Old habits are hard to break and new habits are difficult to maintain. When you choose to make a healthy transition in your life you will have to adjust to several changes. Eating new foods and making healthier choices isn’t always as easy as it might seem. A daily exercise routine is a fantastic idea and one that will take dedication and hard work. Once you have committed to it, however, the benefits will soon be visible and you will wonder why you didn’t make the transition earlier.One of the hardest parts of making a daily exercise routine is finding the time. While it may be easy to squeeze a full workout in a few times a week, a daily exercise routine is far more difficult. Time management is an art form in many people’s lives. Finding an additional hour can seem near impossible. But if you can fit a daily exercise routine in a fraction of the typical time, it may just be workable.

Many fitness routines promise big results in little time. Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer actually delivers. By stacking moves, Horton is able to work your entire body in 10 minutes. Even the busiest people can find 10 minutes a day to change the way they look and feel. The benefits of a daily exercise routine are far too great not to.

With the 10 Minute Trainer series you get 4 10 minute workouts to choose from. The Total Body, Yoga Flex, Cardio, and Lower Body DVD’s work your body in an incredible 10 minutes, saving time and rescuing your body from the neglect your busy schedule insisted on.

They say that a new routine becomes habit after doing it for about a month. After a month of using Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer you will no doubt be seeing results and feeling better about your body and health. This is the perfect daily exercise routine for the modern busy adult.

Daily exercise increases energy levels and can only help your body and mind function consistently at their best. Committing any amount of time to fitness is better than none. But, when the time you commit is filled with full body, heart pumping moves you will feel like you definitely got your time’s worth.

Lately it seems as if the grocery stores have a whole aisle dedicated to protein bars and energy bars. This new phase in healthy eating isn’t always what it seems however. Anytime you change your diet, it is extremely important that you understand exactly what it is that you are putting in your body.Not all protein bars and energy bars are created equally. Judging by the front labels, one might think that they are all healthy and high quality nutrition bars that make a great snack. Unfortunately this would be a great overgeneralization. As with any food, it is important that you examine the nutrition label to really understand what it is that you are getting.

It may come as a surprise that many energy bars and protein bars alike are designed as “meal replacement” bars. Meal replacement can be translated into “more calories”. If you choose a protein bar that is designed to be a meal replacement bar, it is important that you either replace a meal with it or analyze the calorie content so you can fit it into your daily diet without jeopardizing your weight loss efforts.

Even bars that are not touted as “meal replacements” have calorie counts that could rival a full sized meal. Be certain that the protein bar or energy bar you choose does not break the calorie bank for the day. A 300 calorie protein bar is hardly worth its weight when you consider you could have a turkey sandwich and apple for the same or even less calories.

Particularly with energy bars but also in some protein bars, there is an extremely high sugar content. While sugar does give you energy, it is not the best addition to a healthy diet. Look for bars that have limited sugar while still maintaining good taste. Because we know not all carbohydrates are bad, pay attention to what percentage of carbohydrates are coming from fiber and how many from sugar. Bonus points if you can find a high fiber energy bar that limits the sugar and still tastes great.

Being conscious of the foods you are buying is vital when trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Not all packaging really represents the true content of what you are getting. You must look past the shiny wrapper and healthy image to see if what you are getting will truly help your fitness goals. The right protein bars and energy bars can be great additions to your eating plan when used correctly.

For more info on our protein bars / energy bars see the following links: 

P90X Peak Performance Bars (Berry)

P90X Peak Performance Bars (Cafe Mocha)

Turn on the television at any given time and chances are you will see a paid advertisement for the hottest new home exercise equipment. Often it only takes 15 minutes of these high power ads to have us nearly convinced that we need to invest in a large piece of hardware in order to get fit away from the gym. While a large piece of workout equipment can help you get fit, it is far from necessary. Many of us who have purchased home exercise equipment know that we never really stay dedicated to it long enough to make it worth the investment or the space it takes up. Often it ends up gathering dust or dirty laundry in some seldom seen corner of the house.

If you are willing to invest sometimes thousands of dollars into a large piece of home exercise equipment, you should be able to justify spending a fraction of the cost on something that you are more likely to stick with and that can multiply your results. P90X is just that item. With P90X, you become the home exercise equipment. With just a few small tools and your own body, you can transform your appearance without having to assemble a thing.

Many people who invest in home exercise equipment think that by investing a large sum, they are guaranteeing big results. This is not always the case. In order to see big changes in your body, you have to work and work hard. Trainer Tony Horton know the power of hard work and is certain to teach you about it through the 12 DVD workouts included in P90X.

You certainly can’t pack up a home gym when you go on a business trip or vacation, but you can pack a P90X DVD to ensure that nothing will stand in the way of the hard body you are after. Home exercise equipment is made to replace gym equipment. P90X is made to improve on the results you could get at a gym.

The next time you are up late and watching paid advertisements, feeling the lure of a giant piece of home exercise equipment, consider this: you are likely to spend 10 times as much on a large piece of workout equipment than you would on the entire P90X series. You will see bigger results and be more likely to stick with the P90X program, with the motivating assistance of Tony Horton. The P90X series is totally portable and does not take up an entire room of your home. Finally, P90X will push your body to places it has likely never seen before, multiplying not only your physical results, but your confidence and improving your overall health and attitude.

Sometimes the best foods are the easiest to prepare. In the heat of summer no one wants to turn on the stove if they don’t have to or eat a meal that will weigh heavy on their stomach. Everything is a bit more laid back in the summer. No need to break out the measuring spoons with this chicken salad recipe; eyeballing the measurements and adjusting them to fit your taste makes the recipe your own.

The beauty of chicken salad is you can use the leftover grilled chicken breasts from last night’s dinner, or buy a can of all white chicken breast meat when you don’t have the time to spark the grill. Whichever chicken you use, just be sure it is either shredded or cut into bite sized chunks.

• Chicken (Breast meat, shredded or cubed)
• Grapes (Green or red seedless, sliced in halves)
• Apple (Cubed. Any variety will do, add your favorite)
• Walnuts (Chopped. You can substitute pecans or any other nut of your choice)
• Light mayonnaise (Use sparingly, to taste)

Add all ingredients in bowl and combine. Simple enough!

This chicken salad is great alone or served on a whole grain pita. You can also serve on a bed of mixed greens or a slice of good whole grain bread.

Chicken salad is a great source of protein. Adding the fruit and nuts not only increases the nutritional value but also makes this an interesting and fun take on the traditional chicken salad. Served with iced tea and lemon, this is a great lunch time treat for one or to share with guests.

What is good in our mouths isn’t necessarily good for our health. However, just because it has the same name as that squishy stuff on your thighs, doesn’t mean all fats are bad. Learning the difference between good fats and bad fats can simplify how much and what kinds of fat you need to avoid in order to lose weight, feel better, and even have a healthier heart.We know that not all fats are good for us and plenty of us remember the “fat free” frenzy that took place in the 90s. Luckily that craze ended and science has gone on to educate us about the fact that there are good fats, which we all need, and bad fats, that cause heart disease and do nothing positive for us.

The human body needs fats to survive. Fat is an excellent source of energy and does things like protect our organs and keep our skin soft. Good fats go even further by helping to lower cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart disease. There are two types of good fats: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.

Polyunsaturated fats, like Omega 3’s, are found in vegetable oils and seafood. It lowers all types of cholesterol. Fish is a great source of polyunsaturated fats and also a high protein, low calorie, all-around great diet food.

Monounsaturated fats not only decrease cholesterol but are thought to actually decrease the risk of certain types of cancers. These fats are found in things like olives, avocados, nuts and seeds. Monounsaturated fats are also typically rich in Vitamin E.

While these good fats are far better for you then saturated fats, they contain the same amount of calories, 9 per gram. Compare this with 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates or protein. This simply means that your fat intake still needs to be moderated regardless of what types of fat you are eating. Just because it’s a good fat, doesn’t mean you should switch to a diet of avocados and olives!

Educating yourself about the things you put inside your body makes you a more health conscious person. When you are aware of the effects of certain foods on your body you are more likely to make healthy choices that encourage a longer life and even weight loss. Remember this: 1) not all fats are bad, and 2) good fats have a positive impact on your heart and overall health.

A fitness buzz term, core training has become the latest must- do addition in everyone’s workout. Unlike other trends, however, core training should not be considered a fad or fleeting phase. Training your core can increase muscle growth, improve posture, increase athletic performance, prevent injury, and even help reduce back pain. Benefits of core training are far reaching and well known.

What is your Core?

The muscles that make up the core are those that hold you upright. They are all of the muscles around your torso that are responsible for your stability. While some experts include different muscles in what they believe make up your core, it can consist of everything from your abdominal muscles, to your back, hips, and even your gluteus maximus (rear end). These muscles make up the strength powerhouse of your midsection.

Your core muscles do more than hold you upright, they also protect your important organs and bones. Muscles in your core cushion your spine and provide a strong base of support for the rest on your body. Core training then, not only protects your body but also strengthens your poise and gives you a greater power base for using your extremities.

Although new to the mainstream fitness world, athletes have been using core training to improve performance for years. Having a strong core can make you stronger in all-brute sports like football, and can greatly improve your balance and stability on your feet for sports like gymnastics and even basketball. Track stars use their core on their strong push offs, and for the balance and cushioning that strong core muscles provide.

How do I incorporate core training into my fitness routine?

Many good core training exercises are probably already a part of your exercise routine. Things like push-ups that require full body stability, and sit ups that work individual core muscles, are good examples of core exercises you are probably already using.

However, for a greater core workout, there are alternatives that allow you to complete an entire fitness routine for the core, greatly increasing core strength and bringing all the benefits that go with that. For instance, Core Synergistics, included as part of the P90X series dedicates a whole workout to strengthening the core through a combination of cardio, resistance, and stretching moves.

Core training is an indispensible piece to a high quality fitness program. Core training is definitely worth the buzz it has been getting and is a vital addition to your workout. By working your core you are benefiting your body in a multitude of ways that simply cannot be duplicated.

Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. Kids are accustomed to sitting in front of the television, computer, or video games and taking little time to stay fit. Kids don’t think about exercising and it is rare for parents to consider a kids workout video. But for today’s children, sometimes it is the perfect high tech childhood fitness solution.

Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club provides the kind of fitness that children will enjoy. They will enjoy it because it is fun! Simple dance moves set to rousing music will get children moving and sweating without making them feel like they are doing dull repetitious exercises. Kid workout videos must be created for kids, not simply repackaged and re-titled.

When choosing a kid workout videos, you want to be sure your child will feel good, not ashamed of what they are doing. Complicated movements or following along with an adult program will leave your child feeling that they are doing a chore and they will not feel confident in their ability. Simple funky moves set to popular dance music will increase your child’s confidence and leave them feeling good about what they have accomplished.

Shaun T is a professional dancer and choreographer. Tell your kids that he has danced with stars like Mariah Carey and Aaron and Nick Carter and they will no doubt be impressed. Shaun has a way of motivating children in his kid workout videos. He is able to teach dance moves to kids of all abilities, taking them through a workout that is more dance party than exercise routine.

Just as you wouldn’t send your child to an adult dance class or aerobics class, why would you want them working out with a video full of adults? Chances are your child would not be interested in a kid workout video that included no kids. It is very important for youth to feel like they fit in. Anything that makes a child feel different has the potential to discourage their self esteem. By providing them with a kid workout video featuring other “cool” kids and a role model like Shaun T, they will feel motivated and more confident.

Children are as turned off by the word “exercise” as they are by the word “vegetable”. If it sounds remotely healthy, they typically don’t want anything to do with it. However, kids love sports and love to play. If you can find kid workout videos, like Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club, that seem more like fun and less like work, you are more likely to have a fitness system that your child will enjoy.

When watching your caloric intake in an effort to lose weight, everything you put in your mouth adds to your daily total. If you enjoy a beer after work or a cocktail on the weekends, those calories count too. So, needless to say it is important to know how many calories are there in beer and alcohol. As with any foods, there are some alcoholic drinks that have far less calories than others, making them a better choice for the calorie-conscious dieter. Similarly, in order to stay on track with your weight loss goals, you need to make adjustments to what and how you would normally drink. Choosing a refreshment that takes the edge off while maintaining a sensible calorie level for the day doesn’t have to be a challenge. Knowing ahead of time how many calories are there in beer and alcohol gives you the upper hand in making an educated decision.

So, How Many Calories Are There in Beer and Alcohol?

Beer (12 oz.)                       140-200 calories
Light Beer (12 oz.)               100 calories
Chardonnay (4 oz.)              90 calories
White Zinfandel (4 oz.)         80 calories
Merlot (4 oz.)                       95 calories
Cabernet Sauvignon (4 oz.)  90 calories
Margarita                             550 calories
Pina Colada                         425-600 calories
Mojito                                 160 calories
Bloody Mary                         90 calories
Rum and Coke                     240 calories

Just like grilled chicken breasts are the dieters alternative to fried chicken thighs, there are a multitude of lower calorie drinks for those of us wanting to keep our bodies functioning on high. When you ask the question “how many calories are there in beer and alcohol?” you most likely do not expect such varying results.

Mixed drinks in particular vary the most. For instance, an average vodka-diet tonic or gin and diet tonic has about 100 calories while a white Russian contains 320 calories. The trick in choosing the right drink for your diet is mixing the alcohol with lower calorie ingredients. Rather than cranberry juice with your vodka, try a diet cranberry juice. Diet tonic will save you 100 calories over regular tonic. These small adjustments in your regular drinks will have you allowing yourself a treat without sacrificing your long term health goals.

By asking “how many calories are there in beer and alcohol?”, and knowing the answer in advance, you can go into your TGIF get-together armed with a plan to enjoy yourself and stick with your weight loss goals.

There seem to be two types of people in the world: those who love breakfast and those who never partake of the morning meal. Breakfast eaters can’t fathom starting their day without anything in their stomach and people who don’t eat breakfast can’t imagine eating first thing in the morning. Those who do eat breakfast, however, are not only going to be more alert throughout the morning but will also have a head start on any weight loss goals.

The human body has evolved into one that is accustomed to going through periods of feast and famine. Our ancestors would sometimes have to go days without food and their bodies had to be able to respond accordingly. When we enter starvation mode, or go without food for long periods, our bodies do their best to hold onto extra weight in the fight for survival.

On a smaller scale we starve our bodies through the night. In order to keep our bodies consistently burning calories rather than holding onto weight, we must break that fast with a healthy meal in the morning.

Morning can be hectic and perhaps you feel as if you don’t have the time for breakfast. Luckily, breakfast does not have to involve a stove top and lots of time. There are many quick healthy breakfast alternatives and several that are portable too.

Fruit makes an excellent quick breakfast. When you are not accustomed to eating breakfast, something is better than nothing and an apple and handful of almonds will give your body some of the fuel it has been missing.

Another good breakfast alternative is eggs. We don’t all have time to cook in the morning but if you boil several eggs ahead of time and keep them in your frig, you have an already prepared portable high-protein breakfast ready to go.

Cooking a big pot of oatmeal to keep in the refrigerator is another great timesaver. You can take a serving out in the morning, pop it in the microwave and have a healthy hot high-fiber bowl ready in minutes. Top the oatmeal with fruit and cinnamon to liven it up a bit.

If you avoid breakfast because you don’t enjoy typical breakfast foods, don’t feel like you have to eat what everyone else does for breakfast. A cold turkey wrap, grilled cheese on whole grain bread, or fruit salad can all be substituted for finicky taste buds.

For some, breakfast is an automatic habit. For others, it takes work to eat something first thing in the morning. In the interest of your health and weight loss goals, however, it is worth the work. Adding this additional small meal to your day will keep your metabolism running more consistently and potentially help you drop those unwanted pounds.

Even since elementary gym class we have been taught to stretch before exercising. Much of the time, as adults, we are so enthused about actually moving our body we skip the stretches. It seems as if when we exercise for weight loss we see stretching as a waste of time, particularly if we are only able to dedicate a limited amount of time to our exercise routine.

The benefits of a stretching routine, however, are far reaching and worth the time spent. The subtle stretching movements prepare your cold muscles for exercise by slowly and gently warming them up. If you jump right into a high energy routine without stretching or warming up, your muscles are more prone to injury and soreness. Stretching after exercise has its benefits too, cooling the muscles down and helping to minimize soreness.

tretching both before and after exercise provides a perfect warm -up and cool-down, allowing you to prevent injury while gradually easing you in and out of more intense exercises. Making the extra 5 minutes available for stretching can keep your muscles healthy and make your fitness routine a more pleasurable experience overall.

Aside from using stretching as a warm-up or cool-down, stretching can also be used as a more significant component in your larger fitness plan. The benefits of a stretching routine are multiplied when the time spent stretching is increased. In addition to preventing injuries, stretching can provide many benefits not commonly thought of.

In a study from the American College of Sports Medicine, stretching was found to have a similar effect on muscles as weight training. Although the effects were not as dramatic as weight training, the study showed the benefits of a stretching routine can include a surprising increase in the overall strength of the muscles used.

There is no doubt that stretching improves flexibility. Many of us have experienced firsthand the stiffness that comes with age and inactivity. Stretching can combat that aching and inflexibility. Flexibility and mobility have also been shown to have anti-aging effects, keeping your body moving in a more youthful way.

So, while short periods of stretching provide short term benefits, longer periods of stretching provide improvements that can add to your weight loss goals and overall health. Finding a fitness routine that recognizes the benefits of a stretching routine is important in incorporating these benefits into your life.

Some home work-out systems neglect the importance of stretching all together while others simply touch on it as a warm-up and cool-down method. Trainer Tony Horton recognizes the long reaching benefits of stretching and added a complete stretching workout to his P90X system. A 57 minute stretching DVD is sure to maximize the benefits of stretching and do so in a way that feels good.

Another way to get in your stretching is through workout methods that are based in flexibility training and stretching. Some types of Yoga are excellent for this. With the Yoga Flex routine included in the 10 Minute Trainer system, you can add a complete stretching program into any busy schedule.

Whether you use a DVD totally dedicated to stretching, as in the P90X system, or get your stretching through Yoga, you are reaping the benefits of having a long, lean, flexible body. The benefits of a stretching routine will be evident after consistent application of this activity that not only helps in your health and fitness goals, but also feels great after a long day.