Posts

Showing posts with the label kettle bell swing

Back to it and 16:8

So I've been doing kettle bell swings on and off since January and recently I set myself another goal of 50-100 swings a day (1 or 2 sets of 50 reps) with the 6kg kettle bell. No pressure to do 100, only if time allows. This is in addition to a new diet I haven't tried, 16:8, which I am finding relatively easy as I never used to eat breakfast. However, I am doing 18:6 as this is more natural for me. Peer pressure and do-gooders saying I must have breakfast made me cave in, so for the last 3 or so years, I have had breakfast. Not any more, I am taking control of my life. Hopefully, I can keep up the weight loss. I am a pretty slow loser so have reduced my calorie intake to around 1,000. Recommended cals for me is 1528 minus 20% = 1244 cals. I am not being too strict about it. I am trying to cut out sugar and sweeteners, my main culprit is sugar-free squash and low calorie pop. I am eating bread, pasta and potatoes but not every day. My main substitute is cauliflower rice which s...

New Month, New Goal

My exercise regime trailed off due to my lower back problem, so today I decided to start up again with a lower weight but higher reps. I will probably increase the weight but it is quite a big jump to the 10kg kettle bell which is the next manageable size I have. Haven given up on the cheap 8kg kettle bell from Morrisons, the handle is just so large I end up squatting. No doubt I will find a use for it when I start learning other exercises later on down the line. But for now, I am happy just swinging. 50 kettle bell swings x 2 reps with 6kg kettle bell So, my new goal is 100 swings a day for as long as I can keep it up. I think this is much more realistic as a beginner .... and I am going to drink my Huel for breakfast. It is not a diet shake more a healthy meal replacement drink and tastes a bit like weetabix/porridge/biscuits? I might even replace my lunch with it too. It is an easy way for me to take stock of my calories. 2 scoops is 304 cals x 2 meals = 608 and then I will have...

Injured Lower Back from Kettlebell Swings

Image
So yesterday I started back up with the full kettle bell workout I've been using: 12 reps Kettlebell Deadlift 12 reps Goblet 12 reps Russian Swings 12 reps Around the World 12 reps American Swings X1 set with 8kg kettle bell and X2 sets with 10kg kettle bell. This morning I tried to turn over in bed and had terrible pain in my left lower back. Trying to get out of bed was even more interesting. If it wasn't for the pain, it would have been quite comical. Searching on the internet, it seems likely to be my form and I think I have pinpointed it to swinging too low. Over the course of my research I have found that I should aim the kettle bell on the down move towards my 'zipper' and also (just in case) on the up, stop at 1 'o'clock just in case I am overextending. Today, I will try to complete my workout using my 6kg kettle bell until I get my form right. The 8kg kettle bell that I used yesterday is far too big for kettle bell swings. The handle is quite...

Kettle Bell Swings

Image
The countdown begins! I need a goal and have found one that I think is achievable for me. It's February 3rd so a short month. I will have to go over to make up 30 days, but that is no problem. I will be alternating between a 6kg kettle bell (13lb) and a 10kg kettle bell (22lbs) that I have just started with. This is a good weight for me to really push myself. I am still a beginner but hope that I am doing the kettle bell swing correctly. My first workout took 25 minutes with breathers. I chose to do them all in one go, but these can be spread throughout the day any way you choose. I used the 10kg kettle bell. 15 reps x 6 sets 10 reps x 1 set 20 reps x 5 sets 15 reps x 6 sets 10 reps x 1 set 300 Kettle Bell Russian Swings! Day 1. Let's see if I notice any difference in my weight and shape after 30 days. Is anyone with me? Image Credit: Pixabay : kellepics Day Two Really didn't want to do this today and I am beginning to think this may be too much for...

Switched Up My Training

Image
Fell off track again and have had 3 clear days of "No exercise" and I actually feel bad about it. Something is definitely changing in me. I put it down to the kettle bell. I actually love this way of exercising. I like that I can go at my own pace, change it up and that it is quick. I also like swinging around some heavy metal. Well at least it is heavy for me 😍 and I feel good doing it. Today, I did 15 Russian Swings with a 14 kg Kettle bell. That's 30.86 lbs!!!! Today's workout: 15 x1 set of Russian Swings, 6kg 15 x 1 set American Swings, 6kg 15 x 5 sets Russian Swings, 10 kg 15 x 1 sets Russian Swings, 14 kg! 15 x 1 set Russian Swings, 10 kg 15 x 1 set complete workout 8kg (Deadlift, Goblet, Russian, Around the World, American) Total Swings today: 180 Total Workout Time: 20 minutes It will be one month tomorrow, will check my measurements and weight. Hoping there is some difference. Image Credits: Pixabay : GDJ

10 kg Kettle Bell

Image
I did it. Really pushed myself today and did a complete workout with the 10kg Kettle Bell. That's 22 lbs of weight. Gosh, that was tough. I am out of breath and my heart is pumping. What a good workout with a decent weight. Kettle Bell Deadlift Goblet Russian Swing Around the World American Swing 15 reps, 3 sets, 15 minutes with breathers. Wait! 90 swings, better do that last 10 ..... Done it (yes, seriously), 100 swings! 😊 23 days in. I have gone from 6kg to 10kg. Definitely a result there. I feel stronger and I have never done this much exercise before. Glad I have finally found an exercise that I enjoy. I know that I will have to use heavy dumbbells if I want decent muscle definition, but I have plenty of time and really want to burn some calories off. I swear my bum is getting bigger. I think it has lifted up a bit too. I don't want it bigger, it's big enough as it is. I am already pear shaped! 😟 I think it might be time to take some pictures so that I ...

Goal Setting - 200 Kettle Bell Swings

Image
I did a good cardio workout today and just did kettle bell swings. My aim was for 200 Kettle Bell Swings but I did 225 in about 15 minutes with breathers in-between sets. Today's workout: 50 reps 6 kg 50 reps 6 kg 15 reps x 5, (75 swings) 8kg 25 reps 8kg 25 reps 6kg I'm mainly swinging from waist level to eye level, but my last set of 25 reps I did the American Swing. Really pleased with the progress I am making in strength, but not so much on the inch/fat loss side. This is the start of Week 4. Let's hope I see some good results at the end of the week. My jeans are still tight!😞 Image Credits: Pixabay : webandi

Fell Off Track

Image
.... But not too much. I am trying to exercise every day, but my workouts have been a bit up and down this week. Worked out Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Today (Sunday). This is mainly because my mum is in hospital and I am shattered. So 4 days this week. Not so bad really, but haven't been eating so good this week. I did 100 swings on Thursday, nothing else and I think it was with the 10kg kettle bell but forgot to write it down. Did it mainly in sets of 15, then a 12 and then a 13. Today I have done my normal kettle bell workout but started with the 10kg kettle bell. 2 sets 15 reps 10kg 1 set 15 reps 8kg Thought I might have lost some strength. But all seems to be the same. Struggling on 3rd set with 10kg but it will come so used 8kg instead. It's certainly better than missing a complete set because the 10kg is too heavy. I will gradually build up to this. Seems to be the American Kettle Bell Swing I struggle with at this weight. Also, I think I might have felt...

Simply Kettle Bell Swings

Image
Today I did a 15 minute workout with just Kettle Bell Russian Swings. 😄 Did I mention that I do these first thing in the morning in my nightie and slippers? 😆 No need for fancy gym wear at home. 120 Swings with the football sized 8kg kettle bell from Morrisons and ... 60 Swings with the 10kg kettle bell I did these in sets of 20 with a breather in between sets. 180 swings, nothing else today. According to the scales I have lost 4lbs since starting with weight training 2½ weeks ago.  Fat is going down, muscle is going up. It's fractional but still, pleased with that! Image Credit: Pixabay : geralt

Rest Days and a New Week 3

Image
I think I may have overdid it a bit when moving my weights up and the 10kg kettle bell. As a result my hip was playing up a bit. I didn't push it, I had Friday off. Homely events caused me not to do any over the weekend either. Today I was back to it (having had 3 days off). Workout this morning 15 mins: 6kg kettle bell, 15 reps x 1 set 8kg kettle bell, 15 reps x 1 set 10 kg kettle bell, 15 reps x 1 set plus 10 reps of 10kg kettle bell Total swings: 100 This is week 3. The 6kg kettle bell is quite light now. I am using it as a warm up set. The 8kg kettle bell was an impulse buy from Morrisons. It cost £7! there is also a reason for this. The handle is quite large, it is made from moulded plastic, it is the size of a small football and I think it is probably filled with sand. This doesn't really matter though and I found the "Around the World" exercise a bit easier to handle. The 10kg kettle bell wasn't too bad when I first started the set, but toward...

130 Kettle Bell Swings!

Despite not being terribly motivated this morning (I woke up at 3.30 am) and talked myself into doing my Kettle Bell workout ... 3 hours later. I started with 6kg and did 1 set of 15 reps: Deadlifts, Goblet, Russian Swing, Around the World and American Swing (total 30 swings). I then switched to the 10kg kettle bell and did 2 sets of 15. Really struggled with the last lot of American Swings but I did it. (total swings 60) To finish off I did an extra 40 swings with the 6kg kettle bell and then I called it a day. The total workout took about 30 mins with breathers. Total Swings Today 130 (70 with 6kg and 60 with 10kg) Definitely getting stronger, but cannot see any difference in my shape yet. This is the 11th day. 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 😍 I really love the 6kg kettle bell it is so cute and I am becoming quite attached to it. I find the 10kg quite big and difficult to handle when I do the "Goblet...

Tuesday, Moving Up the Weight

Image
My calves ache today. That's a good thing I think. Today I started off using a 6kg kettle bell and did 15 reps. I must be getting a bit stronger as I found this relatively easy. For the second set I used the 10kg kettle bell. Wasn't sure if I could actually do the American Swing with it, but all okay. The 10kg kettle bell was pushing it a little so I went back to the 6kg for the third set. Tomorrow I'm hoping to do 1 rep with the 6kg and 2 reps with the 10kg kettle bell. My Kettle Bell Workout Today 15/20mins: 15reps 6kg, 15 reps 10kg, 15 reps 6kg, total 3 sets Deadlifts Goblet Squat Russian Swing Around the World American Swing After my workout I have been eating a Fried Egg Sandwich with Butter. Protein and Carbs, Yes? and a small glass of milk. I can just see some people shaking their heads, but I am not ready yet for the proper diet thing. I am being more conscious of what I eat. Yesterday I enjoyed a nice slice of Victoria Sponge Cake. 🙈 A little bit of...

HA! More Equipment - Week 1

Image
Planning and Week One I haven't changed one bit. I have decided to do this at home. No gym fees and cheaper. I already have some dumbbells that my partner bought me (well over 10 years ago and never used). They are 3lb each in weight. After researching on the internet I found an overall exercise plan that covered all the major muscle groups. A total workout plan. Actually, I did this exercise on the floor. I also ordered an Abs Warrior machine using my Christmas vouchers. My decision was to tone up my core area without having to lie down on the floor. I find this really uncomfortable, can't really do them and it strains my neck. I am hoping the Abs Warrior machine will support my back and give me some resistance to get me back up again. I also bought it to do leg curls and also there seems to be a nice stretch that it does. Anything else, I'm not really interested in. (Cost £30 sale) I did a couple of days using the total workout plan with my dumbbells and foun...