Exercise of the Week

(Photos will later be provided)

Sit-ups is one of the most common talk about exercise. It's simple, easy-to-do, and you can do it in your own home, or anywhere. It's learned in high school, personal training routines, and has expanded over time into a variety of ways to accomplish the, 'flat-stomach' swim suit look.

This exercise is fun, challenging and will show results. Just grab a towel or mat from the closet and lay it out on the floor.

1.) Lay down flat on your back and interlock your fingers behind your head. (prepare for doing a sit up) This time you won't need someone to come and hold your feet to the ground like in high school gym class.

2.)Lift up your body, not all the way towards your knees, and use your core (abs) to life you up so there's no strain on your neck. You don't have to be lifting up very high either, when or if you start to shake then you're working your core muscles.

3.) Then lay back down, but not so your head touches the ground again, but so that your core muscles are still engaged. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for at least 2 sets (15-18.) A break can be taken in between if needed.

After this just lay back on the ground and finish your workout, add to it or whatever you want to do. But this move will help you gain results that you want. It's not over night, and consistency is the key rather than the intensity of your working out. You can sweat all you want, work out for hours on end, but if it's only one time a week, than it's not exactly considered consistency. Eating healthy is also half the battle. That's another story though.

Floor Work..does what?

After spending hours of studying and reviewing for finals, quiz's and homework, it's important to take a break for some 'me' time.

Of course it's great to sit back and flip on the TV because its right there and all that has to be done is lift your hand, woo hand work out? Nope. It's not all that healthy either to have your eyes glued to another screen.

Cheap and simple, just lay out a towel for some floor work. You don't need any special work out equipment, just your own body weight. Come on, you don't have to spend money on your body weight. Quite few exercises can be done in your dorm room, or living room and pretty much anywhere. Just lifting your own body weight can tone you up and keep you strong. The results of course don't show up in just one day (though that would be nice,) it takes time, and patience is key.

If you do have a set of weights, you can use those to tone your arms, but you don't have to exhaust yourself and use 25 lb weights, which will really bulk you up; that's what lifting heavier does. If you use lighter weights 3-8 lbs, 16 reps and perhaps 2 sets, you focusing more on being tone, and lean. You won't turn into a huge body builder. You'll just be staying in shape

Walking? Really?

Walking is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy.
It's considered one of the best things to stay fit. Walking regularly helps to keep your body trim and to release stress and those feel-good endorphins.

Walking is also easier on your knees, hips and joints, especially if you're a person who likes to be outside or can't afford the gym. To get a good work out in you don't HAVE to go to the gym. Running on a treadmill is always better because the footing supports the body by giving a bounce back so it's not so shocking on your knees. Walking provides less shock.

It can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, hip fracture and glaucoma, and a plus is is that the side effects are very low. Of course after walking or any sort of working out, it's so important to spend at least 15 minutes stretching out your muscles. Walking is also a helper to reduce blood pressure, and just like Cheerios it can make your cholesterol be at a healthy rate.

Studies also link walking to reducing the risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. How easy is that? Just making walking a part of everyday life can make such a huge difference.

The hardest part is putting on your shoes and getting yourself out the door with out getting distracted by your favorite TV show playing in the background. Just think of how good you'll feel once you get out.

Even though walking doesn't often work up a huge sweat like running, you get your heart pumping, and why not choose a fun place to go? Choose somewhere that's got hills and or a slight incline to get that heart pumping faster and to up your heart rate.


Click for more info on walking.

Whole Foods Sale

Relief is finally here...the salad bar is now $6.99/lb on Wednesdays at Whole Foods.

I'm sure I'll be heading down to whole foods to pick up a delicious salad.

Sometimes we're disappointed that Kahala Mall's Whole Foods is somewhat expensive; depending on what and how much you get.

The hot foods and salad bar is paid for by weight, and the create your own sandwich is already priced out at $8.99 or $7.99 depending on the type of sandwich you get.

Now the salad bar can be enjoyed cheaper than before at only $6.99/lb.

(The more I think about how much it costs, the more I start to wonder if my eyes and ears saw and heard the right thing.)

Top 3 Hikes

(sneak peak of the view from the top of koko head)

Keep in mind these 3 places to get in a good hike...

1. Mariner's Ridge

Along one of Hawai'i Kai's beautiful ridgelines leading you along side Hahaione valley and looking over at the neighboring Kamehame Ridge. It's not much of a beginners trail, but it's simple to follow along. The view of East Honolulu is worth 'the hold onto your hats' (windy) hike

2. Kamehame Ridge

Simple paved road up to the mountain top. It's located at the back of the neighborhood, but it's a slight incline, which makes it quite a breathy walk. When you reach the top you'll find the jumping off point for hang gliders and such.

3. Koko Head

I wouldn't call it a full blown hike, but it's quite a trek up 1,048 steps; something of that sort. The breathtaking view from the top is worth all the water breaks and panting sessions.

Not only are you getting a good work out, but you're having fun and not really thinking about how tired you are, and that you're staying healthy.