NATHAN Wants to Know, "What Color Is Your Pee?"

No really, what color is your pee? Yes, it’s gross, but it’s also incredibly important!


Whether you are training for a marathon, hiking through the woods, rocking a Zumba class, biking local trails or just taking a walk around the neighborhood, as the temperatures continue to soar you need to think hydration.

Check Out Women's Running Magazine's August Cover Girl: R&B Star Mya!

Double-platinum recording artist, Mýa, shows off her great form on the cover of the Women’s Running magazine August issue, available on newsstands today! The 34-year-old marathon finisher talks about her desire to continually challenge herself and how a New Year’s resolution has become her passion.

Sneak Peek of May 2014 Fitness Magazine! (Featuring Cover Girl, Serena Williams)

FITNESS MAGAZINE MAY 2014 ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

Serena Williams Reveals Her Softer Side, Pros and Cons of Activity Trackers,

5 Foods for Flat Abs, Benefits of Carbs and More!

Workout While Brushing Your Teeth with Fitness Flower!

For me, the hardest part about working out {other than actually doing it} is finding the time to do so. That may sound odd coming from a SAHM, but believe me, when you're dealing with a busy family {particularly a 3 year old that I have affectionately nicknamed Pig Pen}, it seems that even when you want to workout, there are a million other things that get in the way. That's why I was overjoyed to get the opportunity to try out Fitness Flower {provided for review}!

Join the Walkabout - A 28 Day Quest for Good Health!

I've discovered along my path to weight loss and better health, that the hardest {and easiest} thing to do is take that first step. After that, all you have to do is just keep going! Walking is one of the best and easiest things to do for your health and wellness and this spring Dr. Andre Weil and Vionic Footwear want to help you on your journey! {Product provided for review/consideration}

5 Tips for Busy Moms to a Healthier & More Balanced You in 2014

It’s almost the New Year, and Urban Halo is ready to help you look trendy and stylish while running around doing your daily mommy duties. Moms have so much to juggle. Whether we're running to the grocery store to replenish the peanut butter, dropping off our littles at day-care, fitting in a Pilates class, or whipping up a tasty dinner for the family, finding balance amidst the chaos can be a challenge. With a new year comes new resolutions and a chance to take control of our schedules, set limits, and compromise to create a more stress-free (and fun!) lifestyle. Whether you are at the gym trying to run off those holiday cookies or running the little guy to hockey practice your Halo goes everywhere you go. Urban Halo offers trendy one-of-a kind prints, patterns and solids to fit your every day style with no slip, no sweat, and no headache! {Product sent for consideration}

Regaining Your Pre-Baby Body (Yummy Mummy Fitness)

The battle to regain your pre-baby shape can be a tough challenge for any new mom who has gained weight during pregnancy {I've documented my struggles with it here}. New parents have a lot of demands on their time, even when they would normally be sound asleep. While celebrity interviews often claim that the weight ‘dropped right off once the baby was born’, many new mothers find that this is far from the case.

When people are tired, stressed and extra busy, they often turn to comfort or junk foods {raise your hand if you're a stress eater like me} and end up piling on more ‘hard to shift’ pounds. New mommies are particularly susceptible to this trap and often find that their self-esteem can plummet as they get further and further away from that target of fitting back into their ‘pre-baby jeans’.

So what can you  do?

Bring Gorilla Gym Home! (Workout Wednesdays)

 {Product sent for review}

Reward Yourself and Treat Your Tootsies with Champneys!

I'm trying so hard to be healthy {and lose weight} and part of that has been exercising regularly. I feel so much better now that I'm doing it: more energized, confident, and happy. But my activity {especially the running I've been motivated to do} is taking its toll on my feet and muscles.

I've had the pleasure of trying out a few products from Champneys in the past {you can read my reviews here and here}. Obviously I was impressed with them, so of course I had to share these pampering goodies with you!

A New Beginning: My Journey to a Better Me

I've seriously debated over whether or not to share all of this here, and even once I decided I would document my journey on the blog, it's been hard figuring out how and when to start. I don't know how much to share and what sorts of things will be of interest and helpful to someone {anyone} out there reading this. But I guess it's time to stop agonizing over it and just get to it...

One of my senior portraits; HELLO collar bone!

A Sparkling and Delicious Way to Hydrate!

From left to right: Lemonade, Kiwi Strawberry, Coconut Pineapple

This, my friends, is what remains of the 10 bottles of Talking Rain's Sparkling ICE beverage that I was sent to review. What can I say, I'm still working on my will power! The plan was to take pictures of them all before we consumed them, but they all looked so tasty that I (we, really) could not resist! If you follow me on Instagram {as you should}, then you know that I am embarking on a journey of better health and weight loss, and one of the first steps in the right direction has to do with proper hydration. I don't particularly care for the taste of water (but I'm working on it) and I don't want to fill up on sugar laden juices and soda, so I'm always on the look out for beverages that will break the monotony of trying to drink half my body weight in ounces of water, without derailing my goal of improving my health and making better dietary decisions.

January Bulu Box "Unboxing"!

Bulu Box is the first vitamin, supplement and general health subscription sample box designed to help you feel your best. Every month, you'll get a box filled with 4 to 5 premium, curated samples from top brands. Look forward to a new mix of products for both women and men, including vitamins, weight loss, sports nutrition, protein, diet, energy, detox, digestion, sexual health, herbs, natural remedies, endurance and more. What's great is that they make sure you get enough to decide if the product is right for you. There's no shipping or shady fees and depending on your plan, you can cancel anytime.

The Perfect Solution to my Sweet Cravings! AKA: Quest Nutrition to the Rescue!

I like chocolate. And caramel. And nougat, nuts, cookie bits, peanut butter, and toffee pieces. So candy bars are a bit of a weakness for me. Add to that, I'm a notoriously bad snacker: I either pick not so great stuff to eat, or I don't snack at all. But Quest Bars are totally helping me with that! They're absolutely delicious and so convenient that I can easily get a snack in between meals-which leads to me eating less when it comes time to eat lunch and dinner.

"Now That's Some High Quality H2O!" AKA: Hint Water (A GMYMO Post)

Confession time: I don't like water. I try to force myself to drink it, because I know that I need it and it's good for me and all, but the fact is... I really don't like it. Every day we go through the same routine to make our skin look beautiful – wash, moisturize, and apply makeup. But in order to make our skin really beautiful, we have to go beyond our regular routine and learn about the functions of skin and the many ways to keep it healthy. This includes staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water. While this used to be a huge struggle for me, it has gotten easier recently, and one of the reasons why is Hint Water...

Brooke Burke's Healthy Snack Behind the DWTS Scene! AKA: Getting My Yummy Mummy On Inspiration

I decided to catch up on Dancing With the Stars and when Lo saw Brooke Burke, she got super excited and said "Look mommy! It's the lady from Modern Family!" (Otherwise known as Sofia Vergara). That is a total compliment!

Anyone that follows her career, can't help but respect Brooke Burke's work ethic. But I think she's particularly admirable to me as a busy mom. How she manages to handle her hectic schedule AND look that fabulous, boggles my mind.

I've watch her videos for Modern Mom on YouTube, so I know that she works out regularly and partakes in a healthy diet with a big focus on moderation. Those are excellent habits to emulate and seeing the snack she chose to enjoy while behind the scenes of Dancing With the Stars (Quaker Oats new Real Medleys  Summer Berry Oatmeal)  helped me to realize how truly doable certain lifestyle changes can be for me too...

Until next time...

Don't Miss Your Chance to Chat Live With Fitness Guru, David Kirsch! AKA: GMYMO

“HOW TO FUEL FOR YOUR FITNESS” TWITTER CHAT

WITH DAVID KIRSCH AND ZICO

Wondering how to fuel up for your fitness routine? Join wellness expert David Kirsch and Zico for a Twitter chat on Tuesday, October 16th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST to discover Kirsch’s insider tips and tricks for helping you get the most out of your workout. Prizes will be randomly awarded every 15 minutes to participants, who can join the conversation by following @DavidKirsch and @Zico and using the hashtag #GetFit to ask questions and engage.

WHO: David Kirsch and Zico

WHAT: “How to Fuel for your Fitness” Twitter Chat

WHEN: Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 from 6:00 – 7:00 EST

WHERE: Follow @DavidKirsch and @Zico

Bring Sexy Back in 5 Minutes! AKA: GMYMO with David Kirsch and LookTV

So... Having a strong back is important for everybody, but if you're like me and happen to be a bit top heavy (cough *understatement* cough), having a strong back is a necessity. David Kirsch to the rescue!



 



Exactly what I needed! A new way to work out aggression (no really, my wallet can't take anymore retail therapy)! Don't you just love these sessions? I do! Until next time...

No More Waddle!!! AKA: GMYMO with David Kirsch and LookTV

I HAD to share this week's episode of 5 Minute Quickies with David Kirsch because I KNOW I'm not the only one struggling with my upper arm area! Don't let the fact that your arms will most likely be covered up for the rest of the season keep you from working on this important area. It truly is the perfect time to get right and tight for next year. So join me on my journey to get Angela Bassett's arms!






Ever wonder how to sculpt biceps, triceps and shoulders without investing in a gym membership? In this episode of 5 Minute Quickies, fitness and wellness expert David Kirsch shows you three different types of push-ups (plus a fun trick involving two shampoo bottles) that you can do anywhere, anytime to help tone your arms into tank top-worthy shape.

I'm definitely putting these moves into action TODAY! I love this series and hope that you lovelies enjoy it too! What are your problem areas? What would you like to see covered on 5 Minute Quickies? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Until next time...

GMYMO: Jump Rope Fitness

In my fitness journey, I've realized that in order for me to stay motivated to work out regularly, it has to be fun. And to get the best results, you have to change up your routine occasionally so that your body is forced to adjust and work differently/harder. So while I love my Zumba, I was on the lookout for something that was easy to do at home, in limited space, and with my little ones under foot.

Beat the Heat and Stay Fit with 5 Nutrition Tips from Amanda Skrip (Getting My Yummy Mummy On Series)

(photo via amandaskrip.com)

Amanda Skrip is a natural foods educator, chef, health coach, and wellness expert.  She received her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute and continued her nutrition education at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Amanda works with a variety of clients to create small shifts that have a big impact on health, weight and energy and teaches public cooking classes at Whole Foods Market in Chicago. She has been featured in DailyCandy, Vital Juice, Mindful Metropolis and has appeared on I Am Healthy Radio and NBC Chicago (and now Mama Fashionista, lol).