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Make This Year Your Fit Year!
Feeling worn out and sluggish? Have the winter blues been keeping you from jumping into a regular workout routine? It's not too late to make 2007 your "fit year," and get in the best shape of your life. You just need a bit of motivation!
And you don't have to go it alone! I'll be working towards my own weight loss goals this year and documenting my progress on my new year's resolutions lens.
Fitness Without the Fads
Lose Weight Without Fads and Yo-yo Dieting
I've never been a fan of fad diets, and refuse to use them. I believe wholeheartedly that the keys to successful weight loss are finding a strong motivation within yourself and making permanent lifestyle changes. Fad diets by their nature can't be maintained indefinately, which is why people often bounce from one to the next over the years.By no means am I in great, or even good, shape. But I did lose about 45 lbs in 2006, and was able to do that with smaller lifestyle changes, rather than resorting to popular fad diets. I intend to work even harder to lose weight in 2007.
My own biggest problem is keeping myself interested in working out. I'd happily avoid it like the plague, so I need to keep a lot of options open.
Some of the below books, videos, and even fitness software programs are my favorites, and highly recommended. Give them a try if you're hoping to simply shed some holiday weight or wanting to change your life with more drastic weight changes in 2007.
Your Own (Affordable) Personal Trainer!
This Virtual Personal Trainer is One of My Favorite Workout Tools
Yourself! Fitness
This is the PC version of Yourself! Fitness, your virtual personal trainer. This is the version I use (and love!). Just be sure that you have a large enough computer screen, and room to workout in front of your computer if you want to get the most out of this version.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) 
Yourself! Fitness
This is the Playstation 2 version of Yourself! Fitness.
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
Yourself Fitness
This is the Xbox version of Yourself! Fitness.
Amazon Price: $34.29 (as of 07/11/2009)
Health and Fitness Books
Learn How to Make Lifelong Changes for Your Health
Below are some of my favorite books on nutrition and fitness issues, without resorting to fad diet programs. They range from toning workouts to flexibility training to choosing the healthiest (and tastiest) food options without feeling deprived. Read Up to Lose Weight!
8 Minutes in the Morning: A Simple Way to Shed up to 2 Pounds a Week Guaranteed
This book teaches you how to incorporate morning toning routines into your day to help rev your metabolism first thing in the morning. I don't follow the routine exactly, but work with the general concept, and find it highly effective for me. When I do it, I lose weight much more quickly. When I don't, even with heavy cardio, I sometimes plateau too fast.
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/11/2009)
8 Minutes in the Morning for Real Shapes, Real Sizes: Specifically Designed for People Who Want to Lose 30 Pounds or More
This is another version of Jorge Cruise's 8 Minutes in the Morning routine, but the workouts are easier. It's targeted to people who want to lose larger amounts of weight, and who may be starting from a level where they simply cant do the workouts in the first book yet.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/11/2009)
New York City Ballet Workout: Fifty Stretches And Exercises Anyone Can Do For A Strong, Graceful, And Sculpted Body
If you want to improve your flexibility, in addition to traditional yoga routines, this book (and their dvds) are a must. You'll stretch, flex, and tone all at once. It might not be great for an absolute beginner though.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss: The Visual Program for Permanent Weight Loss
What I love about Picture Perfect Weight Loss is that it's not really a "diet." Instead, the books help you to visualize calorie differences, by showing you a popular food and next to it showing a plate full of healthier options. You can see how much food you could physically be eating for the same calories (and foods that are similar enough to satisfy the same cravings). It's a real eye-opener, and might help you make at least a few changes that will cut your calories without making you feel deprived.
Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 07/11/2009)
Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan
This is a more specific plan based on Picture Perfect Weight Loss. Again, great visualization on what you might be eating, versus how much you could really be eating all while taking in fewer calories.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
My Favorite Weight Loss Tips
Please note: I'm not a doctor, and I'm not suggesting any of these things will work for you, or that you should even try them. Please consult a doctor before making any drastic changes to your daily activities or eating habits.
- Drink plenty of water. - We've all heard to drink 8 glasses (8 oz) of water per day. Diet sodas, coffee, etc. don't count because of the caffeine. Because I'm awake more hours than most, and busy during most of them, I try to up that as much as possible to 10-12 glasses per day. I'm not a fan of water, but I find that flavored waters and non-caffeinated herbal teas do the trick. I still drink my favorite diet soda, but it's in addition to, and not replacing, any of that water... it's more of a treat.
- Eat all day. - That doesn't mean to snack away on whatever you want, and overeat all day. It means eat 5-6 small meals per day, spaced out every few hours, instead of 3 larger meals. It helps to keep you energized all day, and keeps your metabolism up, making your workouts more effective for burning calories.
- Tone in the morning. - I don't buy into fad diets or fitness routines, but I did make this change after reading some of the 8 Minutes in the Morning books by Jorge Cruise. I don't follow his program, but the basic idea is to do toning / strength work for a few minutes in the morning. On top of the typical benefits, it helps to rev up your metabolism early, and it stays up for a few hours (which are often our busiest hours of the day).
Share Your Weight Loss Tips
I've shared my three favorite weight loss tips above. Does something else work well for you? Tell us about it by sharing your own weight loss tips here!
completedietinfo wrote...
Being fit means you also have to stay healthy. Weight watchers food recipes should always be your first choice.. You wouldn't want to lose the body you've been working really hard for!
Posted March 27, 2009
writertiff wrote...
I have Yourself Fitness and I just bought The Best Life by Bob Greene. Come visit my progress lens at www.squidoo.com/thebestlife and cheer me on! Tiff :)
Posted January 20, 2007
Yoga for Weight Loss
Flex, Feel Good, and Get Fit!
It didn't take long for me to learn to love yoga. I have to admit that I slacked off during the Summer and Fall. I'm planning to push hard into a regular routine again in the new year.You don't have to already be flexible for yoga to be beneficial to you in your weight loss efforts. You can adapt most moves to your ability level, and it can make you feel more relaxed and energized all at once. If you haven't given yoga a try yet, why not make it a resolution for 2007?
Here are some of my yoga favorites, including a yoga book, videos, and even equipment that I use.
Share in My Favorite Yoga Equipment and Videos
The Yoga Bible
This is a small, although very thick, full-color book featuring the best selection of yoga poses that I've come across. It should be a staple for any beginner in yoga.
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/11/2009)
Wai Lana Yoga: Beginners Workout
I absolutely love Wai Lana's Yoga programs. There's just an incredibly relaxing tone to her voice, they have a good pace, and this particular one is great if you're just getting started.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Wai Lana Yoga: Relaxation Workout
This may not be Wai Lana's most intense program, but it's perfect for unwinding at the end of the day!
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Yoga Zone - Premiere Collection (Beginners)
While not as good as Wai Lana in my opinion, the Yoga Zone programs are still quality videos. They carry a higher intensity and more "pep" (perhaps why I don't like it as much), but they're excellent when you need to kick yourself into gear first thing in the morning.
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
Wai Lana Yoga: Get Started Yoga Kit
I'd absolutely suggest investing in a yoga kit (or at least a yoga mat) before you jump into a yoga program. There's nothing worse than losing your footing, and the mat will stop you from slipping. Many kits come with a strap and/or foam blocks, which allow you to simplify certain poses if you're a beginner.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Cold Weather Calorie Burners
Don't Let a Winter Chill Stop You From Working Out
It's easy to feel a bit of extra motivation in the new year when you set weight loss resolutions. But sometimes the cold weather early in the year is enough to discourage us before we really get started.An easy solution to the cold weather problem is to find indoor workouts that you enjoy, whether it be workout videos, a gym membership, or home workout equipment. Below you'll find some of my favorite aerobic workout videos and some inexpensive workout equipment that you can use even if you only have limited space in your home.
Aerobic Workout Videos
Beat the Cold Weather Blues With These Indoor Workout Videos
TaeBo II: Get Ripped Basic Workout
I've loved Tae Bo for quite a while. It's one of the toughest workout series I've tried, but you can progress pretty nicely at your own pace. I enjoy the Tae Bo 2 series more than the originals or specialty programs.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Get Moving - Walking for Weight Loss
This really isn't "walking" in the slightest, but it's fun, easy enough that anyone can do it, and still challenging.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 07/11/2009)
Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Arms, Abs, Hips, Buns & Thighs
I may not be in any condition that I'd want other people seeing me do these workouts, but I have to admit they're incredibly fun. You'll feel parts of your body that you didn't know existed before, with moves no other workouts have you doing. Do this with a friend to make it even more fun (you won't feel so ridiculous if someone else looks ridiculous with you!).
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 07/11/2009)
Inexpensive Home Workout Equipment
You Don't Need a Lot of Space or Money to Workout at Home
40" Folding Trampoline Rebounder w/Folding Legs + Free Stabilizer Bar & Travel Bag
I love indoor jogging on a mini trampoline. This model folds, making it easier to store. Even a non-folding model can be stored under many beds or in most closets.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Gaiam Pilates BodyBand Workout Kit with VHS Video
Body bands (or tubes) are one of the cheapest, yet most effective, pieces of indoor workout equipment you can buy. Many come in sets, so you can progress as you gain strength. The workouts and toning you can do with these are incredibly diverse.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Wai Lana 137 Yoga Mat
A yoga mat should be a staple. Even if you don't use yoga, they're great for simply improving your stability during stretching or warm-ups.
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/11/2009)
Wai Lana 151M Medium Yoga Ball Kit, 65cm
I highly recommend a stability ball, whether you buy it in a kit or separately. I couldn't get by without mine. It's great for stretching, toning, and obviously stability work. Using one helped me improve my balance dramatically. Just be sure to get the right size for your height.
Amazon Price: $34.39 (as of 07/11/2009)
by jhmattern
I run a small PR firm, on top of working as a professional freelance writer and editor.
I manage several of my own individual and collaborative website...
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