Getting enough sleep, eating right, and quitting smoking can all help you on your way to healthier skin, but choosing a skin firming cream to tighten your under eye skin will help you wake up in the morning looking refreshed instead of tired.

How do I choose good skin firming cream?

Plenty of face creams and firming creams are on the market competing for your business. You may be tempted to go to the nearest supermarket or mass merchandiser and grab the first cream you see. This is not the best way to choose a product for your face. Instead, you should begin using the internet to research a quality firming cream. Skin firming cream that works well will contain certain active ingredients to repair the damage caused by time and the sun. In addition, the internet can provide you with a source of customer reviews that can inform you about products that work or do not work for other people. Several websites, such as www.drskinspa.com, offer skin firming products from a variety of manufacturers and allow you to compare product information and customer reviews.

What ingredients should I look for in a skin firming cream?

Vitamins are some of the best ingredients to have in your skin firming products. Specifically, Vitamin A (Retinol) and Vitamin E (Tocopherol), which are both free radical fighting antioxidants, should be in any quality, skin firming face cream. Vitamin A encourages the growth of new, fresh skin cells and helps get rid of old, sagging skin cells. It also increases collagen production in your skin to help tighten and smooth the outer surface. Vitamin E repairs old, damaged skin and protects new, fresh skin from further damage. These two vitamins are a powerful combination to have in any skin firming cream.

What else should a skin firming face cream contain?

Obviously, a quality skin firming cream will contain more than just two ingredients. Other vitamins, such as Vitamin C will help rebuild damaged collagen. Vitamin K can get rid of any dark circles that are accenting the bagginess. Some other natural ingredients to search for on the ingredient labels are licorice extract, Kojic acid, caffeine, peptides, and seaweed extract. All of these components of quality skin firming products work toward tightening your skin, replacing damaged collagen, and reducing discoloration. When skin firming products are made from natural components, they give your skin the nutrients it craves to restore itself.

What are some examples of quality skin firming face creams?

There are several quality skin firming creams with good reviews. Some will work to firm skin on your entire face and others are designed with the specific needs of your eyes in mind. If you have a difficult time choosing which cream would be the best for you, you could start with MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Eye Crème. Or, you might prefer Ageless Derma’s Retinol and Vitamin K Eye Cream. These are just two good examples of skin firming face creams that could help you to get rid of baggy, saggy eyes and have firmer, younger looking skin.

As founder of Focus Medical Spa in Orange County, California, Dr. Mostamand is accustomed to hearing glowing feedback from thousands of grateful clients. Since 2004, his medical spa has offered non-invasive aesthetic procedures and physician grade skincare solutions to women seeking to rejuvenate and restore their damaged or aging skin.

In an effort to expand his ability to assist clients seeking to restore and maintain their youthful appearances, Dr Mostamand founded a skin care website. Since 2006, DrSkinSpa.com has been dedicated to providing complimentary skincare consultations as well as easy access to more than 4,000 of the most effective, physician grade anti-aging skincare products available.

Dr. Mostamand is a prolific writer who enjoys introducing his clients to the science and documented research that supports Ageless Derma’s effectiveness.  His well-received book, Ageless Skin Obsession, provides valuable insight into the latest skincare research and the assists readers in making educated decisions in their quest to capture the essence of ageless skin.

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Angelina Jolie’s Double Mastectomy: What You Need to Know About the Breast Cancer Gene & Family Planning

Fertility Centers of Illinois discusses genetic screening for breast cancer and fertility preservation during a breast cancer diagnosis

After learning she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer due to a genetic predisposition through the BRCA1 gene, Angelina Jolie made the decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy, lessening her risk to five percent.

Angelina’s decision shines the spotlight on genetic predisposition to disease, and what wo

men can do to lessen risk. For women at risk for breast cancer or newly diagnosed, it is important to know the options available to grow a healthy family and preserve future fertility.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a cutting-edge technology that screens embryos for genetic disease. For those predisposed to cancer or other genetic abnormalities, this option allows couples to select the healthiest embryos during in-vitro fertilization treatment. Genetic screening can detect the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as several other specific genetic disorders.

Egg vitrification allows women diagnosed with breast cancer to preserve their future fertility by freezing eggs. After cancer treatment when a woman is ready for a family, she can use her eggs to create embryos and carry a baby. For those with hormone sensitive breast cancer diagnoses, they may choose to have a surrogate carry the baby to assist in preventing a recurrent cancer diagnosis.

“It is of paramount importance that couples and women know what family planning options are available when breast cancer is involved,” says Dr. Angeline Beltsos of Fertility Centers of Illinois. “Couples have the option to prevent genetic disease from being carried down the family bloodline. For women battling cancer, the devastation of losing the ability to have children in the future can be prevented by egg freezing for fertility preservation.”

Related articles

• Do You Need A BRCA Test?
• Angelina Jolie Missed An Important Opportunity
• The 6th Floor Blog: Reacting to Angelina Jolie’s Breast Cancer News

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The truth is, fruit has its role the body and has benefit, but there is just so much
confusion!

A trainer friend of mine
  had a client who was eating 3-4 pieces of fruit a day and she had
a hard time losing weight for the last year and she wasn’t sure why. He told her right
away to remove all fruit from her diet and ANYTHING that could cause an insulin spike

The result? She lost 5 lbs that week!

See, if it is important to understand that if you are consuming sugar, it doesn’t matter
what kind of sugar it is, your body still digests it the same way, your body will still
spike the blood sugar and STOP fat loss. Yes, STOP FAT LOSS!

Insulin is the storage hormone that stores body fat and doesn’t allow you to burn fat
as energy during the day. That just means,  when you burn calories, they will NOT
come from fat, they will just burn glycogen. (the sugar you just put in the body)

Then, any time you have fruit, especially if its alone, it will mess with your energy levels.

Ever feel like after 12pm or 3pm you just don’t have enough energy? You probably either:
1. Are not eating enough before 12pm to sustain energy levels
2. Consuming too much sugar and its making you “crash”  (SUGAR)

Fruit is completely natural, I get that and agree.  It comes from the Earth. It’s not like it’s a donut or bagel. But it terms of FAT LOSS, it is the enemy, and the #1 cause of why people are so fat in America.

Lets look at this, it will blow your mind! 

1 apple = 120 calories
1 apple = 31 grams of sugar

12 oz coca cola can = 125 calories
12 oz coca cola can = 32 grams of sugar

I share this with you because you need to know what your
consuming. If you don’t you may be frustrated for a long time and
never reach your body fat goals. So stop eating fruit if your want to
lose fat and replace it with high fiber veggies, or you might as well
chug down cokes all day long.

  The Solution  to lose fat

First know, I am not against fruit at all. It has many benefits to it. I do
believe strongly you can get the same nutrients in fruit that you can with veggies,
just with no insulin spike to keep fat burning 24 hours a day. 

 3 Rules

Rule #1
Fruit has a lot of high fiber and antioxidents which are important.
Eat only the fruit with the highest amounts. i.e. blueberries, raspberries

Rules #2
Eat fruit ONLY with protein and make sure its eat least 10 grams. This will
help slow down the digestion and help stabilize your blood sugar. 

Rule #3
Eat fruit in the first two meals of the day or until noon time, then stop having it
The rules may change once you are at your ideal body fat levels and weight, but for now
take this information and apply it today and you will see your body fat levels shift!

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Daisy Natural Skin care products look and feel delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many people are becoming increasingly concerned about the ingredients that are in their skin care products. Daisy Natural Skin Care soaps, lip balms, lotion sticks, and whipped body butters are made from safe and effective ingredients and are free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic colors. The products are scented with either natural essential oils or phthalate-free synthetic fragrances, and come in intoxicating scents such as White Ginger & Amber, Moonlight Pomegranate, Lavender, and Tahitian Vanilla, to name a few. Fragrance free items are also available for those with allergies. They do not test on animals, and only buy from vendors who pledge the same. Many of the products are aligned with a vegan lifestyle (some do contain honey or beeswax).

Daisy Natural Skin Care products are sold on Etsy (http://daisynaturalskincare.etsy.com) as well as at seasonal craft fairs and festivals. Gift sets are available.  Custom orders for shower and party favors.

 You can fin Daisy Natural Skin Care at  The White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival June 1st and 2nd.

you

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Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox, Channing Tatum and Sofia Vergara Score Multiple Wins;

The Beckhams, George Clooney, Prince Harry, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Mario Lopez, Kate Middleton, Gwen Stefani, and Others Top List

“Best Legs”: Jennifer Aniston

 Who’s got the best boobs in Hollywood?  How about the prettiest eyes, tightest abs, most beautiful smile or most alluring curves?  Hollyscoop knows!

In its first annual “Hollywood’s Hottest Bodies Poll,” the first and most extensive survey of its kind, Hollyscoop has identified the hottest, fittest and best-looking bodies, and parts thereof, as determined by an online poll of nearly 1200 individual voters (U.S. residents, 18 and older).  Some winners transcend the film and television industries to hail from the worlds of music, fashion, sports and even royalty.

With eight of the categories embracing both male and female nominees, and eleven single-gender, the winners include the following:

• “Best Legs”: Jennifer Aniston stepped over Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria and two others to win.

• “Best Arms”: Jennifer Aniston in a shocking upset beat Michelle Obama 34% to 24% to wrestle the title of “Best Arms,” even though the First Lady has been voted tops in the category in other polls.

• “Best Female Abs”: Gwen Stefani, long known for her tight tummy, crunched her nearest competitors Halle Berry and Julianne Hough.

• “Best Male Abs”: Channing Tatum, long appreciated for his bare-chested machismo, sent his closest adversary Daniel Craig six-packing.

• “Best Lips”: Channing Tatum also bested four women – Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lucy Hale – for the kissable honor.

• “Best Smile”: Kate Middleton, who charmed the former Colonies with her royal wedding two years ago, claimed a new title besides Duchess of Cambridge with a 29% to 28% squeaker over Jessica Alba to be crowned “Best Smile.”

• “Best Nose”: Scarlett Johansson, meanwhile, crossed the finish line well before Kate Middleton, 42% to 33%, hardly by a nose, to win in this category, with Taylor Swift inhaling their dust in third place.

• “Best Eyes”: Zooey Deschanel and her baby blues lashed eight other nominees of both genders for “Best Eyes,” tying with Megan Fox at 18% but barely edging her out by just two votes, with Mila Kunis only ten votes shy at 17%.

• “Best Dimples”: Mario Lopez easily dented his closest rival Miranda Kerr, 53% to 20%.

• “Best Cheekbones”: Angelina Jolie pulled a cheeky win over Keira Knightley.

• “Best Jawline”: Victoria Beckham beat out four guys, including Robert Pattinson and Chris Pine, for a posh victory.

• “Best Beard”: George Clooney won by a hair, with 29% of the vote compared to his erstwhile fuzzy-faced colleagues Ryan Gosling (27%) and Ben Affleck (23%).

• “Best Eyebrows”: Megan Fox may be feeling rather arch following her plucky triumph in this category.  Her 40% vote nearly twice that of Jessica Alba and Jennifer Lopez.

• “Best Baby Bounce Back Body”: Megan Fox also enjoyed the slimmest one-vote margin win over Beyoncé for “Best Baby Bounce Back Body.”

• “Best Curves”: Sofia Vergara bounced the competition with 48% of the vote, a comfy margin past Christina Aguilera (17%) and Jessica Simpson (16%).

• “Best Hair”: Sofia Vergara’s flowing brunette tresses also locked out Kate Middleton, Megan Fox and others.

• “Best Ginger”: Prince Harry, who verified his natural hair color for revelers at a not-so-private Las Vegas party, snapped “Best Ginger” away from other carrot-topped celebrities including Jessica Chastain, Christina Hendricks, Isla Fisher and Shaun White.

And now for the slightly naughty categories…

• ·         “Best Boobs”: Jennifer Love Hewitt racked up a titillating win, by a nice pair of percentage points over Sofia Vergara, and busted runners-up Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson and Kate Upton.

• “Best Booty”: Jennifer Lopez, whose bodacious backside has itself become a legendary icon which paparazzi have long quested to capture, won the coveted award leaving the competition behind with 26% over second-seated Jessica Alba (24%) and even “Bootylicious” belter Beyoncé (20%), with Jessica Biel (17%) and Rihanna (12%) rounding out the bottom two.

• “Best Bulge”: David Beckham, by a landslide marking the widest win across all categories, certainly didn’t need to bend it to claim “Best Bulge,” scoring a 54% header over Jon Hamm (17%), Michael Fassbender (15%) and Cristiano Ronaldo (14%).

“Our audience looks to Hollyscoop as their source for what’s going on with their favorite celebrities so we thought we’d create the ultimate celebrity hot bodies list,” says Hollyscoop host and executive producer, Diana Madison.  “We had a lot of fun with these questions and asked everyone from fans, people on the street and celebrities on the red carpet to pick the winners in each category.  As you can see, the proof is in our results!”

About Hollyscoop

Hollyscoop, a division of REV New Media, is a multimedia entertainment news brand that offers up-to-the minute breaking celebrity news, interviews, hot topics, rumor control, paparazzi shots and exclusive interviews, all gleaned from the ultimate entertainment industry insiders.  In addition to the website, which attracts nearly 9 million diverse viewers per month and growing, Hollyscoop airs as a weekly, nationally syndicated, half-hour television program in markets across the U.S.  Visit the website at www.Hollyscoop.com.  Follow Hollyscoop on Facebook (facebook.com/hollyscoop), Twitter (#hollyscoop), AOL On (on.aol.com/hollyscoop) and YouTube (youtube.com/hollyscoop).

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On MHA’s Centering Sunday, May 19^th, you can practice yoga, take pilates or book a massage, all with a good karma twist. In honor of May is Mental Health Month, yoga studios and wellness centers across the Hudson Valley are offering classes in support of the Mental Health Association of Westchester’s mental health programs and services. 

Stigma about mental health conditions causes needless shame and fear and

is the biggest obstacle to seeking help.  With good treatment, people can and do recover and lead healthy, productive lives in the community.

To participate in this stigma-stopping event, visit www.mhawestchester.org and find the studio nearest you.

To celebrate the creation of Centering Sunday, we asked Amy Weintraub, who has been a pioneer in the field of yoga and mental health for over 20 years and is the author of the bestselling Yoga for Depression, to offer one of her favorite breathing exercises: 

“ When feelings of separation or loneliness arise, I know of no better way to sense our interconnectedness than to begin a breathing practice.  Aside from the well-documented health benefits, we can stop a ruminative chain of thoughts or a negative mood state in its tracks with one of many simple yogic breathing exercises called pranayama.  Trauma, loss and the everyday hassles of daily life can create constriction in the physical and emotional body.  As we constrict, we begin to close off from others.  Some of us carry this sense of separation throughout our lives in the form of depression.  Yogic breathing can begin to break through that wall of separation, perhaps just a chink at first, through which we begin to feel less separate and alone.  A simple breath can give us a felt sense of our connection to the energy of the cosmos.  Einstein once said that “we are operating under the optical delusion of our separateness and that our separateness is lethal”. When we breathe mindfully, that delusion dissolves and we begin to see clearly again that we are intimately and eternally connected to the energy of the universe and to each other.  What is authentic within us is given voice. 

Practice:

When we breathe consciously, we may quiet the clatter of thoughts so that mindfulness naturally arises. Try this simple breath when the busy mind needs a respite. 

Ocean-Sounding Victory Breath (Ujjayi)

This breath, jokingly referred to as Darth Vader Breath, is soothing to the central nervous system, even as it calms the mind and supports greater focus for meditation.

1.                          To begin, inhale through the nostrils to the count of four with a slight constriction at the back of the throat, so that the breath is audible, like a light snoring sound.

2.                          Exhale through the nostrils for four counts, maintaining the snoring sound.

3.                          The breath is slow, and deep.  Feel the breath expanding the belly, the ribcage, and then the upper chest.

4.                          On the exhalation, pull the abdomen in and up to empty the lungs completely.

5.                          Sense the breath at the back of the throat.

6.                          Listen to your breath.  Does it sound like a wave gently rolling across pebbles?  Imagine your favorite pebbly beach.  Does it sound like an infant’s snore?  Let it be like a lullaby to yourself—perhaps a younger you. “

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been helping Westchester County residents for 66 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports 20,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent, healthy and successful lives. For information, visit www.mhawestchester.org

The post MHA WESTCHESTER PARTNERS WITH 23 STUDIOS TO LAUNCH CENTERING SUNDAY: WELLNESS CLASSES WITH A GOOD KARMA TWIST! appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Practiced in China for thousands of years, acupuncture is one facet of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also encompasses herbal medicine, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, eating for healing, and qigong.  All are based on the principle that qi (lifeforce) flows through your body along meridians (think highways) similar to the way blood flows through veins.  Qi can accumulate excessively in one area and be deficient in others.  If one’s overall qi is deficient, the person is vulnerable to outside forces, for example, cold.  Although in western medicine, the terms used are immunity and germs, a similar concept applies in eastern medicine, with a slightly different emphasis.  If the terrain is weak, external pathogens can invade.  One of the goals of Chinese medicine is to balance the qi (read strengthen immunity) to guard against external pathogens.  TCM is an allopathic form of medicine meaning treating with the opposite.  If a person is deficient, the cure is to tonify.  If the person is excess, the cure is to reduce.  Herbs are more effective at tonifying and acupuncture is effective at reducing.

The purpose behind all acupuncture therapy is the achievement of balance; specifically the balance of the flow of “Qi” in the body, loosely translated as the “life force.”

In TCM, the organs of the body are viewed differently than in western medicine.  Each organ is associated with an energetic pattern.  Many symptoms can be part of a single pattern.  A typical pattern for New Yorkers is liver qi stagnation.  Symptoms of liver qi stagnation are depression, feelings of frustration and anger, sensation of a lump in the throat, pain under the ribs, menstrual pain.  While the liver is an organ that tends toward excess or stagnation, the spleen is an organ that tends to be deficient.  The liver can invade the spleen causing symptoms such as nausea, belching, abdominal pain, and loose stool.

 Acupuncture is a holistic medicine– it sees symptoms in relationship to the entire body, and not in isolation.

In addition to effectively treating the above syndromes, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and quality of life in postmenopausal women; helpful in alleviating chronic pain; reducing frequency and intensity of tension headaches and migraine attacks; increasing the effectiveness of IVF; alleviating low back and neck pain; reducing the harmful effects of stress; alleviating PTSD; increasing function and reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis and tennis elbow; inducing labor; reducing dysmenorrhea; helping to relieve labor pain; turning breech babies (moxa); and easing nausea and vomiting postoperatively and from chemotherapy.

Over 2500 years old, this time-tested method of preventative care and addressing acute and chronic problems speaks for itself by alleviating conditions normally addressed by drugs or surgery in Western medicine.

What to expect when visiting an acupuncturist.  On an initial visit, the acupuncturist will do a full eastern evaluation, including asking about lifestyle, pains, bowel frequency and consistency, sleep patterns and analyzing pulse and tongue.  Acupuncture needles are as thin as a thick hair.  All needles are sterile.  Most acupuncturists today use disposable needles.  They generally do not cause bleeding, however bruising may occur occasionally.  Acupuncture should not be painful, but should produce a sensation of qi, i.e. heaviness.

In New York State, acupuncturists are licensed by the NYS Department of Education.  The training is a 3-year program after a minimum of two years of college.  An acupuncturist must pass a state-approved licensing exam.

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Memorial day weekend is one of the first large social events when the weather gets nice. With this being said you want to make a great impression when debuting your summer body, especially to those who haven’t seen you in a while. Now since we have a couple weeks and you didn’t wait to last minute, we have some preparation time. If you can incorporate these seven strategies in the weeks to come, you will be stealing all the glances from the men and getting the dirty envious looks from the women who didn’t prepare as well as you did.

Okay here’s the plan of attack

Strategy 1

Cut out dairy

No Cheese- Also, no milk, or dairy. For you die hard coffee drinkers try substituting a almond or coconut based creamer. Use unsweetened almond milk for shakes or any other dairy need. Not only is dairy calorie dense it makes your body retain water which is a no no on the beach.

Strategy 2

Choose your carbs wisely- Lets drop the super carb rich pastas,cereals, and all wheat grains that cause bloating and inflammation in your abdominal region. Lets instead focus on eating sweet potatoes, yams and squash. Brown rice is moderation is okay also but 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup at a sitting and use regular brown rice, although some of the basmati and other types are tasty they have a much higher carb content event though they are still considered brown rice.

Strategy 3

Watch your fats

Watch your fats-We all need healthy fats for a healthy body but fat is very calorie dense at 9 calories per ONE gram. So let’s relax with the late night peanut butter feeding and instead cook our food in coconut oil spray or pam spray to minimize calories and eat 1/2 avocado at 2 different times of the day for healthy fat. If avocado isn’t your thing try 1 ounce of almonds 2x a day with meals. Also make sure any red meat is a lean cut with the lowest amount of saturated fat you can find. Bison is a great alternative to regular chopped meat with only 3.5 grams saturated fat per 4 ounces.

Strategy 4

No more cardio-WHAT! I want you to do circuits that hit high intensity cardio, core/abs, and major muscles groups in one workout. For example pick 5 exercises and do each one for a minute straight back to back, than rest and repeat two more times for a total of three rounds. Some great exercises to include are squats, mountain climbers, v-ups, burpees, jumping jacks, supermans, pushups, plank hold with knee to elbow, and jump squats.

Strategy 5

Don’t stuff your face but instead a average women can consume roughly 4 ounces lean protein 4 oz sweet potato and half avocado for a complete meal. The main take away is you can feel like your eating more while slimming down.

Missing Meals-Far too many women skip meals, a meal time is every hours and everytime you make your body wait longer to eat you are training your body to store body fat to preserve energy because it doesn’t want to starve and break down and it doesn’t know when its getting fed again. Don’t stuff your face but instead a average women can consume roughly 4 ounces lean protein 4 oz sweet potato and half avocado for a complete meal. The main take away is you can feel like your eating more while slimming down.

Strategy 6

Greens-adding vegtables to meals is a great way to get more nutrients, add fiber for a sense of fullness and satisfaction, and also stabilize blood sugar to keep insulin levels down which help decrease body fat. My favorites are steamed green beans, spinach, kale, or asparagus.

Strategy 7

Drink around 3.7 liters or 1 gallon daily

Stay hydrated- many people consume so much coffee and alcohol and not enough water. Drink around 3.7 liters or 1 gallon daily. This will help your body retain less water, flush out excess salt and sugar, and have your muscles and mind performing at an optimal rate. I like to 2 tablespoons of trace minerals to my gallon of water just to ensure I am replenishing all the minerals I am loosing during intense exercise. Minerals have numerous biological functions in your body but a few  mains ones are: Help your body recover faster, combat stress, reduce anxiety, keep muscles hydrated, and improve the quality of your sleep better.

Daniel Calabrese has been into fitness since he was a child, starting off in martial arts at 4 and becoming a personal trainer at 18. Daniel has had the unique privilege to work with some of the best names in the business such as Martin Rooney, Juan Carlos Santana, and Rob Orlando. Combining his knowledge of various exercise modalities such as speed and performance training, functional strength/strongman training,MMA strength and conditioning, and his experience as a NPC Mens Physique Competitor, he has created what some hail as the more detailed evolution of Weight Watchers.

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 Are you frustrated with why you can’t lose those stubborn pounds, even though you’re on a perpetual diet? Do you want to make a lifestyle change that will rock your food and fitness world?

For example, did you know most people need to exercise less and EAT more?

It’s MAY DAY! Celebrity chef and clean food expert Mareya Ibrahim is calling a state of the plate emergency with the release of “The Clean Eating Handbook: 31 Essential Rules For Health, Wellness and a Fabulously Fit Life” and her “Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program” launching today on Eat Cleaner .

“It’s time we clean up our plates.  People are dieting like crazy, yet disease is increasing along with our weight.  We need to fix mealtime for good and I’m sharing a real, actionable plan to do that,” commented Ibrahim.

“The Clean Eating Handbook” is not a diet book – it’s a lifestyle approach with bite-sized, realistic steps that once practiced and repeated, create lifelong, healthy habits in just 31 days.  In her debut publication, Ibrahim shares her true story about beating a decade-long eating disorder by discovering how to eat cleaner.  Her essential rules include three critical keys to becoming fabulously fit.  She also unlocks the metabolic dilemma of most dieters with her “Fit Foody Triangle” approach to balancing nutrients and managing blood sugar.  Rather than focusing on calorie restriction, the book provides insights on getting the right amount of the right macro nutrients at the right intervals throughout the day. This proven approach has been used on thousands of clients to effectively help them take back their plates for good.  The goal is to eat cleaner and get leaner for life.

Some of the essential steps include:

o   Rehab your refrigerator and purge your pantry

o   Kick the habit, sugar

o   Skim the saturated fat – but don’t go fat-free

o   Choose cleaner carbs

Ibrahim also shares 10 key recipes and how she keeps it clean as an entrepreneur and single mother of two young children.

In addition to the book, May 1st is the launch of the “Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program, the only program that follows Mareya’s proven “Fit Foody Triangle” method.  Customers will receive a weekly meal prep guide, daily meal plan, exclusive recipes, a shopping list and a nutritional breakdown. Pre-balanced recipes include Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Pesto Pizza, Superfood Salad with Salmon, and Chocolate and Flax Protein Pancakes.  The program is an affordable $9.99 per month.

The Clean Eating Handbook: 31 Essential Rules for Health, Wellness, and a Fabulously Fit Life! Written by Mareya Ibrahim, The Fit Foody.  Edited by Ryan Chandler Brown.  The book is available May 1^st, 2013 as an eBook on www.eatcleaner.comfor only $4.99 for the month of May and will be available on www.amazon.com by June 1st, 2013 for $9.99.  

The Clean Eating Handbook and The Cleaner Plate Club Meal Prep Program are both available for purchase atwww.eatcleaner.com.

The post May Day! 31 Days to Find Your Fabulously Fit Self appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Receive a box of the best healthy snacks, supplements, fitness programs, personal-care products and more delivered monthly for a low rate. With the one year subscription the user will receive a box monthly for only $8 + $8 shipping per month. First month is free.

How many hours a day do you spend in the car? Between driving to school, work, errands, and activities, your car seems to be your second home. Barre real food bar is an ideal snack to enjoy at a stoplight or on the sidelines, and provides sustained energy with real ingredients. Those little ones in the back seat? Provide A+ nutrition with GoGo Squeez. The fun packaging makes eating fruit a fun experience that kids can’t get enough of. Need a bribe to get cooperation (or some quiet time)? Surf Sweets uses organic ingredients and packs Vitamin C, making it a guilt free treat for moms and kids alike.

Just because you have the responsibility of your family doesn’t mean you can put your own health and wellness on the back burner. Squeeze in quality workouts anytime, anywhere with DailyBurn. This online fitness program offers yoga, dance, strength training and more and creates a customized workout schedule. Just log on at www.dailyburn.com/klutchand enjoy 60 Days FREE!

Preserving your health for years to come has a new meaning now that you have a family to take care of. Drink your way to improved health with OJO Fortified Eye Nectar, the first doctor-formulated beverage designed to help protect and preserve vision. Want to keep your skin looking young and healthy without spending a fortune or using harsh chemicals? Own Skin Health Rejuvenating Cleanser is gentle and effective without the use of parabens and sulfates.

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Maria is passionate about helping others commit to making changes that will have an impact on their health and well being. She was the perfect person to get the skinny on FitBit.

Are you tracking or slacking?

I always say knowledge is power and consistency is the key to results. Well, keeping track of your numbers can be extremely helpful in reaching your weight loss goals. This type of instant feedback can help me make better choices, and influences my decisions to pick up the pace when I need and get more active.

Its been a full month since I’ve had my Fitbit Zip. I was looking for a change from my Bodybugg device. I rarely watch HSN TV and saw The Fitbit Zip was offered at that particular moment on easy pay, and discounted at $49.95. Like I said, I rarely watch TV, but just happened to have HSN on. So I figured this was a great opportunity to “test drive” it and if I didn’t like it, I could return it. Fitbit Zip is also sold at Target.com and Amazon.com for $59.95. Another bonus is that I wanted to get away from the reoccurring fee associated with subscribing to Bodybugg.com.

As I had mentioned, my goal is to monitor my numbers; Fitbit Zip sets the magic number of 10,000 steps which is the default goal for this cute little clip on device. Did you know that 10,000 steps daily is approximately 5 miles?

And, since this month is National Heart Month, The American Heart Association uses the 10,000 steps metric as a guideline to follow for improving health and decreasing risk of heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in America.

I love how this syncs to MyFitnessPal app (you can connect with me there, my username is maria365) and tells me how many calories I need to burn in order to meet my weight loss goals.
Best part is that its very easy to use. However, for me, the hard part was remembering to clip it back on after changing. I sometimes even sleep with it. One day, I did forget to clip it back on and felt totally lost without it.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that it depends on what workout I do that will almost guarantee that my goals will be reached. On that particular day where I did crush my goals, I got a little notification on my iPhone. I did TurboFire Fire 45EZ from the Turbofire program*. The music is off the hook and the choreography is so much fun. I had logged in a little over 5,000 steps in just 45 minutes.
If you own a fitbit zip and want to connect with me, look me up!

*TurboFire® is the intense 90-day cardio conditioning program that will help you get leaner with exercises that burn up to 9x more fat and calories than regular cardio. New challenge groups are forming March 4, 2013. Message me on my Facebook Like Page if you’re interested.

Related articles

• Fuelband, Fitbit, and Android
• Never mind your step count: what about that Big Mac?

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An animation of a full golf swing displaying the appropriate and professional technique. Each of the 9 frames in the animation are based on this image. The animation was made in both Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe ImageReady. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With golf and tennis season in full swing, the one thing you do not want to neglect right now is your fitness program for either of these sports. In fact, it is more important now, to continue with your exercise program so it will keep your body strong, and in balance throughout your playing season.

          It is a proven fact that your golf and tennis swing, just like any other one-sided repetitive activity, will eventually create major imbalances in your body. Even if you have a pretty strong backhand in tennis, your dominant side will always get more work, and overload those muscles more then your weak side. These imbalances will eventually cause your joints and your musculoskeletal system to become misaligned, thus leading to chronic pain and injury.

          So as a result, the sport that we love to play, if not corrected, will actually begin to hinder our ability to play.

There is a huge correlation between muscular imbalances and our body’s ability to swing our golf club or tennis racket efficiently.  These imbalances will result in poor swing mechanics, a tremendous loss of distance and power, poor performance on the course or tennis court, and a tremendous increase in injury.

          So putting the science behind us, in laments terms, If you continue to play a predominately one sided sport, without strengthening up both sides of your body equally, you will eventually be forced to stop playing the sport that you enjoy.

If you are currently not involved with a golf or tennis specific exercise program, there is not time like the present to start one. Ask your trainer to do a sport specific evaluation of your body, and help design a program that will make you stronger, more balanced, and in overall better condition for the sport that you play.

          A good sport specific exercise program has 3 phases to it.

1. Corrective phase.  Focus on correcting these muscular imbalances, and correcting the length and tension ratios of opposing muscle groups that put UN do stress on your joints.
2. Strength and balance phase. Create equal strength and balance on both sides of your body with specific attention on the stabilizer muscles involved in your sport.
3. Power phase. You must convert strength into power by adding velocity. (Ex. Power medicine ball throws) for every 1 mph increase in club head speed, you can expect about 3 more yards on your drive.

Consult your trainer at Prescriptions for Fitness, if you are ready to help take your game to the next level. After an evaluation, we will create a specific program to help you become the best that you can be. I hope this article helps to shed some light on why it is even more important to workout during season. Many of our clients feel that they get enough exercise during their golf and tennis season, but continue to get hurt during season. The reason is simply because they over work one side of their bodies so much that the imbalances eventually lead to injury. This up and coming golf and tennis season be smart, play safe, and continue to go to the gym to stay strong, and prevent injuries.

          If you think this article is helpful to you, please feel free to pass it along to any friends and family members that participate in golf and tennis. The more people that read this and take this advice, the more people that will have a productive, fun, and injury free golf and tennis season.

Yours in fitness,

-Scott

Scott Reilly is the owner of Prescriptions for Fitness in Chappaqua, NY. (914-238-0500). Along with over 20 years of personal training experience, Scott specializes in golf and tennis specific programs. After spending time at the Titleist performance Institute in California, Scott has worked with many professional and amateur players, and helped them achieve fitness levels that they never thought possible. Call today to set up an evaluation.

Related articles

• How to prevent common golf injuries
• Enhance your golfing experience with Muscle Activation

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Dr. Wattenmaker was graduated with honors from one of the country’s leading chiropractic schools.  He has been practicing the art of chiropractic healing for 15 years and has treated everyone from infants to elderly, professional athletes to retirees. His knowledge and gentle, whole body approach, yields the best outcome for all of your aches and pains.

Affordable pricing and easy access to quality healthcare make it possible for the whole family or office to be in peak physical condition.  Early morning, evening and weekend hours are available to meet your busy schedules.  Dr. Wattenmaker can be reached at any time, even for that emergency “my back just went out!” phone call at (914) 646-6893 or via e-mail: armonkdc@optonline.net.

Call today for a healthier tomorrow!

The post 5 Star Concierge Chiropractic Comes To Westchester appeared first on stacyknows.com.

5. Moms LOVE to spend their free time cleaning! A new mop, dish scrubber or toilet brush will make her feel more loved and needed and oh-so-special.

4. What all mothers REALLY want is to cater to their families 24/7, so give her that honor by wrapping up a brand new serving tray set complete with pre-made hors d’oeuvres to feed everyone in the family (make sure it’s got lots of Dad’s favorite snacks—Mom LOVES to please her man)!

3. Two words: Mom Jeans! That’s right—the kind that really emphasize the backside with HUGE pockets! Moms LOVE to look like their ownmothers and can’t wait to ‘fill their mothers’ jeans.’ Make sure you sneak in her closet and find her pants size, and then go up a size or two to give her plenty of growing room—you know, the way she would always buy your shoes a little bigger.  She’ll appreciate how thoughtful you were to actually investigate her current size and to anticipate her growing assets to boot!

2. Nothing shows how much you care like a brand new shiny cemetery plot! Wrap up her final resting place with a bright pink bow! Then surprise her with a Sunday drive and tell her you’re taking her to her brand new home! When she sees that plot of land that you painstakingly picked out just for her, she’ll cry real tears of joy. It’ll also fill her heart with pride that you’ve become such an excellent planner and that you’ve taken care of all the details so she can move onto the next life without a hitch!

And the number one mammoth mom myth to avoid…

1. “Surprise, Mom! We’re moving back in!” What would make a mother happier than to have ALL of her grown children move back home? And of course, you’ve got a spouse and kids of your own now—with ALL of her kids and grandkids back under her roof, a minute won’t go by without her getting to be a mother! She can re-mother you, mother-in-law your spouse, grand-mother your kids, and EVEN dog-mother your pets! WOW! This Mother’s Day will be epic!

YIKES! Make it STOP! Reboot! Put on the brakes!

So what DOES Mom really want? Something pure – something personal – something pampering. She wants SeabuckWonders! Give her serenity, health and beauty in a bottle with SeabuckWonders’ personal care product line. These natural, non-GMO, cruelty-free, organic products are packed with a high concentration of sea buckthorn oil for maximum results. That means healthier, softer and more beautiful skin for Mom and for all those who add these products to their daily routine.

Kick it up a notch by adding in some of SeabuckWonders’ supplements like the Sea Buckthorn Berry and Seed Oils and Omega-7 Complete. Among others, the respected Dr. Mehemet Oz of “The Dr. Oz Show” has been praising sea buckthorn oils and liquid supplements for their profound balancing, soothing and rejuvenating properties. This cherished “super fruit” is rich in antioxidants, essential amino acids, vitamin E, the rare Omega 7, and 190 other bioactive nutrients. (Plus, Moms think Dr. Oz is HOT!)

You can find all of SeabuckWonders’ amazing products at www.seabuckwonders.com. Purchase online or find a store in your area, and make Mom happy this Mother’s Day. She deserves it!

ABOUT SEABUCKWONDERS
SeabuckWonders, a division of Balanceuticals Group, Inc., is a company with 20 years of experience producing the highest quality Sea Buckthorn Oils known in the world. Since introducing their products to the United States back in 1994, the company, under the direction of Xingwu Liu, renowned Cultural Anthropology Professor, has maintained its excellence by using only pure Himalayan, wild-grown, handpicked Sea Buckthorn. Please visit seabuckwonders.com for more information and a list of locations where the products can be purchased.

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The post Avoid these ‘Five Mammoth Mom Myths’ this Mother’s Day! And A Giveaway appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Expect to shell out anything between $30 and hundreds of dollars, if you buy into the beauty science. Some people rave about how ionic hairdryers have changed their lives, and others remain quietly sceptical about the discrepancy in pricing. Just how effective is this technology?

How Do Ionic Hairdryers work?

Ionic hairdryers send negative ions to the positive ions in wet hair, supposedly breaking down water quickly and sealing moisture into the cuticles. Your usual, bog-standard hair dryer produces only positive ions.

What Types Are Available?

Metal, ceramic, and tourmaline. Tourmaline is the most expensive to purchase, as it’s made from crushed gems and emits the most negative ions. Ceramic is considered the next best thing, as it heats hair evenly, and causes less damage.

Benefits of Ionic Hairdryers

According to many, ionic hairdryers result in less frizz and boosts shine. It’s thought that the negative ions work with, not against, the water and result in a shorter drying time. Those with smooth and straight hair will benefit the most from an ionic hairdryer.

But Does It Really Work?

Many people will shout the virtues of ionic hairdryers until the cows come home, but others are not so convinced. Scientists aren’t persuaded that the technology actually works; even going as far as to say that the ionic treatment wouldn’t have the desired outcome, as water is already ionic. Also, if you can pay anywhere between £30 and £300 for an ionic hairdryer, just how effective can it be?

According to Good Housekeeping Institute, in a study of ionic and normal hair dryers, ionic models took just as long to dry hair as non-ionic. However, they did agree that ionic hairdryers cause a shinier appearance.

However, if you believe there’s enough evidence to support the use of an ionic hair dryer, it’s well worth the investment – anything to further protect your tresses from hot tools. If the ionic hairdryer truly reduces drying time, then you’ll save on electricity too!

Regardless of which hairdryer you go for, always remember to protect your hair from heat with the use of hair oil or thermal spray. Where possible, ditch your dryer altogether and just air dry your tresses. When you do blow dry, always leave your hair slightly moist and not bone dry.

Try wrapping your hair up in a cotton towel, so the fabric absorbs some of the excess moisture, instead of rubbing your strands, which can cause breakages and damage. There’s only so much a high quality hair dryer can do, if you practice poor general hair care, so focus on that before you pay big bucks for an ionic hair dryer.

Ava is a freelance journalist who specialises in beauty and lifestyle. Click here for Elchim ionic dyers and get your hair care right for special events.

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Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman: “We did yoga a couple of times out there in Maui. We did some planks together,” Aniston said. “Yoga is all core.”

Sting: “Like music, yoga is a journey — one that is long enough so you keep developing, and keep learning. I don’t see an end to it.”

Jon Bon Jovi: I was doing Workout 101 for years: treadmill, elliptical, weights… Now I’m going to do yoga. I went for my first time, and I enjoyed it. I’m a 21st-century man. For an old man who has no plastic surgery, still has all his own hair and wears a 30-inch waist, I’m doing okay.

Adam Levine: “When I started practicing I instantly felt more sculpted. Yoga carves you into a different person—and that is satisfying physically…”

Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and the list goes on.

Yoga is referred to as a “practice” because you are in the process of mastering or learning and that’s what sets it apart from other disciplines.  Part of what you learn is how to manage or balance your energy through the physical poses, mental imagery, and breath control. The result is a fit and streamlined body as well as a youthful appearance because you are comfortable in your own skin.
What you learn that applies to weight management:
Yoga poses: Compared to other disciplines yoga poses or asana demand length, spaciousness, and lightness.  In order to twist, bend and fold into those beautiful and challenging poses your body has to change.  By transforming to adapt to those demands you end up with a longer leaner and lighter body as opposed to shorter, thicker and heavier.  There is a lot to be said for how you feel. If you feel lighter you will want to be lighter. Suddenly you find yourself craving lighter foods.
Balance: Balance poses whether standing on one leg or balancing on your hands requires concentration and prioritizing.  To master these poses you need to pinpoint exactly what is throwing you off course, stay focused in order to overcome and not lose sight of the ultimate goal, to find your center. Those skills are invaluable when you are trying to balance your weight, which requires staying on course and prioritizing healthy choices.
Inversions: Yoga is unique as some poses demand that you literally turn yourself upside down.  For most people it induces enormous fear but requires courage to facilitate. The end result is a sense of empowerment, the sky becomes the limit and those fears that previously kept you from your goals fade away.  Don’t underestimate the role that courage plays when facing overwhelming challenges such as weight.
Mastering poses: Even though you may want to do an advanced pose immediately you will soon find out that it takes time and the best approach is to take baby steps.  Perhaps when you are confronted with that impatience when it comes to managing your weight you will be reminded that everything takes time, patience and faith.  Not a bad mantra to adopt.
Breath control: Last but not least and quite frankly the most valuable lesson of all is learning how to follow, direct and control your breath. Since there is quite a bit of evidence that links weight to stress breathing comes in as the first line of defense.  Controlling your breath slows everything down and connects you to your self.  Stress impacts your breathing, which is apparent in the midst of those trying times when the breath becomes short and shallow. As you become familiar with all the different ways to use your breath you become your own best advocate to slow it down and take a breath.  Manage your stress and you manage your weight.
Knowledge is power and empowerment puts control back in your hands.
If you’re not meeting your fitness goals a visit to SPACE/Pilates, Yoga & Beyond might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

I am happy to answer any questions, please email me at: info@spaceatbedfordhills.com  or call 914-246-0423.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

I am available for individual sessions or group lessons at SPACE in Bedford Hills.

 
 Celia Hirsch has been a yoga instructor for 18 years teaching both private and group classes. Soon after taking her first yoga class she knew the potential for learning was endless and has been inspired ever since. Her previous career as an artist and designer enhances her ability to spot imbalances’ and misalignments, which a yoga practice can address. Celia guides students to a clear and pragmatic understanding of asana so that the ultimate goal of freedom of movement, maximum range of motion and balance can be achieved. She helps facilitate coordinating the breath to movement through her concise and imaginative teaching style.

The post Why are all the Girls who do Yoga so Thin? appeared first on stacyknows.com.

And in case I didn’t convince you, perhaps Foo Foo, the newly transformed spa addict teddy bear, will. Check out these two videos by Spa Week Spalebrity Michelle Joni… starring her dear friend Foo Foo.

First, witness Foo Foo’s amazing wellness transformation!

live every week like it’s spa week (Photo credit: skampy)

Now, watch as this blissed-out teddy stars in the Spa Week Spring 2013 Spa Crawl.

For my Westchester friends, here are my top 5 Spa Week picks:

Borner Touch in Cherylyn Salon North -
Richard Scott Day Spa -

Rachele Rose Day Spa

Epidavros Day Spa

Euro Laser Services – http://www.spaweek.com/spa/5979/euro-laser-services

Happy Spa Week, and don’t forget to book those life-changing $50 treatments! Do it now!!! www.spaweek.com

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• Spa Week-$50 treatments are back
• Get Your Spa on for $50!! Spa Week 2013 Is Almost Here!

The post Spa Week is BACK! (And So Is Foo Foo) appeared first on stacyknows.com.

You can easily conserve resources in your everyday life just by making a few small changes in and around your home.

Here are some other ways to green your day-to-day duties:

Grocery Shopping- Green your trash bags:  It is so easy and inexpensive to get trash bags made from recycled or biodegradable material these days that there is little excuse not to use them. You can buy a roll at most supermarkets or online from Kokopelli’s Green Market (kokogm.com). Bring your own reusable tote to the grocery store with you. Leave a few totes in the trunk of your car or stash them away in your purse for unexpected trips.

Skip the Suds-Try a green detergent such as 7th Generation which comes in a recycled cardboard bottle. You can also use a detergent designed for cold water; using cold water for each wash load saves energy, which is good for the earth, and also saves money, which is great for your wallet. Cold water detergents are formulated to fight dirt and stains just as well as their warm water counterparts.

Use a dishwasher instead of washing plates by hand. Buy an Energy Star Rated washer, only run it when it is full and skip the pre-rinse cycle.

Choose Non-Toxic Cleaning Products-For every commercial and chemical based product on the market, there is probably a greener alternative…or even a homemade substitution!

•    Baking Soda: This is great for cleaning, deodorizing, softening water and scouring dishes.

•    Soap: Unscented soap in liquid, flake or powder form is biodegradable and will clean just about anything.

•    Lemon: A strong food acid effective against most household bacteria.

•    Borax: Cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors

•    White Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.

•    Washing Soda: Cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans walls, tiles, sinks and tubs.

•    Cornstarch: Can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

•    Citrus Solvent: Cleans paintbrushes, oil and grease and some stains.

Green Your Pet-The carbon emissions emitted from the production and transportation of your pet’s food can be quite high; to offset this, look for healthy food alternatives. While organic pet food may cost a bit more, it is made with renewable resources and no pesticides or environmentally unfriendly fertilizers. Whether it comes in bottles, bags or cans, chances are that your pet’s food containers can be recycled.

Scooping poop is no fun for anyone but you can make it more environmentally friendly by using biodegradable bags, which are available at most pet stores. This is an excellent alternative to using plastic bags which are nearly impossible to decompose.

About GreenBrideGuide.com

GBG is one of the top sites for Green Wedding and they are launching  GreenNestGuide.com  this spring, which will be all about ecofriendly home décor. GBG’s CEO, Kate L. Harrison, has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master’s from Yale in Environmental Policy. She planned her own green wedding in 2007 and wrote the best selling green wedding book The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008).   In 2009, she founded www.greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change and support the local green economy. The site also has  Green Bride Guide Green Wedding Gift Shop & Registry  and Green Bride Guide Wedding Shop .

The post Make Small Changes in Your Everyday Tasks This Earth Day appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Spring has arrived, bringing with it the promise of warm weather to come.

You know what happens when the weather warms up?

People put on bathing suits.

Are you ready to bare it all on the beach? If not, no worries, there is still time. Follow these 12 steps to get your abs beach ready:

Step One: Do Some Burpees. Can burpees really help flatten your abs? You bet. Incorporate a few minutes of burpees into your workouts to burn extra calories and tighten your core.

Here’s how to do a burpee: 1) Stand with feet shoulder width apart. 2) Drop to a squat with your hands on the ground. 3) Kick feet back while lowering into a push-up. 4) Return to squat position. 5) Jump up with arms overhead.

Step Two: Reduce Sodium. Did you know that salt causes water retention? Puffy skin is not going to make your abs look great in a bathing suit!

Take the time to pay attention to the sodium content of your food. Limit salt intake by not eating packaged foods and by putting down the salt shaker. Your six pack will thank you.

Step Three: Pick Up A Medicine Ball. Challenging the muscles of your core with resistance is a proven way to create a tighter midsection. The medicine ball is a wonderful tool to provide such resistance.

Do a sit-up holding a medicine ball at your chest then throw it to a partner as you raise your chest toward your knees; or hold a medicine ball with arms straight up in the air as you do crunches.

Step Four: Load Up On Fiber. Wonder how fiber could help you shed pounds and look great on the beach? It’s actually quite simple.

High fiber foods are nutrient dense and low in calories. This means that you’ll feel full from fewer calories, encouraging weight loss. Try these high fiber favorites: spinach, raspberries, pear (with skin), artichoke, peas, apples (with skin), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and carrots. Check out the high-fiber recipe for pasta salad below.

Step Five: Crank Out Some V-Sits. One of the most problematic areas for women, when it comes to baring it all in a bathing suit, are the sides of your waist, or obliques. This is partly because the sides of your abs are not challenged with traditional crunches and sit-ups.

Enter the oblique V-Sits. Target that problematic, muffin-top area with this effective move. 1) Lie on your side with legs straight and hands behind your head. 2) Raise your arms and legs simultaneously, while exhaling and squeezing your obliques. 3) Repeat on the other side.

Step Six: Eat Lots Of Lean Protein. Don’t be afraid to eat when you are on the get-great-abs-quickly plan. It is really important that you are nourishing your body with quality, lean protein in order to develop that six-pack.

Lean protein helps support muscle growth while controlling blood sugar – all important factors when it come to washboard abs. Good sources of protein include: chicken breast, ground turkey, egg whites, and grilled fish.

Step Seven: Do Some Hanging Leg Raises. Now it’s time to target your lower abs, which are also a problem area for most. Traditional crunches and sit-ups neglect to strengthen and tighten the lower part of your abs, so a focused effort is required.

Hanging Leg Raises are one of the most effective ways to strengthen your abdominals. 1) Hang from pull-up bar with legs fully extended. 2) Exhale and drive your knees up toward your chest. 3) Inhale as you slowly lower your legs back down.

Step Eight: Stop Eating Sugar. If you only did this step, and skipped all the rest, your abs would look significantly flatter by summer. I can’t emphasize enough how quickly sugar will cover your hard earned stomach muscles with a soft layer of fat.

Yes, sugar tastes good, but indulging in it causes your body to store layers of fat. Enjoy fresh fruit, rather than refined sugar. Once you stop eating sugar your body will no longer crave it, so don’t give in to the initial cravings.

Step Nine: Do Some Mountain Climbers. Here’s an exercise that is intensely cardiovascular while also working your core. Add these to your routine to really whittle down your waistline.

Here’s how to do a Mountain Climber: 1) Get into push-up position. 2) Exhale as you alternately drive your knees in toward your chest, keeping your back flat.

Step Ten: Pass On The Grains. Sure, whole grains are being touted as essential to a healthy diet, but the truth is that you’ll do just fine without them for a while. Even the heartiest wholegrain bread will encourage fat storage, so put down the breadbasket as you prepare for beach season.

Grains are full of insulin-spiking carbohydrates – the perfect combination for fattening you up. Learn to love grain-free meals that center around lean meats and vegetables.

Step Eleven: Do Some Sprints. High intensity bursts of cardio are a proven way to burn away layers of fat, so incorporate sprints into your exercise routine. If you haven’t run for a while, take it easy as you start, and gradually increase the intensity of your sprints.

Run 60-90 second sprints in between resistance training sets to really kick your fat burning mechanism into high gear.

Step Twelve: Start A Professional Fitness Program. You wouldn’t try to file corporate tax returns without the assistance of your CPA, so why would you attempt to transform your body without the help of a professional? I’m here to get you into your ideal, fit body in the shortest amount of time possible. It’s what I do, and I’m good at it.

Contact   Vince for his   tummy flattening programs that will get you those washboard abs that you’re wishing for. Call or email today to get started.

3 More Flat Ab Tips

Drink LOTS of water.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Don’t skip your workouts, regardless of how busy you are. Make it a priority.  Buy a gorgeous new bathing suit and hang it up where you’ll see it everyday. Talk about motivating!

Flat Abs Pasta Salad
Here’s a pasta salad recipe that you can indulge in while still getting flat abs! The secret is to use a vegetable peeler to turn zucchini into long pasta-like strands. This recipe is filled with fiber and is the perfect side to a lean chicken breast. Servings: 4

Here’s what you need:

3 organic zucchini
1/2 cup organic cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 teaspoon dried basil
dash of salt and pepper
Trim the zucchini ends. Peel down the length of each zucchini until you reach the seeded center, creating long, noodle strands.
Place the noodles in a medium bowl, add the quartered cherry tomatoes.
In a small bowl combine the oil, garlic, lemon juice, dried basil, salt and pepper. Pour over the noodles and mix to combine.
Chill for at least 20 minutes in the fridge.
*Optional, garnish with drops of balsamic vinegar glaze before serving.
Nutritional Analysis: 92 calories, 7g fat, 68mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 2g protein

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