Phew! Hmmm... strange that I always seem to have ideas to write in this particular blog right after a great workout. I wish I could hang my TRX at the office and get a short workout done so that I get ideas on what to write for my papers. Speaking of the TRX, did any of you watch the Superbowl match between the Saints and the Colts? Nope, I didn't watch it but I knew the Saints won their first ever Superbowl this year.
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. A well deserved win from what I can see in the match highlights in YouTube. Very spirited team. Which is what is most important. Anyway... what does TRX have to do with Superbowl? Well, the Saints' quarterback Drew Brees has been training with the TRX.
He suffered a dislocated shoulder a few years back that could've ended his sporting career. But I'm guessing through therapy and sheer determination, he overcame the injury and ended up winning the Superbowl. Cool, huh? A story for the ages. They should make a movie out of this. Err... Remember the Saints... yeah right. So ciplak. But I'm digressing yet again.
Enough already. Check out these vids of Mr. Drew Brees training with the TRX. Pretty impressive for a guy who had a dislocated shoulder, don't you think?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Doctors, weight gain, choc milk and protein shakes
I went to the clinic a few days ago and the doctor commented that I've gained weight. That was the only piece of good news that I've heard in days. I told the good doctor that I've been exercising, of which he replied "aren't you supposed to lose weight instead of gaining weight when you exercise?" Which goes to show doctors don't know everything (I have a doctor friend who asks me for fitness advice).
Anyway, I think the reason why I've effectively gained weight is because of the habit of drinking chocolate milk after my workouts. The protein's good for me. And I'm pretty sure it's not fat-gain because I'm as lean as ever. Tummy's flat. But still no six pack. Yet.
Pre-workout meals are a bit of a b*tch for me. Can't seem to find that perfect food combo that's easy to get. Maybe this is where those protein shakes come into the picture. What say you?
Anyway, I think the reason why I've effectively gained weight is because of the habit of drinking chocolate milk after my workouts. The protein's good for me. And I'm pretty sure it's not fat-gain because I'm as lean as ever. Tummy's flat. But still no six pack. Yet.
Pre-workout meals are a bit of a b*tch for me. Can't seem to find that perfect food combo that's easy to get. Maybe this is where those protein shakes come into the picture. What say you?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Natural anti-depressants
Been feeling the blues lately. There are some personal and work issues that need to be ironed out. The blues is even worse than usual seeing that I'm nearing the time of the month (too much info? screw it lah. It's my blog).
Good thing that I exercise regularly nowadays. It's a sure fire way of getting rid of any depressing thoughts. I don't know about any studies, but I'm pretty sure exercise releases feel good hormones.
Hmmm... sometimes I wish that corporations provide a simple gym for their staff to relieve stress. Just hang a few punching bags, supply some free weights, perhaps a couple of TRXs and give incentives to their staff to actually use the gym. It may sound counterintuitive (to the idiot bosses) but by doing so the company may see an improvement in productivity.
Maybe the powers that be should see it this way: healthy employees means less medical bills. Happy employees means a lower chance of a disgruntled wage earner storming into the offices with a shotgun in each hand.
Me thinks those are decent reasons. Don't you?
Good thing that I exercise regularly nowadays. It's a sure fire way of getting rid of any depressing thoughts. I don't know about any studies, but I'm pretty sure exercise releases feel good hormones.
Hmmm... sometimes I wish that corporations provide a simple gym for their staff to relieve stress. Just hang a few punching bags, supply some free weights, perhaps a couple of TRXs and give incentives to their staff to actually use the gym. It may sound counterintuitive (to the idiot bosses) but by doing so the company may see an improvement in productivity.
Maybe the powers that be should see it this way: healthy employees means less medical bills. Happy employees means a lower chance of a disgruntled wage earner storming into the offices with a shotgun in each hand.
Me thinks those are decent reasons. Don't you?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fat Burning Bodyweight Circuit Exercises
By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Turbulence Training for Fat Loss
Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit Turbulence Training for Fat Loss
Turbulence Training for Fat Loss
When you travel, you worry about missing your workouts and eating poorly...So you must plan ahead for both (apples and almonds for planes, trains, & automobiles)...and bodyweight circuits for "no-equipment fat burning".
And while I have bodyweight exercises that are just as hard as the bench press and barbell squat in one of my bodyweight workouts, today we'll focus on replacing intervals with bodyweight circuits.
To do a bodyweight circuit...
a) Pick 3 lower body exercises
b) Pick 3 upper body exercises
c) Alternate between a lower and upper body exercise without rest, till you are done all 6 exercises
d) Rest a minute.
e) Repeat 2-3 more times until you are done 20 minutes
For example, this is a great circuit that doesn't need any equipment
1) Prisoner Squat (12 repetitions)
2) Elevated Pushups (8 reps per side)
3) Single-Leg Deadlift (10 reps per side)
4) Close-grip Pushups (As many reps as possible)
5) Jumping Jacks (30-60 reps)
6) Cross-Body Mountain Climber (12 reps per side)
Whew. That's pretty advanced...for a beginner, we'd slow it down like this and take some breaks between exercises...
1) Wall Squat (8 reps)
2) Kneeling Elevated Pushup (5 reps per side)
3) Lying 1-leg Hip Extension (8 reps per side)
4) Plank (30 second hold)
5) Jumping Jacks (5-10 reps)
6) Side Plank (15 second hold per side)
Safe travels, and of course, always check with your doctor before beginning a fat burning bodyweight circuit exercise program.
About the AuthorCraig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit Turbulence Training for Fat Loss
Monday, February 1, 2010
Long weekend update.
Another round of Meathead Workout B under my belt and I'm feeling really good.
This weekend I decided to take it slow and stay at home instead of the usual back to back partying. Just met up with some friends, played a few rounds of pool and then it's back home. Admittedly, I didn't workout on Saturday and Sunday. Just practiced my pull ups and chin ups for a few minutes (maybe seconds) and I was then on my laptop playing Mafia Wars and later on watched the Federer-Murray final on TV.
Only today did I decided to exercise. It's just a short 30-minute workout but don't be fooled. It's still a tough one which left me in a pool of sweat. Anyway, I've decided to take it slow and not be too anal about how many times I workout in a week.
Three times of intense workouts should be sufficient. I think it's the worrying about filling my 'workout quota' that has gotten my lazy of late. Must not be too obsessed. Must remind myself of that.
Okay. That's it. I'm off for a chocolate milk. Tata!
This weekend I decided to take it slow and stay at home instead of the usual back to back partying. Just met up with some friends, played a few rounds of pool and then it's back home. Admittedly, I didn't workout on Saturday and Sunday. Just practiced my pull ups and chin ups for a few minutes (maybe seconds) and I was then on my laptop playing Mafia Wars and later on watched the Federer-Murray final on TV.
Only today did I decided to exercise. It's just a short 30-minute workout but don't be fooled. It's still a tough one which left me in a pool of sweat. Anyway, I've decided to take it slow and not be too anal about how many times I workout in a week.
Three times of intense workouts should be sufficient. I think it's the worrying about filling my 'workout quota' that has gotten my lazy of late. Must not be too obsessed. Must remind myself of that.
Okay. That's it. I'm off for a chocolate milk. Tata!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)