The Time Is Now

39 more days until I compete in my first 5k! I thought I would have more training for running in by now, but time has been pretty sparse for me lately. While I feel like I am more "conditioned" than I was a couple of months ago I need to get out there and jog.

After classes this week I will be able to focus more on my long-term health and fitness goals. I'm looking forward to being selfish and just concentrating on me, but yet why do I sometimes feel guilty about doing that?

One of my graduation presents for myself I am going to schedule a massage and a pedicure. This will be FANtastic!

Time to get focused now on some school projects. Till tomorrow...see ya!

Do You Zumba?

One of the most important things in staying active is finding something that you enjoy doing.

I have always loved to dance so when I heard my gym was going to be offering a new dance class, Zumba, it peaked my interest. Zumba is a form of Latin dancing that many fitness clubs around the word are incorporating into their class offerings. Currently I also take a step class twice a week, and yoga twice a week. Incorporating a dance class seemed like the thing to do.

After my first class I just loved it! It was so much fun - the music, the dancing, and the instructor. The hour goes by so fast. How great is that? I look forward to my Zumba classes twice weekly, and find that it's been a great addition to my weekly workout.

My Review of PowerBar Nut Naturals Snack Bar

REI

Amazing taste and all the nutrition of an energy bar, Powerbar® Nut Naturals snack bars are an enjoyable, heart-healthy snack anytime!

PowerBar Nut Naturals Snack Bar

Best protein bar out there!

Jen the Stepper Winona, MN 3/29/2009

 

5 5

Gift: No

Pros: Nutty, Lightweight, Nutritious, Fruity, Flavorful

Cons: Cost

Best Uses: Extended Trips, Backpacking, Quick Boost, Weekend Trips, As a Snack, Car Camping

Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer

I use this product twice daily - once as an a.m. snack, and another as an afternoon snack. I am not a fan of many of the other protein bars out there that lack flavor, consistency, and texture. This one sure does! It's like eating trail mix in a bar. The taste is great - just wish the price would come down a bit!

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I am taking the PlUnGe contest!

Tomorrow morning I have a consultation at my local gym to start a new life style program, Healthy Inspirations! This program is based on four components to it's success: nutrition, exercise, coaching, and relaxing. It comes with a guarantee of weight loss of 2-3 lb per week!

I start the program on Friday with "Quick Start". This is a 3-day cleansing process that rids your body of any excess carbohydrates. I will be able to eat unlimited quantities of certain foods during these three days. Did I mention I will have to drink over 100 oz. of water each day?!!

Monday will be my first weigh in. Then I'll weigh in on Wednesday AND Friday of next week- yes, weigh ins are three days a week. How much do you think I will lose in one week? Friday, April 3rd I will post my weight loss. The reader who guesses my weight loss will win a $5 gift card to Lands End! Good luck. Post your guess today!

Please note: only one winner will be chosen. In the event of a tie, each correct guess will be added to a drawing. The drawing will take place before my Marketing Seminar class on Thursday, April 9th. Don't forget about ounces in your guess!

Two Top Superfoods

Okay, I just posted recently about the benefits of Acai. Acai is one of the top super foods, and goji berries is the other. Goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:

protect the liver
help eyesight
improve sexual function and fertility
strengthen the legs
boost immune function
improve circulation
promote longevity

Google "goji" and you'll find the fruit praised, often by people who are selling it, as a weight loss aid, cancer fighter, and "the most nutritionally dense food on the planet." Dr. Mehmet Oz recommended the berries as a good source of antioxidants. I purchased some at my local food co-op and have been eating them in my oatmeal every morning. Be aware - anything with goji is not cheap. The 120z bag that I purchased was almost $15! One thing is that eating healthy is not cheap. But then again, why would you want to eat cheap for your health?

Motivation at the gym

I have been enjoying my gym membership at a local gym since last fall. I have found my greatest motivation, and my greatest workouts, are when I participate in an exercise class. I guess I'm more of a "groupie" than I thought.

I like the instructor yelling out words of encouragement.

I like learning new exercises for the routines that we do.

I like how I get a chance to work every muscle - even some I didn't know I had!

I have walked the treadmill for 45 minutes, but nothing gets me more excited than taking a class I enjoy. Currently I do Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before work, and on Monday and Wednesday nights I do Cardio Step Blast. We have so much fun!
Research shows that having a work out buddy can not only make fitness more fun, but it can also keep you motivated longer. I consider my class my buddy system, and so far so good!
What are some things that help keep you motivated to keep exercising?

Antioxi what??

Everywhere we look we see the latest and greatest in weight-loss pills, exercise equipment, or anti-wrinkle cremes. How do we make sense of it all? Who do we believe? You have to find a trusted source and go with what YOU feel is best for you. Antioxidants are a rich and powerful ingredient found in certain foods - they help prevent damage caused by oxygen exposure. Check out the photo to the left. The apple on top was sprinkled with lemon juice and on the one on the bottom wasn't. The untreated half becomes brown and shriveled after it's exposure to oxygen, also called oxidation. According to Dr. Mehmet Oz this is what happens to your skin, eyes, and our heart. As their name implies, antioxidants do to your body what lemon juice does to the apple - help prevent the damage caused by oxygen exposure.

One of the top foods loaded with antioxidants are blueberries, however there is something out there that is hitting the market that has double the antioxidant content. Acai is a small fruit found in the South American rain forest and is commonly found in America in a juice form. I recently purchased some Acai vitamins at my local Food co-op and added them to my "must have" vitamin list.

Forever young a possibility? Well, no, but if we can delay the signs of aging naturally, why wouldn't we?