Image by Leo Reynolds
Do you feel like you need to spend a certain length of time working out each time you head to the gym? How long is long enough for a workout? An hour? Two hours? With High-Intensity Interval Training, 15 minutes could be all you need to get in a great fat burning workout. » Continue reading “How Long Are Your Workouts?”
We have all heard how important it is to train our core but do we really know why it’s so important. Is it just to look good and not be embarrassed by our love handles? Is it some term trainers use to dazzle and sell us on a program? Or is it something more? It’s definitely something more. It’s probably the most important training you can do to maintain a healthy body.
The core muscles, which include the rectus abdominis, and the external obliques, as well as the deep muscles of the erector spinae, the multifudus, the transverse abdominis and the internal obliques, make up the foundation of support for our body. Core strength is essential to getting and maintaining a healthy, fit body. These muscles provide stability for the spine and are needed for everyday tasks such as bending, reaching and twisting.
Does getting a strong core mean having 6-pack abs? Not exactly. While there’s nothing wrong with muscle definition in the abdominal area, there is more to core strength than the rectus abdominis (the muscles showing in the 6-pack look). Many people still think “the core” is limited to the abs and obliques, however, the deep muscles surrounding the spine provide the stabilization needed for just about all movement. These muscles also reinforce a healthy back and healthy hips. Without core strength we put increased strain on the back and hips which can lead to injury.
For those of us who want to become more athletic, or try to maintain a modest amount of athleticism as we get older, core strength is essential. Whether you spend your weekends on a court, a field , in a dance studio, or just chasing kids, core exercises will make a difference in how you perform and help to prevent injury. There’s a reason why professional athletes spend so much time working the core… it makes them better athletes and reduces their risk for injury.
To work these deep muscles you need to focus more on core stabilization exercises and less on the crunches. Here are 5 of my favorite core stabilization exercises. » Continue reading “Crunches Are Not Enough”
Well, I officially survived my first month of the Weight Watchers program!
Current Weight: 227.3
Total Weight-Loss: 7.1 lbs! Wheeee! I’m so close to being able to fit into a whole bunch of suitable pants to wear to work. I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting that is.
Overall, I think I’ve adjusted to the program well. This past week was easily my best (and easiest) week yet – and I definitely had the results to back that up. What changed?
Well, I think my strategy of snacking more during the day, so I’m not starving when I get home from work, has really paid off. I’ll eat my 8-10 point dinner and then won’t be hungry for the remainder of the evening. I was actually finding that I had around 5 points that I needed to use before bed most days! Crazy, huh?
Things that have worked for me in Month 1:
In my January posts, I focused mainly on food and posted several WW-friendly recipes, but in February, I’m planning to focus on the exercising portion of the program.
» Continue reading “A Month Of Weight Watchers”
