Healthful Bites

Introducing Lower Body Burn, Part 1! One of my YouTube video...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:32:07 -0500

Introducing Lower Body Burn, Part 1!

One of my YouTube video viewers requested more lower body strength moves, so I decided to create a month-long series dedicated to just that—the legs and glutes. It’s like a lower body strength DVD for free! Hey Acacia, Lionsgate, Anchor Bay…I’m free if you’re looking for new fitness DVD hosts ;)

Let’s get to work on the first segment! Grab a stability ball or a chair/step/bench and get ready to tackle week one’s Lower Body Burn moves. If you don’t have a stability ball, try using a towel on a hard floor or a couple paper plates on a carpeted floor during the roll-in move.

Try these exercises out and don’t forget to come back next week for the next edition with added resistance!

Wise Bites

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:07:05 -0500

Who’s ready to party? March is National Nutrition Month! To celebrate, I thought I’d try...

(Not so) Crystal Clear

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:23:00 -0500

It’s Getting Salty An overabundance of salt in the diet kills about 100,000 people each year,...

Biceps and bloopers! That’s what you’re in for with...

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0500

Biceps and bloopers! That’s what you’re in for with today’s video :) The good news: I try to squeeze in a new, difficult move in this clip. The bad news: the resistance band I had nearby was actually too “resistant” for me to use during that move, so I do not succeed. View for yourself to see the humorous results!

One of the fantastic things about biceps exercises is that you can usually see the muscle working with your own two eyes. Glance down during a rep or two to see your “guns” in the front of your upper arms contracting (and working)! Concentrating on the body parts being challenged during strength training, instead of just going through the motions, helps you get the most out of each move.

To try these great upper arm toners, you’ll need a mid-weight set of dumbbells and/or a resistance band, as well as a seat or stability ball.

So I had yet to do a biceps video until today—what other body parts or exercises am I forgetting that you would like to see?

In other workout video news, I had my first guest post ever published on Diets In Review.com this Sunday! To learn more about medicine balls and see three of my choice total body medicine ball moves, click here!

Jason Stole My Heart

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:06:00 -0500

Jason and I first met about two years ago in a journalism class. See, I was writing an article about...

Blank Boxes?

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:42:00 -0500

Another Label Spat… As we discussed in the infancy of my blog, Smart Choices is/was a quite...

One of my favorite ways to rack up an effective, heart pumping...

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0500

One of my favorite ways to rack up an effective, heart pumping and muscle-sculpting workout? Performing upper and lower body strength moves in tandem! While working several muscle groups at once, your cardiovascular system begins to work a bit as well (in addition to the muscles targeted by the weights).

Grab a medium-heavy pair of dumbbells and join me for three effective exercises! You can use your creativity to meld almost any upper body with almost any lower body move. Do share if you come up with a fun idea!

What are your favorite ways to save time, while still being active, when time is at a premium?

Holey Rollers

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:17:00 -0500

The folks at Holey Donuts were kind enough to include me in their latest blogger contest and I could...

This Thursday, I made my latest visit to the Dr. Fitness and the...

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:03:58 -0500

This Thursday, I made my latest visit to the Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy radio show! It was a great time, as usual. Dr. Adam, Lee and I discussed the Vancouver Olympics, exercise tunes and ways to spice-up indoor workouts. I’m the first guest after the introduction—I’d love it if you’d take a listen! :)

Here are links to a few sites we discussed on the show:

What a fun time! Thanks to all involved. I can’t wait to be on the show again soon!

Any topics you’d like to hear us cover on future episodes?

Extra Large-Style Spoiling by Grandma

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:14:22 -0500

Grandmas Gorging Kids? As the economy continues to be an issue, parents may turn to childcare...

Let’s face it, some days we just can’t make it to...

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0500

Let’s face it, some days we just can’t make it to the gym or through a full at-home workout. You aren’t resigned to sitting all day, however…and I explain how you can keep moving with the help of a stairwell!

(Image from Fitness Spotlight)

Skipping the escalator on the way to the gym is a good start ;)

So take a look at some ideas I have for quick tips to help you get fit with the help of a few stairs—no other equipment required!

Do you ever need a midday break from your desk? If so, how do you get a bit of activity in?

(Edited to add: As you can tell, I have absolutely no ups. I’m working on that, and so can you with these step moves!)

Gold Medal Bowls

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:18:35 -0500

Have you had your Wheaties today? Since 1933, the famous orange-boxed cereal has been linked with...

Thumbs Up: Coupons, Thumbs Down: Commercials

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:25:02 -0500

Blame It On the A-a-a-ads OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way first…commercials...

Standing up straight will do more for you than get your Mom off...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:58:00 -0500

Standing up straight will do more for you than get your Mom off your back for slouching. Good posture decreases back pain, increases confidence and makes your silhouette appear slimmer. But the computer-based work and school atmosphere today does not make proper posture easy. Strengthening your back and core muscles, however, can help the act of standing up straight be much easier and more natural.

I have four core-focused exercises that are great posture perfecters. You will need a medium to heavy pair of dumbbells (or a barbell) and a resistance band. The band can actually be used in lieu of the weights for the row if necessary—just loop the band around your feet and pull one end with each arm.

Do you find that you naturally have admirable posture or do you have to work at it? Do you have any tips for all of us if you fall in either camp?

Concentrating on Chocolate

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:40:00 -0500

Valentine’s Day falls on next Sunday. Are you ready? Considering I’m thoroughly single,...

Size Matters

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:48:00 -0500

Weighing Perfect Performance Many consider it a big fitness performance boon to be as light as...

While experts have touted the benefits of Tai Chi and Pilates...

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0500

While experts have touted the benefits of Tai Chi and Pilates for balance, there are many strength and cardiovascular exercises that test, challenge and build your stability as well. Today, we tackle three moves that will work your core while strengthening your lower body and getting your heart pumping a bit!

To complete these exercises, you’ll need one medium weight set of dumbbells and about a six feet square of open space. Grab your concentration as well—you’ll need it to keep steady throughout these moves!

If you’re looking to spice up your traditional strength moves while boosting balance, try standing on one leg during upper body moves like bicep curls and overhead presses. You can also grab a BOSU ball or stability disk and stand on them (with one or two legs) during your weight workout. And here are a few other strength exercises to try!

Do you have any tips for maintaining good physical balance or any favorite exercises that build body stability?

Twisted Treats

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:20:02 -0500

Are you ready for some football? As we speak, the Pro Bowl is commencing and in one week, the Colts...

We Have a Winner!

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:01:00 -0500

Congratulations to walshsr (Sarah), the winner of the Healthful Bites/Progresso giveaway! Sarah...

Playing Catch Up

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:59:00 -0500

It’s been one of those weeks for me that, no matter how much is accomplished, always leaves...