Incorporated

This blog is now going to be incorporated into my larger site as a side "health and fitness page. For future tips on fitness and weight loos, and product reviews please visit www.makessense.com

Thanks so much!

-Laura

Review "Melt it Off - Ultimate core" w/ Mitch Gaylord

The Ultimate Core DVD of this series is pretty good. It is divided into three 15 minute segments, which is nice because it allows you to customize your workout depending on how much time and motivation you have on a particular day. If you are focusing primarily on abs that day, you may choose to do all three segments. Or you can pick one or two as a supplement to running or other weight lifting perhaps. I found the third segment to be awkward. It may be that I am still not that used to working with the medicine ball? But it was taking so much concentration to try to hold the medicine ball in place that I missed some of the main benefits of the moves I thought. But maybe over time that would improve. The first section was my favorite though. Each segment on its own was not quite enough in my opinion, but all three together would be a challenge and a good workout.

A Great Breakfast Smoothie - The Red, White and Blue by, Barbara Christensen

Thank you to Barbara Christensen of Eat Fresh In The City for contributing this recipe. I thought it sounded like a fun one for the 4th of July. Reprinted with permission.










A Great Breakfast Smoothie - The Red, White and Blue

You need a quick pick me up for breakfast – this is the drink for you!

Ingredients

1/2 large banana, cut up, or cut and frozen
2 large fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
1/4 cup blueberries
1/2 cup organic hemp or rice milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons vanilla greek yogurt or skyr
2 ice cubes
1 scoop of protein powder

Directions

Place all of the ingredients into the blender. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Review: "Melt It Off - High intensity Cardio Blast" w/ Mitch Gaylord

Still working my way through the Melt it Off series with Mitch Gaylord. The most recent was the "High Intensity Cardio Blast" workout. Like the others in the series it is short and sweet...designed for a person with only a short workout timeframe. It only takes 15 minutes, but packs a punch for sure. My favorite move was the around the world squats (lifting the medicine ball in a large circle while doing squats) It is a great overall total body move. My least favorite move was the iron cross. OUCH! I need to beef up those shoulder muscles it seems.  This was designed as a cardio burn, but many of the moves work the lower body very well too. I'm impressed by how much impact you can have in such a limited amount of time. This workout stands on it's own, but could also work very nicely as a supplemental workout along with something else like a core program perhaps or a more intense weight lifting session. Just to get a little cardio in too! The cost on this series is very reasonable too which makes it even more appealing!

Healthy Patriotic Post Workout Snack

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it's the perfect time for this healthy red, white and blue snack. Cottage cheese, blueberries and sliced red bell peppers make this colorful combination that is pleasing to the eye as well as delicious. Eat this about a half hour after a workout, because the protein is important while your muscles begin to rebuild. The blueberries and bell peppers are both packed with antioxidants which promote a healthy nervous system and help neutralize free radicals. Even kids will like this snack, because it looks so pretty. The fresher the ingredients the better!!! Enjoy!

Silly little Balance Tip

I was doing some stretches the other day that required balance (pulling my foot behind me with one hand to stretch the quads) and I was having a hard time staying standing up straight. My son told me that one of his football coaches had shared a little tip with the team for balance moves. He told me to try putting my finger in my belly button. Not near it...actually IN it. I scoffed at first thinking that was crazy, but he assured me it was for real so I gave it a try. To my surprise my balance was restored immediately. I've tried it on other yoga moves since, and it has worked every time. I admit you do feel silly standing there with your finger in your belly button, so this may be a trick to use only in the privacy of your own home. :-) But it makes sense that pointing to your core orients you to your center and helps your brain establish equilibrium. Who knew something so ridiculous would work so well?

Review: "Melt it Off w/ Mitch Gaylord...Sizzlin' Hot Abs"

I did another DVD in the "Melt It Off Series" with Mitch Gaylord yesterday. The Sizzlin' Hot abs workout. It was great. In a very short time period (I didn't time it but I would guess approximately 15 minutes?) I felt like I got a pretty thorough workout. The hardest part about it for me were the two segments where you need to hold your body in plank position. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult that simplistic move really is. I really liked the reverse crunches and the times when you moved the ball back and forth in conjunction with the legs, because my arms got a little work in too. Mitch leads this workout himself, and walks you carefully through each move so there is no confusion. The exercises are easy to follow and negotiate, but make you sweat nonetheless. Great workout for a morning where you are pressed for time or are resting other muscles. Or could be used as a supplemental workout to target the abs in addition to a run perhaps.