A strong core is essential. A strong core will increase energy, improve our posture, increases your balance and reduces your risk of injury. You can work your core daily but three to five times a week is sufficient. You do not need any special equipment to strengthen your core. It can help our overall health and well being and help you attain your fitness goals. Below are three basic core exercises which require no special equipment. Take it slow and build up as you gain strength and stability. Let me know how you are doing! Back Extension Starting Position Lie … Continue reading →

What is on your “to-do” list? I write out a “to do” list almost every night before going to bed. I never want to forget something I intend to do the next day. With four kids, homeschooling, a business and taking care of a home, I have a tendency to forget things and I have to focus myself on the priorities of the day. Now, if you ask me how often I follow my “to do” list that is sadly another disappointing story. I try to at least get the priorities done. One thing missing from my list of priorities … Continue reading →

Finding time to work out can be difficult but it can be done. It takes determination and focus to add in something new to your daily routine. However, there is nothing saying that your work out time is the only time to burn calories. The name of the game is burning more calories than you consume in a day. I’m not sure about you but thirty minutes on a treadmill a day may not be the trick to burning the desired about of calories. Wouldn’t it be nice to burn an extra 100 to 200 calories a day without gearing … Continue reading →

I am not a dancer. I am not a runner. I am someone who wants a fun and effective workout. I am someone who gets bored easily with DVD workout programs. However, I do like the concept and have enjoyed many through the years. Having four kids, running my own business and writing until my fingers get a workout, I need something I can count on when it comes to working out. I cannot always count on going to the gym or for the weather to allow me to go outside. Even if I did go outside I would not … Continue reading →

The only belly dancing I have been doing lately is wiggling my way into a pair of jeans. I never considered belly dancing as a workout. I certainly never thought I would be actually belly dance, much less in my living room, blinds shut with only my dog to witness it. However, sometimes what you never expect does happen. I did find myself in my living room, blinds shut with only the dog around as I popped in a workout DVD called Step by Step Belly Dance. I was hesitant. I felt stupid. Mostly felt stupid because I look nothing … Continue reading →

Xtend Barre: Lean and Chiseled with Andrea Rogers will be released on April 5, 2011. You have the option of pre-ordering it at a guaranteed price from Amazon.com. Distributed by Acacia, a leading distributor of fitness, yoga and wellness DVD programming, this DVD should have a place in your workout routine. I have long been a fan of Pilates and Xtend Barre is a nice addition to a Pilates routine and takes it a step further. It has been said, “If Pilates sculpts your body, Xtend Barre Chisels it.’ That was enough to make me want to give it a … Continue reading →

Tai Chi and Qi Gong Basics will be available for purchase on March 22, 2011. It is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com. If you have never taken a Tai Chi class or heard of Qi Gong this is a great place to start. Until this DVD I had only seen Tai Chi on TV and had no idea what Qi Gong meant. I was a bit excited and intimidated at the same time. Tai Chi sounds so precise and serious. Qi Gong just sounded like something on a take-out menu. My husband used to practice martial arts, so I … Continue reading →

Familiar with the challenges of adding in a workout routine I found an unconventional route. As I was looking through Netflix I saw many workout videos. At first I wondered why anyone would rent a workout video. You would get in the mail, workout with it for a short time, and then have to send it back. It didn’t seem to be a consistent way to workout, in my opinion. Then I realized that many of the videos were also streaming. Streaming is when you can watch a Netflix movie, TV show, etc., on your computer or TV instantly. I … Continue reading →

Remember hour long aerobic classes with ladies in headbands and leg warmers? I recently read on a website that exercising moderately, 3 times a week, for an hour is not an effective way to lose weight. The explanation was that this type of exercise burns fat which will cause your body to store more fat for the next workout. The article encouraged resistance training so one would burn carbohydrates which would then cause your body to use fat for daily activities and so forth. Here is the article for you to take a glance when you get a second. At … Continue reading →

Jammy Packs are a new twist on the Fanny Pack. Remember the Fanny Pack? Sure you do. You still see people walking around amusement parks, fairs, carnivals and garage sales wearing Fanny Packs. Fanny Packs were a convenient, hands free way to carry your wallet anywhere while keeping it right on your person. They were all the range and still have a following of loyal fans. Now comes a new updated and trendy way to carry your belongings while staying in tune. Meet the Jammy Pack. The Jammy Pack is a convenient pouch to house your important belongings while listening … Continue reading →