Tone up in just 5 minutes a day!

Summer is in full swing but if your still feeling like you could tighten things up a bit but are short on time commit to doing the plank twice a day for 5 minutes a session. The Plank is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as the stabilizer muscles.  It's the ALL round best exercise for your body!   

1. Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
2. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
3. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
4. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your tush from sticking up in the air or dropping in the middle.
5. Press your weight back, out through your heels. 
6. Work up to hold for 60 seconds, lower, rest and repeat 5 times.

Keep Hydratred with Melon!

Who new fruit could be hydrating???   Melon is the PERFECT summer hot-weather food.  It hydrates you without bloating and it fills you up!  To keep your belly flat this summer try and avoid bloat inducing foods such as artificial sweeteners, broccoli, cabbage, and beans.  

Suit Yourself!

I had a baby 6 month's ago (happy 6 month B-day Georgia!) and unfortunately I'm not as "bikini-ready" as I'd like to be! :)  So I have to share the MOST AMAZING find with you... 

 

SPANX has made swimsuits!!!!

 

Now, I'm a huge fan on the Spanx line but I'm an even bigger fan of the line they've created for Target called ASSETS by Sara Blakely.  It's affordable, accessible (who doesn't go to Target at least once a week!?!?) and makes you look sleek! 

 

Check out the full line of ASSETS by Sara Blakely at your local Target store or on-line at www.Target.com.

Downsize your Dishes!

Are you trying to lose weight?  Any easy trick is to downsize your dishes!   To keep servings in check, use a smaller plate.  Researchers at Cornell University found people who ate hamburgers on saucers believed they were eating an average of 20% more calories than they were!  Try eating your dinner off a salad plate tonight!

Want to take it a step further?  Get blue dishes.  Reasherch has shown that blue is the least appetizing color. 

 



Cheap Beauty Trick!

Keep some baking soda in your bathroom to ...

1. Freshen your breath! - Stir 1 teaspoon into 1/2 cup of water and swish.
2. Exfoliate your skin! - Mix 3 parts baking soda into 1 part water and use this amazingly cheap scrub on your face and body.
3. Remove Product Build-up! - Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo and refresh your hair.