Friday, October 19, 2012

64 Year Old Diabetic to Healthy in Just 4 months

64 Year old diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes now off all meds and loses 37 pounds 

"...I have lost 37 pounds. My glucose level has dropped from 137 to 104 (range 65-110). Cholesterol fell from 217 down to 164 (range: 120-200), LDL-Cholesterol went from 133 to 104.8 (50-130) and triglycerides came in at 213 and went down to 96. (Range: 36-165.) (Today is 10/18/12 - not quite 4 months since the "D" date.) I take no medicine as I prefer a holistic approach and believe that my success is due to my new eating plan and Lauren Brooks' kettlebells DVD."


Here is Rachel's Incredible Story:

Before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in June 2012, my son kept asking me to use kettlebells. To appease him, I bought a 5 pound one and later a 10 pound one - and they sat on the shelf. Always athletic, I continued with the Step that I've used for the past 20 years. I would lose four or five pounds only to regain it. Then came the frightening diabetes news and so many thoughts crossed my mind. My son told me this was no time to hit the snooze button and I had to get into gear.

I started on a low carb diet and got the kettlebells off the shelf and started using them 5 times a week. I bought two other kettlebell DVD's, one for beginners that ended up with her doing jumping jacks (*.*). The other one has three people using the kettlebells with the lead gal perpetually smiling and saying something like no cardio is lardo. No breaks, no pausing, too severe for me. I told my son that I wasn't happy with the ones I bought and he suggested I look at the kettlebell queen, Lauren Brooks, on You Tube. I liked what I saw and bought The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD and am I ever glad I did.

I like Lauren's soft approach and thorough explanations of what we're about to do and why. I feel like I'm engaged when I'm working out to her DVD as there are messages on the DVD and a timer and Ms. Brooks tells us how long a particular work out will be and how long a break we will have. A rest and water break!!! There's a great idea! It gives me a moment to cool down and get ready for the next segment.

I'm 64 years old and in spite of my athletic abilities when I was younger, I've never had strong arms. Imagine my surprise when one day at the dinner table, for fun, I made a "Popeye" muscle - and I actually had a lump there - a good size one. I don't think any one would want to see me in a dark alley!

I had no idea that you use 400 calories for a 20 minute workout. Lauren's DVD has a warm up and a 12 minute work out along with a 40 minute one. I keep up with them both and now have a 15 and 20 pound kettlebell that I use. I cannot believe my strength and stamina. Lauren's DVD includes a mountain climbing exercise that I used to just sit out or swing the kettlebells. One day I thought, oh, what the heck, I'll give it a try. And I can do it!!! Again, never had strength in my arms, never able to do pushups and here I am on the back nine of my life and I'm doing it!

Since that June day, I have lost 37 pounds. My glucose level has dropped from 137 to 104 (range 65-110). Cholesterol fell from 217 down to 164 (range: 120-200), LDL-Cholesterol went from 133 to 104.8 (50-130) and triglycerides came in at 213 and went down to 96. (Range: 36-165.) (Today is 10/18/12 - not quite 4 months since the "D" date.) I take no medicine as I prefer a holistic approach and believe that my success is due to my new eating plan and Lauren Brooks' kettlebells DVD.

I am amazed at the mobility I have - and I have no more back aches!!! I'm sold on these kettle bells and glad my son 'introduced' me to her wonderful work. I love her sensible and down-to-earth approach. I am going to purchase whatever else this 'kettlebell queen' has produced. I'm sold - give it a try. The only thing you have to lose is weight.




Thursday, October 18, 2012

Kettlebell Class with a Double Kettlebell Complex


The secret is out!  You finally get to see my horrible hand writing.  Is it an excuse that I'm a lefty and hardly use my hand to write anymore?  Probably not!  Anyhow, this is a workout that my class and I did yesterday.  Directions below. 





We warmed up with alternating light Turkish Get Up for a total of 3 on each side, with some Down Dog, Up dog, and walk outs. 

Part A. Take two heavy bells you can Suitcase Deadlift for at least 5 times, then carry it for about 15-20 seconds. Then a tall kneeling press for 3-5 reps per side (squeeze those glutes)
Total 3-4 Rounds

Part B.  Perform 5-8 stiff one arm rows.  Pelvis is drawn to ribcage, just like the top of the swing.  You are SLOWLY descending on the one arm rows keeping your lats engage as long as possible. 
Single Leg Squats can be done on a bench, using a TRX, or just straight Pistol if you can do 5 on each side that is what is suggested.  Only PERFECT reps please!

Part C.  Just as my beautiful handwriting says.  You must use the same bells for all the exercises in the complex, UNLESS you have 8kg's.  If you do the Renegade Rows you must use at least 12kg's, then you can quickly switch.  Follow the rep scheme as you and your partner pace each other.  It's only 12 reps all together when you are done with everything. 

Part D.  I took my class through a fun circuit with Ropes, TRX core work, and some other explosive body weight drills TABATA style.  It was an advanced group so we definitely did more than I'd recommend the general fitness population to do.  


Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!  Stay tuned for more workouts that I'll be sharing.  We have many more as well and will continue to post. You can view them up on the tab above that says Free Kettlebell Workouts. 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Ladder Fun (Kettlebell Workout)

Here is a workout we did at On The Edge Fitness the other day.  It's probably one of my favorite workouts so far.  Warm up with light Turkish Get Ups or/and Joint Mobility

I posted this last month over at the On The Edge Fitness Facebook page, but thought I'd make it easier to find and put it on under the kettlebell workouts label of my blog.

Directions:

A. Begin by doing 8 reps for each exercise in this section. Then do a hip flexor stretch and begin back at 7 reps, until you make it down to 1.  If you are just starting begin at 5 or 6 reps.   Pace yourself and take breaks as needed.  It's not a race.

B. Go through each exercise for this section and perform 5-6 reps each.  Rest and repeat for 3 rounds.  Make sure you are challenging yourself since the reps are low.

C. Cool down on your own

D.   ENJOY and let me know how you do!

Photo: Super fun, yet intense ladder workout on this fine Monday morning. My class did awesome with this.  Go ahead and try it! If you are newer start your ladder at 5 reps.  Enjoy!!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

We've Been Nominated For An Award!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I (and Sandbag Fitness) have been nominated for Best Kept Secret in this years WEGO Health Activist Awards!

I certainly don't run this blog for the promise of awards but it's great to know that people appreciate some of the effort that goes in. If you think that more people should know about Sandbag Fitness then I'd love it if you could cast a vote too:





Many thanks.

Matt

Train hard!





The Last 5 - 10 Pounds







 This article is written just for people struggling with losing the last five to ten pounds.  To view it where it's published and has a nice size font go to the F3 Nutrition article page here or click on the photo.






Thursday, October 4, 2012

Todays Workout - Sandbag Strength

5 Heavy Sandbag Bear Hug Squats
Max Sandbag Overhead Press

Rest for 2 - 4 minutes and repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

5 Heavy Sandbag Shoulder Get Ups
Max Pull Ups

Rest for 2 - 4 minutes and repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

Aim for the heaviest sandbag you can handle for the required reps.

Record your score.

Train hard!






Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Todays Workout - Gettin' It Done

20 Sandbag Cleans
20 Sandbag Thrusters
20 Sandbag Shoulders

Repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

Men aim for a 50kg sandbag; women aim for 25kg.

Record your time.

Train hard!