There’s been a lot of hype about the importance of having calorie counts for fast foods. I’m wondering if seeing a calorie label posted by the food - in the same size font as the price - will be a factor in consumer choice. I’d like to think so, but I’m not so sure. Would it be a factor in your decision?

There is the common sense factor. I think seeing 540 calories listed beside a Big Mac might make people think twice. Would knowing a giant soda contains nearly 1000 calories steer you to a diet soda, or just to a smaller regular soda? It gets more complicated when you look at items like Taco Salads - a great choice without the edible fried bowl, but a caloric overload when the bowl is included. Or, how about added condiments? Sometimes simply deleting the mayo or special sauce is enough improvement. When it comes to fast food choices I recommend going with the kid’s meal. It is real food in small portions. With a water or diet drink, you’re consuming around 500 calories, no matter which kind of restaurant you’re in.

The secret to looking, feeling, and living better than ever is not by depriving yourself of the foods you love. It’s by making the best choices in a variety of real-life situations. I strongly believe in consumer education and having the nutritional information on fast food packaging is a great idea. It helps me realize how far my perceived nutritional values are off. I feel it does influence my decision to make a healthier choice and then I am armed with better information. I thought I was doing well with a chicken BLT salad from Wendy’s and that has more calories than a burrito from Taco Bell!

I feel caloric content at fast food restaurants should definitely be accessible. I know it helps me make a healthier choice.

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I was recently introduced to TRX Suspension training by my trainer. At first I didn’t think it looked like much and wondered how it could provide a quality workout. I now feel completely different.

TRX Suspension Training uses your own bodyweight to create resistance as you train. That’s all you need - the TRX and your own body. No additional equipment. With this system you can easily adjust the level of difficulty and can customize a workout to your needs. You can also switch from exercise to exercise in less than 15 seconds. The TRX focuses on your core. Having a strong core helps to prevent injuries and improves your posture and increases overall strength. This is because all of your movements are powered by the torso - the abs and back work together to support the spine during everyday activities and exercise. Suspension Training builds core strength with every exercise by creating an element of instability that calls on your core to provide balance and coordination. In real life, our bodies move to the side, backwards, forwards and diagonally. Shouldn’t we train the same way? Unlike traditional weight training that tends to be linear the TRX integrates all your motions and is similar to real life movement. This will bring a muscular balance to your body, increasing performance and preventing injuries.

Rather than sitting at a machine and working a solitary muscle group, the TRX requires much more total body work than any piece of machinery could offer. You have to actively engage the entire muscular system to maintain strong form, all the while getting a functional and challenging workout.

Although the package is lightweight, easy to use, and can be stored and transported anywhere, this is not to be confused with one of those devices purchased from a late night infomercial, that’s used twice, and and never used again. The TRX produces real results. It comes with easy to follow instructional DVDs as well as a laminated instructional card which walks the you through a complete and comprehensive full body resistance workout that is safe, efficient, and effective.

Simply put, this is the single most effective and versatile piece of equipment that I have used. TRX is super simple and inexpensive compared to our other pieces of equipment. I’m amazed at the functionality and effectiveness of the movements you can perform on it. The exercises are simple & self explanatory but gives a person a great stretch & workout.

This system allows you to maximize your training time and enables circuit style workouts. The TRX offers convenience since you can take it anywhere you want to workout. You can start very moderately, then you start challenging yourself to go to take it to the next level. Get one of these and use it - you won’t be disappointed! TRX works and is an amazing value for your money.

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Summer is here. Are you anxious about swimsuit season? It’s time to get out and play. We need to make fitness fun by taking the work out of workout. Sounds nice doesn’t it. Jump rope for a new challenge, unwind with a relaxing run (yes, it’s possible!), and move happy hour into the gym.

Why is it when we get together with our friends it is almost always over food? Check out a new trend of “semi-personal “ or “group training”. Try grabbing dumbbells instead of drinks. This pairs personal trainers with groups of two to five, drives down the cost and ups the fun factor. It’s an awesome way to stay social with friends and so much healthier. Also check out small-group Pilates, yoga and dance—the perfect way to bond while blasting fat. See what you and your friends can come up with…chances are they’ll be just as excited as you for an opportunity to make working out fun.

What’s the best way to help the earth, pad your wallet and shed some pounds? Ditch the car and go for a walk. Wear a pedometer and track your progress. It’s interesting to see how many steps we take in one day. Right now my husband & I are participating in a walk/run challenge for the summer months. After the first week we were amazed how many miles we did in one week. Scope out the markets, shops and restaurants within walking distance from your door—it’s an easy way to boost your step-count and burn calories on errands.

Try jumping rope for something new and a huge cardio blast. It burns an amazing 100 calories for 5 minutes. Best of all it is convenient, portable and easy to use.

Find you Chi. Don’t let injuries sideline you from a great running workout. The methods of ChiRunning and ChiWalking combine the inner focus and flow of ancient Tai Chi with the energy of aerobic movement. Like yoga and Pilates, ChiRunning recruits core muscles to integrate mind and body, prevent injury and enhance the experience. Fluidity of movement is key to prevent injuries and tight muscles.

Want to blast calories in your sleep? Get lean, mean and green. Studies show that drinking caffeinated green tea three times per day can stimulate your body to burn more calories, boosting your resting metabolic rate. It’s also a great substitute for your mid-day soda.

Sink your teeth into an apple to fight ab fat! A national study finds that apple eaters and apple-juice drinkers have smaller waistlines, less abdominal fat, lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of developing the metabolic syndrome linked with diabetes.

Let’s all enjoy summer and get fit at the same time!

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We all know what a painful struggle it is to lose weight. It is a constant battle. When it comes to dieting there is so much information that it can be overwhelming to find a healthy plan that will lead to weight loss success.

There are a couple of weight loss programs that their advertisements are everywhere we look. I thought I would do some research and figure out which plan works well for a particular individual. I looked at Jenny Craig first. It is a great program for people that have a very busy and hectic schedule. The meals are pre-packed and frozen. You supplement the meals with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is a very aggressive plan with only a 1200 calorie day. Most people are going to be hungry and shocked at how small the portions are. Many report that the meals taste good. The negative part is the 1200 calories can be below your metabolic rate which means you will lose lean mass. Almost anyone can lose weight on 1200 calories a day, but if you’re below your metabolic rate you are doing more damage than good. This plan works well for people who do not want to cook or count points and food groups. The approximate cost for three months is $1734 with food. The average food cost is $12 - $18 per day.

Next I checked out Weight Watchers. It is in thirty countries worldwide. Their cornerstone is the points system. Points are based on fiber, calories and total fat. Each member is assigned a target daily points range based on body weight. They also have a flex and core plan for those members that do not want to count points. This plans works well for people that enjoy being part of a group. They like to eat out and cook. It also works great for people that want flexibility and need focused education and structure. Weight Watchers believes in providing support for healthy living and offers behavioral assistance. The cost for three months is $150 that does not include food.

Lastly I looked into a more personalized approach - one on one with a nutritionist and a doctor. They give you the tools you need to lose weight on your own and promote healthy habits. The basic program consists of 30 minutes of exercise a day 5 days a week. The food plan was 24% of your calories from lean protein, 30% from fat and 46% from carbs. With learning to go out on your own you need to anticipate every meal. It takes more planning. The nutritionist helps you come up with meals that are more satisfying so you will not feel you’re on a diet, but instead you are eating healthier. It’s not about willpower it’s about being satisfied. The personalized diet program works well for people that need attention, may have a complicated medical history, busy schedule and do not like group settings. This program teaches you to continually monitor your program and be mindful of your patterns and habits. The cost per session varies widely across the country for $35 – $200.

Which one is best? Well it depends on you. Jenny Craig works well for people who don’t want to think and are not ready to engage in an authentic healthier lifestyle. They are tired of overeating and just want help. This diet could also be used as a jump start. Weight Watchers has been a successful for a long time because you eat real food. They do not restrict foods and offer help with well balanced meals. They have support and offer education in making a lifestyle change. I feel it is a well rounded program. Finally the personalized approach is great because it is just that. You have the one on one time and can get help with your particular issues. It is also depends on your budget. Jenny & Weight Watchers are pricey. Ideally the personalized makes sense because you can take what you have learn and apply it to your life.

Ultimately it is not just about weight loss, but a healthy body. When you have a healthier body you improve blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and hormones. You also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. It is important to reduce weight in order to achieve a healthier body. We have to think of foods not for their caloric intake, but for their nutrient value. We need to eat quality foods. As a nation we must change our concept for a healthy body. It’s not just about fat loss it is about muscle building. If you lose equal amounts of fat and muscle then you’re not getting healthier.

Weight loss is a journey. Taking care of yourself is important. You want to be there for your family plus raise children that have healthy strong bodies.

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Since 1975, more than 500,000 people have used the cookie diet foods to help them reach their goals. I’m not sure where I have been, but I had never heard of The Cookie Diet until the tv show Lipstick Jungle.

We all know how it is. We start the day thinking we are going to make good food choices and we make one mistake and then it snowballs. Hunger can ruin your best diet plan. No matter how motivated you are, it’s nearly impossible to stick to a diet when you’re hungry. The meal replacement diet cookies contain a secret blend of amino acid food proteins that curb your appetite without drugs and enable you to follow your diet. The cookies are convenient, sensible snack foods that effectively curb hunger. They contain no drugs and are available without a prescription. You can enjoy them simply as a healthier alternative to other snacks, or you can use them to control your appetite as you follow a diet that your doctor directs. You can also check out the Cookie Diet brand shakes and soup. More than 200 other doctors throughout the United States and Canada have used this diet in their practices.

I consider myself a cookie connoisseur. Now that I know there is a Cookie Diet I am considering it. The only problem is that you eat a few cookies during the day then you eat a sensible dinner. When you eat three big meals a day, your blood sugar spikes after each one and your body stores fat. Then when your blood sugar eventually falls, you get hungry again. Result: you are never in the fat burning zone very long. By instead eating seven perfectly balanced meals throughout the day, you will stay in the fat burning zone continuously. The Cookie Diet foods help you keep your blood sugar balanced, so you are less likely to feel hungry and more likely to burn fat. I understand the idea I’m just not sure it is right. It seems like it might help you for a litttle while, but ultimately I think we need to eat lean protein, fruits and veggies and whole grains and not rely on meal replacements.

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Under Armour has become one of my favorite brands for workout clothes. This shirt is one I have in several colors.

Some of the features that make this a great tee is it has flatlock stitching which alleviates abrasion, fitted feminine silhouette and it has Under Armour’s signature moisture transport system. This shirt looks and feels like a cotton t-shirt, but has the performance of Under Armour.

This is a great tee for exercising. You don’t feel as hot in it compared to regular heavy cotton t-shirts. Fit is true to size and not too short either. It is also very comfortable. The shirt style is loose enough to be comfortable, but fitted enough to look flattering. Under Armour is known for quality and this shirt stands up to their reputation.

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Many of us have a negative body image. Like those skinny jeans in the back of our closet they we are hoping to get back into, but are they really sabotaging us? Millions of women have undiagnosed eating disorders such as eating less than 1000 calories, smoking to lose weight and exercising too much. Here are a few ways to help you with your body image.

I have a challenge for you: The next time you have a negative thought about your body, write it down. Feeling fat or ugly or comparing yourself to the woman next to you? Write it down. Then read it out loud to yourself. Hearing yourself actually say the words, “My thighs are fat” can be quite a wake-up call. The thing we need to tell ourselves is “You’re being way, way too hard on yourself.”

Why is it that so many of us treat our bodies with so little love or compassion? We would never say these things to a friend. But in our mind, we let the self-hate fly free, and the results can be destructive. It’s called self-sabotage. It’s something many of us do and we need to start working on it. A few of the most common types – and some possible solutions - include:

1. Comparing ourselves with other women, be they celebrities or the woman standing in front of us. I’m guilty of doing this too. I hardly ever turn my head to look at a man on the street but other women? Watch out! So many of us size ourselves up to other women, even if they have wildly different body types (ie stick thin model-types; curvy and voluptuous celebs; our buff trainer at the gym). This will always make us feel terrible and, in some cases, leads to bashing of other women.

Save yourself: It’s unrealistic to think we can simply stop comparing ourselves to those around us, but how about flipping the script and complimenting the other woman with the toned body? Research shows that complimenting someone – whether it has to do with their looks or not – improves their mood…and I’m willing to bet it’ll make you feel better, too. Try it. I do this at least once a day and it does feel great.

2. Self-sabotaging behavior: Body checking This is basically the over-evaluation of one’s shape and weight via any number of methods such as:

-Looking at ourselves in the mirror (to obsess over a body part)
-Checking the scale numerous times a day to track our weight
-Trying on a pair of jeans or other item of clothing to see if you “still fit” into it (Yes, many people like using their clothes as a measure of whether they’re gaining weight and I really like the idea of doing that versus scale-hopping, but this is different - this is “I’m going to try on my skinny jeans and see if I can still button them. And I will do it everyday, especially when I’m feeling bloated.”)

Save yourself: Of course you need your mirror to make sure you don’t poke your eye out with the mascara wand. But the mirror turns from friend to foe when you look into it expecting to see something bad. If you use it to constantly monitor your belly or breasts or thighs, you are just looking for trouble try limiting the times you check yourself out – even if it’s little by little. You may find your stress levels decrease. Also, remember that you are more than a collection of body parts – there’s a whole body there, not to mention a beautiful mind.

3. Eating like a bird on a date - Why do many women think the words, “I’ll have a diet coke and salad, no dressing, please” makes them more appealing? Here’s why: A recent study showed that when subjects read phony food diaries — some were of women who ate small meals, while others were about women who ate larger meals - the small eaters were perceived to be more feminine, more concerned about appearance, and better-looking than the larger eaters! So basically, we’ve got these cultural notions that women should be eating less, and we’re totally buying into it by forgoing what we would really like to eat for a salad. And besides sabotaging your body, you’re also starting off a potential relationship on a false note.

Save yourself: Eat. Ordering a low-cal entrée will leave you unsatisfied and seeming anxious, and the perfect set-up for a binge later on. This doesn’t mean you should order deep dish pizza every night, but do try to listen to what your body is telling you. If you need protein, steamed broccoli ain’t gonna cut it.