Pregnancy Yoga

Having just read the famous 'French Women Don't Get Fat', I'm inspired. French women don't go to gyms. They don't work out with a trainer. They don't even do aerobics in the cover of their own homes.

French paradox?

After reading the book, I don't think so.

Among other things, French women find simple ways to incorporate more exercise and movement into their day. This helps to burn more calories and keep their waists trim. So in the spirit of this, here are 5 tips to build more exercise into your life (and forget the gym :o)


#1) Take the stairs.

We here it all the time but it's true. Stair walking not only burns mega calories but it gives you an amazing back end. You don't have to do 10 flights at once. But whenever you have the option to take the elevator up 2 or 3 floors or to take the stairs - choose the stairs.


#2) Walk your dog.

No, don't take him to the park and just stand there with the other dog owners - walk him! He'll appreciate it and you'll appreciate the looser feel of your pants after a few months - just from making this small change.


#3) Forget the gym - clean your house.

I used to hate cleaning my house. So boring - and it actually made me sweat so that was uncomfortable. Then one day I finally got a clue and realized that cleaning my house was a great way to get my exercise. Instead of going to the gym (and then stressing when I came home since my house was messy), I decided to bring out the vacuum and sweat with that instead. Now I not only have a 'workout' but I also have a clean house. 2 birds with one stone.


#4) Take a commercial break.

Instead of sitting on your couch watching the latest commercial on how they get that soft flowing caramel inside the chocolate bar, get up and do something during the commercials. Do some sit-ups or push ups. Walk around your house. Start a load of laundry. Do some squats or lunges. Every little bit helps in the calorie burning game - and you won't even miss the commercials!


#5) Be 'Movement Aware'

Just by being aware of how much movement you're doing, you'll find ways throughout your day to incorporate exercise into your routine. Instead of bending at the waist to unload the dishwasher, why not squat and bring your legs into it. Instead of looking for the nearest parking spot to the grocery store, why not park far away and walk?

If you pay attention, you'll see tons of little ways to bring more movement into your daily life that won't cost you anything but extra calories.

Try these tips and chances are you'll notice looser pants in a few months - all without sweating it out hours in a gym.

For more weight loss tips, check out the 10 Idiot-proof rules of Dieting.
For more easy weight loss tips check out

So I figure that we've got about 5-8 weeks before the spring thaw starts (depending on where you live). If you aren't good with crash diets, you might want to gradually incorporate naturally thin habits so you'll be ready for spring.

If you build in 1 or 2 naturally thin habits a week, you'll be able to sit back and relax in your loose-fitting spring clothes while watching everyone else do the mad dash for the gym. So I've listed some of the easiest naturally thin habits below to help you get some ideas about how to lose weight before Spring:

#1 Drink More Water - helps speed your metabolism and flush fat

#2 Increase Exercise Time or Frequency - especially focus on strength training as this keeps your metabolism elevated for 12-24 hours after your workout

#3 Stop Eating After 7:00 - After 7:00 pm your body pretty much stores most food as fat - it doesn't need it since you'll just be going to sleep

#4 Eat Breakfast - I read a study recently where they proved that breakfast eaters actually ate less total calories for the day than non-breakfast eaters. Personally I've found this to be true for me but everyeone's different so try it and see if it works for you

#5 Make Small Changes - Have your regular toast with peanut butter - but maybe cut out the margarine. Go ahead and indulge in your 3:00 coffee break - but instead of that 600 calorie whipped mocha-frappa-lattee- cino thing, why not tray a Chai latte? Or a hot chocolate without the whipped cream? Little changes add up to large calorie cuts - especially over 5 weeks.

So those are 5 thin habits to start now to be svelte for spring. They're fairly easy and don't involve harsh crash diets or massive feelings of deprivation.

I'll try to post some more easy tips here in the coming weeks.

Until next time - V

Many people want to tone up and get ready for those warm weather months - but not everyone is the same. Some people find that a strict, basic diet works for them whereas others prefer to exercise the extra pounds off. Others achieve success when they get to the root of their overeating with a more psychological approach.

Everyone is different. To find which weight loss method will work best for you, take some time first to get to know yourself. Then you can find a weight loss plan that fits best with your personality and personal history (for example, if diets haven't worked for you in the past - you may want to look at other weight loss methods).

The quiz below is adapted from www.FreeToBeThin.com and will help you better define which weight loss paths may be your best options:


Weight Loss QuizAnswer these questions as honestly as you can, there are NO RIGHT or WRONG ANSWERS! Keep track of how many a), b) or c)'s you get and then see the results below.

1) Which statement best describes your personality:

a) I prefer order and control. I like well-laid out plans before trying anything

b) I like to just 'go for it' and jump into things. It's more fun that way.

c) I like to thoughtfully explore why I'm doing something but I can also be spontaneous if the occasion calls for it.


2) Which statement best describes your past history:

a) Traditional diets have often worked for me in the past

b) Diets don't usually work unless I'm working out also.

c) Diets have NEVER worked for me and exercise is a chore.


3) Which statement best describes your lifestyle:

a) I have a fairly hectic lifestyle and I'm always rushing to fit things in.

b) I am busy but have time on my hands to devote to activities that enrich my life.

c) I am not very busy but would like to devote some time to activities that enrich my life


4) Which statement best describes you:

a) I can go a long time putting off what I want now in order to achieve a larger goal.

b) I always like to be actively moving towards my goals.

c) I prefer to do something right once and never have to do it again


5) Which statement best describes you:

a) I like to have definite boundaries within which to work towards my goals

b) I don't like boundaries. I like to push myself beyond my limits.

c) I don't like boundaries, I like to explore and understand things as I move towards my goals


6) Which statement best describes you:

a) I like doing what I know

b) I get bored easily

c) I don't like doing things the conventional way.


**Now count up all your a's, b's and c's.**
MOSTLY A's: If the majority of your answers were a's, your best weight loss strategy may be in the area of diets. You prefer a structured plan and a proven success rate. There are many diets on the market to choose from. Take your time and choose one that you can get excited about. For more help, check out our reviews of diets that work - click here.MOSTLY B's: If the majority of your answers were b's, your best weight loss strategy may be to sweat the pounds off. You don't really like the structured food plans but prefer instead to challenge yourself physically and build a strong metabolism to burn the fat off - even while you're sleeping. For more information on losing weight through exercise, check out our Best exercise to lose weight page.
MOSTLY C's: If most of your answers were c's, you're more of a free spirit. Diets probably haven't worked for you in the past and you probably have some degree of 'Diet Burnout'. You don't want to feel deprived by a diet and you don't necessarily want to be a gym bunny. Perhaps a gentler, kinder weight loss method would suit you - even one that deals with the psychological reasons behind overeating. For more help, in this area, check out our natural weight loss product reviews.This article was reprinted with permission from http://www.FreeToBeThin.com - For more diet reviews, exercise articles and weight loss tips visit:http://www.FeeToBeThin.com/Articles.html

'Health Canada is warning consumers not to use two unapproved products being marketed as natural weight-loss aids because they may contain substances that could cause serious side-effects or injury. '

Read the entire article here:

Why do we love reading weight loss testimonials? Why do we scour the diet plan websites for before and after pictures and personal stories of pounds lost? Why do weight loss plans almost always include testimonials?

I think it's because we are looking for one thing, perhaps subconsciously, that will help us achieve our weight loss goals: Confidence.

Skeptical? Stay with me on this.

Here's the bottom line: we all know that most diets or weight loss plans will at least work in the short term because they all include some form of calorie restriction (that doesn't mean they'll necessarily work in the long run - but that's an entirely new post).

But although we know this in our heads, our past failures tell our heart something else - this may not work. And if we think something won't work, we simply don't try it. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The diet didn't work because we didn't follow it 100%. Why didn't we follow it 100%? Because we believed it wouldn't work. See the cycle?

So reading weight loss testimonials helps us to have the confidence to give a particular program our all - if other people could try it and get these amazing results then we can too. Even if you don't want to buy a certain diet program, you can still be encouraged to lose weight just by reading weight loss testimonials.

Because if other people can lose weight and look that amazing, so can you.

Perhaps it's not even the diet plan itself that does or does not work - perhaps it is the confidence that you have in the diet plan that is the deciding factor on whether or not you will lose weight. Just something to consider.