The Healthy Food Review (TM)

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition TV Show Review

So as a fan of the show Biggest Loser, I naturally had to check out ABC's new show Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition and see how it compared.

In the first three episodes (of eight total to come in season one), highly likeable trainer Chris Powell (who is a Bob Harper-style trainer), worked to successfully transform three different "super obese" people--those who have more than 200 pounds to lose,  Sounds like Biggest Loser, but how is it different? 

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition doesn't have competition between participants, and takes a longer-term view.  Each episode focuses on just one individual's weight loss journey over the course of a year. 

Chris Powell starts each episode with a bootcamp and immersion in healthy lifestyle tactics for a week at a California health institute, and then moves in with the story subject for the first three months to make sure that healthy habits take hold.  This explains why there are only eight episodes of the show, but it has already been picked up for a second season, where I imagine Chris will have to move in for a shorter period of time to make the show work--maybe more like a week like Jillian Michaels did in Losing' It With Jillian (which I wish had another season).

Fitness Tips: How Not To Be Annoying When Working Out With Weights

My prior post Fitness Tips: How Not To Be Annoying In Gym Class was very popular, so after some recent experiences in the weight room for the umpteenth time, I figured it was time for this sequel--Fitness Tips: How Not To be Annoying When Working Out With Weights.

1.  There's No Need To Let The Entire Gym Know You Are Lifting A Weight   

Sorry, but this one's definitely a guy thing.  We know you're lifting weights.  In fact, the whole gym is well aware that you're lifting weights.  We know you're lifting a dumbbell, but there's no need to be one.  Keep it to yourself.  The grunting and groaning is SO unnecessary.  Do you ever hear a woman make that much noise lifting weights?  We know you exist, and we'd prefer you existed much more quietly.

2.  It's Really Not Nice To Leave A Giant Sweat Spot On The Weight Bench When You Leave It

How many times have you finally spied a weight bench after a long wait (pun intended), and when you triumphantly went to rush over to capture it, found a big messy blob of sweat on the bench?  Eeww, right?  Obviously the person who used the bench before that person didn't leave it that way, or they wouldn't have used it.  So what could someone possibly be thinking about when leaving the bench in that condition?  "I hope they didn't see me?"  "I'm leaving my sweat for posterity?" 

Here's a memo for you.  The gym requires you to bring a towel--use it!  And those little paper towel stations with disinfectant spray are not a decoration either!

Fitness Tips: What's Wrong With This Zumba Class Scene?

Update: 2/12: I'm now an official Zumba Instructor, just completed training with master instructor Jani Roberts!

Recently I noticed a new class member in a couple of my Zumba(R) classes.  Great, the more   
the merrier.  The class member was obviously overweight, but so what?  I gave her mental kudos for making the effort to start doing some regular exercise. 

The Zumba class member must not have a babysitter, because I've seen a little boy on the sidelines each class, and a little girl at times.  That's not so much a problem in my book--when the kids stay on the sidelines that is--but here's what is.  Each class, these children are sitting with a big bag of chips and a bottle of soda.  And the kids are cute, but quite overweight.  Hmm, I wonder how they got that way?

The parent is overweight.  The children are overweight.

The parent is working out to try and improve.  The children are inactive, eating and drinking fattening junk and going downhill.

Yes I Do Mean To Be Walking

Today was the first day in months that the stifling heat and humidity finally eased up here while I'm visiting in Florida.  Plus, this past weekend, I had bought a brand new pair of walking Reeboks that were just begging to be laced up and tested out.  The urge was too irresistible, so I put my home office behind me and decided that yes, a walk was in order.

That's when the well-meaning family got in the way.  

First, my lovable husband.  "I have to drop my parents off at the shopping center do you want a lift?"  No, thank you, I'm trying to take a walk.

"OK, but why are you going out of the back of the house instead of the front?"  Because it gets me outside 30 steps sooner, and I can't wait.

Outside.  Peace, finally, so I thought.  I am able to get a bit lost in my reflections as I take in the fresh air, and avoid a bunch of dragon flies that are trying to keep pace with me.  Suddenly a car

Fitness Tips How Not To Be Annoying In Gym Class

Where has the time gone?  I've been on a bit of a hiatus with a badly strained muscle but I'm finally back at the gym in kickboxing and Zumba class.  And while I was there this past week, it occurred to me that whether they mean to be or not, sometimes fellow group gym class members can be really annoying.  So as a public service to gym class attendees everywhere, I'm offering some tips on how to peacefully co-exist with your fellow participants:

1.  If You're New To The Class, Stay Out Of The First Row

I try to keep an open mind, but it's very distracting to the experienced members of the class to have someone brand new right up there on the front line.  And besides, why put yourself under all that pressure? 

The front row belongs to the most experienced, regular gym class attendees--they've earned that right and they service as leaders for those further back who can't always catch a glimpse of the instructor.

2.  Please Wear Appropriate Workout Clothes

Nothing personal, but like Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character once said "a man's (or a woman's) got to know their limitations.  I know mine.

If you're fit, feel free to flaunt it; if you've still got work to do, please keep your muffin top to yourself and don't wear workout clothes that are designed for someone who really has six-pack abs.  However, I do encourage you to keep striving for it!

3.  Do Not Ever Take Someone's Spot When They Move To The Sidelines To Get A Drink

I've come close to committing an assault in kickboxing class myself for this offense.  Hello? Did I just turn invisible?  Was I not here in this spot the whole time except for my sip of Powerade Zero?  Taking my spot mid-class is just downright rude!

4.  Do Not Tailgate

Group exercise classes can get crowded, but if your foot is within six inches of mine when I kick in kickboxing, you are too darn close and I cannot be held accountable if you get kicked!

5.  If You Drip, That's What The Towel Is For

Whether it's sweat from working your body hard, or you spilled some water when you rushed to take a sip during the class, if you dripped, wipe up your mess for goodness sake!  I've seen some nasty spills from inconsiderate drippers and it's just not right to take out your fellow classmates that way.

See you in gym class if you dare :)

Got a tip on how not to be annoying in gym class too?  Please comment with one of your own.

Get a FREE 3-chapter book excerpt from Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too! and never miss another blog post by joining my list CLICK HERE  Have you given The Healthy Food Review Facebook Page A Like?  CLICK HERE

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed. 

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

Check out Melanie's other Blogs and Podcasts:

Follow me on Twitter and FaceBook

Melanie's podcast on infopreneuring--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMorePodcast.com

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know - The Blog For Infopreneurs at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMore.com

Copyright SunLover Publishing LLC 2009

Getting Back To Your Exercise Routine After Illness Sets You Back

Last week, despite all my best efforts to stay healthy, I somehow came down with a very bad cold.  My guess is that, ironically, it was probably some germs I was exposed to while working out at the gym.  I had to put my workout routine on hold for a few days which was very frustrating to me since I was in such a great exercise groove.  Fortunately, this was a very minor setback, unlike the time I was stricken with the worst flu of my life after a trip to Mexico.

Back then, I wrote a favorite article called Making A Healthy Comeback After Illness that I'd like to direct you to, since we're currently in the heart of Winter, and chances are you, or someone you know, may have recently gotten sick, and are in need of assistance and encouragement to get back on track with workouts.

Please take a moment to check it out, and share it with everyone you know.  And, as always your comments are welcome.  Thanks for reading The Healthy Food Review--Happy New Year!

Get a FREE 3-chapter book excerpt from Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too! and never miss another blog post by joining my list CLICK HERE  Have you given The Healthy Food Review Facebook Page A Like?  CLICK HERE

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed. 

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

Check out Melanie's other Blogs and Podcasts:

NEW! NEW! NEW!  Melanie's podcast on infopreneuring--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMorePodcast.com

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know - The Blog For Infopreneurs at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMore.com

Vegas Inside Scoop for Las Vegas locals and Las Vegas visitors at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright SunLover Publishing LLC 2009

http://www.healthyeatingcoach.com/comeback.html

Fitness Tips Zumba Can Give Your Workouts New Life

Update 4/19: I'm now teaching Zumba classes four times a week!

Update: 2/12: I'm now an official Zumba Instructor, just completed training with master instructor Jani Roberts!

Update 1/17/11:  I've decided to go for Zumba Instructor Training in February!

Update 10/30/10:  Now doing Zumba(R) for 2 years, today I did my second Zumbathon(R) (nearly 2 hours of non-stop Zumba) to raise funds for breast cancer--boy was it fun and I ended up burning 3100 calories over the course of the day.  What a great way to do your body good and a cause good at the same time!

I'd secretly been watching people participating in the Zumba class at my local 24 Hour Fitness gym for the past couple of months, from a weight bench or treadmill and wondered if I was missing something.  Every time I peeked through the workout room glass, it looked like the people in the class were having a ball.

I read the poster about the Zumba class on the gym wall, and it explained Zumba to be a fitness class with choreographed moves and slower, rhythmic moves to target the lower body all to motivational international music.  It also promised to torch calories and be fun, so I decided to give it a try...next week.  And the week after that, and the week after that.

Oh I was working out plenty, especially after the new kickboxing round with better music came out and I got back into it again, but I kept thinking Zumba would be complicated and I needed to wait until I had time to truly focus on it.  Besides one of my mentors was teaching a great webinar series that I didn't want to miss.

Then with the holidays approaching, I thought, enough is enough.  The webinar series was being recorded anyway, and I needed to take my activity up another notch.  So I took the plunge and joined my first Zumba class.

I sheepishly raised my hand when the Zumba instructor asked if anyone was new.  Whew, one other woman who looked like she couldn't dance at all also identified herself as a newbie.  I can't remember the last time I was new to a fitness class!

The Zumba instructor was welcoming, but I almost darted out of the room when she said that she didn't verbally cue the moves like they do in kickboxing, she signals them.  I looked around the room of about 30 people--29 women ranging in age from about 20 to 60, and one 50ish guy with purple iridescent tights and a purple bandanna on his head--and decided I didn't know anyone, so what did I have to lose?

The Zumba instructor said that I shouldn't expect my body to move like hers or the person next to me, everyone moves their own way.  And if I got lost, no worries, just keep moving.  I can do that, I thought!

The first number comes on, and we do some moderately paced moves that warm up the muscles, and of course everyone knows what to do but me and the other woman.  I am absolutely captivated by the Zumba instructor who has a dancer's body and knows how to use it.  I know I can never get there no matter how hard I exercise, it's not in my genes, but yet I am not jealous; I am inspired by her grace and ability to move to different tempos and styles.

The non-verbal cues are interesting as the Zumba teacher must have also taken acting and/or mime lessons, because she is miming with full ranges of emotion to signal moves to come.  She also goes around and dances right up to different students to engage them.  My only challenge is to keep the Zumba instructor in my view since I know nothing.

Protocol seems to be everyone stops and claps after each musical number as we cover everything from the Beastie Boys "You've Got To Fight For Your Right To Party", to the Elvis Presley classic "Hound Dog", to a variety of latin-inspired instrumental pieces that are, as the gym brochure promised, "high energy and motivating".

At some point it hit me that this is a very freeing and joyful, inner child-like experience--in addition to working my lower body, waist and abs, which never hurts.  The best measure of a fitness class is if you never check the time left on the clock in the room, and I was shocked that an hour had passed.  I didn't want it to end, and my Zumba teacher sought me out at the end, gave me a high five and told me "I rocked".  I don't know about that, but I did Zumba.  I'll be back!

Get a FREE 3-chapter book excerpt from Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too! and never miss another blog post by joining my list CLICK HERE  Have you given The Healthy Food Review Facebook Page A Like?  CLICK HERE

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed. 

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

Check out Melanie's other Blogs and Podcasts:

NEW! NEW! NEW!  Melanie's podcast on infopreneuring--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMorePodcast.com

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know - The Blog For Infopreneurs at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMore.com

Vegas Inside Scoop for Las Vegas locals and Las Vegas visitors at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright SunLover Publishing LLC 2008

Pet Peeves About Fellow Gym Members - A Public Service Message

Hi All,

Those of you who are readers of The Healthy Food Review (thanks!) or who follow me on Twitter know that I do my best to lead an active life, and I love to go the gym.  Yesterday, it just seemed like one of those days when more than the fair share of my fellow gym members were being annoying (although I am sure most did not realize it).

So I thought it would be fun, and a public service to identify those "Pet Peeves About Fellow Gym Members" here:

1.  Trying to use all your unlimited cell phone plan minutes blabbering away on the gym equipment

It's annoying and rude.  You keep the people around you from being in their fitness zone, and unless you are doing the fitness "talk test" at that moment, you probably aren't focusing on your workout or getting in the zone yourself as much as you should.

2.  Having A LOUD conversation with the person on the machine next to you

Sorry folks, but if I can hear your conversation six treadmills away over the song rocking out on my iPod, you need to turn down the volume!

3.  Leaving a big sweat spot at the top of the weight bench or ab machine 

Big yuck!  It's called a towel--please use it!

4.  Not re-racking weights

This causes two problems.  First, there is nothing more annoying than having only one of two hand weights of a certain pound size, or not finding the weight you want at all.  It's no fun spending half your workout time wondering around the gym looking for just the weight level you need or a hand weight's lost soul mate.

Second, if you leave a really heavy weight plate on a machine like the Hammer Curl ones, the next person may not be able to match your abilities, and they are stuck having to ask someone to remove it for them, or skip that machine.

5.  Don't ask me to work in 5 seconds after I finally get on the machine I have been waiting 20 minutes for.

You saw I just got here after waiting my turn.  It's not like I'm hogging that piece of fitness equipment after 5 seconds.  There's just got to be something else you can do and cut me some slack.

And if you do work in, don't leave the pin at 200 lbs when it's my turn to switch back!

And now I'd like to invite you to check out the natural pain relief secret I personally use regularly to keep those aches and pains we all get from time to time from our workouts and other ailments at bay CLICK HERE.

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed.  It's easy!  CLICK HERE

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

Check out Melanie's other Blogs and Podcasts:

NEW! NEW! NEW!  Melanie's podcast on infopreneuring--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMorePodcast.com

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know - The Blog For Infopreneurs at http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMore.com

Vegas Inside Scoop for Las Vegas locals and Las Vegas visitors at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright SunLover Publishing LLC 2008

Working Out It's Never Too Late To Get Into Fitness

Hi All,

I recently had fun coaching my mother-in-law who is a Senior on how to use a treadmill and start working out regularly.  She recently lost about 20 pounds on the Weight Watchers program and is now open to fitness concepts, and ready to start adding exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and leave behind her sedentary ways.  She also likes the idea that she'll have a little more flexibility in her diet, and perhaps not hit a weight loss plateau by making fitness more of a part of her life

Besides being very proud of her, I am really pleased to see that she wants to add more activity.  So many people believe that getting older means that inevitably being less active comes with the territory, and in reality, it's the other way around.  Move it or lose it, is definitely true.  You don't lose the ability to work out because you're getting older, you're losing the ability to work out because you don't work out!

In my kick boxing class, there are two Seniors who are usually a bit off tempo because they move slower, but so what?  They're working out.  I applaud them for going to a packed class full of people of all ages with music they probably don't care for blasting, to get their work out in.

The other day at the gym, next to me on a treadmill was an older gentleman who was probably at a 2 miles per hour maximum pace, but the important thing was, he was getting in a work out on his own terms.  My mother-in-law is at about the same speed right now, but she is a willing participant, and that's the main thing. 

On the other hand, don't think that being a Senior necessarily means slowing down, or doing less for exercise.  When I lived in Colorado, I regularly saw a trim woman work out with her personal trainer that I guessed was maybe in her late 50's.  She religiously worked out with the personal trainer, and quite frankly, she could do better at ab exercises than I could.  Boy was I shocked when one day I overheard her telling her personal trainer that the next day was her birthday, and she was going to be 72!  I hope I can be just like her when I hit that age.

If you are a Senior, have Senior friends or family members, or just see a Senior trying hard to get some exercise in, absolutely encourage this behavior.  And if you're not a Senior, you need to get active now so that your golden years are spent like that 72 year old woman I mentioned above--doing what you want to do with no limitations.  Every little bit helps, and it's never too late to start (just get a doctor's approval first).

And now I'd like to invite you to check out the natural pain relief secret I personally use regularly to keep those aches and pains we all get from time to time from our workouts and other ailments at bay CLICK HERE.

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed.  It's easy!  CLICK HERE

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Check out Melanie's other Blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures http://www.YouCanMakeMoneyWithForeclosures.com

Vegas Inside Scoop for Las Vegas locals and Las Vegas visitors at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright SunLover Publishing 2008

Fitness Tips Taking The Boredom Out Of Treadmill Walking And Running

Hi All,

Hot Summer temperatures and/or high humidity may mean that instead of doing your walking workouts and running workouts outdoors like you might at other times of the year, you need to take your walking workout and running workout indoors. 

I personally never, ever went on a treadmill when I lived in Southern CA because of the wonderful temperate climate.  However, living in Colorado I had to learn to adapt my walking workouts to the winter weather which seemed to start Labor Day practically :) and now that I am in Las Vegas, I have to adapt to the hellish 100+ temperatures every day.  Either way, that means a treadmill instead of the great outdoors.

While there are pluses to walking or running on a treadmill, like the fact you control when you go up an incline, the speed you walk or run, or that you can pick a pre-programmed pattern, to me, that does not make up for the BOREDOM of being in one spot with the same stuff to look at over and over!

So what are my fitness tips for taking the boredom out of treadmill walking (and can be used for runners too)?

1.  Great Music That Makes You Want To Move Makes All The Difference

You can't count on the music in your gym being a match with your taste and tempo.  I always maintain a playlist on my iPod of upbeat tracks for working out at a variety of tempos.  If I play the song outside of the gym and it makes me want to move around to it, it qualifies.

My taste is pretty eclectic, so I have everything from classic 70's disco hits to 80's new wave and Pop Metal, to Rock, to upbeat New County, and my favorite Rocky Story soundtrack (nothing like the War and Training Montage segments besides your standard Eye Of The Tiger to make you work it)!  Whatever has a steady beat that you can keep up with on the treadmill will do.

If you set your iPod to "shuffle" then you will never have the songs play in the same order twice.  It's like a new workout every time!

2.  Mix Up The Speed And Incline Yourself

Yes you can use pre-programmed workouts on the treadmill, but I like to keep it interactive and custom to avoid treadmill boredom.  I adjust the speed for every song that pops up on my iPod walking playlist at the beginning of the song, and especially if it has a faster or slower chorus or bridge, I'll do it within the song as well.

You can also continuously change the incline before, and during each song.  I personally will usually create a segment about 15 minutes into my workout when I am good and warmed up to increase the incline with every song, or every couple of songs, depending on what comes up, and how I feel until I am maxed out, then bring it down every song or two. 

On a 45-minute treadmill walking workout, I might do the incline/decline segment for 15-20 minutes.  On a 60-minute treadmill walking workout, I might do the incline/decline portion for 20-25.  Also a factor is suggestion 3 below.

3.  Use Light Hand Weights Especially Designed For Walkers/Runners

Since I love lifting weights, I figured why not combine weight lifting with walking?  Yet when I used regular free weights, it was clumsy and messed up my walking.  I recently found in Wal-Mart a set of 1 1/2 pound hand weights specifically designed for walkers or runners made by a company called GoWalking.  They were $3.86 each.

The GoWalking hand weights are straight, fully foam-covered sticks that have an outer strap that fit nicely around the back of your hand.  They are comfortable and easy to hold for long periods of time, and for different movements without fear of dropping.

I have a ball doing bicep curls, hammer curls, deltoid raises, punches and just adding a little oompf to my regular arm swinging.  I keep the treadmill speed slower when I walk with the weights and, for now, I am using lower inclines with them. 

You might think by slowing down my speed a little I am not burning as much, and how much could three pounds of hand weights matter?  Let me tell you that it really does, I am burning more calories, and anecdotally, working up more of a sweat than ever for the same distance at slower speeds and lower inclines.  Plus it's fun!  Just watch your balance, and ignore the odd looks you might get from those around you.

Have a great walking workout or running workout!

And now I'd like to invite you to check out the natural pain relief secret I personally use regularly to keep those aches and pains we all get from time to time from our workouts and other ailments at bay CLICK HERE.

Please note: check with your healthcare professional about the appropriateness of the above fitness tips for taking the boredom out of treadmill walking and running for your particular situation.

--Melanie R. Jordan, Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!  Available 24/7 at http://www.HealthyEatingCoach.com

Don't miss a post--subscribe to The Healthy Food Review feed.  It's easy!  CLICK HERE

Check out more of Melanie's empowering publications on work-at-home lifestyles, foreclosure investing and learn about her Marketing and Infopreneur Consulting and Coaching Services at http://www.SunLoverPublishing.com

"Healthy eating with favorite comfort foods...it's deliciously possible!"

Check out Melanie's other Blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures http://www.YouCanMakeMoneyWithForeclosures.com

Vegas Inside Scoop for Las Vegas locals and Las Vegas visitors at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Please note that I do not have an affiliation with any of the companies featured in this post--they are simply products I am personally familiar with.  The views expressed are my opinion only and you should decide, along with your healthcare professionals, on the appropriateness for your personal use.

Copyright SunLover Publishing 2008