flat stomach diet

What do You Wear to the Gym — Pants or Shorts?

I was getting ready for the gym yesterday morning and was trying to figure out what to wear – shorts or pants?

No its not the biggest decision in the whole entire world – but its one that WILL affect my workout.

Its January – its cold – the gym opens at 8 and I plan on being there at 8:05. There are some days when the heat isn’t on yet and the gym is FREEZING – other days when the heat is BLASTING and its SUPER warm (those days are my favorite). Not to mention the fact that my legs are WHITE. Oh yes — no tan (its winter and this girl doesn’t fake bake) – if the sun reflects off my legs I feel like you need a pair of sunglasses if you catch my legs in shorts in the winter and I don’t want to blind everyone in the gym!

Then I had to consider my workout — it was leg day — I don’t usually like having pants on when I do legs – it makes me feel constricted – I know spandex expands – but it can get awkward – ya know?

Yes – this is the ridiculous conversation I had with myself in the morning and I’m wondering if I’m the only one.

We all have reasons why we do or don’t do things. Even if its as simple as figuring out what to wear to the gym.

I know many women don’t wear shorts because they don’t like their legs and when I recently posed this question on Twitter and Facebook – I found some even more intriguing answers — no shorts = no germs – something I never even thought of.

I ended up settling for capri/leggings that day (which brings up a whole other world of issues I will save for a future post). I was SUPER hot especially doing cardio — but they made my bum look nice – hehe! This conflict will arise again as I pack my bag for the gym tomorrow – I’ll probably put both shorts + pants into the bag and figure it out when I get there – depending on my mood.

So…after all my ranting – I hope I’m not alone….ladies…

What do you wear to the gym – Pants or Shorts or Capris? Why?

Determined to Find What Works – Inspirational Woman: Tiffany Gaughan

After being diagnosed with a hypothyroid this inspirational woman was more determined than ever to lose weight and get into the BEST shape she could be in. Her hardwork and dedication to the gym and her workouts helped her land 5th place at her first NPC show. This accomplishment has only helped her dream bigger and work harder — giving her more reasons to stay away from the Cinnamon buns and Starbucks we all love….

Meet Tiffany Gaughan. What’s next for her? How did she do it? Read on to find out…

11 Foods That Burn Stomach Fat

After your requests, I wrote an article earlier this week giving you a list of 11 foods to avoid if you want to get a flat stomach. However, I’m sure you are still wondering what foods you should eat in order to burn stomach fat and reach your flat stomach goals.

In honor of the 11th year in the new century I’ve compiled a list of 11 foods that should be a part of every flat stomach diet. Including these 11 foods in your diets will help you burn stomach fat and making sure you get the flat stomach you have always wanted.

11 Foods to Avoid for a Flat Stomach

Its 2011 and its time you reach your flat stomach goals. You want to burn fat FAST and make sure you reach your goals this year.

If you want to make sure you are burning stomach fat — make sure you are staying away from these 11 foods. Instead of making your waist smaller — these foods will only expand your waistline even further.

#1 — Candy

Health Benefits of Potassium: 6 Foods to Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

When you are told to add salt to your diet – I’m sure you looked at the doctor like they were crazy. However, recent research has found that the health benefits of potassium in your diet can help you lower your blood pressure and in turn help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

Now – when I was little – I always thought that you get potassium from potatoes and if someone ate enough potatoes – well then they’d have enough potassium.

5 Tips to Avoid a Haunting Waistline on Halloween

Halloween is a spooky time of year — especially for your waistline — which will give you a good scare when you can’t fit into your jeans a week after this sweet treat filled day. Not to mention as a friend just posted on Twitter — only 10 weeks until Christmas — which means Thanksgiving is half that time away.

Craziness at the Gym – What I Saw That Made Me Say What?!?

My favorite workouts of the week are Saturday mornings — for me there is no better way to start the weekend than with a good, sweaty, intense workout.

This past weekend while at the gym I found myself momentarily distracted by the people that surrounded me.

It wasn’t that I was all of sudden surrounded by TONS of shirtless men with six packs working out — wouldn’t that be great?! Haha…

Instead I found myself staring at the ridiculousness of some of the workouts and exercises I saw people doing.

One man was doing cable chest flyes with only 2lbs of weight and as fast as he possibly could. Another man was using the machine should press — not even bending his elbows — pushing up and down as fast as he could.

I had to stop for a minute and watch. In my mind I tried to figure out what they were doing – what they were hoping to accomplish by using such light weight and by making such suttle movements so quickly.  Maybe I was missing the boat on the latest workout trend?

I shook my head and refocused on my own workout – until I saw one of the trainers at the gym training an elderly overweight woman. He was having her do walking lunges – but she wasn’t even lunging – just a quick dip – barely bending her knee. After she walked around the gym twice doing this he had her using the free weight lat pull down machine. Okay – really? I appreciate the fact that you are helping this woman workout – but does she REALLY need to be doing that exercise?

I again shook my head and tried to refocus on what I was doing.

But I spent my entire workout wondering – what is going on?

Don’t get me wrong – I commend anyone who is trying to workout and make a difference with their body  and I understand we all have our own limitations to what our body can do and our own goals to work towards – however – why are you wasting your time with exercises and workouts that aren’t going to help you burn fat or gain muscle? Sometimes I think its the pleathora of information that we are now all exposed to on the internet that allows people to make these mistakes.

We are bombarded with information on the ‘right’ way to workout or the latest fad or trend in workouts – that we lose sight of the basics. Sometimes its the simple exercises or routines that will help you get the results you want.

Or maybe I need to get some better music and stop getting so easily distracted by the gym goers around me? Haha….

4 Health Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Back aches? Headaches? A runny nose? No one really likes going to the doctor but if these symptoms occur more often than not it may be time for you to make an appointment with your doctor in order to avoid the long term affects of these symptoms.

Flat Stomach Diet – Benefits of Whole Grains

White bread or wheat bread? That used to be a question years ago, however, now that they have found the endless benefits of whole grains this question should be a question no more.

How to Quit the Clean Plate Club and Start Losing Weight

I can still hear my mothers voice in my head as I sit at the dinner table trying to finish those last few mouthfuls so that I left a clean plate. This mentality of eating was fine when I was little, but now all it causes is an expanding waistline. Its time for us to quit the clean plate club and start losing weight!