Don’t Gain a Pound on Vacation!
October 30, 2009
<< Healthy Happy Vacation Video! >>
Last week I was on a cruise and there was food and drink everywhere! I was on vacation and let myself enjoy both the food on the ship as well as in the ports, but didn’t want to have major damage to repair when I returned. I made sure to do lots of swimming in Mexico, walking on the ship and in all the ports, snuba in Grand Cayman and even some hiking in Belize. It turns out, I didn’t gain a single pound the entire week and trust me, there was lots of Warm Chocolate Melting Cake that had to be burned off!
**Keep yourself moving on vacation by scheduling adventures that force you to burn calories!**
Fit Links:
Avoid Vacation Weight Gain: 5 Simple Rules – Medicinenet.com
5 Ways to Avoid Weight Gain on Vacation – RoadandTravel.com
Affiliate Codes:
Need some help dropping weight before or after your vacation? Look into Nutrisystem and save money with our Nutrisystem coupon link!
By the way, I edited this myself, so don’t hold The Nik responsible for its video and editing integrity! ;)
Control Your Candy Cravings
October 28, 2009
Almost all of the holidays are accompanied by decorated cookies, cupcakes and candy, but the entire purpose of Halloween is sugar-laden goodness. How are you suppose to be healthy and fit when everywhere you look there are piles of tiny versions of your favorite candies? And the sizes are so tiny that you think, “Oh, I can have a couple and it won’t hurt a thing!” Then, 8 miniatures later, you’ve consumed so much sugar that your head is pounding and you can’t sit still or think straight. Want to avoid this scenario?
My theory has always been that if I’m going to eat junk food, it has to be worth it. I don’t want candy corn or a store-bought iced cookie. I want something that I will enjoy eating and not even feel guilty after the fact. But! I will also savor that 1 brownie, cookie, candy treat and not reach for a second because that would just be greedy and lessen the enjoyment of the first.
Problem:
I hate that sometimes I get tricked because they pull all the candy out into the open, decorate it and make it seem like such a ‘limited time’ offer. I can get peanut butter cups any day of the year, but put them in the middle of the store and its so much more appealing. Pure trickery.
Solution:
Keep reminding yourself that candy is always around and there is no reason to indulge.
Want to participate in Halloween without getting tricked into eating all that junk food? Here are some articles, suggestions, a recipe and even a Halloween costume discount.
- 11 Halloween Treats Under 100 Calories – Sparkpeople.com
- Surprisingly High-Calorie Halloween Tricks – Sparkpeople.com
- Amy Mac’s Devil’s Food Halloween Cupcake Recipe
- Halloween Costume Discount
Fitness tips and healthy living advice – WithAmyMac.com
Tea Time 101
October 27, 2009
Every cafe and coffee shop in America seems to know extensive knowledge about coffee. But when it comes to tea, there seems to be a huge lack of knowledge and that makes me sad and frustrated because I am an avid tea drinker and a coffee avoider. To make my life easier, I’ve decided to post a summary version of tea knowledge in hopes that the knowledge will spread and I will no longer be uncaffeinated, over-caffeinated or served tea that tastes like dirt ever again.
Summary:
Tea all comes from the same plant. The time that it is picked and its processing determines if the tea is green, black, white or oolong. Herbal tea is actually not a tea but an infusion with other herbs, fruits, … and is called tisane.
Caffeine Content
Tea comes in caffeinated (~40mg/ cup) and decaffeinated, just like coffee. You would never switch it on a coffee drinker, tea drinkers expect the same respect.
Herbal tea is always (I’m sure there is an exception somewhere) caffeine free.
Taste
Now you aren’t going to please everyone and although you may not notice it, there is a difference in taste. Offering a couple of choices, aside from generic and iced tea bags, is much appreciated.
Temperature
I enjoy a nice hot cup of tea but when the water is near boiling, not only do I have to wait 45 minutes to sip it, but this also scorches the tea. You don’t like burnt coffee, do you? If the water MUST be that hot, please give the tea bag separately and maybe even offer to top the cup off with cold water or a couple of ice cubes.
Benefits
Tea contains polyphenols (antioxidants), which help to rid the body of free radicals and therefore may help to fight or prevent disease. These properties are present in all caffeinated teas, are not present in herbal teas and are their level of presence is undetermined in decaf teas.
More info:
Dr. Tea is a great source for tea tips.
How healthy are decaf green teas… – CNN
Resistance Band Workout Series: Lunges
October 26, 2009
<< Watch Resistance Band Workout Fitness Video- Lunges Now! >>
This is the 6th exercise in this Resistance Band Workout Series. How many of us have been doing lunges for years and are just so bored with them? Yes, these are still lunges but adding the workout band helps to spice it up! You can tone your entire body with these bands and you can never outgrow them because they come in so many levels. Throw these in your suitcase, keep them by the TV for a quick set or grab them at the gym for something different to do!
Other Fit Life Resistance Band Exercises:
Resistance Band Bicep Curls
Resistance Band Basic Squats
Resistance Band Tricep Extensions
Resistance Band Squat Walks
Resistance Band Lateral Raises
Fit Links:
Resistance Band Exercises – Sport-Fitness-Advisor.com
Discount Codes & Online Coupons:
Dollar Rental Car Coupon Code: Fit10 – Save 10% off any car rental
GoDaddy coupon code: Fitness8 - Saves 10% off your GoDaddy.com Order
Get all of the WithAmyMac shows, fitness videos, blog posts, news and recipes by subscribing now!
Resistance Band Workout Series: Lateral Raises
October 22, 2009
<< Watch Fitness Video: Resistance Band Workout – Lateral Raises >>
Our resistance band workout series continues with these lateral raises. These lateral raises are great for your upper body: shoulders, arm and back. Resistance bands are great for a travel workout and allow you to fit in a full body workout at any time or place!
Resistance Band Bicep Curls
Resistance Band Basic Squats
Resistance Band Tricep Extensions
Resistance Band Squat Walks
Affiliate Codes:
Moosejaw Discount Code: FIT – save 15% off and an extra 10% off of sale items PLUS get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $49!
BuyCostumes.com Discount Code: FitPod – save 12% off your order!
Gym Germs – Wipe Those Machines Down!
October 19, 2009
I love that everyone at the gym is being very diligent on wiping down their cardio and weight equipment. This will definitely help prevent the spread of the flu. However, I see lots of people just cleaning the areas that you lean or sit on so I want to remind you of a couple of areas that need attention.
When you wipe down a machine, make sure you clean:
1) Many weight machines have handles. Wipe these down!
2) If you use a weight machine, make sure you clean the stick, lever, knob that adjusts the resistance.
3) The handles of dumbbells and barbells.
4) Lay a towel on any shared yoga mat or similar item.
Always wash your hands after a workout! These precautions will help to keep us all healthy this winter!
Product Review: Vibram FiveFinger KSO Shoes
October 17, 2009
<< Watch Fitness Video: Vibram Five Finger Shoes Product Review! >>
Here is the product review for the Vibram FiveFingers that you’ve all been asking for!
Barefoot walking and running is becoming more popular due to its potentially healthy benefits. I’m not into the ‘barefoot’ thing but am trying the next best thing, going nearly barefoot in Vibram FiveFinger shoes! I’ve been wearing them for over a month and so far…
- New Relationship Alert! Vibram Five Fingers
- My Vibram Five Finger Relationship Continues
- Running in FiveFingers
<< Find other exercise videos, fitness tips and product reviews at WithAmyMac.com! >>
Show affiliates:
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Eastbay discount code: AFLIFE15 save 15% off of any purchase!
Zazzle coupon code: FitnessShow1 save 10% off of any order over $50!
The Fine Print:
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When did salads become unhealthy?
October 15, 2009
We’ve been taught to think of salads as diet food and therefore, good for us. All of those leafy greens and colorful vegetables can be healthy and delicious. But when you start adding bacon, cheeses, meats, dressings, croutons… well, the term ‘healthy’ flies right out the window. It never hurts to double check the ingredient list of a salad on a menu, before ordering it. You might be surprised to find that you would be better off with grilled chicken than a salad!
Here are a list of the Top 10 Worst Restaurant Salads according to Sparkpeople.
Amy Mac’s Tips to Ordering a Healthy Salad:
- If the salad comes with fried chicken, ask for grilled instead.
- Always get dressing on the side and either add as needed or dip your fork in the dressing before each bite.
- Watch your portions. I have mixing bowls that are smaller than some of the salads I’ve been served. As long as you order your dressing on the side, a salad will usually hold a day as a leftover.
- Read the ingredients carefully, if there are too many high calorie items, skip it.
- Croutons, nuts and cheese should all be used in small portions because although they are good for you, they are high in calories.
- There are usually lots of pastas, heavy soups or bread that are included with your salad – steer clear!
Make your own healthy salads at home with these recipes!
Amy Mac: SuperGirl
October 13, 2009
Not my typical Amy Mac video, but this one was so fun to shoot that I had to share it with you!
Plus – Halloween is near so if you are looking for a costume, you can use the BuyCostumes.com Discount Code: FitPod and save 12% on your costume! -more details-
Resistance Band Workout Series: Squat Walks
October 10, 2009
<< Watch Fitness Video Now! Resistance Band Workout: Squat Walk >>
Although not the prettiest exercise, this one packs a punch to your legs, butt and hip! Plus you have the added benefit of working your arms and shoulders at the same time! This is a great lower body workout and you get those upper body muscles working too! Resistance bands are great for those who are always on the go! They are easy to throw into a suitcase, use in a hotel or even if you just live in a small space.
Check out the other exercise videos in the resistance band series:
Resistance Band Bicep Curls
Resistance Band Basic Squats
Resistance Band Tricep Extensions
Episode Affiliate Codes:
Chemistry.com/Fit – Save 25% off of your subscription with our Chemistry.com discount link!
$25 off your first 28 day auto-delivery order and FREE shipping with our Nutrisystem Coupon Link!
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