Long road trips, getting on a plane, long days in the studio, all day office meetings, these are all times when a hearty breakfast is just what you need.  But if you are on the road or in a hurry, grabbing breakfast from a fast food restaurant can be risky business if you are under-informed.  It might be surprising, but grabbing a breakfast sandwich doesn’t have to be such an unhealthy idea. For example, before I get on a 5 hour flight to the west coast, I get a sausage biscuit with cheese.  It runs about 500 calories and will keep me full for 6 hours (which is unheard of)!  I could go healthier and switch it to an english muffin and add egg, but taste IS a factor for me.  Since I would usually eat a meal and a snack in those 6 hours, my calories come out about the same and I’m not hungry!  Plus, the high sodium content ensures that I will grab a big bottle of water before I get on that plane!

What is your go-to fast food breakfast?

If you don’t already have one, check out the links below to guide you in the right direction!

Best and Worst Fast-Food Breakfasts – Medicine.net
8 Best Fast Food Breakfasts – SparkPeople.com
Fast-Food Breakfast Slideshow: Best and Worst – WebMD

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I ended up out of town for P90X – Week 6 and although that presented some challenges, I was able to make it work.  I took my resistance band and the videos with me and was able to do most of the strength training moves.  Plus, my parents have a treadmill so I was able to get in a little extra cardio. I wasn’t able to up the weights like I’d planned but that is what this week is now for!

This week, I want to take the moves to the gym and see if I can get a better workout since I’ll be able to mess more with the weights and enjoy the gym.  It’s an experiment, but we’ll see what happens! Next week is recovery week, but I definitely don’t feel like I’ve worked hard enough this time around.  Going to have to really push it this week.

P90X Review Progress:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4 & 5

Reviews from P90X-ers:

• 90DayReview.com
• BeFitIn90Days.com

WithAmyMac.com

I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.

You’ve been stuck inside at the gym on the treadmill or you’ve given up exercise all together as the weather declined.  Either way, as the weather improves, it will be time to get outside and resume your exercise routine.   The main thing you want to keep in mind is that you don’t want to get hurt! This means you need to

1) Ease into your outdoor routine

2) Stretch, stretch, stretch!

It can be easy to get carried and away as a weekend warrior and go on really long bike rides, hikes or jogs when the sun comes out.  Make sure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard, too fast. This can result in physical injury or emotional burn out.

Stretching is so boring and time-consuming.  This is probably why it’s something that few people do.  Turns out, stretching is really good for you, especially after a tough workout.  It helps to cool the muscles down, work out the kinks and this helps to prevent soreness and injury.  Take the time, especially if you’ve been on the bench for a few months, and stretch!

Today we are focusing on the quad stretch because its a great stretch for every sport or activity.  It focuses on the front of the thigh, which takes a beating during running, hiking, biking, walking…

<< Slide Show: How to do the Quad Stretch >>

Watch Amy Mac’s Quad Stretch Video

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We’ve only got a few weeks left of warm winter soup before we have to clear the decks and prepare for sensational summer salads! Before soup season comes to a close we need to make the most out of the last few batches.

1) Add Vegetables

Even if you aren’t going to make a homemade pot of soup, you can still add veggies!

Fortify Your Soup… – FitSugar

2) Go Lean

Switch out ground beef or steak for a leaner meat like ground turkey or chopped chicken.

3) Perfect Combination

Transition from soup to salad by spending the next few weeks eating them together! One of my favorite lunch combos is soup and a salad.  Skip the excess bread with empty carbs and pair these together for the perfect start to spring!

What suggestions do you have for making the most out of the last few weeks of soup season?

WithAmyMac.com

How many times have you been on the elliptical (in your Reebok shoes, of course) and thought, “This would be so much better if I was naked.”  Well, this was obviously the case with Chuck Liddell and his girlfriend, Heidi Northcott, and then to have it caught on camera… too weird, right?!  The video of their naked workout was released on TheBigLead.com and apparently its part of a viral ad campaign for one of Chuck’s sponsors, Reebok.

So what are your thoughts? Great exposure (haha) or shameless plug?

I think it’s ridiculous that someone actually thought that this was a peeping tom cam. Plus, I didn’t notice the shoes at first.  (I was too busy trying to figure out how I’m always trying to find a sports bra with maximum support and… well, anyway.)

If the video goes viral and everyone is happy, then good for them.

Watch the Chuck and Heidi Naked Workout Video!

Chuck Liddell Video – CBS

Feel the need to join in? Try a Naked Yoga class! – FitSugar.com

Also, in case you, like me, are concerned about the safety of working out naked – Nashville Fitness Examiner

Catching up on my P90X reviews.  Week 4 was a recovery week, which was much needed.  However, I ended up on the road for 9 days and missed some of Week 4 and most of Week 5.  Instead of stressing about it, I ended up going for a few jogs, did some stretching and re-started Week 5 this week. I’m sure this isn’t what Tony had in mind, but sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.

So far, Week 5 has been tough.  We are back to the high intensity workouts and although they are a struggle, I’m feeling really great about it.  You can probably see my bulging biceps and ripped ab muscles from there!

The workouts are great but I’m starting to get a bit bored and am definitely missing the gym.   If they had a P90X class at the gym, I’d be all about it!  I think I’m going to try to work in some light cardio at the gym in the coming weeks just so I can stay with the program and keep up my motivation. Plus, the weather is getting nice so maybe getting out and about is all I really need.  Think the winter blahs have officially set in… at least spring is right around the corner!  The bet is still on between Nik and I (even after the missed workouts) and I’m looking forward to the celebratory event at the finish or at the very least, his share of the money if he quits! :)

P90X Review Progress:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3

Reviews from P90X-ers:

• 90DayReview.com
• BeFitIn90Days.com

WithAmyMac.com

I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.

I had to laugh and cringe at this post on motivation and frustration at Fit Sugar.

from FitSugar:

Confession time. It was cold and rainy last weekend, and I motivated myself to go to the gym for an indoor cardio workout that would warm me up in no time. When I got there, it was like everyone in the entire city had the same idea, and every machine was occupied.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, I decided to throw in my towel…

I have also gone to the gym a couple of times and had to leave without working out before.  It is the worst feeling ever! I always tell people that the hardest part of working out is getting there, but there are occasions where the gym is too crowded or maybe you try to workout when sick or too tired and it just doesn’t happen.  I remember one time, it was a terrible winter day and I thought that working out would make everything better.  I finally made it to the gym, did 1 set of bicep curls and said, “This is stupid, I’m going home.” and then left. Sometimes, its ok to not feel motivated or in the mood, just focus on how great your next workout will be.

Focus on your motivation, mix up your routines and have fun with your workouts to prevent burnout!

WithAmyMac.com

It’s every football fan’s favorite time of the year – the Super Bowl!  In addition to watching the game, you have to have an amazing food spread to properly celebrate.  The foods are generally classified as junk food and eating them over the course of the game can add up to more than a day’s worth of calories… plus the calories in beverages!

First, know what you are getting yourself into.  Here is a quick guide to some nutrition facts for popular Super Bowl foods.

If you are going to the party, plan on taking a dish of your own so you have something healthy to nosh on.

If you see some of your favorite foods on the table, eat those, only those and only a small amount of those.  Don’t try to fight the temptation because by the end of the night you will have eaten those plus these and a little bit of that.

If you are hosting the party, you can make a few easy food swaps and no one will think, “Wow, healthy food.” they’ll instead applaud your variations and creativity.

Fit Links:

• Try my chicken strips with hot sauce recipe.
• Other Super Bowl food swap ideas.
• Super Bowl Fit Life (2008)

WithAmyMac.com

I know so many of you were intrigued by the concept of barefoot running and the Vibram FiveFinger shoes that I’ve been using, so I wanted to keep you up to date on our latest adventures!

Fingers (and toes) crossed, I’ve been nearly knee pain free since last fall.  I’ve continued to run, hike and so some yoga in the Vibrams and think that they are largely responsible for my improvements.

I will be running a 5K this week in these barefoot running shoes, which is the first event I’ve used them for.  It is suppose to be 30 degrees and snowing but I’m confident that my decision to run in them is the right one.

Finally, I wanted to draw attention to a Time Magazine article, Toe Huggers, written about the author’s positive experience in the Vibram FiveFingers as well.

More about my barefoot running shoes experiences:

• New Relationship Alert! Vibram Five Fingers
• My Vibram Five Fingers Relationship Continues

Buy Vibram Five Finger Barefoot Running Shoes at Amazon:

• Vibram Five Fingers KSO – Women’s (Free Shipping)
• Vibram FiveFingers Men’s KSO Shoes Black/Black

25% DONE!

Ending week 3 of P90X and I don’t think its possible to do another stinkin’ pullup!

I feel great, but my muscles are exhausted. I am completely ready for a recovery week, even though it means lots of yoga and stretching (not my favs!).  I’m also doing a 5K on Saturday so I’ve got to fit in a bit more running this week.

Highs:

• Felt so great, I started adding extra cardio.
• Pulled out some jeans that “shrunk in the wash” around Christmas – they fit great now!
• Made it a bit further on yoga.

Lows:

• Bottomed out a couple of times on push-ups this week.
• Pull-ups are a struggle this week.  Had to drop some reps.

This week was really interesting because it was the 3rd week of the P90X program and I felt like I was going backwards on progress*.  In the weeks leading up to this one, I felt stronger everyday.  This week, everything seemed much harder and I even had to drop a few reps.  All of this is part of the cycle and its time for the body to rest, although I find yoga and stretching more difficult than lifting weights so I’m anxious to see how the next week goes.

Overall, still happy with the program, even though its a huge time commitment – I am  seeing results in myself and in Nik.  On a nutrition note, I am eating about the same as usual but craving junk food, which is strange.  Thinking my body might be lacking something – either that or its just cold and gloomy outside and chocolate always makes that better!

* Thinking back, I was feeling really strong until I started adding extra cardio to my days… maybe that has something to do with it! ;)

P90X Review Progress:

• Week 1
• Week 2

Reviews from P90X-ers:

• 90DayReview.com
• BeFitIn90Days.com

WithAmyMac.com

I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.

In Fit Life: Flu Fighting Foods, I told you about using foods that are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, zinc and more to help keep the flu bug from biting. There are plenty of other foods out there than can help keep you healthy or at least reduce your symptoms if you do get sick.

Honey has been used for years as a natural healer for those suffering from a sore throat and cough. Add some to a cup of tea.

Chicken noodle soup is more than just comfort food.  The chicken, noodles and even the broth all team up to give you nutrients and energy.

Hot peppers contain capsaicin (makes spicy food spicy) which helps to thin mucus making your nose run.  This will both help you breathe and start washing away germs. Add them to any dish for some pizazz and cleansing power!

Ginger, which is used for motion and morning sickness, is also good for clearing up congestion and as an antihistamine. I drink this in sassy water and also throw it into stir-fry.

Fit Links:
10 Best Cold and Flu Fighters – MarthaStewart.com
Feel-Good Foods: 10 Cold and Flu Fighters

WithAmyMac.com

Now that the holidays are over, you might have noticed a bit of a belly bulge.  However, you should know that doing hundreds of crunches everyday is NOT the way to make it go away.

Very Important! Ab muscles are just like any other muscle on your body, they need recovery time.

Now, you should also remember that it isn’t just the muscles that play into the belly bulge but what is going on inside your stomach.  Junk food, not enough fiber or water, food intolerances and more can all be guilty in making you look pudgy.  Here are a couple of ways to look leaner today and a simple ab workout that will help to get you in shape for spring.

Whittle Your Waist Today:

• Drink some sassy water, part of Prevention’s Flat Belly Diet, which aids digestion and soothes the GI tract.
• Eat clean, or at least cleaner.  Getting rid of processed foods, even for a week, will help ease bloating and give you more energy.
• Cut out all carbonated beverages – these make you gassy, which makes you puffy.

Simple Ab Workout:
Do 25 of each every other day.
Crunches
Leg Lowers
Side to side twist
Plank

Read more in my Nashville Examiner article: Tips to tone your abs

WithAmyMac.com

Headed out of January and into February, the weather is still cold and gloomy and the days still aren’t quite long enough.  When all you want to do is watch tv, how do you motivate yourself to workout?

Here are 6 ideas to boost your motivation and your workout!

1) Group Ex Classes
Taking a group exercise class will help to mix up your routine, make some friends and set a time and place for you to exercise.  This adds variety and accountability to your exercise plan.

2) New Playlist
Sometimes you just have to dance/ jam / rock out!  Switch up your playlist with new music or old music that you haven’t paid attention to lately.  This will increase your mood and make you want to exercise longer just so you can hear the next song.

3) Workout Buddy
Working out with a friend adds socializing and accountability to exercise.  Just make sure to pick someone who won’t flake on you – you should always be thinking “I can’t cancel on them.”  Also, if you are competitive, start a workout regimen or commitment with a friend and see who wins! Nik and I are doing this (P90X Challenge) and I spend so much time thinking about how I don’t want to lose, that I hardly think about all the exercising I have to do!

4) Summer Goal
Yes, you aren’t thinking swimsuit season yet, but you will!  Jump start your workout by setting either an event, wardrobe or size goal for yourself a few months from now.  Maybe this is the spring that you do a 5K or maybe you just booked your summer vacation! Remember to keep small realistic fitness goals in the short term so you can succeed!

5) Shiny New Object
It might be a bit materialistic but new things excite us.  A new workout outfit, bag or pair of shoes just might help to motivate you to get into the gym and show them off!

6)  Embrace the Season
Your usual hiking/ swimming/ kayaking activities have taken a back burner due to weather but that doesn’t give you the excuse to sit around!  Embrace the season with activities that are fun, yet require more layers – think ice skating, skiing or tobogganing.

Fit Links:
Beat the Winter Blahs with Exercise – About.com
15 Tips to Restart the Exercise Habit and How to Keep It! – Lifehacker.com
WithAmyMac.com

We have completed the first week of P90X and have started week 2!  I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with how engaged Tony (host) keeps me throughout the videos.

So far, I feel great.  I am doing more pushups and pullups than I ever imagined and overall, I feel stronger and energized.  The only video I struggled with was Yoga X.  This has always been a weakness for me so I wasn’t surprised but I’m definitely determined to get better.  It feels really good to mix up my workout for a few weeks.  I’m even picking up a couple of new favorite exercises that I will add to my own arsenal, as well as teach. Nik has already lost weight and feels stronger.  We both joked that we can already see new muscle definition but I’m pretty sure we are just seeing shadows! I love trying to push myself on each exercise.  Sometimes when I’m in the gym, I reach my number and stop even if I could go further just because I’m in a routine.  I’ve really been pushing myself on these videos and I’m finding that the next day, I’m not nearly as sore as I thought I would be.  Point being that even though I work out hard and always in my target heart rate, I can still improve and challenge myself with new exercises, limits and some friendly competition.  I would strongly recommend doing this or any other challenge with a competitive friend because then you know you won’t skip out! The other day, I worked out at midnight because I didn’t want to be a day behind – that would not have been the case if we weren’t in this bet!

Although I’m enjoying the P90X series, I still say that if you can commit yourself 60-90 minutes EVERY DAY to working out – you will see results.

Catch Up: P90X Challenge – The Beginning

WithAmyMac.com

I have no affiliation/sponsorship, etc with BeachBody and P90X. I am simply testing and reviewing the series for fun and educational purposes.

It’s mid-January, the gyms are starting to clear out again and those that have made, attempted and given up on their New Year’s Resolutions “The Resolutioners” have yet again burned themselves out, lost interest or worse, become injured.  Every January, Resolutioners pack the gyms determined to change their lives for the better.  The regulars stand by, tight-lipped, and share their favorite elliptical machine or take their favorite group ex class from the back corner knowing that this will only last for a few weeks, a month at most.  Does this mean that Resolutioners are unwelcome?  No.  It’s just that year after year they enthusiastically march into and then right back out of the delicate world that is the gym.

Are you a Resolutioner? Are you ready to change the pattern? Here are 2 simple ways to turn from a Resolutioner to a Gym Regular!

1) Set Realistic Goals!
It is not realistic for a person to think that overnight they can train themselves to eat healthy, hit the gym daily, stop eating junk food and sleep 8 hours a night! A habit takes 21 days to form – plan accordingly.  Trying to change too many things can be overwhelming and lead to failure.  Only focusing on changing 1 thing per month might be a better way to see results.

2) Write Your Goals Down!
Accountability. Write the goals down anywhere and everywhere – your bathroom mirror, your computer desktop, your fridge! If the resolution is a secret then friends, family and co-workers can’t help keep you on track.

These steps won’t guarantee that you’ll succeed in your resolutions but it will definitely give you a fighting chance.  It’s not too late to make a positive difference in your life for this year, so don’t give up!

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It’s that time of year again!  Every year, GoDaddy gives us new discount codes so you can save money when buying domains, registering websites, hosting domains and more!  All of these GoDaddy.com discounts will save you money when purchasing domains and services that aren’t already on sale!  You can also use these codes to save money when renewing a domain too!  Just call (480) 505-8877 and you’ll save money!  New purchases can be discounted by clicking the links below or adding the GoDaddy discount code at checkout.

GoDaddy coupon code: Fitness8 - Saves 10% off your GoDaddy.com Order

GoDaddy discount code: Fitness9 - Save $5 off your GoDaddy.com order over $30

GoDaddy promo code: Fitness10- and pay only $7.49 for any .COM Domain Name

GoDaddy discount code: FIT20H1 - 20% off hosting plans

These codes work on new domains as well as renewals so bookmark your favorite! No limit to savings!

Expiration date is 3/31/2011.

In addition to saving yourself money, you are helping to support WithAmyMac – Thank you!  Check out our other discount codes.

First 2 days of P90X – rockin’ it – and only 88 to go!  So as I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m doing P90X to see what all the excitement is about, review it, of course get ripped and I’m in a bet with @drumtolive to see if we can make it through the whole 90 days! So far, so good.

Day 1: Started with Chest, Back and Abs.   I thought I set my goals wisely for each exercise but don’t feel too bad today.  Pull-ups and push-ups aren’t usually the majority of my workout but I’m looking forward to pushing it in the next round. On the abs, I was able to complete all 339 ab exercises and felt great!

Day 2: Plyometrics.  I was pretty nervous about doing this with my knees being weak.  I wore my Vibrams, of course, and was able to complete the full workout.  I didn’t squat too low but I still got a great workout.

I’ll keep you up on my progress!  You can also follow both Nik’s and my progress on Twitter via @drumtolive and @fitness! If you’ve done P90X, we’d love to hear from you!

WithAmyMac.com

A healthy kick-off to the new year, new decade, new and improved you! We are doing a Pure Invention dietary supplement giveaway! Pure Inventions adds flavor and antioxidants to your water without adding sugar, calories, caffeine or any preservatives! It tastes great, gives you a boost and all without the usual junk you find in other beverages.

We are ready to send you a bottle of Pure Inventions so you can start your year off right!

All you have to do is:

1) Comment on this or any other post on the WithAmyMac website – so pick your favorite!

2) Tweet about it!

We have lots of bottles to give away so your chances of winning a bottle are VERY GOOD!  Take 5 minutes to comment and tweet and you could be sipping on tasty antioxidants in just a few days!

Find more info about Pure Inventions: Benefits of green tea! Pure Inventions

or Watch the Fit Life covering Pure Invention green tea extracts

We also have a Pure Inventions coupon code to give you free shipping on your order once you try it and love it!

If you aren’t a gym-goer or even an athletic person, you can still exercise and have fun while doing it!  Check out this post from Zen Habits, 48 Fun Ways to Exercise. I always say its like flashing back to when you were a kid.  You wanted to ride your bike, run through the woods, roller skate and had to be dragged in at dark every night.  When did it become work, as in “work”ing out? Why can’t being a hamster on a wheel in the gym turn into family bike rides and fun games on the weekend?  Really think about how to make fitness fun for you and your family.

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