Fasting

I just read in Prevention Magazine that "Mormons' superior heart health may stem from their traditional practice of fasting one day each month." Dr. Donald Lloyd Jones said, "If you have fasted for at least 12 hours, your liver handles a fatty meal much more efficiently-with less insulin and less elevation of blood pressure."
It's amazing to me how something that I've just thought of as a spiritual blessing (fasting and growing closer to the Lord) also gives us temporal blessings as well. Very cool.

Getting with it

I'm finally back to the gym four-five days a week. It's been really hard to recover from this cute baby, but he's so worth it!
My focus lately has been exercising as quickly as possible so I can get home to my chubby guy, but I still feel like I'm getting a pretty good workout because I'm doing intervals with my cardio, which burn more calories than steady-paced workouts and I'm following the idea in Prevention to do only two sets of strength training without rest. (Click here for more info.)
Do you feel like you get a good workout when you're rushed or do you just feel rushed?

The Balancing Act

From a new tip out of Prevention Magazine - Balance on one leg to improve core muscles. (i)

I love any opportunity to work my core without doing sit-ups. Here's how it works. When your body is unstable, your core muscles engage to keep you from falling. If you concentrate on holding them tight it will be even more effective.

So how do you take advantage of this instability? Do one-legged squats or add a glute press or knee lift to your lunges. Use a Bosu ball or wobble board for squats and lunges. Stand on one leg while you do upper-body moves or hold a light weight overhead when you do lower-body exercises. I also balance on one foot while brushing my teeth, cooking, or getting ready in the morning (not a good idea while applying mascara).

Any other ideas for throwing yourself off-balance?

(i) "10 Flat Belly Shortcuts" by Alyssa Shaffer, Prevention, December 2009.