Though they’ve been around since the 60’s, exercise balls were primarily used for physical therapy until a few years ago when they moved into workout rooms and became available for purchase at department stores. Now, it seems like almost everyone has one. But, what do you do with it? Most of the people I see at the gym don’t venture far from the basic crunch. Here are 5 exercises to help you experience the true potential of your exercise ball. So, go grab yours from the back of the closet or the corner of your room where it’s been collecting dust…
Basic Crunch
Though I dogged it above, this exercise really is beneficial.
How to:
Sitting on the ball, roll your body forward until just your butt is on the ball and your legs are at a 90 degree angle. Putting your hands behind your head, do a regular crunch. Try to come up as far as you can, making this more of a sit-up than a crunch. Do at least 25 reps in each set for a goal of 100 total reps.
Leg Pull-ins
This one seems pretty challenging, but once you get the basic motion down, it’s quite easy.
How to:
Place the ball near your ankles and lie in a push up like position with your hands supporting you. Push your butt toward the ceiling and roll the ball so that the tops of your feet are supporting you. Roll yourself back down to the start position. To get the best from this workout, try contracting your abs while you go up. This will also help to keep your core supported. Try 10 reps to start for 4 sets.
Ball Raise
Less intense than the leg pull-in, working your lower abs.
How to:
Lying on your back with your legs bent, grip the ball between your knees. Raise the ball as far as you can while still keeping your back on the ground. Lower your feet back to the ground. Repeat for 25 reps for 4 sets.
Oblique Roll
This exercise specifically focuses on your obliques to trim down and tone those love handles!
How to:
Lying on your back, drape your legs over the ball. Roll your legs to one side, maintaining contact with the ball. Roll back to center, and then to the other side. Complete 25 total reps for 4 sets.
Twist Crunch
This is a compound exercise focusing on on your obliques and your lower abs.
How to:
For this exercise, picture the common bicycle crunch where you lift one shoulder up to the opposite knee. To do the Twist Crunch with the ball, lie flat on your back with your legs extended and the ball between your ankles. With your hands supporting your head, crunch and twist one shoulder toward the opposite leg. Simultaneously, twist your legs so that leg is closer to the the shoulder coming toward it. Switch. Do a total of 25 reps for 4 sets.
Try completing this workout a couple of times a week in conjunction with your cardio workout. After a couple of weeks, you’ll start to notice a big difference in the tone and overall definition of your abs. Happy crunching!
Pottery Barn is having a Labor Day Sale with savings of up to 75% off. If you’re in the market for outdoor furniture, they have some pretty good deals. Other than that, though, I was pretty underwhelmed by the selection. Nothing I couldn’t live without…
Including this dog canopy bed. Really?!
So…we’ve heard tons about the Maria Pinto dress Michelle wore Monday night. But, what about the other two nights? Keeping to her signature style, Michelle wore sheath dresses both nights. Some have criticized her sheath dress look as being too ‘cocktail’. I think she looks classy. Cocktail would be much flashier. The dresses she wears look very professional, yet still soft. A perfect look for a future first lady! Tuesday, she wore a cream colored sheath dress with short sleeves, a bit of ruffle around the neckline, and a stitched texture throughout. Wednesday, she wore another sheath dress. This one was sleeveless, blue, and adorned with flowers around the neckline in different shades of blue. Anyone know the designers for these dresses?
Tuesday Night (AP photo)
Wednesday Night (Getty Images photo)
Get Michelle’s DNC style with one of these off the rack dresses:
It was my turn to host book club on Tuesday which means it was my turn to cook dinner for 14 fabulous ladies. Since it was the year anniversary of our founding, I decided to made something special for dessert. I found a recipe for a “Triple-Chocolate Mousse Torte” on epicurious. Their recipe is from a place called ‘White Horse Tavern’ (in Rhode Island?). It sounds like it would probably be pretty good as is, but I altered a few things to fit my tastes and time constraints.
Chop each chocolate finely and place each in a separate, medium-sized glass or metal bowl. Combine water and gelatin in small bowl. Let sit for about 10 minutes until gelatin has formed.
Meanwhile, beat egg yolks and sugar in large bowl on high speed until thick (about 5 minutes). Simmer half and half in large saucepan until small bubbles form. Remove from heat and add to egg/sugar mixture. Whisk together. Return combined mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add gelatin mixture. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Begin boiling a small amount of water in a small saucepan (to double boil chocolate). Using a sieve, strain the egg mixture over a glass measuring cup. If you don’t have a sieve, a paper towel might work to get the clumps out. Noting the measurement of the custard, divide that by 3. Pour 1/3 of the mixture over each of the chocolates. Stir each with a separate spoon. Beginning with unsweetened chocolate, place each bowl over boiling water and continue to stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. (If you have a stand mixer, you can have this going while you’re melting the chocolate) Beat whipped cream in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of whipped cream into each chocolate. Oil 9-inch (or smaller) springform pan. Pour Unsweetened chocolate mixture into the bottom of the pan. Place pan in freezer for at least 20 minutes. Pour Bittersweet chocolate mixture into pan next. Freeze for 20 minutes. Pour Milk chocolate mixture into pan. Freeze for at least 20 minutes.
While chocolates are setting, prepare raspberry glaze. In a glass measuring cup, mix 1/3 cup of sugar and 1T of cornstarch. Bring 1/3 cup of water to light boil. Reduce heat and add sugar/cornstarch mixture. Add raspberries. Mix until thick, adding water if needed. Remove from heat and cool.
Remove torte from freezer. Remove torte from pan. Spoon glaze on top of torte. Serve.
After serving it, I suggest returning the torte to the refrigerator as the chocolate will begin to soften.
This torte was a big hit with my book club ladies! So much so that it was eaten before I got the chance to take a photo of it. The photo shown here is from the Convent Bakery in the UK. Doesn’t it look perfect! This recipe was especially popular with those who have gluten sensitivities. It is very rich and would go well served with coffee or espresso. We served it with champagne. Yummy!
Nordstrom is having a 40% off sale on women’s shoes! Nordstrom is my absolute favorite place to buy shoes. Lots of sandals and clogs are on sale, but there are a few fall finds, including some cute booties. I’m not sure how long it lasts…maybe ’til they’re gone? Check it out!
Here are some of my favs:
