A new angle on core workouts

Hello everyone!

Everyone knows that one of the most important things to work on is the core.  The core muscles keep you stable, upright, and help make a lot of other movements easier.

Lookit all dem core muscles! The core is more than just abs!

So, how can we strengthen it? Many ways, including pilates, but there is another way to work them that I just saw a little video about.  Running at an angle.

The video clip for this can be seen here.  http://bcove.me/nbcd0azd

The workouts involve leaning against a wall and doing short bursts of running. Best of all, it requires no equipment.

According to the article:

"If you want to increase your gains, consider training from a different angle -- literally. "Running with your body on a slant forces your core muscles and your lateral line -- the tough connective tissue called fascia that runs along your sides -- to work harder than if you were straight up and down," says David Jack, owner of ActivPrayer in Phoenix, Arizona, and creator of 30 Days to Ripped. A rock-solid midsection helps you react faster and stronger, and lets your body absorb shock effectively. The result: better balance, coordination, and flexibility. Plus, a strong core and lateral line protects your spine against unwanted twists and jerks during sports that can cause injury. For an added bonus, push your hand into the wall to get a grueling burn in your arms and shoulders. Ready to try it? Watch the video below to see how to do the Lateral Wall Run with perfect form."

For more, click the link to visit the article: http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201307/secret-peak-performance

Have any of you tried workouts like this? Did you see results?

Not seeing results? Check yourself first. (Warning: Tough love!)

Hello everyone!


A common thing I am seeing online is people complaining about how their workouts they do "aren't working" and then proceed to blame the instructor/whoever made the DVD.

Seriously?

If you are not seeing results, take a moment and really look back and check on the following:

1. Did I do the workout as instructed?
2. Am I eating properly?

Before you answer yes, also consider the following. 

Doing a workout means doing the workout- ALL OF IT to the best of your ability.  It is not watching the DVD, flopping through 5 minutes of it and getting off to check your cell phone, facebook, and so on.

Also, keep in consideration the time given to you by the instructor.  For example, workouts like the Tracy Anderson Method and Tonique require 1-2 hours of your time, 5-6 days a week, while other workouts require less of your time. 

Eating: The saying "You cannot outtrain a bad diet" is true. I've tried. I've many times had the notion that I can eat McDonalds and get what I want. Nope.  Obviously not happening.

So, before you go blaming the instructor, and thinking what you're doing is fine, REALLY look at your habits. 

As for me- Yes, I do slack on my workouts. I have eaten really badly.  However, I do not complain and blame Tracy Anderson for why I am not slim.  I readily admit that it's my own damn fault. I wasn't doing the work.

So really, when you start seeing a lack of results, or something like that, before flipping out and blaming everyone and what not, look at what you're doing, see what you're slipping up on, and make the changes.

Mediterranean Diet- What is it?

Hello everyone!


As much as I read up on diets and what there is out there, there are always new ones (or perhaps not so new) that I have not heard of or know much about.

In this case, I mean the Mediterranean Diet.  Yeah, I've heard the term thrown around but I did not know what it was.

So, like any intelligent person would that had the curiosity, I did my research!


Apparently the Mediterranean Diet is a heart healthy diet plan.  It's based loosely on how people in Mediterranean countries eat. 

When I first heard this, I thought okay, pasta and butter and such (which is often served up at Mediterranean restaurants).  Nope. So much nope.

There is actually a food pyramid for the Mediterranean Diet.

The diet is primarily vegetarian. Most of your meals are fruit and vegetable based with fish.  Your land animal eating is limited a lot- I have read they suggest you eat meat only a couple times a month. Not a week, a month.

Does this work? For a lot of people, yes it does.  Of course, everyone has different needs, but if these kind of guidelines fit your life, why not try it for a week or so?

Tracy Anderson's Food Program Review

Hello everyone!


As you may know, Tracy Anderson now has a food program out.  I recently came across a blog post through FitSugar from someone who actually reviewed and ate the food.

According to the entry- Here is what you will need if you partake in her program:

1. A refrigerator with a lot of space
2. A microwave

That's it. No cooking aside from a quick nuke. 

The shipments come biweekly and typical program enrollment can be anywhere from 2 weeks to one year.

As for nutrition, there is no nutritional value listed on this food but the Tracy Anderson team says each day gives you  between 1150-1400 calories a day. 

What you get each day- 5 meals. Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert.  Sounds pretty good.

Here is what the blogger had to say:

Breakfast: The Right Start

My first meal from the plan was a tasty bowl of yogurt topped off with a heaping portion of raw pepita pumpkin seeds. It was a combination I typically wouldn't put together, but I was impressed with its taste. This was the perfect way to kick off the program. 

Breakfast or Snack: Powder Problems

The only major misstep I see with the whole program is the fact that you drink Tracy's chocolate or vanilla wellness shake mixed with water every day. Typically, I enjoy protein shakes or smoothies, but I mix in some frozen fruit or a little milk to make the texture more pleasant. Drinking two heaping scoops of this protein powder with just eight to 10 ounces of water was a little trying. Blending in with a little ice was helpful, but I would not suggest drinking one of these without a blender nearby. 

Snack: Surprisingly Satisfying

When I first saw the sweet potato pudding in its recyclable container, I wasn't sure it was going to make it to my bowl. But once I sprinkled a mysterious crunchy topping on top (unfortunately, this item wasn't explained on the menu) and took a bite, my preconceived judgments were laid to rest. The creamy pudding with the right amount of cinnamon, plus those crunchies on top, made for one of my favorite snacks from the program.
Pictured here: sweet potato pudding

Lunch: Fresh and Filling

The first day of the program I received a Thai-inspired soup for lunch, but every day after, I couldn't wait to dig into a huge salad with tasty ingredients drizzled with an inventive dressing. I couldn't get enough of the tangy mustard flavor of this green salad's dressing.
Pictured here: baby corn and cherry tomato salad with market greens and Dijon mustard dressing

Dinner: Day One Delight

Huge portions of vegetables complemented a small serving of chicken, beef, or meat every night for supper. Day one was a little rough with a ton of goodies in the office, but once I heated up my ginger chicken with rainbow chard, my worries were alleviated. It was delicious, elegant, and filling. I could not believe this plate of food had come from a prepackaged container.

Dessert: Snap Crackle Sweet

I was excited to see an almond butter crispy waiting for me one night after dinner. It wasn't too sweet but still offered the flavors and textures I look for in one of my favorite desserts. 

The Verdict

I recommend the Tracy Anderson Food Program for anyone who can afford the investment (around $50 per day depending on program length) and who, due to a busy schedule, is just spread too thin to spend time in the kitchen. If that price tag doesn't seem too steep for your budget, between the quality of food and all the time the program saves, it's worth it.
At first I was a little worried about the small portions and spacing of meals, but I found that I was more than satisfied after I finished all of the meals on the program — other than the wellness shakes. There were specific instructions to eat breakfast within one hour of rising, have your snack two to three hours after breakfast, then lunch two to three hours after your snack, and to enjoy dinner two to three hours before going to sleep. The only specific time restraint was to consume your dessert before 7:30 p.m. I had no problem sticking to these timelines.
The program suggests to pair it with the Tracy Anderson Method, but I do not live in a city with one of Tracy's studios and I received no specific literature or resources on how to work out during the week. Besides that, there was no information on how long or what kind of workout to perform. I did feel energized enough to stick with my normal workout routine, so that was a plus.
Overall, If I had an event a month out I wanted to feel my best for, I'd absolutely order this program again.

 That is quoted from the article here- http://www.fitsugar.com/Tracy-Anderson-Food-Program-Review-30740944?image_nid=30813954&slide=1

My opinion: This REALLY makes me wish I could afford to do this program.  I am however, baffled by the writer not knowing how to work out because she has no TA studio near her.  Does she not know that Tracy has Metamorphosis out and a slew of other DVDs and YouTube videos???? 

I can't put pictures here because of how the fitsugar site was set up but I assure you that the food looks really fancy and pretty.


Have any of you tried the food program yet? What is YOUR experience?

The Method for Beginners... So close yet so far!

Hello everyone!


I know, ANOTHER post about the Beginner DVD Tracy is coming out with. And no, this one is not that informational.

I just want to say how excited I am to be getting it- It comes out on August 6th and I already have my preorder in. That is.... 13 days away.  Not a lot but it seems soooooo far away (as it always does when you want something NOW, haha)


There is also another thing I may finally need to buy if the video clips are any indication- Ankle Weights.


I'm ASSUMING they are 3 pounds, and in the clip they looked like these:

http://tracyandersonmethod.com/interspire/products.php?product=Ankle-Weights-Black-with-pink-logo

I did my best to grab a clip from the short video they have online and as you can see she is weighted on both her wrists and ankles. Interesting.


Well in short I am still really excited about this but I obviously can't plan anything with how I will use it until I see what it entails. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Hello everyone!


Today is my birthday, I became the ripe old age of 28.  I know that's not old but I certainly feel it.

So, I am another year older and yes, I do have some goals for this year of my life.

1. Exercise more regularly.  Not necessarily 6 times a week but more than what I have been doing.

2. Eat better.  I have been eating crap again and that's not okay. 

3. Take multivitamins every day

4. Take better care of my skin. I got some new skincare that I am loving and I am working on making that a habit too.

As for weight number goals, I am not going to put too much stress on myself to hit a certain number because that often leads to unattainable goals and disappointment. 

Part of the goal having to do with my workouts will come when I get the new workout DVD I ordered, Tracy Anderson's Method for Beginners.

Update from me!

Hello everyone!


It's been a few days since I've blogged last (sorry about that) but I am seeing some changes going on.


As of today, since I first posted about being vegetarian and such, I have lost 11.5 pounds!

 This is about right... How I reacted when I saw I lost that  much weight in such a short time.

Also I have decided not to be 100% vegetarian.  I have occasionally eaten some meat and eggs and still continued to lose weight.  Also, my skin is clearing up, I think it was actually just the heat we've been having here.  

As for working out, I haven't done a whole lot of it, mostly just walking around.  I have been getting better at it, when I first started walking, I couldn't go for more than 5 minutes without needing a break.  Now I am up to 30 minutes without stopping.  Eventually my goal is an hour or more of walking.

Tomorrow is my birthday, today I will be going out to have fun with my friends who I haven't seen in a while, hopefully getting Japanese food for lunch (haven't had that in a while either). 

How have all of you guys been?  Still keeping up with your workouts/diet?  Starting something new?

I hope you have a great day, and I hope I do too.