Variations on the crunch are often "go to" abdominal exercises. I get the attraction: crunches are convenient and relatively simple. Plus, they provide a good abdominal "burn," which always feels rewarding!
You know that feeling when someone does something and they make it look soooo easy, you all of a sudden think you can do it too? Well, this happened to me.
Clients often tell me that they can't work out at home because they don't have the storage or floor space. I think they associate home gyms with rogue stability balls and weight machines doubling as a TV table.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner – and that means turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the fixings. It's very easy to overindulge at this time of year, especially if you have multiple family dinners to go to. But your diet doesn't have to suffer completely.
In the mid-1990s I lived in La Jolla, California and worked in the entertainment industry.
Set yourself up for health success by adopting what I call the 2 "Cs" of training: convenience and consistency.
Now I always hear: the older you get the more your body changes. But truth is, it's the more YOU change. Yes, your metobolism slows down, and yes it is harder to find the time to be active. But truthfully, it's you who has to decide to make fitness a priority in your life. And it would be easier to sit on the couch or crush a bag of chips and it would be easier to use that time for working out to do absolutely anything else in your house like clean your floors... but you know what, it's not going to make you feel better about yourself.
The body is highly adaptive; if you always do the same workout it will stop responding. Eventually, you will hit a fitness plateau. Plus, who wants to repeat the same routine day in and day out? I know I don't. The standard "three sets of twelve to fifteen reps" is fantastic if you have been training for less than six months, you have an injury or if you are prone to injuries. If you are healthy and have a training base of six months or more, you need to mix things up if you want to continue to get stronger and see further results. Try "pyramid sets" – they are an effective yet simple way to add variety to a workout.
You have our official approval to walk, run, or workout while watching TV - please present this item to all whom doubt you! Heck, you can even do it in your living room, bedroom, den, garage, wherever you have a TV. You can even use your PVR to record your favourite shows or use Netflix and binge on a new series. Go ahead! You're approved. Fitness is not some sacred event that requires your total concentration – it will not be spoiled by watching TV. You can even watch a show on 'how to deep fry foods' – it won't hurt you. It's OK.
You've made an important decision and purchased an exercise machine, whether it's a treadmill, elliptical, bike or home gym. That's great! You've made the commitment to be healthy. An important thing to remember is that you need to make your workout part of your routine so you will keep to it. We all struggle with motivation and getting on that machine sometimes. Here are some tips to help you stick to your workout routine.