Are you an Ab Coaster success story?
May 15th, 2013, Write comment »

Find some of success stories of Ab Coaster users here!

If you have a success story to share, please contact us so we can feature your story!

5 Healthy Mother’s Day Gift ideas
May 10th, 2013, Write comment »

Stumped about what to give Mom for Mother’s Day? Give her the gift of better health with these ideas:

  • A juicer like the Power Juicer. Many studies show that juicing is one of the healthiest things a person can do for their health.
  • A gift card to a local farmers market or Whole Foods to indulge in organic and fresh ingredients.
  • A gift certificate for a few Zumba, Yoga or Spin classes.
  • A subscription to a magazine like Runner’s World, Health, Fitness or Shape.
  • A pedometer, Ab Coaster, or workout DVD to help her get inspired.

Don’t forget the power of pampering. She might appreciate a day of beauty, a pedicure or massage. Sometimes a little rest and relaxation can go a long way for good health.

What healthy gift are you planning to give Mom this year?

Coffee before a workout?
April 30th, 2013, Write comment »

Keep that coffee pot brewing says Men’s Health in their The Supplement That Boosts Your Bench, article.

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness has found that caffeine may help you lift more weight and also reduce your perception of exertion and pain.

Michael Duncan, Ph.D., of Coventry University in the United Kingdom and study author states, “Caffeine blocks the signals of pain and fatigue that your hard-working muscles send back to your brain.”

It works best if you are clear of caffeine for about 12 hours before your workout and then consume 2.3 milligrams of caffeine per pound of body weight an hour before you hit The Rack for your workout. (An average cup of Joe has about 100 to 150 milligrams of caffeine.)

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Workout Clothes
April 25th, 2013, Write comment »

Do you throw on any old thing when it comes to working out or do you have special workout clothing?

It’s not a bad idea to invest in a few key pieces of clothing to ensure a good workout. Take it from me that having the wrong sports bra (if you’re a girl) or sweats that are too baggy can impede your workout.

If you are going to invest here are a few tips:

Avoid buying teeshirts made of 100% cotton. Once you begin to sweat, cotton gets heavy and if you’re moving around outside, possibly cold. Look for “moisture-wicking” fabrics. You can even find inexpensive options like these teeshirts at Walmart!

Make sure you are wearing clothes that are fitted to your body. As a runner, I’ve made the mistake of trying to run in sweats too big and I wound up tripping over them. If your shirts are too big they can get in the way of weights and other machines like Ab Coaster too.

Get the best quality you can afford. I have one pair of yoga pants that I paid more than I usually would, more than 3 years ago and they’ve lasted through HUNDREDS of washings. They have held up in color and shape and I wish I had a few more pairs of those!

Finally, find stuff that flatters your body and makes you feel good. Half the battle with exercise is mental so if you slip on your workout gear and feel great it can help set the mood for an awesome sweat session!

5 mantras to get you through a tough workout
April 18th, 2013, Write comment »

Whenever I’m starting to lag or feel unmotivated to workout – I turn to mantras to help get me through.

Here are five things to repeat when the going gets tough to get you going!

  1. Pain is temporary, pride forever.
  2. Sweat is just fat cells crying.
  3. Every rep brings me a step closer to the life I want.
  4. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
  5. This workout is tough but I am tougher.

Do you use exercise mantras to get you through your toughest workouts?

What are some of your favorites?

Montel Williams uses Ab Coaster on Rachael Ray
April 8th, 2013, Write comment »

Montel credits the Ab coaster for being a huge part of keeping healthy and in shape. In case you missed the segment, you can catch it here!

Have some class
April 2nd, 2013, Write comment »

If in addition to your Ab Coaster work you are considering taking a class at the gym and don’t know where to start – here are a few classes and what you can expect:

  • Zumba: Love to dance and looking for a fun way to get moving and sweating? Zumba might be for you. Zumba classes are friendly for all fitness level and ages. Just dig up your inner dancing diva and get ready to sweat. Learn more about Zumba here.
  • Boot Camp: Boot camp classes are sure to get your booty in shape ASAP. Expect old-school speed drills, push-ups, burpees and other body-resistant type exercise moves.
  • Spin Class: Get on a bike and be prepared to pedal your butt off yet get no place fast! Spin classes can burn up to a thousand calories an hour and make no mistake even though you are on a bike you are working hard! The newest spin class is called Soul Cycle and has taken Hollywood by storm as the way celebrities like to get fit!
  • The Barre Method: Considered one of the hottest new classes, The Barre Method combines isometrics and dance conditioning to reshape your body.

What kind of classes do you enjoy?

photo credit

Homemade Protein Powder
March 28th, 2013, Write comment »

I like adding protein powder to my morning smoothie on days I’m facing tough workouts.

The problem with most protein powders, however, is that they are often pricey and sometimes filled with other stuff that I don’t necessarily want like sweeteners or artificial flavorings.

Recently I stumbled upon this blog post that provides a homemade recipe of how to make your own at home! She uses a combination of easy and cheap whole grains and lentils to make the perfect concoction.

Get the recipe here.

Cheers!

10 reasons to get back on your Ab Coaster!
March 18th, 2013, Write comment »

With Spring here and temperatures heating up, I thought this would be a good time to repost this one in case you missed it last time around!

Top ten reasons to get back on track with your Ab Coaster:

10: Because using it as a clothing rack is an eye sore and not a good way to keep your clothes in top shape.

9.   Might as well get a head start on burning Easter calories now.

8.   So you can channel your inner champion and feel stronger with every rep.

7.   Because having a solid core will help in all of your workouts.

6.   So you can move down a notch on your belts!

5.  Because belly-baring shirts might be making a comeback.

4.   You only have a few months until summer is here again!

3.   So you are ready to go toe-to-toe with any of those guys form The Jersey Shore in a ab contest.

2.   You’re ready to “bring sexy back.”

And the number one reason you should dust off your Ab Coaster….

1.  YOU’RE ABSOULUTELY WORTH IT!!

Image courtesy of Freedigitalphoto.net

Diets don’t work
March 11th, 2013, Write comment »

When I was younger it was all about the fad diet.

And I tried them all. From low carbs to no fat to the cabbage soup diet, I tried it.

Along the way I learned something. Diets don’t work.  However, you have to watch what you eat and feed your body properly if you want to maintain a healthy body and weight.

Here are my rules to eating healthy. For the record, I have shed over 100 pounds and have kept it off for nearly 4 years – In addition to good eating I also run and maintain an active lifestyle.

RULES:

Fat is not the enemy. I used to be the fat-free master. Fat free ice cream, fat free butter, fat free mayo. I believed (like many) that fat makes you fat. Our bodies need fat. New rule: Eat fat. Keep it portion controlled and keep it heart healthy. Stick to fats found in nuts, avocados, coconuts, flax seed oil, and olive oil. Avoid unhealthy saturated fats and fats found in dairy and meat.

Fiber is your friend. Bulk up meals with beans, vegetables, fruits, seeds, healthy grains like quinoa and brown rice. These types of bulky foods will keep you feeling fueled and full – you’ll have the energy to power through your most challenging workout.

Skip the box. Strive to make nearly all your meals with whole foods and skip the pre-packaged, processed foods. This means ‘diet’ frozen dinners, canned soups, sugary cereals, etc. It wasn’t easy for me. I became a person of convenience and I became dependent on ‘low fat’ convenience foods for a long time. Truth is, your body will be so much healthier and happier with foods that are unprocessed. I now make big batches of  soups, chili, brown rice, veggie burgers, turkey burgers and more – I freeze and then heat for my own quick convenient meals.

What are some of your rules?