Sweat: Sweet Savings

Why is it we, myself included, spend massive amounts of cash on fitness? It seems we are willing to pay everyone, and buy everything that is suggested to help us get in "dream" shape. We spend "x" amount on trainer,  on runners, on gym memberships...etc. The problem from my perspective: is that in paying other for our fitness aspiration we outsource our commitment and fitness motivation to third parties. Fitness is a personal goal, something we can only achieve through our own personal motivation and commitment. We are each responsible for our own fit lifestyle. I am a huge Tracy Anderson Addict, I love her workouts. They are portable, and constantly change. I can make an hour for myself at home, to plug in a DVD and get my sweat on. 

My friend at Sparkles and Spinach posted a pin about a "fit money jar" a few week ago. The idea is incredible. After a workout, you pay yourself for committing to your fitness goal. Since Tracy's workout includes a cardio section, and muscular section I pay myself 2 dollars for completing my workout ( and an extra dollar for sticking to my diet). The fit money jar sits on my desk and serves as motivation. I know that if I stay committed to my workouts and diet I will save $90  in one month. The money I save can be used to buy new lulu lemons or be put towards something I really want. 

Above is a quick 10 minute toning workout. Follow along, and pay yourself a dollar for completing the routine. 

Cardio Toned.

Toning Balls help increase the intensity of any workout. The weighted ball helps to tone the body by safely adding resistance. Toning balls are great for targeting problem areas, and are safe to use; especially  for those with injuries. I like to use a small weighted toning ball (max 3lbs). Toning Balls are in expensive and easy to find. I got mine at Target for $10.   

When you ad resistance to a cardio workout, your body is forced to concentrate on the slower toning movements, as opposed to just wandering in the happy cardio thoughts. I day dream all the time during cardio.  Adding resistance to my cardio helps me, to stay present and receive the most benefits of my cardio workout.

I've been incorporating a small toning ball into my tramp workouts, and have been enjoying the shift in focus. This routine: is a low impact workout that require focus. 

If you are considering getting a rebounder, or just want to try it out. My fitness Idol, Tracy Anderson, had just added rebounders to her online store. They are selling for $70 dollars, which is a fair introductory price (and allot cheaper that a treadmill). 

Shred the slopes; Get Fit.

I love winter! More specifically I love Snowboarding. I know that , I'm kind of the opposite of most people; because of my love for snow I am fitter and more toned in the colder snow filled winter months. The satisfaction and adrenaline of "dashing through the snow" on technical sled is unbeatable. A day skiing or snowboarding is not only great for your spirit, but it is a total body workout that requires large muscle movements to hold and edge, mixed with interval of anaerobic exercise. 

A single day on the slopes can zap over 1,000 calories ( and can help prevent the dreaded seasonal weight gain). 

For ski and snowboard reviews of resorts, check out: Board the World. My Personal favourite place to shred is the Canadian Rockies. I love Sunshine Village Ski Resort and Marmot Basin in Jasper.

There are a lot of great ski/board clubs; that can enrich you social life. Whether you are learning to ski or snowboard, or getting back into; you need to be patient, listen to your body, eat health foods, and always remember the importance of pre ski and post ski stretches.

So go,  get out, and enjoy winter!

In Shape For Winter?

The fitness industry is a mess of information. There are so many different studies paid for and promoted by various interested parties. With so much noise, it is important to find a program that speaks to you. My love is snowboarding, and fortunately ski season is just around the corner. When I work out, I keep the concept of my favourite activity in my mind. Snowboarding requires flexibility, cardio fitness, and the precision of finely tuned accessory muscles. 

When you are actually on the slopes, your body is exercising in a isometric fashion. Our big leg muscles do most of the work, and are often required to hold the contraction for a decent amount of time. I have been on snow every winter since I could walk, and have found that when I train my major muscles the results I achieve in both fitness and pre-season conditioning are minimal. 

 When I train and exhaust the more accessory muscles my overall fitness not only improves but so does my board control. A typical ski run in 5mins up the chair, and 10-15mins down; when you ski/snowboard you play hard (workout) while going down the run, and relax (recover) going up the chair.  

As I have said before, I am a huge fan of  The Tracy Anderson Method, she is an ex-dancer and incorporates a lot of plyometrics or jumping into her routines. Skiing/snowboarding is dancing, or more specifically prancing on snow. Her cardio workouts are all dance based and incorporate some interval training without you (the follower) catching on. Usually I'm to busy focusing on the dance tricks to realize I'm working-out. Her cardio is fun and challenging!

 The real challenge and workout of her method, is not the cardio; but her focus on muscular training. She targets the accessory muscles of our arms, legs, abs, gluts, etc. At first exposure the workout are disguised behind a cloak of simplicity. DO NOT BE FOOLED, the workout are incredible and will challenge you whole body. 

I recommend starting with a warm up, followed by cardio, and the muscular structure work. Create a play list and have fun sweating as you dance along.  

Magically Fit

There is no such thing as a quick fix. Achieving your ideal fitness is a result of commitment to your goal, and adjusting your lifestyle. In the past few years companies like Sketchers and Reebok have had huge success through the innovation of traditional training shoes: The toning shoe. 

Sketchers Shape Ups, and Reebok's Easy tone claim to incorporate leading edge fitness science to grant the user a super hot backside instantly. Rebook claimed that just putting your foot into an easy tone shoe, could tighten your ass 28% more effectively than other shoes. 

The claim Reebok made concerning its product benefit was investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Reebok has since made a $25 million settlement with FTC over deceptive marketing. The research done by the FTC concluded that minimal benefits may be temporally achieved; however in contrast the toning shoes have actually caused more harm. A record number of customer complaints for any one product has been associated with toning shoes. The shoes may cause serious injury including but limited to sprains, strains, fractures, and the material alteration of walking gait mechanics. 

Toning shoes are designed to challenge your balance: they add a core stability challenge to walking. Kind of like how high heels challenge your balance. The problem is, toning shoes are being sold and marketed as an exercises shoe, not as a special occasions shoe. I don't know many people who exercises is massive stilettos; so why risk toning shoes?

If you want get toned, you have to put in the effort. Find work out that fit, and combine cardio and muscles structure work.  

Try this Tracy Anderson Leg workout; your ass will thank you.