These are a few of my favorite things*

I love being active as much as possible.  And I like working out in the traditional sense, but honestly, being stuck in a gym isn't exactly my idea of a great time. So when I'm relegated to the gym (which is most days, especially during the week), I like to make my workouts as quick an efficient as possible.  That means doing high intensity moves that work multiple muscle groups at once. (It also means not spending a lot of time lollygagging between sets.  Which is why I'm always happy when there's no one else at my gym at 5:30 a.m.  No waiting for a weight or awkwardly having to figure out the best place to do deadlifts so that my ass isn't in someone's face.)

I've got about 50 of my "go-to" workouts saved in the notes app on my iPhone (I hate that you can't scroll through notes on the new iOS, so I may need to rethink this system soon...). What do all of my go-to's have in common? They all include one or more of my favorite exercises (and free weights.  Free weights make me feel badass):

• Push press: I love working my shoulders, and these make them scream.
• Burpees: These seem to be the "it" exercise lately, and for good reason.  They're a great full body workout with some cardio thrown in to boot.
• Manmakers: These make me want to cry.  In a good way.  Usually. A combo of push ups, renegade rows, squats, cleans, and push presses, this one has it all.  And kills me every time.
• Dumbbell snatches:  I love these.  They make me feel powerful, and also really wake up my muscles in the morning.
• Squat jumps: These make my legs buuuuuuurn.  They'll totally make you toilet sore the next day.
• Walking lunges (or walking lunches, as my sister and I call them): These don't feel that bad when you're doing them, but they'll make you work (and let you stroll around the gym and make some friends at the same time).
• Bench (or box) jumps: A quick burst of cardio and a great, explosive leg workout all in one.

When I'm at home and I'm feeling particularly slovenly while watching TV on the couch, I like to sneak in some moves. My favorites let me get my muscles working while also not making me miss part of my show:

• Planks (and plank variations, especially Spiderman planks and reverse planks): There are so many different varieties of planks and they're such an easy exercise to do (easy as in don't take a lot of coordination or any equipment, not that they don't make you work).
• Supermans (or is the plural Supermen?): A great way to work your back, plus you get to lay down on the floor.
• Pushups: I remember doing pushups in 6th grade gym class (which was in our cafeteria for some reason) with a few other girls and my gym teacher commenting that I was the only one doing them right.  I felt so special! Now, it makes me feel strong if I can do more than 10 in a row.
• Triceps dips: Triceps are a favorite part of mine to work.  And these are so easy - just use your couch or a chair.  Put your legs straight out to focus more on your triceps, or bend your legs to take some pressure off your arms.
• Squats: If you don't mind bouncing up and down a bit while you're trying to watch TV, these are perfect.  Or, you could always just keep sitting down and getting up from your chair.
• Calf raises: I always forget to work my calves.  I mean, I'm sure that I work them all the time throughout the day, but I usually forget to specifically target them.  So it's always good to get in a little extra calf work. 

I'll randomly plop down on the floor to do a few reps of an exercise or get in a good stretch while Olivia Benson's chasing down a predator or Phil Dunphy's being Phil.  I gets some weird looks from whomever I'm watching TV with me (especially the dog), but hey, I like to multitask.

So, what are you favorite moves?  I've always got my eye out for other exercises to work into the rotation.  I get bored easily, so switching it up often helps keep my mind and my body guessing. 

*I've actually never seen The Sound of Music...