Workout Video - Grave Digger

One of my favorites! [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/98156389[/vimeo]

This is a great exercise for improving core strength, posture, and stabilizing the scapula.

Start in a very strong plank pose with all of the core muscles locked in.  As you pull the elbow up, you are isolating the postural muscles that stabilize the scapula in your upper back.  You are also working on balance, coordination as well as strengthening all of the muscles associated with core strength.

  • Level 1 - Demonstrated with elbow bending
  • Level 2- Demonstrated with a straight arm

Do 2 sets of 20 repetitions

Filmed by Jillian Livingston  http://www.aspenreallife.com

 

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Plank Pushup

Plank Pushups from Lisa Cohen on Vimeo.

A great exercise for improving core strength and upper body strength while working on balance.

This one is harder than it looks!  I love combining a lot of different things in one exercise.  It makes your workout much more fun, effective and dynamic! Enjoy!

Filmed by Jillian Livingston of Aspen Real Life

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Killer Squat

I love combining strength , balance and core work all in one exercise!  Here is a killer squat exercise that works the legs and the core.  The trick with this exercise is to keep the arms very straight throughout the movement.  When the ball is lifted above the head, pull the biceps back firmly to your ears.  This will engage the important postural muscles of the upper middle back.  Use a 10-20 pound medicine ball.  This ball has handles that allows for an easy grip.

Filmed by Jillian Livingston   aspenreallife.com

Filmed at Phoenix Fitness, my favorite gym in Basalt.

Yours in Health, Lisa

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Side Plank with Band

Filmed by Jillian Livingston   aspenreallife.com

Yours in Health, Lisa

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Legs and Core Strengthening Workout Video - Kettle Bell Swing

Fun with Kettle Bells [video]

To read Lisa’s notes on this exercise and post a comment click

This video demonstates a basic kettle bell swing.  This movement is a challenging and dynamic workout that works the legs, stresses the heart, and strengthens all of the muscles of the back.

Tips:  Keep your chest, head, and eyes up while swinging the kettle bell.  Drop the hips to 90 degrees during the squatting phase.  Drive the hips forward at the end of the swing.

Start with 30 seconds,  and work your way up to 1 minute! 

Filmed by Jillian Livingston   www.isdisnormal.com

WIN Health Institute

Yours in Health, Lisa

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Thanksgiving message from Lisa

Click play to listen...

Have a wonderful, relaxing and healthful holiday, Yours in Health, Lisa

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Q & A : it has been tricky to get back on track...

hi Lisa. Thank you for the support and follow up with me... Honestly, as in the past I lost my momentum while I was sick I would say. Mostly I was just not eating anything, then once I felt better, it has been tricky to get back on track... I found myself creating ridiculous excuses about workouts and food... again. So to say I have been struggling would be honest. I guess the good out of the situation is that I am aware of the lack of discipline at this point... and I am very ready and willing to get back on track. I feel so silly about this. I don't know why, but I feel so sorry for myself each time I "deny" myself food... I just can't get over the self pity of it all??? Anyways, here's to tomorrow and getting back on track and to the place I want to be. Sorry for the rambling... we will be in touch when I return. Thanks again.

Hey!

This is all so normal. It is difficult to change habits, and your body and your mind will rebel. (Rebellious is actually a good word for your mind’s response towards change.)

No matter. Keep the course and stay positive and be happy. You are a remarkable person! Do not try to be perfect all of the time. Perfection is unrealistic and unobtainable and not necessary for success.

Trying to be perfect is what makes you feel like rebelling against your plan.

Two goals to consider: Focus on eating healthy 90% of the time. Make a conscious effort to not feel full or stuffed after eating.

If you make mistakes or feel deprived, let it go and enjoy the treats that you think you want. The program will still work.

LC

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Positive changes: A Message from Lisa...

To hear the message click on the PLAY button.

"the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

Fall is the perfect time for making positive changes and achieving your goals.

Yours in Health, Lisa

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Legs and Core Strengthening Workout Video - Lunge With Oblique Twist

This one is a killer!

To read Lisa's notes on this exercise and post a comment click

Here is a great new "twist" on an old favorite. Adding a medicine ball twist to a lunge makes this exercise not only a powerful and effective leg workout, but also incorporates core strengthening and balance to the mix. Keep the medicine ball close to the body to protect your back. Step back with the left leg and twist simultaneously to the right. Repeat 10-20 times. I like to keep my eyes focused forward, as opposed to turning the head as the torso twists. Carefully lower the back knee towards the ground.

Enjoy!

Filmed by Jillian Livingston www.isdisnormal.com at the WIN Health Institute

Yours in Health, Lisa

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Check out this awesome Mom/Daughter workout team!

becker_girls1

Erin Becker working on core strength and balance with daughter Rose, age 8

High Altitude Fitness

Aspen, Colorado

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reshaping your body in your late thirties???

Question from: Ericka JohnsonIn depth response from LISA. Check it out NOW.

QUESTION

Hi Lisa,

What is the best way to lose weight and reshape your body when you are in your late thirties? I have been doing cardio three times a week and toning twice with the stomach do I need to do something differesnt? I weigh 165 and need to get down to 135. I have core issues so I have lower back pain. I want to go into my forties with a toned fit body and core strenth. Also was just diagnosed with high blodd pressure so I want to get fit. In My twneties I was fit but they way I did it was through a personal trainer to start it really helped me stay focused! I knwo that would work know but money is tight, Please ANY SUGGESTIONED WOULD HELP.

ANSWER

Hi Ericka!

It is good to hear from you. I appreciate your questions and I want to help!

Here are my recommendations..........

GENERAL: It is absolutely possible to reshape your body, get fit, and increase your health and wellness in your late thirties. Although it is not an impossible goal to achieve, it does require a specific focus and determined discipline. What I mean by this is that it is necessary to make simple and healthful changes, and to be consistent in applying them to your life.

There is no doubt that mistakes will happen during this process! You will not always have time for exercise, and some days will not be perfect nutritionally. Remember that perfection is an unrealistic and unnecessary goal, and usually leads to frustration and attrition. The important thing is to get "back on track" as soon as possible when mistakes and blunders happen.

EXERCISE:

It sounds like you are on the right track here, but you need to kick it up a notch. I would recommend cardio training 4-5 times per week at 70-80% of your maximum heart rate. 40 -60 minutes per session.

Resistance training 2 times per week is excellent. I will send you a core strength program that you can do at home or the gym.

If you can get a group of 4 people together we can do a mini class at the WIN Health Institute. $25 per person.

NUTRITION: Your nutrition plan is a big component to success. Here are my general recommendations for a healthy eating plan:

. Keep a food diary

. Understand Calories and metabolism. Your metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body needs each day to maintain its current weight. If you go below that number or above that number your weight will go down and up accordingly. I would recommend 1500-1600 calories per day with the recommended exercise plan for women.

. Eat 3 Meals and 2-3 Snacks Daily (spread your calories out throughout the day)

NOTE: Try to stop eating for the day by 7 pm. If you must eat after this hour due to your schedule, choose very light and healthy meals. Be very strict about this...Only healthy foods after 7 pm.

. Drink 1-2 Liters of Water Daily

. Eat 2-3 Servings Fruit Daily (think bright colors!)

. Eat 3-5 Servings Vegetables Daily (think bright colors!)

. Emphasize Whole Grains in your diet when you can. (Oatmeal, taboulle, quinoa, whole wheat couscous, whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, barley.)

. Avoid white flour, sugar, processed foods, and alcohol these foods are high in calories and low or empty in nutritional value.

. Include 2-3 small portions of Lean Protein at 2 meals. 1 serving of meat is approximately 3-4 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards)

. Ideas: chicken or turkey breast, lean meat, 3 egg whites, 1 egg, 4 oz fat free yogurt, 4 oz fat free cottage cheese, 1 T wheat germ, 4 oz beans/legumes, 1 handful nuts/ seeds, fish (especially salmon and halibut) and shellfish, protein powder

Reading Labels: When reading the label, you should pay close attention to what is listed under ingredients. Limit food items that have the following ingredients listed in the first five ingredients: Sugar High Fructose Corn Syrup Partially Hydrogenated Oil Enriched Flour

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Core Strengthening Workout Video - Bosou

Bosou Challenge Video.Advanced

This is one of my favorite core strengthening exercises. It is as fun to do as it is challenging for the body!  This exercise focuses on core strength and balance. It also incorporates full squats and pushups for a full body workout. To make the exercise less advanced, eliminate the pushup.  To make it more challenging, add 1-4 pushups per rep.  Use caution if you have any issues with knee pain or injuries to the knee.

 

 

Video by Jillian Livingston

 

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Have a question? Want some fitness advice?

Submit your question and expert fitness trainer and nutrition counselourm Lisa Chapman will respond with free advice and suggestions. All submitted questions will be posted with the responses here on Lisa's blog. [contact-form 1 "Question submission"]

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Core Strengthening Workout Video - Plank Knee Crunch

Video by Jillian Livingston @ http://isdisnormal.com

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Core Strengthening Workout Video - Plank Challenge

Did you know that abdominal crunches are not the best way to strengthen your abs? The best way to improve abdominal and core strength is to do exercises that position you on your hands and feet. The plank pose, for example, is a basic strengthening exercise that demonstrates this fact. If you can hold a plank pose comfortably for 1 minute, you are ready to try more advanced forms of the plank.

This video demonstrates a “Plank Challenge”. Make sure your abdominal muscles are locked in, and your hands are directly under your shoulders. Maintain a strong plank pose throughout the exercise. This exercise works the abs, core muscles, postural muscles, chest and triceps. To make the workout more challenging, do 1 set of 10-20 pushups following the Plank Challenge. Yours in Health, Lisa Chapman

Video by Jillian Livingston Aspen Real Life

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Announcing the launch of my Website!

Welcome to my Blog on fitness and nutrition. We have just launched our new website full of information about the services and programs I offer. Here you will find numerous posts from recipes to fitness tips.

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Sample Resources

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