Posts filed under 'fitness'
Recently, Dustin introduced a grueling but rewarding addition to our workouts…interval training. It really works, and takes less time…leaving more time for playing in the sprinkler with your kids! Try it out, and be sure to let us know what you think…read on as Dustin explains how it’s done!
“Gone are the days of fast walking and low intensity cardio to get the job done—it just isn’t very effective at burning calories and both are a big time commitment, not to mention too hard on the skeletal structure.
All research is pointing to interval training as the new cardio of the future. A new research study out of Australia found that interval training is 3 times more effective at burning fat than traditional low intensity jogging. Why isn’t everyone doing it you ask? Well… it’s flat out tough!
What exactly is interval training? Interval training is any traditional mode of aerobic exercise, but it’s the intensity level that makes it different. Interval training consists of high intensity bursts of effort followed by a recovery period. Usually the recovery period is 2-3 times longer than the high intensity part. Continue to repeat this high and low intensity rotation for the desired amount of time. For a fit individual, this might look like a 30 second all out sprint on the treadmill, followed by a 90 second recovery jog. For a beginning exerciser, it may be a 60 sec fast walk on an incline followed by a 120 sec slow walk on flat ground.
Because interval training is much more intense, only spend 15-20 minutes doing it. Be sure so warm up for 5 minutes before and cool down for another 5 minutes after.”
Yep, he said only 15-20 minutes…now that’s my kind of workout!
May 29th, 2007
The ever popular Nalgene water bottle, that you no doubt have seen, has a twist that may interest you!
After dousing my face repeatedly with water (only some of it reaching my thirsty mouth) after a workouts with our trainer—you know what I am talking about—when you have a nice big wide mouthed bottle and you go to take a drink and end up bathing your face and allowing a stream of water to run from your chin??? Not exactly the most flattering look, and when you are exercising, you really NEED that water going into your mouth. Between you and me—I have always wondered what the reaction would be, if, after a workout, I just poured the bottle of water right over my head for relief on the spot…
Well, anyway, I decided to find a solution, and the good people at Nalgene have one—they call it the “Easy Sipper.” It comes in an array of colors, and can be purchased as an accessory to their 32oz wide mouthed bottles—a must if you want to save some face at the gym, or when your husband unexpectedly brakes the car while you’re mid-sip!
May 16th, 2007
We are working really hard to shed baby pounds. Ok, my baby pounds are shed and I’m dealing with pounds I can’t blame on baby weight! Anyway, we are both working with a trainer and attending a class that we LOVE. If we can do it, you can do it!
We use a lot of basic fitness tools to accomplish a ton of great exercises. In the coming weeks, we plan to review many of these products, so our readers can see just how accessible good health can be…you may be pleasantly surprised! Additionally, our trainer has been kind enough to include a fitness tip or philosophy with each fitness review we do! Oprah has Bob Greene—-we have Dustin Maher! Dustin’s bio and contact info can be found under the Fit Mama tab on our site.
If you purchase nothing else for home exercise, get yourself a stability ball. You can find balls at most department stores, but I prefer the ball by Gymnic, which may require an online order. I used to fear popping the ball, and the Gymnic brand is nice and durable. The various colors pictured indicate different sizes, which is determined by your height. The core exercise options (exercises for the tummy, sides, and back) are endless. This link alone will get you started. And if you have a child in the house that is toddler age or older, your stability ball will be a great big playground ball when not in use! The Gymnic stability ball can be purchased on Amazon as well as other online outlets.
And now a word from our trainer…
“My philosophy to living a healthy lifestyle requires three main components: nutrition, weight training, and cardio. I put them in this order because I believe nutrition is the most important factor, while cardio plays a much smaller role. In future weeks I will be explaining the reasons behind how you, as a mother, can take back control of your body and reach every one of your goals that you set out to accomplish.”
May 15th, 2007
Next Posts
Recently, Dustin introduced a grueling but rewarding addition to our workouts…interval training. It really works, and takes less time…leaving more time for playing in the sprinkler with your kids! Try it out, and be sure to let us know what you think…read on as Dustin explains how it’s done!
