Baby, it’s hot out there! With record temperatures being recorded, getting outside to workout gets difficult. Let’s review some basic ideas for working out in the summer heat. First: Workout inside. This is a great time of year to implement that gym membership you have. Makes it easy to workout at any time of day. Second: Workout early or late. First thing in the morning or well after the sun goes down are both better times to workout. Third: Drink water! Make sure to hydrate. Keep your levels high enough that you feel no thirst and your urine is clear. Fourth: Take it easy. Make this a time to still workout, but do a little bit less or a little bit under. Lastly: Workout seasonally. Meaning, this is the time to swim, not run marathons at midday. Reconfigure your workouts to suit the season.
Beat The Heat And Still Get Your Workout In
July 6th, 2010The Importance Of Good Posture
June 8th, 2010How we carry ourselves says a lot about how we feel. Fatigue, stress, depression or plain old back spasms can make us stand with our heads down and our shoulders rounded forward. This not only creates a slew of anatomical and physiological issues, it tells the world, “Hey, I’m not well”. The secret to better posture? Good old fashioned hard work. There are exercises for your body and for your brain to get you standing upright again. Stretches for the chest and shoulders coupled with strengthening exercises for your upper back and core are a big plus for improved posture, and take into consideration the possibility that you may need professional help. Not just for your body, but someone to talk to about your emotions. Want to look younger and feel more confident? Take a look at your posture.
Allergies and Exercise
May 17th, 2010May is a big month for seasonal allergies and I, for one, am a big sufferer. There are days when the sneezing and congestion are too elevated for me to get a big workout in. Is it safe to exercise when allergies are at a high? Yes, as long as you don’t suffer from allergy-induced asthma. What to do? Choose a time of day when the pollen count is low. Take your meds. There are numerous over the counter medications that won’t make you sleepy, just make sure to take them at least a half hour before going outside so you get the full effect. It may be a good time to modify your regular workout. Choose indoor activities or group classes at the gym. Keep your cardio routine in a safe and comfortable level. No need to bust a lung when your allergies are bad. And sit tight. The allergy season, though annoying, is short and breathing easy is just a few weeks away.
Go Dog Go!
April 26th, 2010I am a recent happy owner of a new dog. A lovely rescue with more energy than I anticipated. I am now up and out of the house at 6:00AM walking quickly with my new pooch. What a new experience! Not only am I reaping the benefits of regular long walks, but I am discovering a whole new social network. Just this morning I spoke with a woman I have until now only known as the Yorkie owner. My dog and I stopped, said hello and we talked about dogs. There is a whole slew of people out at 6AM! So, not only is owning a dog good for your physical health (she needs long walks twice a day) but for your mental health too. Want a new workout? Get a dog!
Spring Is Springing!
March 16th, 2010I saw a fat Red Robin this morning and my Crocus are blooming. Spring is on its way! Time to do some cleaning out and I don’t mean just your closets. It’s time to clean out your winter workouts! Spring is a wonderful time to re-evaluate your exercise routine, maybe set some new goals and generally recharge your exercise batteries. With more opportunities to be outside longer, there are now more opportunities to fit in exercise. Gardening, walking, cleaning out the shed, whatever it is that needs doing, all count as physical workouts. Spring can be a time for renewal in your personal goals. (Bathing suit season is just around the corner!) Hit a Pilates class, hire a Personal Trainer, or just get together more often with a walking buddy. Catch that spring fever and spring into action!
DVD Downloads Make Workouts Portable
February 10th, 2010I have had the good fortune of being asked to write exercise DVD reviews for the ExerciseTV web blog. I get to view (and keep!) some of the latest exercise DVDs. What a great way to keep current on what is out there in fitnessland and an opportunity to mix up my workouts. Even better is that I view them in a downloaded format, so a workout is right there to view on my laptop or MP3 player. Convenience at its best! I love to mix up my workouts and believe wholeheartedly that diversity in workouts is what will keep you fine-tuned. Doing the same thing every day (NO! Not one more treadmill walk!) is not only boring, it doesn’t challenge your muscles in new ways. So get yourself some new DVDs, download a podcast, or upload one onto your computer. You and your body will be glad you did!
Let It Snow!
January 28th, 2010We are reminded again today that it IS winter after all. This has been a snowy, blustery day and I am thrilled! Not because it might mean cancellations at work, or that the kids might be out of school tomorrow, but because a snowy day always makes me want to simultaneously hibernate AND workout like crazy! So what’s a snow bunny to do? Both, of course! I have already done two rockin’ workouts including reformer jumpboard for cardio, TRX suspension training for strength and a whole lotta butt with my last duo. So I’m feeling pretty good! But now the fun part: the snow is good packing snow. This means snowball fights with my girls, snowmen, sledding and general running through the snow. This is always a fun and great way to burn some extra calories and have special time with my daughters. Then we’ll come inside and have some hot chocolate, maybe turn a movie on and get cozy for the night. Don’t let the snow deter you from getting a workout in. Use it to your advantage!
The Group Dynamic
January 23rd, 2010I taught a Pilates Mat class today as I have done every Saturday for the last eight years. Some of my class clients have been coming since the beginning, and some are new comers. Whatever their level, I love teaching this group of people. They are hard working, dedicated and really just nice to be around. Today, there were twelve people in class. This may not sound like a lot of people compared to the numbers of people that come to classes at health clubs, but at my humble studio, twelve is a crowd. I love the group dynamic! The energy in the class is very different when there is a big crowd. They feed off each others energy and use it to work harder, focus, and have fun. So if you are in an exercise rut, try a group class. It could be just the motivator to get you back on track and re-energize your workouts.
Breakfast For Champions
January 21st, 2010Eating breakfast is the single most important thing you can do for your well being. You’ve heard it all before, this is nothing new. But as I sit here having my Greek yogurt, banana and tea, I think about how poorly I would feel two hours from now if I didn’t eat this. Fuel your body for the work it needs to do. Carbs, fats and proteins are all important for the function of our bodies, not to mention our minds. The quality of breakfast foods you choose is equally as important. Stay clear of sugar, highly-processed and high fat foods. They not only suck for your waistline, but drag your energy down into their grim, dastardly bad-food dungeon. So eat up to keep your energy up.
Make A Habit Of Exercise
January 20th, 2010I love the ritual of going to ballet class. Warming up, putting on leotards and leg warmers, fixing my hair up and off my neck. It’s a ritual I performed for most of my life and only recently returned to. Any kind of daily exercise can be the same way. Making something a ritual means making it common and expected in your every day life. Getting up early to fit in a workout or going to the gym after work are rituals for some people. Unfortunately for some, coming home, sitting in front of the TV with a snack, and not exercising is also a ritual. Getting into the habit of exercising is really the one way to actually do it. Taking the first step may be difficult, but just getting it in your body every day can put you on the path to wanting it more.