Instead of unwrapping another piece of Halloween candy this afternoon I decided to open the new BusyFit DVD I received in the mail this week. The kids were all napping and it seemed like a good time to sneak in a workout, especially since this one promised to be perfect for those who are pressed for time…and let’s face it, who isn’t? In 25 minutes, the BusyFit workout is designed to burn fat, strengthen muscles, increase endurance and increase core strength. The only equipment you need for the program is a pair of hand weights – 20 lb. weights were used in this video but I opted to stick... (Read More ...)

From walking the runways of Milan, Paris and Tokyo she is armed with knowledge of fashion and beauty and the importance of wellness from the inside out. Lizanne Falsetto, CEO and creator of thinkThin®, has transitioned into creating delicious nutrition products for active people who choose to live a healthy lifestyle.  With a celebrity following, not to mention thinkThin® protein bars are #1 in Southern California, the world is an oyster for this CEO on a mission to wellness. Q.  Who influenced you growing up? A. Both of my grandparents came from Italy. My family roots are deep.  My grandparents... (Read More ...)

Unless you put your kids in a cave until candy corn has disappeared from store shelves, you can’t prevent them from wanting to indulge. But you can take the focus off of junk food while still enjoying this holiday! Here are eight tips from Sarah Stone of Mindstream Academy (www.mindstreamacademy.com), a co-ed health and wellness boarding school for teens who want to get fit, lose weight, build self-esteem, better manage stress, and take control over their health and wellness destinies. 1.) Infuse Halloween with some action. Leading an active lifestyle is at the heart of MindStream’s success... (Read More ...)

by Carolyn Zengel Recently, I participated in a pushup fundraiser. This is an annual event at the Asian Arts Center to raise money for charitable organizations. So I spent much of April on the floor bending and extending my elbows. Now, I’m not the sort of person you would describe as having burly muscles, nor was I born to do pushups.  Like anyone else, I had to earn my way off my knees.  So if I can do pushups, you can too. The pushup, one of the oldest and most basic exercises, is met with differing opinions, but there is one fact no one can deny about pushups-they are very effective! Pushups... (Read More ...)

Interview by Darcy Plunkett Meet Lynn, a mom whose weight got away from her. For years, she ‘yo-yo’ dieted losing a lot of weight, and then gaining it (and more) back. Lynn decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery. She has the courage to talk about her experience with  chic mom and the changes this surgery has brought in her life both physically and emotionally. Thank you, Lynn, for your honesty and your willingness to share your story.      Read More →

1.) What inspired you to write Le Personal Coach? I wanted to help people have a little reference book, which they could carry with them in their purse, offering very simple exercises one can do any place, any where, at any time throughout the day even when they have only 2 min available. 2.) What was the hardest part of writing this book for you? Starting is never hard for me. The hardest part is condensing my content because once I get going I can be pretty prolific with my words. 3.) What makes your program different than all of the weight loss/fitness propaganda women are exposed to everyday? My... (Read More ...)

Take a slow, easy, long, deep, and peaceful breath, all the way into your abdomen. Now take another slow, easy, long, deep, and peaceful breath, and feel each relaxing breath expand into your lower back so that your entire midsection is inflated. Then blow out any tension, stress, tightness, and anxiety with each exhale. As infants, we were masters of deep breathing. Watch a baby on his or her back and you will see the belly rise and sink. We begin life as deep breathers, but sadly we don’t always go through life as one. Instead, society molds us into busy, stressful adults, and as a result,... (Read More ...)

Exercising is one of many regular promises we make to ourselves that we fail to keep. Career, family, friends and household chores all conspire to keep us leading sedentary lives. Try following these 5 ideas to fit exercising into your busy life and reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle today! 1. Morning, noon or night. If your schedule is too tight in the morning to allow any fitness activity, try fitting it in during your lunch hour, or even late at night once your kids are (finally) in bed. My sister did this for  months and lost 36 pounds, along with a sensible and healthy meal plan. 2.... (Read More ...)

        How many times have you set goals and resolved to accomplish them, only to become discouraged and quit? Here are some gestions for achieving any goal — in your career, marriage, parenting…and Life! First, set attainable goals. To illustrate, consider “Susan,” who wants financial independence: Affirmations are positive statements worded as if we have already achieved our goal. However, when Susan says her affirmation, “I am financially independent,” if she reminds herself that right now she isn’t,it will be difficult for her mind to believe this statement. Intentions... (Read More ...)

There is an ancient Sanskrit prayer, which translated, reads as follows: Lead us from the unreal to the realLead us from darkness to lightLead us from death to immortalityShanti Shanti Shanti (Peace, Peace, Peace). When I first encountered yoga, I was under the impression that it was a practice to bring people into altered states of consciousness. I saw pictures of yogis in very awkward positions, and I was intrigued to try them myself, to no avail, at least initially. Little did I know that my own yoga journey would lead me not in to altered states of consciousness, but rather to more and more... (Read More ...)