This past weekend was pretty hectic. I started off on the wrong foot by showing up extremely late to my training session on Friday. Why have a blackberry if you’re not gonna look at it?
Okay, enough griping. The good news is that I was extremely focused for 20 minutes, and learned a killer exercise called the “four point touch.” It’s so simple. Aren’t the killer ones always simple?
Placing the kettlebell on the ground, position yourself in a plank above the kettlebell, with the handle lined up just below your hips. This is a pretty sensitive area-- all the more reason NOT to break your plank position to rest!
Keeping your body in as close to a horizontal line as possible, (don’t make an inverted “V,” that’s cheating!), touch the kettlebell with your left hand, then your right hand, then your right foot, then your left foot. Don’t open your legs in a V either-- keep them perpendicular to the floor, as if you are cycling.
The key is to tighten your abs and concentrate on keeping the plank form. It also helps to groan when you are working hard! You will NEVER see video of me doing this… okay, maybe you will, but not today, because I only had 20 minutes to workout.
The 4 point touch was merely a “rest” between swings and cleans, with a few push presses thrown in for good measure. Even though I spent 1/3 of my usual time working out, I have to say, I felt like it was an hour’s worth of work.
I left FitPro Hawaii with homework- complete the same circuit over the weekend, adding 20 minutes of cardio. Unfortunately, I was unable to do it. And that’s why I have the weekend blues.
I did manage to get my cardio in- hiking until I got rained out, and walking 1 1/2 miles the next day. (Which is not bad for someone who never got out of the house to exercise just two short months ago!)
As you will see, Saturday began with a rainstorm, which matched my mood. Later that morning, I attended the funeral of a family friend, Honolulu City Councilperson Duke Bainum, MD. He watched over the island, its people and resources, and of course, he worked closely with my sister. I imagine that he is watching over all of us now.
Enjoy the video, and I’ll see you soon!
Gotta say, HI is beautiful even in the rain. Good for you for sticking to your hike despite the weather. Condolences to Dr. Duke Bainum and his family; may he rest in peace.