Archive for the tag - davey wavey

4 Most Crucial Exercises of Davey Wavey’s Workout!

Barbell Curl 2_0In the world of fitness, not all exercises are created equally; some are exponentially more effective than others, assuming proper form and appropriate resistance. And as it turns out, there are four crucial exercises that form the backbone of my workout.
If you’re looking for a solid workout foundation, start here:

Barbell bench press.

Quite frankly, it’s not a chest day without bench pressing. Although you can do a similar chest press with dumbbells, the barbell allows you to work with more weight and get better results. Though the bench press works similar muscles as a push up, the ability to progressively increase resistance (i.e., add more weight) makes it more effective.

Barbell bicep curls.

Nothing works my arms like the barbell bicep curl. Similar to the bench press, using a barbell allows you to curl more weight than trying to balance dumbbells. Assuming proper form, more weight means better results. And even though you’ll need to include other exercises to work your triceps and forearms, barbell bicep curls are a great place to start.

Barbell squats.

Barbell squats are an awesome compound exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps and calves. In my opinion, there’s no single exercise that’s more effective for your lower body. While many people cut their squats short (it’s important to squat until your thighs are parallel with the floor), proper form produces great results - and it’s the best exercise for getting that bubble butt you’ve always wanted.

Dumbbell shoulder press.

When it comes to getting strong, broad shoulders, I’m a huge fan of the dumbbell shoulder press. Though I’ve experimented with the barbell shoulder press, I find the apparatus to be cumbersome and unavailable at most gyms. The dumbbell shoulder press does the trick.

Of course, lest we forget about abs, download my 5-part ab workout program for core-strengthening exercises that you can do at home. You can even enjoy one of the workouts free here.

What’s the most important exercise in your workout? Let me know in the comments below!

Inside Davey Wavey’s Refrigerator.

I get a lot of emails asking about my diet - and so I thought it would be fun to give a tour of my refrigerator.

The truth is, in the last few years, I’ve made a lot of progress in upgrading my diet. In place of red meat, I’ve opted for leaner choices like turkey and chicken. I’ve added more vegetables to my meals. And I’ve cut down on many processed foods.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look inside my fridge:

  1. Grains. I keep an assortment of whole wheat breads and wraps to get good, complex carbs. Always look for the word “whole” before wheat on nutrition labels and packaging. Wheat or multigrain products aren’t the same. Check out these tips for buying healthy bread.
  2. Fresh cilantro. I love Mexican recipes, and fresh cilantro adds a great flavor to many dishes.
  3. Micro Arugula. Micro or baby greens are typically 4 - 6x higher in nutrients than their full-grown counterparts. In addition to packing an enhanced nutritional punch, they also provide more vivid flavors and textures.
  4. Avocado. Full of heart-healthy fats, avocados are a great condiment or mayo replacement for sandwiches and burgers. It’s also great in salads. Or, you can try my world-famous guacamole recipe. You can even substitute butter with avocado in many recipes.
  5. Sliced turkey. To avoid high-sodium deli meats, I opt for sliced, in-house meats from my grocer. It’s an easy way to reduce you daily sodium intake.
  6. Veggies. I always keep an assortment of fresh vegetables and other produce (like tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and red onions) for sandwiches, salads and to use as ingredients in my dishes.
  7. Coconut water. Often called nature’s sports drink, coconut water has more potassium than a banana. It’s a great way to rehydrate yourself after a workout.
  8. Fresh basil. Cut up some tomatoes, mozzarella and basil - and then add a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper - and you have a great appetizer that’s sure to impress.
  9. Radishes. I love the color they add to salads!
  10. Carrot juice. Not as healthy as eating the whole carrot, but a lot more enjoyable - and still loaded with vitamin A.
  11. Soy milk and almond milk. Soy milk and almond milk are flavorful, nutritional alternatives to lactose milk. I think they taste better, and each offer unique benefits. Soy milk has a lot of protein, and almond milk is low in calories.
  12. Leftovers. Because I live alone and because preparing healthy meals takes time and effort, I’m a big fan of making extra and saving the leftovers. Here, I’ve saved steamed vegetables and my new favorite protein-packed veggie burger recipe.
  13. Spirulina. This superfood has a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids and can easily be mixed into energy bars, vegetables juices or smoothies.
  14. Alfalfa sprouts. Crunchy and delicious, these sprouts contain a myriad of nutrients including B vitamins and vitamin K. They’re great in salads or on sandwiches.
  15. Tofu. I’m not huge on tofu, but it’s a great alternative to red meat. I’ve found a few recipes that I’ve really enjoyed - and often use tofu in my veggie burgers.
  16. Olives. I absolutely love fresh, Kalamata olives. High in heart-healthy fats, olives contain vitamin E and protect the body against free radicals. Olives are also rich in vitamin A and a whole slew of minerals.
  17. Carrots. Need more veggies in your diet? I replaced chips with carrot sticks as a side dish. They’re surprisingly filling and satisfying, especially with a cup of freshly prepared humus.
  18. Lettuce. You can never have enough lettuce in your crisper! I usually go for darker, richer greens - as those tend to be healthier choices.
  19. Fuji apples. A sweet hybrid apple, this is my favorite choice for healthy snacking. It’s crisp and delicious, and goes well with some freshly ground peanut butter. Yum!

That concludes our tour! Please come again soon!

And, in the comments below, let me know if you’re surprised by anything in (or not in) my refrigerator!

TONIGHT: Davey Wavey LIVE for a Fitness-Themed BlogTV Show.

Join Davey Wavey LIVE tonight on BlogTV at 9:00 PM ET!

You asked for it, and now you’ve got it!

Each and every Monday night, I do a LIVE BlogTV show at 9PM ET (NYC time zone). The topics vary from week to week, but - by popular demand - tonight’s show will be all about fitness. I’ll share some of my fitness routine, give tips and answer some of your fitness-related questions.

The show starts promptly at 9PM, but the chat room only holds 150 people. Everyone else gets placed in a waiting room queue. So, you’ll want to get to the show early if you’d like to ask questions or participate in the chat room. Blog buddies in the waiting room are still able to watch the show - they just can’t chat.

To watch tonight’s LIVE show (or to see previous recorded episodes), click on over to my Davey Wavey BlogTV channel. I hope to see you there! And bring plenty of questions!