Many people (especially the older generation) are concerned with balance and want to train using the fancy shmancy unstable surface doohickies, like air disks, Bosu, balance board and stability ball. That's all fancy, but it will not get you better at balance.
Not significantly. It has its place and it's a good "break up" of the old routine, but frankly, nothing replaces the good old strenght training, body weight exercises and sprinting.
Here is why. BALANCE IS A BIPRODUCT OF STRENGHT. It does not exist separately and cannot be isolated as a training goal. It can be improved with the fancy shmancy doohickies, but it cannot be established standing on one foot all day.
Core strenght is key as well. What I would start to establish balance is train the legs and core. Do multiplane compound exercises. (What is that?) Such as walking lunges... ok, that's not doable for everyone. Than start with squats against the wall with a stability ball. Try adding isometric exercises. Like sitting against the wall for a minute at a time. Then add weight to that. Leg presses are good too. And just squats, squats and more squats. Dead lifts or hip bridges from the floor are great hamstring trainers. Then progress to jump squats, or wall balls...bla bla bla...
But, standing on a surfing board and wobbling like a fool for 10 minutes will build nothing.
Should do box jumps and jumps up on the bosu. Should do medicine ball tosses standing on a disk or sitting on a balance ball on your knees. Etc.
I never train for balance. But I can still sit on my heels on a balance ball or stand on a disk on one foot till the cows come home. How is that? I have a strong core and sufficient leg strenght, is how. I believe. So get out there and move some weight around or start doing 100s of air squats.
Drink water and chew slower:)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
the human animal
We are little removed from our animal state... little, just barely human, mostly cocky monkey state.
For individuals to think that they are superior and unique as a life form, to use the word "prestigious", to be a collector of pricey somethings and accumulate wealth and have insane expenses just to LIVE while everywhere there are people in distress, people without hope, people in need, people who are the same animals as their prestigious rulers and have only one life like everyone else, but are burdened by suffering and hopelessness that could be easily relieved with a fraction of this wealth.... yes, I believe we are animals... superficial and petty predators that will eventually devour this beautiful world around them and kill off their own species...
Our vision is so narrow and our awareness so dim. We ALL have surpluses... if some of that real human suffering was in our neighborhood we would pitch in and do something about it. We can honeymoon in Paris and see the grand sites of the world but are so removed from poverty and pain - and what's not seen is not known to us. We take our fat comfort for granted and want more - the newest Iphones, the biggest freakin' TV sets, the biggest Hummers - where does it end? Why the greed? Why is it so hard to give? To share? To care? Why do we define human worth with status and wealth, instead of compassion and achievement?
Yes, you might say that only a non-aristocrat can talk like me... well, I don't know that if I was one I wouldn't hate my kind. It is just so shallow to be materialistic and not see THE WORLD as it is, as a whole, with all us human animals in it, and try to make it better, ESPECIALLY here, where we have so much surplus and so much power with so little concern and understanding for others... yeah, keep Christ in Christmas... where do you think He went???
We have to save instead of creating debts, we have to give instead of asking for bail outs. We have to see how LITTLE we can consume and how much we can give away and create. Everyone has the power to do some good. Every one of us... At least be patient and appreciative. That's a start... it's a good start...
For individuals to think that they are superior and unique as a life form, to use the word "prestigious", to be a collector of pricey somethings and accumulate wealth and have insane expenses just to LIVE while everywhere there are people in distress, people without hope, people in need, people who are the same animals as their prestigious rulers and have only one life like everyone else, but are burdened by suffering and hopelessness that could be easily relieved with a fraction of this wealth.... yes, I believe we are animals... superficial and petty predators that will eventually devour this beautiful world around them and kill off their own species...
Our vision is so narrow and our awareness so dim. We ALL have surpluses... if some of that real human suffering was in our neighborhood we would pitch in and do something about it. We can honeymoon in Paris and see the grand sites of the world but are so removed from poverty and pain - and what's not seen is not known to us. We take our fat comfort for granted and want more - the newest Iphones, the biggest freakin' TV sets, the biggest Hummers - where does it end? Why the greed? Why is it so hard to give? To share? To care? Why do we define human worth with status and wealth, instead of compassion and achievement?
Yes, you might say that only a non-aristocrat can talk like me... well, I don't know that if I was one I wouldn't hate my kind. It is just so shallow to be materialistic and not see THE WORLD as it is, as a whole, with all us human animals in it, and try to make it better, ESPECIALLY here, where we have so much surplus and so much power with so little concern and understanding for others... yeah, keep Christ in Christmas... where do you think He went???
We have to save instead of creating debts, we have to give instead of asking for bail outs. We have to see how LITTLE we can consume and how much we can give away and create. Everyone has the power to do some good. Every one of us... At least be patient and appreciative. That's a start... it's a good start...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
what makes a good trainer? Part 9867756
Competence, patience, poise and character.
1. She must know the principals, I mean really know stuff!
2. She must have patience with clients and gym owners.
3. She must be a diplomat and a princess. (huh?)
4. She must carry herself accordingly and not deviate. She must be a role model and a professional.
5. And there is more, much more... it's not about how many outfits one has, or how many silly toys one throws in front of the client... it's not always about results either, in a fitness sense.
I will say more about this when I can keep my eyes open long enough to type a whole sentence...
good night y'all!
1. She must know the principals, I mean really know stuff!
2. She must have patience with clients and gym owners.
3. She must be a diplomat and a princess. (huh?)
4. She must carry herself accordingly and not deviate. She must be a role model and a professional.
5. And there is more, much more... it's not about how many outfits one has, or how many silly toys one throws in front of the client... it's not always about results either, in a fitness sense.
I will say more about this when I can keep my eyes open long enough to type a whole sentence...
good night y'all!
the few and the good
Because it's so much easier to criticize and because I also like my sarcasm and like to b... about things, for a change I thought I'd document some simple acts of kindness that, in their simplicity, left me almost in tears.
1. One of my clients whom I see at the crack of dawn twice a week at her house had given me extra $20 a week ago. So this week, on our first appointment I told her to pay me less or tell me why she overpaid me: was I supposed to pick up something for her? To which she replied "Oh no, that's your fee; it's a new year and you come from far away - have a long drive, so I'm giving you more" Just like that... what do you say to something like that...?
2. Last week Thursday I left my newly bought drink bottle, in which I carry my liquid protein dinner, sitting on the floor. I returned a week later today, and found it hanging on an unused back door handle... so I left a note thanking the person who saved it for me....because it really made my day!
But there are other things that people do, as they go out of their way, or do something unsolicited, just as an act of kindness and being considerate and respectful. Not everyone is rotten, only the ones that drive the speed limit. Which brings up another topic I've been dying to write: What would I do if I were a traffic police?
Here's is a sample traffic check, conducted by officer Mess (haha):
"Good evening Sir, how are you this evening?
"I am fine. Could you tell me why I am being pulled over?"
"Sure...I need to look inside your trunk and ask you a few questions or you can tell me why you are driving the speed limit... Are you high?
"no...?(**^#??"
"Are you transporting drugs?"
"no, Ma'am"
"are you drunk or illegal or have a warrant out for your arrest?"
"no!!"
"is this car stolen?"
"but, NO!"
"can you see alright?"
"yes!"
"do you know where the gas pedal is?"
"yes, of course!"
"is there a medical problem that's keeping you from depressing it?"
"....no..."
"then get going, Sir, you are being tailgated by 7 cars, press that pedal and get a move on - speed limits are set to filter people who have something to hide or are incompetent to drive...and you should look in your rear view mirror and see the sea of headlights that are inches away from you a...., good day, Sir, don't let me crawl up on you like this again!"
Well, a little exaggeration... but you get the point... hang up the )*(^&*%$ phone, and drive...talk to Tom (Tom) and drive that 80+ thousand dollar "driving machine" you use to float your overweight, oblivious, complacent butt and don't even know how to park...
thank you:)
1. One of my clients whom I see at the crack of dawn twice a week at her house had given me extra $20 a week ago. So this week, on our first appointment I told her to pay me less or tell me why she overpaid me: was I supposed to pick up something for her? To which she replied "Oh no, that's your fee; it's a new year and you come from far away - have a long drive, so I'm giving you more" Just like that... what do you say to something like that...?
2. Last week Thursday I left my newly bought drink bottle, in which I carry my liquid protein dinner, sitting on the floor. I returned a week later today, and found it hanging on an unused back door handle... so I left a note thanking the person who saved it for me....because it really made my day!
But there are other things that people do, as they go out of their way, or do something unsolicited, just as an act of kindness and being considerate and respectful. Not everyone is rotten, only the ones that drive the speed limit. Which brings up another topic I've been dying to write: What would I do if I were a traffic police?
Here's is a sample traffic check, conducted by officer Mess (haha):
"Good evening Sir, how are you this evening?
"I am fine. Could you tell me why I am being pulled over?"
"Sure...I need to look inside your trunk and ask you a few questions or you can tell me why you are driving the speed limit... Are you high?
"no...?(**^#??"
"Are you transporting drugs?"
"no, Ma'am"
"are you drunk or illegal or have a warrant out for your arrest?"
"no!!"
"is this car stolen?"
"but, NO!"
"can you see alright?"
"yes!"
"do you know where the gas pedal is?"
"yes, of course!"
"is there a medical problem that's keeping you from depressing it?"
"....no..."
"then get going, Sir, you are being tailgated by 7 cars, press that pedal and get a move on - speed limits are set to filter people who have something to hide or are incompetent to drive...and you should look in your rear view mirror and see the sea of headlights that are inches away from you a...., good day, Sir, don't let me crawl up on you like this again!"
Well, a little exaggeration... but you get the point... hang up the )*(^&*%$ phone, and drive...talk to Tom (Tom) and drive that 80+ thousand dollar "driving machine" you use to float your overweight, oblivious, complacent butt and don't even know how to park...
thank you:)
Monday, January 19, 2009
more on crazy Richard Simmons
Actually, I say "crazy" endearingly, because I happen to like the guy. Here's what he says about how to control weight, the first thing that is wrong in our society - portions! Agreed...
Dominos now has a "bonus" with your stuffed pizza order: frosted chocolate squares for dessert!
anyway... Richard also says that the other thing we have to fix quickly is the lack of PE in schools. Kids don't exercise. He is so right...
I would add another really bad and easily fixable thing: take desserts out of cafeterias. It is not part of the meal!!!!!!Serve it to those who earn it in PE class. And only on occasion. Like once a week. Take desserts out of all government cafeterias and hospitals and even the army. You can buy it outside, separately, or order Dominos or Papa Johns or whoever wants to fatten you up this week.
anyway... I say: Go Richard Simmons!!! At least people listen to him and he's not using it to sell products or sell himself; he wants people to care about themselves and change bad lifestyles and get healthier. He is a good motivator and he doesn't try to bottle bulls... So I say: Go Richard!!!
Dominos now has a "bonus" with your stuffed pizza order: frosted chocolate squares for dessert!
anyway... Richard also says that the other thing we have to fix quickly is the lack of PE in schools. Kids don't exercise. He is so right...
I would add another really bad and easily fixable thing: take desserts out of cafeterias. It is not part of the meal!!!!!!Serve it to those who earn it in PE class. And only on occasion. Like once a week. Take desserts out of all government cafeterias and hospitals and even the army. You can buy it outside, separately, or order Dominos or Papa Johns or whoever wants to fatten you up this week.
anyway... I say: Go Richard Simmons!!! At least people listen to him and he's not using it to sell products or sell himself; he wants people to care about themselves and change bad lifestyles and get healthier. He is a good motivator and he doesn't try to bottle bulls... So I say: Go Richard!!!
Jillian Michaels
I saw her on the VIEW on TV where she was demonstrating exercises to the two VERY overweigth subjects and I thought, GREAT, she is showing off and forgetting about her subjects... These obese women had to do one arm DB rows while balancing in a push up position. Then they had to stand on an upside down Bosu... Then they had to perform walking lunges with a twist... why not send them mountain climbing???
Nice... just an observation...She's crazy...they could've gotten seriously hurt on national tv. But she looked good...
Nice... just an observation...She's crazy...they could've gotten seriously hurt on national tv. But she looked good...
the birds are here
I have recently put up a bird feeder and was getting concerned about the birds GPS and thought maybe I should also put out signs in the treetops saying: All you can eat birddin-din, 24-7, no cover!
But they came..a couple of Cardinals, pretty red birds, boy and girl. Now they are getting so chubby I'm afraid I'll have to put up a birdcalator or birdmill or hire a little chirpy Richard Simmons-bird to take them on a cruise so they can get back into their birdipants again...
But I love seeing and hearing them... I hope they will settle in a big tree and have little Cardinals. We'll see...Fortunately, Shaz is oblivious to them and hasn't started barking them away...so far so good...I love animals... they don't crack their knuckles:):):):)
But they came..a couple of Cardinals, pretty red birds, boy and girl. Now they are getting so chubby I'm afraid I'll have to put up a birdcalator or birdmill or hire a little chirpy Richard Simmons-bird to take them on a cruise so they can get back into their birdipants again...
But I love seeing and hearing them... I hope they will settle in a big tree and have little Cardinals. We'll see...Fortunately, Shaz is oblivious to them and hasn't started barking them away...so far so good...I love animals... they don't crack their knuckles:):):):)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
not for polls
I have to express some of my dislikes of some of the "Americanisms" in general. Starting with knuckle cracking... what the )(&&)(?? It is quite disgusting and annoying, especially while one is trying to remember words in a foreign language on a foreign language test... STOP!!!!
Then there is ice chewing. Again, what's that all about? Though it's not annoying, it's just retarted. Annoying would be clearing one's sinuses by sucking snot down one's throat with a snorting sound. Not good...might as well go out and hang the sack of nuts (not wall-) on your trailer hitch...
but, you know what? It all doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things, what matters is how we treat each other. So if you don't' want me to loath you, refrain from doing these above mentioned things, including the trailer hitch ornament.
I am only kidding, this is a little sarcasm. Which might be annoying to somebody else...but, I am nice to everyone, in general so I can be sarcastic on a Sunday night.
Be well, and invest in yourself: hire a trainer!
Then there is ice chewing. Again, what's that all about? Though it's not annoying, it's just retarted. Annoying would be clearing one's sinuses by sucking snot down one's throat with a snorting sound. Not good...might as well go out and hang the sack of nuts (not wall-) on your trailer hitch...
but, you know what? It all doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things, what matters is how we treat each other. So if you don't' want me to loath you, refrain from doing these above mentioned things, including the trailer hitch ornament.
I am only kidding, this is a little sarcasm. Which might be annoying to somebody else...but, I am nice to everyone, in general so I can be sarcastic on a Sunday night.
Be well, and invest in yourself: hire a trainer!
stuff
Product review:
Headphones: Sennheiser moisture resistant ear buds. Awesome sound, awesome accessories make awesome fit and they are also very affordable on Amazon.
My freakin' windshield wipers that I wrote about last summer - still going! I forgot their names, something like ANCO? Made in Mexico and not inexpensive. Forty box for the pair, but they still work fine after having my car sit in the sun for 8 months.
Best investment of 2008: Publix apple corer: $3.99!! I am not kidding, it is simply marvelous, works like a charm to produce perfect 8 little apple wedges ready to eat or pack and take with you. I gave them out as Xmas presents...heehee
Basta!
Headphones: Sennheiser moisture resistant ear buds. Awesome sound, awesome accessories make awesome fit and they are also very affordable on Amazon.
My freakin' windshield wipers that I wrote about last summer - still going! I forgot their names, something like ANCO? Made in Mexico and not inexpensive. Forty box for the pair, but they still work fine after having my car sit in the sun for 8 months.
Best investment of 2008: Publix apple corer: $3.99!! I am not kidding, it is simply marvelous, works like a charm to produce perfect 8 little apple wedges ready to eat or pack and take with you. I gave them out as Xmas presents...heehee
Basta!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
news bits
Germ control...
Riveting news revealed last week that we are all doomed when it comes to germs and are exposed to a plethora of viruses in (guess!...no, think hard!!!) public places. Such as gyms, guard rails, supermarket shopping cart handles, airports and doctors' offices. They actually left out your own car, which I think carries germ colonies as well.
But fear not, Howie Mandels, because I have two simple cures for this. Perhaps three. 1. Keep your hands away from your face at all times. 2. Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water (no need for antibacterial stuff, any soap will do) but make sure your hand washing takes long enough (just as your teeth brushing should). and 3. Keep a strong immune system. This is the hardest one because it's a complex task. It needs good nutrition, supplements and healthy mind and body. Big task! But, keep up with the first two and you will greatly reduce your germ exposure. End of story.
In other news, it is revealed that running is actually good for you. Who wudda thunk... If you can walk, you can probably jog and then nothing should keep you from running a bit. Don't have to start with a Marathon. 100 yards will do, one after another. It does not break the body down and it does not cause heart attacks. But if 10 people drop dead with a coronary, and nine of them are obese and one of them is a runner, we will hear about the runner. Runners are not invincible, but will live longer due to a stronger cardiovascular system that functions on a more efficient level. The end.
Riveting news revealed last week that we are all doomed when it comes to germs and are exposed to a plethora of viruses in (guess!...no, think hard!!!) public places. Such as gyms, guard rails, supermarket shopping cart handles, airports and doctors' offices. They actually left out your own car, which I think carries germ colonies as well.
But fear not, Howie Mandels, because I have two simple cures for this. Perhaps three. 1. Keep your hands away from your face at all times. 2. Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water (no need for antibacterial stuff, any soap will do) but make sure your hand washing takes long enough (just as your teeth brushing should). and 3. Keep a strong immune system. This is the hardest one because it's a complex task. It needs good nutrition, supplements and healthy mind and body. Big task! But, keep up with the first two and you will greatly reduce your germ exposure. End of story.
In other news, it is revealed that running is actually good for you. Who wudda thunk... If you can walk, you can probably jog and then nothing should keep you from running a bit. Don't have to start with a Marathon. 100 yards will do, one after another. It does not break the body down and it does not cause heart attacks. But if 10 people drop dead with a coronary, and nine of them are obese and one of them is a runner, we will hear about the runner. Runners are not invincible, but will live longer due to a stronger cardiovascular system that functions on a more efficient level. The end.
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