June 22nd, 2008
Image details: Karolina kurkova served by picapp.com
So there’s this “situation” with Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova that I’d looove for you to chime in on– ’cause it makes me so uncomfortable! At Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil, Karolina took to the runway in a tiny, tiny Brazilian-cut thong and halter top swimsuit. . . and the press went mad down there because of her “cellulite” on her back and behind! Since it is summertime here and I’ve been digging out all my swimsuits, this news really caught my eye.
I know that you’ve got to be in shape to be a swimsuit model (no matter what your size), the press that she is receiving is really intriguing me. Is her appearance that shocking, or is it sensationalism?
Check out the pictures here, and then tell me, what do you think? Confidence, in my mind, is what really matters, and she’s definitely not missing any of that!
Photo (c) PicApp: Frank Micelotta / Getty
Tags: karolina kurkova, sao pualo fashion weekShare This
By meielisawy -- 1 comment
June 21st, 2008
Since the weather is so nice right now, I keep trying to come up with things that we can do outside that also involve some type of physical activity. Recently the family and I went to a resort hotel place and they offered rentals for lots of fun stuff like mountain boards and recumbent bicycles. I was able to try the recumbent bike for about and hour and OMG, I am in love. At first it was really difficult for me to grasp because you steer with your back and hips and I kept trying to sit up to go in the direction I wanted to go. You would think I was more coordinated than that but no. If these things weren’t so gosh darn expensive I would get one in a second.
It was such a great workout for my abs, shoulders and legs. I could totally see myself taking a long ride on a weekend along the lakefront. Ahh, if only. Technically I believe what I rode is called a recumbent trike because it had three wheels instead of two. Just looking around it would run me about 2-3 grand. I’m sorry but that is WAY out of my price range for recreational equipment. I think a good in between would be a recumbent exercise bike. I’ve used them in the past and while definitely a workout, it has never worked my abs the way the trike did. Additionally just getting out in the world makes it a lot more interesting and makes the time pass more quickly. Has anyone tried a recumbent bike or trike before? I soooo want one, so please tell me if you have one and how you like it.
Photo credit: Bicycle Man
Tags: Calories, diet, Noel, Weight Loss, workout routinesShare This
By noelboehm -- 0 comments
June 20th, 2008
I always get confused about food: what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s now considered good and what’s considered bad! Wow. I am in love with the idea that some of my “off limits” foods are now back in the game. . . so I bring to you MSNBC’s top seven healthy foods:
1. Eggs: Thirteen essential nutrients, baby! Talk about a good food. . . and they have around 75 calories. I’m so glad to see these back in the game.
2. Oysters: These were considered bad for you? Where was I? They have awesome omega-three levels and are a great source of zinc as well. Get them fresh, frozen, or canned.
3. Pizza: Not your usual take-away pizza, but one that has a whole-wheat crust, organic tomato sauce, real mozzarella and lots of fresh veg toppings.
4. Canned fruits and veggies: Canned beans, when processed, may have a more soluble form of fiber than dry beans, and canned tomatoes contain more nutrients than fresh or frozen. Since canned veggies and fruits are processed at their peak, you get a lot more than you’d expect.
5. Beef: Get it lean, and serve small portions to maximize its health potential.
6. White potatoes: Potatoes have high fiber plus tons of Vitamin C (25% of your DV), plus copper, B6, selenium, and more.
7. Sugary cereals: Yes, sugary! They are pumped with vitamins, and if served with fresh fruit and milk, they’re actually pretty good for you.
Doesn’t that change your perspective? I’m especially excited about the canned veggies thing, since fresh vegetables can be pretty expensive and sometimes hard to find.
Tags: eating tips, healthy foodsShare This
By meielisawy -- 0 comments
June 19th, 2008
The alphabet doesn’t necessarily come to mind when you’re trying to work out, no? But I found an article today about the ABC’s of Safer Sit-Ups which I thought was really enlightening. I know one technique when doing sit-ups and that your chin, when you pull up should be aligned right below your neck almost to the chest and you should be able to form a tennis ball in between. That’s all I know and I try to follow whenever I’m doing my sit-ups. Here are the ABC’s of a better sit-up for future reference :
“A” is for alignment
To set up your sit-up properly, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor close to your hips. Keep the small of your back flat on the floor This will help you engage your abs instead of your hip-flexor muscles.
“B” is for body control
As you lift your head, neck and torso, make your abs do the work, not your neck and lower back. Go slowly and with control. Sit up only high enough for your shoulders to clear the floor. Pause at the top of the movement for a count of two, then roll down one vertebrae at a time for another count of two, using your abdominal muscles to resist the pull of gravity. Avoid rushing and using your body’s momentum to complete the move.
“C” is for consistency
For a strong, resilient girdle of support, which can help prevent lower-back pain, do sit-ups every other day.
“D” Develop all the abdominal muscles
Also exercise the lower abdominal muscles. Lying on your back with knees bent. Tighten the abdominal muscles, bring one knee towards the chest, Keep it there.
More explanation for each alphabet can be found at revolution health.
(Image : Newscom)
Tags: Ab Exercises, Ab Works, Proper Sit-Ups, Safer Sit-Ups, Sit-UpsShare This
By DEXIE -- 1 comment
June 18th, 2008
Image details: Celebrate Summer served by picapp.com
When I told my husband yesterday, at about 7pm, that I was going for a walk, he was like, “really?”. Yes, he was surprised. I guess it’s been a while since I actually went out there and took advantage of the peaceful farm land that we live in. I said I was going to walk last week too but as soon as I posted that entry, the rain poured like cats and dogs..LOL.
Anyhoo, I strapped the baby in her stroller and we were off. It felt good pounding on that road with my ipod attached to my ears, while pushing the stroller. Besides that, I’ve also re-committed myself in doing my exercise DVD’s. I’ve been lackadaisical with my work-out in the past and I felt really bad about it. I was only doing it here and there. But swimsuit season is here and I really have to step it up. Yes, wearing swimwear can kick off that energy. Imagine that :).
Yada yada yada, health purposes as well. I know, you don’t have to tell me. :)
Tags: Exercise, summer exercise, walkingShare This
By DEXIE -- 0 comments
June 17th, 2008
My son is a very early riser, far earlier than should be legal. I had envisioned that one of the benefits of working from home would be the ability to sleep in during the week. Unfortunately I find myself up about an hour or two before I ever was when working a proper 9-5. The earlier I get up, the less I feel like eating. I just end up downing two cups of coffee in order to function and then next thing I know it’s noon and I haven’t eaten. At that point I’m so hungry I will eat whatever requires the least amount of effort and the quickest delivery to my stomach. So I went searching for an energy bar recipe. I figure if I can replace one of those cups of coffee with an energy bar and glass of water, I would indeed feel more like tackling the day and not on a mission to devour whatever crap is available.
I found this recipe from Whole Foods and I think I’m going to try it out. I used to make some energy/granola bars but they had sweetened condensed milk in it which I don’t think is very healthy. This bar is dairy free and vegan, so I think it’s a much better alternative. The nuts will give you lots of healthy fats and make you feel full without unnecessary calories. Agave nectar is great to use as a sweetener. We use it as a sugar or honey replacement in things like oatmeal. It has the consistency of slightly runnier honey but it’s sweeter so you would use much less than you think.
Do you have an energy boosting breakfast or snack recipe of your own? Please share with the class if you do.
Via Whole Foods Market
Tags: Calories, diet, Eating Habits, Noel, recipes, Weight LossShare This
By noelboehm -- 1 comment
June 15th, 2008
Oh yes. . . there are workout plans brewing for the summer, and that’s making me super happy. I’m headed out of New York for a summer in Vermont, and that means I’m trying to pack in as many exercises as possible of the outdoor variety. I’m thinking running, I’m thinking swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and more. But what exactly are all these exercises good for, anyway? It has been a while since I’ve been an outdoorsy girl.
Swimming (Long Distance): From what I hear, our pond in Vermont is a great temperature right now, not too icy and definitely welcoming. Instead of killing myself during punishing workout routines in the beginning, I’m going to start off with some long-distance swimming. I’m planning on eventually working down to having my swimming be part of my cool down to soothe my tired muscles after a hard jog. When you’ve got a big frame, jogging can feel a little jarring!
Hiking: Kicking can lower blood pressure, and that’s my aim. I’m hoping to go on a hike every day for 30 minutes to help my problem due to my itch for salty foods and my unfortunate requirements of prescription meds. To increase the burn, I want to carry small weights, but I do think I’m going to have to work up to that one.
Horseback Riding: Since my niece downsized to a mini horse, I have been on the search for horse lessons in my new area. Good thing it’s a mini horse-country with farms everywhere. . . the benefits of horseback riding are too good to pass up. I want to loosen up my hips, which seem to be stiff. I could definitely loosen them up!
Mountain Biking: I want to make my legs a lot firmer, and this is the way to do it. With the country house situated in between two hills, I’ll be forced to pump up my energy levels to even get going.
I’m looking forward to letting you know how my Vermont toning adventure goes. . . I need this.
Photo (c) REI
Tags: outdoor exercises, workout, workout plansShare This
By meielisawy -- 0 comments
June 14th, 2008
I think everyone is on to the fact that diets don’t really work. Whatever diet plan you choose, even if it’s successful will have the ultimate rebound effect once you stop it. I think the key is to choose foods that are ultimately good for your health in a way that can be maintained in the long term. Not just for loosing weight but to stay healthy and maintain a certain quality of life. In that vain I can’t recommend Michael Pollan’s, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, highly enough.
It’s along the same lines as The Omnivore’s Dilemma but it expands on it a bit. It’s a little preachy at times and it oversimplifies the obesity epidemic. Basically the point is that we should eat real food. Lots of vegetables and fruit, some meat if you desire. The other main point was to know where your food comes from. If you eat meat, how was your meat raised and where did it come from? These are all interesting, thought provoking ways of viewing the way we feed ourselves. It’s not revolutionary but we have gotten so far away from the basics it deserves attention. If you are eating a diets high in green leafy veggies and fruits, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for processed foods. What do you think about this? How does it apply to your own life and your view of diets in general? Let’s discuss.
Via Michael Pollan.com
Tags: Calories, diet, Eating Habits, Noel, recipes, Weight LossShare This
By noelboehm -- 3 comments
June 13th, 2008
I thought I’d compile a list of all the exercises so far that have really worked for me. . . and then let you know what didn’t go quite as well as I thought it would. Probably my most amazing toning activity so far has been jumproping, but trust me: there are some really hot contenders as well.
1. Jump Roping: I loooove my jump roping! My body is tight and much stronger, and I surprisingly have a lot more flexibility than before– because I’m always stretching after my workouts! Jump roping might have been difficult in the beginning, but it was definitely worth it.
2. (Oldie-but-Goody) Tai Bo: What’s there to say about Tai Bo?! This stuff is amazing, so amazing, and has really helped me feel empowered and strong. Like woman strong, where I can keep scary men at bay.
3. Hill Running: Hill running is great for those of us who need to trim the bod and focus on the legs. My abs are important, but I love what hill sprints do to my legs, butt, calves, and even lower back.
4. High-Weight Squats: One tip I learned in Brazil to look amazing– do squats, do lots of them, and wear a weight belt and hold a weight bar while you are at it. And I know that others agree with this little tip, too, so that helps me validate one of my favorite activities.
5. Field Skipping: This is my personal favorite, where I just run around in the back field at my parent’s with my dog and just go! It’s one of the easiest ways to work up a sweat and feel good about exercising, because I’m having fun doing something I love, with something I love, at a place that I love.
Photo (c) Amazon
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By meielisawy -- 0 comments
June 11th, 2008
Well I can walk but right now I wish I don’t have to. After a hardcore work-out yesterday I’m feeling everything. From the arms to abs, to buns, thighs, and legs. But of course all I’ve done today is bend down to pick up toys, animal crackers, torn papers, cheese curls and load the washer and dryer. I swear sometime I think my kids hate me..LOL.
I may be sore today but it’s not a good idea to not work-out today. So what I’m going to do is rest my muscles which is the best thing to do after a hard work-out, by going for a walk. Yup, at about 6:30pm, depends what time I finish doing dishes, I’m going to brave the 96 degrees heat and walk around the neighborhood. That means a vast land of farm :). Hope I could also squeeze in 30 minutes of Pilates while I watch ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ later tonight. No rest for the weary especially if I want to fit in this XOXO bikini by August. OI!
Tags: Exercise, fitnessShare This
By DEXIE -- 1 comment
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