Category Archives: training

Yogis vs Meatheads

Posted on by

4

20130418-142913.jpg

During my recovery I have been trying to stay active, I’ve never not kept fit and despite being limited to no weight bearing exercise, I wasn’t going to let that stop me exercising at all.

I have dabbled with yoga over the years and mainly utilised it to stay supple and aid in core strength, but have since relied on it a lot to aid in my comeback. So when I mentioned it to someone who is what you’d call a typical meathead guy that spends hours in the gym pumping iron and he scoffed that I “needed to work harder than that to get back to where I was before my operation”, I was a little (read that as a lot) offended.

I love bodyweight exercise as it means I’m not a slave to a monthly subscription, I can work it around the diary; as a parent that’s quite important, but on the other hand I do love a barbell squat and will be returning to the gym to take on a challenge I’ve set myself which you’ll find out about soon.

I do find that yoga is looked upon as not being ‘hardcore’ enough by a lot of people as the movements aren’t explosive/dynamic enough. I will tell you from first hand experience that this isn’t the case. In fact slow, controlled movements such as a slow mountain climbers (not the yoga term, but I’m not trying to be overly technical here) are far more beneficial than 100 sit-ups. Fact. Spending three minutes in a half split like I did yesterday afternoon during my Vinyasa Flow class was as painful as I’ve felt squatting deep with 80kg on my shoulders. Headstands aren’t to be sniffed at, either. The photo above is cool, no? You should see the outtake photos …

I totally understand that not everyone will enjoy every fitness discipline, but lets be clear here. Whilst it may not give you quick results like say dead lifting 100kg, yoga can build a strong body. Putting my bodyweight training aside, I know I could plank the heck out of the meathead friend based on the fact that yoga helped me get there, and I challenged him to a plank off.

Sadly he declined to take me up on the offer …

Why I’m standing on my head

Posted on by

2

20130414-185641.jpg

You may have seen me tweet or post Instagram photos as I work on getting my headstand game up recently and thought I was crazy, or wondered why I was going back to my roots of performing these in the playground.

As you may or may not know, I had a major setback with my fitness and am still in recovery mode at present. I’m not able to train and whilst I’m now able to run, I have lost my running mojo which hasn’t been helped by my knee. So while pottering around, I saw a yogi posting some really cool forearm poses and decided I would work on getting to that stage again by first working on my balance while toning my arms, shoulders, back and lightly on my core. Balance is to me very important in general as it means body and mind work better together.

After a few days into what is going to a month long challenge, I decided to research the benefits of headstands when practiced properly. I discovered the following:

1. It is very good for the digestive system, the pituitary gland which is important in creating energy is stimulated whilst chilling upside down.

2. The lymphatic system is improved; lymph fluid is a major player in building the immune system.

3. Helps your brain! With the blood flowing towards the brain easier, it gives it stimulation when endorphins are released, enhances concentration as well reduce anxiety and stress.

4. Boosts cardiovascular and lung function.

5. Improves strength in the neck, shoulders, back and core region of the body.

I’m seven days in and I have to say it has been quite fun. When my mum isn’t shouting “boo!” Or “she fell over,” I am seeing improvements already. Will be nice to see how far I get by day thirty.

** update** to make sure you’re doing it correctly, best you give this link the once over

#AbsLikeAngel – Week Two

Posted on by

0

20130211-070356.jpg

Well hello there!!

I have been more than chuffed with the great response from you all with this challenge, thank you all so much.

Am working on the video, due to some difficulties the vid won’t be available until next week, so I have listed a workout below and I will grab a willing victim tomorrow while I’m with my running crew for some photos to assist your workout and will edit this page accordingly.

Any questions, please ask!! Twitter/Instagram: @Angel_Deelight or drop the questions in the comments at the bottom of the page.

If you would like to do the Week One workout you can find it by clicking here. Love and Light. Angel xx

Superman Planks

Like the photo above, smiles are optional. Get into plank position (as always adopt good position with straight back and core engaged.) Lift left arm and right leg, extend and hold position ensuring arm and leg are straight in line with torso. Slowly return to plank and swap sides. Repeat for a minute, rest and do two more minute sets with thirty second recovery in between.

Sit-ups

Adopting good posture and using a chair to hold feet if necessary take your time and get as many sit-ups in within a minute. Core engaged and smile on face.

Side planks

Resting on forearm keeping body straight with core engaged, hold. Switch sides after thirty seconds.

Plank Rows

In plank position lift one arm and raise to chest and hold for a second whilst keeping back straight and engaging core. Swap sides and repeat for a minute.

Alternate Froggers

Adopting the plank position, bring right leg to the outside if the right hand. Bring back to plank position and repeat on the left. Three one minute sets with thirty second recovery in between. Maintain good posture throughout.

Sit-ups

Get as many as you can in a minute. Take care of your back and engaging your core whilst remembering to breathe.

Mountain Climbers

I know how much you loved these last week, as a reward you can go a little faster, but remember good form on these. Get into plank position and slowly bring knee to chest, repeat on other side. This is one repetition. Repeat for one minute.

Abdominal Hold

With your back straight and your abs engaged, hold in the position for a minute. Rest for thirty seconds and do this twice.

#AbsLikeAngel – Week One

Posted on by

7

20130204-010619.jpg

Greetings challengers, I hope you’re raring to go?

Please remember to stretch before and after your workout as well as hydrating. Both very important for your body and overall fitness.

image

Abdominal Hold

With your back straight and your abs engaged, hold in the position for a minute. Rest for thirty seconds and do this three times in total.

image

Plank

Keeping a straight line from head to toe, rest on your forearms and hold for one minute. Rest for thirty seconds and get three sets in.

image

Slow Mountain Climbers

Get into plank position and slowly bring knee to chest, repeat on other side. This is one repetition. Repeat for one minute.

image

Russian Twists

Getting into the abdominal hold position, take right hand across your body concentrating on keeping back straight and core engaged, repeat with left arm. This is one repetition. Repeat for one minute.

image

Plank Rows

In plank position lift one arm and raise to chest and hold for a second whilst keeping back straight and engaging core. Swap sides and repeat for a minute.

image

Sit-ups

Get as many as you can in a minute. Take care of your back and engaging your core whilst remembering to breathe.

image

Side Plank

Resting on forearm keeping body straight with core engaged, hold. Switch sides after thirty seconds.

Now get tagging and posting #AbsLikeAngel !!

Twitter/Instagram: @Angel_Deelight

#AbsLikeAngel

Posted on by

2

20130203-124903.jpg

The time has finally come for the “Abs Like Angel” challenge to begin.

There will be workout set for you to do and a new workout will be posted weekly. Ideally try to do this twice a day if you’re able, but once a day as a minimum and add it to your current workout (where applicable.)

As always it is recommended that you consult your physician if you have any concerns and modify your workout if need be.

The “Abs Like Angel” tab will magically appear tomorrow and that’s the best place to post questions as well as under each workout post every week.

There will be a prize awarded to the individual that makes a significant effort. In order to be eligible you will need to tag your photos, blog posts, tweets etc with the hashtag #AbsLikeAngel. Take a simple self shot before you start the challenge and one at the end of February so you have an idea of your progress as well as something for me to judge alongside your online presence throughout the month. Terms and conditions will be on the tab on Monday.

Most of all, enjoy yourselves!!

How is your #PushIt challenge going?

Posted on by

0

Hello!

I hope you’re all well and well underway with your push-up challenge? I have been quiet on the online front – many apologies, but I have been keeping up with my daily goals and hope you have been too.

We are halfway through now, so a final push(up) for the last half. As always I am checking and am here for any help/cheer leading if you need it. Push-ups aren’t my favourite so know I’m probably going through similar feelings to you.

Here are the full and modified pics, taken whilst I was away:

20130118-152908.jpg

20130118-153008.jpg

Can you #PushIt in 2013?

Posted on by

0

20121225-093240.jpg

Hello you!! Happy New Year.

As you’re aware (or should be by now) I am not a fan of resolutions or waiting until a new year to sink my teeth into a goal, desire or challenge, some of you joined me on December’s #DropItLikeASquat challenge and did very well I’d like to add!!

This month is no different. January is a new month meaning a new challenge; push-ups. Now I am not a fan of these at ALL, so you’ll be pleased to know that I will be battling through this one more than the squats.

As usual, I should stress that you should consult your physician if you have any concerns and to maintain the correct positions throughout.

    Technique

Back straight taking care to keep the weight in your upper body. From your head to the feet, ensure you maintain a straight line and engage your core (tuck your belly button in and hold.) Please also remember to breathe!!

If you’re not able to do a few push-ups, you may want to moderate your position so that your knees are on the floor (remembering to maintain strong back and core at all times.)

And one last thing, if you’re struggling, I am on Twitter, come and find me!!** If you’re tweeting #PushIt your fellow challengers can also offer support. The most dedicated and/or improved challenger will also get a little gift at the end of January so get pushin’!

Love and light.

Angel xx

(Twitter and Instagram: @Angel_Deelight)

Thanks to @RenoMethDAP for the picture/logo.

**I am away until the 14th with a family emergency so may not always be able to find you straight away, please bear with me!!

#DropItLikeASquat – The End – Or is it?!

Posted on by

0

20121213-214112.jpg

Today marks the last day of Drop It Like A Squat; well done to those who have participated whether you went from day one to the end, started and didn’t finished or came onto the challenge from part way through. The fact that you did something is ALWAYS going to better than nothing at all. So to those who weren’t happy for any reason, please don’t be!

I congratulate each and every one of you and thank you for even jumping on the challenge to begin with; I put out some feelers on Twitter and Instagram and have had a really nice response from you all on and offline.

I am feeling much more toned and stronger in the glute, thigh and calf area and have definitely felt better with my running. I have decided to incorporate squats in my daily routine to maintain and possibly exceed my level of strength in my legs as I would really like to tone up my thighs and create the ‘teardrop’ effect above the knee and shred the sides of my thighs, possibly with the aid of deeper barbell squats so watch this space!!

Tomorrow on the start of 2013 it is the beginning of a new challenge with push-ups, so keep your eyes peeled out for that post during your hangovers.

Once again, thank you all so much for your support and I should wish you a Happy New Year, 2013 is going to be full of fantastic challenges I have set myself – I hope that you’ll take that journey with me and set some of your own. Let me know and I will do what I can to get you to the end.

Love and light

Angel. xx

#DropItLikeASquat … How is it going for you?

Posted on by

0

20121213-214112.jpg

Hi guys!

We’re 13 days into the challenge, getting into serious numbers now so I thought that I would check in on you all. I have had such a nice response seeing as I posted the original photo on Instagram and Twitter so thanks to you all. Special mention to my Instagram friends in the US @fit_digitalcurls and @Imsbs who have been really lovely, and a mention to Tennille, Hayley and Eliza who have been gung-ho with their training. Well done ladies!

So, how have you been getting on? It has been quite challenging and I definitely have had to focus on a few things, some days its been tempting to skip. But I haven’t and have actually done that days squats twice a day.

Just remember that your ass and thighs will love your hard work and you’re not doing this alone I am proud of each and every one of you.

I am always here for encouragement on Twitter/Instagram.

Love and light x