Dancing Away from the Traditional Aerobics

With the popular TV series So You Think You Can Dance as well as Dancing with the Stars, many are taking new interests in learning how to dance for their workout benefits and also, because it's FUN!

Dancing burns calories, boosts energy, and tones muscles. It can also help relieve stress and tension and improve your mood.

What's great about a dancing workout is that it does not involve any equipment or proper workout clothes. I know a lot of people are not into the whole "work out" thing, but dancing allows people to express creativity in a way that treadmills or ellipticals wouldn't allow them to.


Many gyms offer a variety of different dancing techniques. With names like Afro-robics, Cardio Soul or Dance Fusion, people are surely going to be drawn into these creative classes.

Here is some of the types of dancing that are offered in fitness facilities today:


Belly-dancing:


Not only is bellydancing fun, but it is a great workout as it improves posture and muscle toning, weightloss, and stess reduction. As someone who has tried it, I highly reccommend it because it is so fun and you think it doesn't give you a workout, but each time I actually had a class, it really made me sore the next day. Per hour, it surprisingly burns a wopping 250-300 calories. Try it!


Pole-dancing:



Though I've never had, or probably ever will take a "Pole-dancing" class, I have heard great things about these classes. Many have determined that pole and erotic dancing have proved to be more of a mental (ex confidence) as well as physical empowerful especially for women. Pole dancing is a LOT more strenuous than it looks. An increased muscle definition and overall toning of your body --especially in legs, arms and thighs.

Salsa dancing:

Okay, I have this Salsa workout tape--I can't believe I'm actually admitting this, BUT I put this tape on, religously. It IS an amazing workout for both men and women. With Salsa, the tempo is faster than most forms of dance music. It especially can lead to a reduced heart rate as well as toning your leg and arm muscles.





Hip Hop:
When I first found out, my gym would be offering hip hop dancing as well, I didn't really know what to think. I really couldn't picture older men and women in their sixties dancing to Ciara for example. Was I ever WRONG! They absolutely love it. The music, the moves, with hip hop, everyone gets a good workout. It's actually really fun and doesn't feel like your working out!




For those of you that are really shy and don't like to dance in front of people, try a workout video first. That way, you can dance in the privacy of your own home and then maybe in time, you can join a class with a friend, so that way you can get a fun workout with someone you know!

Oh, and remember with any style of dancing,

Dance like no one is watching you...

- Christina

Meet Greg Valentino.

The Man With the Biggest Arms in The World.

OR

The man ruining the name for Bodybuilding.

Ouch.

Greg Valentino has been working towards the biggest bicep muscle for over 30 years.


My guess is that the man with the biggest arms probably has the world's largest steroid collection as well.


I was so shocked when I saw him on an a feature news story on Inside Edition that I needed to do more research to see exactly why he would do something like this.


Did he want attention? Did he want to be the "strongest man in the world?"Or did he want his arms to get so big... they would eventually burst?

Well. That's what happened.

He recently went having arms like this:

To completely BURSTING BICEPS. OUCH!!

IS HE CRAZY? At first, I thought, okay, maybe it was an inflection that was causing the arms to enlarge or perhaps even an injection of some kind. But reading on, "they say" he only exercised three times a day and admitted to steroid use.

My question is, why would anyone put themselves in a complete danger by pumping steroids or even working out too much? Is he TOO obsessed?

Here is a very interesting article from Testosterone Magazine that was lucky enough to interview Greg. This just proves that this man is absolutely crazy.

What do you think?

The BOSU BALL!

Just another exercising contraption?

Nope.

Sure, you may be looking at the "gadget" and saying "What the heck am I supposed to do with this thing?". But ladies and gentleman, THIS is what has been making more sore for the past 2 weeks!




BOSU standing for ("both sides utilized") is one of the greatest gadgets hitting the gym. This device incorporates Core and Balance Training as well as Sports Training. It can be used facing both ways, with the black side being more for a balanced challenge.

When you first use it, I would try standing on it. If you can stand on it and do one squat then you have good balance. It's hard at first, but with time and a video or trainer, you'll be fine!

Here is a website that I use when working with my BOSU ball. It has everything from how to do a push up on the BOSU, to using weights, to core training. Also, if you go on YouTube, you can find tons workout routines, for FREE!

BOSU balls here in Windsor, run for about $169, with NO video, and that's just horrible, BUT if you go online to the main BOSU website, then you can find one with a workout video for much cheaper.

Trust me, this little thing is going to shape you up! It's really good.

- Christina

Health and Fitness Icon:

RACHAEL RAY

At first, I was very sketchy about having another cook on air, showing her new recipes and tips, but then I started to watch this show and have become extremely in LOVE with it.

I'm usually in class, when the Rachael Ray Show airs on NBC at 3:00 p.m., but I make sure to tape it. Taping it also gives me a good excuse to actually try what she makes.

What's great about Rachael is that she makes easy 30 minute meals that are great for working parents or even struggling teen cooks and trust me, her meals really are creative and yummy.

She also has a fun vocabulary of words that viewers (including myself) have been accustomed too. My favorite word that she says, is "delish". I say that all the time now when eating. Some people really do not like her "witty language" and consider it to be very unprofessional. She had no professional training, however I believe that for some individuals, their gift comes naturally and they do not need to go to a professional cooking or baking school to allow them to teach the world how to cook. She uses a type of attitude that makes it fun to watch her. She is not boring when she talks, it actually feels like she is talking to you individually as a friend, not a teacher.

Her show just doesn't involve cooking, it focuses on the entire health of a person, with topics that include beauty and fitness tips as well. NOTE: All of her recipes are not "calorie free" or healthy, but some are low in fat or calories (and she does tell you which recipes are healthier for you).

She usually opens the show with what she's going to make or news about upcomming shows and then finally, either a celebrity taster OR a health/fitness expert shows the audience what might be the lastest trend in fashion or what a new machine or workout routine is.

For those of you despising Rachael (which I really don't know why anyone would hate some one who cooked good food) BUT here is her "haters" page. I'm sure there are many more because people have nothing better to do than waste their time, however, check it out. It's really funny what they try to say about her.

And seriously, try at least ONE of her recipes. It's easy and really enjoyable.

- Christina

So...I'm Sore!!

And I'll tell you why!

My personal training all started last Friday and I have been sore ever since. This is really why I couldn't write a lot on here....kidding, but I have been very busy!

This morning I was brushing my teeth, and I realized that it really hurt to lift my arms up and brush! Then I was blow-drying my hair, which was just torture and then to style it, I couldn't do it ANYMORE!

I blame KELLY!

Kelly is one of the newer trainers at my gym and watching her work with the other clients, made me realize that I need that motivation to work out. I really hate to work out. Many of us really want to either tone up or lose weight, but in the shortest amount of time as possible. It takes a lot of time and sacrifice to get in shape and I am starting to sacrifice time to work out and I give up my cravings for unhealthy food choices.

What motivated me to get a personal trainer was because I did a lot of cardio (running on the treadmill, walking, using the elliptical trainer) but I never knew anything about how to use the weight training equipment. I always found it so intimidating because I didn't know how many reps to do on a certain machine, or how long, or what my posture should look like. I knew I wanted to get an overall workout with cardio and weights.

Personal trainers will create a program to fit your needs, budget and schedule. Several times a week is what many go for, but even an occasional check-in to get feedback is great too. It's all up to you.
Depending on the trainer, expect to pay between $25 and $100 an hour. Sometimes, to share costs, you might be able to bring a buddy to your sessions. I know it can be expensive, but it really is for your health and your future. Staying active is extremely important.

Okay, so you booked for first personal training session. What can you expect?

1. A fitness evaluation.
This is basically a series of tests - cardiovascular, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance - to see what kind of shape you are in. Your trainer should ask about your health conditions, medications and exercise experience.
2. A personalized exercise program.

This is designed specifically for you and what your needs are.

With the one-on-one attention to make sure you are using proper form and technique and that you get the most from your workout without getting injured. The benefits of your program are explained.

A trainer should motivate you and help you stick with your program. I'm not saying that you NEED a personal trainer to survive, it's that encouragement to help you with your fitness goals that is really beneficial for you.

If you are interested in getting a personal trainer, just check out your local gyms and make sure to see what each of them offer to their clients.

Using Nintendo Wii To Workout

I came across Time Magazine's article entitled, Is the Wii Really Good for Your Health? on the Internet. It talks about the benefits of the Nintendo Wii. I did not know that users started to complain of back aches and sore shoulders because of the game. Well, that lead to the research of how Wii can be healthy and helps people become more active.

The article meantions that researchers, especially at the University of Toronto, are working on active video games, which are trying to improve kids being more active. I think this would certainly improve for children that normally are not active. This gives them the chance to bowl, or play tennis, for example and burn calories while playing.

I decided to try playing an "active" game, so I called up the one person I knew would have a Wii-- my younger cousin Justin, the biggest 'gamer' around. After a half an hour of trying to choose the game, we decided on the bowling game. I tried the game two ways. First, I just sat there, thinking that it did not matter if you moved your body or not. It really didn't work so, my second time around, I actually stood up and pretended I was actually bowling. But then I noticed, wow, you can really get a workout while playing this. It really caused you to move and get really involved in the game. Other video games for example, played on an Xbox really do not give anything but your hands a good workout.

I believe the Nintendo Wii has already revolutionized gaming. Not only can it provide entertainment, it can provide a new way to work out and stay active.

As I researched more on this topic, I found WiiHealthy. This is an website that is dedicated to getting in shape and being active on the Wii. The website does a great job on creating WiiSports workout guide. They break down the guide into sport by sport (boxing, tennis, etc) and tell the audience exactly how to play actively. They also provide a number of calories you will burn from actively playing these games.

Seriously, check out this website. It has some great ideas on what they are and have been working on to improve activeness. Ideas like yoga and aerobics have been meantioned. This makes me want to buy a Wii!

Now I'm excited!

“Boxing is the most active game on the Wii Sports disc. We strongly advise very heavy people not to go too wild in this one since your heart rate will go up a lot. This could be a problem for people who have been advised not to do big efforts. The fact is that this is the perfect game to lose weight. In a couple of minutes you can burn easily 121 calories in 15 minutes time."

The Benefits of Yoga

Why You Must Try It!

After hearing great things about this class, and not to meantion, the stressfulness of my life taking a toll on me (school, work, boyfriend), I have decided to take up yoga!

Yoga is a great workout program that is easy to learn and requires little or no equipment. It can improve your flexibility, strength, balance and stamina. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.

It seems like a new trend but it actually began more than 3,000 years ago in India. The word comes from the Sanskrit word "yoke" meaning to bring together the mind, body and spirt.


Hatha yoga is the physical component of yoga. A person who practices yoga goes through a series of specific poses while controlling his or her breathing. Some types of yoga also involve meditation and chanting.


There are many different types of hatha yoga, including:

Ashtanga yoga: It is a vigorous, fast-paced yoga that helps to build flexibility, strength, concentration, and stamina. When doing Ashtanga yoga, a person moves quickly through a poses while remaining focused on deep breathing.

Power yoga: Similar to Ashtanga yoga, but it is more of an active form of yoga that improves flexibility and stamina by completing poses.

Bikram yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as "Hot Yoga." It is practiced in rooms that may be heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).

Gentle yoga: Gentle yoga focuses on slow stretches, flexibility, and deep breathing.

Kundalini yoga: Kundalini yoga uses poses, deep breathing and other breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation.

Iyengar yoga: This type of yoga focuses on precise poses. and participants use benches, ropes, mats, blocks, and chairs.

You may also want to try a yoga video first, before you try any classes. They certainly can be intimidating. Shhhh...that's what I did. Try any video with Rodney Yee. He is excellent! Sure, when I first tried his video, it was funny watching him do some of the moves, but I got some of the basic moves and ideas down, and then I wanted to make sure I was doing them correctly, so I tryed a class at my gym.

Remember to wear compfy clothing and to have fun.

I really hope you can try it at least once. It is certainly a great experience.

Namaste* (a respectful yoga greeting pronounced nama-stay).

-- Christina

If You Like Pina Coladas.....

It's too bad that this yummy drink is extremely fattening (try 650 calories) and contains so much high caloried creams and sugary syrups. This is one of my favorite drinks and sometimes I love to splurge, but the calorie count in this drink is super high.
As I was flipping through various recipe books, I came across this miracle! It is SO great, your going to feel like your at a beach when drinking this!

The Yummy Tropical Treat: Pina Colada


Ingredients:
1 oz. light rum
1.5 oz. Torani Sugar Free Coconut Syrup
1/4 cup Breyer's Fat Free Ice Cream (Creamy Vanilla)
1 tbsp. crushed pineapple in its own juice
3/4 cup crushed ice
1 packet Splenda (or another no-calorie sweetener)

Okay, so you put all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds and then a pour it into a cute cocktail glass. This is the best part. One serving size is 126 calories. We just cut a HUGE amount of calories.

You want more Before and After recipe makeovers?

Here they are.

Chili Cheese Nachos
(260 calories...MmMm)

Okay, I love nachos and I know that these crunchy chips and the gooey cheese and sauses are no good for me, but they are SO hard to resist. Nachos are usually considered as being appetizers, however, if you go to Taco Bell for instance and have one of the classic nacho meals (430 calories) you may want to skip it. So how can this get any healthier?

Ingredients:
1 bag (7 oz.) Guiltless Gourmet Tortilla Chips, Yellow Corn flavor
1 package Boca Chili
4 oz. 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soymilk
3 oz. fat-free block cheddar cheese
2 oz. Velveeta made with 2% Milk
2 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese
2tbsp. fat-free sour cream
3/4 cup Newman's Own All-Natural Bandito

Directions for the Salsa:
Melt all three cheeses in a saucepan with the soymilk; stir to combine. Then prepare chili according to the directions on the box. Microwave chips until warm, and place on a large platter. Pour your low-fat cheese sauce all over your chips. Cover your chips with chili. Spoon salsa on top, along with a few dabs of fat-free sour cream on top, and, voila! This yummy dish makes 5 servings.

(Note: Feel free to use other brands as desired. Nutritionals will vary).

Southwest Salad

How about a great lunch time meal? McDonald has now removed their 890 calorie salad, while Wendy's has still kept their salad on the menu.

Ingredients For Marinade:
1/2 tbsp. honey
1/2 tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tbsp. yellow mustard
1/4 tsp. cilantro

For Salad
3 cups chopped lettuce
4 oz. cooked boneless skinless lean chicken breast; sliced or chopped
1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped poblano pepper (or any mild green pepper)
1 1/2 tbsp. canned sweet corn kernels
1 1/2 tbsp. canned black beans
2 tbsp. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
3 Baked! Doritos; crushed

For Dressing
2 tbsp. fat-free ranch dressing
1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
1/4 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. chili powder
dash onion powder
dash garlic powder

Directions:
Mix together marinade ingredients in a small bowl -- add chicken and coat it in the marinade. Set aside. In a pan spritzed with nonstick spray, cook tomatoes and corn over high heat until slightly charred. Place lettuce in a bowl, and top with marinated chicken, tomatoes & corn, chopped pepper, and black beans. Sprinkle with cheese and chips. In a small dish, combine all of the dressing ingredients with 1 tsp. water. Serve dressing alongside salad for easy dipping. Enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING (350 calories)

Also, check out Haley's blog, for more yummy recipe ideas you'll love!

Until next blog post,

-Christina

Childhood Obesity:

Big Kids Now, Big Problems Later.

On Fridays, I volunteer at a daycare where there is this one 4 year old boy. He one of my favorites because he is so smart for his age and the way he treats the other children, it's so great! The problem is, this little boy is extremely obese and is now forced to be put on a strict diet. It breaks my heart to see him during "outside" time where all the kids want to play tag or soccer. He just likes to walk around with the teachers and he thinks he will never be good at soccer like the other children.

At lunch time he is allowed to eat most of our planned lunch and snacks but only a particular amount of it. During the day, he has to consume a high amount of water, so in the middle of his work time or story time, we have to give him water. When I'm there on Fridays and he does not want to drink his water because the other children are not taking time to drink water, I will sit with him and drink two glasses and pretend that I'm so thirsty.

Children notice their surroundings and have been closely looking at the little boy and treating him differently due to the "special treatment" he has been getting. Sometimes they will pick on him and call him fat and I get really mad because of how kids (even teens and adults) can treat a person based on what they looked like. What if you were obese?

How would you feel if people treated you like crap just because you were bigger? Celebrities like Tyra Banks have done the undercover obesity thing on her show proving that being overweight changes the perceptions of individuals.

Childhood obesity is a major health issue. Children become over weight because of eating way to many calories and the need of physical activity to burn those excess calories. Excess fat is dangerous. The best way to fight this trend is to provide a healthy diet and to encourage increased physical activity.

In the young it can cause poor self esteem and be socially isolating. In adulthood it can often lead to serious illness and premature death. Obesity in a child can also lead to joint problems. Difficulty in breathing while asleep - sleep apnea.

Being "Screen-Lean".

Limiting children's time in front of the television is an important issue for parents. Enrolling a child in programs that will entertain them and provide them with regular physical activity, such as the material arts. Limiting "screen time" and making a home "screen-lean" is also recommended.

Eating Healthy at School.

Children are slowly getting the advantage to eat healthy at school. The usual burger and fries at school are being replaced with fresh, homemade food. Elementary and high schools are now using the Eat Smart program (check out this link, it's amazing!) which is all about healthy eating. The Eat Smart School Cafeteria Program offers a restaurant-like program to the school cafeteria.

We need to stop obesity. The long term effects are just horrible.

- Christina

Complusive Exercising

Even though I work at a fitness facility, I find it so hard to find the time to actually work out. I am very busy with school and the times I am not at school, I am busy doing school-related things.

Some people, however, do find the time to workout and that is just fabulous, however, some people can be over obsessed with working out and trying to get more in shape, or trying to keep that perfect figure.


Those who may have symptoms of compulsive exercising, usually have episodes of repeated exercising beyond the requirements of what is considered safe. They will find time at any cost to exercise (including cutting school, taking off from work, hiding in the bathroom and exercising, etc.).

According to an MSNBC.com article, too much exercising proves to be very unhealthy. In the article Dr. Oz offers guidelines to determine whether or not your exercise is reaching a dangerous level. 60 minutes a day is a great amount of physical activity for most people, he determines.

Here are some signs which indicate you have be exercising too much:

Injury: This may be a sign of over training. Nagging pains and aches are also warning signs.
Insomnia: Exercising too much may make it difficult for you to rest or sleep. You begin to feel unusually sleepy.
Irritability: Over-exercisers often begin to feel irritable. You may feel cranky for no reason at all.
Lacking energy: Over training may make you feel constantly fatigued. In general, you'll feel a lack of energy throughout the day, or because you are working out so much and feeling hungry, you will constantly eat because of the constant hunger.
Decreased performance: If you can't run as long or as hard as you could in the past, you may be exercising too much.

In all, I think exercising is a very serious matter. Sure, it makes you feel better about yourself, but it needs to be performed in a serious, non-crazy way.

Be safe, take it slow.

Christina

Jab, Cross, Hook, Uppercut!

Why I love Cardio Kickboxing!

This week, I had the pleasure of going into the most popular class hitting the gyms-- Cardio Kick-Boxing. I was always interested in trying this particular class because I heard that it was such a great workout. So, before school one day, I decided to lug myself out of the door at 8:30 a.m., and try the class! The next day, I swear I could not feel my lower body and arms! Right away, I felt the workout because the class is very motivating and filled with a high energy level.

When you think “kick-boxing” don’t get scared though! This class is strictly non-contact (smiles). It blends elements of boxing, martial arts and traditional aerobics into a 30 to 60 minute routine. This routine will ultimately tone and strengthen your body!

Not only do you benefit from the cardio exercise benefits, you also develop an increase in flexibility, coordination and strength from the numerous martial arts based moves. It is possible to burn from 500 to 800 calories in one good workout. This all depends on your body weight and ability to keep up the high intensity cardio for long enough.

If you are uncomfortable with participating in a class at your local gym, I would try purchasing a work out video so you can do it on your own. (My suggestions: Any Fairle Arrow's Aerobic Kickboxing videos as well as these listed here).

This class does have it’s risks though. Your first cardio kickboxing class will have you performing advanced moves. For example, the punches and jabs taught in these classes can cause problems for the elbows, neck and shoulders, so you have to be very careful not to over do anything.

But remember, have fun and good luck!

Getting Paid to Work Out

Would YOU do it?

Many overweight and obese individuals have tried to lose weight but had no success. Would getting paid to lose weight motivate people to actually do it?


The mayor of an Italian town, Gianluca Buonanno thinks so. He is paying his residents to lose weight. Yes you heard right!

Buonanno came up with a plan for people in his town to get involved in a great "group exercising" program. Males will get 50 euros (that's about 80 dollars) for losing 9 pounds a month and women will get the same amount of money for losing 7 pounds. If the weight stays off for 5 months, they will get 200 euros.


Seeing recent surveys showing that 35 percent of Italians are overweight or obese, was the primary factor for creating this type of "help". Source.


Why are Italians considered to be more overweight or obese? Can it be because they make the most delicious food? I think that might be one factor.


I think this is such a good (but sneaky idea) for someone to have. In my thinking, normally, mayors really don't think of the health issues of a community, they just consider if the community in general is okay. There really isn't something in it for him and it is great to see someone stepping up and helping other people's futures and health.


Do you want your mayor to do the same too?


Some argue that using money as motivation may not make sense because the city or the country does not owe obese people anything to lose weight. The motivation to lose weight should come from their own. I think a lot of people do NOT have the motivation and need that extra guidance for help, from someone.

Another option of giving cash, the government could give tax rebates for purchase of fitness equipments for a home or even a gym membership.
I think that when money is involved, anything will work and it's great that a nice Italian mayor is out to help his community!

Until next blog,

Christina

Drinking and your Health

Why Alcohol Calories are More Important than you think!

Being very Italian, I was always allowed to have one glass of red wine at dinner and this started at the age of nine or ten. I knew most of my friends were not allowed and many parent's felt the need to "lock up" liquor because of how they were raised. I remember a time when I had one of my friends over my grandparent's house for dinner. My Nonno (grandfather) gave me a small fancy glass of red wine and it was normal to have received it from him so I did not think too much from it. I remember my friend tapping me on my shoulder with a worried look on her face like I was going to get drunk or something. To this day, he still gives me red wine to drink -- don't worry, just one glass and I don't get wasted, I stay healthy.


Many studies are back and fourth debating if red wine is beneficial. For women, one glass per day is recommended as men may drink two glasses. Wine is proven to lower the risk for a heart attack, especially if you have already had one. Other studies say that red wine can raise the good cholesterol and prevent the bad cholesterol.


Not only does drinking reduce the number of fat calories you burn, it also lowers your testosterone levels for up to 24 hours after you finish drinking. Focusing on the way your body consumes alcohol is good to notice because it is very similar how your body deals with excess carbohydrates.

I'm sure everyone has heard about the famous "beer belly" and how it's supposedly caused by excess alcohol calories being stored as fat. The beer belly is not really because of "beer" or any drinks for that matter. It is due to the foods that you eat after the many beers.
This leads us into the ....
WARNINGS OF ALCOHOL!!
Many think that if they just start drinking wine or trying to lower their consumption of alcohol right NOW, they will become "healthier". That is not true. It all depends on the health background of a person. A glass of wine at dinner or even a beer at a bar with your friends is not going to kill you. BUT, alcohol should not be mixed with a fatty food meal because it increases an appetite. Ever wonder why when you and your friends go downtown, have a couple of drinks and end the night off eating tacos or cheeseburgers at 3 o'clock in the morning? This will give you unnecessary calories.

Here is a great website for seeing how many calories are in a wide range of alcohol products. I was just devastated when I found out my favourite (and the first one listed)-- Bailey's Irish Cream was 350 calories for one glass. That's as much as a plate of pasta!

Sometimes it's really hard being Italian!

Making Good Fast Food Choices

Are the "Lighter Menus'" lower in fat?

After watching the movie, SuperSize Me, I knew that I had to talk about fast food eating! For those of you unaware of the movie, over a 30 day period, documentary filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, only ate breakfast, lunch and dinner from McDonalds. All outside foods were prohibited. His reasoning for the film was to show how fast food eating affects you physically as well as psychologically.

McDonalds obviously fought back, arguing that the results of his drastic weight gain and behaviour changes was the fact that he was not exercising and only eating McDonalds all day. I agree with McDonalds in saying that it was not realistic to for it to be eaten all day, but this experiment was well worth the watch because some people rely on fast food or even eat unhealthy at home and really do not exercise.

AND NOW...THE WORLD OF FAST FOOD....

is trying to slim down; offering healthier alternatives to the usual burger, fries and pop.

Sometimes fast food restaurants are really hard to avoid especially when you didn't have enough time to make a lunch. Isn't it better to eat something than skipping a meal? Even on a road trip, the rest stops are filled with one or more fast food restaurants, tempting travellers.

Happy meals now have the option of apple slices instead of the regular side of fries. Now what six year old is going to eat apple slices with their nuggets when they have been used to eating fries for so long. I know one four year old that eats a yummy side of apples--but her mother is a personal trainer at my gym and is used to eating healthy, so it's really no change for her. Plus, are the apples even healthy? I know a McDonalds worker and she gave me the "inside scoop" on the apples and said they were not AS healthy as they seemed to be. She says they always look so perfect--even fake looking and they can survive in the cold (even sliced) for a long amount of time. Now what store-bought apple is going to last a long time sliced in a refrigerator? I went on the official McDonalds website where I found the question,

"How to you keep the apples in your Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad and Apple Dippers so fresh?" - The answer: -- To help preserve freshness, either calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and Vitamin C) or ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and calcium chloride is added to the apples.

--- OKAY, so what makes these so different from apples from the grocery store? They have more Vitamin C and calcium? OH..OKAY!

Most individuals thinking a salad at a fast food place is going to be low in fat need to check the calories FOR SURE. The light Caesar salad at McDonalds for example, is equivalent to two cheeseburgers! That's the LIGHT Caesar salad! Burger King's "veggie-burger" with everything has more calories than a bacon cheeseburger. That's a "whopping" 461 calories.

Okay, I am not telling you to avoid fast food eating at all, because I am also guilty of drive-thru eating. I am just saying to be careful what you order and how much of it you eat.

Healthier food choices for eating at a fast food establishment include the following:

• NO ordering of the value sized meals
  
• Get something from the value meal (or a children's meal)


• Skip the pop and substitute for a water OR even an iced tea (you don't have to drink the regular size-- I know I can't drink all that so I get the smallest beverage possible


• Skip the mayo-- you will lose a LOT of calories that way

Here is a great website for you to get any fast food establishment's "nutritional" information. It is one of my favourite websites to refer to.

Ciao for now,

Christina

Look Who It Is!

RICHARD SIMMONS: FITNESS ICON

I bet many of you are looking at this picture with your eyes rolled and a little chuckle. For those of you that do not know who this man is, well I think you should! Not only is Richard Simmons hysterical and unique, but he has taken the world of fitness and transformed it with his trademark humor.

I know the first thing I think of when I hear the word exercising is Richard Simmons. I'm not kidding! I actually really like him! Sure, he may be a "bit" odd, okay, maybe very weird, but it's all in good fun and part of his "trademark". Come on, you can't tell me he doesn't look so cute with his big hair? I admire him for what he really does as he delivers a serious message with his form of fun exercising and upbeat attitude.

On Sunday, October 2nd, Richard finally started his 3 hour talk show airing exclusively on SIRIUS. Running from 3p.m. to 6p.m., he helps many with advice, nutrition and work out plans as well as real life changes that many have overcome due to his successful eating programs and exercise techniques. The times when he is not preparing for the show, he teaches at his fitness facility, SLIMMONS, located in Beverly Hills which has been around for 31 years. Looking at his various programs, it's great to see how he designs programs for beginners as well as individuals who have advanced experience.
One particular excercise program he has designed that caught my eye when I watched it is called, Sit Tight which is designed for people who are unable to stand. I think no matter what condition anyone has, Richard has a positive solution for.

Oh! On a final note, CHECK THIS OUT! After watching an episode of The David Letterman Show (which I vow never to watch again), one of Richard's newer products, the Steamer, was introduced to David. It was hilarious, not with what David was saying with his boring-trying to be funny tone, but the comments Richard makes.

He's not someone to poke fun at. He helps people AND makes GOOD money for it.
Who's laughing now?
Until next blog,

Christina

A Diet for a Healthy Heart

Today, many do not have enough time to eat all of their meals at home together. Some may eat meals at work or at school or restaurants. There are many food options available to us but now a days what ever is most convenient (example fast foods) are what many are turning too. The result is that many are trying to maintain their weight or are overweight.

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU BE EATING?

Well, a healthy diet contains 6 essential substances which are:

PROTEINS:

Needed for the repair, replacement, growth and function of the body. (Example: Meat, fish, cheese and eggs)
WATER:
The body is made up of about 65-70% of water. When you sweat or urinate, the water must be replaced. 6 to 8 glasses of water every day are suggested.

CARBOHYDRATES:

These are the chemicals that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are our main source of energy. Some examples are pasta, bread, potatoes and cereals.

FIBER:

It helps the large intestine efficiently carry away body wastes. Proteins can also prevent diseases throughout the body.

FATS:

Are found in plant foods (ex peanuts) and animal products. Fats provide energy but excess fat is stored in the body as a fatty tissue. Each form of fat contains the same number of calories (135).

VITAMINS:

The body can make small amounts of vitamins. Eating fresh fruit and veggies as well as fish and meat can give you vitamins.
MINERALS:

You need at least 20 minerals in your diet. Adding salt to some of your recipes is known to increase the risk of heart disease so try to avoid a great deal of salt.

AND NOW...LETS LOOK AT DAILY EATING HABITS:

Breakfast - It is the most important meal of the day, so do not skip it. This is an important meal that provides energy for starting your day. Instead of fatty high-cholesterol foods such as bacon, hash browns and sausage, switch to healthy fruits (ex grapefruit) and whole-grain breads and cereals.

Common Option .....Healthy Option

LUNCH- Try NOT to eat in a hurry. Many people eat high-fat foods like hamburgers and fries. Instead, try a more nutritious meal like a salad, whole-grain bread sandwich and fresh fruit and veggies.

From this.... To this....

DINNER- For most people, dinner is the main meal of the day. Large portions of red meat (ew) should be replaced by LEAN red meat, fish, chicken and don't forget the veggies! If you really want dessert, my ULTIMATE FAVORITE is LOW-FAT FROZEN YOGURT which tastes like ice cream, but it's so much healthier.

OH! AND SNACKS! (It's good to eat every 4 hours)

Popcorn, fruit and bagels are my suggestions!

Ciao for now!

Christina

Season 4 of.....

THE BIGGEST LOSER!


Oh how I love this show!

For those of you that love reality shows, this is the show to watch!
Ever since the first season, The Biggest Loser has become the most popular reality television show for weight loss. People having weight problems are helped with the goal of becoming a more healthier and fit.

When I watched the show for the first time, I thought the title was inappropriate as the word "loser" was included, but as I became a regular viewer, I began to unfold why the title was the way it was. The title is not poking fun at the individuals but personally, I see it as a way for them (the individuals) to poke fun at themselves.

This season, there are some changes which makes me want to watch even more! I'm really glad that the female trainer Jillian, has returned! Jillian was replaced by a beautiful blond girl, Kim, last season which I thought was a BAD MOVE because Jillian was loved by the viewers. No one's really sure as to where Jillian had gone to, but its great to see her back in action.
As opposed to "Miss Perfect" (Kim), Jillian had struggled with her own weight which I think is great because she proves to be an inspiration for others! She went through her weight battle and is now helping others. I believe that someone who has been through the same situations as some one they are helping, proves to be more effective. Jillian really motivated her team and gave them positive words encouraging them to do better and in my opinion she does a great job. On the other hand, Kim has always been in shape her entire life. She was involved in bodybuilding competitions and modeled for fitness magazines. To be honest, she really reminds me of one of those girls in high school that is "pretty and popular" and thinks is the greatest. Notice on show how she interacts with the females? Okay, we know your beautiful, CALM DOWN.
There is also a male trainer, Bob who is proves to be great in every episode and every season. He also writes books on how to achieve a great body and incorporates his techniques from his books into the shows.
Also, what else is new to the show is the host--Allison Sweeney (from my favorite Soap Opera, Days of Our Lives). Watching her on television for many years now, I have seen the person she has developed into because when she first started out, you could tell she was really struggling with her weight. She would go down sizes and then she had a child (in real life) which caused her to gain more weight. I admire her now because she is not one of those size 0 models in a Soap Opera, but a beautiful normal person who is proud of who she is and likes that she is not "perfect". May I say that she can really act too! WOW!
Also, the contestants will be in teams of three instead of only the two teams the show normally consists of. Two teams will not only be playing for themselves, but looking out for a co-worker or sibling as well. Those teams will know one another so it's not just about the individual but the team work too.

The Biggest Loser sends a great message, opposed to other reality shows such as The Real World or Survivor or Big Brother really don't have a "message" at all. They are just there for entertainment purposes. The trainers each week even motivate me by the encouragement they give to the contestants. Someone who perhaps is overweight and watching the show could maybe be inspired to go and maybe join a gym or talk to a physician.

Also, now that I have been really involved in the blog phenomenon, I have actually went onto the main site for the show and found that past contestants as well the host and three trainers all have their own blogs. So if you have a favorite trainer or past contestant you really wanted to follow up on after the show, you can see their blogs.

Can't wait until The Biggest Loser is on tonight!

You can watch it every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m on NBC.

Ciao for now!

-Christina

Hydroxi-CUT? The Advertising of Diet Pills.

Why "Nutritional Supplements" should be cut!

As I was finishing up this blurb on diet-pills and why they are extremely ineffective and harmful for one's health, I noticed a comment on my first blog written which I thought was great because they mentioned what I thought on the issue of diet pills and how so many people think that weeks after taking "Nutritional Supplements", the perfect physique will be achieved.

Well, what I think is that those types of pills will only cause more health dysfunctions. How can one tiny pill help someone get "super" toned and fit? It's a load of crap.

You cannot turn on the television or flip through a magazine without seeing a diet pill product/weight loss miracles advertised. Most commonly, a "before" and "after" photograph of a "normal" individual whose life has changed is included in the advertisement scheme as well. These photographs basically show that the product will have excellent results in a short amount of time.

There are way to many diet pills around these days that when I even searched the word "diet pill" , there were so many names and uses for each. Some descriptions were really funny promising users "the perfect workout" in a pill. They go on and on about a particular pill but never once mention any continents in the pill.

On a recent Inside Edition show, however, a great segment discussed how one of the most popular and supposedly "effective" diet pills, HydroxiCut, had false advertising and was being sued by many for it. SHOCKING!

It turns out, the before pictures were altered and the after pictures were paid models who took pictures, but did not know what they were representing.

Blogger Sal Marinello wrote on BlogCritics about HydroxiCut and the issues surrounding it's advertising tactics as well. It's interesting that he mentions one of the spokespeople for HydroxiCut is a model who's has a background as a bodybuilder. She supposedly states that her bodybuilder figure is due to HyrdoxiCut, but looking into her background, it is said that her before picture was taken just right after giving birth to her first child. Exaggerating? I think so.

So basically, do you want to take harmful products or would you rather achieve losing weight/getting toned by eating healthy and exercising?

You tell me.

- C

"Sexy" Work Out Videos?

Are They Effective?


As I was in line at a local retail store, I overheard two girls talking about their purchases and why they wanted to try it. I saw them carrying 3 "work out" videos each and when I caught a glimpse of one, I saw a very familiar face. It was popular celebrity Carmen Electra.
With titles including, "Fit to Strip", "The Lap Dance and Hip Hop", and "Advanced Aerobic Striptease", Carmen Electra gives seductive demonstrations in her series of fitness videos. Creative titles eh? But is it really "aerobic" videos?
I decided to put them to the test after hearing from the girls in front of me that the video was an ultimate "must-have" and also my curious side wanting to try the new phenomenon of the "new" workout videos.

Performing all modern exercises, Carmen puts a modern twist to them while incorporating workout techniques. It is a great idea for those who want to get "creative" but I really don't think that anyone will get a desired work out. To me, the "routines" are short and Carmen and her backup "strippers" techniques are poor. "Advanced Aerobics" was the title? Hm. Then I thought about how men are not really going to try these workouts (maybe, but I hope not) but I'm sure they would have no objection to their partner wanting to try it.

While looking into "newer" types of exercise videos, I saw that striptease exercise videos and belly dancing are making a comeback. Getting down and shedding pounds have become a major phenomenon I guess! Then I thought to myself, "Wow, what an endorsement on Carmen Electra's part!". I won't argue, however that she was the perfect candidate for the job due to her well-known sexy personality.

I found a clip of Carmen discussing ( and showing) how to be sexy and get a proper "work out". Sure it was neat to try, but I certainly felt out of place. You be the judge :)


http://video.aol.com/video-detail/carmen-electra-strip-tease-workout/2484502305

Starting your Fitness Goals

Some people worry about their body image due to the various sources (ex. celebrities) surrounding our culture today. A lot of thought on " Am I Fat?" or "Am I in Shape" are because of the media and what they have concluded the perfect body really is.

Think realistically though, take the makeup off women, the computerized features and even plastic surgeries of both men and women away and you will have a so-called "normal" person.

The best thing I can really suggest to feel better about yourself is to exercise. Whether any shape or size, working out and feeling better about yourself can happen.

It takes commitment to make exercise a daily habit. People staying committed is the most difficult part. When something more stressful (ex school, work) comes along, it is tempting to forget about exercise. To prevent this lack of continuing a great exercising routine...

Choose activities that you enjoy. You will stick to something that you like, rather than something you are forced to do when you have no ambition to do it.

Change your activities. You want to ensure you will stick to various routines, so different activities can be planned per week, year or month.

Keep results. Recording your progress is a must. You want to know the changes and it is good to see where or with what activities you have (ex, weight lost, places toned, activities not enjoyed). Recording how many pounds and inches you have lost will give you a great deal of encouragement and ambition to continue with your goal.

Work out with a partner. Working out with someone, I believe, is a MUST. You don't have to, but really, I think the other person can encourage you and vise-versa. What my sister and I usually do is set a record for each other and while we are on the treadmill or doing weights we give each other encouragement phrases to keep each other going. It's good to have someone to work out especially when you don't want to. They keep you going at it.

Get a Personal Trainer. Even though they are very costly, I even recommend only 2 sessions. That way, they can train you on various cardio and weight equipment so you know what to get into when you want to work out solo.

Here is something to think about. The brand Dove shocked the world with its new advertising campaign. It provides a new, fresh idea on the idea of body image and I believe this is what advertising viwers should know about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBs_xYq4X7A

Interesting?