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I'm sure you've heard the saying, "a calorie is a calorie," and that when weight loss is the goal, you can probably loose weight on a 1,200 calorie/day diet whether it is 1,200 Twinkie calories or apple calories. At this point, you might be thinking, "Cool! I'll go on the Twinkie diet!"   Our bodies are smarter than that though, and I say, thank goodness. I know - I'm no fun at all :-). Last week at the grocery one of my kiddos held up a box of Twinkies and had the audacity to ask me to purchase them. I nearly burst a vessel in my forehead trying to restrain myself from smashing the box with......
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Being that it is summer, and there are vacations, kids home from school, camps, a lot of running around in circles...sometimes a workout is hard to knock out, even when intentions are high. When that happens, I have a 30-minute, total body workout that requires very little equipment, yet will leave you dripping in sweat. Wanna hear it? Here it is... You'll need:  a set of 10 or 12lb wts (lighter if you like), a resistance tube 5-10 minute warm up @ 40-50% max heart rate Set 1: 10-14 Burpees (also called pop squats) 3-way lunges w/ dumbbells: Start with weaker leg leading. Take one lunge forwa......
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Stumbled upon a few deals I'd like to pass along: 20% off planners! For all of you planners out there (you know who you are, planning each workout weeks in advance), get a head start on school year planning at MomAgenda. MomAgenda is offering 20% off small School Year books (use code: schoolyearsmom) Visit MomAgenda.com, offer expires 7.31.2011 *P.S. I LOVE MomAgenda planners. Seriously, love them - totally created by moms, for moms. Enough said. EatingWell magazine has a new book out: EatingWell 500-calorie Dinners for $22.45 (10% off the regular price). While you are planning workouts in you......
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Check out this video if you are unfamiliar with trigger point therapy... TPR Therapy, Ironman competitor Have you ever wished you could afford a personal masseuse? One who could come to your home, preferably daily, to help relieve you of the knots and muscle tightness that inevitably occur from daily workouts and, well, being a mom? In search of a solution to my IT band issues, I tried a chiropractor (not money well spent), stretching, massage therapy (therapist too gentle to release deep tissue), and my O.D. The O.D. provided the most valuable information: without proper biomechanics, the bod......
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The mysterious " fat burning zone " continues to confuse many gym-goers. The theory goes something like this: working out in a "zone" of intensity that is less intense for at least 20 minutes will burn more fat calories than calories from carbohydrate. Is this true? Yes and no, but mostly no. You actually burn more calories from fat right now, sitting still, reading this post, than you do on the treadmill. That is because in the resting state, the body burns a higher percentage of fat calories. As you crank up the exercise intensity, you burn a little less fat per calorie. However, it really c......
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Did you give yoga a shot once upon a time, only to walk out mid-class, scratching your head and wondering, what was I thinking? It is possible the style you tried didn’t match your personality, athletic ability, or just moved at a pace geared more toward advanced yogis than beginners. It isn’t uncommon to feel lost during your first several classes, but there is a way to ensure you don’t feel too out of place: pick the right style of yoga first.

Before you write off yoga for good, try a class that is a better match for your personal style. I’ve compiled a short list of the most common yoga styles. Hopefully you will find one that sounds intriguing, and if so, I encourage you to give yoga another try.

YOGA DECODED

Ashtanga: An athletic type of yoga that incorporates a fixed series of poses. It is challenging, and will build both strength and stamina. If you want a workout and you like to know what is coming next in a routine, this format is for you.

Bikram: This type of yoga can be summed up in one word: Hot! Rooms are heated to around 105 degrees. If you have pre-existing health problems or you are pregnant, it is a good idea to get your physician’s approval before participating in this class. Also, bring lots of water, and a towel to mop up the puddles of sweat that are a trademark of Bikram. This class is ideal for those already in top shape who are looking for a new challenge.

Hatha: Ideal or beginners, this slow-paced class focuses on simple breathing techniques and meditation. If you need to relax at the end of a long day, Hatha will leave you loose, limber and stress free.

Iyengar: A more precise form of yoga that focuses on alignment. You’ll hold your poses longer and use props, such as straps and blocks, so that you can finagle yourself into position. This is an intense format, best suited for those who want to work on the nuances of alignment.

Kundalini: Chanting and specific poses that release energy stored at the base of the spine are the hallmarks of this style of yoga. It is both mentally and physically challenging (i.e., not for beginners!)

Vinyasa: Similar in style to Ashtanga, Vinyasa yoga is less predictable. The word Vinyasa means, “breath-synchronized movement,” so in this class instructors will cue you to flow through selected poses on the exhale or the inhale. Poses follow a fluid pattern, giving you the benefit of a slight cardiovascular workout too. Give Vinyasa yoga a try if you like Ashtanga, but tire of the repetition.

Do you have a favorite style of yoga, or one that you tried and either loved or disliked? Please share!

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  1. [...] in a class full of more experienced participants. When you attend a new class or decide to experiment with a different type of yogaM, arrive a bit early, introduce yourself to the instructor, and point out that it is your first [...]

  2. [...] was great…when I went. Clearly, I need yoga in my life, and I think yoga needs me. My plan: Ashtunga 2x/week for 60 mins for now. I’d like to get up to 3x/week and have one of those days include Hatha or a [...]

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