Fix Up My Body by Jackie O.

Advice from The First Lady of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun and Pittsburgh Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Independent Beachbody Coach, TurboKick Instructor, and life coach, Jackie Omotalade:

(1) Drink lots of water! Water is important for good health. Your body is estimated to be 60-70% water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

Photo by Andy Newson

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

(2) Drink green tea without sugar instead of soft drinks or juice. It is said that green tea raises the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.

Tea is healthy!

(3) Workout with others. To make sure you do a workout, there’s nothing like the social pressure of knowing someone else is waiting for you. So make an appointment to work out with a friend or two.

(4) Smile. A smile is one of your greatest asset because of the signals and messages it gives to others about who we are, what we want and how we wish to be. Smiling improves your health, your stress level and your attractiveness. People are drawn to people who smile. We see a person smiling and want to know what is so good. Smiling makes us feel better. Smiling is contagious.

(5) Volunteer. When you volunteer your time for a great cause; the rewards you reap are far greater and deeper than any you receive from work or school, because you can’t help but feel more positive about life and more thankful for the circumstances in your life that allow you to volunteer and help others.

(6) Read a good book. Reading is nourishment for your mind. Knowledge is powerful food for the mind and soul. It encourages us to think as well as increases our thirst to learn more.

Fashion is Fierce - Photo by Salvatore Vuano

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

(7) Develop a wardrobe around a staple.  You know what look good on you, so why not always look good by developing a wardrobe around that staple piece.  For me this spring that item is the bustiere. I know they look good on me, so I plan to incorporate them into my outfit at least 2-3 times per week this spring.  Find the item that works for you and WORK IT!

(8) Send a friend or loved one a card – just because. It is always great to know that someone is thinking about you.  Share that special feeling of knowing someone thinks you are special with a friend by sending them a card or note via snail mail. ..YES SNAIL MAIL. . .letting them know that you are thinking about them. It will brighten their day as well as yours!

(9) Make a play date. Yup, I said a play date.  Play a day of fun either alone or with a good friend.  Visit an amusement park or museum.  Try paintball.  Do something that you will enjoy and do it without guilt.

(10) Eat at least 10 servings of raw fruits and vegetables a day.  TRUST ME. Your body will thank you for it and reward you ten-folds!

Eat your veggies

Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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It is 2010! Can you believe it? Well, I can’t. . . it seems like just yesterday is was 1980 something and I was just a kid watching Madonna perform on the MTV Music Awards.  Alas, I’m not a kid anymore and neither is Madonna.  We are both adults, although she is “borderline” senior citizen and I’m not! Both Madonna and I do however share a passion for fitness, fashion, and fun.  I hope that if you are reading this article you have some passion or at least motivation to get and/or remain fit, fashionable, and to have fun. I’m not big into new year’s resolutions, because I feel like any time is a wonderful time to make changes in your life. . . THE TIME IS ALWAYS NOW, NOT JANUARY 1!

Ella Wheeler Wilcox said that, “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” Accordingly, becoming a healthier and happier person is COMPLETELY within your control.  You just need to commit and persevere!

Fitness doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s a journey!

For most, it can be a somewhat painful journey – it requires a lifestyle change: changing eating habits, lots of sweat, a plethora of sore muscles and some tears! But the results are more than worth the effort and the journey to a healthier, fitter lifestyle is an enlightening experience. And once you become a healthier, fitter, happier version of yourself. . .YOU WILL NEVER SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS! You can do this!

Happy New Years and Happy Training!

Jackie O.

The First Lady of Fitness, Fashion, and Fun

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By Bob Coblentz, MD

DON’T MAKE YOUR ONLY WINTER EXERCISE OPENING AND CLOSING THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR. THE MANY HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE, INCLUDING CARDIOVASCULAR IMPROVEMENT, WEIGHT CONTROL AND STRESS RELIEF, ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT NOW.

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO EXERCISE OUTDOORS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRESS FOR THE COLD BY USING LAYERS. AS YOU WARM UP, YOU CAN REMOVE LAYERS AS NECESSARY. REMEMBER TO COVER YOUR HEAD, EARS AND NOSE ON COLD, WINDY DAYS, AND TO WEAR BRIGHT, REFLECTIVE CLOTHING SO THAT CARS CAN SEE YOU. ALSO, BEWARE OF SLIPPERY SURFACES; A BROKEN LEG WON’T HELP YOUR EXERCISE PROGRAM.

GoLite Women’s Serrano Vest

GoLite Women’s Gamut Jacket (2008)

GoLite Women’s DynamiLite ReflectiveTi

USE YOUR JUDGMENT IF YOU HAVE A COLD – THERE IS NO NEED TO STOP EXERCISING, BUT YOU MAY WANT TO SLOW DOWN A BIT. IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, TAKE A BREAK UNTIL THE FEVER GOES AWAY. WINTER CAN ALSO BE A GREAT TIME TO ADD SOME VARIETY TO YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE. TRY SOMETHING NEW, LIKE ICE SKATING OR SNOW SHOEING.

Image by Salvatore Vuono

FOR THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT STARTING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM, CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER A CARDIAC REHABILITATION CENTER THAT IS STAFFED BY TRAINED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

About the contributor: Dr. Bob is a cardiologist, marathon runner, and experienced rock climber.

For more information about working out during the winter months, search Amazon!

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