Free "Just 10" Bracelet

Just wanted to share this link with you to go and get you free "Just 10" pounds bracelet from Dr. Oz. When people ask why you wear it, you can tell them the importance of losing "Just 10" pounds has on your health. I wear a bracelet everyday as a reminder to exercise and eat healthy. Did you sign up for yours?

http://www.zappos.com/just10/registrations/new?show_form=1

Ready or Not Here Come the Holidays!

I am sitting here thinking that it is the end of October already! Before we know it the holidays will be upon us. Thanks to "The News Herald Lighten Up Contest" this will be my first thin holiday. I am looking forward to getting some new clothes. I really need them because I went from a size 16 to a 12 and would like to get to a 8 or 10. What I am not looking forward to is all the FOOD. I can't ever remember a time when I went into the holidays worrying about my weight. I't's just what you are suppose to do..gain weight...news resolution...is to lose it. I need some help and advice on how to tackle these holidays head on! Leave me all your tips and comments below. Thanks!

Finding A Good Athletic Shoe

Does anyone else have problems finding a good, comfortable shoe besides me? Over the last 3 months I have been through 3 different pairs of athletic shoes. The most important thing I have learned is to purchase the shoes from a store that has a good return policy. You will not know if they fit properly until you have worn them a few times. A good store will allow you to return the shoe within a period of time if they are uncomfortable for any reason.

The first shoe I bought from JC Penneys and was one of those toning shoes. These shoes do feel great but after wearing for about a 2 weeks I started having problems with my hamstrings. I couldn't figure out what I did, until a physical therapist told me it could possibly be my shoes. So back to the store I went with them, and had no problem returning them. Hamstring problem went away as soon as I quit wearing them.

The next shoe I purchased was on-line with Zappos. The have a great return policy and even pay for the shipping to send them back. I bought some Puma's from them and thought they where so cute. I learned real quick that cute is not usually comfortable. So back in the box they went and shipped them out of here.

So here I am still looking for  a good shoe. Found these adidas shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods Store.

Again I thought they were cute, they are advertised as a lite running shoe. Brought these shoes home and had them for about a month. They hurt my feet and I thought I just needed to get used to them.

I finally realized there is going to be no breaking these things in so I returned them with no problem.

I tell you at this point I am ready to go barefoot. Then I decided to look at the style of shoe I already have and love, and those are Asics. After trying on a few of these I finally found a pair that felt good. Now they are not as cute as these other ones I purchased but I have decided that the comfortable shoe out weighs the benefits of a cute shoe.

The moral of the story...forget about price or looks. This is going to be hard to do, but remember that these shoes are to help you perform better and reduce your chance of injury. They are not a fashion statement and looking for a thrifty deal amy cost you more when you end up visiting the doctor more frequently due to injury.

Why Women Should Lift Weights

Women are still convinced that sticking to the cardio machines is the way to go. Below are are some great reasons why women should not fear the weight rack. Please feel free to email me if you need help getting started charsin@roadrunner.com

1. YOU WILL LOSE BODY FAT - As lean muscle increases so does your resting metabolism, and in turn you burn more calories all day long. Building a higher metabolism is one of the key ingredients to help keep the weight off.

2. REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE - Weight Training has been noted to improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), increasing HDL (good cholesterol), and lowering blood pressure.

3. REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER - American Cancer Society estimates that 1/3 of all cancer deaths are related to poor nutrition and exercise. Need I say more?

4. REDUCE THE RISK OF DIABETES - Weight Training may improve the way the body processes sugar, which can reduce the risk of diabetes. Adult-onset diabetes is a growing problem for women.

5. REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, BACK PAIN AND ARTHRITIS - Weight Training not only builds stronger muscles, but also builds stronger connective tissues that can increase joint stability and can ease the pain of osteoarthritis.

Have you found weights to be useful in staying well and healthy? Would love to hear your stories.

3 Worst Exercise Gimmicks on TV

We all know that EXERCISE and DIET is the only way to get fit, but sometimes (including myself) we see an infomercial on TV and we get suckered into purchasing an item that eventually sits in our closet and collects dust. Below are the worst gimmicks I have seen:

1.  Shake Weight - For close to $30, this has to be the worst exercise equipment I have seen in a long time. Better idea, get a pair of of dumbbells for $20 and do 3 sets of 15 reps for curls, extensions, raises or whatever but leave that shake alone.

2. Ab Lounge - $110 to do crunches and abdominal work in an easy, effective way. You tone muscle by stressing them and making them work...you bust a sweat. But not here, just sit back and crunch away in ease.

3. Leg Magic - You just stand there and move your legs in and out on rollers. For $100 you can sculpt your legs, core muscles, and much more. My advice get a nice pair of sneakers and an ipod!

Have your purchased any of these items? If so, are you still using it and how is it working for you? It's ok, as a personal trainer I should know better but I have some of these too. Would love to hear about any exercise items you have purchased.

How Much Would You Pay to be Slim and Healthy?

I asked this question to an overweight 30-something a few months ago, and here's what happened. She thought of it from lots of different angles -- from a selfish perspective, she said feeling better about the way she looks is worth $1,000; being able to play frisbee with her kids, $500; being a good example to her daughter, another $2,000; saving on future medical bills associated with the loads of weight-related health problems, potentially tens of thousands of $; reduced future earnings due to weight (unfortunately), again, potentially tens of thousands of $. That adds up to, well, a lot. Do you know what she did when she saw the hard numbers? Economy be damned, she got a personal trainer twice a week and is paying more for good quality food. And she's lost 25 pounds so far. The avocados are NOT too expensive and the super-size chips are NOT such a good deal. Money spent of yourself for fresh produce and regular exercise classes is NOT too much of a luxury. Do you find finances stand in the way of you and better health? What do you not spend money on, that you think you maybe should spend money on?