Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog

Mother Blogger and The Working Girl are huge fans of yoga.  Diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year, Mother Blogger has found that yoga has helped not only  her body but also her mind.  The Working Girl has recently discovered that exercising with a DVD is about the only time she can fit in a workout.  The Pulse Yoga DVD, the Manic Monday giveaway, is a basic yoga routine that introduces the Pulse concept of micro movements within a posture. 

Read what the creator of this unique brand of yoga has to say about the routine:

Pulse Yoga is a result of my personal quest to find yoga routines that accomplish much more than other yoga styles. A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteopenia. This is almost osteoporosis, but not quite. I was shocked as I have been practicing yoga for so many years and consider myself to be in very good physical condition. The doctor told me that I needed to do some sort of weight training program. I have never really liked working out in a gym, always preferring yoga. I also did not want to give up precious time allotted to my yoga practice, so I decided to incorporate free weights into my yoga routines.
 
As a woman in my 50's, I also wanted more toning, strengthening and increased muscle definition, again without using machines in the gym. So, in addition to the free weights, I added micro movements that primarily target areas such as the gluteus muscles, abdominals, upper arms and lower back. These micro movements within the yoga postures are highly effective with results that are noticeable immediately

Enter to win a Pulse Yoga DVD and find peace, beauty, and strength in your exercise routine.

We told you about the yoga Hitch Skirt capris that are better than Valium that we ordered from Athleta, as well as the Whatever Skirt shown above. 

Well, yahoo, they arrived today, and we couldn't be happier!

The capris need to be exchanged for a different size, but the Whatever Skirt is a perfect fit and perfect for those Whatever! Days. 

It is so versatile that you could throw on a pair of sandals and meet the girls for lunch or put on your tennies and take a bike ride. 

Sad news, though.  Unfortunately, the Whatever Skort is out of stock, but the Scratch Skort is available, which is similar in design.

Athleta covers every sport imaginable -- from yoga, gym training, swim, run, walk, hike, adventure travel, ski, snowboard, tennis, cycling, triathlon, to golf.  We are so exhausted from our athletic possibilities that we need to take a nap. 

Jamie, a former personal trainer, took a retail/fashion job, worked long hours, and let her nutritional education fly out the window.  What's a GIRL to do?  She, of course, has the answer to that question.  NutriSystem.  You've seen the commercials. You've seen Marie Osmond displaying her 45-pound weight loss.   You've wondered if it REALLY works.  You've wondered how much it costs.  Well, Jamie is here to tell you that the commercials don't lie!  And the price is comparable to what you would spend at the grocery store.  
 
A big box of NutriSystem packaged foods valued at about $300, including chocolate chip cookies and chicken and dumplings, arrived at my doorstep about a week ago.  I quickly turned over the packaging to see how I was able to munch on cookies and potentially lose weight.  Lots of fiber, not a lot of sugar...and, it still tastes like a cookie. 

My first day was a breeze.  I had a NutriSystem breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert coupled with a splash of dairy and veggies.  The program even allows you a small  amount of fat each day. 

The second day my body caught on and realized it was getting less calories than normal.  I woke up in the middle of the night STARVING!  I decided to cheat a bit and nibble slowly on a small piece of cheese.  There:  Fooled my stomach and back to bed.
 
The following days got a lot easier and I found it quite convenient to have all my meals already planned.  Every morning while eating breakfast I picked out my lunch and tossed it in my work bag.  No cooking.  No preparing.  No sweat.  By the end of my first week I felt great and even lost 1-1/2 pounds, which is unheard of for me.  It generally takes me two weeks to lose that much weight.
 
My only issue now is the weekends.  I modified my diet on Saturday and didn't eat ANY fat and allowed myself three adult libations with diet soda.  But, of course, after a couple drinks you want snacks to go along with it and I ended up eating a a slice of my friend's quesadilla.  The next day I was back to my plan and I'm stickin' to it.

To complement the NutriSystem Challenge, I also did aerobic exercise for at least 45 minutes a day.

So to answer the question "Does NutriSystem Really Work?" --  yes, it does work -- at least for the first week.  See you next Friday with an update on the second week of my NutriSystem Challenge.

Stay healthy,

Jamie

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We all know that when we are running in the sun we are supposed to be wearing sunscreen with an SPF factor, but fighting the rays just got easier with workout clothes with UPF!

 

What Is UPF?
An Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) seal means the fabric blocks UVA and UVB rays. To earn a UPF label, clothing must undergo tests for both initial UV protection (determined in part by the tightness of the weave, the weight, the type of fiber, the color, and the amount of skin covered) and protection after two years of use. Most high-tech performance wear is specially treated with chemical UV absorbers, which partially block UVA and UVB rays. In addition, some fabric are treated with a chemical sunblock.

From Lands' End, this short sleeve shirt ($29) has a UPF 50+. 

So before you take that run in the sun, slather on the sunscreen and sport apparel that fights both UVA and UVB rays.

Follow my blog posts next week as I start a month-long NutriSystem Challenge. 

Jamie Temple, ACE, ACSM Personal Trainer/Fitness Specialist

Many companies now carry apparel with an UPF factor: 

• Landsend.com
• columbia.com
• merrell.com
• asics.com
• wallaroohats.com
• coolibar.com
• solumbra.com

 

Related Articles:

• Raise Your Beach Fashion IQ
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Source:  Fitness

36-year-old Jenny McCarthy, cover girl for the May 2009 issue of Shape magazine, admits she owes her body to yoga. 

What we like about Jenny? 

The actress, autism activist, and author (she’s about to publish her sixth book, Healing and Preventing Autism) recently sat down with Shape to discuss how she does it all. The key: “Living as purely as possible,” she says. In the May issue of Shape, check out Jenny’s detox dos along with her 15-Minute Yoga sculpting workout and you too, can find harmony. Jenny swears by this strength and stretch

For promotions and sweepstakes, click here.

On newsstands now.

Related Articles:

• Elizabeth Banks May 2009 Lucky Magazine
• Gisele Bundchen May 2009 Vanity Fair Magazine
• Best Beauty Buys April 2009 InStyle Magazine
• Jaime Pressly April 2009 Redbook
• Valerie Bertinelli April 2009 People Magazine
• Dara Torres April 2009 More Magazine
• Taylor Swift April 2009 Allure Magazine
• Beyonce on April 2009 Vogue Magazine
• Gisele Bundchen April 2009 Harper's Bazzar
• Reese Witherspoon on April 2009 ELLE Magazine
• Mandy Moore April 2009 Marie Claire
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus on April 2009 Shape Magazine
• Katie Holmes on April 2009 Glamour

 

What's in Shape on Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog?

• Beauty Blog Giveaways and Magazine Sweeps
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Yoga DVD Review:  Power Yoga Total Body with Rodney Yee

Reviewed by Jamie Temple, ACE, ACSM Personal Trainer/Fitness Specialist

Yee's Power Yoga DVD (Gaiam) is an all encompassing yoga DVD and an excellent way to start or end the day.  Even if you're a beginner, don't let Yee's flexibility scare you.  Just do the moves that you can, modify when you can, and if needed, end early.  In that way, you can work your way up to more challenging poses. 

I have taken multiple yoga classes with a certified yogi and was unsure that I would get the same yoga experience from a DVD.  However, Yee met the challenge. 

Dim the lights. 

Roll our your mat.

Who's ready to downward dog the day away?

RESULTS:  After breathing my way through Warrior II Pose, Thunder Bolt Pose, finally to Savasana (the beloved corpse pose), I felt revitalized and ready to conquer the tasks of the day.  As a positive, I was slightly sore the next day from holding some of the more difficult poses.  Love that feeling. 

Mother Blogger requires a few props in order to perform most -- all of the yoga moves and rarely completes any  DVD.  But remember, the word yoga means "union" - it's about the connection of body, mind, spirit and the universe around you, and it's okay if you don't complete the DVD or if you need yoga blocks or other props to help you. 

MOM ALERT:  Moms, start your kids on yoga early.  Gaiam has five fantastic DVDs for kids and families.  From an alphabetic guide to yoga poses, to a DVD that helps kids shift from high energy to relax mode -- what Mom doesn't need that tool in her parenting box? -- these DVDs would make a perfect gift for a new mom or to get Lil Abner off the couch and onto the floor.

I give Yee's Power Yoga DVD a 5-Sun Salutation!  It's the best investment you can make in this recession. 

Mother Blogger is standing over my shoulder saying, "Jamie, don't forget to tell them to breathe -- right now!"  She thinks deep breathing will create world peace.  lol.
 
www.gaiam.com ($15.00)

Click here for more fitness articles. 

Bikini-clad Jenny Craig spokesceleb 48-year-old Valerie Bertinelli is the cover girl of the April 2009 issue of People magazine.

Having lost a total of 40 pounds since last March, Valerie says, "If I can do it, you can do it!"

How did Bertinelli lose the weight?

The healthy way:  Intensive cardio, hitting the gym, and Jenny Craig.

People's New Sweepstakes:

People--Bliss Living 2009 Celebrity Baby Blog Sweepstakes
Enter for a chance to win a Bliss Living's Mom's Name charm necklace.  Daily entry.  Expires March 29, 2009.

People Mag--April StyleWatch Steals Sweepstakes
Enter for a chance to win one of five $395 Rebecca Minkoff gift cards, or a Tacori for Epiphany necklace, or one of five $78 Levi.com gift cards, or one of five beauty sets by Ole Henriksen, including Africa Red Tea Trio Hair Products and Lip Salvation, or one of three Narcisco Rodriguez Essence fragrance bottles, or one of five $57 Very Volatile gift cards, or one of three $259 Dillards gift cards. Daily entry.  Expires April 23, 2009.

Related articles:

• Jaime Pressly April 2009 Redbook
• Dara Torres April 2009 More Magazine
• Taylor Swift April 2009 Allure Magazine
• Beyonce on April 2009 Vogue Magazine
• April 2009 Vanity Fair
• Gisele Bundchen April 2009 Harper's Bazzar
• Reese Witherspoon on April 2009 ELLE Magazine
• Mandy Moore April 2009 Marie Claire
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus on April 2009 Shape Magazine
• Katie Holmes on April 2009 Glamour
• April 2009 Natural Health Magazine
• Sandra Bullock March 2009 InStyle Magazine

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