Now, you are probably wondering how it works, right? I was thinking the same thing when I opened it up. The Journey Gym “utilizes a proprietary resistance system which allows for you to have between 5 and 150 lbs. of resistance providing a real strength training workout for your shoulders, arms, chest, back, abdominals, and legs.” Still trying to figure it out? Let me show you.

Here is what the Journey Gym looks like when it’s opened. There are resistance bands on both sides with different colors & resistance:

Orange – The orange bands are the lights and provide approximately 5 pounds resistance at 200% extension.
Blue – The blue bands are in the medium and provide approximately 10 pounds resistance at 200% extension.
Green – The green bands are the heaviest offer approximately 15 pounds resistance at 200% extension.

I asked the husband to join in and show me how to use the Journey Gym. My husband regularly exercises at the gym and runs 2 1/2 miles a day. He understands equipment like this and I do not. We popped in the DVD, opened up the gym, and got started. Now, the DVD is fast paced, so go ahead and have your gym open and ready when you put the DVD in. I would recommend for Journey Gym to go a little slower when showing how to put everything together, because we had to pause the DVD a couple of times to catch up. The Journey Gym is not hard to put together once you do it once, it requires:

1.) Removing the handles
2.) Removing the legs to turn the gym into a stair stepper
3.) Attaching handles to resistance bands of choice
4.) Attaching full set of legs

Once you have this done, you can continue on with some of the sample exercises on the DVD. The DVD will explain how to adjust the handles for your height and how to do the exercises. My husband played around with it for awhile to get used to it. I suggest doing this so that you will feel comfortable when standing on the gym, moving around on it, and getting used to how the handles and bands work. Comfort is the key to a successful workout.

Although I am the main person going to be using the gym, it’s going to take me awhile to get comfortable using it. I completed the first set of a ten minute exercise and the video was easy to follow along with and great for beginners. Although the DVD only comes with two set of exercise programs, you can join journeygym.com and get more exercises with music. I haven’t had the opportunity to do this yet, as I am still getting used to things. You need to:

1.) Sign up at journeygym.com
2.) Choose exercises from 180 different exercises
3.) Add the exercises to your workout timeline
4.) Once video is created, choose your music (100 songs)
5.) Save video, share it, your rip it to a DVD

For the next two weeks I will be working out on the Journey Gym. I will be taking pictures and a video to show my progress. As I become more comfortable with the gym, the more I will be able to share with you. So far the only negativity I have about the gym is the noise. Now, the gym itself and while working out does not create any noise whatsoever. But when I first tried the gym I attempted it while my daughter was sleeping. When opening the gym there are two loud clicking noises, once the gym is open and you are removing things you will need to get started, it’s not loud at all. When putting things away and closing the gym is when it’s loud – so be careful doing this during bedtime of nap time as we woke my daughter up three times. Keep in mind this depends on where your child may be sleeping, if they are a light sleeper (like mine) or a heavy sleeper. You may have no issues with this in your household, I just wanted you to be prepared for a “just in case.”

After two weeks I will be updating more about the Journey Gym and will be hosting an one month long giveaway for Pajama Mommy Readers. Participants in the giveaway will also be entered into winning a grand prize from Journey Gym.

Disclosure

“While there are other body wipes on the market, most are not as large or thick as ours but rather are glorified baby wipes,” notes Harvey Metro, inventor of QwikShower Wipes.  “Those that do compare are much more expensive.”

The next best thing to a shower, QwikShower Wipes appeal to kids and adults alike for many reasons:

–Convenient. Each wipe is individually wrapped for portability and to ensure it never dries out.  Kids can slip it into a backpack or purse and go!

–Effective. With a large 10” x 12” dimension and a resilient cloth-like material, QwikShower Wipes are big and study enough to clean the entire body – also leaving a slight fresh scent behind that’s been tested and well-received by teenagers and their parents.

–Green. Environmentally friendly, QwikShower Wipes are non-aerosol and emit zero fluorocarbon emissions unlike popular body sprays.  This also ensures the scent won’t invade the personal space of others or overwhelm a locker room.

–Economical. With an affordable price point starting at just 49 cents each coupled with the company’s free shipping policy, QwikShower Wipes have made it easier and more affordable than ever to keep kids clean and body odor-free.

–Versatile. QwikShower Wipes are not just for gym class! They’re great for use after sports practices and games, a day at the beach, or an impromptu restaurant outing with the family. Also a stellar solution for adults, the wipes are perfectly suited for boaters, campers and fitness enthusiasts. They are also a must for emergency preparedness kits in the event of water outages.

“In many school districts, children don’t get as much as a dry towel to wipe away their sweat after gym class,” Metro continues. “This prompts the kids to pull paper towels from the dispensers in a futile attempt to clean themselves, driving up the school’s supply costs and wasting a large amount of paper.  Trying to freshen a sweaty body with a dry paper towel just doesn’t work. This and other problematic situations underscore the need and value of QwikShower Wipes.”

About My Kids Stink, LLC

Based in Olney, MD, My Kids Stink, LLC was founded by Harvey Metro, a father of three active boys who loathed smelling the half-dozen stinky and sweaty teens who crammed in his car after school, practices and games. This ongoing problem prompted Harvey to create QwikShower Wipes – an affordable, environmentally friendly portable shower alternative suitable for kids and adults, alike. For more information about QwikShower Wipes visit www.QwikShower.com.

Want to try QuickShower for yourself? Enter to win a 10 count package by following the simple rules below.  Good luck!

Rules:

1. Contest is open to US residents only.

2. You MUST leave a comment.

Additional Entries:

1. Subscribe to our email RSS Feed with the same email as you use in your comment.  MAKE SURE YOU CONFIRM IT.

2. Subscribe to our @pjmommy Twitter account.

3. Tweet saying: I’ve entered the” QuickShower” Giveaway over @pjmommy.

4. You may write about our contest on your blog.

5. Join our Google Connect

6. Join our Facebook Fan page

.

CONTEST ENDS ON: December 8, 2010 at MIDNIGHT EST

Fitness expert David Kirsch is launching his new cleanse: the new 48HR Super Charged Cleanse, a popular product amongst his celebrity clients like Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Ellen Barkin.

David Kirsch’s 48HR Super Charged Cleanse is far from an ordinary detox. It’s a fool-proof 2-day plan that features the highest quality organ-cleansing antioxidants milk thistle, acai, and cranberry extract. With chromium picolinate to curb appetite, B12 for greater energy, and added fiber to help with the “flushing”, the result is a tasty pink-lemonade drink that goes above and beyond popular commercial cleanses.

This new detox is simple and effective – perfect for busy moms trying to juggle the demands of their kids and maintain a healthy lifestyle at the same time!

Now available for $29.99 at http://davidkirschwellness.com/_product_20001/48_HOUR_SUPER_CHARGED_CLEANSE , along with David’s One of a Kind® Omega-3.  These natural lemon-flavored fish oil capsules have been triple-filtered to produce the safest, purest, most concentrated Omega-3 forms of DHA and EPA—all with zero aftertaste and no “burp effect.”

I have tried quite a few Cleanse products.  I did try this and it was right up there with the more expensive brand cleanses.  It had a flavor that was very pleasant.  Most cleanses are so bad tasting that you literally have to plug you nose and chug really fast! This one I was able to swallow down without any problems, and that says a lot! Full of vitamins and omega3’s this can be your one stop daily intake! A definite must try item and also his additional products in the cleanse line are worth a look and try too!

Tara Zimliki, fitness expert and founder of Tara’s Boot Camp in Branchburg, New Jersey, teaches people every day how to maintain healthier lifestyles, no matter what their age or fitness level. Using her own family as an example, she helps families improve both their health and their confidence. “By making a commitment to family fitness, you can strengthen bonds and get yourself in shape, too,” says Tara. There’s also the added benefit of setting your kids on the right path for later in life, when being fit will lessen the risk of diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression.

Try these strategies to get your family moving — this fall and all year-round:

1. Start young. Tara advises parents to get kids moving early in life which will promote healthy development and keep sedentary habits at bay. Even your toddler needs at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity every day, and should not sit still for more than an hour at a time.
2. Set realistic goals. Not all children are star athletes. But keep in mind that your child may have never been given the chance to shine. You can help by being realistic about your child’s physical ability. For some kids, even a jog around the block can seem intimidating. “Running ability is mostly mental,” says Tara, “it’s important to keep your child motivated by breaking down each goal, step by step.”
3. Get animated. Running doesn’t have to be boring! Get creative with your workout. Form a conga line and play follow the leader. Flap your arms whenever you see a stop sign. Try running while hopping, pumping your arms, playing air guitar — whatever you and your kids can dream up!
4. Be a cheerleader. A recent study of 200 students in grades 2 through 11 showed that kids of all ages want their parents to help them stay active. Cheer them on frequently and show your child that activity is a priority every day. Tara says to make sure your children know that you would never be disappointed with their performance. “Remember, this is both a workout and a bonding activity,” says Tara.
5. Use community resources. Your family run doesn’t have to be confined to your block. Keep it interesting by visiting different parks or neighborhoods other than your own. You can also check out whether your child’s school, or a local university or community center, offers an indoor or outdoor track for public use.
6. Be vigilant. Although a family jog provides a convenient way for you to get out the door and run, the advantages don’t come without risks to your child. Try to avoid running at night when visibility is limited. “Your exercise should be satisfying and safe for both you and your new companions,” advises Tara. Also, leave distractions at home – including the iPod and the dog. Make this time simply about you and your kin.

About Tara Zimliki

Tara is a Certified Personal Trainer through The American Council on Exercise (ACE), and a Boot Camp Instructor. She has competed and trained with top athletes at the University of South Carolina where she was awarded a full cross-country scholarship. Tara has a B.A. from Rutgers University and specializes in fat loss and nutrition. She is passionate about helping people change both body and mind, believing positive results stem from positive attitudes. She helps clients maintain this attitude with fun, challenging and rewarding workouts.

Tara’s love of fitness started as a child when she began running at the young age of 7. She played numerous sports but running was her passion. Tara enjoyed it so much that she continued running right up until she had children, completing the New York Marathon 8 months pregnant and even ran 1 mile the day she gave birth to her first daughter and 3 miles the day she gave birth to her second daughter. Tara has completed 15 Marathons and hundreds of races worldwide. In addition, she has won many 5Ks and placed top in many long distance runs. In 2008, Tara placed in the top 500 women for the NYC Marathon. Recently, she won the USATF New Balance Long Distance Grand Prix for women 34 & under for the 4th consecutive year. Tara’s practices what she preaches in all aspects of fitness and health and for this reason she is a trusted trainer that produces results.

For more information on Tara’s Boot Camp, including registration details and full schedule, visit www.tarasbootcamp.com.

Dieters face situations that threaten their will power or even their ability to get the foods they are supposed to be eating. Catered business lunches, Sunday dinners at a relative’s home, birthday parties, lack of time to go to the supermarket: These are only a handful of the obstacles that stand between the dieter and her food plan. These problems are so common that advice on how to deal with them is standard in most weight-loss books and group programs.

But there is a threat to the female dieter that cannot be overcome by food lists and will-power and that is Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS.

PMS is a monthly disturbance in mood and appetite brought on by hormonal changes a few days before menstruation. Not all women experience it and even those who do may find that certain months are worse than others. But when it hits, it can be like a tidal wave, knocking down eating control, exercise programs and emotional stability. PMS removes a sense of emotional well-being and deposits in its place anger, irritability, confusion, exhaustion and depression. These unpleasant moods are often accompanied by an impulsive, uncontrollable need to eat. The foods craved during the last days of the menstrual cycle fall either into the greasy, salty, crunchy, starchy category or the fatty, creamy, sugary category.

Although it has been clear for millennium that something was happening to women each month that altered their mood, sleep, energy and eating, the explanations were often closer to witchcraft than science. Even in the latter part of the last century, remedies were suggested that turned out to be totally ineffective or actually worsened the condition. For instance, chocolate craving is a hallmark of PMS as in “I could kill for chocolate.” So well-meaning PMS therapists assumed chocolate was causing PMS and forbade it. It was believed that water on the brain (this was actually mentioned in the scientific literature) was affecting mood so diuretics were prescribed. Because the hormone progesterone increases in relation to estrogen at the end of the menstrual cycle, well-intentioned physicians prescribed even more to offset the PMS symptoms. This went on until carefully controlled research showed that progesterone made the symptoms worse. And even today, women’s magazines tell their readers to exercise, drink water, and eat fruits and vegetables to reduce the severity of the symptoms. This advice sounds good but it is impossible to follow by women who are exhausted, weepy, angry, and craving salty, greasy french fries.

Women with premenstrual syndrome do indeed eat more at that time than during the other weeks of their menstrual cycle. We monitored the calorie intake of women during their menstrual cycle in a study carried out at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Women lived in the Clinical Research Center during the first few days of their cycle and then returned three weeks later when they had PMS. The normal weight volunteers consumed about 1100 calories more when they were premenstrual than they did at other times of the month. And to no one’s surprise, the extra calories came from chocolate, potato chips, cookies and crackers.

Our volunteers had no problem returning to their healthy way of eating once the PMS passed and they easily lost the pound or two they may have gained from their premenstrual munching. But for dieters, PMS poses more than a temporary halt in their weight loss. Premenstrual syndrome may cause the dieter to abandon her diet.

One of our weight-loss clients described the effect of PMS on her weight loss: “For three weeks I am in control, and my food choices follow the diet plan exactly. Then one day, during the fourth week of my menstrual cycle, I wake up with an uncontrollable urge to eat junk food. I simply can’t stop myself. This goes on for three or four days until I get my period. So of course my diet is blown, and I am three or four pounds heavier than I was a week earlier.”

Yet it is possible to stop PMS from destroying a diet.

The solution is to increase the production of serotonin, the brain chemical involved in regulating mood and weight. We discovered at MIT that serotonin activity is diminished during PMS so simply increasing serotonin production reduces the unpleasant mood and overeating during this time of the month.

Increasing serotonin is easy. The brain chemical is made when a non-fruit carbohydrate is eaten. Here is all that needs to be done:

Twice a day (or more if necessary) eat a snack containing 30-35 grams of a starchy or sweet carbohydrate. Choose foods that have no more than 2 grams of protein and 2 grams of fat. Protein prevents serotonin from being made, and fat just adds calories.

Eat the foods on an empty stomach or three hours after a meal.

The snacks should be regarded as edible therapy for the PMS, not as a source of nutrition. Make sure you take your usual vitamin and calcium supplements and eat as many fruits, vegetables, low or non-fat dairy products and lean protein as your PMS cravings will allow.

Good snack choices include popcorn, fat-free fudge sauce (for PMS chocolate cravers), sweetened breakfast cereal, an English muffin with jam, oatmeal with brown sugar, graham crackers, low-fat granola bars, very low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt, low-fat rice or soy crackers, pretzels, low-fat meringue cookies, low-fat biscotti and cotton candy (in case you have PMS while at a county fair).

A few caveats:

• Alcohol is not a substitute for the carbohydrate.
• Eating fruit will not lead to serotonin production.
• Soda and other foods made with high fructose corn syrup sweeteners do not lead to serotonin production.
• Restrain yourself from munching on fat-filled brownies, chips, ice cream, and chocolate. Your brain doesn’t know the difference but your scale will.

The effects of eating a low or fat-free carbohydrate snack on your mood and appetite should be felt within 45 minutes or even sooner. After eating the snack, relax, meditate, read a book or contemplate that when you reach menopause, all this will be over.

© 2010 Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs — Nature’s Own Appetite Suppressant — to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain

Most of us have some bulges, roly-polys, or just lumps we don’t want the world or ourselves to have to see.  When you put on a pair of Marika’sit’s like stepping into a pair of “magic” pants.  Marika Miracles is made of speciality engineered Elasta-Tight fabric that contours, slims, provides support and control, improves core stability and posture and wicks away moisture.

So, on my venture to looking better while on my daily neighborhood walk, I traded in my beloved cottony fleece exercise pants and pulled on a pair of Marika.  I have to buy more because it is now my new “uniform” for walking, working out, and around town errands.  These pants are comfortable and extremely flattering.  Everyone who tries on a pair of Markia’swill buy them.  If I can look good in a pair of these than most definitely will too.

I rate these pants a 5 out of 5 stars.

Ginger Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry with Snow Peas:  Pineapple helps burn fat, reduce cellulite, and it has detoxifying and purifying properties. Pineapple boosts tons of flavor into this recipe that only has 243 Calories and 3.68 grams of fat per serving.

Roasted Cod Fillet with a Blueberry & Black Cherry Salsa: The blueberry and cherry season are short so find the best tasting berries now!  Blueberries help with digestion; they contain excellent antioxidants that help reduce bad cholesterol and they stimulate visual perception.

Blackberries are a revitalizing fruit that aid kidney function. This refreshing fruit combo recipe is only 190 calories and 1.75 grams of fat.

Strawberry Cantaloupe Soup: Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and will keep your immune system strong. Melon is the perfect fruit to quench your summer thirst and it helps your skin maintain moisture. This delightful summer treat contains 146 calories and .4 grams of fat.

Keeping your family healthy and happy is important, and at Wellspring Camps they make it easy to include the season’s luscious fruit into satisfying meals. This July, try these low-fat and fruity recipes, or visit the Wellspring website   for more family friendly recipes!

Ginger Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry with Snow Peas – Servings (4)
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast
1 red bell pepper
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
2 cups fresh snow peas
3/4 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 red onion roug chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
½ cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Method:
1.  Spray non-stick frying pan with a non-fat cooking spray. add to pan sesame seeds, chopped garlic, and chicken strips. saute for two minutes.
2. Add red pepper, onion, ginger, and mushrooms. continue to saute for 1 minute.
3. Add soy sauce, pineapple, red pepper flakes, and snow peas; cover and let cook for 1 minute.
4. Uncover and stir until chicken and vegetables are covered with sauce and chicken is fully cooked.

Roasted Cod Fillet with a Blueberry & Black Cherry Salsa- Servings – (4)
Ingredients:
4 – 4 oz. Atlantic cod fillets
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 black cherries, pits removed & quartered
2 tablespoons diced red onion
½ cup raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic
1 medium yellow tomato diced
1 medium orange bell pepper diced
4 slices of lemon
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method:
1. To make salsa, combine sugar and vinegar in a bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved. in a separate bowl add blueberries, black cherries, red onion, yellow tomato, orange pepper basil, salt, and black pepper. Pour sweetened vinegar in bowl and allow to marinate for thirty minutes.
2. Next preheat oven to 400 degrees. arrange fish on a nonstick baking sheet and place a slice of lemon on each fillet. Roast for 12 – 15 minutes or until done.
3. Remove lemon slices, top with salsa, and serve.
190 Calories
21.23 grams Protein
1.75 grams Fat

Strawberry Cantaloupe Soup – Servings – (4)
Ingredients:
1 medium cantaloupe
1 pint strawberries
1 cup skim milk
1 cup fat free plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint
Method:

Peel cantaloupe and cut in half. Remove seeds and cut in chunks. In a blender or food processor add cantaloupe, strawberries, skim milk, fat free yogurt, sugar, and vanilla. Blend on medium high for about two minutes or until consistency is smooth. Remove soup from blender or processor and pour into a bowl. Next add cinnamon and chopped mint. whisk in until evenly throughout the soup. Cover and place in refrigerator for one to two hours. Serve chilled.
Calories – 146 .25
Protein – 6 . 48 grams
Fat – 0.4 grams

This is so NOT the average toothbrush, for the following reasons:

-It has a 2Minute electric timer in the handle with a 30 second quadrant guide
-3 month Wear Meter tells time for replacement head
-93% of waste is eliminated by replacing only the head, not the whole toothbrush
-Premium RADIUS Hex bristles with a radiating design to ensure accurate and effective brushing

The RADIUS toothbrushes have up to 300 percent more bristles and they are soft, fine bristles.  RADIUS has seven distinct and unique lines of toothbrushes for different styles and needs, which you can peruse on their website   http://www.radiustoothbrush.com/ The kids tootbrushes are great, and they have travel cases too.

I have sensitive teeth and wish I had brushed longer and more thoroughly many years ago.  However, with the RADIUS Toothbrush I have that clean, fresh feeling each time, each 2-minute time, I brush!  Of course they also come in an array of colors so you’re bound to find one you like.

On a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the highest, I give this toothbrush and honest to goodness 6, with a strong urging for you to check them out.  The toothbrush head is very comfortable and cleans my teeth better than any other I have used. (Even is I cheat and use it for less than 2 minutes!).

Tara’s Bootcamp encompasses both circuit and interval training held over a 4 week period with 3 classes per week. This program is unique because all members are given support both in and out of class. All classes are different so all will continue to see results. Tara works with members of bootcamp to help them reach their weight loss and/or toning goals. This class is for all ages and activity levels.

 Tara Zimliki, founder of Tara’s Bootcamp, is no stranger to getting the whole family involved in her workouts. As a mom of two young daughters, she has perfected the art of making “fitness into fun time” with her children. Below are some of her favorite tips for those looking to maximize their time at the playground.

Simple Exercises for the Playground:

Use the Monkey Bars for chin ups or pull-ups, which will effectively tone your triceps, biceps, core and back.

The swing set is a perfect tool to use for stability and core exercises. Try a one-leg squat with one foot in the seat of the swing. Target your abs by sitting on the swing and leaning back about 45 degrees. Hold your legs straight out in front of you and cross them over one another in a “scissor” motion.  Park Benches are not just for sitting! Target your shoulders and triceps with a bench dip. Place your hands on the edge of the bench seat and your feet angled in front of you.  Lower yourself off the bench with your hands until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle, and lift back up.

Become a Jungle-Gym Jock. While your kids play on the jungle gym, use it to strengthen your arms with a standing push-up. The farther back you stand from the gym, the harder the push-ups become.

How to Turn Your Stroller Into a Personal Gym:

Lunges and Squats are made more fun for kids by using their strollers for support or added resistance.

Running with a Stroller is no picnic, but Tara suggests ramping up your workout with intervals to make your routine go from boring to exciting for your kids.

Noxicare‘s website product description:

Noxicare is a breakthrough natural, patent-pending pain relief formula that is a proprietary combination of 7 of the world’s most potent natural pain relievers that quickly and effectively alleviate inflammation, muscle aches and nerve pain—with NO known side effects and without a prescription.

Noxicare is available in tablets for all-over pain or in a topical cream for localized pain.

I have yet to use the tablets but I did enjoy the cream. I usually use the cream for my wrists, lower back and knee. I love the fact that I can wear it and it doesn’t stink up the car or my hands. The tube is only $19.95 and for the fact that it doesn’t smell and works is worth it!

Focus28 allows you to pick from several different food choices so you can creat a custom plan of shakes, puddings, snacks, full meals (yum) and beverages.  Here’s the thing – they even taste good.  How often can you really say that about weight-loss plan foods?  I’ve been snacking on the Cinna-Crunch ‘n Chocolate and it really curbs the appetite.  For a yummy, smooth shake I’ve had the Strawberry Cream- which comes in a packet so you can bring it to work with you for a nutritionally designed shake that has 15 grams of protein with vitamians and minerals.

Listen, I absolutely know that those last pounds are so frustrating to get rid of, but with all the help from Focus28 and at least 20 minutes of exercise each day you CAN do it and feel satisfied.  Plus, they offer a deal on free shipping!

Click on over their website and check it out.  Let us hear your success stories on how 28 is the new 10.

Tip 1- Take The Plung!
Poolside fat burner – approximately 400-800 calories burned!
At chest level about 80 to 90% of the body is supported due to buoyancy, therefore the joints and bones are well protected.  You will shape and tone up faster, as water provides more resistance. Flexibility and balance improves, as there are a wider range of motions, which can be performed in water. It is not healthy to run in higher temperatures, so why not warm up by walking the perimeter of the pool, then jogging it.  In the shallow end, do 60 seconds each of walking lunges, squats, and leg lifts to the front side and back, holding on to the edge. If you use an aqua free weight or flow tie it increase the feeling of resistance & will add the perfect intensity to your workout.

Finish working the lower body with flutter kicks holding the edge or using a kickboard.  Then submerge to the neck and do chest presses, reverse flies, bicep curls, and arm circles to work the upper body.

Tip 2 – Hit The Beach!
Aside from the beautiful view of the ocean and the great people watching there are many benefits of walking on the beach.  Walking in sand requires a greater effort than walking on a hard surface. Your muscles and tendons will work harder as your foot moves around.  Walking at a slower pace requires more effort than walking fast or even jogging.  Walking in sand requires 2.1 to 2.7 times more energy than walking on hard surfaces.  Jogging in sand uses 1.6 times more energy than jogging on hard surfaces!

Tip 3 – Drink Up!
Hydration is the key to wellness and weight loss.  It is recommended to drink 1 gallon of water a day or 1/2 your weight in ounces and in the summer months even more! Also, try sugar-free low-cal drinks next time you want to quench your thirst or have some great-tasting popsicles. For your most refreshing new weight loss flavored water go to http://www.focus28.com/

Tip 4-Take A 10 Minute Summer Vacation That Burns 100 Calories!
–At the carnival try 15 min. of Dance revolution burns 100 calories
–At the park try 30 min. of Frisbee or flying a kite burns 100 calories
–In your backyard try 10 min of jumping rope burn 100 calories
–Anywhere try a quickie-20 min. of vigorous sexual activity

Multivitamins and Water

Step 1:

Begin taking multivitamins on a daily basis.  Do your research, but take organic as opposed to synthetic.  I highly recommend Isagenix Women’s Essentials, as they were recommended to me by my doctor and I’ve have been taking them regularly for two years with excellent results.  My 80 year-old mother takes these vitamins and is off all medications.  That’s probably the best referral I know.

The human body needs vitamins to function properly. Each of the 13 essential vitamins (A, C, D, E, K, B12, and the 7 B-complex vitamins) provides the regulation of a crucial function. We acquire a majority of the vitamins our body needs from food. When there is a deficiency, we are in danger of becoming seriously ill or even dying. Vitamin supplementation can reverse illness caused by vitamin deficiency. Everyone can benefit from taking multivitamins. The obvious benefit of taking a multivitamin is to prevent deficiency.

You can be overweight and malnourished. Too much food does not mean too many vitamins.  A good multivitamin is the foundation of health and nutrition.

Step 2:

Drink water. Lots of it, plain and simple. Avoid those flavored, vitamin, or sugared waters. Run from anything with Splenda as an ingredient in any food you ingest.  Here are 6 reasons to drink water:

1. Keeps your brain healthy. Brain tissue contains about 85% water. Drinking water regularly will keep the brain functioning properly.
2. Water regulates body temperature
3. Flushes out the toxins. The function of our kidneys is to remove waste from our bodies. They help to flush toxins out of our blood stream.
4. Decreases risk of heart attacks
5. Raises your metabolism. Metabolism is the means by which the food we consume is turned into energy.
6. Fresh and healthy skin. Water primarily stimulates the circulation of blood, fluids, and the necessary elements inside our body.

Most health professionals will tell you to drink one half ounce (0.5 oz) of water a day for every pound of body weight. This means half your weight in water.  Therefore, if you weigh 200 pounds you need to drink 100 ounces of water per day.

So, get yourself some vitamins, fill your water bottles and begin.

After three successful series of The Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver could have easily retired from television and publishing, bought a little pub/restaurant in the Essex countryside and spent the rest of his life cooking and taking it easy. But there’s a part of Jamie that wants to make the world a better place, wants everyone to have the knowledge and the opportunity to enjoy good food, and wants to help people who perhaps haven’t had anyone there to help them before.

This side to Jamie was first seen in the Channel 4 series “Jamie’s Kitchen” which followed the setting up of Fifteen London restaurant and the Fifteen Foundation charity which helps young people not in education or employment to train for a good career in the catering industry.

Against the odds, Fifteen London became a success and was followed by similar projects in Amsterdam, Cornwall and Melbourne, all still training young people. Yet, Jamie wanted to do more, and around the middle of 2003, he started thinking about how to make bigger, more positive change happen; change that would affect not merely a handful of young people but millions…

Jamie has made a new series for American TV about food – how families eat, what kids get at school and why, like the UK, the diet of processed food and snacks is causing so many health and obesity problems. The series was filmed in Huntington, West Virginia.
Jamie’s challenge was to see if he can get a whole community cooking again. He worked with the school lunch ladies and local families to get everyone back in the kitchen and making tasty meals with fresh ingredients – no packets, no cheating. He’s started a Food Revolution: to get people all over America to reconnect with their food and change the way they eat.

This food revolution is about saving America’s health by changing the way you eat. It’s not just a TV show, it’s a movement for you, your family and your community. If you care about your kids and their future take this revolution and make it your own. Educate yourself about food and cooking. Find out what your child is eating at school. Make only a few small changes and magical things will happen. Switching from processed to fresh food will not only make you feel better but it will add years to your life.

Sign the petition to save America’s cooking skills and improve school food.

Join the Food Revolution community on Facebook.

Join by going to www.jamieoliver.com and be a part of this fantastic revolution!!

David has shaped some of the most beautiful “abs and arms” in Hollywood – including Heidi Klum, Faith Hill, Ellen Barkin, Liv Tyler, Kerry Washington, Anne Hathaway, Karolina Kurkova and Linda Evangelista to name a few.You are invited to attend David Kirsch’s first ever Butt Camp in New York City!  If your looking to get bikini ready super fast- then you wont want to miss this major event.

When: Thursday May 6 from 6-7PM

Where: Space NK Apothecary 99 Green Street NYC

What: 30 minutes of David’s easy- to -follow do -anywhere excersises designed to sculpt, shape or shrink your bum. Plus: A special focus on abs and arms from David’s new book Abs and Arms. David will also be signing books and sharing his tips on slimming down and staying energized and staying gorgeous from the inside out.

Wear: Comfortable workout clothing

How Much: $50.00 applicable fee towards product purchase

Space is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment: (212) 941-4200.

Hope to see you there!

Check out David’s website at:  www.davidkirschwellness.com

There is a newer website out there helping provide everyone with amazing options to living well it is calledwww.wellnessdaily.com. This website is extremely comprehensive there are tons of members just like you and me who are looking to better their lives. The website is sponsored by Jennie-O turkey products. So there are tons of coupons and rebates for their turkey product, which is extremely healthy and good for you.

They have extremely large sections on weight loss and stress relief which most of us can use a little of both in our lives. I especially can use a little of both. Jennnie-O is providing a coupon for the first 25,000 members to rebate you up to $5 dollars on any of their products.

We here at Pajama Mommy truly do understand how much effort and work it can take to live a healthier life. We are always trying to come up with simple ways that will work well with everyday hectic lives we all can live. We also know that there are hundreds of thousands of resources out there that are great. When we have the opportunity to test them we try our hardest to play around with the site, see the ins and outs of it. Look at the draw backs and the draw to’s. This definitely is a good site for everyone to use!

This is the first in a series of articles for pjmommy on how I am shedding pounds.   Along with my story there will be some recipes, exercises and tips.  A few points before I begin:  First off, I don’t say lose weight because I don’t want it back – it’s dropping or shedding weight, but never lose, losing or lost. And I’m never on a diet, I just don’t care for that word.  I eat healthier or consciously eat because we all know that standing at the cupboard shoving Oreos is our mouth is not exactly consciously eating. Also, here’s my disclaimer – seek a physician’s advice before starting this or any exercise program or regimen.  All right, with that out of the way, here goes. . .

Hello. My name is Linda and at 47 years old I was overweight – a lot overweight.  I was out of shape, miserable, cranky, and just not a happy person. It doesn’t much matter how I got there.  My wardrobe was becoming very limited. It was limited to anything that I could still fit into and if it covered up the bulges then I had one in every color. Yes I know that round is a shape but it’s not a shape I wanted to be.  Who doesn’t want to be an hourglass?   I procrastinated on buying new lingerie, especially bras and didn’t exactly feel sexy or romantic.  I had heartburn and indigestion almost everyday and couldn’t sleep a full night.  I was stressed from stressing myself out about the way I looked. The indigestion was probably from the fat pushing all my insides way up in my body and I don’t want to think about what was going on with my heart.  My problem was that I was uninspired, unmotivated and lacked self-esteem.  Being a lazy couch potato didn’t help nor did the fact that I own a cooking website and was constantly eating testing recipes. Moderation was not  my lifestyle.
My husband (God bless him) reviewed our finances and worked out in his magical way just how we could purchase one of those incline machines which is also a treadmill.  I truly believe he was tossing me a gentle hint but to this day still denies it.  So, we bought one and had so much fun putting it together.  It has electronic cards for three different levels of work-outs, a fan, and speakers so you could plug in an iPod and listen out loud or with headphones. It’s really cool. It also looked nice in the spare room where it collected dust for four months.
Most everybody I know has some sort of exercise equipment whether it’s a stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical, Total Gym, incline trainer, weights, stepper, exercise ball, etc., etc., etc.  The problem is that nobody uses them! I was warned to “Never, never, never hang clothes on the handles of the treadmill; it’ll become your most expensive coat rack.” ’  I also made sure to rarely step foot into that spare room for those four months.
But then something happened with a full length mirror and bathroom scale – Gasp! I did the unthinkable:  I weighed myself stark naked then looked in that mirror.  By the time I wiped my tears, got dressed and walked out of that bathroom, I officially became motivated and never looked back.

And that is how, on July 4th, I established my Independence From Fat .

I am 5’3″ and weighed 235 pounds.

]]> http://pjmommy.com/how-i-shed-65-pounds-of-weight-and-you-can-too/feed/ 6 http://pjmommy.com/pulse-yoga-reader-giveaway/ http://pjmommy.com/pulse-yoga-reader-giveaway/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:00:43 +0000 Sandy http://pjmommy.com/?p=6609 Created by Argie Ligeros Tang and Prisca Boris.

Pulse Yoga is a result of my personal quest to find yoga routines that accomplish much more than other yoga styles. A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteopenia. This is almost osteoporosis, but not quite. I was shocked as I have been practicing yoga for so many years and consider myself to be in very good physical condition. The doctor told me that I needed to do some sort of weight training program. I have never really liked working out in a gym, always preferring yoga. I also did not want to give up precious time allotted to my yoga practice, so I decided to incorporate free weights into my yoga routines.

As a woman in my 50′s, I also wanted more toning, strengthening and increased muscle definition, again without using machines in the gym. So, in addition to the free weights, I added micro movements that primarily target areas such as the gluteus muscles, abdominals, upper arms and lower back. These micro movements within the yoga postures are highly effective with results that are noticeable immediately.

A basic yoga routine that introduces the Pulse concept of micro movements within a posture. Key areas such as abdominal, lower back and gluteous muscles are targeted. Alternating right/left pulse movements with free weights define and sculpt the upper body.

• Apply the use of free weights in novel ways to basic yoga postures
• Strengthen and tone key areas such as the abdominals, lower back upper arms and gluteus
• Teach core awareness
• Stretch chronically tight areas such as the hamstrings and hip flexors

KMR Communications, Inc is pleased to offer one reader a DVD of PulseYoga.com by following rules below:

Rules
1. Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

2. You must leave a comment.

Additional Entries:

1. You may join our RSS feed preferably through the email subscription having the same email address on the comment that you have in the RSS feed.

2. You may write about our contest on your blog!

3. Tweet about this contest and comment here to tell us!

CONTEST ENDS:  December 12, 2009 @ MIDNIGHT EST.

And now, I am pretty excited to tell you about the cLean Momma Lifestyle Program.  The cLean Momma Lifestyle Program is the product of Los Angeles-based SAHM Carolyn Barnes who created this amazing exercise routine that you can do while cleaning your house!  I know, it sounds almost too good to be true, but how awesome is it that you can tackle two important aspects of your life at once?

When I first heard of the cLean Momma Lifestyle Program, I thought there was no way this would ever work.  I was wrong!  When first starting this program, about a week ago, it kicked my butt.  Yes, I am that out of shape.  Multi-tasking is a key ingredient when taking on motherhood, so I love the fact that while doing my dishes, folding laundry or cleaning up a mountain of toys, I am also able to tone my tummy, thighs and booty at the same time.  The cLean Momma Lifestyle Program is divided into three sections:

• The “Clean” Routine: Perform a task while you exercise at the same time, or as she likes to call it: “taskersizing”
• The “Clean” Mindset: Learn to achieve anything you set your mind to and stay motivated
• The “Clean” Diet: Make “smart” food choices and learn the definition of moderation!

Along with the cLEAN Momma website, you can read Carolyn’s latest blog posts, sign up to follow cLEANMomma on Facebook and Twitter and purchase the DVD.  In this 45-minute workout, Carolyn takes you through each of her cLEAN Momma exercises while also showing you how to incorporate it into your busy day. The cLEAN Momma DVD is available now at www.cLEANMomma.com. Price: $14.99.

To see Carolyn in action, please click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/user/cleanmomma#p/f.

FITNESS TIPS:

1. MOVE MORE EVERY DAY – Make it a daily challenge to find more ways to move your body. Take the stairs over the elevator, walk your dog, take brief walks during lunch breaks, ride your bike to work – any small step goes a long way in improving your overall fitness.
2. MELT AWAY FAT WITH MUSCLE- Your metabolism is a direct reflection of your muscle mass to fat mass ratio. A good resistance training routine will supercharge your metabolism in just 90 minutes a week. Simply do 3, 30 minute sessions a week. Cardio is great for over all health and burns fat while you are doing it, but when you do resistance training you build muscle and muscle burns calories even at rest, hence supercharging your metabolism.
3. BE SMART, WORK YOUR HEART – There are many conflicting opinions on cardio vascular exercise and a study to back up each of them. Some say do very short, very intense interval training and others endorse going slower but for a longer time period. I know people that get great results doing both. I think the best form of cardio is the form you will do on a consistent basis. Getting your heart rate into the fat burning zone is important and the best way to judge this is that you are exercising hard enough that you can barely carry on a conversation, in other words you can speak but just barely but not so hard that you are gasping for air in order to finish a sentence.
4. THE POWER OF FLEXIBILITY – Keeping your muscles flexible is very important especially as you age. Today with yoga, Pilates, etc there are many fun ways to incorporate this into your fitness routine both at home and in the gym.
5. YOU ARE YOUR BEST INVESTMENT – Everyone today is worried about their investment portfolios, their income, their home, business’s, jobs and tend to over look their greatest asset…. themselves. You can have the most incredible God given talents, abilities and skills and the best education money can buy and still fall flat on your face, it happens every day. Action not assets is the key to an extraordinary life and by not taking care of yourself you are minimizing your greatest asset and your ability to take action. It is difficult to take action when you are exhausted. Also keep in mind that the same blood that flows through your body flows through your brain. Do you think you will be more aware and alert if the blood flowing through your brain is fat laden or if it is rich in oxygen and nutrients? Take care of your greatest asset by following some of these simple tips.

HEALTH AND DIET TIPS

1. CALORIC INTAKE IS IMPORTANT – This is simple math. Burn more than you consume. Your caloric intake must not exceed the amount you normally burn, since any excess would then be converted and stored energy into fats.
2. PUT SOMETHING WITH A FACE AND SOMETHING GREEN ON YOUR PLATE- If you don’t like counting calories you will like this. Eat something with a face…protein and green vegetables and avoid all the starchy carbohydrates like bread, cake, potatoes, rice,etc then your body will learn to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates and you will become a lean, mean fat burning machine, without counting calories. Then once a week have a victory meal or victory day when you eat what ever you want. THE SKINNY ON FAT – Cut out the bad fats but get some good fat in your diet. Avoid fried foods, food high in saturated fat and focus on lean proteins such as chicken and turkey breast, fish, egg whites, no fat cottage cheese. And make sure you get your good fats from fish and fish oil, olive oil, avocado and nuts like almonds.
3. WATCH YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE – While recent studies show a glass of wine a day can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. And one drink can pack in 100 calories or more and make it harder for you to reach your fitness goals.
4. DRINK WATER- Drinking water does several things, it keeps you hydrated, it helps flush your body of fat and toxins and it will also help curb your appetite. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day.
5. SET A REALISTIC GOAL – Weight loss and fitness goals should be three things: realistic, believable, and exciting. Despite what is seen on TV, losing more than 2 pounds a week can make permanent weight loss difficult, set a steady but realistic goal and reward yourself for reaching milestones along the way. Make goals believable but also exciting, challenge yourself and take everything one day at a time, towards an overall goal of a healthier life. The key is to make this part of your lifestyle to enhance your life.
6. CONSISTENCY IS KEY- Success in an endeavor follows consistent action. Remember it requires discipline to do the things today that you don’t necessarily want to do, so you can do the things you dream of doing tomorrow!

Nature Made is extending and offer for the holidays for all our readers of  $10 off your purchase of a 28-day supply of vitaminID products, and to redeem the code, you just have to complete your health survey on vitaminID.com and enter the code SMART2 at checkout and you’ll be good to go for receiving your customized daily regimen ! Oh and hurry as  the code expires 12/31/09!!

From Cheryl Jones, Creator of Sports Clubs for Kids at Town Sports International

1. Don’t be afraid of the cold: Bundle up and encourage outside play times. If there is snow on the ground…go sledding or tubing, have a snowball fight, build a snow man, make snow angels or just go for a fun hike. 
2. Enroll your child in an instructional class: swimming, dance, gymnastics or indoor sports classes. 
3. Find indoor activities at your local skating rink, bowling alley, laser tag center or rock climbing gym. 
4. Discover a local community center or health club with basketball courts, pools and/or tennis courts. Shoot hoops, swim or volley tennis balls across the net. 
5. Rent or purchase a children’s fitness video. Instead of watching cartoons and playing video games–push the couch and tables out of the way and workout together. 
6. Turn up the volume! Download your children’s favorite music and just dance. Have your kids re-enact their own music video, video tape them and play it back for hours of fun! 
7. Check out kids fitness classes or mommy and me group exercise classes at your local health club or gym. 
8. Create an obstacle course in your house. Set up stations in your family room or throughout your house. Tunnels, hula hoops, jump ropes, steps and physio balls are great props for an exciting playtime. 
9. Summer is not the only time for camp! Look for school’s out holiday camps and mini clinics at your local health club or community center. Kids can enroll in half day or full day activities. 
10.  Don’t forget the game of Twister. This game is an all time favorite for kids and adults!  And other classic games like Duck Duck Goose and Freeze Tag can be played at any time. 

Furthermore, even if you child isn’t participating in a fall sport this year, there is also a safety worry in the classroom! In order to combat the rising number of cases of childhood obesity, many schools are now enforcing a more vigorous physical education program, in turn leading to greater opportunities for injury. Recent findings from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital of Columbus, OH, show that gym class injuries increased 150% over the past ten years. The study also notes a national estimate of nearly 37,000 annual injuries on average, with fewer than 30,000 in 1997 and climbing to more than 60,000 injuries a year by 2007.

Sports physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons are taking note and spending more time discussing with parents, coaches and young athletes how to better prepare themselves in order to prevent severe injury. Below, renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr Eric A. Crone of the Gramercy Surgery Center and NY Ortho, Sports Medicine & Trauma Center, both in New York City, offers his advice on how help children, athletes and pupils steer clear of the doctor’s office this fall.

Sample Talking Points:

• Physical Examination: Before participating in any sports activities or rigorous physical education program, children should under-go a yearly physical examination provided by their family physician. The family doctor may be able to detect any possible bone, joint or muscle problems early on, so not to lead to a greater chance for injury later

• Physical Condition: Often I see young athletes come to see me with injuries that occurred because there muscles or stamina simply was not up to speed with the activity they were performing. Especially when entering the fall sports season, young athletes are often un-prepared for vigorous work-outs after not properly training their bodies over the summer. Coaches and teachers should offer their students daily work-out routines prior to tryouts so that they can come to their first day of practice prepared

• Proper Equipment: No matter what the activity, athletes must be provided with the correct equipment needed for their sports. Many of my patients come to me with injuries that resulted from improper gear (helmets, padding, sneakers) and or damaged equipment

• Stretching: Often coaches and teachers do not enforce or provide adequate stretching time before and after physical activity, which can in turn be detrimental to young athletes. Un-stretched muscles have a greater chance to be pulled as lactic acid builds up during physical activity as after physical activity is completed. Athletes must stretch prior to and after every practice, class or game in order to ensure that the correct warm-up and cool-down of the muscles occurs

• Technique: In my practice, improper technique is the leading cause of devastating sport’s related injuries. If children learn from an early age the wrong way to tackle, jump, kick or swing the pattern is embedded in muscle memory and hard to correct, which in the long run can cause serious injury

• Nutrition: Now that school has begun again, parents cannot always monitor a child’s food intake at all times, but proper nutrition is still a vital component when preventing sport’s injuries

• Rest: With the fall being a relatively short season, allowing a limited amount of time for pre-season training, young athletes will push themselves to meet the practice demands of their coaches and trainers. I always remind coaches and parents to offer their young athletes enough time for rest and recuperation, which give their muscles time to heal and ultimately make them stronger

• Treatment: Remember although your child may simply be sore from over-exertion, a small ache or pain could result in a larger problem down the road. If your child has on-going pain that does not go suppress over time, make sure to consult a sports medicine trainer or sports orthopedic surgeon for proper diagnosis

NuYu provides you with the motivation and energy that propels you to the results that you’ve always deserved, through an easily accessible library of hundreds of free, high-quality online workout videos featuring certified personal trainers. In addition, a developing online community lets you interact with top in their field personal trainers and other members, sharing information and successes and giving you the extra push needed to achieve your goals! Please check out this great website to get started to a whole new you at www.discoveranewyou.com.

Does your inside, match your outside?
As a fitness expert for decades, I’ve coached men and women to get themselves in the ultimate shape, from the inside out. Exercise is an important part of life, and how you fuel your body, affects your mind, the way you operate and function, and how well you can perform in all areas of your life. Your body is your temple, a machine, and how well you energize it and fuel it determines how well it works! It sounds simple, but if it were, the diet and fitness industry wouldn’t be as massive as it is today!

When someone wants to improve their physical fitness, there are often other areas that need improvement as well. Whether it’s an everyday person with a normal job or a television personality — we’re all human. We all have the same core issues and needs.
When I worked with one of The Real Housewives of Orange County cast members Jeanna Keough, I focused on the inside, as well as the outside. She’d been in the throes of a divorce, and the resulting feelings and trauma from that would naturally take a toll.
It’s important not to overlook what is going on inside someone, when you’re coaching them on external changes. It’s all integrated, and who we are inside, affects who we are outside. Exercise is an important part of life, yet one of the hallmarks of depression is an inactive lifestyle. Psychologists will tell you that it’s hard for someone who is depressed to think about moving. But moving is exactly what’s needed to lift your mood, and create the physical changes you desire. Even in the darkest valley of your life, it’s important to see the light, and reach for it. Often that’s the first step in mental and physical wellness.

One important and still relevant life lesson stems from the old term no pain, no gain. Throughout the peaks and valleys in your life you’ll discover that true strength comes from the ashes of struggle. This is the same way with physical fitness and it’s a big focus in my training and coaching programs, because a lot of people are trying to understand how to get from where they are, to where they want to be. How do you get out of debt, shed 50 pounds, and achieve the life of your dreams? It seems impossible when you’re in the pit of depression, when you’re in debt, when you’re overweight, or struggling. But it’s all possible, and I coach people how to take one day, and one step at a time to transform.

How?
Step 1: Take action in your life today.
You must be willing to let go of the life that you have (or some things within it) in order to grasp the life ahead of you, the life you are destined for! This lesson is about letting go, and moving on. It’s about taking action in order to live the life of your dreams!

Are there people, places, or even things you need to let go of? Make a list today and you’ll be amazed at how this one simple act ignites transformation. Once you do you are free to take action towards your dreams because you’re moving in the right direction, without any anchors or unnecessary baggage.

Step 2: Keep moving.
Movement is about creating inertia, in your body, mind and soul. When you move mentally, you create change. When you move physically, your external body transforms!

There is power, in movement.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and body. That increases the amount of oxygen and removes cellular waste products. Physical exercise causes the lungs to draw in extra oxygen to bathe the tissues and help power the heart. Exhalation removes carbon dioxide, and waste products from biochemical reactions. It’s the same when you exercise your mind and take steps towards your dreams. When you take action, instead of waiting to attract something, your life unfolds and things start to happen!

Step 3: Take a holistic approach.
Don’t allow yourself to focus too much on one area, only. Give yourself a brief assessment. Are you in the best mental, and physical shape you could be in? If not, what can you do to change? Taking a moment to pause, and think about the condition of your body mind and soul, will help you stay balanced and healthy in all areas. Taking a holistic approach means understanding what’s out of balance in your life.

Step 4: Get into a routine.
Successful people who live healthy lives have learned to incorporate some sort of routine in their day. That’s because consistent healthy patterns on a daily basis, create the foundation for real growth and success. Add physical and mental fitness to your schedule. Focus on your physical routine (exercise) as well as your mental routine (reading a positive book, affirmations, or studying something that will expand your mind).

Step 5: Re-wire your mind.
Program your brain for healthy thoughts! Listen to positive music, ipod downloads, and CD’s in the car. Your thoughts drive your future, and if you tend to process things negatively, be self-aware enough to turn that around. Top athletes like Tiger Woods, are masters of their minds, focusing on positive thoughts, concentration, and mental management. Having a healthy and positive outlook is essential for your best life.

Getting Mentally Fit and Physically Fit
In life, your mental and physical routines should be intertwined. One thing affects the other, and even if you’re physically fit on the outside, it’s important to be just as physically fit on the inside. Ask yourself today, does your inside, match your outside?The benefits of a regular fitness program are increased muscle mass, toned legs, buttocks, arms, abs, and healthier looking skin. But the benefits of paying attention to your emotional and intellectual state of mind are a healthier outlook on life, and more positive relationships in life, and also in business. When I coach someone in fitness, I always emphasize the power of routines, and a holistic mind, body approach.
Are you satisfied with your progress in all quadrants of your life — physical, spiritual, emotional and financial? If not, what’s holding you back? Find your compass, and get in sync. Take steps that will lead you to live the life of your dreams.

I recently got my hands on the InMat and instantly fell in love. Not only is it ultra-plush for the baby, but machine washable for moms- making it an easy clean-up item. Our In-Mat goes everywhere with us and can do so easily. You can roll you InMat up tightly, with a magnetic closure and toss it right into the diaper bag, making it the perfect item for moms and babies on the go. We take our InMat to my daughter’s pediatrcian appointments with us, so that when she wants to play around on the floor, I do not have to worry about what she is laying on. I even had my husband bring our InMat up to the hospital when my daughter was admitted as a little extra cushioning in her bed. It truly is an amazing accessory that every parent should have.

For some great tips and ways to use your InMat, visit the Go Baby website. Here is a sneak peak at one of the tips their website gives:

Relieve Baby’s Ear Pain

Step 1) Place your pointer finger behind your baby’s earlobe while placing your thumb at the place where the earlobe attaches to the face. Pinch gently three times on each side holding the intention to relieve ear congestion.

Step 2) Hold baby’s foot in one hand and “caterpillar-walk” the thumb of your other hand in short, forward moving motion along the sole of the foot, just under the fourth toe to the base of the pinky toe, until you reach the outer edge of the foot. Repeat as you take five deep breaths.

Step 3) Hold baby’s hand in yours – palm up. With the thumb of your free hand, caterpillar-walk your thumb in the area just under the fourth finger to the base of the pinky finger, until you reach the outer edge of the hand. Repeat as you take five deep breaths. By applying the caterpillar-walk to specific ear points on the body we can help relieve ear pain.

The Smart Steps portion plate shows the right portion size created from My Pyramid for your toddler. It is split into three sections, which includes, Fruits & Vegetables, Proteins, and Grains, all color coded. The second plate can be used as a snap-on lid to keep food fresh for your toddler. Included in the plates are two dipping cups, which are great for samplers. I used the two cups for new foods, I even used them for apple sauce, and spinach. I enjoyed watching the little one discover new foods and they are great for taste-testing.

The Smart Steps discovery spoon is amazing. This spoon is designed to make feeding easier for parents and for toddlers. It gives toddlers the ability to explore foods for themselves. The spoons are definitely different from any other spoon I have tried. My favorite part is they are flat, which makes it easier for removal and picking up of food. We had a few problems at first, switching the toddler from a smaller, deeper spoon, to the more shallow spoon. But, I did notice a difference in the amount of food that actually got into his mouth. I was very impressed with the durability and gentleness of this spoon. I recommend this spoon to all parents for their toddlers, it can be found at Babies “R” Us.

The Smart Steps insulated cup is 100% non-spill. This is a huge deal for toddlers. Toddlers enjoy drinking fluids, I wish I drank as much fluids as them. But, toddlers also enjoy throwing their cups around, leaving them on floors, and shaking them. The Smart Steps insulated cup is made with a valve incorporated into the spout. Therefore, the toddler will need to squeeze the spout in order to release the fluid. Not only are these cups easy to wash and spill proof, but they are colorful and designed with a neoprene sleeve. This sleeve keeps the drinks warm, or cold longer.

I encourage parents to take a pledge during March to teach your toddler healthier eating habits. The healthier you eat, the healthier your child will eat! I fully recommend the Smart Steps toddler line in order to help promote healthier eating. Always have family dinners at the table, with no T.V., and always introduce new foods to your toddler. With the portion plate, you will be able to know what to feed your toddler for dinner and how much is needed to keep him/her healthy! Take a stand this March, make a difference in your household, spread the word to let others be aware of the obesity rise in childhood! Check out Evenflo’s website for more tips on keeping your toddler healthier and to check out their products!

For example the compression bra which you see to the left is described as “a gentle and soft post-operative bra designed to provide gentle compression all around the torso for women with post-surgical discomfort or chest or breast lymphedema. The Compression Bra is ideal for reconstruction, augmentation and reduction.”

They are perfect for when we need something most comforting, they also work for women who are doing things like mommy makeovers and are having cosmetic surgery done after masectomies or just implants. The women behind the company actually designed these with women in mind. Which is great. How many times have you bought a bra or something just for comfort and you can say honestly you think it was designed by a man with no idea about the comfort or support a woman really needs? Well they know what a woman needs since they are women. They have lingerie, camisoles, bras, and shoe kits for those who have issues with tying shoe laces (for kids and adults!)

Other times kids can get them and they are too embarrassed or ashamed to visit the doctor. So making sure you have the best options for treatment is really key for yourself or your wee one who is suffering.

If you are anything like me research is one of the most important thigns I do for anything. Wheather it is for face wash, finding out whats going on in a medicine I’m prescribed, or just trying to fix a personal problem. (Such as my ganglion cyst.)  This website is really informative for people suffering hemorrhoids.

The website explains various forms of hemorrhoid treatment, along with discussing the causes, cures, surgery information and everything you need to know. One of the best things is you get the information with out a ridiculous amount of ads in your face, in fact I really didn’t even see a single ad. They only “ad” they have is where they are discussing a specific type of treatment which is venapro. Their “ad” is a review of this all natural product. It has ingredients you can actually pronounce which is just amazing and perfectly safe for kids, and if you’re breast feeding and you’re trying to take care of after birth hemorrhoids without putting any time of chemicals in or on your body this is a really great alternative.

The website is Diet Food Delivery it is an online blog dedicated to all the different programs and giving you really good information on what works and what doesn’t and lets you read other peoples storieso n how well they work. I love that they have both male and females writing in weekly about whats going on with them! Their website discusses 2 products the medifast and the nutrisystem. Now personally I have yet to hear of the Medifast system but I have heard of the nutrisystem. So I was quite curious to know how the nutrisystem works since I’ve seen it all over my tv to the point where I just want to fast forward since to be quite honest I thought it was a load of crap.

I was in shock that the gentlemen that blogs about the product has lost 18lbs in in 7 weeks on this product so it does work. I’ve seen products work a little quicker but those are full body cleanses. Not many people can do this. I have trouble doing programs like that since we are so used to putting food in our mouths we associate hunger with chewing. So even though your stomach is full your mind thinks you need to eat. So these programs are perfect for people like me that need to chew on something in order  to feel full.

The website is super informative so for people who are thinking about losing weight before the winter “padding” (aka all the delicious food goes to your ass) this is the perfect time to start…yes even in this economy we can all stand to feel good about something in our lives right?!