Jenn's Losing It

Sick of having to get down on the floor to work out your midsection?   This workout from the July/August 2011 Weight Watchers Magazine gives you a stand up option!   Do the following circuit 3 times, flowing from one move right to the next.   Total workout time: 10 minutes, who can’t spare 10 minutes? Click here for a printable version Praying Mountain Pose: Stand tall with feet together, all weight on your heels. Lift toes, bringing palms together (in like a praying position) Lower toes, press chest forward to meet hands, and press your elbows forward to open your shoulder blades. Press heels into floor, feeling your spine lengthen, engaging your abs. Hold for 1 minute   Single Leg Stand From final position of Praying Mountain Pose, lower your hands to sides and bend your knees slightly Slowly lift right leg about 5 inches off the floor, balancing on left leg Keep abs engaged and spine lengthened, hold for 40 seconds Lower right leg, now repea...

When you cut certain foods out of your diet, you could be cutting important nutrients too.   If you are following a specific food plan be sure to add in the nutrients your missing in other ways. Vegetarian or Vegan If you are skipping all foods derived from animals you may be low on B12.   If you’re not eating fish, you could have an omega-3 fatty acids deficiency, which can increase your risk for heart disease.   The quick fix for Vitamin B12 is choosing foods that are fortified with B12, since usually this can be found in foods like eggs, fish, milk and meat.   Try to aim for at least 2.4 micrograms of B12 daily.   Look for foods rich in omega-3s such as walnuts, flaxseeds and canola oil as well. Gluten-Free Many products that are gluten free have added fat and go through additional processing.   This strips them of healthy fiber and whole grain.   Easy fix for this is load up on the naturally gluten free foods such as quinoa, kasha and b...

These are some post walk sculpting moves that are Pilate's based.   Three times a week try to throw these moves in at the end of your walk. Click here for a printable version of this workout. Plie Squat and Releve Combo (Targets your butt, inner thighs and hamstrings) Stand with feet together, toes turned out slightly, arms by sides Step left foot out to side so that feet are now wider than shoulder width apart and your toes are turned out.   Lower your body into a plie squat, bringing your arms out to your side about chin level. Return to start. Step right leg in next to left then rise tall onto toes, squeezing legs together from heel to hip working your inner thighs.   Bring hands to touch in front of rib cage.   Lower heels back to start and repeat in the opposite direction, stepping out with right foot, complete one rep. Do 2 sets of 10 reps   Standing Saw (Targets back, abs, obliques, inner thighs and hamstrings) Stand tall with feet s...

Here are some tips on picking the right type of breads to kick your weight loss into gear. Go for Grains.   Look for 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat.   Reading the label is where you find out the “whole” truth.   Make sure one of the first ingredients on the list is whole wheat or whole grain flour. Do the math.   When selecting bread, rolls, buns and wraps the ones labeled low carb, reduced calorie or low calorie may be your best bet when it comes to keeping your daily calories low, but if they’re light on fiber, you’re missing out on the “full factor”.   If you are looking to feel full longer be on the lookout for breads with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Hold the Mold.   Wonder why the loaf you bought 2 days ago is already showing signs of mold?   Light and organic breads are high in water content and this speeds up the mold process.   How to slow this down?   Put your bread in a bread box in a cool location or stic...

Step One (the easy one) Complaint-Wide Hips Try this out, dark wash jeans with 2% spandex and a contoured waistband, the dark color of the jean is flattering to your lower half and the fitted waistband stops gapping at your midsection.   Avoid jeans with a straight waistband and stay away from fading or intricate details across the lap area which draws attention to wide hips.   Complaint-Full Thighs Wearing a trouser style jean that falls straight down from the hips disguising fullness from the thighs.   Avoid any fading that goes down the thigh, which draws attention to full thighs.   You’ll also want to steer clear of stretchy jeans such as jeggings which call attention to all those areas that you’re trying to hide.   Complaint-Big Bottom Find some jeans with a rise that is higher in the back than the front.   The extra fabric in the back will keep your rear view covered, if you pair that with plain style medium sized pockets this will balance o...

Check out this super quick workout fifteen minutes to be exact, to curb the muffin top, smooth out those hips and trim your thighs: Click here for a printable version. Butterfly : Targets abs, butt, hamstrings and inner/outer thighs Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width apart, toes turned out and arms extended out to your sides at shoulder level with your palms down Bend your knees until thighs are parallel to the floor and lower your arms so that your wrists cross in front of your hips Hold for a count of 3 then squeeze your glutes as you straighten your legs and rise onto your toes (or jump in the air) Sweep your arms out to the sides and up until your wrists cross overhead Do 2 sets of 16 reps Bend and Stretch : Targets shoulders, back, abs, butt, thighs and calves) Start in downward dog, get on all fours on the mat, tuck toes under and press hips up to form an inverted V Shift hips back slightly and bend knees toward chest as you round your back into...

There is no magical rep range when it comes to blasting fat and building muscle.  What you have to do it keep your body guessing.  This boosts your fat burning potential and helps you bust through plateaus.  Switching between higher volume and higher intensity is the key! Try this out for fat burning magic...Do fifteen-twenty reps per exercise using a lighter weight for four weeks, then switch to eight to twelve reps per exercise using a heavier weight for the next four weeks.  Then just continue alternating the cycle every four weeks.  This will do a little bit of muscle confusion, keeping your body guessing and most importantly burning fat!