15 HIIT Workouts for a Toned Body

Oct 15, 2014

Summer and bikini season have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean we stop exercising! Whether it’s an hourlong Pilates sesh or a 10 minute workout, moving our bodies keeps us healthy and happy. One of our favorite ways to sweat is a HIIT workout. HIIT, high intensity interval training, torches major calories, keeps your heart pumping and works your body hard. It’s not as scary as it sounds! Check out these 15 HIIT routines that’ll have you feeling great and looking hot.

1. Three Steps to Properly Prepare for HIIT: If you’re a newbie to HIIT, read these three important tips on diet, type of exercise and format before you get started. As with any form of exercise, it’s best to know what works for you. (via Mod Vive)

2. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced HIIT Workouts: Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a HIIT pro, these different levels cater to everyone and offer modifications to help you get the most out of your workout. (via Skinny Mom)

3. Three Fat-Blasting HIIT Workouts: Want to burn fat even after you’re done? Daily Burn trainers created treadmill, indoor and outdoor HIIT workouts to increase your metabolism and burn fat after your exercise is over. (via Daily Burn)

4. Do-It-Anywhere HIIT Workout: There are no excuses not to do this one! Using just bodyweight and no equipment, you can get your fitness on wherever you are. (via Daily Burn)

5. HIIT Workout for Fat Loss: If you want to switch up your routine, look into this list of calorie-burning exercises, 20-minute fat-loss workout video included. Jump outside your comfort zone and incorporate these new moves. (via River Tea)

6. HIIT Fat Burning Workouts: Who doesn’t want firm thighs and a strong core? This site not only features a weight loss guide, but also five different ways to practice HIIT. From burpees to the elliptical, these intervals will challenge you to work your hardest. (via Yowza Fitness)

7. Five High-Intensity Total Body Workouts: When in a rush, it’s easy to brush off the gym. Who has time for that? Well, you do! These five moves, including star jumps and mountain climbers, can be done at home and work your entire body. (via Lucille Roberts)

8. HIIT Workout: Fair warning, you’ll have to give 110 percent in this workout, and your body will thank you. Intervals of sit ups, lunges and dips will get that heart rate up and make you sweat like no other. (via Kaylee Thomas-Robinson)

9. 22-Minute Cardio HIIT Workout Challenge: Can you HIIT like a girl? Test out this Fitness Blender video that works your body through moves like high knees and hop kicks, with seven second rest breaks. (via Fitness Blender)

10. Five Awesome HIIT Workouts to Make Your Heart Happy: Our hearts are happy when we’re healthy and active. Keep that pumper happy by picking and choosing among these five workouts that tackle everything from tuck jumps to air squats. (via Girls Gone Sporty)

11. 20-Minute HIIT Workout: Turn that TV off, put down the remote and do this quick 20-minute workout instead. It focuses on your lower body, so you know your legs are going to glow afterward. (via Bender Fitness)

12. 12-Minute HIIT No Equipment Workout: Be your own trainer with this exercise! Choose one move from four different groups, like upper body and core, and hit each one for a total of 12 minutes. Your friends will start asking who your trainer is ;) (via POPSUGAR)

13. No Gym Required HIIT Workout: For those without a gym membership, put on your favorite workout gear and get out your jump rope for these sweaty interval rounds. (via Toned and Fit)

14. 10-Minute HIIT Workout: Can’t fork over the money for a top-notch celebrity trainer? You don’t need to. Celebrity trainer Astrid McGuire takes you through this intense sweat session for free. (via PopSugar)

15. 20-Minute HIIT Workout: If this was easy, it wouldn’t be transforming your body. So get ready to work. 50 seconds of different moves, 10 second rests and two repetitions will make you sweat happy. (via Jenn-Fit)

What HIIT workouts do you love? Share your routines with us below!

See Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie Reunite In The 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore' Teaser Trailer

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie created reality TV gold when The Simple Life debuted in 2003. Their antics were outlandish, but we couldn't help repeating their iconic phrases like "That's hot" or "Sanasa" during random moments in our own lives.

It's no secret the two didn't really act that way, but their 'characters' left a huge mark on a generation of millennials. "I knew what I was doing but the whole world didn’t, so it was kind of frustrating to me to be perceived in that way because it’s not who I am at all," Paris told People.

Even though she may have felt judged, it seems that Paris Hilton realizes how many people actually loved The Simple Life because she and Nicole Richie are teaming up to film a reunion special that'll debut on Peacock as we speak! Here's everything we know so far!

When did speculations about 'The Simple Life' reboot begin?

NBCUniversal Media

Peacock first shared a video clip on Instagram that hinted something special involving Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie is coming in May. A nostalgic TV set with a black and white screen can be seen while our favorite duo's voices can be hearing saying, "Sanasa, Sanasa."

Peacock captioned the post, "New Era. Same Besties. Coming soon to Peacock," and fans could barely contain their excitement. Even celebs like Naomi Campbell and Katy Perry commented on these hot vibes.

Bravo

Then Paris Hilton took to her own Instagram to share more about what fans could expect. She said, "As some of you may know, we are doing a reunion special to celebrate 20 years of our show The Simple Life and it's been so much fun."

Actress Selma Blair shared how much she's looking forward to this by commenting that she's "living for this."

So are we!

What was 'The Simple Life' about?

The Simple Life/20th Century Fox

The Simple Life showed Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they basically traded their wealthy lifestyles for 'everyday' living. Cameras followed them from fast food jobs to dealing with getting out of sticky situations they'd supposedly never experienced. Needless to say, it was hilarious, iconic, and instant reality TV gold.

How long was 'The Simple Life' on air?

Peter Kramer/Getty Images

The Simple Life was on air from 2003 to 2007 with five successful seasons. It seemed like it wasn't going to be hit at first, but it defied expectations. By how much you ask?

According to reporting from The Cut, somewhere around 13 million viewers tuned in to watch Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's oddball take on daily life. That's a pretty huge deal if you ask us!

When will 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore' debut?

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Paris & Nicole: The Encore will premiere on Peacock December 12! The two were previously seen at a Sonic drive-thru yesterday so it can be assumed filming is underway (via People)!

Sporting partial Sonic uniforms, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie added accent pieces that match their signature flairs. Paris wore a pair of reflective sunglasses, silver sequin heels, and added a pink flip phone to front of her blue apron. Nicole wore gold hoops and a pair of slingback pumps alongside her hotdog mascot costume. That's hot (dog).

How does Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie feel about reuniting for a reunion special?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Paris Hilton has expressed how much she loves to be sharing the screen with Nicole Richie again. "I'm so excited to be doing this with Nicole on Peacock. Nicole has been my best friend since we're 2 years old, every memory that I have is with her," (via E! News).

Nicole also posted a few throwback moments from The Simple Life on her Instagram, but the most notable one is the video mashup of them singing "Sanasa, Sanasa" over and over. "20 years ago, not only did we become television stars… we became song writers. Happy Anniversary Sill @parishilton #TheSimpleLife#sannnasaaaaa" she wrote in the caption.

What have Paris and Nicole said about their reunion special?

Peacock

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie sat down with W Magazine to let the world know the Paris & Nicole: The Encore show is on its way! Not only that, but fans can expect to see an Opera version of the show they fell in love with two decades ago. Paris said, "The idea of the opera was unexpected" while Nicole chimed in with, "What people need, even though they don't know it yet, is for 'Sanasa' to be an opera.'"

The two besties came up with the idea via a series of texts that started off as ideas between them. Nicole said everything "came up organically" for the two and we can only imagine the memories this brought up for them. OG influencer Paris even talked about how The Simple Life was an "important show in pop culture history" and we couldn't agree more!

Nicole truly wants people to enjoy themselves while watching Paris & Nicole: The Encore and "find the same joy" she had while filming it. According to Paris, she feels what they have is "magic" because "there's just so much history behind it."

It's not every day that you can get to have fun with your best friend while coming up with long-lasting memories that contribute to pop culture, but Paris and Nicole have always danced to the beat of their own drums. Now we'll get to see them in action again!

Watch The Trailer For 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore'

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This post has been updated.

I Scoured The Internet For The Best Wide Calf Boots – These 6 Brands Came Out On Top

The average calf circumference for women is 15 inches – a fact that a lot of brands making trendy tall boots completely ignore.

My calves measure 16 inches around, meaning fitting comfortably into the boots I would give an arm and leg for (ahem, the famed Frye Campus boots and these sleek Sam Edelman steppers, 14 and 15 inches, respectively) will never be a reality.

Meredith Holser

As a gal with a little more meat and muscle on her bones, this has always been a problem for me. It’s infuriating, but it feels even more isolating. I can’t always wear the same styles that smaller women do, and even if I do find similar boot designs fashioned for wide calves, they look noticeably cheap or simply don’t check all the boxes in terms of my desired look.

I grew tired of saving all the “perfect” tall boot outfit inspo pics to my Pinterest board only to find that the boots in question had way too small of calf sizes, so I did what I always do when I shop for size-specific pieces: I took to Reddit.

Meredith Holser

I primarily consulted r/femalefashionadvice, r/plussize, and r/ausfemalefashion to see what people like me are saying about wide calf boots. The frustrations with finding good-looking, comfy tall boots was pretty similar across all three subreddits. As one passionate user put it:

“Even at a size 6, I have never been able to just buy any old pair of boots and have them fit. It is interesting to me how we've made great progress the past several years in regards to body inclusivity, yet somehow there seems to be a huge lack of sizing in regards to tall boots… It makes me so sad to see these beautiful boots everyone else gets to wear, slouchy, over the knee, western inspired, leopard/snake print, etc. Nothing like that comes in wide calf.”

Luckily, Redditors across all three threads suggested a handful of brands that actually offer cute wide calf boots with extended sizing. I had never heard of a few of them, but after scrolling through their sites, it felt like I struck gold.

The top-recommended brands for wide calf boots:

Penningtons
Børn
DuoBoots
Franco Sarto
Sam Edelman
Billini

If you, like me, have been searching endlessly for stylish tall boots (but have larger-than-average calves), consider your search over. Scroll on for the best wide calf boots that will fit like a dream.

Franco Sarto

Franco Sarto Bowman Wide Calf Knee High Boots

You're meaning to tell me these chic boots can really accomodate my calves?! The deep red color already had me sold, but that 15.75-inch calf circumference made this style so much better. They also come in a smooth brown color and a foxy faux-snake pattern, if those speak to your personal style more.

Børn

Børn Hayden Extended Calf Boots

The suede leather construction of these boots honestly rivals that of the beloved Campus boot, but their fit is much more roomy, boasting a 16.5-inch calf circumference. These zippered boots also have a playful lace-up detail on the back that's utterly unique.

Penningtons

Penningtons Extra Wide Width Black Tall Heeled Boots with Harness Straps

The calf circumference on these bad boys starts at around 17 inches for shoe size 6, and tops out around 19 inches for shoe size 12. I can't get enough of these moto-style boots and I love that they have the signature harness with silver hardware around the base that other similar boots do.

DuoBoots

DuoBoots Saffron Knee High Boots

The fact that you can choose the calf sizing yourself when purchasing these Western-esque boots is ahh-mazing. The options start at 13 inches and go up to 20 inches to hold your beautiful legs without any fuss.

Billini

Billini Granger Extended Curve Boots

From all the wide calf boot brands suggested on the Reddit threads I scrolled through, Billini has to be my favorite. They state that these adorable camel-colored boots can fit calf sizes from about 18.11 to 21.42 inches, and while they do have an elastic panel on the sides to stretch even further, I think it's discreet enough that it doesn't distract from the overall look. Score!

DSW

Baretraps Thalia Wide Calf Boots

A very similar style to my wishlist Sam Edelman boots, this black pair actually has a 16.5-inch calf circumference that'll fit my legs to a tee. The block heel is the perfect shape and height, plus the toe isn't overly pointed (I don't necessarily care for pointy toes).

Sam Edelman

Sam Edelman James Wide Calf Western Boots

Finding cowboy boots with wide calves can be a big challenge – but no more! These reddish-brown boots have a 16-inch calf circumference so you can confidently rock any and all Western looks.

Billini

Billini Oshea Curve Boots

Immediately yes. These broader-fit boots are everything you need to make a statement with your shoes. They're definitely going on my wishlist! The calf circumferences for this style start at 16 inches and go up to 19 inches based on your shoe size.

DSW

Vince Camuto Seshon Extra Wide Calf Boots

With a 18-inch calf circumference, you won't have to worry about squeezing into these tall boots. I adore the timeless squared toe and wide block heel on these!

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Why "The Holiday" Ending Is The Most Important Scene

The Holiday movie is an absolute unicorn. Not only does it capture the Christmas magic I want to feel during ~the holiday~ season (and features an all-star cast with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Kate Winslet), but it's also an amazing rom-comand compelling family story. Each relationship, both platonic and romantic, is compelling, and it'll make you feel just about every emotion: glee, heartbreak, yearning. And I'm convinced that, in addition to an absolutely bulletproof script from our queen Nancy Meyers, the movie's magic can be chalked up to one other thing: the fact they filmed the final scene of the movie first.

What happened at the end of The Holiday?

Sony Pictures

Yes, you read that right — they filmed the final scene of The Holiday before they filmed anything else! The final scene of the movie takes place at Jude Law's Graham's house in England during the characters' New Year's Eve party. The four leads, and Graham's daughters, are dancing, having fun, and celebrating the new year together. In an interview with Vulture, Miffy Englefield (who plays one of Graham's daughters) talks about how filming that party first set the stage for the rest of production.

"That’s the one scene in the film that all of the main characters are together," she says. "So it was a really, really nice starting point for us to be able to get to know each other...It was the loveliest first day I’ve ever had."

Miffy continues that since she was so young when they filmed the movie, she didn't really understand who she was working with. "My dad was really good at showing me [Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Winslet's] work and more underground things that they’d done. He wanted me to realize they were humans and not just these actors."

Is Jude Law's Graham divorced in The Holiday?

Sony Pictures/YouTube

Even though Miffy didn't necessarily know Jude Law before working with him, they grew closer throughout the process of filming. When Amanda shows up to Graham's house, she learns (as do we) that he isn't divorced — he's a widower. That's why he hadn't asked Amanda over before, and why he always answers the phone when Sophie or Olivia call. They're not other women in his life, they're his daughters!

The evening Amanda spends with Graham and his daughters is one of the standout moments of the film because it shows a whole new side of Graham, but it also allows the girls (and Jude Law, TBH) to take center stage.

Why is Jack Black in The Holiday?

Sony Pictures/YouTube

While she wasn't familiar with all her costars in The Holiday, there was one actor Miffy Englefield recognized when she got to set, and that was Jack Black ("I think at that point it was when it hit me like, 'Oh goodness, this is like a thing. This is real, this is real life.'").

Even though Nancy Myers had written the role of Miles for Jack Black, he was hesitant to be in a rom-com. That is, until he realized he would get to work with Kate Winslet!

“I saw School Of Rock and thought he was the cutest guy and fell in love with him," Nancy told IndieLondon in a 2006 interview. “I assured him that I had [seen his work] and told him that I thought he was fabulous and that he’d be in a movie with Kate Winslet. He just said ‘yeah.’”

And I am literally so glad he did because Miles is my favorite part of the movie! His quirky kindness and fun personality are definitely a reason The Holiday is so successful. Another reason? The chemistry between all the actors. Thanks to the energy and community on set for the final scene — which, TBH, I'd never have known was the first scene filmed! — the rest of the movie has that same kind of giddy electricity you feel when you reunite with your best friends or host your first adult party or finally visit New York City during the holidays.

Because just like the party scene is a celebration, The Holiday is about unexpected love and finding joy despite the most heartbreaking, mundane experiences. And THAT is the true magic of Christmas, isn't it?

Did you know The Holiday's end was filmed at the beginning? What's your favorite moment of the movie? Let us know on Facebook!

This post has been updated.

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