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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......
Jul

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Have you ever considered how many calories you consume throughout the day, or even the quality of those calories? What percentage of them are carbohydrate, fat and protein? Are you getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals? Logging what and how much you eat is a proven tool for losing weight and keeping it off. In fact, a researcher at the Kaiser’s Center for Health Research in Portland, Ore found that keeping a food journal can double weight loss! Hear that? Double it!

Tips for keeping track

  1. Keep a journal handy (i.e., “in the kitchen”) and record what you eat right after you eat it. If you wait until the end of the day, you’ll likely overlook something you ate earlier in the day.
  2. Record your healthiest choices first. When you have to smudge the list of healthy foods with some not so great choices, those choices really stand out, motivating you to keep the list to ONLY healthy choices the next day.
  3. Don’t give yourself a bad grade if you slip up. Everyone has a bad day. Leave it at that, and move on to the next snack or meal, concentrating on making better choices going forward rather than fretting over the past.
  4. Try not to reward yourself with food. When you have a string of healthy-eating days, it might be tempting to have a large dip of Ben and Jerry’s as your “prize.” Don’t do it! The short-term yum-effect isn’t worth the guilt you’ll experience later. Instead, treat yourself to a manicure, or a movie with friends (sans the popcorn and treats, of course).
  5. Don’t get bogged down with specifics right away. For the first couple of weeks, just get in the habit of writing down what you eat at least three days out of seven. Then, graduate to an online log that allows you to choose quantities of specific foods. These sites will tabulate your calories, nutrient intake and give you an accurate idea of what is missing in your diet, or what you’re getting too much of.

Here are some sites to try:

My Food Diary
My Calorie Counter
The Daily Plate
My Fitness Pal
Spark People
Calorie Lab

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