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If you have ever suffered from sciatica, or lower lumbar problems, you understand the excruciating, sometimes immobilizing pain associated with flare-ups. Often recognizable by an acute pain in your derrière that also radiates down into the lower leg, sciatica can cause muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, and of course, wicked pain. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, more than 65 million Americans that suffer from lower-back pain, such as sciatica, will have a recurrence of the pain within one year. (American Assoc. of Neurological Surgeons, 2000.) Therefore, see......
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Kind of reads like a magazine cover, doesn't it? In all seriousness though, there really are some simple steps that will help you achieve a weight loss goal...but you can't do just one and kinda do the other two, or only kinda do all three. Do all three, keep you eye on the ball, and you'll hit a home run. Ready? Here we go... Your Plan 1. Record your food intake daily. Include in your diet a variety of fruits and vegetables at 6-9 servings daily; 2-3 servings of lean protein; 3 servings of dairy; and quality oils. Why? Keeping track of what you eat for a few weeks (I'm not talking forever peo......
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[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="these are "soft" weighted fitness balls"] [/caption] Some recent research shows that crunches, the old standby for ab exercises, only targets 3 of the abdominal muscles. Yet there are muscles that surround the entire core, acting as a girdle to support your spine, increase power and speed, improve stability, and oh yes, give you that six-pack look. Six-pack abs aside, you need a strong core… A strong core is your center of power. Powerhouse. Like a rocket ready to take off on a moments notice. Okay, you get the idea. When your c......
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Actually, the question went more like this: "I hate to run. It is hard. Did I already say that I hate it? Yet, you talk about running so much. Why?" There was more, but for the sake of this post, let's just say that this reader's negative feelings about running ran deep (no pun intended). Why am I so hip on running? Well, for one thing, it is hard. I like things that are hard to do. Second, it is "me" time, and often the only time I have for finishing a thought. Four kids...enough said. And finally, (and let's face it, this is important stuff) few physical activities burn as many calories per ......
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Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
May

24

I won’t bore you with the 7 million reasons why I loathe the treadmill. (I can hear your sighs of relief ;0) ). BUT, on those occasions when an outdoor workout isn’t in the cards, a treadmill sometimes must be fired up. So that I won’t stab my eyes out, I create workouts that aren’t already part of the treadmill’s set of pre-programmed workouts.

1) Time goes more quickly when I manually adjust the speed and incline for pre-determined intervals.

2) I can adjust the workout to be more or less challenging, depending on the kind of day I’m having. This way, no two workouts are ever the same.

I have designed treadmill workouts for clients and they are beloved workouts (or so I’m told) – again, probably because you are actively involved in manipulating the workout, versus hopping on the machine and mindlessly jogging like a hamster in a wheel.

Any hoots, I thought I’d share a popular walking routine (for those non-runners), but this workout could easily be adjusted for runners – simply increase the speed.  This workout is called a pyramid…you increase either speed, incline, or both, for a given number of intervals until you “peak,” then you put it all in reverse. Be sure to stretch well after this routine, especially if you aren’t used to walking with an incline, and most of all, have fun!

DIRECTIONS:

walkingpyramid



Nov

30

Still feeling a little full from last Thursday’s feast?  Sneak in an extra workout this week, and make it a good one!  This  60 minute walk routine can be modified to a variety of fitness levels. Runners – you can do this one too!

Enjoy!

Walking Intervals – Intermediate

Total time: 50-60 mins

Begin with a 5 minute warm-up, walking at a low intensity (a 3-5 on a RPE scale of 1- 10).

Interval 1
1: (5 mins) Increase your speed by 50% (a 6-7 on a RPE scale of 1-10)

2 (2 mins) Decrease speed to warm up level.

Interval 2

1: (5 mins) Increase speed by 75% (7-8 on a scale of 1-10). Pump arms for added calorie burning.

2 (2 mins) Decrease speed by 25% (6-7 on scale of 1-10).

Interval 3

1: (5 mins) Increase speed by 80% (8-9 on a scale of 1-10).

2 (2 mins) Decrease speed by 5-10% (7-8 on a scale of 1-10).

Interval 4

1: (5 mins) Maintain speed at 75% of max effort (7-8 on scale of 1-10).

2 (10 mins) Decrease speed by 25%

3 (2 mins) Increase speed back up to 90% of max effort (at this point, you couldn’t walk much faster).

Cool down (5 mins): 50% off max speed (6-7 on scale of 1-10).

Stretch 5-10 mins, concentrating on hamstrings and calves. Hold each stretch 15-30 seconds. Ideally, perform two sets of each stretch.

* Note: Blue Sky Gym and the author disclaim any liability for any injury, physical or emotional, suffered during or as a result of exercise or activities recommended. As always, you should use common sense and consult your health professional before beginning any exercise routine or program.



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