like do it because I know I have to. I'm doing it because I know I can," Makari reflects.

Everyday Energy Boost

Beautiful woman checking her body shape in a mirror.15 Daily Habits to Lose 5-10 Pounds in 30 DaysShutterstock

Makari also noticed improvements in her daily activities. "I feel so much more energetic throughout the day. Tasks that used to tire me out now feel easier," she explains. The increased strength translated to practical benefits beyond aesthetics.

Sleep Improvements

Her sleep quality showed remarkable improvement as well. "I'm falling asleep faster and waking up more refreshed. My body actually craves that deep recovery sleep now," Makari shares. This unexpected benefit reinforced her commitment to the program despite the challenging schedule.

Week 4: The Transformation

Happy young woman stretching before running outdoorsShutterstock

The final week revealed not just physical improvements but mental ones too. "Now that I'm over the hump, I actually feel even stronger than I did as a teenager. This is going to sound really cheesy but it's because not only do I feel physically stronger but I feel stronger in my brain," Makari explains.

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Time Investment Reality

The time commitment remained significant but worthwhile. "Roughly three and a half hours every week is a lot of free time to be able to put towards working out. But ultimately it makes me feel so much better outside of the gym," she acknowledges.

Stress Management

Hands of a woman playing with nails in stress​Your Body Is Slowing DownShutterstock

Makari noticed significant changes in her stress resilience. "I handle daily challenges with more calm now. Things that would've stressed me out before don't affect me as much," she shares. This mental toughness became one of the most valuable outcomes of her experiment.

Confidence Beyond the Gym

Her confidence also soared beyond physical appearance. "When you prove to yourself that you can stick with something challenging for a month, it changes how you approach other difficult things in life," Makari explains. "I'm more willing to take on new challenges because I know I have the discipline to follow through."

Metabolic Improvements

Eating and drinking image of a young woman eating mixed nutsShutterstock

The metabolic benefits were equally impressive. "My body burns energy more efficiently now. I notice I can eat more without feeling sluggish, and my recovery between sets is much faster," she points out. These physiological adaptations supported her continued progress throughout the month.

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The Final Results

After four weeks of dedicated training, Makari's strength tests demonstrated measurable progress:

  • Plank: Increased from 1:30 to 2:00 minutes
  • Wall sit: Improved from 1:00 to 2:00 minutes
  • Chin-ups: Increased from 2 to 4 complete reps
  • Push-ups: Improved from 10 to 15 reps (completed faster)
  • Shoulder presses: Maintained 25 reps but increased weight from 10 to 15 pounds (completed faster)

Mission Accomplished

"I'd say that this month I became harder, better, faster, and stronger," Makari concludes. Her journey proves that consistent training, proper recovery, and adequate nutrition can transform both body and mind in just one month.

If you're considering a similar challenge, remember that progress looks different for everyone. As Makari puts it, "You might be lifting more. You might be lifting less. It doesn't really matter. You do you."