Politics? Religion? All the corrections on Michael Jackson’s Wiki page?? Whatevs. Here is what I think you need to know today:
CrossFit Helps
I am constantly amazed at the wealth of knowledge and level of helpfulness out there on the Internet and you guys, my readers, blew me away this time! You have to check out the comments on my last post, especially if you are considering doing the CrossFit experiment with me. (Today’s WOD has one of my fave exercises ever – bring on the handstand push-ups!!)
– AT22 tells us their success story with CrossFit and reminds me of BrandX, a martial arts website that will scale the WOD for you. Click on the link and then click on today’s date. They list the WOD followed by the scaled down version. Here’s is today’s (Mar 5).
– Andrew reminds us to check out the crossfit FAQ and forums and kindly offers to answer any questions any of you might have! He is a personal trainer & has lots of crossfit experience so this is a great offer.
– Shawn tells us about working out until he pukes (such dedication! such hygeine!!) to demonstrate the passion that CrossFit has inspired in him. He runs a CrossFit blog.
– Kirez gives us a wonderfully detailed plan for a) using your ingenuity when you don’t have a gym and b) how his wife (who sounds like my kind of workout buddy!) scales the WOD. You really have to read his whole comment. He also points us to CrossFit kids, another way to scale the WOD for yourself or to get your kids involved. He then kindly reminds me that yesterday’s workout, which I, apparently chanelling Miss Tyra, mis-remembered as the Fearless Fifty is actually the FILTHY Fifty. Thanks Kirez:)
– Jill Davidson is a mom of 3 very young boys too! Just had to give her a shout-out since, you know, I have 3 very young active boys. THIS is why I work out – to keep up with the kids, right Jill? Jill also asks how to do a 90-degree pull-up. Click here to go to the Monkey Bar Gym’s (you know I still love you guys!) video page. Under chin-ups, click on 90-degree to watch a video explaining how to do it. Just sub a low bar (I use a Smith Machine bar on a chest-height setting or you could use a playground bar) for the handles. Everyone can do these!Diet Tips
Starvin’ Marvin’!
We’ve talked about this briefly before but Leslie Goldman, one of my fave writers ever (seriously – you have to read Locker Room Diaries! It’s a non-fiction about all the goings-on in a women’s locker room. And no, men, it’s not like you are imagining.), goes into more depth about alternate-day dieting. Basically you stick strictly to your nutrition plan (no cheating!) for one day of lower calories followed by a higher calorie day where you can have some of the treats/carbs/toasted snails you’ve been craving. I’ve actually used this technique, in some form, for a while to maintain my weight. It’s a lot easier to say “I’m just going to step away from the neon sour gummy worms today” than to kiss their little sugar-coated butts good-bye forever! Another take on this concept is to skip dinner every other day as a way to cut calories.
She’s a night eater
Does eating at night lead to weight gain? The NY Times investigates this little nugget of conventional wisdom. Experts have long told us that a calorie is a calorie regardless of the a.m. or p.m. you eat it in but it seems that people that eat at night eat more calories. Sigh.
Research That’s Too Short To Do A Whole Post On But Still Really Interesting
Shorty got old, old, old…
According to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, being short may help you live longer. In a study of centenarian women, it was discovered that a gene mutation that causes shortness is also linked to longevity. I don’t know how this would help you since you certainly can’t change your height now but… fascinating all the same. Do you think those applebottom jeans look as good on a wrinkly butt?
Yet again virtual doesn’t compare to real
Despite all the breathless hype about games like Wii boxing, golf and, my secret love, Dance Dance Revolution, being great exercise it turns out that, while better than sitting on your butt, they aren’t a substitute for regular aerobic exercise. I know, I know, it makes you all sweaty. And there’s the cute little “Mii”! But truth is they only burn 60-70 calories an hour.
Charlotte I am a total Star Wars geek and I’ve got a side stitch from laughing so hard at your post pics! I love them!
I am not a CrossFit Affiliate.
Thanks! I will work on those chin ups, much appreciated! Those of us with three boys need to support each other to stay on top of our always-threatening-to-collapse games.
That’s too bad about DDR not being a good calorie burner. Maybe if I was actually coordinated enough to move my arms while I danced it would help 🙂
Charlotte, your blog’s awesome, I should have checked back before. I’ve written a How-To for developing your first pull-up, which includes instructions for the “body row” (those 90-degre pull-ups), some pictures, and specific techniques for “shoehorning” the pull-up instead of hanging helplessly from a bar trying to bootstrap it.
http://www.vcrossfit.com/200805/developing-your-first-pull-ups/
Love the star wars pics!