Sugary paradise
Breakfast looks normal…
but in reality, it was a sugary paradise. A little too sweet even, and I have a giant sweet tooth in the morning.
It started out as chia pudding, but I added wayyy too much almond milk, so then I added some Sun Warrior, which didn’t help with the texture…
and then added Puffins and strawberries to bulk it up a little.
Much better, but the sweetness from the Puffins + the Stevia in the Sun Warrior was a little too much. I’m definitely overdue for a grocery trip- I stopped on Sunday to get the essentials (eggs, salad, bread, fruit, goat cheese), all of which we’re out of.
Dinner was also random creations I made from what we had in the fridge:
Gnocchi with alfredo sauce (butter, milk, parmigiano reggiano, salt and pepper) and asparagus for the Pilot
Brown rice tortilla pizza for me:
Focus On
For today’s Focus On post, I thought we’d talk a little bit about gliding disks- an amazing way to increase the intensity, core focus, and range of motion for your favorite exercise moves.
So what are they? Flat, Frisbee-like discs, which are often made out of a plastic material (I’ve also seen mesh varieties, but like the plastic ones better). Many gyms offer gliding discs that you can use for your workout, or classes that incorporate them during the strength portion. Don’t have any at your home gym? Plastic or paper plates work, too.
How do you use them? The ball of your foot is positioned on the center of the disk, while your heel hangs off the back. You use your heel as your “brake”, so if you want to stop moving, just place your heel down. For example, you’d just lift up one heel and slide that foot into a lunge position, put the heel down for a forward lunge (leave it up for a reverse lunge), lunge, heel up, and slide back into place.
You can also use the discs under your hands for push-up variations
or on your feet for plank and core work.
My all-time favorite move with the gliding discs is the inchworm. Start in plank position with the discs under your toes, engage your core and slide your legs in and lift your booty up (pike position) and walk your hands forward into plank (so you’re traveling forward).
Mindy Mylrea –whom I’ve taken class from, and she’s AMAZING- also has many gliding disc workouts and DVDs (check out glidingdiscs.com).
Have you used gliding discs before? What’s your favorite gliding move?
Hope you have a happy almost-Friday <3
xoxo
Gina
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I have. I like the inchworm and low side lunges. I also like the “i forgot I’m on discs and falling on my ass” move. really works your core.
I’ve taken workshops where we’ve used gliding discs before, but the gym I teach at has yet to get them. I like the inchworm too, but I also love sliding lunges!
I love to hate mountain climbers on the gliders.
Ditto! I love and hate mountain climbers with gliders 🙂
The worst! In the best way, of course.
I love gliding discs! My old gym in London used to do 30 minute classes with the discs and the first time I tried them I was so confident and thought it would be a silly class and that I would not get a good work out. I mean, the discs don’t looks as serious as body pump equipment for example:) Boy was I wrong! I absolutely loved the gliding discs but the class was so difficult – like doing the squat part of a body pump class on repeat for 30 minutes. Yikes! Next day I walked a bit funny but hey – anything for bikini season:)
I HATE gliding disks…. they work but ugh I dread when they come out at the gym 🙂 Haha can’t love everything now can we!
I used them during physical therapy to strengthen the torn ligament in my ankle – never thought of using them for a workout!
Gliders are great for doing pike to knee ups too. Instead of doing them with a stability ball, you use gliders. Great for classes too when there aren’t enough balls, just pull out the gliders and its awesome.
One of the instructors at the gym i work at uses the glide disks and mini trampolines in a circuit class. I have always wanted to take it since it looks like so much fun but i am always working when she teaches:(
I’ve never heard of gliding discs before! How cool!
I went to a pilates class that incorporated gliding discs a few months back, and I was SO sore the next day! They’re deceptively difficult!
thanks for posting this!! the youtube video posted was super interesting and they are a great idea for mixing things up!!!
You can also use furniture slider disks, and those are handy to have around for moving furniture. Costco often has a huge pack for cheap.
I love this discs. I’ve used them in workout classes. Just doing something simple like spacing your legs apart and then bringing them back in gets the muscles burning!
Huh, I’ve never seen discs used before. The concept reminds me of an ab roller though – where you are focusing on gliding it back and forth. Definitely will be looking at her website. Always looking for interesting new workout ideas.
Great FocusOn post! I usually only use the disks for mountain climbers but am really looking forward to trying these new exercises – i never even thought to google “gliding disks exercises” like i normally do with other equipment/workout plans 🙂
Ugh, I hate gliders…only because they make you hurt 😉 The studio I go to we use them for running lunges and it sucksss.
There is a woman that does a move similar to the crossover, but using 45 pound plates instead of discs. Crazy…
whoooaaaaa
Just a tip: I use paper plates instead of purchasing gliders! Easy to travel with and cheap! haha they really do the trick 🙂
These remind me of the things you slip under furniture to move it around the house. Wonder if those would work?…they seem identical!
it sounds like it would!
LOVE LOVE LOVE sliders. I have 3 different versions and my friend actually created another pair made out of all medal, they are so challenging because you can’t cheat on them at all in order for them to move(your body weight needs to be distrupted equally) this also helps with form.
Anyways, I love them, BUT my cleints hate them! Haha!
Gnocchi, is always too bland for me, how do you spice it up?
lots of salt in the cooking water and a good sauce will do it 🙂
I like to do mountain climbers with the gliders under my feet and my hands on an upside-down Bosu.
oh i love that idea!
Mmmm… Both those meals – the cereal and the pizza – look yummy! <3 Lovely! In fact, I'm totally going to make a tortilla pizza tomorrow – I bought some Daiya and I need to use it, pronto, lol! 😛
Those gliding discs look great. My boyfriend has just signed up for Tough Mudder and he says I can train him (muahahaha!!!) and I should totally get some of those discs – I saw them on the suggested training routine, so awesome that you wrote this post now. Thank you!
Have a lovely day! <3 xyx
I haven’t tried the discs yet, but I’ve always wanted to! Looks like they could be intense aka I want to try big time 🙂
Definitely a big fan of the gliders, it’s a great way to spice up your routine and add intensity! You can get really creative with them!
I love these disks! I’ve only used them for core work but man were they killer. I put them under my feet and started in a push up position then slid them up into like a downward dog then back down.
I’ve seen those discs and was always worried it would be like trying to ski – I’d get on them and my limbs would start going every which way! But you’ve tempted me…I might be brave!
dooooooooo it
Love gliding discs. I use them often in my training sessions with clients. Great Pilates workout with them.
i have never even seen a gliding disk before! guess i’m too entrenched in my treadmill and dumbbell routine 🙂 thanks for the info!
Omg. Gliding discs definitely adds a whole new level. I remember mountain climbers with gliding discs. The burn!!
Why do I feel like I am too uncoordinated for this?? 😛
I always have a sweet tooth in the morning too!! 🙂
They have the discs at my gym, but I’m legit afraid that I’m going to lose control and fall on my face! Maybe I’ll be brave and give them a shot today!
I’ve used gliding discs before in a bootcamp class for inchworms and it was pretty intense.
This post actually reminded me of this really goofy workout thing I had back in the 90s. It was a sheet of plastic that you would unroll, and it had a stop at each end to keep it in place and prevent you from flying off. The idea is that you would “ski” from side to side on it. I tried it a few times but it was very ineffective and awkward, haha. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?
I love hog-pog meals. We are due for a good food run too. My Love was reduced to getting some really over priced pre-made food from the deli yesterday. Those sliders look INTENSE!!
I have used these. Love them! One of my favorite moves is to be in a plank position with the discs underneath each foot and to do snow angel-type moves with the legs, moving them in and out. Killer core move!
i’ve done that one, and it is INTENSE
I have always wanted to try gliding discs. It kind of looks like ice skating in my living room and that sounds pretty fun to me 🙂
Your berries, pudding, and Puffins sound pretty fun to me too!
I use them often when I teach my abs class or am personal training at the Y 🙂 I totally agree with u on the inchworm, as well as mtn. climbers and lunges!
oh and also, also disc drags! Kinda like when u did the wheel barrow thing with a friend as a kid…well its with the disc in a full plank position
I’ve used gliding discs in Boot Camp class before and they are no joke- they really add some intensity to your workouts. I’ve done lunges with them and moving planks with both feet on the discs. Good stuff!
I’ve never even heard of gliding discs before!
I have a giant sweet tooth in the mornings too. 😀 I haven’t had a savory breakfast in months!
I can plank for a long time, but add the exercises with the glide discs, and I turn into the biggest weinie. Those things are hard, but they really give your abs a good workout.
Justin Gelband who trains the victoria secret models is a big fan of sliding disks! There’s videos of him training Erin Heatherton with them on youtube 🙂 I’m really excited to try them – just have to get some first!
Love the discs, use them all the time. 🙂