Exercise: To cope

When headlines are worrisome and news of bankrupt corporate giants are plastered on the television and internet, where can we turn to find peace??? 

The answer is movement, movement can be your sanctuary. Before there were mortgages, interest rates and stock exchanges we survived. We were hunters and gatherers that found joy as we danced to a beat or enjoyed a foot race through the field.

It is time to use the tools of our ancestors to rejuvenate ourselves and embrace the fact that we can find joy, strength and purpose within these economic times.

Use exercise as your healing tool.

• As we exercise we release tension and stress, we find our “center” and press the “reset” button. In a way exercise allows us to wipe the slate clean and begin the rest of the day with a positive outlook.

Use exercise to develop the strength to persevere.

• Exercise is an obstacle, it is a challenge that requires you to “rise to the occasion”. Through this process we develop tenacity and drive, developing these skills in the weight room can help you to successfully navigate through the stressful times in your life.

Check out the following fitness videos to help you use movement as your outlet:

• Yoga for Peace
• Cross-Train: Yoga
• Exercise: Beyond Physical

Beach Body: Cross-Training

Go to any gym and look at the class schedule and you’ll certainly find an array of different classes and workout styles (i.e. pilates, yoga, sculpt, conditioning, kickboxing and the list goes on).

How do you know what workout style is best for you? The truth is that there are numerous ways to arrive at a goal. If efficiency and fun are important elements for your workout routine then cross training may be the answer for you.

Cross-Training utilizes a number of different workout theories and strategies to keep your body responsive. Each week you incorporate a variety of training styles into your routine to give your body a workout that incorporates movements to maximize strength, caloric expenditure, flexibility and core control.

Cross-Training is an excellent way to avoid reaching a plateau and can be seamlessly incorporated into your fitness regime. As a matter of fact, you can start today!!!

Check out the Cross-Train sequence I have designed just for you:
Monday: Cross-Train Strength
Tuesday: Cross-Train Agility
Wednesday: Cross-Train Yoga
Thursday: Cross-Train Cardio
Friday: Cross-Train Strength
Saturday: Cross-Train Basketball Drills
Sunday: Rest

Cross-Train: Yoga

Ozzie Jacobs, Health and Fitness Expert, presents Cross-Train: Yoga!  Cross-training is the best way to avoid plateaus while keeping your workout fun!

Gain strength, flexibility and core control today with Cross-Train: Yoga!!!

Beach body: The perfect derrière

The Derrière, made popular by Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, is an imperative area of focus when developing your beach body. Firming and lifting the glutes (i.e. the butt, derrière, backside) can often elude us because these muscles are accustomed to slacking off!

Most of us sit down at our desk for 8 or more hours a day, sit in our cars for a commute that can range from 20 minutes to an hour and then go home to sit on the couch as we watch our favorite TV shows. With 90% of your waking hours seated, your glutes are on an extended vacation with no reason to get back to work!

So how do we get our glutes to get with the program and join the beach body crusade?

Well, we must first acknowledge and embrace their existence. The glutes are a powerful muscle that when utilized properly can give you tremendous strength while running, jumping, squatting, walking up stairs and any other activity that requires movement of the lower body. During the time that the glutes were “slacking off” the thighs were getting the job done, so in the beginning you may find it difficult to engage the glutes but here are a few tips to get you started:

1. The power of the heel. When doing lower body exercises place the soles of your feet on the floor but emphasize “driving through the heel” like you are smashing a bug. The heel serves as a light switch to turn on the glutes.
2. Squeeze like there is no tomorrow. The body enjoys taking the path of least resistance (avoiding the glutes is an example of this). While doing glute exercises in the gym (like lunges, step-ups or squats) make an effort to squeeze your glutes as hard as you can, after a while they’ll get the message.

Check out a few of my fitness videos, for some of my favorite Derrière exercises:

- Creative Total Body Sculpt
- Training Session

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Yearning for more? Check out the Beach Body Training series to help you get the body you’ve always wanted!

Beach body training

Beach body training: Total body workout

Beach body training: Basketball drills

Beach body training: Gorgeous arms

Beach body training: The fuel

Beach body: Status check

A few weeks have passed since we started the beach body challenge! You’ve been training hard, eating right and consistently completing your cardio program every week….

So how are things going?

How do you plan to track your progress???

Is it the number on the scale, how many compliments you get as you walk down the hallway or maybe your ability to fit into your skinny jeans?

There are numerous ways to track progress but the key is to realize that each day you are making positive steps toward reaching your fitness goals. Make the decision each day to stay consistent and motivated.

Check out Status check: How to track your fitness progress for more information on how to effectively track your progress.

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Yearning for more? Check out the Beach Body Training series to help you get the body you’ve always wanted!

Beach body training

Beach body training: Total body workout

Beach body training: Basketball drills

Beach body training: Gorgeous arms

Beach body training: The fuel

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