pic
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 ......
pic
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. ......
pic
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......
pic
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......
pic
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......
Jun

05



healthy breakfastI am a creature of habit.  I tend to fix what I already know how to make, and I shop the same way, purchasing the same foods over and over again. Okay, maybe I’m just lazy. Let’s face it, our lives are busy and adding variety in order to create a healthy meal plan takes some time. It is much simpler to buy the foods we know we can find and prepare what we know how to make without the time consuming process of finding  and trying new recipes.

Thankfully, the folks at EatingWell.com understand this dilemma and have designed a healthy menu planner that is simple, and best of all – FREE!

The EatingWell Menu Planner let’s you create daily or weekly menus. You can then print a handy shopping list based on your menu, then use their calorie counter tool to calculate the calories in your menu. It is an easy way to find healthy recipes and plan meals well in advance, and track calories.

Check out their “Cheap Eats” to find over 100 recipes for healthy, budget-friendly meals!

Sep

09

I’ve noticed a common theme lately among clients, neighbors and friends who are trying to focus on making healthier choices every day, but are somehow falling short of their own expectations: lack of focus. Perhaps the bar is set too high, or your time and energy are spread too thin? There could be many reasons for those days, or even weeks, when you just aren’t as motivated to do all of the healthy things you know you should.

My advice:

  • Don’t beat yourself up. You’re entitled to a little down time, and I think it is healthier to take a break and get back on track when you’re good and ready, than to fall off the wagon completely and never get back on. Use the down time to re-assess your goals, your motivation for adopting a healthier lifestyle, and no matter what, don’t give yourself a bad grade.
  • Change can be scary, but it can also breathe new life into your workout routine and get you excited about exercising again. A recent article in Forbes magazine highlighted fitness trends for 2008 – why not try one? Forbes – Fitness Trends
  • Try a new recipe — even mixing up what you eat and when can motivate you to keep making healthy choices. Check out Eating Well for ideas.
  • Challenge yourself. If you stick to your routine faithfully for months, only to completely burn out and lose interest, maybe you’re not challenging yourself enough. Re-evaluate your fitness goals, or train for an upcoming race, or learn a new sport, such as rock climbing, boxing or soccer.

Check out these websites for inspirational ideas:

Women’s Sports Foundation

Beginner Triathlete

Hal Higdon – a great resource for marathon training from one of the most highly respected experts in the running world.

Sep

07

Surfing the world-wide-web for information can be the equivalent of looking for a needle in a haystack. Logging hours scouring pages of information from hundreds of sites is also time consuming. As I’m sure you’ve discovered, some website are a goldmine for information, while others provide little in the way of valuable.

I scout the net for information on a regular basis too, and when I find a website worth coming back to, I like to let people know. After all, the more time you save looking for answers, the more time you’ll have to work out!

Below I’ve compiled my picks for the best ‘healthy’ recipe websites, food tracking sites, and nutrition tips/advice.

Enjoy!

Here are my ‘Blue Sky’ picks for Recipe and Nutrition Websites

Cooking Light

FoodFit
Hodgson Mill
Food for Life
Mayo Clinic
Discovery Health

American Heart Assoc
Harvard Nutrition Source
More Matters

Kagome

Light Life

Whole Foods Market

Food Network

Archives

© Copyright 2010 - Diane Raymond's Blue Sky Blog | Made by AppChain.com