Work them abs!

Aaahhh . . . internet at last! We recently relocated and it took FOREVER to get our internet turned on.

With the New Year quickly approaching, I realize that many of us will set New Year's resolutions to lose weight or to get in shape. I just want to share my experience with a new video from Jillian Michaels of "The Biggest Loser". The video is called "Killer Abs". I started out doing the first workout twice a week (There are 3 complete workouts on the disc). In the first week alone, I lost an inch off of my midsection. That's right . . . I lost an inch off my waist after doing this workout only twice. AH-MAZING. I highly recommend this workout if you want to see quick results.

If you decide to give this workout a try, just be aware that it is a difficult but effective workout. You'll want to start out slow and ONLY do what you can. You don't have to start out doing a workout perfectly. You should always just do the best you can. You will still see results. Stick with whatever workout you decide to do but be patient.

Fitness video pet peeve(s)

I have some serious pet peeves about fitness videos. Actually I have several pet peeves but these all pertain to fitness videos. I do not consider myself a fitness expert by any stretch of the imagination. Just someone who expects perfection.

1. Fitness leaders who talk too much. There should be a tutorial at the beginning of the video so that they don't have to stop during the workout to explain the exercise. (Ellen Barrett, I'm looking at you!) Prompt us through the workout or count the reps.

2. Leaders who get out-of-sync or out-of-step with their music and/or prompts. (That would be you, Leslie Sansone!) Re-record it, if necessary. I expect perfection from this multi-million dollar industry so get it right.

3. Other leaders on the video who have extremely bad form. (I would again have to go with Leslie Sansone on this one.) These people are being paid to demonstrate the proper form and technique of the exercise. I won't say that all of Leslie's videos have this problem but there is one in particular that the form and technique of most (but not all) of the other leaders is appalling.

4. Lame music. Give us something that motivates us. Elevator music is not motivating, unless the workout is yoga.

5. No coordinated workout togs. For as much money as these fitness companies make, they could at least spring for some coordinated workout gear for all of the people in the video.

6. Mis-counts of the reps. I have a workout that counts out 18 reps of a move on the left and about 25 on the right. If you're going to teach fitness, at least know how to count.

I'll stop now before the fitness industry informs Wal-Mart to stop selling me fitness videos. There are some things that I do like about these fitness videos.

1. They're convenient. I can do a workout at home, whenever I want. I can take them with me wherever I go.

2. No one is there to see how uncoordinated that I truly am. If I trip over my shoelaces during a power-walk or if I dislocate my hip while doing the Proud Warrior pose in yoga, there is no one there to laugh at me.

3. They require little or no equipment. Most can be done with small hand weights, a resistance band, a towel or a strap.

4. You don't have to get all cutified before working out because no one at home cares what you look like during your workout. You can wear whatever you want (i.e. Naked Yoga). The same cannot be said for a gym or workout studio.

5. There are some excellent, affordable, studio-quality fitness videos out there. And, in this economy, who doesn't want a cheap, studio-quality workout??

6. You can customize the workout however you want to and no one notices or cares. If there is a particular move that is too strenuous for you, just modify it to suit your fitness level. Some videos will have someone doing modifications but not all of them do. One modification that I use is to wear those shaping/toning tennis shoes while doing a Power Walking workout.

I hope that none of this has discouraged anyone from working out. Keeping your body moving is key to your health and well-being. So take a 1/2 or 1 mile walk around your neighborhood or at the local park. Do a 20-minute yoga or Pilates video workout. Take your kids to play basketball or softball. Go for a family bike ride. Just do something.

Leftover Halloween candy

As is the case with so many years past, we bought way too much Halloween candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. Every year, I tell myself to just get 1 bag of fun-size candy bars and then, somehow, I manage to convince myself that we're going to need more candy this year so I buy 3 or 4 bags. And every year, we get maybe 25 trick-or-treaters and end up with tons of leftovers.

So this year, we have a plan. I had the Hot Tamale take out what he wanted for his lunches. Then I took a few pieces for myself and PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER. That way, I will actually have to plan way ahead if I want any as you can't exactly defrost chocolate in the microwave and it will keep me from over-indulging. (Yes, People, I have "mad" thinking skills!!!) The remainder was divided between 2 nearby families with kids.

So rather than eating all of the leftovers, freeze them. It will help you control your weight, cholesterol and your diabetic coma!

Cut calories in your salad dressing

I've figured out a great way to cut back on the calories in your salad dressing. I mix 1 T of Hidden Valley Hickory Bacon and Onion Ranch with 1 T of BBQ sauce. 1 T of the ranch only has 55 calories and 1 T of bbq sauce only has 25 calories. I also added a 1/2 t of lemon juice to my dressing today since there are no calories in it. There are 110 calories in 2 T of the ranch by itself and only 80 calories in 2 T of the bbq ranch. The bbq ranch is absolutely delicious and, because the bbq sauce has such a strong taste, it flavors your salad more but takes less to do it.

Zero-calorie fruit punch recipe

I have been trying to cut back on my sugar intake for health reasons. You see, I have an unnatural fear of developing diabetes and ending up on dialysis. Since beginning this endeavor, I have lost 5 pounds and have more energy. One of my favorite things to curb my craving for sweets is this zero-cal fruit punch.

I combine the following:

3 squirts of strawberry/watermelon Mio Liquid Water Enhancer (enough to cover the bottom of a 12-ounce glass)
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
12 ounces of cold water

You have to stir it up pretty well or else all of the Mio ends up on the bottom. At night, I also add 12 ice cubes. It is very tasty and quite refreshing.

I do have just one complaint . . . (2nd attempt)

I have another post that has disappeared. So here is the repeat . . .

I was thinking the other night and I do have just one complaint about Kate Middleton. I feel that she lost too much weight for her wedding. She looked stunning, but she seemed very fragile and thin. I hope she will regain a little bit of that weight.

But I do believe that she is going to be an amazing Queen!

My recommendation for your health

My friend, Timbri, has 5 daughters. I stopped by to visit with all of them for a few minutes this afternoon. Three out of the 5 kids were sick as was one of the kids she was babysitting. It seems like they are ALWAYS sick.

So my recommendation is this - OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT. Olive leaf extract is an herbal antibiotic. I personally prefer the liquid versus the capsules. The liquid seems to be more effective. You should be able to stop at just about any health food store to find it.

I have used olive leaf extract for many years. I have found that during cold & flu season, it cuts the duration of my illnesses from the normal 10 days to about 4 days.

One word of caution . . . Make sure to use a reputable health food store with knowledgeable staff. The adult dose for the one that I use is 20 drops. You will want to consult with the staff about using it in children.

It REALLY doesn't hurt . . .

I went to acupuncture yesterday. It really doesn't hurt as much as one might think. It just kind of feels like you took a pair of tweezers and very quickly pulled out a single strand of hair. Seriously. I think the needles themselves are only about as big as a strand of hair. Alot of the time, you can't even feel the needles at all. It is soooo relaxing and has so many health benefits. You should try it at least once!