Fat Secret

My husband and I just stumbled across a very cool website. :) It's called Fat Secret, and you can literally enter in any food and it will list the nutrition facts. There are also recipe ideas and different nutritional and fitness challenges. Check it out!

Tone in 10 Minutes

Here are 5 exercises from Fitness Magazine that will tone your abs, arms, butt, and thighs. Do them for a quick workout when you don't have time for the gym, or incorporate them into a longer workout to push yourself.

Pike and Extend

Targets: Abs, legs

• a. Lie faceup on mat with legs extended over hips, arms overhead. Crunch up, reaching hands toward feet.
• b. Keeping legs straight, bring arms back overhead as you lower upper back and left leg toward floor.
• Crunch up, lifting left leg over hips and reaching hands to toes. Switch legs; repeat. Do 20 reps, alternating sides.

Standing Side Crunch

Targets: Obliques, legs

• Stand on left leg, left arm extended out to side at shoulder height, right foot lifted a few inches off floor to the side.
• Place right hand behind head, elbow bent out to side at shoulder level, then lift right knee toward right elbow.
• Do 15 reps; switch sides and repeat.

Chest Flye with Leg Extension

Targets: Chest, abs

• Lie faceup on mat, knees bent 90 degrees over hips, holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended over chest, palms in.
• Keeping right knee bent, straighten left leg toward floor as you lower arms out to sides. Hold for 1 count, then return to start.
• Do 10 reps. Switch legs; repeat.

Knee-Up with Overhead Press

Targets: Shoulders, abs, glutes

• Sit on mat with knees bent and feet on floor, holding dumbbells near shoulders, elbows by sides, palms in.
• Lean back slightly and extend arms overhead as you lift feet a few inches off floor and bring knees toward chest.
• Hold position for 1 to 3 counts; return to start. Do 15 reps.

Lunge and Twist

Targets: Abs, glutes, legs

• Stand with feet together. Lunge back with left leg, bending knees 90 degrees, and reach left hand to right foot.
• Stand up, lift left knee in front of you to hip height, and bring fists to chest, bending elbows out to sides as you twist left. Twist to center, lunge left leg back, and repeat.
• Do 15 reps. Switch sides; repeat.

Just in time for Halloween!

As Halloween quickly approaches, we all start to think about the rest of the upcoming holidays. . . the presents, time with family, wonderful food, and weight gain. But, with a few simple pointers, beastly weight gain can be a thing of the past!
1) Remember to moderate candy and sweets! I know they taste good, but consuming more than just a couple at a time can be bad for your health. If you are a chocoholic, stick to dark chocolate. It is higher in antioxidants and lower in fat. If you love cakes and pies, pumpkin pie is one of the better choices. It is still high in sugar (it's a pie of course!!), but pumpkin is high in vitamins A and C and lower in calories.   
2) Don't overeat! Easier said than done, right? Just keep in mind that it's healthier to eat normally prior to going to huge holiday dinners. You will be less likely to over-consume, than if you had not eaten anything prior to going. As an added tip, snack! Rather than eating all of the food all at once, eat a small portion and wait a bit before eating another small portion.
3) Lastly, exercise! The holidays can be busy, but try to fit in at least a 30 min exercise session 3 times a week. Cardio (running, eliptical, cycling, swimming) is going to be better during this time of year because it burns the most fat in a short amount of time. Not to mention, cardio lowers blood pressure and cholesterol too.
Good luck! Have a Happy Halloween and Happy Holidays shortly after!