Move-It Monday: V-Up with Dumbbell

I usually take a rest day on Sunday, so it's crucial to get my booty to the gym on Monday. Buuuuuut it's MON-DAY. And I haaaaate Mondays. It can be hard to get motivated to hit the gym on Mondays. I decided a few weeks ago that I would always set aside my favorite new magazine to read on the elliptical on Monday.

Today's read: the January issue of Oxygen.

This is a previous cover.

Here is the January covergirl, Monica Brant:

Umm, she's 40. And looks 28! Ah-mazing!

I absolutely LOVE magazines! I cannot do cardio without one. Since I do cardio 5 days a week - that's a lot of magazines!! I subscribe to Oxygen, Shape, Self, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmo, and Allure. I pay about $9-12 per year for each one, which means I pay less than $1 a pop. These mags cost at least $4 on newsstands. If you buy magazines this way, seriously subscribe now to save major moolah. Seriously! Ok, off my soapbox now. ;)

Anyways, I found a simple, but super effective move in today's issue of Oxygen.

The V-Up with Dumbbell

Take a traditional V-Up. Click here for a great explanation and moving image.

Do the V-Up, but hold a 8-10lb. dumbell in between your hands (hold onto the ends) as you do the sit-up. Keep the dumbbell in your hands throughout the entire move -as you return to start with hands over head and legs on floor. Hold the "crunch" for 2-4 seconds to up the intensity.

Another option: hold a weighted medicine ball instead of a dumbbell.

How do you motivate yourself to get to the gym on Mondays!?