Personal Trainer Austin Texas

Above: Extend one arm and opposite leg and hold.     Balance on one leg; make sure cat helps.

Balance and symmetry is what you experience when you are at rest, “static”. Imbalance and asymmetry are what you would most likely experience during activity. It is good for people of all ages to disrupt that natural tendency of even, symmetrical “dynamic” movement; the place most of us are familiar and comfortable.

Simply stand on one leg to begin. Besides what we do here in my studio, you may find hundreds of links on the web for balancing exercises; yoga people are already familiar I’m sure.  The benefits are wide-ranging from practicing asymmetrical workouts (using one limb at a time) and balance exercises. Not the least of the benefits will be improved core strength. Notice the first time you stand on one leg how wobbly you feel; now pull in your abs and notice how you steady up real quick-like.

Pictured above: V-SIT FOR CORE STRENGTH AND BALANCE, with Sara Belle

Once you become more proficient at the one leg stance, you can incorporate your arm and leg weights with asymmetrical positions. That is, working one leg or arm at a time, while balancing. You will notice balance improvement very quickly as all your muscles adapt to this new challenge.

Benefits of asymmetrical weight workouts are discovering and correcting any strength imbalances; you may feel like your right arm is stronger, or your left leg works harder then your right. It will also intensify your workout, and challenge your center of gravity. Try both; asymmetrical weights while balancing on one leg as shown below. Again, make sure the cat is watching. haha

Take care,

Margo

I’m still shocked at totally inept articles on exercise and nutrition in generally accepted “smart” publications, hence my “what the?” expression above.  I’m reading an article in Time Magazine about appetite post exercise, and frankly, once I calm down I’m going to write a doozy editorial to the author and maybe Time will publish it (not holding my breath).

In a nutshell, the author suggests it is because of her exercising she gains weight. WHAT????  That is, she eats junk that she normally would not have because she exercised. THAT reason itself, is frankly junk. Just because SHE has no self control or discipline, does not negate the fact that exercise physically, chemically, suppresses appetite.

I’ve spoken to many of you about the possibility of weight gain by “eating your workout” (see my blog post “eating your workout!”). It is not uncommon to AT FIRST think “well, I worked out so now I can eat X”. When, but for the fact you exercised, you would NOT have eaten X. I understand the desire to eat X (often junk), mentally and/or emotionally, because you exercised. However, what “X” is, is entirely up to YOU!!!!  You choose. You can choose a healthy snack, or you can choose cake. Most likely, you’re just thirsty. I digress, see my previous blog post “Thirst as Hunger”. Wanting to eat when really your body wants water, especially after exercise.

After that first week or two of starting to exercise, most who fell into “eating their workout” fell just as quickly OUT of it. They returned to their previous calorie consumption (or less,) and with the addition of exercise and eating habit changes, lost weight. Duh, right?! Ergo the “use common sense” expression I’m trying to depict here below, about exercise and eating properly and choice. 

Fact: Intense exercise suppresses the appetite.  Exercise increases energy expenditure and can stimulate you to make up for calories burned. What you eat is your choice. Exercise will influence appetite differently from one person to the next. In general, the higher your body temperature; the more intense the exercise, the more appetite suppression you will experience.

I stand by the fact that even short bouts of moderate to intense exercise each day shifts the hunger and energy requirement balance and makes for longer term consistent weight loss and maintenance.

Take care,

Margo

Fitness isn’t just about exercising your body; it’s also about exercising your brain! Keep yourself healthy and sharp mentally and physically. On that note, have fun!!!! I’m smiling since I had fun doing this on line test!

http://www.humorsphere.com/fun/8787/colortest.swf

Pass it on to your family and friends; it’s a hoot!

Warm regards,

Margo