Showing posts with label butt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label butt. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Fitness Me In Workout Series #16

Cardio Cooking


For some reason, this cold weather has me craving roasted root vegetables. Fortunately, they’re nice and healthy – and Daphne Miller, M.D., author of nutrition book “The Jungle Effect” has a great recipe utilizing these veggies. To get even more benefit, work in a workout as you prepare it!

Baked Cod with Thyme-Lemon Butter Sauce and Root Vegetables

6 carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 rutabagas, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
¼ t salt
3 T butter
1 t grated lemon peel
Juice of one large lemon (1/4 cup)
2 T chopped fresh thyme
1 ½ to 2 pounds cod or sole, cut into four fillets
Thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions
1. Shake your groove thing as you assemble and prep the ingredients.
2. Put the chopped carrots and rutabagas in a steamer basket with plenty of water below basket. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes until tender. Salt and set aside in a bowl. As you get these going, squat and extend your left leg to the side. Return left leg to center and come up, squeezing your tush. Repeat on right side. Do 12 times on each side.
3. Preheat oven to 450. Make the sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and thyme. Meanwhile do as many butt pulses as you can. HOW TO DO THEM: Squat about ¼ way down, then come up and squeeze your butt.
4. Place fish fillets in baking dish. Drizzle each fillet with about 1 T of thyme-lemon-butter sauce. Spread sauce to coat above and below fillets. Bake 8-10 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Meanwhile, do 20 side leg lifts on each side. HOW TO DO THEM: Lift your leg straight out to the side until your foot is 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Slightly bend leg you are standing on and keep abs tight. At the top of the movement pause and count to 3. Then do 16 rear leg lunges.
5. Do walking lunges as you set your table. Go back to dancing until the fish is ready. Then place the fish and the warm vegetables on a platter, drizzle the veggies with sauce and garnish with thyme sprigs.
6. Whew – time to stretch, sit and eat!

Shape-Up Shopping (Grocery Day)


Believe it or not, you can work in a workout just about anywhere – even the grocery store. Here’s one I recently did:

1. Before getting your cart walk for 2 minutes. As you walk, place your palms together in front of your chest, as if in prayer. Push palms firmly together. Keep pressing for a count of 20. Rest your muscles (you should feel it in your chest) for a few moments. Repeat 2 more times.
2. Go get your cart. Tighten your abs on the way, sucking your belly button in toward your spine on the way. Relax your abs as you walk and get the first item on your list. Continue to alternate tightening and relaxing your abs until you’ve found the first 10 items on your shopping list. Don’t forget to breathe!
3. Turn your body so your hips are sideways to your cart. Rotate your torso so it faces the cart. Walk down one aisle. Go get 3 more items on your list, then rotate the other way.
4. Repeat the ab tightening sequence as you shop for 10 more items.
5. When you arrive home, before you bring in your first grocery bag do 10 push-ups against your car, as you would do wall push-ups. Or, if it’s too cold and rainy, do the push-ups inside against your wall. HOW TO DO THEM: stand about 3 feet in front of the car/wall. Lean forward and place hands on the car/wall, shoulder width apart. Push your body back. You should feel this in your chest muscles.
6. Bring your bag in, and then repeat the push-ups on two other trips to the car.


Cleaning Day

I may have mentioned a time or two that I absolutely detest folding laundry, so I make it fun for myself by adding in a workout. There are other chores on the bottom of my list, but not all are good for workouts. For example, I’ve been trying to come up with a workout that I can do while scrubbing the toilet, but so far that’s backfired (or I should say back-splashed into my face). Oh well, some things are best done quickly and cleanly.
Since there’s no way around the time it takes to fold clothes, find a table to fold them on, crank some tunes, and get some exercise in. Here’s a workout you can do:

1. Run in place with quick feet as you fold your first 10 items.
2. Take a quick break from folding and get some frustration out with 20-30 kickboxing punches. I like to do crosses, but you might choose to jab. If you need do some instructions, see http://www.expertvillage.com/video/702_kickboxing-technique-punch-combo.htm
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice more.
4. Do walking lunges as you deliver the laundry you’ve folded so far to the room it belongs in.
5. Shake your booty as you put the laundry away.
6. Jump all the way back to the laundry pile.
7. Do 10 squats as you fold more items, then dance side to side 10 times. Repeat.
8. As you deliver this load of laundry, run and do knee ups on the way. HOW TO DO THEM: Bring your leg up so your thigh is parallel with the floor with each step.
9. Dance as you put the rest of your laundry away, and pat yourself on the back for getting some cardio into your day.

Play Day

My kids are really into pirates, so they loved this “treasure hunt.” In fact, we had to do it three times in a row! Here’s what you do:
Have your kids bring you 6-10 items. Hide them around the house, and write clues for them to follow. You can even draw a map (my kids demanded one).
As you seek the first item, skip everywhere you go.
For item 2 hop.
For item 3 slide sideways
For item 4 jump
For item 5 walk backwards
For item 6 tip toe
Repeat the sequence, or choose your own moves to use while searching.

Groggy Day

Too tired to get up and work out? Here’s one you can do in your chair. If nothing else it’ll give you a big smile! I tried it first thing in the morning and it put me in a good mood all day. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3jhx4F0oAc


Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Fitness Me In Workout Series #14

Cardio Cooking

Grrrr – you’ve been trying to fit a workout in all day with no success. Don’t worry –you’re a multitasking mom! You can work out and cook dinner at the same time. Ever listen to that song: “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan…” If not, you make me feel old!

Here’s a recipe I recently made up. Hope you like it!

Curry Pork Chops

Ingredients:

4 to 6 pork chops
Salt, pepper and sage to taste
1 c water
1 ½ c Pacific Natural Foods Curried Red Lentil soup
½ c cornmeal
¼ c chopped onion

Instructions:

1. Jog in place or dance as you assemble your ingredients
2. Rub salt, pepper and sage onto meat. Then roll in cornmeal and brown. As you do this, stand on right leg with knee slightly bent. Tap left toe next to right foot. Extend it back and tap toe to floor (keeping those buns TIGHT). Extend to side and tap to floor. Repeat 20 times, then switch legs. Place a chair next to you and use it for support if needed.
3. Put into baking pan or casserole dish. Add onion, soup and water. As you do this squat halfway down and hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then squat about a quarter of the way down and pulse up, tightening buns at the top as you finish.
4. Bake 1 ½ hours at 350 degrees. Do 2 sets of 10 to 20 rear lunges on each leg after you place the pork chops in the oven.


Shape-Up Shopping (Grocery Day)


OK – let’s work those buns and abs while we shop in the nice warm store.
1. Keep your buns tight as you walk for 2 minutes.
2. For 1-2 aisles, tighten your buns and drag your toes behind you for a second or two with every step.
3. Walk down 4 aisles.
4. Find an empty aisle and do 10-12 squats. I like to pretend I’m looking at things on the bottom shelf, and take a step or two in between squats so I advance down the aisle.
5. Repeat steps 1-4
6. Now, for the next 2 minutes suck your belly in toward your spine every time you exhale. You can even do this one in the checkout line!


Cleaning Day

Back to my favorite (not) chore – laundry. Find a table or counter that’s handy and won’t make you bend to fold your stuff. Here’s the workout:

1. Stand on right leg. Place left foot on inner calf of right leg, knee pointed out. Keep the foot on the calf and point your knee forward, then rotate it back out. Do 20 reps and switch legs.
2. Jog or jump along as you deliver some of the laundry you’ve folded to its proper place.
3. Do plie squats as you fold more laundry. HOW TO DO THEM: Place feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and point toes out. Squat and hold before coming up.
4. Jog or jump along again as you deliver more laundry.
5. Do 20 side leg lifts on each leg. HOW TO DO THEM: Lift your leg straight out to the side until your foot is 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Slightly bend leg you are standing on and keep abs tight. At the top of the movement pause and count to 3.
5. Do 20 soccer kicks on each leg. HOW TO DO THEM: Flex your foot so sole it is parallel to the floor. Turn your toe out. Move leg forward as if kicking a soccer ball. Hold 3 seconds. Repeat. You’ll feel this on the inner thigh.
6. Speed walk as you deliver the rest of your laundry – and give yourself a big pat on the back!

Play Day

Here’s an active way to work on those math skills from http://www.kidnetic.com/. The site was developed for teachers but does have a section for parents with fun games that can be played inside and outside.

Here’s one suggestion – Invisible Jump Rope - from the site.

To warm up:
• Call out numbers from 1-10 starting with one.
• Jump as you count up to that number.
• Start at 20 and count backwards while doing the invisible jump rope backwards.
Now, for younger kids you can count by 2s up to 20, 3s up to 48 and 5s up to 100.
For older kids, calls out different math problems while jumping rope at a steady pace. Use addition, subtraction and multiplication problems to make it more difficult. Once your child says the correct answer, jumps that number of jumps while counting together. During this time, jump at a more vigorous rate.

By the way, kids who are active are more likely to be academically sharper than their sedentary peers, according to a study by an East Carolina University researcher. Read an article on the study at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/62244.php

Groggy Day

Sometimes just getting my blood flowing will make an enormous difference in my day. For a sample Pilates workout, go to http://www.myyogaonline.com/
Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Fitness Me In Workout Series #13

Shape-Up Shopping (Grocery Day)


My 5-year-old loved doing this grocery store workout with me. This is an especially fun workout because people think you are humoring your children, so you get “fun mommy” points and lots of smiles.
Don’t forget your cell phone so you can keep track of time.

1. Walk the aisles for 4 minutes looking for “ABC” items (having your child find an item with an “A” on it and so on.
2. Now, walk backwards down one aisle, tightening your butt each time you take a step – Don’t forget to watch where you are going! TIP: It’s good to drag your cart instead of leading with it on this one.
3. Walk forward down the next aisle.
4. Walk backwards again.
5. Walk forward down another aisle.
6. Walk sideways down one aisle, tightening the hip flexor (side of the leg) of the forward foot each time you take a step.
7. Walk forward along perimeter of store for 2 minutes
8. Walk another aisle sideways with the other leg leading.
9. Walk up and down aisles for 2 minutes looking for more ABC items.
10. Take one more backwards walk and one more sideways walk on each side.
11. Walk 2 more minutes.
You’re done (if your child agrees)!


Cardio Cooking


Here’s a tasty recipe from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. With no added salt and very little oil in the marinade, these broiled or grilled kabobs made with skinless chicken breasts are lower in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Plus, you can get two workouts out of this one!

CHICKEN ORIENTALE

8 skewers
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
8 fresh mushrooms
black pepper to taste
8 parboiled whole white onions
2 oranges, quartered
8 canned pineapple chunks
8 cherry tomatoes
1 can (16 oz) frozen, concentrated apple juice, thawed
1 cup dry white wine
2 T soy sauce, low sodium
Dash of ground ginger
2 T vinegar
¼ cup vegetable oil

Workout 1:
1. Gather and prep your ingredients as you have your own dance revolution.
2. Sprinkle chicken breasts with pepper.
3. Thread 8 skewers as follows: chicken, mushroom, chicken, onion, chicken, orange quarter, chicken, pineapple chunk, cherry tomato. Do a squat for each piece of chicken you thread. Jog in place each time you thread another item.
4. Place kabobs in shallow pan.
5. Combine remaining ingredients; spoon over kabobs. Meanwhile do side leg lifts. HOW TO DO THEM: Lift your leg straight out to the side until your foot is 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Slightly bend leg you are standing on and keep abs tight. At the top of the movement pause and count to 3.
6. Marinate in refrigerator at least 1 hour.
Workout 2
7. Drain the marinade. Broil 6 inches from heat, 15 minutes on each side, brushing with marinade every 5 minutes. For the first 5 minutes dance or jog around the kitchen (it’s a good time to do some clean-up if needed while you stay moving). For the second five minutes do lunges to and from the table as you set it. For the third 5 minutes go back to your dancing or jogging.
8. Discard any leftover marinade.

Yield: 8 servings. Serving Size: 1/2 chicken breast kabob. Each serving provides: Calories: 359. Total fat: 11 g. Saturated fat: 2 g. Cholesterol: 66 mg. Sodium: 226 mg

Cleaning Day

Time to clean again – does it ever stop? That’s OK; it can be a good workout too. Today let’s vacuum. First, don’t bend to pick up toys, pieces of tape (they’re always on my floor, don’t ask me why) or other objects. Do a squat and squeeze your buns at the top. To get from object to object, jog or jump to get your heart rate up.
Now, instead of standing in one spot and using your arms, walk with your vacuum to get the room clean (similar to mowing your lawn). Keep your abs tight also to work this area as well.

Play Day

Do you ever get frustrated because you’re trying to sneak in a workout and your kids won’t leave you alone? Well if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em – or have them join you in a fun, physically active game.

This activity, from the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund web site, is called Hit The Deck.

Here’s what to do:
1. Get out a pack of cards.
2. Have your child select a card. Do the corresponding activity for each suit:
Heart: touch elbow to knee or crunches for 20 seconds.
Diamond: jog in place or march in place for 20 seconds.
Club: modified push-up or push-ups for 20 seconds.
Spade: jumping jacks or scissors for 20 seconds.

Note: It’s helpful to write the corresponding activities on a board or piece of paper where you can see them. If you don’t like these activities, make up your own!

More ideas from this web site are found at: http://www.fitkidsnc.com/default.aspx

Groggy Day

Here’s a Pilates workout on YouTube for your abs and back to bring some energy you’re your day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qBqptPNA7s&feature=PlayList&p=E72B3947D9C7B873&playnext=1&index=11

Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Of course I do!

OK, so you all want to know if I actually do these things. The answer is YES - I squeeze my butt at the grocery store and cook cardio chicken and beans. It gets my kids dancin too when they help set the table.
I will never, ever, ever post something that I have not tried myself in the Fitness Me In workouts - except maybe on April Fool's Day :) So if you are picturing me doing these things and laughing at my expense it's totally justified. Get ready for more laughs this weekend.
I should add that I do NOT work in a workout on every grocery trip or every time I cook.
I do it on days when I can't fit anything else in (that something is better than nothing theory).
Reclaiming a little time for myself makes me happier, and so does being silly. So grab a duster or a grocery cart and try it - I Double Dog Dare You!