Fight the holiday bulge!

Happy December! It’s that time of year where cookies, cakes, pies and any and everything you could ever want is available. It is the most tempting time of the year that can result in a weight gain, on average, of 8-10 pounds.

With the holidays come parties, cocktails and family commitments that prevent you from sticking to your gym schedule and your daily eating routine. Here are  a few tips to help keep you from adding to your waist line during the holidays!

  • Avoid mindless snacking
    • It is SO easy to stand by the appetizers table and eat more than a meal BEFORE the meal! So be aware of what you are eating – put food on your plate and walk away
  • Don’t skip the gym
    • It’s important to keep your physical activity up! It’s easy with office parties and relatives visiting to decide to skip — try to keep a routine the best you can – this is the time when you need it the most!
    • Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean it’s cold in the gym! Battle the cold and you won’t have to battle your jeans!
  • You don’t need dessert
    • Woof – I know this one sucks – but it’s true. If you are full and think I can’t eat another bite – don’t change when it’s time for dessert. And if you feel obligated to have something (which you shouldn’t because it’s your choice what goes in your body) have one dessert, not all of them. You also don’t have to eat the whole thing. Split the dessert or just politely discard whatever is left.
  • First bite is best
    • If there that pecan pie your aunt makes or the cookies your grandmother makes just for Christmas – I’m not saying deprive yourself – just remember the first bite is the best. Don’t go back for bites 5 and 6.
    • Eat slowly and enjoy – you are less likely to feel the urge for another and you can completely enjoy whatever you have without feeling the need to over-indulge.

Good luck this holiday season! Remember your summer-time body is made in the winter! You can make it through the holidays without any set backs as long as you stick to your plans and keep moving!
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You vs You

Everyone is at a different place in life and same goes for fitness – everyone is at a different place. Everyone has struggles and successes so when you see someone that is where you want to be, before you take even a second to get discouraged – know that someone is looking at you, wishing they were where you are. STOP COMPETING – just try to get better than YOU were yesterday.

Take pictures, take measurements, keep a fitness journal and track YOUR journey. Scales can be very misleading so ditch the scale and look in the mirror – that’s your competition.

 

youvsyou

Depressed? Go Exercise!

There are many studies showing a direct correlation between happiness and physical activity.  Here are some facts about physical activity.

  • Releases endorphins
    • Endorphins are those “feel good” chemicals that are produced from cardiovascular exercise. The body has positive reaction to exercise naturally so that feeling after you get through a tough workout out–yeah those are endorphins!
  • Increases serotonin levels
    • Having low levels of serotonin has been connected to depression, but guess what naturally increases serotonin levels….yep-EXERCISE! Serotonin affects your mood, ability to sleep and your appetite. So get moving and release those  good natural chemicals!
  • Improves sleep
    • Lack of sleep, restless nights and insomnia are effects of depression. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin chemicals for “feel good” result and sleep aid but also your body will need rest with the increase activity level you are physically and mentally spent which will allow you to relax and get quality shut eye!
  • Distraction
    • Now that you are feeling good (endorphins) and sleeping well (serotonin) you are able to focus on you and the natural positive chemicals being released in your body preventing negative or discouraging thoughts that are common with depression.

Exercise has many many positive side effects  – do yourself a favor and get moving!

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Reference

Yes, I do

I got married in July and like most women wanted to make sure everything looked perfect.  I take a lot of pride in my physique because I work and have worked really hard to stay in shape over the years. I played sports in high school and I stay really active in college. It was post college I really began to learn more and more about fitness. The time was right when I moved to Texas to take a personal training course so it was about 5 months after I got my certification I got engaged and about 6 months after that, the big day. My personal motto is if you stay in shape you’ll never need to “get” into shape. I like to keep active so I don’t have to do any crazy diets or 2-a-days to get bikini ready, class reunion ready or in this case wedding ready.

I did want to target certain areas, mainly my arms and back. I’ll post some of my wedding workouts and moves I found most effective!

Check back for wedding workouts plus anything and everything fitness.

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Photo: Ian Sbalcio

Sunday BUNSday

Happy Sunday!  If you can’t make it into the gym today don’t worry, I got you!

3-5 rounds of this booty blasting routine will keep you on track and best part, it will take at MOST 35 minutes of your day! Get everyone involved family, friends and neighbors!

Pin,  share,  tag your friends and tackle this Sunday BUNSday workout!

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Kale Health Benefits

In the previous post Snack time: Kale Chips I gave step by step directions on how to make, a personal favorite of mine, kale chips. I came across this article about the many healthy benefits kale has and figured I’d pass it on! #eatkale

10 health benefits of kale from http://www.mindbodygreen.com

 

1. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. It is great for aiding in digestion and elimination with its great fiber content. It’s also filled with so many nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium as well as those listed below.

2. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.
3. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against various cancers.
5. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.
6. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels
 
7. Kale is high in Vitamin A.Vitamin A is great for your vision, your skin as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.
8. Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.
9. Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility
10. Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.
For this article and more on healthy living visit: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/

Family Fun for a Good Cause!

ImageJoin us on Saturday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. at Bluemont Park located at 329 N. Manchester St. Arlington, VA 22203 for a Family Fun Run and Dog Walk all to support Paws2Care. The organization helps children battling cancer, children with special needs and children of wounded warriors.

Beamer the Therapy Dog is on the Nationally Certified Pet Partners Therapy Team. He visits children in hospitals offering some fun and laughs! Come out and support this wonderful cause and get your whole family moving! It’s a win win! Don’t miss it!

CLICK HERE to Register today!!

 

Here is Beamer with some of his friends!

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Focus Friday: BOOTY

Focus Friday: BOOTY

Click here for the video!

Two moves:
Curtsy lunge
Bridge with kick

Your butt is your largest and strongest muscle in your body so it’s important to work all of the tiny muscles in there!

These moves fire up your abductors, your outer thighs.

On the curtsy lunge keep your, planted leg with the the weight in the heel and spread your toes for support – ALWAYS keeping your knee over your ankle. Angle your lunge behind the planted leg and curtsy – adding the kick is COMPLETELY optional! That adds another degree of difficultly! Once you master the curtsy lunge try adding the kick!

On the bridge with kick – bridge up and keep your core tight and glutes engaged. Bring one leg under and out and it will really fire up your abductors!

Try doing 4 sets of 12 of these using just your body weight!

Your “inner thigh” and “outer thigh” muscles  are the adductor and abductor. The inner thighs are called adductors, – to remember this, think you move you leg back toward your body – you’re ADDing it back. The abductors are the outer thigh muscles that bring the leg away from the body.

It important to strengthen these muscles because they keep your hips even. Having weak adductors and abductors can result in compromised stride length  and in turn the walking/running gait is hindered and increases the risk of injury.

As we age, it is important to keep the adbuctors and adductors strong to prevent falling and lessen the risk of hip and other lower body injuries.

Tuesday Technique: Lunges

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Form is very important! Here are the basics to doing a proper lunge.
– Knee over ankle
– Back straight (dont lean forward)
– Core tight
– Weight in heels
– Squeeze your glutes on the up and tuck hips under
– Exhale on the way down, Inhale on the way up

There’s always time!

Hi Everyone! My name is Jessica and I am a Cooper’s Fitness Certified Personal Trainer. I truly believe if you want to make a healthy lifestyle a priority you’ll find a way to get it done. With anything, sometimes we all need a little push in the right direction – and that’s why I’m here! I can make personalize workouts that will fit in with your life and the best part – help you get results! Whether you are a college student, a mother of three or a workaholic there is time in your 24 for an effective and efficient workout!

I have a YouTube page with workouts, an Instagram with workouts, tips, recipes and advice and a twitter with loads of information that can help get everyone living healthy and active lives!