Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts

Friday, July 15, 2011

Livestrong article about Interval training

Good exercises for PCOS, Interval training. This is not something I know a lot about, so here is what I'm finding.   

 

10 Minute Interval Exercises

Dynamic Stretching

Due to the high amount of movement you are going to experience with an interval workout, perform dynamic stretches beforehand. This will help prevent muscle injuries, according to Sports Fitness Advisor. Dynamic stretches are performed in motion, unlike static stretches which are held. Perform stretches like deep knee bends, leg swings, lateral lunges, arm crossovers, trunk twists and high knees. This does not count toward your 10 minutes.

Squat Thrusts

Squat thrusts work the lower and upper body simultaneously. To begin, stand with your feet about hip-width apart and arms at your sides. Lower yourself into a deep squat and place your hands on the floor. Quickly kick your legs back behind your body and form a straight back by tightening your abs. Hop your feet back forward, stand back up and repeat. You can make this exercise more challenging by adding a couple variations. When you kick your legs backward, go right into a push-up. Then kick your feet forward and rise back up. To increase the challenge even more, hold dumbbells in your hands. Place them on the floor when you lower your body and raise them above your head when you stand up.

Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers work the abs, glutes, thighs and arms from a face-down position. They also cause a fast rise in heart rate. To start, position your body on the floor as if you were on a track and about to do a sprint race. Your hands should be spaced about shoulder-width apart with one foot forward, one foot backward. Keep your arms fully extended and quickly shift your foot position by hopping into the air. Alternate back and forth in a fast, but controlled motion. While you are exchanging your foot position, keep your hips as low as possible.

Prisoner Squats with Twists

Prisoner squats with twists work the legs, glutes and abs from a standing position. Begin by interlacing your fingers behind your head and spacing your feet about shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back straight, lower yourself into a squat until your thighs parallel the floor. Steadily rise back up and twist your torso to your right side as far as possible. Twist back to center, lower yourself back down and repeat to your left side. Alternate back and forth with each repetition.

Crunch Sit-ups

Crunch sit-ups specifically target the upper and lower abs, and they are performed from a face-up position. To begin, raise your shoulders and legs from the floor so you are balancing on your butt and lower back. Steadily move your torso forward as you pull your knees into your chest. Hold for a second, then move back to the starting point. Alternate back and forth in a steady motion. You can either place your arms at your sides or cross them on your chest.

Alternating Arm and Leg Raises

Alternating arm and leg raises work the glutes, hamstrings, shoulders, back and abs all at once. To start, get onto all fours with your knees straight down from your hips and hands straight down from your shoulders. Steadily raise your right arm in front of your body as you extend your left leg behind your body. You should form a straight line from your hand to your foot at this point. Hold for second, lower your arm and leg and repeat with your other side. Steadily alternate back and forth.

Timing

When doing your workout, have a clock nearby for quick reference. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, and take 30-second rest breaks in between. Once you have finished the series, take another 30-second rest and repeat the sequence one more time.

About this Author

Kevin Rail has worked in the fitness industry since 2001 and has been writing since 2004. He has professional experience as a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, motivational engineer and freelance fitness writer. He currently writes a monthly column for Ron Jones High-Performance Health. Rail has a bachelor's degree in sports management: fitness and wellness from California University of Pennsylvania.

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Years Resolutions and a new fitness routine






I'm sure that everyone is already hammering out their New Years resolutions, exercise more, eat less, diet, loose so many pounds, etc.  I'm not one for making big changes like that, throwing out plastic and switching to glass is one thing, but to do an upheaval of my habits overnight...let's be realistic.  I know better than to think that I will keep up with a major new plan, so I will make small simple changes.  Something like: I will continue my healthy eating and continue to try new healthy foods.  I will incorporate a new fitness routine to add some spark back into exercising.  I will try making my own aluminum free deodorant when my current one runs out.  These are small steps toward my goal of being healthy, and I'm pretty sure I can continue with them through out the year.  I could also try to add another 10 minute routine to my workouts, but I will be gentle on myself if that one doesn't stick as well as i would hope.  I had already started to walk around the parking lot when I take my breaks, that started last year. I've done well except when it rains or I'm not feeling well in general.  So maybe adding a 10 minute routine at the beginning or ending of my day will be something I can stick with.

What resolutions have you made for yourself? Are these massive plans? Are they for health, or for family, etc.  I know some people should resolve to make more time for their family, and yet this one would be as difficult for them as my saying I was going to train for a marathon.  Small steps are good, they are the things that become habits, and become a part of what you do, instead of some massive overhaul. 

I've been cleaning out closets, and old Christmas decorations that I am no longer using.  This is the best time to toss them, as I have just been cleaning up the things I've used.  It feels good to refresh these things and donate the things that I no longer use, but are still good enough for others to appreciate.

Now, about the exercise routine. I have had this in the past, but lost it somehow.  I found it again while shopping at Marshalls, the price is much better there than online.  I liked it, and yoga and pilates are good for those of us with PCOS, and just people in general.  There is something about being centered and balanced that helps us develop more than just our flexibility and strength.  I thought that this was a beginning to intermediate work out, it does a lot of core exercises, and my stomach is in need of that attention.  It is not a cardio routine, but a matt routine focusing on strength.  The setting is beautiful, and it is relaxing even if the movements are strenuous.  Now I will have something newish to work out with in my new work out clothes I got for Christmas. 

Here are some helpful ways of getting past your worries of starting yoga or even pilates
InCyst: How to become yoga friendly

InCyst: Who says you have to kill yourself to...

InCyst: So you think you cant do yoga because...

Monday, July 19, 2010

Lime, the taste of summer


I love the taste of lime, and I love fish tacos, so the combination is just fabulous.  Lime infused water, Tilapia on corn tortillas with shredded cabbage.  The first time I made this I used Lemonaise on the tortilla.  I have since decided to use coleslaw dressing for the second batch.  I might not use any sauce except squeezed lime the next time I prepare these.  There is really no other prep to this dinner, and I love it.

So, dinner was fun and the work out was a beast.  I will have to post reviews of all my work outs some time.  Today's work out was new, and it really pushed me beyond my comfort level.  Brazil Butt Lift is tough, and he believes in squats, as many of my work outs do, but this guy takes it to a whole new level. 



So, that's the goal.  To get back to my normal size and be lifted and toned.  hmm...soon I will be adding Zumba routines into the mix. 

My work out buddy had better not say that I'm not working her out enough.  Between these two the only reason some one would not get a good work out is because they did not put their whole effort into it.

Summer in all it's glory is here, and halfway through, if you haven't gotten your beach body yet get started and have a great one going into the fall. 

Thursday, June 3, 2010

PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Here is the definition from Web MD - http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Topic Overview


What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (say "pah-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohm") is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.

What are hormones, and what happens in PCOS?

Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release of another hormone.
For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOS the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. This makes a vicious circle of out-of-balance hormones. For example:
  • The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause you to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair.
  • The body may have a problem using insulin, called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin well, blood sugar levels go up. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms tend to be mild at first. You may have only a few symptoms or a lot of them. The most common symptoms are:
  • Acne.
  • Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
  • Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
  • Thinning hair on the scalp.
  • Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
  • Fertility problems. Many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
  • Depression.
Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful, but lead to hormone imbalances.

What causes PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS are caused by changes in hormone levels. There may be one or more causes for the hormone level changes.
PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side.



So, now that you have all of that information you should be all sorts of confused, or clear as ever.  There are groups for women going through this, to find ways to cope or find ways to handle living with this condition.
Insulin resistance seems to be the main cause, so rather than focusing on PCOS in general, I have broadened my search for help.  There is a book by Diane Kress "The Metabolism Miracle" - http://themetabolismmiracle.com/default.aspx
This has been the greatest amount of help especially for long term weight loss and maintenance, but for pregnancy I have learned a lot from yet another source. Monika Woolsey http://www.incyst.com/

I realize that this is a lot of information, and I'm not sure how many of you will look at any of the links, so later on as I learn new things I will post them.  Now you will all understand that the lack of a family is not my choice, but something we are trying to overcome.  You're prayers are welcome.
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