Anne writes: My husband and I have a second honeymoon of sorts planned for early October. My weight is OK, but do you have a simple daily regimen (preferably with no expensive equipment required) that will help firm me up so I look lovely by the pool?
Health-e responds: I took your question to my current fave source for fitness tips, Jill Brown. Here’s what she had to say:
There are plenty of “no brainer” ways to get a great body pretty quickly without a gym or expensive home equipment.
One way is to get a good DVD series. The company Beach Body (http://www.beachbody.com/) offers a wide variety of very thorough programs that include several DVDs of different workouts plus nutrition programs. For around $100, you do get plenty of bang for your buck. One warning though, some of the workouts are pretty intense, like “Insanity,” “P90X,” “Turbo Fire,” etc … but they really do work. You can modify the movements and perform them at your own level of course. If you’re into gentler yoga and Pilates type of workouts, then Gaiam offers plenty of great DVD’s ( http://www.gaiam.com/category/fitness-center.do ).
Another option is to look around your area (check local parks) and join an outdoor boot camp. Some are pretty small and intimate while others are large and less personal. There are probably a few trainers in your area that offer these. Typical price for a class is around $15. Check to make sure the trainer is certified and carries trainer liability insurance as a precaution and for peace of mind that they are professional. Here’s a great resource for locating certified trainers in your area: http://www.ideafit.com/fitnessconnect.
If don’t want to buy DVDs and if you have cable or Direct TV, there are plenty of on-demand workouts to be found … even on your computer (check out Exercise TV for workouts you can download).
Finally, check your area for pay-as-you-go studios. Spinning classes are a great way to lose weight quickly all over and tone up the legs muscles. The classes may look intimidating at first, but if you are properly introduced, and use a gel pad saddle cover in the beginning, you’ll have a good first experience. Having the shoes that clip in to the pedals makes the workout even better. If you can already do 45 minutes of cardio, then you’ll be fine.
Good luck!
Visit Jill online … www.jillbrownfitness.com
See her blogs on Huffington Post …
Visit her on Facebook …
Twitter: @jillbrownfitnes
Got a question about your family’s health? Click here, and we’ll find an expert to answer it!
Take a healthy stroll and do your part for mental health at the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services “Alive & Running” 5K walk/run Sept. 26. Every day three people in Los Angeles County take their own lives, and though 90% of them have a diagnosable mental illness, half have never seen a mental health professional.
For previous generations of teens, the refrain from parents was often, “Turn that music down!” MP3 players and ear buds have eliminated the household nuisance of the too-loud stereo – but at what price?
The new school years means school athletes – and after-school sports – will be back in play. Be ready for the inevitable bumps and bruises and prepared for more serious injuries by updating your home health kit. These suggestions come from sports medicine specialist Thomas Vangness, M.D., a professor of orthopaedic surgery at USC and team doctor for the Trojans football team. He says your kit should include:
Open your child’s backpack this school year, and you might marvel at the mess. Heft it, and you’ll likely marvel at the weight. Even without all those extras kids insist on carrying to school, textbooks and supplies are just plain heavy.
The number of young children poisoned by household cleaners has dropped 46% during past decades – unless you count those poisoned by products in spray bottles. Those injuries actually went up.
