Party Time!!

As I type this, I'm still trying to recuperate from last night's "New Year's Eve Eve" party, given by a cool friend of mine. It was a local affair, with my favorite neighbors, who also happen to be my gym peeps.

Me and my crazy friends

Can I just tell you that fitness folks can party like it's 1999? I swear, you never saw people just shove food and drinks down their throats with as much reckless abandon as we did! It was just so out of control! We had all manner of food, ranging from Thai, Filipino, Italian and good old American, as well as the usual party platters of veggies and fruit. I think we ignored those last two, though! lol. Except the fruit, which is damn yummy after a few more drinks. I preferred mine in the sangria.
My contribution to the buffet was a huge baked macaroni and cheese.
Yeah, that's a GOOD fitness instructor for ya! ;). I make sure my people get all the calories they need! ;)

The most fun was when we started the drunken karaoke and then the real craziness began! I love karaoke, cause I'm good at it! lol. I always pick fun songs, though, and not just ones to show off (like SOME people do). We were on the floor laughing, it got so crazy. I do a mean "Like a Virgin", by the way..... ;)

Me and my friend Maryann, striking a "fierce" pose!

Later on we began playing Guitar Hero World Tour (on Playstation 2). Have any of you played this game! OMG!!!! It is SO off the chain AMAZING!!! It's like karaoke, but you perform together as the band. You get to be the singer, the guitarist, the drummer or the bass player, and they have these sensored guitars, and a little mock drum kit that is connected to the game. An incredible song list that you get to recreate with everything from Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Van Halen, Foo Fighters, to Nine Inch Nails and beyond! You get to cover these songs, but you have to rock it out, or you get booed off the stage! It is too fun and hilarious! And unlike regular karaoke, you have to work as a unit with your band members, all trying to get the notes right and rock it your hardest.
One of you messes up, it's over! The game stops, and you have to start again from the beginning.

We had such screaming fun playing this thing, that I'm gonna have to go and buy it!
It's supposed to be available on Wii soon, so that will also give me another excuse to go buy a Wii system. I already want to get one for the boxing and the tennis, so if they put Guitar Hero World Tour on there, you might as well go ahead and call it mine, cause I'll be getting one.



Some of my friends were really good at the guitar, and I was so amazed and also jealous! I can't play guitar at all!
I can sing, but I decided to rock the drums on one song, and I kept messing up! I am dying to practice the guitar parts and drums for some of those songs! If I get this game I bet you I'll be rockin' it at the next party! LOL I can't wait to drive my neighbors crazy practicing for my next gig! :D
Guitar Hero World Tour has such an electric feel and vibe to it, that it's more than just a game....it's an experience! You HAVE to try it!

Anyway, me and my crazy gym friends had a ball, and waking up this morning was an experience, to say the least. It took me half the day to get myself all the way back together....
But it was all worth it. Good food, good drinks, good friends, and a GREAT Rockin' time! Nothing could be better!

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Misty Water Color Memories.....

....of the way.... we were....



Hey, I'm not pickin' on Mike. This is actually more of a reflection on just how hard it can be to maintain peak physical form. We get older. Life happens. Life can also get in the way! Things change, money dwindles, resources disappear, other priorities take center stage....

There are many reasons why people fall off of their physical regimen, including those mentioned above. Another reason that some fall off is because they no longer have a goal or reason to be fit.
In Mike Tyson's case, the demise of his career absolutely has a lot to do with it. I mean, if there are no fights to train for, you don't train. At least not like you used to when you still had the eye of the tiger.

Here's hoping that Mike, and also any of you that have fallen off the fit and healthy trail find both the reason and the opportunity to keep that fitness going strong! It's okay to fall off the horse every now and then.... as long as you eventually get back on! Let's see about it, huh? :)

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My New Blog

Yeah, I know. Another one. I am officially a blog junkie. However, this one I will definitely be paying close attention to.
In trying to keep "Confessions of a Fitness Diva" a resource for fitness and weight loss tips, I decided that I needed another vehicle through which to touch on topics outside the realm of fitness. Also, I can post some of my personal events and exploits there, which I'm really looking forward to! Whether I go snowboarding, mountain climbing, deep sea diving, or to the wildest party EVER, I can take you all right along with me, no holds barred! I hesitate to do that on the fitness blog, because I don't want to be that far off topic.
Anyways, be sure to show a Diva a little love, and stop on by! Current events, adventures, open debates and some gossip when needed will all be over there!



I moved my post "Sex and the Single Diva" over there for the reasons mentioned above.
Those of you that commented on that post will find the post over there with all your comments intact.

So, do stop on by sometimes! You'll be glad you did! :D
Adventures of a Fitness Diva

ciao for now

Fitness Diva

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The Recession = Inflation Diet

How The Rising Price of Ice Cream
Will Help Keep Me Slim



Okay. So, as you all know, prices have been going up on everything lately, due to our completely out of whack economy. I, for the most part, don't have seriously expensive tastes, other than sushi, which by the way, I have't had in about a month now....
anyway.... I do have a few things that I'm just not gonna live without. Like some Haagen Dazs ice cream every now and then.

I have noticed that the price of ice cream has been steadily going up. A few years ago, you could get a pint of Haagen Dazs for about $3.00. Then, all this past year, the price has been creeping up to 3.75 and 4.00. Haagen Dazs ice cream bars are 2.75.

Well. Not having had my guilty little pleasure in over two months now, I decided to go to the store in search of some egg nog flavored HD. I about fell out of my boots after being informed that a pint of Haagen Dazs is now FIVE DOLLARS!!! I was like "WHAAAATTT??!" "You're lying, right?" The deli guy just shrugged his shoulders.
I am pissed! So, not to be deterred, I leave quickly and go to another store. THEY are charging $5.25!! What the hell is this, frozen gold or something? I am SO through! You can not be charging these kinds of prices for ice cream, yo! I'm sure that in some places, they are already selling it for $6 a pint. Won't be seeing MY money!

So, I came home empty handed. I REFUSE to pay that much for ice cream. Hell, you used to get a whole half gallon for less. So, no melty goodness for me. Until I can get to a supermarket and at least only be forced to pay $4 for it, that is.
On the upside, I won't have that pesky 1000 calories of fat to deal with later, will I? Nope! Gotta look at the bright side! ;)


Other Noteworthy Items...

I am Offended By this Cheese!
An 8 Year is Denied a Divorce
Screen and Stage Diva Eartha Kitt Dies at 81

The Joys of Being Single aka Sex and the Single Diva

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Bodybuilding Babes - What's Your Take on Them?

I was watching this MSNBC documentary called “Hooked: Muscle Women”, which followed a few hard core, competitive female bodybuilders, and also delved into the lifestyle and the minds of these women. It was pretty fascinating, to say the least!

Kristy Hawkins, one of the ladies featured and pictured above, has been competing since 1998, and has most recently won the 2007 NPC Nationals -(1st Place Light-heavyweight and Overall)
She got into it when she joined her first gym at the age of 15, and soon thereafter, learned that she had an absolute love of defining and shaping her body.
When asked what motivates her, Kristy says "It is a constant challenge--a lifestyle of dedication, discipline, and pushing yourself to be better than you were before. "



What struck me most about this film was the intense amount of dedication and obsession those involved in this activity seem to have. I mean, from the attention they must pay to every morsel of food they put in their mouths to the time spent in the gym enduring these grueling workouts for hours a day, it's pretty intense, and doesn't really leave room for much else in life besides a job. Most of them try to get endorsements so they don't even have to worry about that, and then can dedicate themselves to the sport full time.

The competition is fierce, and the competition circuit can be grueling. Although they have ANPC (All Natural) competitions, without a doubt, many of these women have tripped over into the realm of steroid use. Although strict drug testing is enforced, there are still ways to get around the tests. From the size of some of these women, without a doubt they're juicing anyway, and just know all the tricks.



When asked why they do it, most just confess that they love having control over the way their bodies look and also the power that comes with being this awesomely sculpted, muscular woman. For some, it's not just that, but also a condition called "bigorexia", where the person just never feels that their muscles and body are big enough (common among competitive bodybuilders). This sends them on a never ending quest to be the biggest and the best. The dedication and attention paid to each and every body part and muscle is intense, and a full time job. Also remaining mindful of exactly how many grams of protein, carbs, fat and water you're consuming on a daily and weekly basis has to be difficult and tedious at times.
But they persevere through all, and do it. All to look like this:

The effect on their love and personal lives is also an issue. Without a doubt, being an overly mesomorphic female shrinks the dating pool immensely for you, but these ladies claim to have many admirers. Also, they find that dating and marrying male bodybuilders works out best. It takes a man that's into it himself to both get what the fuss is all about, and also to not be intimidated by his wife's immense musculature. Mere mortal men need not apply! ;)


All in all, I have to say that I admire the hard work and dedication that these ladies commit to. However, that's not, and won't ever be the road for me. I like having muscles and being fit, but I scare people enough as it is when I'm completely ripped! I also would prefer not to deal with the amount of attention, both positive and negative) that these ladies endure daily. Takes a really strong resolve to not only do what they do, but deal with people's reactions to it. And you KNOW how people can be! I could only imagine the comments these ladies get. I've had guys say stupid things to me when they find out that I'm a boxer, or make dumb comments when I take off my sweater and they see my biceps (which aren't even big, they're just shapely and toned- WIMPS!) lol. Gotta give kudos to these girls for deciding that the end result is worth all that they go through, both in and out of the gym.

So, what do you think about female bodybuilders and their sport? Would it ever be something you could see yourself getting into? How about if your daughter, sister, girlfriend or mom started doing this? (they have bodybuilders in their 70's and 80's these days!)
How about you men? Like it, hate it, and would you date it? (hey, I had to go for the rhyme!). I'd like to know what you think!

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Look What I Won!

So, I entered Leo's Juicer Giveaway contest over at Healthy Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle, and won the juicer! Haaa! Early Christmas gift for me, wouldn't ya say? :)
So, now I get to be even healthier using this thing, thanks to Leo!
Be sure to visit his blog for tips on doing just that. A real sweetheart of a guy, and a wonderful blogger! Check him out! Thanks again, Leo! ;)

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Sex and the Single Diva

This post has been moved to HERE: Adventures of a Fitness Diva
Stop by and check it out!

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The Weight of the Holidays...

It's not easy to maintain a moderate weight, much less lose some pounds over the holidays. There are just too many things going on, and also the stress of running around trying to get everything just right for these last celebratory days of the year seems to knock everything out of whack.

Stress eating is at an all time high, and consumption of fast food from food courts and eating on the run is also a big source of extra holiday calories. And last but not least, the fatigue you feel after all the prepping, shopping, wrapping, lighting, tree trimming, decorating and cooking for the big events leaves you not wanting to lift another finger, much less stick to your workout plan as usual.

So, here are a few tips to keep it all in check until the New Year's resolutions kick in:

Tip #1 - Have a plan.
Whether it's for your shopping trip, house decorating, or prepping holiday dinner, create a time line in which you're going to try to get everything done. Make lists of all the things you need to buy, places you need to go, what you need to do, and then arrange everything in a sensible, easy to accomplish order. This will help you keep some structure in the midst of all the chaos.

Tip #2 - Eat BEFORE you go out to shop.
Do not go thee forward into that shopping center or mall on a half empty stomach! Shopping, while not an Olympic sport, DOES burn up a lot of energy, and after you've exhausted yourself a bit at the big sales, you're gonna want to eat, because the body is then demanding some fuel. That's when you get into the food court danger zone. Eating a full meal (be it breakfast, lunch or whichever applicable meal it is) before you hit the stores will help to circumvent the bad, calorie laden, mall food temptations.

Tip #3 - Workout BEFORE you get to that busy part of your day. Even if it means getting up earlier to do it. Even if you can't make it to the gym. You can do a jog around your neighborhood, or just do a quick 30 minute to 45 minute workout at home, with or without a fitness DVD. Don't have one? Turn on Fit TV, or just put some music on and GO TO IT. Make it up as you go along, if you have to. And once again, get the workout in before you do the other stuff. If you wait until later, your energy will probably be depleted, and then you won't do anything. Not good. Get that workout in FIRST.

Tip #4 - Don't use the holidays as an excuse to fall off your regimen and fitness plan.
"Everybody gains weight during the holidays" is NOT an acceptable excuse to slack up! Remain sensible, and while you can't help but to have some fun with holiday parties, goodies, and treats, be sure to balance it out with good healthy eating, and stick to regular workouts, even if you have to vary up the times. If you do go a bit crazy, throw a couple extra workouts in each week to make up for it. What you take out of your own personal fitness bank, you have to be sure to put back in.

And that's basically it! No need for a long list. Just a few good, basic, common sense solutions that will have you looking and feeling your best all the way past the ball drop. And then you won't even have to put "losing the extra pounds I gained during the holidays" on your list of New Year's resolutions. You can just hit the ground running. Not a bad way to go!

Happy Holidays!

You can get more weight loss and fitness tips by The Fitness Diva at http://thefitnessdiva.blogspot.com

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My New Yummy!

OMG! I am in LUV again! This time, I'm on the Kashi trail.... lovin' me some Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal! I just bought the Honey Almond Flax one for the first time, and can I just say YUM??! That stuff is SO GOOD! I have had the Kashi cereals before, and used to always get the Summer Berry Granola one, and also the Cocoa Beach flavor (granola w/ real cocoa, coconut and almonds, Oh My!) but I decided to take this Honey Almond Flax one for a spin. This is now my new ish! ;)

I am an ex cereal junkie, and used to eat cereal about 2 to 3 times a day. It's just such yummy comfort food, and takes you right back to your childhood. I gained a ton of weight eating like that years ago. My favorite cereals were Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Sugar Smacks, Cocoa Krispies and Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries. How's THAT for a healthy lineup?
Now, I only eat cereal no more than 3 times a week, if I can help it, and finding less sugary brands that don't skimp on flavor is always a mission of mine. The great thing is, nowadays, there are SO many healthier choices in the cereal aisle! For me, anything with berries or that reminds me of my old favorites (the Kashi Go Lean Honey Almond Flax tastes JUST like Sugar Smacks, but more fibery and crunchier!), and that is just yummy enough to have as a treat.

Kashi also makes a ton of other stuff, including frozen iitems, and they use all natural ingredients in their food. I'm working my way through their list of offerings to find the ones that suit me. I love finding new, tasty, healthy food selections to add to my food repertoire.
By the way, Kashi did NOT pay me to write this post and endorse their product. But they should have! ;)

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Back in the Saddle, Agin!.....

Phew! That was a close one! I didn't know if I was gonna have a comp today or not, but I woke up hopeful!
Before going to work this morning, I loaded up both laptops into my backpack and took them with me, planning to stop at the Geek Squad at the Best Buy close to my job after teaching my classes. One of the Geek Squad guys was able to straighten out the older laptop (at no charge!), which I'd just paid a local computer guy to clean up and install Windows XP on for me. For some reason, I couldn't get an internet connection after the first fix, but they figured it out today at Best Buy.

The only thing is that the reinstallation and upgrade wiped out all my old files, so this computer is completely bare....no programs, nothing - just the windows explorer web browser and basic OS files. Today has seen me installing anti virus and spyware programs, adobe flash, and all the usual stuff you need to get around and do all your webbie stuff. I will now download my photo and video programs so I can import my pics and vids as I need them. The great thing is, since there's nothing on it, the comp is damn fast! Nothing inside to slow it down - yet! ;)

I need my other one fixed soon, though, cuz that's the one that's all souped up with all my files, pics, favorite programs and games. I do everything on that comp, including building my websites with my Microsoft Frontpage. But I'm gonna get both of them all tricked out so that it will never again be an issue! Yay!

Repair costs so far, $149.00. $60 for the local computer guy fixing the old comp, and $89 for letting the Geek Squad put some freshly bought RAM in the new one. After I saw him do it, I realized that I could have saved $40, and just put it in myself, but hey, you live and learn! I'm a blog whiz, not a computer genius! :D

That particular one still won't let Windows run, though, so he tells me that I need to let them run a full diagnostics and possibly wipe out my hard drive so they can reinstall everything back on it to the tune of $200. (gotta back up everything that's on the drive, which is included). I just looked at the guy. I don't know if I'm going for door number 1 just yet - a good friend of mine just gave me the phone # of a computer guy that can come over here and do it for less than half of that. I'll decide by tomorrow which way I'll go.
Well, anyway, it's great to be back blogging after this craziness! Now, while downloading some more stuff, I'm gonna relax and play me a few good games of Scrabble!
See you all soon with my next post, and thanks to all of you that sent your support!

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Blogging From an Internet Cafe...

So, I'm in the midst of a computer crash, guys! I have been unable to access my sites and email since early Friday, and let me tell ya, IT SUCKS!!! :O

I have 3 laptops, but none working right now! How the hell? Well, for one, my main one is suffering from memory loss -- in other words, I need to either clear out some files, or just go buy some more memory. It won't even let Windows start. The other one should have been my old standby, but it crashed a couple years ago when I opened a bad email. I never got it fixed - I just went and bought a new one! Well, that just came back to bite me! So, I go get the older one fixed (since that is the faster solution, comp guy right down the street), and now after seeing that I still can't sign on, I realize that I gotta go get its modem reconfigured for my new high speed internet (I was using dial up on the thing when I had it working before).
So, off to Best Buy I go to try to charm the guys at the Geek Squad. I just want them to tell me what to buy, and show me how to put the damn thing in or on myself.
We'll see how that goes! ;)

The third laptop, the oldest, works just fine, but the backlight on the screen went out. They tell me that I can't get the particular backlight that this comp needs, because they no longer make this model. They should outlaw not still making the parts after you've bought something, say at least 10 years, IMO! I'd probably have to do a search and find one used if that's at all possible. And then, I'll have to get the modem updated since that was one of my dial up comps too. So old, there's not even a selection for Broadband on the connections menu.
So, as you can see, I'm batting 100% here!

So, if I've seemed lazy with my posts (and I did have one planned, but can't get to my pics right now), know that there's just some technical difficulties going on, and I hope to be back up and running, if not tonight, then by tomorrow!

I can't tell you how much I miss being able to just plop down onto my couch and log on! I think I'm beginning to have some withdrawal symptoms!!
See you all with a new post real soon! ;)

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Would You Know How to Help Save a Life?

As a fitness professional, I have been certified in CPR for over 10 years now, and I'm both proud to possess the skills, and happy that I've never really had to use them! Well, almost...

Imagine yourself in a situation where someone is hurt, apparently not breathing, and you are the only one on the scene that knows CPR! At that moment in time, YOU are the one that can affect the outcome of whether or not this person lives or dies.
I'm also AED (Automated External Defibrillator) trained and certified. If you go into cardiac arrest, I know how to use the AED device to shock your heart muscle, thus allowing it to resume beating in a normal rhythm. Scary, yes, but a very necessary skill to have, not only for fitness pros, but for any and everyone!



So, do you know CPR? How about using the AED device? The acronym CPR stands for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, which is really just providing the oxygen via breaths that an injured person may not be able to deliver to their own organs, body and brain through natural breathing. AED stands for automated Automated External Defibrillator, which is a device you would use for someone experiencing a cardio infarction (heart attack) and their heart goes into ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia (the heart twitches ineffectively and cannot pump blood). The AED delivers electric current to the heart muscle, momentarily stunning the heart, stopping all activity. This gives the heart an opportunity to resume beating effectively.

I think that everyone from housewives to CEO's should know how to help keep a person alive and oxygen flowing through a victim's system until paramedics arrive. The fact is, you never know when a person close by you might need this help. CPR and AED training is available through the Red Cross and various other organizations, and is not that expensive to learn and get certified in. Another good thing to know is what to do when someone in the vicinity is choking or having a seizure. YOU could be the difference between that person living or dying.
This is serious stuff, and pretty scary when it happens, but wouldn't you like to at least be able to know what to do in these situations?

One day a few years ago I was teaching a step class. We were rockin' it, and in the midst of me showing a cool, hop and twirl move, all of a sudden, I heard a huge, loud THUD!! I looked into the mirror before me, and a couple rows back, a woman that took my class all the time had fallen off her step and was on the floor convulsing! It was obvious that she was having a seizure or some kind of epileptic fit! Can I just say, time stood still, and went into this weird, surreal slow motion? It was like being on the moon, the air was so thick.
OMG, as soon as everyone in the class realized what was going on, the room went crazy!

People were yelling "Oh My God!", and one woman started this high pitched scream. A few people were frozen in place. Others ran over to the woman, and began touching her.
I jumped off my step and ran over to her. The woman was on her back and convulsing hard, her eyes rolling back in her head.

Now, different people have different reactions in this type of situation. Some people panic, step back and get lost in their own fear. Others decide to help, but don't have the expertise to do so. A scene like this tends to erupt into pure bedlam. I had some people in the class yelling out different instructions all at once. "Get a towel and stick it over her tongue so she doesn't choke on it!" "Get some cold water and put it on her face!" another one yelled. "Roll her on her stomach!" someone else offered.
I knew that these were all wrong, and not only did I have to help this woman, but I had to calm everyone else in the room and keep them away from her, even though I knew that they all had the best of intentions. It was a madhouse and an unbelievably surreal scene. But in the midst of it all, being the trained professional and boss of the room, it was my job to reign everything in all at once.

First of all, never stick anything in a seizure victim's mouth. That is an old wives tale; "stick a spoon in the mouth to keep the person from choking on their tongue". How many times have you heard that one? NO. What you do is first, as the rules of CPR clearly instruct, check the scene for any dangerous elements. As this was a controlled environment, I didn't even have to go there, with the exception of keeping well meaning members from touching this still convulsing woman. I followed what I had learned: check the scene...DONE, as soon as I got everyone else to STAND BACK. Get someone to call for help - I instructed one member to call 911 and another to run down to the front desk and alert them of what was happening. Then I checked on the victim. As is instructed for anyone that appears to be going through convulsions, I had a member help me to roll her onto her left side, and we had propped a folded up towel underneath her face.
Luckily for me, one of the trainers on the floor that day was also a paramedic in training. He arrived in the studio within 2 minutes after I sent the second member to the front desk. Can you say "RELIEF"? I lucked out, and was so fortunate to have this superiorly trained person come in and not only assist, but take over and use his extra set of skills that even I did not have in this situation. He monitored this woman, and I was able to stand back and just be ready to be of any assistance necessary. However, I was very prepared.
Paramedics arrived about 10 minutes later, loaded her up on a stretcher, and took her away. It was only then that I got to relax and breathe a long sigh of relief.

She showed up in my step class again two weeks later, and didn't want to even talk about it. I respected that, but still asked if she was well enough to take the class. She said that her doctor had cleared her to resume her normal activities, but the entire hour saw me watching her and looking for the least little sign of trouble.

I can tell you guys sincerely that I hope to never go through such an experience ever again, but at the same time, I was happy to be the clearest head in the situation, and also able to implement the few skills that I had.



So... would you know what to do in such a situation? Have you ever been in a situation where someone nearby you was in physical distress? What did you do?
Would you even know what to do? Could you be the person who could help save a life?
How about if a person next to you was choking or having a heart attack? What would be your first step?
How would you react?

If you've never even thought about it or considered it. please do. You don't have to be a medical or fitness professional to get CPR and AED certified.
Here are some links that will help you to do exactly that:
The Red Cross
Adult CPR and AED

also:

How to help a stroke victim
How to help someone that is choking
Helping a Seizure Victim

My recent CPR/AED certification is about to expire in a month, and I'm already signed up to take the next renewal course.
You should sign up and take the course too. Know that you really can make a difference, and get to it!
Someone you don't even know might end up depending on you! Let's help keep 'em alive! :)

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Cool Winter Workouts

You don't have to put a halt to your good exercise habits just because it's cold.
You can do the same stuff you did in warmer weather without missing a beat. Explore these options, and you can keep fit all winter long!



Hit the Gym!

Miss running and hitting the bike trails? Well, with all the new technology that has evolved in fitness equipment, you'll be sure to find a comparable substitute at your gym. Treadmills are really high tech now, and can be programmed to send you through a variety of courses, much like you'll find during your outdoor runs. Also, you'll get to see right in front of you how many calories you burn each session.

Take a Spin Class

If biking is your passion, then beyond just the stationary bike, you can find some real kick butt Spin classes at most gyms these days. Pushing against weighted resistance, these stationary bike workouts are challenging, and will leave you in a puddle of sweat!


Racquetball, Baby!

If tennis is your thing, and indoor tennis courts are not readily available, make the switch over to racquetball. Pretty much the same concept as tennis, but within an enclosed space and with a much faster return on the ball. This is one sport that will not only satisfy your need to swing a racquet, but will also give you an unbelievable calorie burn.

And for those die hards who won't let a little cold weather stop them, there are always the good old standbys:

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a core and leg based activity that, when done frequently, can really help keep you in shape. And for those with more of an artistic flair when it comes to movement, ice skating can be quite enjoyable. As you progress, there are always new skills to learn and old ones to work on, insuring that you'll get a good calorie burn every time.

Skiing

As ski resorts open, the winter social and fitness scene comes alive. Even more popular today than ever, skiing is not only challenging and fun, but also a great way to keep those leg and core muscles in great shape, not to mention satisfying your need for speed! With skiing, you will develop superior balance, core strength and get a good, fun workout in the process.



Snowboarding

Every year, more and more die hard snowboarders are taking to the resorts and snow parks to shred the 'nar! Snowboarding requires crazy core, hip and leg strength, and it's a workout within itself just learning to have full control of your board. Whether you just want to carve down mountains, or work crazy tricks on the half pipe, this is one activity that will get you ripped underneath all those layers of funky snowboard clothing!

Cross Country Skiing

One of the top calorie burning exercises, cross country skiing requires that you use your entire body; legs, abs, core and arms, to maneuver through rugged, snowy terrain. An hour of cross country skiing has been known to burn upwards of 800 calories per hour. This is a good, vigorous, strenuous activity that will keep you lean and mean during those long winter months.


So, no excuses! Whether it's indoors or out, you can still be just as active as you were in the spring and summer. Stepping outside the box a bit can be good for you, so get to it! ;)

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Mama's Got a Brand New Snowboard! :P

So, I have been chomping at the bit waiting for some snow because I now have my own snowboard! AND the whole set up! Boots (2nd pair), bindings, bag, etc. I started snowboarding last winter, and I gotta tell ya, it was a match made in heaven. I love boarding and can't wait to get back on the mountain and pick up some skills!



I'd been wanting to learn for years, ever inspired by heavyweights like Shaun White (my damn snowboard idol, seriously!), and met up with some peeps who were already into it who attend some of my classes at the gym. Well, after a couple trips to Vermont and hitting the trails upstate NY, I knew that I'd be back for more next year!


I already ski, and actually ski pretty well, but snowboarding is a whole other animal altogether. I don't feel like I'm working hard when I ski, but the effort it takes to direct and control your board, hitting the turns and catching your edges right requires some muscle and skill! I can tell you now, this is one sport you can't do if you're terribly out of shape!



So, now that I've got my own gear (last year I rented) I'm ready and game to go!
I have never wanted it to snow so bad!!! :D
I'm not even waiting for a trip...there are some wicked hills and slopes at the park close by my house, so as soon as a few inches of fresh powder fall, I'm gonna be out there carvin' it up, hopefully before the dogs pee and poo all in it! :O

Now, when I'm back here posting in a couple months underneath a pic of me with my leg or arm in a cast, you know what happened!!! :D Well, let's hope not!!!! ;)

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