WELCOME
If you are like me you have, at least at one point in your life, looked for the easy way out - the quick fix, the magic pill, the effortless exercise machine - to make us thin without the hard work! The result is usually the same - a roller coaster of weight gain and loss. Reading our advice column this week was both informative and scary. It reminds us that it's important to look at significant weight loss as a lifestyle change and not a quick fix.
FOOD/NUTRITION
Below are a couple of exerpts from Darya Pino's nutrition website, Summer Tomato. If you are looking for help making a lifestyle change regarding your eating habits, this is an awesome place to start.
Health is our greatest resource and though it sometimes seems elusive, anyone can achieve it. Long-term health and weight loss are within your reach, but you can’t rely on a short-term plan to get you there.
Nutrition science is not as nebulous as the media would lead you to believe and healthy living is not as difficult or time consuming as you might think. Your daily food choices are by far the most important factors in your long-term personal health, and upgrading your healthstyle can add more than a decade of quality years to your life.
Summer Tomato was named one of TIME’s 50 Best Websites of 2011.
HEALTH/FITNESS
It's time to ban the yo-yo workouts as well ... what am I talking about?
For the man's perspective check out YoYo Workouts and the Fitness Lifestyle from Hall of the Black Dragon. Warning - enter at your own risk ... generally speaking, I liked the site, but I didn't go into the girly links either. You perverts are on your own!!! LOL
Ladies ... Oprah claims you can counteract the effects of lapsing and relapsing with these Ten_Minute Workouts
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Well, don't tell Dr. Brouillet, but I walked a mile today in the boot and feel pretty good. I'm thinking about heading to Brickhouse Ellicott City for a Zumba class on Friday! (in the boot, of course!)
APPS/BOOKS
Now, I don't have a great app for this week - for a lifestyle change I would recommend looking for a Weight Watchers download. But, after reading Juan's article below, I will encourage all of you to use the internet for good instead of evil. If someone is selling you on a get-thin-quick program ... it's time to go online and do some research. Check out the Wikipedia page on Kevin Trudeau.
ADVICE
I met Juan Ponte when he volunteered to work out Turkey Trot 5K at Centennial HS this fall. He is a nutritionist and owner of Columbia Max Muscle. We got to talking about the best ways to lose weight and he agreed to help us with our challenge.
A recent fad in the weight-loss industry is the HCG Diet - a program that combines low calore diets with hormone injections to promote weight loss. At first glance it sounds perfect, but buyer beware - if there were a quick and easy fix, we'd all have it by now.
Juan shares with us this article dispelling the myths of this program and offering us some reviews on some pretty good programs to help us reach our goals.
If you visit Juan at Columbia Max Muscle, tell him I sent you and you'll receive a 15% discount on any purchase!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Challenge Week 7
WELCOME
Hopefully, Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras have not done us in! Throw in a funeral and a birthday and you'll know why, scale-wise, I'm grateful to have gotten the cast off!!! February is American Heart Month, so this week we'll take our ticker into consideration!
FOOD/NUTRITION
But it was Mardi Gras … I know, we can find an excuse every week, and I'll admit, I was distracted by seriouseats.com's "Can There be a Po'Boy Diet?" Luckily for me, our topic is a Healthy Heart, so I'll have to save Mardis Gras until my journey here is done! A heart-healthy diet should be low in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat — but that doesn't mean it has to be low in taste. And eating out shouldn't always be such a challenge. Guess which Baltimore restaurant in Little Italy made it onto Gayot's, coiner of the term Nouvelle Cuisine, Top 10 Heart-Healthy Restaurants in the United States?
HEALTH/FITNESS
I love the Mayo clinic, chock full of great information! Check out:
Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical
Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic exercise is good for you. Regular aerobic activity — such as walking, bicycling or swimming — can help you live longer and healthier. Need motivation? See how aerobic exercise affects your heart, lungs and blood flow. Then get moving and start reaping the rewards.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Hiking, Hot Yoga, Boxing and Belly Dancing not your thing? This week's challenge is simple, and it's one of the easiest things you can do for your heart - Get a Cholesteral Check!
APPS/BOOKS
Are you serious about your heart health? Well, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are a lot of heart-related apps out there. Here are a few that caught the St. Vincent Heart Center's attention. Apps For Your Heart!
ADVICE
Dr. Oz's Keys to a Healthy Heart
Do you know how to spot a heart attack weeks before it happens? Now you will, with this at-a-glance guide .... Dr. Oz offers some great information that you may not already know, definitely worth a read.
Hopefully, Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras have not done us in! Throw in a funeral and a birthday and you'll know why, scale-wise, I'm grateful to have gotten the cast off!!! February is American Heart Month, so this week we'll take our ticker into consideration!
FOOD/NUTRITION
But it was Mardi Gras … I know, we can find an excuse every week, and I'll admit, I was distracted by seriouseats.com's "Can There be a Po'Boy Diet?" Luckily for me, our topic is a Healthy Heart, so I'll have to save Mardis Gras until my journey here is done! A heart-healthy diet should be low in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat — but that doesn't mean it has to be low in taste. And eating out shouldn't always be such a challenge. Guess which Baltimore restaurant in Little Italy made it onto Gayot's, coiner of the term Nouvelle Cuisine, Top 10 Heart-Healthy Restaurants in the United States?
HEALTH/FITNESS
I love the Mayo clinic, chock full of great information! Check out:
Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical
Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic exercise is good for you. Regular aerobic activity — such as walking, bicycling or swimming — can help you live longer and healthier. Need motivation? See how aerobic exercise affects your heart, lungs and blood flow. Then get moving and start reaping the rewards.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Hiking, Hot Yoga, Boxing and Belly Dancing not your thing? This week's challenge is simple, and it's one of the easiest things you can do for your heart - Get a Cholesteral Check!
APPS/BOOKS
Are you serious about your heart health? Well, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are a lot of heart-related apps out there. Here are a few that caught the St. Vincent Heart Center's attention. Apps For Your Heart!
ADVICE
Dr. Oz's Keys to a Healthy Heart
Do you know how to spot a heart attack weeks before it happens? Now you will, with this at-a-glance guide .... Dr. Oz offers some great information that you may not already know, definitely worth a read.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Challenge Week 6
WELCOME
Happy Valentine's Week! Is it possible to romanticize our weight loss journeys? This week we'll explore ways to make our partnerships work to our advantage ... Don't let the titillating titles of our links and articles fool you - there is some good reading here.
FOOD/NUTRITION
This Valentine's Day (Week) let's eat slowly, chew every bite and savor the taste of the food. It takes a little time for your stomach to inform you brain that you are satisfied, so try resting your fork between bites and swallowing before picking it back up. As an added bonus, eating more slowly will allow for better conversation between you and your sweetheart, and will allow time for a little more romantic eye-gazing.
HEALTH/FITNESS
Don't let your love life derail your plans to get fit this year. With these workout ideas for couples, you and your partner can spend quality time together while you stay on track to reaching your goals! Read more ...
Workout Ideas for Couples - Put Your Love to the Fitness Test
Exercises for Couples - Here are three exercises that you and your better half can do together — because it's always better when you finish at the same time!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Wanna try something new and slightly scandalous? How about Belly Dancing at BFunk Studio in Ellicott City on Friday night! Let me know, we can check it out!
APPS/BOOKS
Luckily, I didn't have to browse any "adult" app store to find Fitness 4 Couples - an app designed for exercising with a partner!!!
ADVICE
There has got to be a correlation between fitness and sexuality, wouldn't you think? Since none of my athletic experts wished to comment on this aspect of our challenge, I decided to turn to the internet for truth and guidance ... LOL !! After reading a scary story on calorielab.com about how abdominal fat turns testosterone to estrogen in men, I was lucky enough to find a great site called fitmarriage.com which is dedicated to healthy coupledom! Here's what they had to say about how exercise can benefit your romantic quality time:
Not only does exercise leave you feeling energized and looking better, but it can actually lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men with regular fitness routines are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don’t exercise.
Check out their article 7 Sexy Reasons Your Marriage Needs Exercise for more!
Happy Valentine's Week! Is it possible to romanticize our weight loss journeys? This week we'll explore ways to make our partnerships work to our advantage ... Don't let the titillating titles of our links and articles fool you - there is some good reading here.
FOOD/NUTRITION
This Valentine's Day (Week) let's eat slowly, chew every bite and savor the taste of the food. It takes a little time for your stomach to inform you brain that you are satisfied, so try resting your fork between bites and swallowing before picking it back up. As an added bonus, eating more slowly will allow for better conversation between you and your sweetheart, and will allow time for a little more romantic eye-gazing.
HEALTH/FITNESS
Don't let your love life derail your plans to get fit this year. With these workout ideas for couples, you and your partner can spend quality time together while you stay on track to reaching your goals! Read more ...
Workout Ideas for Couples - Put Your Love to the Fitness Test
Exercises for Couples - Here are three exercises that you and your better half can do together — because it's always better when you finish at the same time!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Wanna try something new and slightly scandalous? How about Belly Dancing at BFunk Studio in Ellicott City on Friday night! Let me know, we can check it out!
APPS/BOOKS
Luckily, I didn't have to browse any "adult" app store to find Fitness 4 Couples - an app designed for exercising with a partner!!!
ADVICE
There has got to be a correlation between fitness and sexuality, wouldn't you think? Since none of my athletic experts wished to comment on this aspect of our challenge, I decided to turn to the internet for truth and guidance ... LOL !! After reading a scary story on calorielab.com about how abdominal fat turns testosterone to estrogen in men, I was lucky enough to find a great site called fitmarriage.com which is dedicated to healthy coupledom! Here's what they had to say about how exercise can benefit your romantic quality time:
Not only does exercise leave you feeling energized and looking better, but it can actually lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men with regular fitness routines are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don’t exercise.
Check out their article 7 Sexy Reasons Your Marriage Needs Exercise for more!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Challenge Week 5
WELCOME
Okay - so we are a month in. I figure you are either going like gangbusters or are stalled ... some of you are posting some great numbers, keep up the good work. For those of us that are stalled (I cannot get over how much I miss being able to walk - I will never complain about getting back into shape again!) The key is to not give up! Read on my friends and lets keep this going ...
FOOD/NUTRITION
Face the facts. Read labels and get nutrition information on your favorite foods from the restaurants you frequent. Upon request, most restaurants should be able to provide you with written nutritional information including the calorie, sodium, saturated fat and carbohydrate content of menu items. For weight loss your meal should be no more than 350-600 calories—including drinks, appetizers, and desserts! Check it out. Salad anyone?
HEALTH/FITNESS
The easiest way to get into shape is to walk - and man, have we had the weather for it! A few years ago I did the 10,000 steps a day challenge and it was awesome. Like the idea, but feel intimidated by the number of steps and the distance? Check out The Walking Site for tips on how to get started and boost your numbers each week!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Let's get moving! Take the 10,000 Steps Challenge! Put on your pedometer and log your steps for the week. I'll be posting mine on the blog ...
APPS/BOOKS
The iStore and Android Market have tons of pedometer apps to help you in your 10,000 steps a day program - log on and check them out.
Couch to 5K - want to do more than walk, use this app to turn yourself from couch potato to 5K participant in just 8 or 9 weeks!
While researching apps I found this site from Australia outlining small changes you can make everyday to better your health. To make it even more fun, use an Aussi accent while reading it! Good on ya! Swap It, Don't Stop It
ADVICE
Dr. George Brouillet is truly one of my favorite people in the world. He is an Orthopedic Surgical genius and all-around good guy. Here is his advice on getting into shape at "our age" ...
There are several basic truths about exercise, especially for one who is starting to exercise for the first time, or after an extensive hiatus. Most important is that the exercise is fun. If one doesn't enjoy it, one will stop. Select activities that meet your needs and your ability and willingness to continue with them. Second, begin slowly. Pushing too hard or too fast will result in injury or burnout. Getting into shape is not about competition, it's about the process. Third, recognize that conditioning is separated into three types of exercise. Flexibility, strength, and endurance. Some forms of exercise address more than one of these, but no single exercise addresses all three. Create a program that works on each of these goals. Vary the routine, workout with others, allow the body to recover between workouts, and HAVE FUN!
George Brouillet M.D.
Chief of Surgery
Kernan Hospital
Team Physician, Centennial Eagles
www.mdbonedocs.com
Okay - so we are a month in. I figure you are either going like gangbusters or are stalled ... some of you are posting some great numbers, keep up the good work. For those of us that are stalled (I cannot get over how much I miss being able to walk - I will never complain about getting back into shape again!) The key is to not give up! Read on my friends and lets keep this going ...
FOOD/NUTRITION
Face the facts. Read labels and get nutrition information on your favorite foods from the restaurants you frequent. Upon request, most restaurants should be able to provide you with written nutritional information including the calorie, sodium, saturated fat and carbohydrate content of menu items. For weight loss your meal should be no more than 350-600 calories—including drinks, appetizers, and desserts! Check it out. Salad anyone?
HEALTH/FITNESS
The easiest way to get into shape is to walk - and man, have we had the weather for it! A few years ago I did the 10,000 steps a day challenge and it was awesome. Like the idea, but feel intimidated by the number of steps and the distance? Check out The Walking Site for tips on how to get started and boost your numbers each week!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Let's get moving! Take the 10,000 Steps Challenge! Put on your pedometer and log your steps for the week. I'll be posting mine on the blog ...
APPS/BOOKS
The iStore and Android Market have tons of pedometer apps to help you in your 10,000 steps a day program - log on and check them out.
Couch to 5K - want to do more than walk, use this app to turn yourself from couch potato to 5K participant in just 8 or 9 weeks!
While researching apps I found this site from Australia outlining small changes you can make everyday to better your health. To make it even more fun, use an Aussi accent while reading it! Good on ya! Swap It, Don't Stop It
ADVICE
Dr. George Brouillet is truly one of my favorite people in the world. He is an Orthopedic Surgical genius and all-around good guy. Here is his advice on getting into shape at "our age" ...
There are several basic truths about exercise, especially for one who is starting to exercise for the first time, or after an extensive hiatus. Most important is that the exercise is fun. If one doesn't enjoy it, one will stop. Select activities that meet your needs and your ability and willingness to continue with them. Second, begin slowly. Pushing too hard or too fast will result in injury or burnout. Getting into shape is not about competition, it's about the process. Third, recognize that conditioning is separated into three types of exercise. Flexibility, strength, and endurance. Some forms of exercise address more than one of these, but no single exercise addresses all three. Create a program that works on each of these goals. Vary the routine, workout with others, allow the body to recover between workouts, and HAVE FUN!
George Brouillet M.D.
Chief of Surgery
Kernan Hospital
Team Physician, Centennial Eagles
www.mdbonedocs.com
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Challenge Week 4
WELCOME
I am a firm believer in Everything in Moderation. Getting healthy does not mean that we should give up on the fun things in life. And working out should be enjoyable. So this week, work out strong, get your groove on - and maybe have a glass of wine or two! (Although I will pass on my Get Well cannoli sent to my by my "friend" Kathy!
FOOD/NUTRITION
It's time for a new slim-down mantra: Eat more to weigh less. No joke! The right foods help you drop pounds by revving your calorie burn and curbing cravings. Self Magazine consulted top experts for the best picks and asked leading chefs for easy, tasty ways to prepare them. Add these eats to your plate today and you'll be slimmer and healthier in no time! Check out their article 20 Super Foods for Weight Loss.
Looking for more inspiration from people who don't take themselves too seriously? Check out the 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet website.
HEALTH/FITNESS
In my quest to find fitness and still enjoy an adult beverage now and again, I came accross the CheersBeers Blog. Here they offer us 7 Tips to Get Fit and Drink Beer Too. While I doubt I'll embrace the Beer Mile - it does make for a fun read!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Studies have shown that music is both motivational and an effective distraction from fatigue during exercise - thus improving results. This week I challenge you to update your ipods, mp3 players and smart phones! When your done - check out my workout playlist blog and add your own songs!
APPS/BOOKS
Don't have time to update your playlist? Get the Pandora App, where you can create your own workout radio station!
Check out this BeerGut Fitness App - it will help you balance your beer calories with your workout calories!!! Might be fun!
ADVICE
I asked Scott Middleton, from the Coloseum Gym in Ellicott City to help us fight that belly fat (a.k.a. love handles or beer gut!) Here's what he says:
Did you know that losing belly fat can substantially reduce back pain? My formula for losing belly fat is:
I am a firm believer in Everything in Moderation. Getting healthy does not mean that we should give up on the fun things in life. And working out should be enjoyable. So this week, work out strong, get your groove on - and maybe have a glass of wine or two! (Although I will pass on my Get Well cannoli sent to my by my "friend" Kathy!
FOOD/NUTRITION
It's time for a new slim-down mantra: Eat more to weigh less. No joke! The right foods help you drop pounds by revving your calorie burn and curbing cravings. Self Magazine consulted top experts for the best picks and asked leading chefs for easy, tasty ways to prepare them. Add these eats to your plate today and you'll be slimmer and healthier in no time! Check out their article 20 Super Foods for Weight Loss.
Looking for more inspiration from people who don't take themselves too seriously? Check out the 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet website.
HEALTH/FITNESS
In my quest to find fitness and still enjoy an adult beverage now and again, I came accross the CheersBeers Blog. Here they offer us 7 Tips to Get Fit and Drink Beer Too. While I doubt I'll embrace the Beer Mile - it does make for a fun read!
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Studies have shown that music is both motivational and an effective distraction from fatigue during exercise - thus improving results. This week I challenge you to update your ipods, mp3 players and smart phones! When your done - check out my workout playlist blog and add your own songs!
APPS/BOOKS
Don't have time to update your playlist? Get the Pandora App, where you can create your own workout radio station!
Check out this BeerGut Fitness App - it will help you balance your beer calories with your workout calories!!! Might be fun!
ADVICE
I asked Scott Middleton, from the Coloseum Gym in Ellicott City to help us fight that belly fat (a.k.a. love handles or beer gut!) Here's what he says:
Did you know that losing belly fat can substantially reduce back pain? My formula for losing belly fat is:
- Reduce alcohol intake if you drink. (notice he didn't say eliminate!!)
- Reduce carbohydrate intake. Try 100 grams max per day of primarily fruits and vegetables.
- 20-30 minutes of cardio daily.
- Small abdominal crunches to slowly raise your shoulders off the ground.
Rock On
I feel like my mother when picking through Rachel's iTunes account ... I don't know how she listens to some of that crap!!! LOL
So this is what's on my phone, haven't even gotten through my iPod Shuffle yet. Will continue to update this week.
FOR RUNNING
Ain't No Other Man, Christina Aguilera
Bad Romance, Lady Gaga
Bang Bang, K'Naan
Bang Bang, Melanie Fiona
Born this Way, Lady Gaga
Dog Days are Over, Florence & the Machine
Firework, Katy Perry
Forget You, Cee-Lo Green
Give me Everything, Pitbull
I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
Lover Lover, Jerrod Nieman
Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5
On the Floor, JLo
Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
Rolling in the Deep, Adele
Stuck Like Glue, Sugarland
Why Wait, Rascal Flats
COUNTRY ROCKS
Chicken Fried, Zac Brown Band
Little White Church
Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson
She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Kenny Chesney
METAL HEALTH
Crazy Train, Ozzy
Enter Sandman, Metallica
Rock You Like a Hurricane, Scorpions
Thunderstruck, ACDC
Welcome to the Jungle, Guns-n-Roses
GETTING SEXY
Bringing Sexy Back, Justin Timberlake
Sexy and I know it, LMFAO
Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
Sexy Ida, Ike and Tina Turner
Brick House, Commodores
Love Me Sexy, Will Ferrell
My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
Mui Caliente
I know you want me, Pitbull
Tonight, Enrique Inglesias
COOL DOWN
Banana Pancakes, Jack Johnson
Better Together, Jack Johnson
Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
Feeling Good, Michael Buble
Happy, Leona Lewis
Love Song, Sara Bareilles
Price Tag, Check out Xenia's version
Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson
Rythm of Love, Plain White T's
Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield
Who Says, Selena
So this is what's on my phone, haven't even gotten through my iPod Shuffle yet. Will continue to update this week.
FOR RUNNING
Ain't No Other Man, Christina Aguilera
Bad Romance, Lady Gaga
Bang Bang, K'Naan
Bang Bang, Melanie Fiona
Born this Way, Lady Gaga
Dog Days are Over, Florence & the Machine
Firework, Katy Perry
Forget You, Cee-Lo Green
Give me Everything, Pitbull
I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
Lover Lover, Jerrod Nieman
Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5
On the Floor, JLo
Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
Rolling in the Deep, Adele
Stuck Like Glue, Sugarland
Why Wait, Rascal Flats
COUNTRY ROCKS
Chicken Fried, Zac Brown Band
Little White Church
Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson
She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Kenny Chesney
METAL HEALTH
Crazy Train, Ozzy
Enter Sandman, Metallica
Rock You Like a Hurricane, Scorpions
Thunderstruck, ACDC
Welcome to the Jungle, Guns-n-Roses
GETTING SEXY
Bringing Sexy Back, Justin Timberlake
Sexy and I know it, LMFAO
Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
Sexy Ida, Ike and Tina Turner
Brick House, Commodores
Love Me Sexy, Will Ferrell
My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
Mui Caliente
I know you want me, Pitbull
Tonight, Enrique Inglesias
COOL DOWN
Banana Pancakes, Jack Johnson
Better Together, Jack Johnson
Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
Feeling Good, Michael Buble
Happy, Leona Lewis
Love Song, Sara Bareilles
Price Tag, Check out Xenia's version
Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson
Rythm of Love, Plain White T's
Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield
Who Says, Selena
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