Fit Ball Pike Exercise

Everyone has seen how to do crunches on a fit/stability ball. (If you have any questions let me know.) In order to keep your routine fresh you may need to try some new moves and keep your body guessing...so it is constantly working! Try this pike position exercise. Starting in the same position you use for push ups;

• Hands/Arms are directly over your shoulders, NOT your head!
• Body is straight and tight
  
• Feet and shins are firmly planted in the ball.
• Don't forget to breathe!
  

Using a rolling motion, contract your abs, curl your back and roll your feet across the ball until you are in a pike position,(shown below) then roll back down to starting position. Try 2 sets of 10.

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

If you don't have enough core strength to pike completely in half don't fret. This is just something to work toward. If you want to make it easier start by putting the ball further up your legs. The closer it is to your core the less work your core is doing. Roll up and try to get your rear end in the air. Practice balancing with your arms and moving the ball. It takes balance and practice. Have fun and see how far you can go!

New Year's Resolutions: Are your goals attainable or sustainable?

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am not surprised to suddenly hear from so many of you wanting to lose your holiday weight.

It's not like you have another resolution option...the marketing is brilliant...January 1 all you see is exercise infomercials, diet books, treadmill sales and weight loss pills at the forefront of the grocery store.

So how is 2009 going to be different? Instead of falling for the latest quick fix and diet fad you will take baby steps to real life change. Baby steps are;

• Skipping dessert once a week
• Packing your own lunch once a week
  
• Sitting on your fit ball while you watch television
• Exercising while you brush your teeth
• Taking your dog for a walk
• Setting realistic goals.....

Are you still trying to fit into your high school jeans? Trying to hit some magic number on the scale (most likely your wedding weight or your pre-pregnancy weight)? You might be able to kill yourself to lose that sacred number, but how long can you stay there? How long can you keep up a crash diet and a crazy workout schedule? Instead of working your butt off for a month with a gym membership you probably won't use after Valentine's Day, why don't you really ring in the New Year with lasting change. SUSTAINABLE GOALS!

Start with the first pound. What are you going to do today to lose ONE pound? That doesn't sound that hard does it? One. That's it. When you lose one pound hop back in here and celebrate with me! Then we will find your next goal. Your next size. Your next workout.

Take baby steps to real change...not just a commitment until everyone stops talking about resolutions.