Book Review - Stretching Your Boundaries By Al Kavadlo

I recently got an email from fellow coach, and good friend, Al Kavadlo about his new book 'Stretching Your Boundaries' - a title devoted to helping you improve your flexibility, mobility and, ultimately, make you perform better with less pain. If you're like the vast majority of people out there then you probably don't do enough work on your flexibility so you should check out this book.

At over 200 pages, the book covers the practice of stretching in good detail. But, where the book really shines is in its practical description of a large number of stretches. Not only does Al describe the stretches well but he explains Common Mistakes, Muscles Used, the exercise counterpart (i.e. do this stretch to get better at that exercise) and also breathing patterns. Few people understand the importance of correct breathing in flexibility training so this was a really nice addition.

What I most enjoyed about 'Stretching Your Boundaries' was the exercise selection itself. I choose my exercises based on their function rather than what muscles they 'work' and the book approaches stretching in a similar fashion. What this ultimately means is that you have a stretching program that works rather than just spinning your wheels - and I'm all for that.

If you're looking for a way to make some serious improvements to your flexibility and performance then I can highly recommend picking up a copy. Click here to check it out on the Dragon Door site

Guest post from GoGoBot.com - Exciting Exercise Options for the City or Suburbs

I'm always interested in hearing about some of the ways that others stay fit and active - after all, Sandbag Fitness was launched out of the necessity to find an effective, affordable way for me to stay fit. So I was really happy to hear from GoGoBot.com recently. They've put together a short article, based on user reviews on their site, that covers a whole range of different ways to be active and get fitter. If you're after some renewed motivation or just want to try something new then give them a go.

As always, I'd also love to hear about some of the ways that you stay fit (besides sandbag training of course!). If you've got any ideas to share then please add them to the comments below. Here's the article:

Exciting Exercise Options for the City or Suburbs

Fun fitness activities are easy to find whether you live in the city or in the country. Each setting offers unique opportunities for building wellness, but they both offer the same benefits of reduced stress, deeper sleep and better health. This information was compiled from user-generated reviews directly from the Gogobot.com database. Gogobot is a travel website that features thousands of real user reviews about activities and accommodations, restaurants and more, specific to a certain type of traveler. Each type of traveler is categorized into various �tribes�, whether they be an adventure traveler or a nightlife lover.

Here are some of the best exercise options in each setting for different types of fitness lovers.

The Outdoor Enthusiast

Biking is an exciting way to get fit wherever you are, but city dwellers will find that a bicycle can also be valuable transportation. Instead of taking the car to the grocery, you can ride your bike and get some exercise at the same time. A bicycle can also be handy transportation in rural areas, but mountain biking is king in the country. Exercise is exhilarating when you're barreling down the side of a mountain, dodging boulders and trees, with the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. The outskirts aren�t a far walk from the vast amount of hotels, restaurants and clubs inside the city where the urbanist can get a similar experience by cycling on one of Las Vegas�s 350 miles of bike lanes.

The Adventurer

If you love adventure, why not try martial arts? Martial arts offer stimulating exercise that can calm the mind and give insights into other cultures. City lovers should try jiu-jitsu, a martial art with Japanese and Brazilian forms. In either form, practitioners fight on the ground, using all of their muscles to dominate their opponents. In rural areas across the country and the world, mountain martial arts are catching on among fitness enthusiasts. For practitioners of this alpine fighting tradition from Japan, exercise comes with high-altitude thrills and an empowering sense of strength that fortifies the mind and body.

Wellness

Wellness can be fostered through diet and exercise in any place. In the city, anybody can boost their overall health by eating plenty of vegetables on a daily basis. In fact, chopping vegetables can be a relaxing activity that soothes the mind in preparation for a nourishing meal. In rural areas, wellness can be achieved by chopping wood regularly. Newcomers will find that their stamina is tested by this activity, which strengthens the upper and lower body while boosting cardiovascular fitness. The benefits of chopping wood also include exposure to fresh air and a healthy feeling of accomplishment.

Backpackers

Backpackers will find that opportunities for exploratory exercise can be found in city centers as well as nature reserves. Speed pole climbing is one challenging choice for urbanites. To participate, enthusiasts climb a vertical tree trunk or pole as quickly as they can. Thanks to a harness worn around the lower body, this activity is actually fairly safe. In the countryside, backpackers can simply find a sturdy tree and start climbing. Although tree climbing is sometimes considered a pastime for children, it can also be engaging, healthy fun for adults who love to explore.

In any setting, the key to success in fitness is to keep exercise fun. With the activities listed here, it's even easier to enjoy the path to wellness. A combination of unique fitness factors will contribute the most to a healthy lifestyle in the suburbs or the city.

Todays Workout - Around the Block

Run 200m,
20 Push Ups,
20 Sandbag Back Squats,
20 Sandbag Round-the-Worlds (each side).

Complete 5 rounds as fast as possible.

Record your time.

Train hard!

Healthy Gluten Free Oatmeal and Almond Flour Pancakes

These delicious pancakes have been a Sunday tradition with my little girls for years.  Over time I've made them in slightly different ways.  I may have finally mastered a recipe that truly suits everyones tastes.  The good thing about these pancakes is I don't have to feel guilty eating them. I'm able to have loads of energy afterwards and it's on track with my clean eating philosophies.

Oh and did I tell you making them is easy and painless?  

INGREDIENTS

This recipe makes about 2 servings

1/2 cup Organic Gluten Free Oatmeal

1/2 cup Almond Flour

2 Organic Free Range Eggs

1/2 cup Almond, Coconut OR hemp milk

1 Tbs Organic Coconut Sugar *

1tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup of blueberries or any fruit of choice*

*Optional

My girl is not included.  She insisted on being in the photo since these Pancakes are her Fav!!!

DIRECTIONS:

Grind the oatmeal in a food processor or blender. (I personally use a blender for this recipe.)

Once ground to a powder add all the dry ingredients and stir or blend.  Add the liquid ingredients and blend or beat until smooth. 

Heat coconut or olive oil on medium to high heat.  Pour batter in to small circles on heated grill, pan or skillet.  Flip when small bubbles begin to form. 

On special occasions I will have a touch of whip cream to the girls pancakes.  I personally enjoy them plain or with a dab of Organic dark maple syrup.

Let me know how you do!  I'm always open to suggestions on how to improve any recipe I share.

LOVE getting these emails

I'm always so touched when I get these beautiful emails!  Here are some snippets. 


"Hi Lauren,

I discovered your first DVD about three or four years ago now and have been following you ever since.  While I haven't consistently worked out all of this time, I learned that I LOVE kettlebells.  I want to thank you for sharing your passion with the world.  You are an inspiration.  I have all but three of your DVD's (KB Body is my new fav!), your app, your book, and today I just ordered Be SLAM!  Long overdue since I don't always want to fire up the DVD player.

You have been a reminder to me that I can improve my life by taking good care of myself.  That I should do what excites me and that I need to enjoy the process of what I am doing, not just the results!  Most importantly, you speak to the fact that we all have different bodies and we need to appreciate the one we are in no matter our age, size, or abilities.  A thousand times thank you.

Well, I downloaded Be SLAM and immediately got to work organizing my schedule (a compulsion) which included setting up an excel spreadsheet so that I can upload it to my google calendar.  You are so generous with your time and expertise, even for those of us who are remote that I wanted to give you something back. 

My personal results so far?  I am down from 267 lbs and not being able to do a burpee to 240 lbs and squat thrusts being one of my favorite exercises!  This since getting serious this past spring (maybe April).  I still have (approximately) 90 lbs to go.  I can't wait to see the strength and conditioning gains I experience from Be SLAM.  I'll keep you posted.  Have a blessed holiday season, and again, thank you for all that you do and who you are in the world, it is a better place because of you.

Hugs and many blessings,

Chante Fields"

Kat's Kettlebell Journey From the Philippines (Mom of 2 and inspiration)

Two days ago I received such a warm hearted motivating email. I'm always touched when people choose to write to thank me for their what inspired and motivates them for becoming the strong! 

Kat (AKA Mamakat) wrote me several emails on what she has done to achieve a beautiful strong and lean body (6 pack) with kettlebell training and clean eating. 

Thank you Kat for sharing this with me and allowing me to share it with the world.  I hope people find you on instagram and follow your transformation!  ----> mamakathere

Here are a few clips of her email and photos that she has sent over.  

Greetings from your #1 fan in the Phillippines.

Hi Lauren, 

I'm Kat a mother of two. I got hooked into kettlebells when I leaned out a few months after giving birth. I heard about you from our kettlebell instructor marc. He is the only certified ktb instructor here in Manila. I'm lucky to be trained by him. I am a part time model and perfume maker, but my passion for health and fitness is beyond, im a big time ufc fan... Meisha tate has been my long time idol. My goal this year is to spread the beauty of kettlebell training! There are moms here who cannot afford fancy gym and trainers... I want to share how kettlebell training transformed the body I have.... Im 5'9 100 lbs... My energy is insane!  I eat well and never a fan of diets.  I am still nursing.  

I able to double swing, clean and press a 35 pounds bell... Never in my dreams I thought I could ever lift 1/4 of my weight! You are an inspiration! I keep watching your videos over and over for motivation!

Anyway my dream is to meet you."

Best,  

Mamakat

Oh by the way I'm a mother to a special child, my eldest has autism and one of the reasons why we went kettlebell training is that we had no time for fancy gyms last year...my husband is the one who got me into this...He never resorted to any kind of diet.. He ate well but went on working with kettlebells as he leaned out. I documented my transformation on instagram under mamakathere when I started 6mos ago.  There you will see how I got ab cuts with my 14 pound bell. I wish to spread the beauty of kettlebells to all mothers here. That is the very reason why I am training with Marc. I wish to be a blessing to others.

Todays Workout - Three is a Magic Number

3 Pull Ups,
6 Sandbag High Pulls,
9 Push Ups.

10 rounds as fast as possible.

Record your time.

Train hard!