Exercise Finder

I know we all have a spot on our body that we would like to tweak or slightly improve. Here is a great website that allows you to click on any body part you and it gives you recommend exercises to tone that area. The best part is you can do everything at home and don't need a gym membership.

http://www.divine.ca/en/health/exercise-finder/c_266/

20min workout

If you are short on time but still want to break a sweat here is a 20 minutes treadmill workout! A great trick is print this chart out "wallet size" and tape to the back of your cell phone. Then prop it up on the treadmill as you run.

Love Fall

I woke up this morning and I could feel the cool air, I know in my heart fall is on its way! Fall always feels like a new start for me, maybe its from my childhood days when I was heading back to school. I was that kid who would wait all summer for my school supply list to come in the mail. Now even though I am in the working world this feeling of new, and a fresh start has never left me. Its better than January as I am not a fan of new years resolutions....its fall, my favorite season of all!! (and no that rhyme was not intended. haha)

These are a few of my favorite things that refresh my health and wellness!

 Windows Open

 Hot Cups of Peppermint Tea

 Apple Picking

 Mountain Biking

 Horseback Riding

 Hiking as the leaves turn

 Cute Jackets and Jeans

Pumpkins

Chia Seeds for workout fuel?

I was reading a great article from Kimberly Snyder on the best workout foods and I wanted to share. Most of us turn to vitamin water, Gatorade drinks, muscle milk or protein bars before a workout but all those chemicals, additives and sugar are not helping our body recover. And we know the best sources of energy come from nature. Next time why don't you give Chia Seeds a try?

Yes, I’m talking about the same thing you may only have heard of from the “Chia Pet” phenomenon. Well the good news is that you need not grow a “Chia Ram” to get more energy, you just have to soak them and make them into a gel, which will serve as your power workout and beauty gel. You can get chia seeds at your local health market. They’re definitely getting more popular and are pretty common these days.


By weight, chia seeds contain more omega 3 fats than salmon, and more calcium than whole milk (which we don’t really assimilate well anyway from dairy, but that is another topic!), along with antioxidants. Chia seeds contain all essential amino acids, making them a complete protein. They also contain important minerals like magnesium and boron. High in both soluble and insoluble fiber, chia seeds also helps promote fullness, without feeling too heavy, and ongoing cleansing.


Before a workout or to ward off sugar or other cravings try this recipe from The Beauty Detox Solution:

1/4 cup raw organic chia seeds
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
1/2 TB raw cacao powder
1 tsp stevia

Place chia seeds in a bowl. Blend almond milk, cacao and stevia in the blender until well mixed and until the desired sweetness is reached. Pour over chia seeds and mix well. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before mixing again and serving (recipe serves 1)

*Chia sees gel when wet and when in our digestive systems, this gel prevents absorption of the food (and calories) that we eat.  They are also great for those of us looking to lose some lbs.

Slow Food USA

Join the movement!!! Find your local chapter

Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.

Good:

The word good can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Slow Food, the idea of good means enjoying delicious food created with care from healthy plants and animals. The pleasures of good food can also help to build community and celebrate culture and regional diversity.

Clean:
When we talk about clean food, we are talking about nutritious food that is as good for the planet as it is for our bodies. It is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promotes biodiversity.

Fair:
We believe that food is a universal right. Food that is fair should be accessible to all, regardless of income, and produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

AntiGravity Yoga

This looks like so much fun but until I read the article below I was way to intimidated to even try. Now I will keep my fingers crossed that my gym adds this new workout class to the schedule and if they do I will be the first to sign up. I will be sure to keep you updated.

Gym Class: AntiGravity Yoga

By KAREN BARROW

Did you ever see an interesting class at the gym that you were too intimidated to try? Or maybe you need to freshen up your current workout routine?

The new Well video series Gym Class is here to help. Each month, I’ll take on the role of fitness guinea pig, trying out new and unusual exercise classes and rating them for difficulty, intimidation factor, intensity and fun — all from the point of view of an easily bored, slightly klutzy treadmill runner.

For my first Gym Class I tried AntiGravity Yoga, a fitness class that adapts the poses of traditional yoga for a large silk hammock raised off the ground. Sometimes called suspension or aerial yoga, AntiGravity Yoga was developed by Christopher Harrison, a former aerial acrobat and gymnast who found traditional yoga too hard on his injured wrists. The weightless poses can be used to strengthen the core as well as relieve aching joints and stretch tight muscles.

“People show up because it’s fun, but they come back because they feel healed afterwards,” he said.

To see what happens during an aerial yoga class, watch the video, taken at the Om Factory Yoga Center in midtown Manhattan, and check out the Gym Class ratings below.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/04/25/health/100000000789079/gym-class-trying-antigravity-yoga.html
What is AntiGravity Yoga? Yoga moves performed in nine feet of silk that is suspended from the ceiling like a swing.

Who’s it for? Moderate thrill-seekers. Bored yogis. Dancers and gymnasts looking for something new.

What’s the benefit? AntiGravity Yoga is great for stretching, working the core muscles and relieving stress — as long as you remember that it’s nearly impossible to fall out of the hammock.

Is there a learning curve? Be brave during class and you’ll be surprised at how you can follow along. After a few classes, you’ll be monkeying around with the pros.

Where does it hurt? The next day, you’ll feel it in your lower abs, upper arms and shoulders. Your upper hip area just plain hurts (or, in my case, is black-and-blue) from dangling upside down.

What should I bring? Wear long pants and a T-shirt with sleeves (to protect your skin from rubbing against the fabric). This is a “no socks necessary” kind of class, but be sure to pack a sense of adventure.

Best in-class review: “Ahhhh,” uttered by someone in the back of the room as she stretched out her lower back. (I was too disoriented hanging upside down to pick out who it was.)

Gym Class Rating (from 1 to 5):
Difficulty: 2
Intimidation factor: 4
Workout intensity: 1
Fun quotient: 5

Great workout at home!

You don't need a gym to stay in shape. Here are some great workout classes you can do right from your living room.

Yogis Anonymous Log in at scheduled times for live, expert lead 90-100 minutes classes
Live Exercise  Registar for a gratis membership and you'll get access to weekly kickboxing, sculpting and cardio classes. Plus you can create a personal profile which allows you to connect with other members so you can swap ideas and workout tips.
Pilates Anytime Only $18 per month lets you watch unlimited HD sessions, and new classes are added weekly
TRX TV  This is a site for the unbiquitous suspension -training device. For only $10 per month you can download 12 TRX moves and follow 30 minute instructor lead workouts.

So you no longer can use the excuse of bad weather not to work out :) Happy monday!

Shape Magazine April 2011

Glass Water Bottle

Happy early birthday to me!!! I just treated myself to a Lifefactory glass water bottle with a silicone sleeve. I love how this bottle is modern and sleek all while being eco-friendly.  All Lifefactory products are made from non-toxic materials and have been independently certified to be free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, polycarbonates, lead and latex.

This company also has baby bottles and children's water bottles, what a perfect gift!! Next time you go to grab a plastic water bottle remember that drinking from glass tastes better, is the safest material to drink from and lasts forever!

Sweating by the Numbers

There was a great article in Shape magazine this month that looked at research studies on how if you exercise NOW it can prevent over 25 diseases and health conditions later one.

Workouts lower your risk of.....

• Breast cancer by 30%
• Colon cancer by 40%
• Depression by 28%
• Heart disease by 50%
• Hip fractures by 41%

Why are you waiting!?! We all say we are busy yet we find time to blog, facebook and surf the web, so tomorrow cut your online time in half and get moving the second half.  Just think MOVE MORE, and do what you love. If you like shopping- walk the mall, if you like to garden start digging, or use your cable on demand feature for tons of free workout videos.  No more excuses!

Fitness Apps for your cell phone!

Men's Fitness complied a list of the top fitness applications for your cell phone. Use these to help shed some lbs!

Lose It- Free app
Consolidate your workouts and food diary into one journal. This tracker has a wide variety of brands and food categories that include accurate calorie, carb, fiber, fat, sodium and protein values. It helps you see energy in vs. energy out.

Good Food Near You- Free
This is a great application if you travel a lot. It helps recommend healthy food options wherever you are (it uses GPS tracking). Once you choose a restaurant or grocery store if you tap the suggestion it lists healthy menu items complete with nutrition facts.

Nutrition Tips- Free
Did you know cut melon must be thrown out after two hours? This app has fun facts like this to help you stay healthy. Each tip is written on a post it note... just swipe the page or shake your phone for a new fact.

Run Keeper Pro- $9.99
This app uses GPS to track your route and speed and uploads it automatically to the RunKeeper website after you workout.

C25K- $2.00
Couch to 5K is great for anyone new to the jogging world. It guides you through training 3 days per week to increase your endurance.

Reminder: Change is coming.... this blog will have a new web address shortly www.healthy-addiction.blogspot.com

Mark your Calendars!!

Here's are a list of websites courtesy of Fit Friends where you can find races and events in your area.
www.active.com
www.runningevents.net
www.runtheplanet.com
www.runwalkjog.com
www.coolrunning.com
www.running-events.com
www.runningintheusa.com
www.njshorerun.com
www.njrrc.com
www.runningnj.com
www.jsrc.com
www.coolrunning.com
www.runnersworld.com
www.pretzelcitysports.com
www.getsetpa.com
www.runwashington.com

The latest workout gear!

Love the idea of a hula hoop workout but no place to store it? Hoopnoticas just launched this travel hula hoop that snaps together. http://www.hoopnotic.com/

This trainer ball is a must have! It has 12 core strengthening exercises printed on the ball so there is no more excuse of "I forgot to do that one" http://www.trainermat.com/

Tired of having multiple sets of hand weights? Well these weights can increase from 2.5 to 12.5 pounds as you get stronger. No excuses not to challenge yourself! http://www.kmart.com/

RealSimple Feb 2011

Fill it. Drink it. Fold it.

This new products is perfect when your on the go!!! I can't tell you how many times I have forgotten my water bottle on my way to the gym, now I can just keep this Vapur reusable water bottle in my purse and its there when I need it. Once filled this folded water bottle stands like a real bottle. Its also freezer and dishwasher safe too.

Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest 2011

Snowshoeing can burn MORE calories than skiing

If you can walk you can snowshoe (well OK you need snow). When you snowshoe you can burn up to 45% more calories than walking or running at the same speed. Several factors contribute to this....first exercising in cold weather increases your metabolic rate, second you are walking with added weight on your feet and third there is added resistance walking through the snow. Add poles to help walk over hilly terrain and you can burn over 1,000 calories an hour.

Snowshoe yourself thinner this winter!

Save $$

Its that time of year again.... the mountains are open! We recently just took a family vacation up to the Pocono mountains and had a great time. Not only do you burn a ton of calories but you have a blast doing it! Use these sites below to help save money on your next trip.

www.onthesnow.com - photos, live ski cams and snow reports help you determine the best resort. Plus you'll find tips on sneaky ways to save on lift tickets, lodging and there is a trip planner tool that organizes it all.

www.liftopia.com- Save up to 85% by prepurchasing lift tickets for 170 resorts nationwide

www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org - want to venture beyond the beginner slope? During January resorts throughout the country will be offering free or discounted lessons as well as deals on rental packages.

Fitness Magazine Jan 2011

Activity comes in all shapes and sizes

Play frisbee or play catch with your friends
Clean your house

Take a hike

Garden

Go horseback riding

Play outside with your kids

Hate the outsdoors, try mall walking (plus you can shop too!)

Park further away

Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Remember you don't need a gym to add activity into your daily routine. Use some of these examples to get started but remember the trick is you must enjoy it. So if your not someone who wants to join the latest Zumba class at the gym, try salsa lessons or ballroon dancing. Make it interesting so you don't give up!

Rethink and Reorganize your day!

1,440

Number of minutes in a day. Use just 30 of them to exercise and you'll see a tigher body in no time!

Street Strider

The Street Strider is the greatest new way to take your love of the gym elliptical outdoors. You may have seen this product on The Biggest Loser or Dr. Oz as it combines the benefits of jogging, skiing and cycling to offer a total body workout. They even have a smaller version for kids. Visit www.streetstrider.com to preorder yours now as they aren't available until the beginning of next year.

Workout Trick

For decades we've been told to calculate our peak heart rate (a gauge of how hard to exercise) by subtracting our age from 220. But now researchers from Northwestern medicine say that formula yields numbers too high for women- meaning we've been working too hard! Their new female- friendly math: Multiply your age by 0.88, then subtract that number from 206. Stay within 65-95% of that peak heart rate to get the most bang for your cardio buck. HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HITTING THE TARGET: Stop mid exercise and count your pulse for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get your heart rate. If it's too high, slow down, if it's too low and you feel good, step up the pace.

Health Magazine November 2010

Meet the FitBit

The FitBit is an incredible product that is a celebrity favorite. This small piece can be attached to a belt or undergarments and it tracks your fitness and sleep. It records the time you went to bed, the time it took you to fall asleep, times awakened, time you went to sleep for and actual time slept. It also records amounts of steps taken, miles traveled, calories burned, calories consumed, and your activity level (light- very active). Its wireless so the health stats are automatically updated to your computer when your within 15 feet. How cool is this technology! Its only $99 and you can visit their website for more information.