It’s almost the weekend, but that’s no reason to shirk fitness! I’ve been slacking on my Interrogation Station posts, but I did notice that there are quite a few questions about how I stay in shape in there. NOW YOU PAY. I’ll be adding fitness to my Blush Response posts from time to time, starting right now.
So, I loathe gyms. One day I hope to go back to martial arts and/or dance as means of physical maintenance, but for now I do the bulk of my exercising at home. For years I’ve been told I shouldn’t jog or do high-impact exercises because of relatively mild scoliosis, so I usually just do stretches, sit-ups, push-ups, and booty exercises. However, I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for a short run a couple of weeks ago, just to see how it would affect me. And because I love running. Ultimately, I was fine, but my knees and back did hurt a little bit. I’ll be checking with a doc next week to see whether it’s OK for me to occasionally run anyway.
Meanwhile though, I needed to find something else to get my blood pumping and my heart rate up. This week Ive been using the video below. Disclaimer: I have no idea what SparkPeople is and I am not endorsing it in any way. However, I recommend this 10-minute ass-kicker to anyone who wants cardio, but doesn’t have much space or time. It’s deceptively simple, but I assure you, you’ll be feeling the benefits within one day. I suggest you keep your arms up and out for most of it for extra toning power. You need: 10 minutes and about 4 square feet. Give it a go and enjoy!
This looks awesome, I plan on doing this while the girl practices piano. Note: Sparkpeople is a free weight watchers alternative basically. It helps people track what they are eating so they can make sure they aren’t over or under eating. It’s a really sensible site. So fear not.
Oh good! Glad they’re not a spooky money-sucking starvation cult.
Let me know how you like the jumpin’, please.
http://www.bodyrock.tv/
this is the site i started using to get an effective, easy-to-learn routine going. you might like!
Have you ever heard of forefoot running? It is supposed to be way easier on your joints. The shoes to help you keep proper form can run a bit expensive ($175). http://tinyurl.com/28hck2d
But who wouldn’t love to run around in obnoxious orange shoes?
A useful cardio asskicker of an exercise is running inside, on a trampette (mini trampoline). The bounce is like running on sand rather than a hard surface, so there’s less resistance which means low impact on your joints. Unfortunately it also means that, like running on sand, you have to work 10 times harder to run. Thus the arse-kicking nature of the exercise. I was recommended this by my old derby team captain as she has weak joints and I can promise you, it’ll have you gasping. Of course, the best exercise in the world will always just be derby, not that this is a shameless plug for my beloved sport or anything.
this is rad! i’m definitely giving it a try once my surgeon clears me for exercise again!
good idea adding fitness to a beauty tips section. love it. :)
I have a stationary bike that I use every other day or so. It was about $100 from Target, so it’s not a crazy thing that can keep you in shape for competitive mountain biking but it’s great for just somebody like me who just wants to stay more fit and toned. I had been lazy for ages and finally put myself on a routine about 3 months ago. The overall improvement in my whole quality of life has been amazing, almost right from the start. I’ll probably work in some of that Spark People cardio bit too, whenever I can find a decent sports bra :P
Sweet.
I just started exercising again after having babies and being flabby for quite some time, lol. She looks like I do when I “dance” in the mornings. This is great cardio.
Small trampolines are great for cardio, too – if the impact is too much for some people.
Pretty awesome find.
Thanks for sharing.
hey zoetica. i usually just lurk, but had to comment when i saw that you had pain with running. take your shoes off. i’m a barefoot runner and it has changed my life–no more injuries and it’s much better for your bones/joints. look it up and give it a go. try vibram five fingers shoes or another very minimal shoe with no support if you can’t go totally barefoot. good luck!
I’m alot like you, never stepped foot in a gym and enjoy stretching and dancing to cardio or weights.
I’ve done pilates for many years now and can’t express how much I love my body now that I’ve kept it up consistently for over 6 months.
I found a DVD called Pilates for Weight Loss,
http://www.amazon.com/Element-Pilates-Weight-Loss-Beginners/dp/B001AYWY6I
and while that is not the reason I went for it, it was an interesting mix of calorie burning and some cardio before getting into the classic routine. Pilates is amazing for feeling lean, limber, and the posture benefits are un-mistakeable.
Good luck in your quest!
YAY FITNESS. I need to start nerding out about fitness again. I lost 45lbs last year and I am intent on losing a bit more. HEALTHINESS ALL AROUND!
I am def going to try this tomorrow. I’ve also been in the mood to find some decent in-the-pool exercises, being I have access to a relatively empty community pool most days of the week (sup retirement community living?!).
Also, I am digging on your sneakers there. I have some love for running-type sneakers. In fact, I probably spend too much money trying to look good in my workout gear, hahah!
I saw your post yesterday when getting home from a night out and thought, why not trying? I just did the cardio and this was much fun, I was not aware that such videos existed! I think I’ll try to exercise 2/3 times a week now.
I tried this, /loved/ it. quick, easy, makes you feel good after. I’m thinking of stacking a few sparkpeople quickvids together and seeing how that works.
I can second the SparkPeople endorsement. I’ve actually been using it for about a year now, and it is pretty sweet all around, particularly because it is sensible (no crazy fad diets or dangerous exercises) and free. There is some merch and dvds you can buy if you want to, but there’s ton of free information. (And I think the workouts on the dvds are also available on the website – it’s just there if you’d rather have a dvd. The tshirts, though, only available in merch form.) :)
I’ve also been studying tribal fusion bellydance for the last year, which has really gotten me off my arse and exercising – and I have Coilhouse to thank for that, for posting a Rachel Brice video. I guess I should really post that thank you over at Coilhouse, but there it is.
Oops! Happy birthday
Fitness in Blush Response, hell yeah! Thanks for posting this, it’s amazing!
i’ve always been curious if you worked out since I’m a big fan of your work and style…That is awesome! I am very interested in how to get rid of flabby arms …especially the area near the armpits …I call it armpit flab…cause I cant stand to wear racer back tanks or halter tops for this reason …I have extra shit just chilling out so I have to wear a sweater to hide.. I hope you do something for the arms !! I will try this video out though..it looks fun.
So today I thought to myself; ‘hey self, stop wasting time and make life better’ and I went for my first real run. Then I remembered you posted this, found it again, and I did my first real cardio. I feel pretty great.
Now I can get back to drinking fine coffee and exploring the grotesque. MMHMM.