Save $30 on ChaLEAN Extreme through 1/31/11

Resolution deals don't get much sweeter than this. When you order ChaLEAN Extreme between now and the end of January, you'll save at least THIRTY bucks (*Ask me how you can get ChaLEAN Extreme at the ultra low rate of $67.39)! Press play for details!

Hey Laaaaaddddddyyyyy! Exercise can help relieve your PMS symptoms!

Numerous studies suggest that women can relieve their symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome with regular cardiovascular exercise (3 to 4 days a week). Here are some findings and theories behind the exercise-PMS connection:

(1) Exercise can decrease abdominal bloating and other fluid-retention problems.

(2) Exercise promotes weight loss, which in turn may reduce symptoms. (Excess body fat is associated with PMS.)

(3) Exercise seems to diminish PMS-related depression and anxiety. This could be due to the release of endorphins and other mood-raising chemicals.

 (4) Exercise also reduces stress, another factor that triggers or exacerbates PMS in many women.

According to CVS Heath Resources:

"Moderate aerobic activities like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming for about 30 minutes five times a week may be your best bet. One three-month study of 23 women found that those who participated in an aerobic exercise program saw more improvement in their premenstrual symptoms, particularly depression, than those who did strength training. Yoga can also be helpful. Its combination of gentle stretching, breathing techniques, and meditation can help ease muscle tension, focus your mind, and decrease moodiness."

ChaLEAN Extreme

Yesterday I started ChaLEAN Extreme - Day 1, Burn Circuit 1! Woo Hoo!

I'm working on getting my body back after having my son in October, 2010 and I went back and forth on what program I was going to commit to to lose the baby weight. I decided on ChaLEAN Extreme as my main program with Turbo Fire on my Cardio days.

So, yesterday was day 1. Since I've done this program in the past, I pulled out my old tracking sheets to give me an idea of where I was with my fitness level the last time I did this program. At that time I was teaching Group Fitness classes so I was wwwwaaaayyy more fit than I am now. I didn't push myself as hard as I have in the past because I wanted to make sure that I had a good idea of where my starting point was. I was pleasently surprised to find out I hadn't lost all of my strength during my pregnancy. Some exercises were hard, other's weren't and now I have a starting point on where I can push myself.

After the workout I felt GREAT! I had a ton of energy, I slept great and I feel fantastic this morning (besides the head cold I've been fighting). Oh, how I've forgotten how much I love to challenge my body! My body thrives on a healthy combination of strength training and cardio so this is right up my alley.

As a new Mom, time is precious. Finding time to workout every day is a challenge, a daily challenge. For me, I've always been more successful at my workouts when I workout late at night. Some people thrive on getting up before the rest of the world does to get their workout in. And, while I'd love to be one of those people, I'm not a morning person - I hate mornings! So for me, working out at night has always been best. Being a busy mom and wife means that I need to workout when possible, so for me, that's usually after both kids have been fed, bathed and are in bed. That also means that my TV time with hubby is cut short, but that's what the DVR is for!

Today is Day 2 of ChaLEAN Extreme and is a Rest day...WHAT!?!? Right when 'Stella gets her groove back' you give me a rest day? Really? That's fine, I need to go grocery shopping anyways. I'll use this rest day and maybe take the family to the park for some play time. After all, my family is my WHY!

Beachbody!

The ultimate introduction to Team Beachbody, the people behind it, it's products and the Coach Compensation Plan. This video will revolutionize your life!

This New Mom's take on New Mom Fitness!

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New Year, New You!

METAL IN YOUR SHAKE! As well as other unnatural ingredients! By Christine Dwyer

When I was an x-ray student, we had to rotate into different departments. During my rotation in the MRI lab, I was always so curious about the inside of my body and of course offered myself as a guinea pig when they wanted to test out the new MRI machine they just got in!

They scanned my liver. While they looked at the scan, they saw metal in my stomach! Confused on what it might be as I wasn't wearing any metal, they asked what I ate for lunch. Well, I was habitual for trying every diet in the book- and during this time, I was drinking Slim Fast. Oddly enough, they actually had a can of Slim Fast in the break room! They reviewed the ingredients and found metal as part of the ingredients! That was the last time I used Slim Fast.

Many people go on the journey to find the PERFECT shake or a quick fix. My best advice for you is to choose something that isn’t going to be temporary. Additionally, be careful not to choose products that have a laundry list of artificial ingredients, stimulants, and preservatives. Your best choice is natural ingredients all around.

Listed in the July issue of Consumer Reports is a quick comparison of the metal levels in some very common shakes that many people plunk down their hard earned cash for each month at their local supplement store or online obsession. It has taken me many years to finally stop risking what I put into my body for the short term fix or my favorite thought process, the “I’m invincible, nothing will happen to me” mentality.

I have been in the fitness industry for 20 years, and have gone through the gamete of every over the counter product and even some not over the counter . I believe in sharing my journey and what I have learned with others, so they can move faster to their goals.

Courtesy of Consumer Reports, July 2010

Here are the average amounts of metals we found in three servings of these protein drinks. The maximum limits for them in dietary supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia are: arsenic (inorganic), 15 micrograms (µg) per day; cadmium, 5 µg; lead, 10 µg; mercury, 15 µg. Amounts at or exceeding those limits are in bold. Experts said three servings a day is common.

Article by Christine Dwyer