Core Without Crunches

I just completed a free event on my facebook page on how to strengthen your core without ever getting down on your back to do boring sit ups and crunches! If you missed it, don't despair I am sharing the whole playlist right here now on my blog. However, to participate in future events follow me on facebook    <  https://www.facebook.com/Julesfitnex
Now, let's talk about the core.

What Is The Core

Anatomically, the core refers to the body minus the legs and the arms; in effect it is the whole of your mid rib. I like to call it the anatomical belt. 

Functional movement such as bending, standing, jumping reaching etc are highly dependent on the core, hence it is paramonut that the core is strong and stable. A lack of strength and stability at the core predisposes one to injury, bad posture, back and hip pain. 

Mind you, having a strong core has nothing to do with being slim, fat, or having a six pack. You can be slim and have a very weak core and having a six pack just shows that your body fat is very low not necessarily that your core is strong. 

However, if your core is strong it will help you prevent backache, maintain a better posture and you will find that you will be able to do most exercises more effectively.

It is a myth that to get strong and toned core you need to do lots of crunches. All you need to have a strong core is to do regular functional exercises effectively so they target your core. I have put together 6 exercises that if done regularly can help you strengthen your core.

Watch the video and add it to your regular exercise routine at least 3 times a week for 30 days and you will be amazed at your results.

However, while these exercises will help strengthen your core, they will not burn belly fat. If your goals is to burn belly fat then you should join my next event called SHAPE UP that start on the 24th of March. Follow the link to read more about Shape Up    <  http://www.shapeupplan.com/

How To Turn A Healthy Meal Into A Poison!

I do love okra soup or lady finger soup. I love it because it is a very simple soup to cook, it's a vegetable and it is relatively cheap to buy. It's health benefits are endless but one that really caught my attention is that okra increases sexual potency! I know, but hey don't blame me for spoting that one; it is the midwife in me! Got to ensure that those babies keep coming! LOL.

Anyway, I digress; while I was cooking my dinner today it occurred to me how the way I cook has changed over the years. The food I eat hasn't necessarily changed but how I cook it  has definitely changed.

So let me analyse my dinner and show you how you could be eating the same thing but be potentially slowly digging an early grave.

OKRA SOUP

Serves 10 people 

10 cups of okra

20 pieces of grilled chicken

1 whole roasted cat fish

10 cups of spinach

3 tsp of Palm oil

1 cup of cray fish

1tsp of salt

Yummy!

Typically most will do this

10 cups of okra

1 whole roasted fish

10 cups of spinach 

1000g of red meat

3 cooking spoon of Palm oil

1 cup of cray fish

3tsp of salt

5 cubes of Maggie cube (more salt)

Yummy!....... Until

Can you spot the difference?

Well, let me tell you what has been added and the implication

MORE SALT: The number one medical consequence of too much salt in your diet is hypertension. Too much salt in your diet can lead to fluid retention and promote abnormal incresae of fliud volume in the body. This increases blood volume and subsequently blood pressure. This increase can lead to cardiovascular emergencies such as stroke and heart attack. In addition, fluid retention leads to puffiness, bloating and weight gain. Other complications of too much salt (sodium) include osteoporosis, kidney disorders and dehydration.

MORE RED PALM OIL: Palm oil is actually healthier than originally thought, if used appropiately it can be beneficial in slowing down the aging process amongst other health benefits. However, palm oil is high in saturted fat and if used irresponsibly can lead to weight gain, heart problems, elevated cholesterol, which over time can lead to heart disease. 

RED MEAT: Too much red meat can upset the body's glucose balance. Studies have shown that people who eat too much red meat have a higher risk of diabetes.  

So you might not be eating junk food per say but the "healthy" meals you cook can potentially be poisons if cooked in the wrong way. 

This analysis can be applied to any food you eat not just Okra soup.

So before you eat; think!

Lunch idea: Red Quinoa & Brown Rice Combo

OMG! am I the last one to discover the joy of eating red quinoa and brown rice together!! This was so yummy my eyes popped! OK! Calm down Jules it's only food!

Ingredients

1 cup red quinoa 

1 cup brown rice

4 cups water

2 tsp of coconut oil

Pinch of salt

Fresh garlic 

Herbs and spices of choice

Throw everything into a rice cooker and cook for 40mins

That's it! DONE!

Enjoy with any healthy sauce of your choice. I finished it before I could think of a sauce to eat it with. Too yummy!!

Have you had this before? Why didn't you tell me about it LOL.

Do you like quiona? Do you have any amazing recipes? I would love to hear from you; leave me a comment.

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Overhead Exercise: Over Head Squats

The other day during bootcamp I discovered that all my clients struggled with doing most over head exercises; more so when asked  to do it simultanoeuly with a lower body exercsie, such as an over head squat.  

Over head exercises like the name suggest are exercises where you have to lift your hand and lock it out over the head. It is usually performed with weights.

So why is it challenging for some people

• It is a muti-muscle/joint exercise: Any routine that causes you to use several joint and muscles at the same time will be challenging simply because of the number of muscles and joints that needs to be mobilised
• Poor shoulder mobility: Most people do not complete the full range of movement when doing most upper body exercise, for example a jumping jack. Most people hardly allow their hands to touch over their head when doing it, they are therefore limiting the range of movement in their shoulder
• Poor flexibilty: Flexibilty is one third of fitness, however, few actually practise flexibility exercises such as yoga, pilates, massage and deep stretching regularly.
• Poor core strength: The core is the power house, it stablises and keeps  maintain a good posture. If it is weak, most exercise will be inmmensely challenging.

So against this background I will be writing a series on a few beginner overhead exercise, that can be incoprated into any exercise routine.  So; first up is the over head squats.

You may want to practise these without any weights just to get comfortable with doing them. 

As shown, you can either keep your eyes on the weight and lead with the opposite hand or hold your hand out for stability. 

Keep the core engaged and sit back into a squat as far down as you can manage with the feet remaining flat on the floor  while the hand is locked over head. Come back to standing position with the hand remaining over head. Repeat 12-15 times. 

However, for beginners, it may be challenging initially to keep the hand straight while squating as shown in the picture below, but over time as flexibilty increase with practice aim to straighten it out.

Muscles used  

Quadriceps

Gluteus

Calves

Hamstrings

Tibialis anterior

Deltoid

Trapezium

Benefits

Develops flexibility

Stability in the shoulders

Stengthening the shoulder thus preventing injury

If you have tried over head exercise or intend to, then leave me a comment.  I will be posting another over head exercise next week so watch this space.

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I Don't Eat Salad....Ooops

Today I had a friend over for lunch and we had a really yummy meal. During the course of our conversation it dawned on me that I haven't had a salad in almost 6 months! And you preach the gospel of eat more veggies I can almost hear you say........LOL.

Well, when I first started trying to lose weight, I ate so much lettuce and carrots that it almost started growing out of my head but guess what?......I didn't lose much weight. So I guess that is where my dislike of salad came from. Plus it's winter! Who eats salad in the winter! 

That said, who ever said "eat more veggies means eat more salad"? I eat more than my fair share of veggies everyday not just as a salad. So I thought a couple of recipe on how I eat veggies without "ever" eating salad.

A good place to start would be what I ate today with my friend for lunch........

Kale, Prawn & Plantain Porridge

Ingredients

Serves 5 people

5 plantains

200g of prawns

10 cups of chopped kale

1 cup of onions

2 tsp of palm oil

2 tsp of tomatoe puree

2 cups of water

1 tsp of chilli powder

Season to taste.

Method

Peel the plantains, cut into cubes

Add water to cut plantains 

Add a pinch of salt

Allow to cook for 15mins.

In a separate pan

Sautee onions, kale and prawns in palm oil for 5 mins

Then add to cooked plantain and stir.

Add chilli powder & tomatoe puree

Allow to cook for 2 mins

Serve & enjoy

Yummy!

Got my veggies from the Kale.

QUINOA, ZUCCHINI & CARROT STIR FRY

Quinoa is one of my all time favourite grain. I wouldn't bore you with the details of it's nutritional benefits becuase I am sure yu can do a google search and find that out for yourself but know that it higher in protein compared to other grains.

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 people

2 cups raw quinoa

1 cup of grated carrots

1 cup of grated zucchini

2 tsp of coconut oil

1 tsp of curry powder

1/2 cup of onions

Salt

Seasoning of choice

2 cups of water

Method

Cook quoina in water for 20 mins with a pinch of salt

In a separate pan

Sautee onions in coconut oil

Add carrots & zucchini and stir fry for 5 mins

Add already cooked quinoa

Add seasoning to taste

Add curry powder

Stir fry all for a further 5 mins

DONE!

Got my veggies from zuchinni and carrots!

Are you a "no salad" person too? How do you get your veggies in.....Would love to hear from you.

God If You Can't Make Me Skinny Please Make My Friends Fat! (Part 3)

The trilogy of my weight loss journey will not be complete if I don't mention some people who simply just made it fun and a big laugh. You see, I am a creature of laughter, I don't do very well if I can't find the humour in a situation. This next lady amongst others injected a good dose of that.

At this point, I had lost almost 80lbs but I was still what is classified as "skinny fat". I was slim but my body fat percentage was high. Strength training and an even healthier diet was the solution. 

But the more I strength trained, the hungrier I was. Back then, I didn't know what I now know about  the many advantages of strength training. Do you know that when you strength train you can almost get away with eating more? This is because the more muscle mass you have the more calories you burn even at rest and the more calories you burn the easier it is to maintain your weight. But it has got to be healthy food though not junk.............I digress.

This amazing lady joined the secret group in the nick of time. She straight away could see my dilemma, she knew I was hungry because she was hungry too.....LOL. So any new discovery she found she share with me. She taught me the principle of eating smart not less. Why use cow's milk at 155 calories for 250ml when you could have almond milk at 30 calories for same amount and it is better for you she would say. Why make a sunny side up with 5 eggs at 350 calories when you could use 1 cup of egg white and just one whole egg at 190 calories! plus you will have more food to eat! (I told you she was hungry.............LOL)

Apart from food, we also had other things in common, we both love to lift heavy weights. We knew long before the phrase was coined that strong is the new sexy, we just didn't know the phrase then LOL. We both desired the toned, fit look. Therefore, every time I saw a Facebook post from her looking toned and strong I knew I had to sit up and be serious. She injected the element of a healthy competition that I needed at that stage of my weight loss journey.

Now look at her; Michelle Obama's arms has got nothing on my fit friend!

You totally ROCK babe!........Thank you for getting me and my quacky sense of humour. Amen to egg white and almond milk.........LOL.

My message to you reading this blog post is, be open about your struggles because someone just might have the solution you need. Also, relax, laugh a little......weight loss, it really is not that deep.

Happy New Year!

P:S

By the way, my journey was influenced positively by more than these 3 people I have share in this trilogy. I hope to talk about some other people in the future when the time is right. 

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