TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Fitness

Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey Feb 5, 2018

Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey

Duration: 90 minutes
Location: Lyn's Backpackers Inn, Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

ABS Showdown
Abs are hard to develop. It takes more than just mega-crunches but also strict diet and cardio workout. The good thing about having developed one is that even if you lose it, it's easier to regain it. My abs obsession dates back to 2002 when I had an abs-showdown with an office colleague. It was the start of many abs-showdown event for this site. Here in Loboc, I get to indulge in an abs workout every once in a while. This time, I have an abs-buddy to do it with - Jeffrey.

Core
After doing the high-intensity interval cardio workout with Jeffrey, we decided to strengthen our core - abdominals, obliques and the lower back muscles: 360° of fortification. Of course, this was followed by pranayama and meditation for vault-solid reinforcement.

Breathing
I treat any workout as yoga with elements of controlled breathing (pranayama) - long thin breaths, slow, deep and steady breathing, emptying the lungs on the outbreak and fully inflating the lungs on the inbreath and honoring the pause (kumbhaka).

Mindfulness
It's not enough that the physical workout is done with the breath. The mind has to be there will clear intention, observing body sensation without reacting to it.

Point of Failure
The exercises are held until point of failure. So this is not about using a timer or a number of counts. You will always have strong days and weak days - your point of failure will change accordingly. By pushing yourself to that point without any mental reaction (just observing that increasingly difficult pose with a calm mind), you don't only become strong, you also become non-reactive in your daily life. No typhoon or earthquake can rattle you from your placid composure. You make sound and intelligent decisions when others are already panicking.

The Workout

  1. sustained high plank - holding the upper push-up position until reaching the point of failure. Shoulders right above the wrists, toes tucked-in. Great for abs.



  2. sustained chest and thigh raise - lie flat on the mat face down, arms extending forward. Inhale lift the arms, shoulders and chest, thighs and legs lifted up, with only the belly pressing itself against the ground. Breathe and sustain this pose until point of failure. Great for the lower back.



  3. sustained side plank - the body is sideways - one arm is fully stretched with palms against the ground, shoulders right above the wrist. The other hand is raised up towards the sky. Breathe and hold it until point of failure. Do the other side. Great for the obliques.



  4. crunches - lying flat on your back with knees bent and pointed up, exhale and lift the chest and shoulders and have the arms reach beyond one knee, hold it there for a few counts, then inhale as the body lowers down to the ground. Repeat on the other knee. Keep doing this until point of failure. Great for upper abs near the solar plexus.



  5. weighted side bends - hold the dumbell with the right hand while standing. Lower down to the right on the exhale while pushing the left foot against the ground and flairing the hips to the left. Reach down to your safety edge and hold it there for a few counts. Inhale and come back up while pushing against the right foot. Do the other side. Repeat until point of failure. Great for the obliques. Note: use only light weights (eg - 10 lbs for me). A heavy weight ruins symmetry and from my experience, is injurious.



  6. neck-loaded dead lift - with dumbells behind the neck while standing up, exhale and lower the body with a flat back into a half forward bend making it parallel to the ground. It helps if the hips are pulled back as the body goes down. Hold it there for a few counts while breathing, and on the next inhale, come up slowly.


  7. pranayama - alternate nose breathing (Anuloma Viloma), abdominal outbreath push (Kapalabhati) and stomach suction.

    stomach suction
    stomach suction breath-hold


  8. meditation - seated, observing the natural breath without changing anything or reacting to it (Anapana).

Ending Thoughts
The abs are a load-bearing structure of the body. Nearly every action we do begins with the abs or passes through the abs. If the abs are weak, the load is passed on to the back - but our backs are not designed for such loads and it won't take long for back pains to develop. People with weak core often suffer from back problems. Of course it also helps to strengthen the back - thus the 360° routine, and not just abs. Vanity-wise, good abs make for a good selfie!

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider



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Reader Comments:

Karen HuerteKaren Philippines
(Feb 5, 2018) w🙂w can i join? Keep it up Jeffrey!

Next stop: Calisthenics with Jeffrey

Loboc Google Map
Google Map

Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions in Bohol tourist attractions hotels in Bohol hotel
  • 
Fox & The Firefly Cottages Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
    Brgy. Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
restaurant in Loboc restaurant
  • 
Villagio's Pizza Villagio's Pizza - wood burning oven, hand-tossed pizza
    Loboc Town Plaza, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
  • the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
  • Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,
  1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
  2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule
  1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

  1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km2 area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
  2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
  3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
  4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.

Bohol

Anda
  • Exploring Combento Cave Pool June 29, 2017
  • Visiting Cabagnow Cave Pool of Anda Jun 28, 2017
  • Exploring Anda, Bohol June 25-30, 2017

  • Candijay
  • Roadtrip from Candijay to Ubay July 1, 2017
  • Firefly Tour in Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  • Freediving Canawa Cold Spring of Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  • Splashing at Can-umantad Falls, Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017

  • Carlos P. Garcia Island
  • Exploring Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Island by Bike Dec 1, 2017

  • Corella
  • Cycling to the Tarsiers of Corella Oct 26, 2017

  • Dauis
  • Cliff Dive at Molave Cove Feb 11, 2018
  • Freediving at Molave Point, Dauis Nov 6, 2017
  • The Return to Hinagdanan Cave Nov 5, 2017
  • Exploring Hinagdanan Cave Oct 24, 2017

  • Loay
  • The Ride to Morning Hill Oct 22, 2017
  • The Ride to the Old Spanish Tower Oct 21, 2017

  • Loboc
  • Goodbye Loboc, Goodbye Philippines Mar 15, 2018
  • The CubbyHole: Envisioning a Utopian Shangrila Mar 10, 2018
  • Fat Shredder with the Russian Twist Mar 2, 2018
  • No-Dismount Climb to Cruz Daku Mar 1, 2018
  • Jeffrey's Cardio Program Feb 26, 2018
  • SUP Yoga with Lalah de Dios at Fox and the Firefly Feb 25, 2018
  • Bike Ride with Juan Huerte: Loboc, Sikatuna, Corella and Baclayon Feb 25, 2018
  • CT Scan Result Feb 23, 2018
  • The Silent Killer has Arrived Feb 19-22, 2018
  • 24+ Days at Lyn's Backpackers Inn Jan 23 - Feb 16, 2018
  • All Day Fun with the Loboc Crew Feb 11, 2018
  • 20-Minute Rope Skipping w/ Pranayama and Meditation Feb 9, 2018
  • Calisthenics with Jeffrey Feb 7, 2018
  • Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey Feb 5, 2018
  • High Intensity Cardio Workout Feb 2, 2018
  • Ride to the Landslide with Jeffrey Jan 31, 2018
  • Farm Tour with Mr. Raymond Cal Jan 29, 2018
  • Cacao Drum Roasting Jan 27, 2018
  • Making Sikwate: from cacao fruit to a hot dark chocolate drink Jan 25, 2018
  • 5 Weeks at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Dec 13, 2017 - Jan 23, 2018
  • In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Jan 22, 2018
  • Mountain Bike Rides from Tagbilaran to Loboc Jan 18, 2018
  • Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Dec 19, 2017
  • Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer Dec 18, 2017
  • Back to Loboc Dec 13, 2017
  • 37 Days in Loboc - Thank You and Goodbye Oct 8-Nov 14, 2017
  • Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring...on Foot Nov 11, 2017
  • Stand-Up Paddle Yoga with Joan Christine Nov 3, 2017
  • Loboc River Cruise on a Stand-Up Paddle Oct 29, 2017
  • Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017
  • Ziplining and Cable Car Ride at Eco-Tourism Adventure Park Oct 22, 2017
  • Savouring Villagio Pizza Oct 19, 2017
  • Wet and Wild Bonbon-Alegria Downhill Ride Oct 18, 2017
  • River Cruise on Loboc River Oct 17, 2017
  • Back Road Ride from Loboc to Loay Oct 17, 2017
  • Leisurely Ride to Loktob Spring Oct 14, 2017
  • Sweet Ride to Busay Falls Oct 13, 2017
  • Bike Climb to the Virgen de Guadalupe Oct 12, 2017
  • The Ride to Cruz Daku (Big Cross) Oct 11, 2017
  • Exploring Loboc, Bohol Oct 8, 2017

  • Panglao
  • Coastal Cleanup with Plastic Free Bohol Sept 16, 2017
  • Exploring Panglao June 12-18, 2017
  • Yoga with Ging and Rai at Oasis Resort June 18, 2017
  • Freediving with Ben Meerhaeghe at SeaQuest Dive Center June 16, 2017
  • Scuba Diving Balicasag Island with SeaQuest Dive Center June 15, 2017
  • Bohol Revisited June 12, 2017
  • Exploring Bohol Nov 28-30, 2015

  • San Miguel
  • Visiting Bayongan Lake Nov 22, 2017

  • Sevilla
  • Killer MTB Ride from Sevilla Oct 30, 2017

  • Sikatuna
  • Solo Ride to the Sikatuna Tree Park Nov 2, 2017

  • Tagbilaran
  • 30 days in Tagbilaran, Thank You! Oct 8, 2017
  • Breakfast Talk with Tagbilaran's Finest Oct 8, 2017
  • Exploring the Cafe Scene of Tagbilaran Oct 7, 2017
  • Yoga for 60+ Students at the University of Bohol Oct 4, 2017
  • Chocolate Overload at Dalareich Chocolate House October 2, 2017
  • Talk on Philosophy and Spirituality to 12-Graders at the University of Bohol Sep 27, 2017
  • Celebrating the International Day of Peace Sep 23, 2017
  • Judging a Student Debate at the University of Bohol Sept 15, 2017
  • Fitness Workout with Chie at Bohol Tropics Resort Sept 13, 2017
  • Modified Ashtanga Primary Series by Jing Yoga, Tagbilaran Sept 12, 2017
  • Tagbilaran Revisited Sep 7-12, 2017
  • Hello Tagbilaran! June 19-25, 2017

  • Ubay
  • Goodbye and Thank You, Ubay Nov 14-Dec 13, 2017
  • Visiting the Ubay Stock Farm Dec 8, 2017
  • Exploring Cambugsay Healing Hills with Lars Jensen Nov 22, 2017
  • Visiting Ubay Green Park Nov 18, 2017
  • The Ride to Sinandigan Boardwalk and the Yamashita Treasure Hunt Nov 18, 2017
  • Ubay in a Nutshell Nov 17, 2017
  • In Search of the Next Destination Nov 14, 2017
  • 2 Days in Ubay July 1-3, 2017
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