What I Missed While in Greece

Now, I am looking at all the articles, pop culture, and news I have missed over the past week and thinking that it simply must be shared. Because, there is the off chance that you also missed all these goodies and that is simply not acceptable. Happy Tuesday and here's to vacations, the internet, cat babies (who are sitting on your lap right now purring, pawing at your face, and thanking you for the tuna you gave them because you completely forgot they were out of wet food. It happens, don't judge), and coming home!

Oh, and you may see a supreme lack of pictures from Greece on this post. Do not fret, there will be PLENTY in the following week.

Another 20-Minute Kettlebell Workout

Because all the 20-minute kettlebell workouts in the world do not satiate my kettlebell workout desire. I looked at this with longing while kettlebell free in Athens.

These Cookies

They are made with coconut oi and oatmeal. Oh, and chocolate, bananas, and magic.

This Tracey Anderson Workout

I have been eating like a true Grecian and apparently, do not have their god-like metabolism to back it up. This flat stomach workout via flat stomach goddess just might be my ticket to normal-size town! Whoowhoo.

This Outfit

Because it's fall and I love it. I mean really, look at it. Do we need a better reason?!

These Noms

Full disclosure, I am not sure what is in them or how they are made because I have not clicked on the link. They just look soo good that all I can do is stare, and maybe drool a little.

Shape Magazine Workout Review: Brooke Burke-Charvet's Abs

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Man, it is a bit crazy to be talking about the September issue of Shape magazine- can 2014 be that close to ending already?! Apparently so.

This issue of Shape magazine has uber caught my interest. Not just because of the usual great workouts, or the fact that they have a workout by a celebrity and trainer, but also because of the recipes. I am so happy that my first look at this month's (or should I say next month's) issue was after a hearty lunch. There are some incredible recipes in this issue, like the seafood paella, that I am simply dying to try! There are also some fantastic articles that will probably go against those preconceived notions of the breakfast pastry. 

But, what we are really here to talk about is Brooke Burke-Charvet's abs. Most of us ladies, and a few men, would kill for Brooke's incredible abs of steal. At 43, her super toned physique is not minor accomplishment and one that I admire her for. Brooke is a mother of four, TV host, and fitness instructor twice a week. In her interview she talks about being let go from DWTS, family, and how her workout has changed over the years. It is a very humble, very informative article that I was happy to read- especially since I really knew very little about her before reading it. 

In the interview, Brooke said that she focuses a lot of her attention on abs. This made me super excited since the whole workout is some of her favorite (and most grueling) ab exercises. Whether you love ab workouts or could drop them like a sack of potatoes, we all know how important they are and how tough, long, and unsuccessful they can be. This ab workout is only about 4-minutes and includes one set of each exercise geared to work the upper, lower, and oblique abdominal muscles.

The Workout

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This workout is pretty straight forward with 6 moves, two of which uses a weight. I completed mine in the morning just after waking up and before having my breakfast. It was a great way to start the day and ended up taking me 4 1/2 minutes to complete! I am not sure how this would be as a workout on it's own, but together with another workout or as something you do as a quick heart rate raiser during the day, it is pretty great!

Since the whole thing took 4-minutes and was mainly floor work, I decided not to wear my HRM. Not sure about how your HRM works, but mine never seems to get it right when I am horizontal... Because of this, I do not know the calories burned, but I can say that it definitely raised my heart rate in the first 30-seconds!

The workout did not leave my abs quaking or my muscles sore, but it is something I would love to do with another workout or as part of my wake-up regimen :)

10-MInute Isometric Ab Workout

I first did this 10-Minute Isometric Ab Workout back about 2-weeks ago when I, knowingly, was about to eat some pretty bad food that was guaranteed to make me bloat. Since my experience has been that I bloat less when my abs are stronger, it just made sense. What also made sense was doing isometric ab workouts. This form of exercise will make your muscles quake while still being quiet and avoiding running around... Considering is was 12 AM and I was in a house full of people, the not running around like a crazy person bit was important.

Isometric exercises are also great to do when you cannot sweat a ton or are too tired for that pesky exercising thing. Really, these workouts will feel like you are working out, but in a completely different way that the usual circuit or HIIT workout.

Shoes for Running with Flat Feet

Yesterday we talked all about flat footed runners and ways to help reduce pain along with reasons those feet can hurt so dang much. If you have flat feet and have dealt with the dreaded but common plantar facialis, you know the reason proper running shoes and insoles are so important. Heck, even if you have never dealt with foot pain and are convinced the ground is made of cotton candy and unicorn kisses, proper running shoes are still important.

Runners with flat feet often run the risk of pronation and injury. This is due to the fact that the arch is not able to absorb shock as well as those with well formed arches. The constant pressure on the foot can lead to injuries from the sole of the foot to the ankles, knees, hips, and back. To avoid this pain, it is important that runners have proper arch support.

Running shoes give arch support in two ways- the first is through the sole of the shoe. Soles of shoes made for people with low arches have to be made of a more durable material, this is usual seen by the sole being a different color foam where the arch is. The second way you get support is through a good insole. Most shoes made for people with flat feet have much stronger insoles. Both these reasons cause many an arch-supported shoe to run a bit pricier than their counterparts.

Chances are, if your feet are flat, you break your fair share of insoles. My best recommendation is to get a pair or two of insoles made for people with flat feet and always have them on hand.

Saucony Guide 7 Running Shoe

The Suacany Guide 7 is great for guys and girls. These shoes have a lot of arch support and extra ankle support to aid against pronation. They also have a 8mm offset which is great for any tip-toe runners out there since it will help you run on the mid-sole of the foot. If you are a heel runner, these may not be for you since they will only encourage that pesky habit.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 Running Shoe

These are pretty lightweight for the amount of support they give coming in at an impressive 9.4 ounces. The Brooks Adrenaline is also highly recommended for those with plantar facialis since they give some massive arch support but are still quite flexible in the mid-sole. Sure, they are pricy, but these are the kind of shoes that will not let you down.

Nike Lunarglide +5 Running Shoe

I love these shoes. If I was not in a love affair with my Suacany Kinvara's, these would be my shoe of choice. These are great for arch support, pretty, and wonderful for those who try to run on their tip-toes. Yes, the offset is rather higher at 10 mm, but boy are they comfy. The Lunarglides are also long-lasting shoes with insoles that will not have to be replaced quite as often as some others.

Mizuno Women's Wave Prophecy 2 Running Shoe

At 8.5 ounces, these are some of the lightest support running shoes I have ever seen. Although they have a rather high offset of 12 mm, they encourage a mid-sole strike and reduce the jarring feeling many flat footed folk associate with running. These were also made to increase bounce and actually give energy back every time your foot hits the ground.

Mizuno is known for having rather small toe boxes, though. If you have long toes or require a bit more room in the toe area, you may want to order a half size up. 

New Balance 860v3 Running Shoe

New Balance uses NuFoam in these which make them lighter and more durable- something every person with a low arch needs! The New Balance 860v3 are also a bit slimmer, perfect for those with narrow feet and low arches.

Saucony Kinvara 4 Running Shoes

Have I mentioned how much I love these shoes? All the other shoes on this list have had rather high offsets which is great those who tend to run on the ball of their feet. For strikes that are more mid-sole or heel located, these shoes are a dream. The arch has great support and the offset is much closer to a barefoot feeling than any other listed here since it is a mere 4 mm. Although these shoes are not sold as a "stability" shoe, they are a dream for those with a mild flat foot who enjoy a mid-sole strike.