The Reason Your Ab Work Isn't Showing Results
My stay at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, MX, can be summed up in two words: fitness heaven. As a guest of the award-winning retreat, every day brought a slew of new classes to try — from hiking to kettlebells, there was something for everyone. While each class had its lasting benefits, weeks later, l still find myself going back to a simple tip mentioned during the Ranch's Ab + Cycle class.
Feeling fatigued after an intense ride on our Spin bikes, the entire class seemed to be struggling with the Pilates portion of the class. There was grunting happening, people propelling themselves up with force, and more than a few necks being strained. Seeing the potential for back injuries, our instructor, trainer JayDee Cutting III, offered a simple tip that has had far-reaching effects on all of my workouts since: "Focus on the muscle, not the movement."
JayDee went on to explain that if you solely focus on mimicking a movement, the integrity of an exercise can be compromised. Instead, think about which part of the body the exercise is targeting. For instance, if you're doing a squat and find that your glutes aren't fired up, rethink your form — doing so will ensure that your quads aren't overcompensating and your butt is getting the workout it deserves. JayDee also suggests that whenever doing ab work on the floor, start the first exercise by placing your hand on the muscle being worked. As you go into the exercise, keep your hand there to make sure the muscle is being activated. If you find that it isn't, regroup, engage the muscle, and perform the exercise at a slower pace to see the difference. You'll also find that when doing ab work, it only takes a small amount of movement to engage the core; something important to consider the next time you find that you're pulling yourself up by the neck. Focus on the core, and you can let go of this idea of getting your head as far up as possible.
Hate Morning Workouts? You Should Probably Read This
As a 20-something living in a big city, squeezing in a workout is tough. Some days it feels like I have to choose between hitting the gym or heading to happy hour — but I want both! So, though I'm definitely not a morning person, earlier this year I embarked on a mission to master the morning workout. But, there was just one little issue . . .
To me, waking up earlier than needed is like a unique form of torture. It's like there is an epic battle between my motivated self and my lazy self — a sort of tug-of-war between the comfort of my large, plush bed and the energizing hum of the gym. And though I've felt like I'm getting into the swing of things, I sometimes lose momentum and struggle all over again. Still, I feel like I've come closer to conquering this all-consuming battle, and the more I work at it, the more I notice certain tips and tricks that make it much easier to successfully get my butt out the door. Armed with this arsenal of ideas, the morning is yours!
1. Set multiple alarms
When I say I set multiple alarms, I don't mean two — I mean five or six, starting half an hour before I want to get up. If I'm not in the habit of getting up early to hit the gym, my body is not ready for the rude awakening, and I find myself hitting snooze and missing my workout. When you're just getting into the habit, bombard yourself with obnoxious alarms and know that while you're totally miserable in the moment, you'll thank yourself later.
2. Lay out everything the night before
Shorts, check. Sports bra, check. Water bottle, keys . . . check, check. Scrambling around half delirious in the morning is not the most effective way to start the day. I've found that when I can plan ahead and have everything ready at arms reach, it's much more likely I'll make it out the door and to my 7 a.m. Spin class on time.
3. Make it a date
Some days it can be so difficult to get out of bed, especially when I know that there is nothing stopping me from staying snuggled under the covers. But, when I know that someone is depending on me to show up, it's much easier to get out of bed and get my act together. Convince a friend to meet you for a morning run, and you won't be able to skip out.
4. Cut travel time
My gym is a 10-minute walk from home (or five-minute jog, if I'm feeling ambitious . . . ), and the quick commute means that I can sneak in every extra minute of sleep possible. Since a longer commute would mean getting up even earlier, finding a gym that was literally around the corner meant that making an excuse about travel time was no longer an option. Even if a nearby gym isn't an option, running outside or doing a video in your living room can help you sneak in a workout, no matter how short on time you feel.
5. Leave no escape
At my gym, signing up for a class and then not showing up is a major no-no that can lead to a ding on your account. So, to get myself out of bed and into the gym, I've started signing up for morning classes the night before. If I know there are consequences for not showing up, it's more likely that I'll get up and get my act together. If your gym is more forgiving, make your own ultimatums. Live with a roommate or a significant other? Pay them $5 if you sleep in — when your money is on the table, getting to the gym will seem easy.
6. Don't sweat a slip-up
Some days I miss the mark and end up skipping my workout, especially after indulging a little too much the night before. It's important to accept that I'm not going to make my goal every time. If you miss a workout, don't beat yourself up; just pay attention to what went wrong — were you up too late the night before? Did you just turn off your alarm instead of getting up? Listen to your body, and learn from what didn't work instead of getting upset.
7. Plan a reward
Call me crazy, but one of my favorite treats is a refreshing, rich iced latte. Since they can be pretty pricey, I try to keep this delicious treat to something I enjoy on the weekend only. But, I've found that if I promise myself a slightly sweet, strong, and milky cup of deliciousness on the way to work if I hit the gym first. It's easier for me to face the day knowing that a treat is coming my way.
8. Crash early
OK, I admit it — this is the puzzle piece I consider my weakness. I'm a night owl, and as hard as I try to hit the hay at 9 p.m., I'll just toss and turn until my body decides it's ready for sleep, usually around 1:30 a.m. I've found the longer I work at adjusting my schedule, the easier it becomes but, there are still days I wish that I was able to magically pass out. I've learned that turning off the TV and closing my laptop an hour before hopping into bed does seem to help, so be sure to shut off the screens when you're trying to go to bed earlier than normal.
9. Remember the results
I never expected that switching my workout routine from after work to before it would affect my mood throughout the day, but I swear it has. Though I may feel sluggish getting out the door, once I've sweated out my morning weariness, I leave the gym feeling seriously refreshed and invigorated. Maybe it's the endorphins, or maybe it's the fact that the day is now full of possibilities — but I am ready to hit the ground running. If you're struggling to find the motivation, just remember the energy you will feel pulsing through your body as soon as you step out the doors and start the rest of your day.
7 Ways to Run Like a Pro
For some, running is a fun pastime; for others, it's a tiresome necessity. But no matter where you fall on the running spectrum, if you're striving to become better, then here are seven things you can do to become a better runner.
- Keep it consistent: If you stop running for a while, then you'll have to build your conditioning back up. So if you want to take your workout to the next level, then make sure you're staying consistent. Sign up for a race and start a training program (like this half-marathon training schedule) to track your progress; you'll be able to see how much your hard work has paid off.
- Learn proper form: It may seem like the simplest way to work out, but running does take skill to make sure you don't leave your body prone to injury. When running, keep your head stacked over your spine, relax the shoulders, and engage your abs. Find out how the rest of your body should be with our running-form checklist.
- Dress the part: There's no need to invest in anything fancy, but be sure to spend wisely. The perfect pair of shoes can be the difference between feeling sluggish and being light on your feet, and it can also help prevent injuries. Whether you need a full-support shoe or want in on the minimalist shoe trend, watch our video for tips on how to pick a running shoe.
- Fuel right: Running on an empty stomach can keep you from having the right amount of energy, but eating too much can lead to cramping. Look for a small snack containing carbs and protein for sustained energy. Timing is everything, however; if you're rushing out the door and haven't eaten anything, then go for something with 15 grams of easily digestible carbs (like a slice of white bread). Read more about the best foods to eat before a workout (and when to eat them) here.
- Drink water: Drinking enough water is another way to ensure you'll have a good run. If you don't drink enough water before your run (as well as during), then chances are you'll have to stop before you'd like to because of fatigue or a cramp. Make sure you drink an ounce of water for every 10 pounds of body weight about an hour or two before your workout, and watch for these signs of dehydration during your run.
- Have a plan: It's not all about consistency; you should also keep your body challenged. Running outside instead of just on the treadmill, for example, builds your muscle to help increase speed and endurance, as does incorporating high-intensity intervals. And techniques like negative splits will help improve your overall mile time as well. Plan on doing these types of runs for the majority of your workouts if you're trying to increase your mileage or time, but be sure to incorporate easy runs into your weekly plan as well.
- Do more than run: Don't limit yourself to improving your pace just while you're on the road. There are many things you can do when you aren't running that can help you, like stretching after every run, strength training regularly, and getting enough sleep. Find out more about what you can do to be a better runner (without running) here.
