Pretty hands!

Recently, I've  received many  questions regarding handcare when using kettlebells. Most men don't mind a few calluses here and there, well, until they start ripping. ;) Aside from the calluses feeling gross, and as a lady who loves getting manicures and needs her hands for work, (I'm a dental hygienist by trade) I can't afford to call into work saying, "Sorry boss, I ripped my hands in kettlebells. Can't come in today". So, to prevent having to miss work, there are several things I constantly do to maintain and prep my hands for kettlebells.  When I first started out with kettlebells I purchased and used every single fitness glove I could get my hands on. I tried all of these gloves in hopes of protecting my hands. Unfortunately, it had the opposite result. My hands ripped and teared. The reason this happened was the glove bunched up and stopped the bell from moving freely in my hands. So what do I do now? Research.  And here's what I've learned: The first thing I always make sure I have with me are socks and sleeves. I use the socks to protect against calluses and sleeves to protect my arms from the bell  rubbing against my skin .  If you've never cracked yourself doing an imperfect clean or snatch then hats off to you! You pretty much rock :) For those of us who are not so fortunate, it will protect you from looking as though someone tried to bludgeon your arms to death!
After my kettlebell workout I usually assess my hands and take a look at my calluses. At this time I make sure I  have no rips or tears  in the palms of my hands. Luckily, as my form has drastically improved so has the absence of ripping and bruising.  I typically use a pedi egg or nail file to file down any calluses that are raised. You DO NOT want to file wet, ripped or juicy appearing calluses. If you do, this will just create an open wound in your palm which is very problematic for kettlebell training.  When using the pedi egg you need to be very gentle and rub the callus down a little bit at a time to make sure you don't cut yourself. What your trying to prevent by doing this is a bulky dried up callus that will inhibit the bell from easily moving around your hand.  Let's say you rip your hand or your calluses are unable to be filed down. What I have done in the past is use aquaphor, a healing ointment available at most drug stores. It is usually near the hand lotions. You apply a coating to the area and place a sock over that hand, sleeping with the hand protected. I know some of you think I'm crazy but it works and it drives the men wild ;). Another thing on ripping, DO NOT cut the calluses off if they have started to pull away! The reason being, you want the skin underneath to heal and form new skin before you cut back the callus and have a gaping wound! All of this being said, improvement in technique will help to eliminate the need for all of this. If your form is good you SHOULD NOT be ripping your hands open.  I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions I'd love to help. Please check out this website. Tracysfoodandthought.blogspot.com It will  show the best way to cut your socks.  Have fun :)


Elizabeth M

Happy birthday toOoOOo ME!

What's the saying, another year older and hopefully wiser?  It's amazing the changes we can make physically, emotionally and mentally in one year.  A year ago on my 28th birthday, I had touched a 10kg, 12kg and maybe a 16kg kettlebell. I had probably whined that they were so heavy too.  At this point, I really didn't get "it". What I mean by "it" is that as a women you can move and lift REAL weight and not turn into a man. I also learned food is not the enemy! Imagine, eating! I know that some of you are laughing but a lot of women avoid foods because they have fat in them. I  learned more about fats and realized its okay to eat nuts and bacon .:) In the past few months I adopted more of a paleo or primal diet .The biggest change I've seen in me though, is my training. There are several reasons I say my training changed more than anything else.  I always went to the gym and worked out but I never "trained" for something. I decided to sign up for the RKC in August, after experiencing my bf's graduation workout in San Diego.  We were stuck in Hawaii when I tried to book my spot. I will admit, begrudgingly, when I first looked on dragon door's website and saw full, I flipped out as though I wouldn't have a job or home come May if I did not attend this RKC. So I emailed dragon door and to my delight they had opened more spaces. Phew, I was almost RKCless hahaha.  

I look back to videos of me performing swings, cleans and TGU's from last year and can't believe how my technique has improved. The most valuable lesson I feel with technique is always being humble and knowing it can be improved. Looking back at myself a year ago, seeing the girl I was who just "went to the gym” to now, looking in the mirror and seeing a tough @ss chick!  A chick that wants to get stronger and better with everyday I train.  I've learned so much about ME and how hard I want to work and how much I'm willing to put into something.  I'm looking forward to this 29th year. I can't wait to see how my evolution continues to unfold!  Stay tuned. The sky is the limit! 

Elizabeth M

Go sit in the corner !

In this day and age it seems people are always on the go. We all have lists of chores and things that need to get done two days ago.  I find myself to be  included in this generalization. Most importantly, I find I do this in my training. I never take the hint from my body or my evil boyfriend/coach, to take a time out. Approximately three or four months ago I hurt my right shoulder.  At this time I started seeing someone for structural integration ( if you're interested, check out Alyssa Dodson's website  www.alyssadodson.com/.testimonials.com) and it really started helping. What's that you say? Did I ease up at the gym?  Of course not! That would make sense. "Hey, you're injured. Take a break, dummy."  Slowly, my shoulder felt better as I continued to work out.  About a month ago, the boyfriend asked me to perform a move checking my shoulder mobility. Just as I feared, the verdict was, "Your mobility stinks, to put it nicely. No snatches or presses for you." Being the brat I can be when being told I can't do something I start whining, "What this? Can't be. I'm gonna do it anyway." After hearing this I had a thirty minute ride home to let this sink in. Hmmm, maybe he's right. Maybe I should listen this time before I really get hurt.  So, I decide to listen to him. Ooohhh unbelieveable!  I took it easy for about two weeks.  It was easy enough until I realized I had to get in 3,000 swings in three days to complete my 10,000 swing challenge for the month of October. Well I finished it.  Usually I'd say, 'woohoo!' or something to that effect. Not this time, for several reasons. One, I did not plan this challenge out well. I knew I was going away in a few days where I had no acess to kettlebells and I knew my shoulder wasn't feeling great. Sometimes it's okay to throw in the towel. "The goal is the goal", and my goal is the RKC, not to do x amount of swings.  So, the coach wrote me an email advising me to go home Monday night. No gym until friday :(.  I was sad but I know it's in my best interest to rest and do a lot of mobility work.  I guess sometimes even as adults we need to be put in time out :)

O ye of little faith in YOU!

People are always advising that you should believe in yourself. You can do anything if you really put your mind to it, right? Isn't that how the saying goes?  I've been "greasing the groove" with bands in the pull up department for about a month now . I've been doing this three to four times a week and it had been getting easier. About a week ago my boyfriend/coach  said, "In november you're just going to do pull ups. Lose the bands". Excuse me!  What did you just say?!  No! No way, not happening.  I will not give up my security blanket! I was a little upset, to say the least. How could he think I was capable of doing that? . The real question is, why did I think I couldn't?  So, it was Wednesday around 8:30 pm and we had just finished 'boot to butt' kettlebells. One of the guys started doing pull ups. I'll be honest, as soon as I saw this I knew I was in TROUBLE . I looked around in a panic  to find someone to engage in a conversation.... too late! I hear, "Bubb, Bubb come here."  It was the evil boyfriend. "Go ahead Bubb." He grabbed a chair, put it infront of the trx rack, and said, "Have at it."  I get on the chair and I say, literally out loud, "Now what?"  He said, "You hold on, hang and pull up. Duh." Wow. Really? That easy? I must admit I had a million things running through my mind at this point. I figured I had no other choice but to try. Okay, hands on the bar. Now walk off the plank ;) ( I know, I'm dramatic.)  So hands on, step off, hang and pulled up. I DID IT!!! I was shocked, ecstatic and so proud of myself. I admit this was a much needed lesson for me. When trying something new believe in yourself!  What's the worst thing that could happen? You don't do it and you have to keep trying.  Have faith in you!  What's something you accomplished you never thought you could achieve?

Elizabeth M

Do what YOU love !

                             



When it comes to working out and staying healthy there are hundreds upon hundreds of philosophies.  So what's the best?  There is no one answer to this because it should be based on the individual.  Everyone has different fitness and training goals. No two people have the same strengths and weaknesses. A wise man once told me to train those weaknesses! ;)   Aside from basic differences most people have likes and dislikes. For instance, I love going to the gym for a group class called sports conditioning ( it's a one hour boot camp that the instructor actually puts his foot up your @ss hahaha, no anesthesia required) I enjoy the comradery, intensity and having my butt sufficiently kicked. If I'm not working to my full potential I want the guy next to me to tell me to MAN UP !  I also take a small group training kettlebell class with an amazing group of men and women. All of us constantly push one another to work to our full potential. Everyone strives to be better and learn as much as we can cram into our brains.
All this being said, zumba is also a small group class. Im sorry, but  you'd have to tie me up and gag me to get me in that class. I'm pretty strong so good luck with that hahahaha :) . I don't think the lady next to you is going to say you're not gyrating your hips enough.  
About a month ago, my sister, cousins and a few girlfriends mentioned they were going to do a 5k. I've done this race before. It's called the tunnel to the towers. You start in Brooklyn, NY, right before the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and run down to the World Trade Center site. This race commemorates a firefighter who on 9/11 ran in all his gear to try and help at the towers and lost his life. So I contemplated running it.  I was actually all ready to sign up. Then came the shocking realization that I don't enjoy running. I'd honestly rather tackle obstacles, run sprints with a parachute or run stairs with a weighted vest. I just find running very boring.  I know some people love to run, and thats awesome, it's just not my thing. I'm not saying this to deter anyone from running, I just prefer kettlebells . Not everyone is going to enjoy kettlebells and I understand that. So, when you realize you're participating in something you don't like find something new. I'm not saying if you feel like your working too hard, quit ! Just do what you love! What do you guys love?