Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track you'll get run over if you just sit there."

That's been my problem lately. I'm eating right, working out when I can fit it into my crazy work schedule and curbing bad habits that got me into trouble in the first place.

The one thing I haven't really done is move forward. I've sort of stagnated in my fitness regime, as well as for my writing and other professional goals. It's not as though I've been sitting on the beach all summer. Wayne and I haven't been out of town at all. My work schedule has been too chaotic to plan for time away, not to mention the need to tighten our belts for the foreseeable future.

Plans, dreams, visions, goals, whatever you want to call them, haven't found a place in my brain lately. Just because I'm busy living my life is no excuse to put these things on hold. I'm in a pretty good place, but I'll get run over if I'm not careful.

So how does one find motivation to improve one's life when one barely has time to form a cohesive thought? It isn't easy, but I've thought of a few steps I can take. I currently spend a lot of time in my car for my job. For the next few weeks that amount of time will increase. Driving usually means turning up the radio and taking it easy for an hour or so until I reach my destination. Then I do it all over again at the end of the day. That's at least two hours a day I'll never get back.

How can I better utilize those two hours that will put me a little closer to reaching my goals in the midst of a hectic schedule? Turning off the radio for starters. My day is filled with enough endless chatter. Brainstorming ideas and preparing my mind for work before I ever get into the car is another. If we're in the right frame of mind, we accomplish so much more when we actually begin working.

Midwesterners are naturally prudent and hate to waste or throw anything away. So why am I so careless with my most valuable commodity? My time.

What about you? What has put the brakes on your forward momentum? Lack of time? Motivation? Support from loved ones? Whatever it is, break the chains that bind and move forward.

Get Thin at Last

Why wish for a pricey tummy tuck or liposuction to get rid of bothersome bulges when there are now healthier, easier ways to trim down? The latest research reveals you can transform into a sleeker, fitter you just by…

1. Outsmarting hunger hormones with the new sweetner. Oligo-fructose—a sugar alternative made from chicory root—is the latest and most delicious slim down trick. In a recent study, overweight men and women who consumed about 4 tsp. Of the sugary tasting sweetener daily for 12 weeks lost 2.2 pounds. That’s more than a 4- pound loss in six months.

Why it works: lowers levels of the appetite boosting hormone and raises level of the hunger suppressant hormone peptide YY.

2. Erase cellulite with a study-proven cream. Frustrated by those dimples on your thighs, buttocks, and hips that just won’t disappear? You’re not alone. Nearly 90% of women have cellulite for a simple reason: Estrogen traps fat in these areas. Try rubbing your thighs with a topical cream made with a fat-blasting trio of plant compounds.

Why it works. Ingredients override estrogen’s effect on cells, telling them to stop storing fat and to break down the fat they already contain.

3. Banishing belly bulges with blueberries. Not only do these succulent summer berries sharpen your memory and preserve your vision, researches now know they also help you shed pounds effortlessly. In a University of Michigan study, animals fed a diet supplemented with blueberries lost more weight around their midsections than animals that ate the exact same diet minus the berries.

4. Maximizing your workout with a Chinese herb Shisandra (also spelled schizandra) a woody vine with red berries that’s native to northern China, has long been used as an energy tonic in Eastern medicine. New studies show it also stimulate the nervous system, giving you quicker and stronger reflexes.

Why it works; The herb improves breathing, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation by dilating blood vessels—which, in turn, boosts your endurance so it’s easy to exercise longer and burn more calories. Options include Nature’s Way Schizandra Fruit or Paradise Herbs Schisandra at PhysiciansFormulas.com

5. Revving fat burn with sweet red peppers. An astounding 34% of adults are likely to develop metabolic syndrome—a condition that raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes and more. Luckily, researchers have pinpointed an easy way to dodge it—eat more sweet red peppers, tomatoes or watermelon. All are loaded with lycopene, and antioxidant-rich plant pigment that makes women half as likely to have belly fat of metabolic disorder

Why it works—Lycopene destroys toxic free radicals that can slow down your metabolism. Try enjoying three to five servings of lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables daily.

6. Curb snack attacks by sleeping. No this doesn’t mean to take a nap every time you are tempted to hit the fridge, though I’ve tried that tactic myself a time or two. What it really means is to get a solid seven to eight hours of shuteye won’t just boost your energy, strengthen your immunity and clear your head. New research from Walter Reed Army Medical Center reveals it will help you shed weight more easily, too. Indeed women in the study who slept at least seven hours every night weighted an average of 20 to 30 pounds less than those who slept fewer hours.

Why it works: Skimping on zzz’s lowers production of leptin, a hormone that makes you feel full. Without enough, you crave extra food to feel satisfied.

Snack for your health

Exercise alone won't help much in your struggle to lose weight. In fact, it is more important to eat well in weight control than exercise. Eating well is a lot harder to do in this fast paced, fast food world. Here are a few little steps we can take to eat less while adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Snack healthy

Strategy #1--Try a raw vegetable platter made with a
variety of vegetables. Include some good fiber choices:
carrots, snow peas, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans.

Strategy #2--Make sauces and dips with nonfat plain yogurt
as the base.

Strategy #3--Eat more fruit. Oranges, grapefruit, kiwi,
apples, pears, bananas, strawberries and cantaloupe are all
good fiber sources. Make a big fruit salad and keep it on hand
for snacks.

Strategy #4--Plain, air-popped popcorn is a great low-fat
snack with fiber. Watch out! Some prepackaged microwave popcorn
has fat added. Remember to go easy on the salt or use other
seasonings.

Strategy #5--Instead of chips, try one of these low-fat
alternatives that provide fiber: toasted shredded wheat Squares
sprinkled with a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese,
whole-grain English muffins, or toasted plain corn tortillas.

Strategy #6--When you are thirsty, try water, skim milk,
juice, or club soda with a twist of lime or lemon.

By decreasing fat and sodium in your diet and increasing fiber while planning menus that are high in fiber and low in fat, especially saturated fat, you may reduce
the risk of disease for yourself and for those you love.

So Snack Well, Eat Healthy... And Eat For Life!

Supplements Save Lives

Wish you could enjoy fantastic health without the work? Now you can. The key is getting enough of the nutrients proven to help protect every cell in your body from the damage that can lead to everything from weight gain to heart disease to cancer to premature aging. What’s more, you only need to pop four supplements to reap these benefits.

1. Halve your cancer risk with vitamin D. Few of us have enough spare time to bask in the sun sun long enough to make sufficient vitamin D in our skin. Consequently nearly 80% of Americans are deficient. Even if we’re getting the present RDA –--200 IU daily for women under 50 and 400 IU after that—--research suggests that’s less than half what’s needed for optimal health. Studies indicate that bumping up your daily dose to 800 IU could cut your risk of cancer and heart attack in half, slow the progression of arthritis by 67 % reduce bone fracture risk by 33%, and slow the aging process by up to five years. Amazing. Every cell in your body needs vitamin D to function at its peak and repair day-to-day damage.

2. Burn extra fat with fish oil. We’ve known for years that fish oil helps prevent blood clots, strokes, even depression. It can even lower total cholesterol by 19%. New data shows it also helps dieters lose up to twice as much body fat each week. Fish oil reduces cellular inflammation, one of the key triggers of body fat formation. It also shuts down your brain’s production of hunger promoting hormones fr up to six hours and activates your liver’s fat-burning genes. Who doesn't love the sound of that?

3. Halt heart disease with magnesium. This mineral keeps more than 300 health boosting enzymes in your cells functioning at their peek, according to the author of the Magnesium Miracle. “Yet due to depleted soils 80% of women are deficient.” Taking a magnesium supplement daily could decrease your heart disease risk by 76%. Recommended: 400-500 mg. Food sources; green veggies, whole grains, nuts and legumes.

4. Stop germs cold with green tea. Thanks to the brew’s polyphenols, people who drink green tea daily or pop a green tea extract fend off five time more dangerous viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Those same polyphenols also disarm dangerous free radicals, resulting in a 30% lower risk of certain cancers, a 65% lower risk of high blood pressure and stroke, better blood-sugar control and fewer wrinkles and sagging. Sipping several cups daily even slows brain aging by 54%, according to researchers. No wonder lovers of green tea tend to live 16% longer than average.

Check out these supplements and more at Blue Spring Wellness or by clicking the picture above or link to the right.

Food for thought--Food for success

I received an email yesterday from the P90x team at Spark People with these questions and comments. I believe that how we think about our weight loss and fitness journey determines our success or failure.

How can I lose fat and enjoy the process?
What can I do today that will help me get closer to my weight loss goal?
What can I eat right now at this meal that will help me lose body fat?
How great am I going to feel after I finish my workout today?
My metabolism is getting faster every day.
I am getting leaner every day.
I like the way I look.
I am 100% responsible for my results.
Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.
I like eating healthy foods.
I love working out.
Training early in the morning is exhilarating.
I have time for anything I am committed to.
I like myself.
I can do it.
I’ll do it.

Do you really believe you'll have success? Are you getting fit for the right reasons or to fulfill some unattainable goal perpetuated by media? Do you know that the little steps you're taking now will add up in your journey to fitness and wholeness?

If you need help along the way, Beachbody has all kinds of helps and aids to get you up and grooving and moving and sweating your way to success. Slim in 6 provides 3 easy to follow workouts for amazing body slimming results. Ramp it up and burn it up in as little as 6 weeks. Reshape your body in 6 weeks---Guaranteed.

Taking P90x to the real world

Wayne and I have been waylaid by sickness and a death in the family this month so we are only starting week 7 of P90x instead of Week 9 like we should. I try to stay active and fit in workouts whenever possible even when we are off schedule. Can't say the same for Wayne who almost relishes interruptions. But he's hanging in there and bringing it at least three times a week. My goal is to stay on schedule so we can finish our 90 days according to the program.

After about 50 days on P90x Wayne and I are seeing some impressive changes in our bodies and our endurance. On the latest episode of The Office, office manager Michael Scott challenged his employees to pump out 25 pushups. Only one employee accomplished the feat and was rewarded with a day off work. Just for kicks I dropped down to see if I could do 25 without stopping. Piece of cake, my friends.

I couldn't have done it a month ago.

I realize my boss will never give me a day off work for doing 25 pushups or 15 pull-ups. But the skills and strength I've gained in the last month does translate to more efficiency in the real world. When you have a strong core you have a strong back. Anyone over 40, 30 even, has experienced some degree of back pain. Our vertebrae compress over time. Nerves pinch. Calcium deposits occur putting pressure on the spinal column. While there is no way to avoid the aging process...well, there's one way, but we won't consider that option, working and strengthening our back and core can alleviate many of the problems an aging, overworked back presents.

If you haven't started P90x or another of the awesome, heart pumping Beachbody workouts, I highly recommend that you do. Your back will thank you. You won't have any problem keeping up with the kids or the dog.

Who knows? You might even win a day off work sometime by pumping out 25 pushups. If you go to work in the fictional world of Michael Scott, that is.

If you forgot, I am also a Product Partners Affiliate.

Six weeks of Bringing it with P90x

Inspired by the 2010 5% body weight challenge on Spark People, Wayne and I finally buckled down and focused on eating better. We've been kicking it hard with P90x for the last 6 weeks, but haven't lost much weight. We can see a difference in definition--Wayne's love handles and belly and my arms and legs--but the scales haven't moved much.

Exercising hard will only shed so much weight if you don't combine it with sensible eating. So for the last week we've kicked our new healthier lifestyle into overdrive. No junk. No after dinner snacking. No skipped workouts. Today was Kenpo X of P90x. I love this workout. With almost every move I would say, "Oh, I love this one."

Near the end Wayne lost his patience and said, "You love every move."

Okay, so he has a point. But I love P90x. It is so fun and energetic. The hour flies by. I love how my shirt is dripping wet by the end. I love the buzz you can only get from a great workout. Most of all, I love the way my belly doesn't jiggle as much while jumping rope. I love feeling and looking narrower in the mirror. I love the way my husband's belly seems to shrink after nearly every workout.

If you haven't tried it yet, you really must give it a try. If two old fogies like Wayne and me can see results by doing it, anyone can. And don't give me the excuse that you're not in good enough shape for such an extreme routine. Wayne has never done this type of aerobic activity before. He's past 50 and had knee surgery in November. But he's there kicking it with me every morning.

If you want to see results, give P90x a try. You won't be sorry. If you are, at least you'll be sorry and ripped. Bring it.

In case you haven't figured it out I am a Product Partners LLC affiliate.

Cutting calories

Cutting enough calories to lose a pound of body fat is harder than you would think. I don't have much to lose, seven pounds, so it's harder than if I wanted to shed, say, 50 over the next year.

I had an extreme case of the munchies last night before bed. It wasn't just boredom grazing or watching TV and needed something to do with my hands. I was hungry. To lose 7 pounds in 8 weeks I must carve 500 calories from my daily intake. And late night snacking is my biggest problem. Especially when I stayed within my calorie range all day like a good girl.

Slim in 6 looks like a great program. I know I can't expect to lose all my weight in 6 weeks and then never worry again. Losing weight quickly is how most people get into trouble. We go at it like gangbusters in the beginning, shed a few pounds, maybe even fit into that bikini, and then fall off the wagon. We end up gaining back more than we lost in the first place.

Who wants to do that?

Slim in 6 trains you to reshape your body with fat-burning cardio exercise and light resistance to slim and sculpt. The key is to eat less and keep the weight off for good. That's what it's all about. This is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix to fit into a bikini.

Let me know how the journey goes. I'll be here, shedding those last 7 pounds.

Seven Pounds

I signed up for the Spring 5% Challenge on Spark People. Participants are challenged to lose 5% of their body weight in 8 weeks. That means I need to lose 7 pounds by the first of May while Wayne needs to shed 11.

A person must create a deficit of 3500 calories in order to lose one pound. To lose seven pounds in eight weeks I need to lessen my daily caloric intake by 500 calories. That equals one pound a week with a week thrown in for mistakes.

Since I know beyond the shadow of a doubt I am getting the proper exercise I need to make some big eating changes. This includes portion control, not feeding my body garbage, and controlled snacking. Slim in 6, the same people who bring you the other Beachbody programs featured on this blog, claims to reshape your body in 6 weeks. The secret is Debbie's exclusive Slim Training® technique, which combines fat-burning cardio with light resistance moves to help you slim and sculpt your body without bulking you up! You'll literally shrink your midsection and get slim, sexy thighs, hips, and arms—all in just 6 WEEKS.

Sounds perfect. Slim in 6 comes with revolutionary tools to track my progress. No guesswork. No wondering if I'm doing it right. There is even a money back guarantee if I'm not completely satisfied. What about you? Do you have 7 pounds to lose? Or 70? Do you want to get in shape for summer? Take a chance. What have you got to lose?

The answer for me is seven Pounds.

Survived Phase 1 of P90x

Have I complained before that guys have an easier time losing and toning up? Wayne and I started Phase 2 of P90x this morning. The differences in his 30 day shots are huge. Especially the side view. And so unfair. Except for the length of my hair, my Day 30 pics look really close to Day 1. To be fair, I don't have as much to lose. I already had some definition so it's hard to tell a difference.

Even though there's little justice in this world, I'm proud of my sweetheart for sticking with me the last 30 days. He wasn't exactly jumping up and down in anticipation when we started out. But I think his before and after shots have done the trick. He is kicking it.

Ladies, even if you take a little longer to see results, don't think this workout isn't for you. March came in like a lion today to remind us it's just a little longer before bikini weather. Get started on your bikini body now.

Bring it.

Pain Relief & much more with Blue Spring

Watching the Canadians take the Gold last night in pairs skating made me think of how much stronger I am after 4 weeks of P90x. I love it that Wayne and I are doing it together. I've worked out for years, but this is the first time he has joined me.

Not only do we share out fitness journey, we also share aches and pains we never knew before. Note to reader: A 40+ year-old body does not respond to torture the same as a 20+ body. But don't despair. Relief of most any kind can be found at Blue Spring Wellness. Whether you are feeling the rigors of P90x or are just a little tight in the shoulders from sitting at a desk all day, Blue Spring Wellness has your relief.

You will also find wellness products for Allergies, Energy, Digestion, and Weight Loss. Visit Blue Spring and see why I have such faith in their products that I became an affiliate.

10 Simple Tricks to Kickstart your Weight Loss

We’ve all been there. A new year and a new determination to turn our lives around and shed the pounds once and for all. But let’s face it. Diets are boring, restrictive, and frustrating. Without realizing it, we sabotage our efforts before we have a chance to see success. Below is a list of ten simple, tried and true tricks that will kick start your weight loss and help you reach your goals fast.

1. Write it down. It’s been proven over and over again that people who keep food journals lose more weight than those who don’t. Record every crumb that crosses your lips, what you were doing at the time, and how you felt about it. This will help reveal your temptations, the emotional states that encourage you to snack and force you to face just how much you are putting in your mouth. Ouch!


2. Brush your teeth. Instead of eating that forbidden piece of candy or late night snack, grab your toothbrush instead. If you're about to cheat, allow yourself a treat, then eat only half a bite and throw the other half away.


3. Wait ten minutes. When hunger strikes, wait 10 minutes before eating and see if it passes. Often by waiting 10 minutes you realize you weren’t really hungry after all. Or that treat you didn’t think you could resist isn’t worth the calories.


4. Drink 8-10 glasses of water. Most adults do not get enough water. Water itself helps cut down on water retention because it acts as a diuretic. Taken before meals, it dulls the appetite by giving you that "full feeling." It is suggested that you should drink 1 ounce of water for every two pounds of weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water a day. Totally doable, especially if you have incorporated cardio activity into your weight loss regimen.


5. Substitute activity for eating. When the cravings hit, go to the "Y" or health club if possible. Run the vacuum, walk the dog or get up from your desk and do some jumping jacks. Who cares what your coworkers think? Physical activity is especially helpful if you are an emotional eater. And who isn’t at least some of the time?


6. Freeze it. If the pie on the counter is too great a temptation and you can’t bring yourself to throw it away, freeze it. If you're a late-night eater, have a carbohydrate, such as a slice of bread or a cracker before bedtime to cut down on cravings. Keep an orange slice or a glass of water by your bed to quiet the hunger pangs that wake you up.


7. Weigh yourself at the same time of the day, whether daily or weekly. Your weight fluctuates as much as five pounds a day and you can weigh more at night than you did in the morning. Depressing if you stuck to your diet all day. Don’t rely completely on the scale. Paying attention to how your clothes fit is often a better indicator of progress.


8. Don’t shop when you’re hungry. You'll only buy more fattening food. Avoid finger foods that are easy to eat in large amounts. Avoid consuming large quantities of fattening liquids, which are difficult to measure and easy to overdo. This is especially true with alcoholic beverages.


9. Keep plenty of crunchy foods like raw vegetables and air-popped fat-free popcorn on hand. They're high in fiber, satisfying and filling. Eat from a smaller plate. Arrange your foods in an appealing manner and do not go back for seconds. One serving is enough. There is always tomorrow.


10. Lose weight for yourself, not to please your husband, your parents, your friends, or the image of a half starved actress you admire. Make the kitchen off-limits at any time other than mealtime. Always eat at the table, never in front of the TV or with the radio on. And don’t read a book or the back of the cereal box. Concentrate on eating every mouthful slowly and savoring each morsel. Chew everything from 10 to 20 times and count! Never skip meals.

By following these ten simple, proven techniques you will find the weight comes off quicker and easier, and best of all, stays off for good.

Moving forward with P90x

Wayne gave me a dirty look the other day and declared, "I weigh the same as when we started working out."

I can't stress enough that my husband was a little resistant when I first approached him about starting P90x. He's worked out with me before, but has never stuck with it, and never done anything close to the intensity of these workouts. So 21 days in and having not lost a pound was enough to make him wonder if I hadn't hoodwinked him.

Even though we don't officially weigh and measure progress until Day 30 we took our measurements on Monday. Wayne may not have lost an ounce, but he lost 2 inches around his belly and 1 1/2 around his chest. That progress is more exciting than the number on the scale.

I am so excited that he has stuck with me and even looks forward to the workout. If you dream of getting your man in shape or want to include him in your fitness regimen, give P90x a try. This may just be the one to fire up his enthusiasm.

Spring is coming. I promise. Get started on your Beach Body today.

13 days of P90x

Wayne and I just finished our 13th P90x workout. Today was Shoulders & Arms. I think it might be my favorite. The cardio routines are kicking Wayne's butt. But he's sticking with me, the big lug. Yesterday he couldn't believe how I hopped out of bed, bursting with energy and popped a DVD into the machine.

I do have a huge advantage over him. I've been working out for years. Remember Kathy Smith and Denise Austin? (I'm probably dating myself here.) Over the years I worked up to Taebo and then Turbo Jam with Chalene Johnson.

Don't think those workouts are a piece of cake. Far from it. In fact if you're not ready to say yes to the P90x or if you prefer something that gets you kicking and grooving and sweating, you might want to give Turbo Jam a try. Click the icon to the right to check it out. Buy now and get a free pair of weighted hand gloves, just what you need to take your workout to the next level. Wayne bought me a pair for Christmas and I love them. With or without the gloves, Chalene makes the workouts fun. There's a lot of dancing and grooving and sweating while you sculpt and tone your body. And did I mention how many calories you'll burn. If you already have a heart rate meter with the calorie burner you'll be amazed at how effective it is.

All these years of cardio training and kickboxing have prepared my body for P90x. So I'm loving these workouts much more than Wayne. Don't get me wrong, it's a killer workout. I'm just more prepared because of the training I've done to this point.

Hey, whatever works for you. Like Chalene says; Even the mistakes burn calories. Another Chalene quote: If you don't love it, you won't do it. So find something you enjoy. Push play and have fun with it.

Bring it!

Goodbye to back pain

Studies show exercise can slash lower back pain by 36%. Working out a mere three times a week for at least 20 minutes might be enough to do the trick.

For most women back pain is worse in the morning than at night. Extra fluid seeps between your disks while you sleep. If you twist or bend suddenly upon awakening, the fluid puts pressure on the spine’s delicate nerves, almost ensuring that you’ll flinch with pain.

So you're not turning into your grandma the way you feared.

Instead of leaping for the alarm clock, rise slowly and gently, taking some cues from Granny. First, move to the edge of the bed, roll onto your side and hang your feet off the mattress. Gently push yourself upright with your arms, keeping your back as straight as possible. Start tomorrow morning and your could instantly reduce back pain.

Getting out of bed isn't the only issue that might lead to back pain though. Stand up often throughout the day to ease pressure. Even while you're watching TV. Not only will your back thank you, you might not waste as much time vegging out in front of the idiot box.

Do coworkers accuse you of fidgeting? Do you frequently get up to grab a file folder, pour a fresh cup of coffee or open a window? Good for you. Standing up often, even if it’s just for a moment, reduces your risk of back pain by as much as 67%. By contrast, sitting for long periods of time at your desk or even in your favorite chair puts 40% more pressure on your spine, which can eventually compress nerves and result in severe pain.

Forgot to get up and move? There's an app for that. Set your cell phone alarm to remind you to get up and groove. You'll feel better in no time

One Week with P90x

Wayne and I have finished our first full week with P90x. We started the program on Thursday so we made a few alterations to make Sunday our rest day. Instead of resting yesterday (Wednesday) we did Shoulders and Arms followed by Ab Ripper X.

Wow!

If you have not done these workouts yet, you are missing out on a powerful, intense series of moves. Some of you reading this might be women who would rather focus on sculpting your butt, reducing your thighs, and burning butter. I feel you, sista. That's what I look for in a workout. But P90x works on the theory that you must work your entire body from head to toe in order to achieve maximum results.

I know it's all in my head, but after only 7 workouts, I already feel thinner, leaner, more sculpted. Like I'm taking up less space. Wayne is sore as a boil. During our workouts, he grunts and groans and tells me I'm trying to kill him. But he's a sport. We're bonding, building muscle and having a blast. I've worked out for years, always alone. I have to tell you, doing it with my wonderful husband makes it so much more fun. The time flies by.

Don't despair if you don't have a workout buddy. Just get off the couch and keep pushing play.

Bring it!

Day 2 of P90x

Today Wayne and I finished our second day of P90x. I did measurements the day before yesterday--boy, were those a wake-up call. Today after the workout we took our before and after pics. You are supposed to take them on Day 1, Day 30, Day 60 and Day 90. We'll stay up to date from here on out.

Here are some of our beginning measurements in inches:
Jenna
hip--37
waist--28.75
tummy--33.25
right bicep flexed--11.5

Wayne
chest--45.75
waist--46.5
neck--16.5
right bicep flexed-- 14.75

On the DVD included in our package, Tony said most women don't see results for up to 60 days. 60 days? Why am I not surprised? Men get all the breaks when it comes to exercising and losing weight. They lose faster and easier, build muscle faster, and get the affirmation from family and friends sooner. Wayne's results will be that much more evident since he has more fat mass to lose than me

I'm not too bummed though. I've been at this whole exercise/fitness routine since the beginning of '08 when I joined Spark People. Since then I've lost about 20 pounds and gained back a few.

My goal with P90x is to finally reach my goal weight--perhaps even surpass it--and maintain it for the rest of my life. I really need to bring my cholesterol below 200--yeah, it's way too high even though I'm in good physical condition. For my vanity's sake, I want a butt that doesn't stop moving five minutes after I do, and I want to get rid of my muffin top.

When I asked Wayne his goals, his immediate reply was, "Lose my gut."

I said, "What about your blood pressure?"

He said, "Oh, yeah, that too." Currently 160 over 80 (Yikes!), that should be his first priority, not to mention lowering his cholesterol and relieving the pain in his knees and back.

So here we go, folks. Two days down. 88 to go. Not as bad as I feared, but still a killer of a workout. Won't you join us and let us know you're progress.

Click the pic to the right to order P90x for yourself.

Bring it!

P90x--The Time is Now

I finally got my husband to sit still long enough to watch the P90x infomercial. I'm so glad I did.

If you haven't seen it yet, it will change your life. I had talked it up beforehand so he was pretty well committed to trying it out by the time it came on. Knee surgery last November convinced him something needed to change.

The poor guy is on his feet all night at work. When he gets home the last thing he wants to do is jump around on the carpet and kickbox imaginary opponents. But I am confident this program will work for both of us. We both need to lose weight, him quite a bit more than me. If he allows it, I plan to post before and after pics here and on YouTube.

I started working out in ’08 and lost 20 pounds. I am in relatively good shape though I'd like to lose a few more pounds and gain more definition. My cholesterol and blood pressure are too high. So I hope this high intensity routine and healthier diet will kick that in the head. My doctor's solution is to put me on meds. That isn't going to happen, my friend. I would rather fix a problem than medicate it.

So if you want to get lean, ripped, lose weight, strengthen, tone, and get into the best shape of your life, click the icon to your right and take the P90x challenge with us.

Bring it!

Disclaimer: Fit to Excel is a paid affiliate of ProductPartners, LLC

Active Household Chores

My son doesn't like to exercise. Like most kids he'd rather sit in his room and play video games. The trick for me is to incorporate fitness into tasks he is responsible for anyway. Not an easy task. Bet you've been there yourself.

What's a busy Mom to do? With a little creativity, you can find a way to make it work for everyone.


FITNESS TIP

You can easily sneak exercise into your kids' schedules (without even using the word) by assigning various active chores to your kids. Heavier chores provide some much-needed physical activity for your kids while also helping your out in the process.

Some ideas include:

Cleaning their rooms
Sweeping and/or vacuuming the house
Raking leaves
Shoveling snow
Hanging wet laundry outside; folding dry laundry
Washing the car(s)
Walking the dog
Watering the plants and flowers
Mowing the lawn with a push mower (for older teens)
Cleaning out the garage or basement

Burn it up, baby

It's hard to resist the wafting smells of freshly baked soft pretzels, cookies and cinnamon rolls while strolling from store to store in the mall. Especially when you're tired, hungry and stressed out from a long day of bargain hunting. In a moment of weakness, it's easy to give in to these sweet comfort foods. Just how much damage will one Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll do? So just how many laps do you need to walk around the mall to undo this gooey treat?

I found this info on Spark People and thought I'd share it here. The Cinnabon website doesn't disclose its calorie information. But a quick Google search will turn up over a dozen calorie counting websites that all say the same thing: One Classic Cinnabon Roll contains a not-so-sweet 730 calories and 24 grams of fat. It's sweet, gooey and, well, big—and it's got the calories to prove it!

Depending on the size of your local mall, one lap could vary from 1/4 to 2/3 of a mile on average. To be conservative, let's say one mall lap is equal to a quarter mile. And usually when you're shopping, strolling and standing in line, your walking pace is pretty slow.

A 150-pound woman who walks a comfortable 20-minute mile pace (3 mph) will burn 20 calories per quarter mile (one mall lap). To burn off that one indulgence, you'd have to circle the entire mall 36.5 times, which is just over 9 miles! (And that would add 3 hours to your shopping day.

Don't forget that "activity" is not the same as "exercise." Your feet and back may hurt after a day of shopping, but that's more a reflection of being on your feet all day than it is a reflection of the "intensity" of a workout. Shopping surely doesn't justify the extra calories in something like a Cinnabon!

Consider what it will take to burn off the momentary pleasure of a Cinnabon or any other gooey mall treat before indulging. Or better yet, resolve to avoid mall food altogether by eating before you leave the house or shopping between meals. Shop with a buddy who shares your goals. There is always strength in numbers.

How does TV affect your activity?

What happens when people start watching less television? Do they eat less? Exercise more? Sleep better?
From an article at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/

That is what researchers at the University of Vermont set out to learn in a fascinating six week study to monitor television viewing, physical activity and eating habits. As it turns out, watching less TV doesn’t necessarily lead to more exercise or better eating habits, but it does result in subtle but meaningful changes in overall activity levels, according to a new study in The Archives of Internal Medicine.

Using monitoring equipment attached to TVs, the researchers tracked the viewing habits of 36 men and women who were overweight or obese. Among the study subjects, the average amount of time spent watching television was five hours a day, similar to national trends.

For the next three weeks, 20 randomly selected study participants had their viewing cut in half. Based on their previous viewing habits, each person was given a weekly limit of TV time. Once the limit was reached, a monitor automatically shut the TV off and would not allow it to be turned on again until the next week. A control group of 16 people continued to watch the same amount as always. During both the first and second phase of the six week study, the participants also wore armbands for a week that measured their movements.

To the researchers’ surprise, cutting back television time didn’t have an effect on calorie consumption, nor did it change sleep habits. The group that watched less television did, however, move more, burning an average of 120 calories more a day than the control group.

Although some participants did report getting more exercise by walking their dogs more often or signing up for a yoga class, most of the people didn’t use their television-free time for scheduled physical exercise. One person used the extra time to organize photo albums, others reported reading more or playing board games with their children. Many said they spent the time doing more household chores or paying bills.

But even those minor changes in activity level counted a lot. While the group that reduced television viewing burned off an additional 120 calories a day compared with the previous three weeks, the control group became even more sedentary, moving about 100 calories less than before. The additional activity that resulted from less television time is the equivalent of walking about eight miles a week.

“A lot of people might say, ‘Of course people would move more with less television,’” said Jennifer J. Otten, now a postdoctorate research fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine. “What we were looking for was to see if there was a meaningful difference.”

Dr. Otten said the finding that eating habits weren’t changed by less television time was surprising. Earlier studies with children have found that reducing television time significantly reduced the number of calories a child consumed. The fact that a similar effect wasn’t found in adults may suggest that children are more easily influenced by food advertising on TV than adults.

Dr. Otten says the main lesson for adults is that reducing your television viewing time will result in a meaningful increase in activity even if you’re not using the time for strenuous exercise.

“Compared to watching television, you burn more calories reading, writing, doing desk work — pretty much any activity other than sleeping,” Dr. Otten said. “The main finding is that if you turn off the TV, you may burn more calories without really thinking too much about it.”

The Top Six Butt Sculpting And Trimming Exercises

Have you ever noticed that when you try on a new pair of jeans, the first thing you do is turn around and look in the mirror to see how they make your butt look? It even happens at home, no matter how many times you've worn them, the first thing you do is look at your rear. It s true, watch yourself and others and see what happens.

Men and women alike all have this affinity for a nice butt, not just a nice butt, a really great butt, so we try to find ways that will give us the look we want. The thing you need to keep in mind is that it's not just exercising that will give you that great rear profile that you re looking for. You have to work out your derriere with sculpting exercises to get the glutes in the shape you desire.

So to help you obtain the rear you want follow the top six butt sculpting and trimming exercises listed here.

**Tip 1 When performing most butt sculpting exercises, it is very important to keep the weight on your heels. This will cause the stress from the exercise to go to your butt and not your knees.**

1. Reverse Step Back Lunges.

For support hold on to a bar at chest level (like the one on a smith machine), place both feet directly under the bar. Keeping the weight on you left heel, step back with your right leg and far enough so that when you lower your body, you end up in a lunge position with your left thigh and shin at a 90 degree angle. Now raise your body back up lifting your right knee up to the bar. Repeat 20 to 30 times then switch legs.

**Tip 2: Any time you are doing Lung exercises you need to keep your upper body as upright as you can to reduce strain on your back. Start slow and don't go too low if you are new to the reverse lunge. As you progress you will be able to lunge deeper and to work your glutes more and more.**

2. Walking Lunges (with or without weights)

Standing straight, step forward as far as you comfortably can, place your foot down heal first. Flex your hip and knee and lower your body until the rear knee is almost to the floor. (Do not let your front knee go over your toe.) With the assistance of the rear leg, stand on the front leg, lunging forward with the opposite leg. You will need an area where you can walk about 20 feet unobstructed.

3. Dead Lift

Using a barbell and weights suited for your fitness level, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and bend forward from your hips, keeping your legs straight or a just slightly little bent (not squatting). Make sure to keep your back flat for this exercise to work and to avoid injury. When you reach the end of the movement towards the floor, tighten your butt and hamstrings as you slowly move back to the starting position. Keep the bar close to your legs throughout the entire movement. Repeat 20 to 30 times.

4. Squat

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and forward. Keep your lower back straight and lower your body down to about a 90 degree angle as if you are going to sit, letting your hamstrings and glutes do all the work. Then pushing up through your heels using your gluteus and hamstrings come back to the standing position. Repeat 20 to 30 times.

5. Wide Stance Dumbbell Squats

Stand with your feet so that they are about one foot wider than your shoulders. Point toes outward to a 45 degree angle. Hold onto a dumbbell and squat down pushing your knees outward until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Now raise your body back up and clench your butt cheeks at the top for 3 seconds. Repeat 20 to 30 times.

6. Step Ups (with or without weights)

Place one foot on a bench so that your thigh is parallel to the floor, the knee pointing in the same direction as the foot throughout. Pushing heel into the bench step up, then slowly step back down while concentrating on the leg up on the step. Make sure to keep your upper body straight during exercise. Do one leg for 15 to 20 repetitions then change legs, or alternate legs for 20 to 30 repetitions each. You can maximize this workout by standing away from the bench to emphasize the glutes or standing closer to the bench to emphasize the quads.

With these exercises it won't be long before you have some absolutely fabulous glutes and the rear profile you have been looking for.

By : Steve Hochman
Author Resource:- Steve Hochman is the founder of Next Level Fitness, Irvine Ca. We specialize in using our exclusive 3-in-1 Personal Training system to melt fat fast and build healthy toned bodies. http://www.nextlevelfitness.net http://www.irvineweightloss.com

Recession Proof your Dining Experiences

Economists say we've moved out of the recession that held us in its grasp for the last year and a half. You couldn't prove it by me. Times are still tough here in the Heartland. We've all had to incorporate money saving techniques into every area of our lives if we want to keep doing the things we enjoy.

If you're like me, you've even cut back on dining out to make your entertainment dollars go farther. Here are a few tricks to insure that you can still dine out with family and friends while saving money. All it takes are a few insider tips to have you dining out without hurting your wallet.

1. Have lunch at dinnertime. It’s no secret most restaurants have a lunch menu with smaller portions and equally smaller prices. What you may not know is you aren’t necessarily limited to lunch portions before four o’clock. Ask your server for a lunch portion. Not only will you save money, you'll consume up to a thousand less calories over the course of the meal.

2. Forget about the kiddie menu. Instead of ordering the kids their own meal, order one adult entrée and have them split it. The price is typically cheaper, plus you’ll have more options.

3. Look for the real deals. Ever notice how restaurants place high cost items in the most eye-catching spots on the menu and around the restaurant? That's because they want to encourage diners to order high profit items. Outsmart this common marketing ploy by overlooking the eye-catching posters and going straight to the middle of the menu instead of the featured items.

4. Dine at the bar. Bypass a regular table for a seat at the bar and you may find yourself with a cheaper more casual menu. Remember, cheaper is usually synonymous with smaller portions and fewer calories.

5. Don't be tempted by the dessert menu. Chances are you're not really hungry at the end of the meal anyway. Instead of lingering over coffee, get up and leave. Window shop or take a walk at a nearby park. Not only will you save money, the ride home will be more comfortable and you'll already be burning off your dinner. If you just can't say no to dessert, share with a friend.

Taking inventory

Two years ago my friend joined a group created by The Purpose Driven Life’s Rick Warren, called Celebrate Recovery. She has grown immeasurably since joining. One thing she told me about doing the other day was taking inventory of her life, especially of how she has grown from last year to this.

Unlike resolutions, an inventory is simply a way of making sure you are on track to reach your goals you have already set and evaluating where you are on your journey, whether spiritually, physically, in relationships, career, or any other goal a person might have made.

Since Fit to Excel is focused on adopting a healthier lifestyle in all aspects of life, I will concentrate on that for this post.

I began my weight loss and fitness journey in January 2008. Naturally I saw more physical progress that year than I did in ’09. During ’09 I was in maintenance mode. My fitness goals were to continue to build strength and endurance, tone my body, and maintain my weight.

Let’s see how I did.

With no fancy gadgets to gauge my strength and endurance during and after a workout other than how I feel, I believe made a lot of progress in the last year. I continue to increase intensity during workouts. I can work out for longer periods than in the past. Endurance during everyday activities has also increased.

The same can be said for toning. While there is plenty of room for improvement and my measurements still aren’t what I would like, I definitely see increased tone, especially in my arms, shoulders, and calves. I also see change in my abs, which is super cool considering I’ll be 46 this summer.

Reaching my goal weight and staying there is the one thing I didn’t do in 2009. The same 5 pounds I wanted to lose last year are still hanging around for this one.

That brings me to what I need to do this year to achieve my goal of reaching and maintaining my goal weight. It’s pretty simple really. Eat better. Cut down on the junk. Eat more green stuff. Keep my fingers out of the potato chip bag. Don’t walk inside restaurants so often. Make better, healthier, greener choices every time I sit down to eat. Eat mindfully. Think about what I put into my mouth.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

This isn’t exactly a revelation. I’ve known this for as long as I’ve known how to write longhand. It’s just putting it into practice that counts.

What about you? Are you on the right path to end up where you want to go? What resistance do you face most often? What can you do today that will put you on the fast track to your goals?

Here’s to a blessed, beautiful and healthy 2010.

2010--Revolution, not resolutions

Every year as we bid adieu to one year and welcome another, we do so with such enthusiasm and expectations. We wipe our slates clean and start the New Year with a fresh outlook. We are sure this is the year we’ll make permanent, positive changes, whether in our finances, relationships, careers, health, whatever.

It’s a great way to start off a New Year, but most often our resolve doesn't last long enough to produce any real results. The initial enthusiasm wears off and all too soon we find ourselves right back where we started.

A "resolution" is a statement of action. Thus, to be resolved, means to be committed and dedicated to an act. That’s where our trouble starts. We want to make changes, we are just not committed enough to take the necessary steps to see our resolutions through to the end.

Just how determined are you to make changes in 2010? Changes that will endure?

The only obstacle between you and making this a year of Revolution is you. Do you want to quit smoking? Lose weight? Eat better? Get more exercise? Get out of debt? Spend more time with your family? Read through the Bible? Put another's needs before your own?

First and foremost you must believe your goals are worth working for. Secondly, free your mind of the negative images that keep you from taking the proper steps to reach those goals. Banish from your life whatever is holding you back. Move forward with resolve and determination. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Nothing worth having comes easy. It's time to declare 2010 a year of revolution. A year we become free of our old patterns and set our lives in a direction we want. A year of real change!