October 2007 - Posts
By Jeanette Jenkins
Halloween is a great time to party with your friends, have a freaky cocktail and laugh at all the crazy costumes. And in the spirit of the season, I am challenging you to spook some of those little demons that keep you from getting the out-of-this-world body you deserve.
Frightening flab? Ghastly glutes? It’s time to exorcise those fitness demons! Here are some of the most common ones:
DEMON: Evil excuses.
Every weekend you swear you are going to start working out on Monday, but then it just doesn’t happen. You have every excuse in the book for not exercising.
EXORCISM: Make a fitness date.
Schedule all of your workout times in your planner and specifically list the activity you'll do.
DEMON: Chained to your desk.
Every evening you plan on going to the gym but you are so caught up in work there is just no way you can get away from the office.
EXORCISM: Break free.
Even if you run your own business or have a high-level position, you still need time for yourself. The work is never, ever going to be completely done, so accept that and learn how to walk away when the day is over. When you respect your schedule, others around you hopefully will too, and they won’t expect you to always work late.
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By Gina Lombardi
Who isn’t pressed for time? That’s why we need quick, efficient ways to work out for those days when we can't swing a longer bout of exercise.
The following workout can be done anywhere, anytime – no special equipment required. And it takes just 6 minutes!
*Lunges
Start with your feet together, then step out with your right foot into a forward lunge. Keep your back straight. Your right leg and thigh should form a 90-degree angle. Push back off the right foot and up to the starting position. Then repeat with the left leg. Do 24 lunges on each side.
*Push-ups
If you can’t do a full traditional military push-up, modify your technique by pushing up from your knees instead of your toes. Do 24 push-ups.
*Mountain-climbers
From a traditional push-up starting position, up on your hands and toes, lift your right foot and bring your knee to your chest. Touch the foot down and then return to the starting position. Then bring up the left foot. Do 24 repetitions on each leg.
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By Kathy Kaehler
As temperatures cool across the country, kids will be spending even more time indoors playing video games. But if you can’t beat 'em, why not join 'em?
That’s what I did. One of my sons got a Wii console for his birthday. In addition to all the superhero games and Pokemon, he also got a slew of sports games.
Intrigued, I decided to challenge him to boxing. Wow, was that a workout! My arms were burning, my heart rate was up and I was loving it.
I’ve recently started playing the tennis game myself. And my son and I really get going on the bowling.
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By Jay Blahnik
When it comes to personal training, not everyone responds to the “Drop and gimme 20!” drill-sergeant approach. Some people want a kinder, gentler push from their trainers, and others want something in between.
A personal trainer can provide motivation, expertise and individualized attention — all important factors in helping you reach your health and fitness goals. But not all personal trainers are the right fit for you. They can vary greatly, not only in experience, costs and availability, but also in approach, philosophy and personality.
If you take the time to check out different trainers, though, you can find one who clicks with you. Here are some tips to help in your search:
*Consider what you really need and can afford
Trainers charge anywhere from $25 to $125 an hour, but do you really need a trainer for every workout? Or would seeing one on just one day a week help you stay on track with your own program? Maybe you only need a trainer to perform an assessment and then design a workout regimen tailored to your needs. This would allow you to just check in with your trainer every couple of weeks.
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By Kathy Kaehler
Remember how out of shape you were last ski season? How after a couple runs on your board or sticks your legs were on fire at the bottom of the hill?
Well, don’t let history repeat itself. Some ski resorts open in less than two months, so now is the time to start getting in shape.
Whether you snowboard or ski downhill or cross-country, these pre-season exercises will improve endurance, strengthen the legs and enhance balance:
*Cycling -- This is a great endurance exercise that builds cardiovascular fitness and strengthens the quads, glutes and hamstrings. While the weather is still good, get out your bike and start putting on some miles. At the gym, hit the stationary cycling machines.
*Jumps -- Place a foot-long piece of masking tape on the floor. Then stand on one foot and hop across the tape, back and forth, for 30 seconds. Switch feet and repeat. Finish up with both feet locked together and hop from side to side for 1 minute.
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