Archive for the ‘Fitness’ Category

Intervals and Socks

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

I haven’t had any new knitting related content because, well, there’s been no knitting. The only time I’ve had to knit lately is in the car when Bill and I go somewhere together. The last time I was able to work on the Copper Diamond socks was last weekend. We drove over to Falmouth to go to Ebel’s and get some bacon (Hey, if you’re gonna have it, you should have the very best) only to be dissatisfied with the selection. I managed to get the heel turned on the second sock. Gotta love the Sox that Rock yarn. It knits up really quickly.

Lunch
8 running intervals outside. Total distance: 3 miles.

And, by the way, I wear Thorlos when running. They are the best!

Just Life

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

I haven’t been logging my workouts here as much, and as a consequence…I haven’t been as consistent. Well, that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.

I’m almost done with TT for Abs…one cardio/ab circuit day one more weightlifting day and then on to new things. I haven’t chosen a plan yet, but it will probably be one of the Turbulence Training for Fat Loss plans.

Saturday
20 min walk pushing Sam in the stroller. Would have went longer, but he was fussing. He was actually hungry and tired.

Sunday
20 min (easy) yoga

This Morning
20 min (easy) yoga

Lunch Time
Turbulence Training for Abs Week 4 Workout B

Last day to get Turbulence Training for Abs for only a dollar

Monday, October 15th, 2007

Today is the last day to get a 2-week membership to the Turbulence Training Members site for a dollar. I can say that after 3 weeks on the TT for Abs program, my abs are definitely looking better.

I’ve been doing Turbulence Training for Women since about March and have had great results. I weigh less than I did pre-pregnancy, I look better, I have more endurance and I’m stronger. I still want to lose about 8 lbs, but I won’t get serious about dieting until I’m done breastfeeding.

As a new mom, I love that Turbulence Training workouts are quick and very effective. I workout less now than I did before I got pregnant and have better results.

Here’s an article by the creator of Turbulence Training, Craig Ballantyne, about fat-loss.

Politically Incorrect Fat Loss Works

By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
www.TurbulenceTraining.com

You know who is your worst enemy in the fight against fat?

Well-meaning fitness professionals that don’t want to make you feel bad for being lazy and eating crap. That’s who.

They write articles about how “diets are bad”, how you can lift
soup cans and get fitness model arms, and how you should exercise in the nice and easy “fat burning zone” to get results. Basically, they give you what want to hear - plenty of excuses for avoiding hard exercise and strict nutrition (the real keys to fat loss).

But I don’t. You’ll get no such excuses from me.

Here’s the real deal on fat loss. You have to work hard in your
workouts and even harder on your nutrition if you want results. Or you can take the politically-correct easy way out and have the same body in 3, 6, and even 12 months from now.

Love me or hate me, I promise you results. Let’s take a look at why the PC-solutions don’t work…

Q: I’ve been told to exercise in my “fat burning zone”. What’s the best cardio method for weight los.

Answer:
Cardio is not the only solution.

Clearly it adds to the energy deficit and overall calorie balance
that favors fat loss.

BUT it’s not the “be all & end all” of fat loss success - and that
is anecdotally supported by the number of overweight distance
runners.

I almost never recommend long, slow cardio…simply because no one I train or consult with has the time for this, and it doesn’t work any better than shorter, less frequent, more intense interval training sessions.

Five or six days of 45-minute cardio sessions in my fat-burning
zone? Yeah right, like anyone has time for that.

If I told you that you could get the same results (or better, as
recent research suggests) in three 20-minute interval sessions
each week as you could from three or five 45-minute slower cardio sessions each week, which would you choose?

Yes, intervals feel about 10x’s harder than regular, slow, boring
cardio. And yes, you won’t be able to read your people magazine
when doing intervals. And you might breath a little heavy. So if
you’re worried about sweating, than maybe fat loss isn’t for you.

But if you don’t mind going against the crowd, intervals are worth every second for the superior results.

Q: Should men and women train differently for fat loss?

Answer:
Nope. Next question.

Seriously, the answer is no, but just to add to that, men and women don’t have that many differences when it comes to fat loss, so they both do well with the Turbulence Training style workouts.

Now here’s one reason why TT may actually work better for women than men…

More women tend to start Turbulence Training after having spent months or years using slow cardio and light (if any) weights. And selfishly, I could not be any happier - because when these dedicated women start using the shorter, more intense strength and interval sessions they make rapid progress and make me look like a genius.

The accolades come pouring in…I have dozens of testimonials from women thanking me for saving them TIME while helping them finally breakthrough stubborn fat loss plateaus (and eliminating the pain from their overuse injuries that occurred due to high volumes of cardio). Their words make me feel like a million bucks because the TT workouts are making these women feel like a million bucks.

That being said, I sometimes make small changes in TT workouts to adapt to a woman’s pre-conceived notions about strength training. Some women are very hesitant to lift weights. But you and I know that is necessary for bodysculpting, fat loss, and health benefits such as building bones.

So what I do is sub a few (not all!) of the weight exercises out
and replace them with equal intensity bodyweight exercises. Some bodyweight exercises can be classified as traditional strength exercises (i.e. for a woman that can only do 5 full pushups, the pushup exercise is almost a max strength exercise). But women “mentally” deal with this type of strength training better than putting a dumbbell in their hands.

On the other hand, some bodyweight exercises provide more of an interval training effect (i.e. bodyweight squats). Either way,
bodyweight exercises can put turbulence (i.e. “stress”) on the
muscle and boost metabolism and help female clients get the results they want and deserve.

Q: What differentiates Turbulence Training from other programs?

Answer:
That’s a tough question to answer, as there are other systems out there that give impressive results in an acceptable time frame.

I will say this however, I am extremely dedicated to Turbulence
Training and the entire “fat loss” cause.

One of the factors behind my dedication is that I find the general concept of fat loss to be so simple, and yet millions and millions of people around the world have an incredibly difficult time achieving their goals.

I want to give them every possible resource available to them to
help them succeed.

So I am constantly tinkering with new workouts, exercises, and
interval methods, and interviewing other trainers and nutritional experts for every single little fat burning advantage I can find. And that comes through in what I offer to the readers of my newsletters and clients that use my programs.

I said in a past newsletter that “Fat loss is easy, once you
realize how hard it is.” You have to respect that it’s not
something you put on “auto-pilot”. Taking the stairs at work
instead of the elevator, parking 100 extra feet away from the door, and subbing 1% milk for 2% milk is not going to help you lose 13 pounds of fat in a year like the politically correct articles
suggest.

You need a politically-incorrect plan to eat right 90% of the time
(i.e. saying “no” when an office-mate brings in doughnuts) and you have to have the best workout plan available to you if you want to get the most results in the least amount of time.

And then you still have to have a plan to help you stick to those
plans - and that should involve a social support group. There are
many tricks and tips to success, so you always have to keep
learning and trying to improve. And that’s what I help with in my programs and newsletters.

About the Author

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 www.TurbulenceTraining.com

Turbulence Training For Abs for a Dollar

Monday, October 8th, 2007

I just started week three of Turbulence Training for Abs. What a butt kicker! Or should I say Ab Kicker. I’ve been doing pretty good with sticking with my plan. Except for early last week.

WARNING!!! What follows might be TMI!!!

I’m still breastfeeding and I have not had my menstrual cycle return yet (super bonus!!!) but I’m starting to experience PMS like symptoms occasionally…like monthly. These include low energy, carb cravings like crazy, a few zits, oilier skin and general crabbiness. Estrogen is a powerful demotivator! I didn’t miss it much while it was away.

Return to your regularly scheduled post

Anyway, Craig has a great offer up now. Get a 2 week trial membership to his TT Members site for $1. You get the Bodyweight 500 workout when you sign up. The Bodyweight 500 workout is based on the 300 workout that Craig designed a couple of months ago, which in turn was based on the workout the guys in the movie 300 did.

So for a dollar, you get:

  • Turbulence Training 500 Bodyweight Workout
  • Turbulence Training for Abs
  • Turbulence Training Original Bodyweight Workout
  • And finally, Nutrition Guidelines by Dr. Chris Mohr

That’s 12 weeks of workout! For a dollar! The offer ends October 15th, 2007.

Turbulence Training For Abs

Monday, September 24th, 2007

I’ve been lacking in the workout motivation department for at least the last month. I decided it was because I was a little bored. I’ve been following Turbulence Training for Women for over 5 months (started April 2). I’ve seen some great results…I lost 20 pounds (went from 180lbs to 160lbs). Although the workouts change every 4 weeks, the basic structure has remained the same.

I decided it was time to change things up. Luckily, I joined the Turbulence Training Members site where I get a new workout every month. September’s workout is Turbulence Training for Abs and it’s different enough to get me fired up again. Plus, I’m REALLY sore, which I love. My abs, hamstrings, and back are all talking to me. And I’ve only got 2 of the weight lifting workouts in.

This plan is structured a little differently…3 supersets of total body exercises followed by an ab circuit. There are three different weightlifting workouts each week and one ab/interval circuit. Two of the weightlifting workouts are to be followed by intervals.

As usual, I changed things up to fit my schedule. I do the intervals on off weight days because of time constraints and my daily activities include either yoga or walking with Sam and Bill.

I started this new program on a Thursday instead of the usual Monday and I’m glad I did. I’ve committed to working out at home on Saturday for the next four weeks and the workout that would fall on that day can be done entirely with equipment I have at the house. Plus I would feel self conscious doing some of them…Bear Crawls come to mind. And let me just say…I suck at burpees. Saturday’s workout kicked my ass! I cut the # of reps down on some of the exercises and reduced time on others.

Thursday
Turbulence Training for Abs Workout A

Friday
Intervals - 30 Min total, 6 60/60 Intervals on elliptical followed by steady state to make 30 min

Saturday
Turbulence Training for Abs Workout B

Sunday
Rest

Monday
Turbulence Training for Abs Workout C

Change of Plans

Friday, September 14th, 2007

I am now going to Chicago with Bill on Sunday. His friend was supposed to go with him, but life intervened and he is unable to attend. Bill hates to travel alone, so Sam and I will keep him company. We have to leave by 5 AM! Now, that isn’t really a problem for me because I actually get up that early on a regular basis. However, Bill is a slow and late riser.

So, I think I will make some beer early Saturday morning. Then I’ll do my weekly cleaning and make apple crisp and jalapeño humus to take to a cookout. THEN, if I have time left I will try to dye some yarn.

Yesterdays Workouts
Morning - 30 Min Step Aerobics, Turbulence Training Ab Workout A
Lunch
DB Step ups - 16.25
Incline Press - 30

Ball Single Leg Extension/Curl - 8
Wide Grip Seated Row - 65

I’m not dead

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have been sick with a pretty persistent cold. It developed last Thursday afternoon and I’m still pretty congested. Made for a kind of crummy Labor Day.

I named the the company: TBS Web Solutions. That would be Tonya, Bill, Sam. Or Tonya Bednarick Services. However you want to look at it.

I am pretty much an introvert and am happiest when I’m knitting or working on the computer. In order to help make my new venture a success, I’ve hired a coach. Shann Vander Leek owns True Balance Life Coaching and is an amazing woman and friend. She led a very successful sales team in the competitive world of TV advertising sales for over ten years before starting her company. I think working with such a successful woman will help me come out of my shell and make the contacts in this community to have a successful web development company.

I pretty much didn’t work out much in the last week. Tuesday I did about 20 minutes of pilates and stretching. Yesterday I went for a 20 minute walk. Had to get back to it today, even though I am still congested and coughing. A week off makes my back hurt.

I took it easy today (kind of). Went a little lighter on the weights and didn’t push too hard.

This Morning
30 Min Cathe KickMax Drills + Abs and stretch

Lunch
DB Stepups 15lbs
DB Incline Press 25lbs

Wide grip seated row 60lbs
Single Leg Ball Curl

Have not been slacking off

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

It’s been very busy at work this week and I’ve actually been doing something fun…web development. My first love. Time just flies by when I do that kind of work. That is a good thing.

Monday
Step Ups 15
DB Incline Press 30
Wide Grip Rows 60
Single Leg Ext. Curl 8

Tuesday
Running Intervals on Treadmill 8 60/60 Intervals + 10 minutes jogging

Wednesday
Rest (Well, really I didn’t have time because I had to ready for a demo)

Thursday
Front Squat 50
Assisted Chins 82 lbs assist

Reverse Lunge 20
Pushups 8

Back in the Gym

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

Today was the my first time in the gym this week. I did some stuff at home, but it’s not quite the same. I’m really feeling it too. Kinda shaky and definitely worked out.

I started the final stage of Turbulence Training for women today. The front squats were harder on my wrists than I anticipated. And, boy oh boy, slacking off does not pay. The intervals on the elliptical, which only a few weeks ago I found barely challenging, were killer!

Yesterday
30 Min Step - Cathe Cardio Fusion

This Morning
2 sections of Rapid Results Pilates

Lunch
BB Front Squats 50lbs
Assisted Chins, 88 lbs assistance

Reverse Lunges 25
Pushups 8

Intervals 6/60 sec intervals on elliptical

Do you like to run?

Friday, August 17th, 2007

Do you like to run? That is what a co-worker asked me yesterday when I arrived back at the office from my interval workout. I was sweaty, thirsty and my lungs were still burning. I quickly replied “No”.

But that’s not the real truth. As PE class reject, doing things like intervals and heavy weight training make me feel kinda like the jock I always wanted to be. I also appreciate that our bodies were made to move frequently…as mine lets me know when I laze around. Another benefit is the mood improvement I get from a good workout.

So there are three things that trump the actual painful physical act of working out.

  • Increased self esteem
  • Less pain later on
  • Improved mood

Why do you work out?

Morning
10 minutes stretching

Lunch
Turbulence Training Warmup
Specific Warmup

DB Split Squat 30
DB Low Incline Press 30

BB Back Row 65
Single Leg Hip Extension-Swiss Ball Curl 8 (each side)