You know the kind of books that you pick up and can’t stop reading until it’s completely finished? I had that experience with Chantel Hobb’s Never Say Diet this past weekend. She lost 200 pounds the hard way…naturally. Love that! I loved the book so much because of the great common-sense advice she gives in regard to diet and exercise. The key to her success (and to everyone who has ever stayed successful in fitness) is simply to reduce your caloric intake and exercise an hour a day. People seem to get caught up in trying to find the “secret” to weight loss. It’s no secret. Take in about 1500-1800 calories a day and workout for about an hour a day at least five days a week. Secret revealed! Whether you need to lose 10 pounds or 200 pounds, that’s the way to do it. Mix up your workouts with cardio and strength training …and throw in some Pilates and yoga for fun on other days. It’s really that easy.
Being somewhat of a health/fitness enthusiast, it makes me mental to read books about the “secret” to a great body. It’s no secret. Yes, you’ll need to embrace hunger a bit. If you are used to taking in lots of calories each day, you’ll need to embrace hunger a lot. At least at first. Not to worry, it goes away eventually. The feel good endorphins your brain will release from exercise will actually help curb your hunger pangs.
Nothing tastes as good as being fit and healthy feels.
This is one of my favorite yoga stretches, albeit, one of the hardest stretches. It’s an amazing hip opener. If you are a woman, you should be able to bend down further than the man in this video. We are just programed to be more flexible than men, so go down as far as you can…and breathe into it. Just when you feel like you can’t take it another second, take a deep breath and breathe again. Try to stay in the pose for a full 30 seconds. The more you breathe, the more you’ll feel your hips relax.
Watching incredible mind/body/spirit transformations are an excellent motivation to invisioning your own mind/body/spirit transformation. It’s a practice one should seek regularly.
Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the blood pressure to normal.
Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
Builds self-confidence.
It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behavior. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
Reduces premenstrual Syndrome.
Helps in postoperative healing.
Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’, which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.
“Women should never use more than 2 or 3 pound weighs because it bulks you up too much.” Tracy Anderson (fitness trainer to Madonna) on the use of weights in the gym.
(ed. note): It appears that 2-3 pound weights do a good job at bulking you up as well. Exhibit A: Madonna’s arms.
Do we like, or is this too bulky? You make the call.
Yoga Journal has announced today that they will be having their 7th annual Yoga conference in San Francisco January 28-February 1, 2010. It will be five days, with more than 40 teachers, and 100 different classes offered. Classes are for beginners to advanced yogis. For more information and details, check their website here.
Working out in bare feet for exercises such as Yoga and Pilates takes a toll on your feet, causing rough dry spots on your heels and toe pads. If you want baby soft feet, you must try Supernatural Botanicals Body Butters! These body butters are truly skin transforming. The non-greasy formula makes it a perfect foot primer before a hard workout or before you slip your feet into socks.
The results are instantaneous! You’ll watch your skin transform the first time you use the body butter. Made with all-natural ingredients, no chemicals, no parabens, no artificial colorants or fragrances. Supernatural Botanicals Body Butters are made with pure ingredients, such as cocoa butter and beeswax, and are bursting with delicious essential oil scents in Island Coconut, Pure Mango, Pure Orange, and Pure Grapefruit.
Avoid “Yoga Foot” and start protecting those feet. Check out Supernatural Botanicals entire line of Body Butters for happier, sexier feet!
Technique: Bikram yoga is often called “hot” yoga. It’s performed in a heated room with temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The style emphases a series of 26 postures designed to stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Benefits: It is thought that a heated room enables one to stretch further and promote sweating, which removes toxins from the body.
Cautions: Of note, Bikram yoga is very intense, and not intended for everyone. Consult your OB if you are pregnant.
Watch this clip for a more thorough explanation of Bikram yoga.
Working out does more for you than boost your sex appeal. According to a recent study by the University of Bristol in England, there are serious perks to exercising before or during your workday. They found that 72% of people improved their time management, 74% managed their workload better, and 79% were sharper and more focused. Switch your workouts to early morning or midday to gain the added benefits above.
Think about your end game. Did you know, you’d have to walk far longer than it’s worth9 miles to burn off one Cinnabon? At 730 calories and 24 grams of fat, this thunder-thigh-inducing treat may cost more than you’re willing to pay.
