Warming up = WAY better workouts

I know that we all hate to spend time warming up (though as we get older we have a tendency to look at the warmup as our workout!) because our time is so crunched to start with. BUT... we must!

When you warm up, you not only reduce the likelihood of injury, but you also ensure yourself of a better workout. Better workouts happen because your body isn't trying to fight through stiffness, soreness and achy-ness (is that a word?) So, when it's time to do that last squat, pushup, curl or walk that last 1/4 mile, push into a sprint at the end... your muscles don't rebel! (ok more than they already are).

Warming up allows your body to *explode* when you need it to, instead of starting a movement then BREAKING. And, when you can explode into your workouts then your workout will be WAY better.

So, that's the tip if you want to look phab and phit - warm up people!

To you phabulous health and phitness,
Phillip

"Sleep, Data" Fitness advice from the Borg

The famous not so famous words of Jean-Luc Picard - as Locutous of Borg happen to be some of the best words for those of us desiring to look phit and phab!

But why?

Well, sleep helps you keep looking good for all kinds of reasons. It keeps you functioning well because your body really does need the sleep the doctors have been telling you about. But for weight loss (or looking phab) it's just straight out because you NEED the ENERGY.

Any normal person when they've had enough rest has a bit of jitter in them (normal jittering - not caffeine induced). However, when you don't have enough sleep, you don't move. You spend all day essentially conserving energy because you're tired. When you have enough sleep THEN your body uses up your energy. Very cool, isn't it? (yes, scientific study showed this).

Another reason for sleep is the energy you have to work out with. You know it - if you don't have the right rest - you don't hit your workout full force. And you also know that there's a BIG difference between hitting that workout with enthusiasm and vigor rather than just dragging your butt into whatever workout you're going to do.

So, even if you take no other advice from a Borg, take this advice. SLEEP.

Work - Workout

You don't always have to go to the gym to get a workout. Get one right in your cube - especially your abs! Seriously. Try this. Take a deep breath, then blow it all the way out, even using your abs to get every last oxygen atom out. Then, hold your tummy there and squeeze for 2-5 seconds. Do that a few times every 30 minutes and you'll have a pretty good ab starter workout for the day.

And remember - tight abs make you feel uncomfortable if you eat to much - so their helping you with that appetite too!