FitSugar

Gabby's Fit Pregnancy

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

My girl Gabrielle Reece will be gracing the cover of the December issue of Pregnancy Magazine. I can't get enough of Gabby's great attitude and healthy lookout on life - she is one famous face that seems to have it together.

Gabby believes in working out during pregnancy, as opposed to afterwards when it's time to lose that weight. She explains a few of the exercises that she does to keep fit while pregnant. So to see a few of my favorites, just read more

Holding a 5-pound dumbbell in each hand, bend slightly at the waist and split your stance so that your right foot is in front of your left foot. Your right arm is extended toward the floor while your left arm is bent in a V. Simultaneously do a slow bicep curl with your right arm and a kickback with your left arm. Do 1 set of 12 reps on each side.

Start on all fours with your spine neutral. Extend your left leg straight back and slightly elevated, so that you feel a burn in your glutes. Holding a 3-pound dumbbell, extend your right arm straight out, at 90 degrees to your leg. Curl your right arm toward the outside of your left elbow, as if you’re giving yourself a hug. Do 1 set of 12 reps on each side.

Place a small chair within arm’s reach of stability ball, then lean on the ball with your back and shoulders supported, your rear off the ground and your left leg crossed over your right knee. Using your hips and glutes, push yourself up into a bridge position; hold onto the chair for support if you need it. Do 1 set of 12 reps on each side.

There are more great exercises to do while pregnant (and even if you're not) so check out the latest issue of Pregnancy Magazine.

More Motivation from Gabby Reece

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Gabby Reece is a smart, athletic woman and mom. She is working hard at spreading a positive message to all of us other women and moms about our health and our bodies.

Here's more:

Hey, it's about being all that you are at whatever phase of life you're living. Hot is hot. You don't have to have a number to define you or make you dynamic and alive. Perfectly smooth skin doesn't make you happy, and if it did, what do you call all those hormonal teenagers running around? Of course I look back upon the past with fondness - after all, it's what brought me to the place I'm standing. However, I don't want to go back there, I want to focus on what I'm trying to create now.

Okay, so now is my time to get superficial with you. Our bodies. Why are we torturing ourselves about our bodies? How about taking in where you are, and if you want to make some improvements (lose some weight, take up a new exercise class, start getting outside more often, eat better, change your hair) then go for it. Yes, I do believe you can get better with age, feel better, look better, but it's not going to happen by wishing you were at another time in your life. It's only going to happen by embracing where you are now and being the best you can be. Right now.

Gabby is taking her own advice as her husband, surfer Laird Hamilton, talked to People about Reece who despite being 5 months pregnant spent the weekend in Chicago playing on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. In her spare time, Reece has also been offering fitness tips for expectant mothers. "She's feeling good, training hard, working out like an animal. She gets checked out every week to make sure it's good – she's not foolhardy," he continues, "She's in the best shape of her life, and she's really happy with the way she's playing."

Source

Gabby Tells It Like It Is, Again

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I am a big fan of Gabby Reece. Her blog on yahoo is informative and fun, but above all she tells it like it is.

She recently talked about how we adults should take tips from our kids this summer:

Play. Kids run and jump around and don't' call it "working out;" they call it playing. So, if you hate the gym and the feeling of "I have to work out," then find some activity that involves moving that you have fun at. Go outside and play, but be home for dinner.
Eat when you're hungry and only until you are full. Children don't dream and obsess about food (except candy). They sometimes even forget to eat. The key lesson to learn from young children is once they are full, they stop eating. Plenty of times you will see them leave really yummy stuff on their plate because they are full. We really overeat as a culture. If this is too difficult, then just put less on your plate.
Sleep. They go until they drop. Turn off the computer and TV and get some rest. That's why the little buggers are so happy and have so much energy - because they recover.

There's more tips from Gabby, so read more

Speak your mind. That's right how many times do you think you're going to crawl under the table because your kid says something overly honest? We pound it into our kids to "tell the truth," but yet we go around stuffing our own feelings. This is a form of not telling the truth. I think we would all feel better and relieved if we just got some of that stuff off of our chest. Doesn't mean you have to be malicious just honest.
Use your manners. This is another foundational piece we preach to children, but yet we stop being thankful. Look around and see how fortunate you are. Say thank you for what you do have and let's all stop obsessing about what we don't have or we think we want. Use that energy to put into yourself something more productive.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Since they are underage, they don't drink, but I think it's fine for you to have a glass of wine or a beer now and again. I would watch the alcohol consumption because it is hard on your organs, makes you reach for a lot more food than you would normally, and is just generally disruptive. I met a guy who I hadn't seen in about seven months and he lost 60 lbs. You know what he said: "I stopped drinking."
Laugh. You hear how often they giggle and laugh? Sometimes I catch myself and I feel so uptight and borderline grumpy. Have a laugh and notice all the fun stuff around. Joy is good for the soul and the gut.
Be in the moment. Kids have the luxury of being present since we worry about all of it for them. However, there is something to be said for being involved with whatever you are doing. Don't sit at lunch with one friend texting another. Hang up the cell and be present.

Source

Sheryl Crow and Gabby Reece: Life Partners!

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 12:35:23 -0800

For six weeks Sheryl Crow and Gabby Reece are partners for life -- and we can watch it all go down online. Seriously.

Should you get yourself a life partner? read more

Yahoo Health has created Side-by-Side, a fabulous interactive program geared at promoting women's health and strength. On the forum, Gabby enables Sheryl to become stronger and healthier in six weeks and we (the viewers) are able to watch it all happen because they post weekly chats the two women have, as well as email correspondences. By focusing on Sheryl's health, strength and overall wellness, Gabby is literally her Life Partner.

This concept is great in so many ways! Not only are they promoting women's health topics but they are also promoting a sense of community. Sometimes you need a partner helping and motivating you along the way. We may not all be amazing breast cancer survivor-super star-singers with professional volleyball player friends to turn to, but anyone with the right goals in mind can be that person for you. Furthermore, Side-by-Side is not a weight loss promotion (because as we all know, Sheryl does not need to lose any pounds) but a self wellness promotion. Let's face it, we can all use someone to tell us how great we are every once in a while.

Fit's Tip: If you haven't already, get yourself a life partner with the same wellness goals in mind and you can be their life partner too!

Gabby Reece on Getting Physical With Laird Hamilton

FitSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When it comes to fit couples, like former pro beach volleyball fitness guru Gabby Reece and her hunk of a husband pro surfer Laird Hamilton, you have to wonder if they work out together.

When posed with Sugar user Spectra's question, "What kind of activities do you do with Laird to stay fit?" Gabby quickly responded, with an almost inaudible chuckle, "Oh my gosh, I try not to train with Laird. We've been together for almost 14 years and always joke that we are both too bossy to train together trying to tell each other what to do, and he always wins. I would say Laird is far more advanced in some of the things he is able to do. I use him as an inspiration."

To learn how Laird inspired her to start biking, read more.

Laird urged Gabby to start biking suggesting that it was a great way to explore the beauty Hawaii has to offer. She also occasionally works out with the "boys" when she misses her own workout group due to scheduling conflicts. She explains that the workout,

"is really hard. I am there just barely silent holding on for dear life. But I am learning. . . You can always learn more, because it gets boring. Part of it is being around people . . . that give ideas and inspiration on how to do different things to keep it fresh."

Gabby did go on to say they do stuff in the water together as a couple and as a family, but training together happens "only once in a blue moon" and that might be what keeps them together.

My husband and I cycle together, but we had to hash out the parameters since we have different approaches to attacking hills and speeding down descents. What about you? Do work out with your husband, partner, boyfriend?

Gabby Reece to Readers: Grow Up!

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Gabrielle Reece, is not unlike yours truly, and has been coaching us all online to a healthier, happier you. It seems that Ms. Gabby has hit the end of her rope with her readers...

In one of her latest posts on Yahoo.com, she lays it on the line:

"...Is it fun? Grow up. What single thing in life worth having is easy? I think it's so strange because for the most part, we're taught that if we just work hard, we can make anything happen. Yet, we can't seem to buy into that when it comes to our own health and bodies.

Get a friend right now and make a plan. Start three days a week walking or biking. Do something active three days a week for 30 minutes. Get your heart rate up. Once you get going, start taking a class together once a week. Split the fees on a trainer once a month. Mix it up and try to get creative.

Get away from the TV and computer and use that time for YOU. Here, I'll make it easy -- treat it like work. Don't flake, just show up and get it done. I know the food is the most challenging part, but it's key in this equation.

Watch your portions, don't skip meals, monitor snacking, drink only water, eat real food, don't microwave stuff, avoid the drive-thru, and if you're questioning whether or not something is "OK to eat," chances are you already know the answer. When I say it doesn't come easy, that doesn't mean it has to be total hell either. Get involved with your health and fitness life, and you'll begin to see that there are a lot of ways to cheat, have fun, and still be successful.

Last nagging point, find ways to not let the stress get to you, and sleep, babies. Let's go, people. This is it. You can do it."

While it does seem a little harsh at first, I have to say that I completely agree with her here. Time and time again, we so called fatbloggers get tons of emails requesting the magic bullet of exercise and weight loss. That is like winning the lottery folks, and for most of us, it's just not going to happen. Put in the time and effort and you will get results.

Source

Gabrielle Reece on Fitting Fitness Into a Busy Life

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:50:52 -0700

Gabrielle Reece is a fitness idol of mine, and I was lucky enough to speak to her about fitness and motherhood recently. I thought she was cool before, but now I wish she could be my new BFF.

Needless to say, Gabby is a busy lady, and many of you were curious about how she fits fitness into her daily routine. Simply put, she's aggressive about it. Comparing her commitment to working out to her obligations as a mother, she says that you wouldn't skip out on picking your kids up from school, so you shouldn't skip taking care of yourself. One way to ensure she doesn't blow off her workout is by running a circuit-training group of 10 women on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Since she's responsible for the class, she's there. Gabby saves the other two weekdays for cardio - biking or swimming. She explained her reasoning:

"It comes down to this . . . I am going to be a better wife, a better professional, a better mom, and definitely a nicer human being if I train. So I schedule it. And I think it's critical to schedule with other people because then you're accountable. You just can't blow it off."

To see how becoming a mom has changed her workouts, read more.
A mother of two young girls, Gabby knows that once you become a mom, you have a lot less time, and time constraints force you to be a lot more flexible. She explained that she has become more focused, too, when she has a scheduled workout.

"I have become a lot more serious about that time. If I have allotted an hour, I don't mess around with that time. I don't chitchat. This hour is golden and I am here to bust it. There have been days where I only have 20 . . . Instead of freaking out I say, 'Today is 20 minutes and 20 minutes is better than nothing.' With being a mom, you have a mix. I have become softer and harsher about it all."

As a working mother with two girls of my own, I fully relate. That 6 a.m. workout is the time I have to work out, so I make it work. Says Gabby: "When I am training, it's an opportunity to just be me, not do the mom thing. It's a chance to plug into my inner athlete."

Here's to a victorious inner athlete! Stay tuned for more on Gabby's food, abs, and working out with Laird, her surfer-pro husband.

Gabrielle Reece Dishes About Food and Abs

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:00:45 -0700

I have been a fan of Gabrielle Reece for a while, and after talking to her recently I would love to work out with her. Why? She doesn't believe in crunches. Gabby is all about functional exercises since the hardest thing to move is your own body. She explained how she tones her midsection: "Over the years, I learned to incorporate doing abs within an all-body exercise. Then you're working in all the planes of motions and the abs have to coordinate with the rest of the body." One of her favorites is plank with row. Yeah, your arms are moving in this exercise, but the abs are working the most to hold you steady in plank position.

Food is an essential part of healthy living, and to learn what Gabby eats for breakfast just read more.

When it comes to her diet, she has recognized that her needs vary from day to day, but she most always begins with a smoothie. Gabby starts with almond milk and frozen fruit, then adds peanut butter for fat and powdered greens. It is full of protein, but easy to digest before training. She explains her general food philosophy like this:

"I do better when I eat smaller meals throughout the day, especially a smaller dinner. I try not to freak out about food too much and be neurotic. But I do avoid processed food . . . I avoid flour and sugary drinks. I have learned to eat colorful foods. If it doesn't have a shelf life of 50 years . . . it is real food and that's what I am all about these days."

Gabby also believes in an afternoon pick-me-up. She savors dark chocolate and sips on jasmine tea. Since those are two of my favorite treats, maybe I would rather take afternoon tea with her instead of having her push me through a functional fitness workout.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:50:00 -0700

Renee Zellweger has decided to not put on the pounds to reprise her Bridget Jones role. How do you feel about actors gaining weight for roles?
What's not to love about Gabby Reece? She doesn't do crunches but freely admits working out makes her a nicer human being.
Save some dough and make your own yogurt.
If you're looking for a workout DVD, then Shred it up with Jillian Michaels for an ongoing 30 day challenge.
I am curious how many meals you eat out in one week?
January Jones is mad for costar Christina Hendricks's curves.
Here are five ways to make your salad healthier.
Holy whole grains! Be sure to start cooking with these five healthy whole grains.

Speak Up: What One Question Would You Ask Gabrielle Reece?

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:30:46 -0700

Gabrielle Reece has been spreading the word about the power of fitness and health for a good long while now.

She kicked ass playing pro beach volleyball. She models. She talks fitness in Shape magazine, and she even blogs! As a mother of two, Gabby has also helped us stay fit while pregnant and bounce back after babies arrive.

I will be talking with Gabrielle soon and would love to ask her your questions too. Tell me, what one question would you ask Gabby? If you have a few questions, that's OK too. Just leave them in the comment section below.