Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak who's trained Alicia Keys, Eva Mendes, and Halle Berry has a little tip for us when it comes to strength training. He recommends a one sided workout like this: "Work with only one arm or one leg at a time when strength training with dumbbells. This way, while you're resting one side of your body you'll keep the other side going strong."
I love this idea of focusing on one side at a time. In some exercises, you can cheat by letting your dominant side do the brunt of the work, so this technique allows you to concentrate on strengthening both sides equally. This workout may take you twice as long, but Harley assures that "your heart will also have to keep pumping hard through your entire workout, which means that you'll actually burn more calories overall." Give it a try the next time you strength train.
In a pinch, I'm a big fan of frozen meals from Amy's Kitchen, and I particularly like the "bowls." I always keep a few in my freezer just in case I don't have time to make lunch. While the Country Cheddar Bowl is my favorite, I also like the Stuffed Pasta Shells. While perusing the frozen aisle at the grocery store, I noticed a new bowl and had to give it a try.
If you're looking for a unique way to increase flexibility in your spine, then you'll want to try Locust. The full pose is rather Cirque du Soleil-ish, with both feet extended in the air. It's extremely challenging since it requires both flexibility in the back and upper body strength, so let's ease into Locust with a relaxing prep pose.
Sanskrit Name: Viparita Salabhasana English Translation: Inverted Locust Also Called: Locust Prep
They say the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but I must add that it generally isn't the healthiest. Here are a few things I think will help you stay happy, fit, and healthy in December.
I have been a vitamin skeptic for years, having experimented with different types of supplements off and on over the years. I took folic acid when I decided I wanted to get pregnant, and I encourage my mother to take calcium since the supplements have been shown to help women over 65 maintain healthy bone density. The more I read about vitamins, the more nutritionist and dietitians say to eat your vitamins and that the body processes micronutrients and antioxidants better from food. Additionally, vitamin deficiencies are not really a problem here in the US rendering supplements unnecessary.
A compilation of studies on the benefits of vitamins A, C, and E indicate that they don't prevent cancer or heart disease. Some studies have even found that taking vitamins may shorten your life. Ahhh . . . the bitter ironies.
I know we are all trying to be as healthy as we can be and I am wondering your stance on nutritional supplements. So tell me . . .
Very inexpensive, relatively easy, and extremely effective, jump roping is one of the best pieces of fitness equipment to have on hand. It takes up no room in your travel bag, and because it gets your heart rate up in no time, it's great for those times when you can only squeeze in a quick workout.
Men's Health shares my love for the jump rope and counted the ways in which it's awesome, although the magazine didn't include one of my favorite parts of jumping rope — it's so much fun! Here are five reasons why the guy's mag is a fan of jumping rope (I bet they think it's a blast, too).
Cost: A mere $15 or so will get you a jump rope that lasts for years. Compared to other cardio equipment, there's no contest in which gets the most bang-for-your-buck.
Portability: Inside, outside, on a flat roof, in your hotel room, on the backyard deck — you can jump rope anywhere that has high enough ceilings.
To see three more reasons jump roping is great, read more
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