Use Your Crunchless Abs As You Hike

I went for a hike this morning – it was gorgeous! The air was crisp and the sun was nice and warm. Everything is greening up and the mud has finally dried out. I’ve found a loop at a nearby trail system that I really like. It starts with a nice gentle warmup, and gradually builds intensity, until the peak; then there’s a great section of camelbacks and slopes that are fun to try a slow jog on. The whole loop takes me about 40 minutes. When I first started, it took me 45, so I’ve cut 5 minutes off of my exercise time, but increased the workout and am feeling the benefits of doing it regularly.

Right at the end of the hike, there’s a steep incline. This morning, as I completed that last leg of the trail, I felt the benefits of the Crunchless Abs workout. As I climbed up that hill, I consciously zipped up my abs and felt my whole core strengthening. From the bottom of my lower abs, right up through my torso in a straight line to the top of my head, it felt like my core was pulling me up the hill. I can't tell you how different this was than relying 100% on leg power. Much better! I thought of yoga classes, where the instructor tells you to lift your spine, and to continue lifting right up through the top of your head. It worked. My whole body was involved in moving me up that hill and it made the whole experience feel so much better. I love feeling progress!

A Good Foundation for Your Workout

I have to admit that I never knew the value of proper running shoes for exercising in until I bought a pair - my first pair - this weekend. Don't cheat yourself out of proper footing. I've become an overnight convert to outfitting yourself well - giving yourself every opportunity to protect your body from injuries and unnecessary wear-and-tear while you're working out. The running shoes fit PERFECTLY - the high tech materials they're made of, and the lace-up style fully hugs my foot, and even my heel, which always slips in every other pair of shoe. If you've never invested in a pair, go to a sports store with sales people who really know their stuff and can help you make an educated choice about what's best for your needs. It'll be great for the aerobics portion of the Crunchless Abs program! And try on lots of pairs so you really feel the difference - you'll know when you're in a pair that works for you.