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Gyms have their positive points: they are convenient, house lots of equipment, and often have childcare available to parents who need to tote their tots to the gym (this includes yours truly). Gyms also can offer a range of fitness classes and most  have personal trainers on staff. If you're not a huge fan of going to the gym however, and would like to try something different, check out these fun alternatives... Stroller Fit® SF targets the  “mommy muscles” – those muscles used during  labor and delivery, and post-partum, and basically every day thereafter. Moms have a chance to get ......
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Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
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Because I love yoga, and Pilates, but am by no means a guru of either practice, I felt compelled to pass along some helpful resources so that you can learn more. Yoga is one of those activities that evolves as you evolve. The yoga you do today will not be the same yoga you do a year from now, and your body won't likely be the same body either (note: this is a good thing - Yoga evens 'things' out, balances muscles, massages the joints, just all-around good stuff ;0). I've learned through my own yoga/Pilates journey that there is always something new to learn.  That said, here are some fabulous......
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Even though I have addressed this topic before (a-hem, at least twice before), I'm circling back because A) I keep getting asked, "I did strength training today, what should I do tomorrow?" and B) I keep getting asked, "Is it okay to do both strength training and cardio on the same day?" If you want to cut to the chase, check out: "Cardiovascular or Weight Training: Which should come first?" Otherwise, stay right here, 'cause I'm about to WOW you with...pretty much the same thing I said before. ;0) Here's the thing - you need to know what it is you want to get out of your workouts. Are you try......
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You have probably heard about Pilates, or possibly know someone who talks of "reformers, chairs, straps, pulleys" (and other contraptions), and silently wonder, "what the heck is Pilates anyway?" The Pilates Method (or simply Pilates) was developed in Germany in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. The core-strengthening and posture-improving benefits of regular practice have helped the Pilates Method develop a loyal following of faithful participants in recent years. The aesthetic benefits of regular practice can be seen on the physiques of famous devotees, such as Madonna and Gwyneth Pa......
Feb

07

It is the little things you do every day, like taking the stairs rather than the elevator at work, hoisting up your toddler and doing 10 squats, walking lunges while you talk on the phone. I know, it seems kind of hokey, but seriously, every little effort, done consistently, will bring results. Think about the caterpillar, which undergoes lots of little changes before finally turning into a beautiful butterfly.

I think the reason a lot of us have a hard time tackling a big goal, like losing a large amount of weight, or training for an intense event, such as a 10K, is that the end result looks like Mt Everest. How ever do you scale that thing? But broken down into manageable chunks, the process is much less daunting – down right achievable! (Pssst …I attack fitness this way a lot. It really does work.)

I know, you’ve heard this or read it in self-help books a gazillion times. So have I, but having tackled several big goals by breaking down the tasks into little, bite-size morsels, I was able to achieve them. It wasn’t so bad, honest (or I wouldn’t be suggesting it here.)

Try this…

When you’re faced with 4 cardio workouts and 2 strength training sessions in one week, break them down like this: 8-10 “mini” cardio sessions of 10-15 minutes each. Spread across 7 days, that doesn’t seem so bad. Likewise with strength training: 8-12 exercises per session can be broken down into 2-3 exercises, again, spread across 7 days per week. This approach is FAR better in the long run than doing 4 cardio sessions and 2 ST sessions, as planned, only once per month. Better to break it down into manageable chunks and get credit consistently, than to get credit only occasionally.

Plus, “occasional” effort isn’t really effort at all – it just a random act of activity. ;-)



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