I have been adding this type of training for a while now- off and on. Sometimes a bit more intense than other weeks. Last week, I made it a point to make my $1 investment work for me! :)
I know you can buy a lot of diff. things with a dollar. Perhaps, say... eat out, take a road trip (lets see how far a $1 gets you??), go shopping.... haha... watch a movie (That you can really do!), but this piece of equipment is the best way to add a level of difficulty to your work outs that you have never felt before!
A jump-rope~! Yes- and I bought mine at the .99 cents store! I have used many different ones before: the $5 dollar ones... the $25 dollar ones with pellets in the handles (adds speed to the flow) but hurts like a mofo- when you hit your shins, legs, back or chin! :)
After careful deliberation, research, market analysis, a spread sheet of investment cost- -- half life- opportunity cost and pocket depth: I decided that the results and comfort of my $1 jump-rope is unmeasurable! Now, how to use it and maximize its effects?
I do circuit or interval training with it. I warm up for about 3 mins of non-stop jumping. Then i go about my regular work out- and instead of resting in-between sets, I jump for about a minute.
so let's say its Monday: and I'm doing a chest work out:
I do: one set of 8 to 10 reps of bench press and one minute of jumping (repeat that for 3-4 sets- depending on your exercise plan!)
Things to keep in mind:
Neck- back, knee, or ankle problems (Joint pain): jump-roping may exacerbate (worsen) the pain... make sure you have good form- while jumping- chest should be high- shoulders back- and hands comfortably to your side so that your wrists are doing the work and not your whole arm.
The limiting factor for this exercise may be, (for me it is ), your shoulders. After a while, your shoulders will burn as if you've been playing shirtless under 100 degrees for 3 hours with no sunscreen... lol but do not worry- this will ease up as you practice and your body adapts to it!
** for visuals check out my video at:
http://www.youtube.com/fitwithsebastian
Go to the video: Get fit with $1-- and make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel!
I need to stretch my my dollar. Which fish and cuts of meat offer the best value?
- JEROME, KENT, WA
The good news is that the cheaper, less popular cuts of meat also happen to be the most flavorful. With beef, pork, and lamb, skip the tenderloins in favor of cuts from the shoulder and leg. They'll need a long, slow braise in broth and wine, but you'll be rewarded with some of the tastiest eats money can buy. If you're cooking poultry, try swapping boneless, skinless chicken breasts for thighs or whole chickens. For fish, look for mackerel, monkfish, and fresh sardines; they're inexpensive and full of healthy omega-3s.
Make this week your week! Get out there and no matter what you are doing, own it! Working on a school project- work hard and do it right! Office job- or any type of job- put on a smile and be contagious around your co-workers with 'feel good' energy! (People will wonder what 'kind' you have been smoking, but will either add to your positive energy or get out of your way!
Working out and eating healthy- do it right! Go out and don't be embarrass to order only water with your meal, walk up the stairs for work, park far away from grocery stores, gyms, banks and so on.. and do something different anything- do something fun! you deserve it!
Hope this inspires at least one person!! (if it does, I've done my part!) now its your turn:)
your trainer,
sebastian