If you have 15 minutes to spare or you just want to shake up your routine add the following moves to to your routine.

If you are tired of crunches try this routine.

Have a great day and let me know if you have added these to your routine. Gotta spice things up.:)

Do you have a favorite exercise?  Feel free to share.

Fun Stuff

Product Love From smash box: SoftBox Lip Gloss Collection

Ok we have all heard how bad stress is for you  so when I came across an article from  Women’s Health that stated stress in small doses  can improve your health, slow down signs of aging and prolong your life I had to read some more because that was news to me.

The type of stress they referred to in the article was short bursts of stress that ends quickly, not chronic stress.  A study was performed on mice they found that when they experienced short bursts of stress they were better able to fight the flu. Why? According to the article, stress sends your system into repair mode. They compared it to when you are injured, your body hones in on the injured area to repair it, thus building your immune system to protect you from infection.  If the stress is minor you are able to deal with it quickly and still have energy left to continue. Who knew?

Being able to relax after a stressful situation is key as this will help your body to heal.

I deal with stress by doing a few things:

1. I exercise daily, which includes running, zumba, pilates, strength training, etc

2. I play card games, for example solitaire

3. Cross word puzzles are a great stress reliever as well

4. An occasional  massage

5. Acupuncture

6. Tetris is great as well, infact the same article mentioned that researchers found that people who experienced traumatic event and then played Tetris were less likely to experience flashbacks.

How do you deal with stress? Do share.

As active people we sometimes have difficulty finding the “perfect” workout apparel.  Over the next few weeks I will be featuring athletic wear from various companies.

These items can be worn by runners, cyclists, Pilates enthusiasts, walkers etc.

First up is ellasport according to their website “At ellasport, we make technical athletic apparel that makes you look and feel amazing”. Who doesn’t want to look amazing when working out.   Oh and cute.:)

Here are a few pieces I like:

Chloe Long -Sleeve Tee

The back of the Chloe Long -Sleeve Tee

Stanton Sport Tank

Stanton Sport Tank back view which I love.

We all need a Workout Skirt

Power Capris

Don’t you just love the design on the leg?

Notice their logo?  The four petals represent desire, power, strength, and femininity.

You should check out the website, while you are there watch the behind the scenes video of the photoshoot.

What are your workout plans for the week?

I will be doing  a little of this:

And this:

And this:

And this:

Though not as graceful:)

And this:

Eating a lot of this:

And this:

And drinking lots of this:

Have a great week.

March is National Nutrition Month.  Include a variety of Fruits and Vegetables in your diet.  Eat the rainbow, green, red, yellow,purple, orange, blue,white, tan and brown.   Include smoothies and fresh vegetable juices in your diet. Choose organic local produce when you can.  Shop seasonally, doing this will ensure you are getting the highest quality and freshest flavor.  Try this recipe Raw Kale Salad with Root Vegetables. Choose water as your beverage of choice , nix those sodas.

You can learn more here.

And of course along with good nutrition, include some exercise.  If you only have ten minutes try this Routine.

Have a good day.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 16, 2011 )  Houston, TX – Jodie Pilates announces a new public service to help promote good health. In order to address the common concern of choosing the right products and groceries to complement losing weight and a healthy lifestyle, Jodie Pilates has announced a grocery store shopping tour that will visit several grocery stores in the Houston Metro Area. A Jodie Pilates representative will spend time leading the tour and teaching the tricks of the trade to up to 8 people at each tour stop.

Jodie Fontenot, Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutritionist and owner of Jodie Pilates has the goal of helping the community “stay fit, lose weight, and feel great.” She teaches Pilates and offers personal training at a studio in northwest Houston.

The first stop is at HEB Vintage Park in Houston TX. For information, please visit the Jodie Pilates Facebook page at http://facebook.com/jodiepilates.

Welcome to my website, where I share my passion for Pilates, Fitness, Health, Food, etc.

What is Pilates? Pilates is a form of exercise, or method of body conditioning developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength flexibility, and body awareness thus making our movements flow and more graceful. Mr Pilates originally called his method Contrology, using your mind to control your muscles. As trainers we often tell our clients to put their mind in their muscle, be present, be aware.

Jodie A. Fontenot has been training and advising clients since 2004. As a Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, and Fitness Nutritionist; Jodie offers customized training programs which include:

* Pilates
* Plyometrics
* Weight Training
* Boot camp training
* Nutritional counseling
* Cardiovascular exercise
* Running specific training ( endurance/speed etc)
* Improving Flexibility and Balance

I train out of a private training studio in Northwest Houston, TX (Willowbrook, Champions, Spring, Cypress, CyFair are in 77070 zip code) equipped with a reformer, Cadillac, a full array of workout machines, free weights, ellipticals, and treadmills. I am passionate about fitness and health and will take a holistic approach in working with you.

Call today at 713-398-2370 or email to setup your appointment or click here to register on the popup form.

Leg Circles

Lie on your back and place the band over the ball of right foot holding one end of the band in the each hand. Extend the right leg into the air, pull the band towards you slightly to add a little tension. Circle your leg quickly, in a clockwise direction with control. Keep your hips, spine and shoulders pressed into the mat. Repeat 8 times in each direction then switch legs.

Saw

Sit tall, abdominals engaged with the band placed across your upper back.

Pull on band to add a little tension, inhale to prepare, exhale and twist and roll your spine forward and extend your hand over and across your foot. Inhale and return to the start. Repeat 8 times on each side, alternating.

More exercises tomorrow.

These are only a few Pilates exercises that can be performed using a Resistance band.

Pilates Hundred

Lie on your on your back with your knees bent, doubling over the band holding each end placing your arms long by your sides.

Inhale to prepare, exhale and curl your upper spine off the floor. Keeping your gaze on your thighs, inhale here. Exhale, and extend your legs and arms out in front of you, tugging slightly on the band.   Inhale for 5 breaths and out for 5 breaths, while pumping the arms up and down this is a small movement.  Keep this pumping movement until you reach a hundred. 

 Once finished, bring your knees in to your chest, and then lower your head and your arms.

Roll Up (Modified)

Lie on your back with your feet slightly bent, one end of the band in each hand with the middle of the band stretched across the balls of your feet.  Inhale as you peel spine off the mat one vertebra at a time holding your abs in as you slowly reach your upper body forward.  Keeping your abs engaged, exhale and slowly roll back down. Repeat 8 times.

This will be a series of a few Pilates exercises using a resistance band. Stay tuned!

As promised here is my DVD review. There are 3 workouts on 1 DVD, plus a toning band, which is used quite often through out the workout, either looping it around the ankle or wrist. 

 Marisa Tomei is “lead” through the workout by her fitness trainer Key Son, who is known as a “secret weapon” for celebrities needing to prepare their bodies for the big screen, according to the DVD.

 The DVD is divided into 3 sections: 

Body Definition (20 minutes) which is designed to work the entire body.  Lots of glute and hip work in this section, mixed in with some balance training and an abdominal section which really worked my abs.   Yes, I am feeling it today. :) 

Best Legs Workout (15minutes) 

 Ten Moves in Ten (10 minutes) this section has a little balance work.

Cons: There is no cardio on this DVD, although the trainer and description says there is and there is  not much interaction between Marisa and her trainer. He was not very encouraging, maybe he was nervous.

Cons: Marisa leads you through a warm up and cool down section, which I would recommend you do your own, it is not enough of warm up for all the hip and glute work in the. She also bounced quite a lot when stretching which we all know is not supposed to be done.

I actually did all the workouts as one session, but you can always split them up. I liked the exercises in this workout and the band was a bonus, so many other exercises I can do with this band. I also liked balance “challenge” with a few of the exercises.  I will keep this DVD in my library and use after my runs or use it on an easy, mellow workout day. But if you are expecting a super upbeat training session, this DVD does not have it, nor will you sweat buckets.

 Who is your favorite celebrity trainer and celebrity fitness star?

 If you try the DVD and like it, I would love to hear comments.

Just as the title states this routine is short, but intense and inexpensive, it can be done anywhere, and at anytime  all you need is a Jump rope.

Jumping rope is a great overall body toner/sculpter and a fantastic calorie burner. Just remember to keep your elbows close to your sides this will ensure you use your wrists and forearms.

I will perform this routine typically, on my weight training days .  If I am really short on time I will do it only once, but I typically I allot 20 minutes, the first 10 minutes before the weight routine and 10 minutes after. ( Sometimes I will  jump after my run, gotta love the calorie burn).

0-2:00 Basic jump  

2:00-3:00 Figure 8 jump ( Jump in the shape of the number eight)

3:00-4:00 Scissor jumps                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

4:00-5:00 Jumping jacks

5:00-6:00 Basic Jump

6:00-7:00 Side to side jumps ( legs together)

7:00-7:30 Single leg hop jumps ( Right)

7:30-8:00 Single leg hop jumps ( Left)

8:00-8:30 Double scissor jumps ( right foot infront)

8:30-9:00 Double scissor jumps ( left foot infront)

9:00-10:00 Basic Jump

Repeat twice if time permits.

FYI: When purchasing a jump rope, step in the center of the rope, lift the handles, they should not go past your armpits.

Have fun with this routine and let me know what you think.