At your next backyard BBQ, choose the smallest available plate. This will automatically ensure you take smaller portions. You won’t feel cheated, though, because your mind will see a full dish. Researchers at Cornell University estimate that routinely eating off plates with a diameter 2 inches smaller than usual can reduce calorie consumption by 22%.

Now that I am over 40, keeping young is a primary focus for me. More and more studies are coming out to show the effects of exercise on aging. This is certainly great to keep me motivated with each and every workout session.

Tim D. Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College in London, led a study on the effects of exercise on aging. The results were astounding. They found that exercise appears to slow the aging process. “The data suggests that the act of exercising may actually protect the body against the aging process,” said Spector.

Here is a guiltless way to prepare spaghetti that the whole family will love. To create angel hair noodles out of zucchini you simply need a small kitchen gadget called a spiral slicer. This ingenious tool is well worth the small investment – with it you’ll quickly and easily make delicious, fiber-filled noodles.

The body is very adaptive. Performing the same routine over and over is not only boring, but your body will get used to the routine and quit responding.

Change your exercises, the order in which you do them, the number or sets and reps, or change the weights. In one workout you may use weights, another you may use resistance bands, in another, machines. Make every workout different in some way.

These great tips come from Turbo Jam and ChaLEAN Extreme Fitness Trainer, Chalene Johnson. Print them out and put them on your fridge as a great reminder to stay on track.

If you’ve ever wished that you were more motivated to experience life at your full potential then this is for you. Most of us set goals and work hard only to find our motivation fizzle out after a couple of weeks. But there are little tricks that will help you harness the power of your mind and propel you toward achieving your goal.
The Two Motivators
When you boil it down, you’re motivated by two simple things:

To avoid pain (fear of failure)
To gain pleasure (promise of reward)

You are naturally …

There are many things to consider to help you choose a workout program that is right for you.

How much time do you have each day to exercise?
What is your current level of fitness?
Do you hvae specific areas you want to target?
Do you like more aerobic, dance style workouts or more weight lifting, and kickboxing?

Next, consider what will bring you to optimal fitness. This should include cardio endurance, muscular strength and flexibility as well as achieving ideal body weight.
For optimal fitness and impact you need:

2 days of Cardio …

Can you block out everything when you workout and push as hard as you can? Or, do you answer the phone or let your mind wander about whatever might be going on in your life at the time?