elainedispo

Posts Tagged ‘core’

Fitness & Foodie Friday: Health or Treat? Nooky Quickie

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/30/2015 at 09:00

While trick-or-treaters may be house-hopping and candy-popping this weekend, I’ll continue consuming my healthy supplements on the ☼daily!

Ginkgo Biloba: to promote mental focus

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Centrum VitaMints®: to aquire essential nutrients in a tasty way

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  • I’ve come a long way since my childhood Flinstones chewables ~ which I doubt are the best bet for my teeth with the acidity
  • I’m still not a fan of swallowing tablets without having water and food in handy
  • Therefore, I’m all about double-duty of fulfilling my ☼daily☼ needs while freshening my breath!

Of course, I don’t skimp on the actual food that I need to fuel my brain and body ~ which I’m actually including in an analogy between my marathon and my main statistical method (multiple regression) for my doc research!

Pumpkin Trail Mix

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Speaking of my race, although I haven’t run as many long distances in awhile, I’ve fit in mini drills to keep my energy levels high while I’ve been drained from my dissertation, a.k.a., my doc docs …

During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!

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Olive Garden Leftovers from Ladies’ Night with the Holy Spiri† (counter-clockwise from bottom right): Chicken Cacciatorie & Cheese Manicotti (2 of my fave entrées rolled into 1) • Pasta e Fagioli w/ breadstick • MinestroneBestie Evie‘s Better-Than-Sex BrowniePumpkin Cheesecake (which took me 4 days to finish!) • Andes Mints ~ gotta ♥love♥ these after-dinner chocolate mints to cap off a classic OG meal!

While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:

Standing ♥Cardio♥

Floor/Mat/Carpet Core

More ♥Cardio♥

  • Dance ’til your ♥heart’s ♪content♫ ~ or your grub is ready

Stretch

Relieve those muscles after sitting at the computer desk and before sitting down to eat

Happy Early Halloween, All †Saints’ Day y el Día de los Muertos! ✌

Workout Wednesday: GSA is for … 

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 08/26/2015 at 11:11

Gwen Stefani🎤 Abs & her Gun🔫 Show Arms💪🏽

This No Doubt singer rocked out her voice🎵 & her bod🏄 (i.e., classic crop tops in the mid-90s to expose midriffs) 2 decades ago with her breakthrough 📀single, I’m Just a Girl🚺* ~ which is featured on

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani the *HOTTIE*

Regardless of reports on her separation from Gavin Rosdale of Bush, this 🎼rockstar’s still got it ~ from raising 2 boys, still singing🎶 amazing solo or otherwise & looking dayum good + influencing fashion👛 (i.e., her iconic 👑bindi) including super shoes👢 like stilettos👠

How does she stay so 👙svelte? Where does she seek her sweet escape for a hot physique?

📺Take a look👓 for yourself: she does mad push-ups! 🚻*

Push-ups are the ultimate toning move because they work your upper bod & core stability for strength & balance!

Gwen Stefani Push-Ups

Gwen Stefani can work her body

Gwen Stefani Push-Ups

Check out Gwen‘s form

Gwen Stefani Push-Ups

… All the way down, nose to the ground!

I dare you to do these pushUPs to Settle DOWN♪ ~ the 1st No Doubt single after she flew solo for awhile

🙅🏻Rough ‘N’ Tough👊🏽 Recommended Routine: 100 GSAs (Gwen Stefani Abs & Arms) = 100 Push-Ups {20 reps each of the following}

  • Full Plank Chest Push-Ups
  • Full Plank Tricep Push-Ups
  • On-Your-Knees Chest Push-Ups
  • On-Your Knees Tricep Push-Ups
  • On-Your-Knees Super Push-Ups 💥
Gwen Stefani Kicka**

Gwen Stefani up & ready …

Gwen Stefani Kicka**

… Set …

Gwen Stefani Kicka**

… Go!

Gwen Stefani Kicka**

Gwen Stefani kicks some serious booty!

📖Definitions for the Definition

  • Full Plank: on palms & toes
  • Chest: wide grip 👊🏽
  • Tricep: narrow grip 👐🏽
  • On-Your-Knees + ankles crossed 🙅🏻
  • Supers: clap as you push up 👏🏽

👋🏽Hollaback👊🏽, Girl! This $#!+ is bananas ~ B-A-N-A-N-A-S🍌 

Gwen Stefani 4am

♫Gwen Stefani‘s 4am♪ ~ I’ve been staying up ’til 4am🕓 working on my dissertation lately & want to cut my hair like hers after I graduate & donate!

11:11 ~ make a Bday/BTS wish!!! ✌

Fitness & Feline Friday: Sun Core

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 07/10/2015 at 17:35

☼Sun☼ Rise, Slim Set!

This ☼sunny☼, sweaty ☼summer☼ series continues with our midsection …

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Hello Kitty belly button bling ring

… because we want to rock out our abs on the beach …

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½ my ♥

… or poolside!

HK

The other ½ ☺

Core Combination

  • Standing Knee Raises (lower abs): standing hip-width apart, draw knees up one at a time while bringing bent arms down toward chest ~ 3×20 for each leg
  • Plank Side Bends (obliques): leaning on one elbow at a time with feet stacked, bend and press your hips ~ 3×20 for each side
  • Side Plank Turns (obliques): leaning on one palm at a time with feet stacked, twist to side plank one side at a time for 10 seconds each ~ 3×5 for each side
  • Reverse Plank Dips (core & tris): with palms of hands & heels on the mat/flat surface, pop pelvis upward while bending arms ~ 3×20
  • Double Leg Raises (lower abs & back): while laying down, lift both legs up slowly and with control ~ 3×20 alternating sets with legs together and apart

Next up, we’ll hit our lower bod!

Workout Wednesday: Prayer Pose

In Community, Fitness Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 05/20/2015 at 12:50

Maligayang Bati. Mami Aya! * HBD, Nurse Nanay

In spirit of the recent Church💒 Sacraments (including my students’ First Communion and Confirmation), how about we put prayer into practice in our workout routines? 

I propose the 🙏Prayer Pose: place palms together in front of your chest, with your elbows bent at 45*

Here are lower bod and midsection moves that you can do in Prayer Pose (as opposed yet similar to Tree🌳 Pose) while standing and maintaining your balance …
During each rep, say something that you’re grateful for👏 (THANKSgiving prayers) or say a full☝️ prayer during a set✌️
3 sets of 12-15 reps
🙏Squats (as opposed to Prisoner👮 Position with hands behind your head): alternate stances between sets ~ wide/plié • narrow • shoulder width ~ drop low [legs]
🙏Lunges (as opposed to Warrior⛺️ yoga🌅 poses): extend one leg in front of you with knee bent at 90* and stretch other leg straight behind you then drop it down
🙏Calf Raises: alternate toe-point directions between sets ~ facing each other • facing forward • facing outward ~ start on tippy toes than lower to balls of feet👣 (calves)
🙏Abductors: with both legs together and toes facing forward, raise one leg outward to hip level; repeat on the other side after each set [inner thighs]
🙏Extensions: with both legs together and toes facing forward, raise one leg forward to hip level; repeat on the other side after each set [quadriceps]
🙏Elevated Curls: with both legs together and toes facing forward, raise one leg backward while bending the knee at 90*; repeat on the other side after each set [hamstrings]
🙏Bun Press: with both legs together and toes facing forward, raise one leg straight backward; repeat on the other side after each set [glutes]
🙏Knee Raises: draw one knee at a time up toward your chest [legs and core]
🙏Trunk Twists: turn your torso to the left, then to the right for one rep [core]

More bonus🌠 moves while laying on a clean, flat surface …

🙏Pray-Ups (as opposed to Pistol🔫 Pose): on your back, with palms together in prayer pose and legs extended straight out, tuck tummy in while bringing arms and legs together [core]

🙏Laying Curls: on your belly, with palms together in prayer pose and knees bent, curl legs behind you [hams]

And another 1 …

🙏Pray Raise (as opposed to Pistol🔫 Pose): either standing or sitting, lift arms up in prayer [chest]

Workout Wednesday: Blogilates Quickie Series

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 04/22/2015 at 10:00

Once, there was 8-Minute Tae Bo

    (on VHS ~ no less)

Now, there’s 5-Minute Cassey Ho!

#DISPObustAFlow

Around the clock, make your body rock!

Monday Gun Show

2 for Tuesday Booty & Legs

Midweek Midsection

Thursday Total Bod / Friday Fat-Burn Full Bod / Saturday Sweat Sesh

Workout Wednesday: Double Dip, DON’T Trip + Tips

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 03/11/2015 at 09:00

Let’s do double leg raises!

These will work out not just our legs and lower back, but also our hip flexors as we twist …

We’ll get creative by making shapes.

As we’re laying down, we’ll do the following sequence of 10 per set:

  • Legs together
  • Spiral/tornado up then down
  • Scissor legs ~ spread out then bring back together
  • Draw ♥hearts♥ for Belated ♥Valentine’s♥ Day
  • Draw four-leaf ♣clovers♣ for Early ♣St. Patrick’s♣ Day
St. Patty's Cat

♣St. Pat’s♣ Cat inspiration: Soon-to-Be Bday Girl *ASIA* (in almost 2wks) is chillaxin’ w/♣Good Luck♣ Care Bears ~ we can reward ourselves w/R&R after we work out our legs & core to score! #DISPObustAFlow

Extra guidelines from XHIT expert Rebecca Louise:

Fitness Friday: V-Mode

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 02/06/2015 at 16:30

After this Super Bowl Week’s YOLOs and spirits, it’s time to prep for ♥V-Day♥

Therefore, today, this DISPO has gone Beast Mode for V-Mode on this ♥Sweetheart♥ Ball Eve!

As tomorrow’s dinner approaches, I’ve been working out to my fave fitness gurus in their special dance dress moves:

Total Bod

{More from Cassey Ho below}

Target Areas

R&R

What about *Dallas Cowboys’ WR Dez Bryant’s* hard core abs?

My reward after these routines: my homemade ice cream!

  • Bananas for Potassium
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I’m going berry bananas over my homemade Cookie Butter ice cream!

  • Blueberries for Memory
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C & B are for … Cape Cod cranberries + blueberries & Crunchy Cookie Butter w/ B-A-N-A-N-A-S {chant from No Doubt‘s ♫Hollaback♪}

  • Cranberries for Urinary Tract (YES, after drinking tons of water, it helps!)
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Super Spoonful coming right up!

    • Crunchy Cookie Butter for Taste & Texture

!

Workout Wednesday: Mickey D’s DVDs

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Sports, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 01/07/2015 at 10:00

My New Year’s Resolution to declutter has worked wonders! Who would’ve thought that through clearing the clutter, that I’d come across these unopened discs from a decade ago that I could use?

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When I worked at my local gym, I ate healthy most of the time (YOLOs were splurge days back then), even when it came to fast food. McDonald’s offered healthy Happy Meals complete with workout DVDs, so I managed to collect all 4.

From Friday, January 2nd, through Monday, January 4th, I did the YourselfFitness (TM) sequence, as follows:

Flexible Friday: (1) Yoga
Slim-Down Saturday: (2) 💗Cardio💓
Fun Day 🌅Sunday: (3) Core
🔫 Gun Show Monday: (4) Strength💪

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These remind me of modern-day apps and videos that show your progress on the screen, but what I like about these was that technology was right on point with the many options to select, so the routine wasn’t always the same every time you popped in the DVD.

    1. First, you could pick which language to follow.

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    1. Then you could choose your challenge level.

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  1. You also could opt for what you want to get out of it.

Optional equipment: step-bench for cardio

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* stability ball for core

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* hand weights for strength

For your exercise pleasure of contemporary videos you can access, please also check out my Top 5 Workout Videos!

As my GODson would sing when he was a baby:

♪Ba-pa-ba-pa-ba♪ … ♫I’m lovin’ it♫

Well, how about WOVin’ it, as in Workout Video-in’ it?

Workout Wednesday: Aaliyah Abs

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 11/19/2014 at 08:00

♪♫More Than a Woman♪♫

In spirit of my favorite 1990s-early 2000s R&B artist, Aaliyah, who was finally portrayed in a film that debuted on air this past weekend (no comment on my thoughts of the biopic), let’s pay tribute to the best abs in the industry!

This street but sweet superstar had fab, flat abs ~ so how did she rock them out in her midriffs?

As an Aaliyah ab-mirer and also an ab-rocker, here’s what worked for her and me …

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* Dance it off ~ All those twists and turns work that core + other cardio to melt off fat and flab!

* Planks {especially rotating on alternate sides to engage the obliques} stabilize for balance!

Sideswept bangs and shades also were Aaliyah’s trademark that inspired me!

Workout Wednesday: Midweek Midsection Edition ~ Fab Abs

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Weekly Wonders, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 10/22/2014 at 20:00

My gym rat cat and I have been going hard core on our core! Here are a few moves that he got me into that I still could feel three days later! Of course, abs are where it’s at, as well as lower back, to stabilize and balance our svelte bods!

  • Ab Day #1
    Oblique Twists 
  • Leg Lifts 

3 x 20

 

  • Ab Day #2
    {6″ above ground}
  • Flutter Kicks 
  • Hello Dolly (thighs)
  • Leg Lifts

Cadence: 1-2-3-1 … 1-2-3-2 …
1st set: 15 each move, recovery in b/t
2nd set: 10 each move, straight thru

Abs

Wayback Wednesday: When I had tight abs … Can I get a baby back?