In which we talk about food!

I recently read a very interesting article on fitsugar regarding food. Specifically, what to put into your body before a workout. We all know that the best food to eat after a work out is protein, but what about  before?

Well, carbs rather than protein offer your body fuel, so make sure your snack has an emphasis on carbs. Simple carbs are best since they digest more easily than complex ones. About 15 to 30 minutes before your workout, try eating:

• Half a slice of whole wheat bread with one tablespoon crunchy peanut butter.
• An ounce of cheese with some crackers.
• Two tablespoons cottage cheese mixed with a quarter cup of sliced grapes.
• Handful of pretzels dipped in hummus.
• Half an avocado spread on toast or crackers.
• Half a banana mixed with half a cup of yogurt.

Yum! Settled then. I must make sure to never try doing physical activity on an empty stomach. 

Challenge update

Time to update you on my Squats Challenge progress! 

It was...hard. 30 in the first day was a bit too much for my rookie legs to take all at one go. SO much that I have to be honest with you, I haven't continued after the first try yet! BUT! Tomorrow is a new day and this challenge shall be conquered!

"Challenge (re-) accepted!"

So the tally stands at - day 1, 30 squats.

What about you? Did you manage?

Get up and dance!

Feel like you need to pump up your energy 'cause you're in a slump? All alone at home? Don't have time to go out for a workout, run or even walk? Don't feel like putting on pants? Well, I have a solution for you my friend!

Dance it off! Shake your ass with the help of this coming collection of songs.

Just press play and shake the gloom away!

Get It Girl from dannniii on 8tracks Radio.

Pants optional. Curtains recommended.
x

The Squats – part 2

In continuing with my last post, here we have miss Andrea Calle showing how to do a variety of squat techniques, starting with the most basic of basics. It definitely help me to understand what I should be doing! Keep watching ‘till the end for an interesting squat + jump exercise. Looks like fun because hey, who doesn’t like springing and jumping?

So, without further ado I present to you: The Squat Challenge!

The idea is simple: you have a set number of squat to completely for each different day, with rest days planned out in between. I won't kid myself. I know, this will hurt A LOT the first few days. However, my aim is to get my body used to moving every day and to push through initial discomforts and pain.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Psssst – if you want to keep up to date with my day-to-day exercise experiments (and other musings), follow me on tumblr! Tschüss!

The Rookie’s Guide to – Squats.

One of the best ways to get started to get moving is identifying the areas which you would like to work on and improve. One common area is one that I’m admittedly using quite a lot right now, to write my post. While sitting down. That’s right y’all, it’s The Bum.

Bum, butt, backside, derriere, bottom, rump, gluteus maximus….  Being a student involves spending 93% of my time essentially sitting on the now-squishy backside.  Time to start changing that! Enter: The Squats.

Squats will tone both butt and legs. Practicing 5-10 squats in the morning using the proper form will ensure that then when you have to do it in everyday life it becomes easier and you're less likely to get injured as you age. Sustainability is key, my friend!

Let our friends at fitsugar tell us how to Squat like a beginner champ:

1. Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Toes should be pointed forward and engage your core by sucking your belly button into your spine to work your transverse abdominals. (The girdle that holds everything in your abdominals together.)
3. Slowly bend your knees and lower yourself to the ground as if to sit in a chair position.
4. Stop when your thighs are parallel with the floor.
5. Push back up through your heels, exhaling at the same time.

Key points:
• Inhale when lowering body, exhaling when pushing back up.
• Keep toes pointed forward.
• Engage your abdominals.
• Do not use your hands to help you push back up.
• Don't allow your chest to drop and sink onto the tops of your thighs.

Got that? Right then: Ready, set, SQUAT!

I will be doing at least 5 in the morning to get me started. More on this next time!
What about you?

'GERMANY is bad for your waistline...'

Off to a new country! Off to new experiences! Off to new, healthier, better habits! Off to a new life! Off to a foreign country for 6 months, and when I go back home, I'll look totally different! Erm...no. 

It was with this idea (but not solely) that I went up to Germany last September 11th, intent on shedding a few summer-acquired weight apart from gaining scholastic knowledge and new experiences. We’ll be away from comfortable, homey food and busy with life after all, right? However it soon became apparent, after sampling the various local delicacies available and (very) frequent trips to the Mensa (canteen to those of you who speak the dear Queen's English), that a bit more of work need be done for such a goal to be achieved.

It was after failing to say no to a potato in a delicacy form or other that I sighed for another time, '...this is bad for my waistline.' To which, my recently acquired local friend replied - 'GERMANY is bad for your waistline!' Point taken. Message delivered. Time to put those nice expensive trainers I brought with me to good use. To exercising we go! 

Now, please direct your attention to the name of this here little bloggity. Body Rookie. I am in no way, shape or form and expert on personal fitness. Or, for that matter, do I have any clue. I am basically clueless. All I am is (partially) well-read and equipped with determination and goodwill, as well as Google search.

Along with these, I am also kitted out with the smart 21st century rookie exerciser’s best friend - a smart phone! So, join me on my quest to a better, healthier life, on which I will be posting reviews of Apps one could use, along with motivating music, frequent regimens, tips and trick which I learn along the way, along with food and recipes. However, this will not, as much as I can help it, be a calorie-counting page, I promise. A girl's gotta have fun along the way, after all ;)

Coming up: the first run. Will it really be a run? How far will I manage to go? And how long will I keep this up? Stay tuned. 

P.S: Do you have any music that pumps you up and keeps you motivated?

We're on the way!

First blog post coming soon! Watch this space.