Core Workout

I am teaching a group class today on postnatal core exercises though really anyone can benefit from this workout.  The class is being offered to raise money for The Valerie Fund, whose mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.  


The definition of "core" varies from source to source but I like to think of it as your entire torso or spine area, basically the center of your body to which your head, arms and legs connect.  So, this includes the upper back muscles that insert into the spine, the lower back, the abdominals and the hip flexors.  


Here they are:


Wood chops/reverse wood chops
Standing crunches
Side to side rotation 
Mountain climbers
Quadruped
Prone Cobra
Pelvic Tilts
Bridge Press
Dead bugs
Leg drops
Hip crossover
Plank
Side plank/modified side plank
Kegels


For more exercises, check out this list.


Be well.

Some new workout ideas

I was scanning through facebook the other day and came across an awesome video on Chris Johnson's page.  This is functional training taken to the extreme. Enjoy.

Rewards

So, we'd all like to believe that the best reward for living a fit life is knowing that we're taking care of ourselves.  But really, don't we deserve a little something for all the hard work that goes into maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

I've struggled for the past few years to figure out ways to keep myself motivated and what exactly to reward myself with when I reach my goals.  Obviously, food is not the answer and neither is a "day off" from exercise or eating well.  So, what's a girl to do?

A client of mine set up a reward system involving products from Lush.  When she lost a certain amount of weight, she would schedule time for a bath and drop in one of their fizzy bath bombs!  I love this idea.  And, I was able to benefit from her inspiration.  When I recently broke through my weight plateau (yeah!), I hopped in a tub filled with warm water, dropped in a bath bomb that she had given me and relaxed, celebrating my recent success.

For many of my clients who are just starting to exercise I suggest that they reward themselves with new workout clothes.  Even a new pair of socks can be fun.  And really, who doesn't want to look cute while sweating it out on the elliptical or when working with their trainer?  Burpees are evil but a cute outfit makes them a tiny bit more tolerable.

Be well and reward yourself for all you've achieved on your path to personal fitness.