Healthy Loops

The American Heart Association reports Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit,” describes a pattern or “habit loop” involving 3 elements: cue →, routine, → reward. Every behavior is a loop that follows those three elements.

Your brain can be trained to build habits. These three steps can help create habits that stick:

Cue: This is a reminder to act on your habit. It jogs your memory, prompting you to act in the same place, at the same time, every day.

Example: Leave your hand weights in a visible place so you can remind yourself of a habit of maintaining muscle tone in your arms.

Routine: To start with, choose a smaller, achievable version of your habit. Ensure it’s something you like so it’s easily repeatable. For example, start with a walk around the block rather than 20,000 steps daily.

I like creating a new playlist of my favorite disco songs weekly. By adding a new song to the list each week, I lengthen my workout and walk that much longer. For instance, Patti LaBelle’s ‘Think About You’ adds almost four and a half minutes to my workout. It doesn’t seem like drudgery, it feels like fun!

Reward: Positive emotions make habits stick. So have fun while you do your new activity, or associate it with a reward. Reserve time to watch your favorite TV binge-worthy show when you exercise.

ON SALE: Divabetic branded lip balm watermelon flavored (3 for $10.00 plus shipping and handling.)

Please take a minute to support our ‘glam more, fear less’ approach to diabetes outreach. For over 20 years, we have pioneered presenting traditional diabetes education in nonclincal ways. From monthly support meetings to national programs, we have made it our mission to empower women affected by, living with, and at risk of diabetes and their loved ones to achieve optimum health.

For more information, email: mrdivabetic@gmail.com

Do you want another suggestion to add to your playlist? Check out Change’s “Glow Of Love,” featuring vocals by Luther Vandross. This song is guaranteed to put some pep in your step!!

How To Feel ‘Diabetes Strong’ with Christel Oerum

We’re excited to announce our special line-up for Divabetic’s World Diabetes Day edition of Diabetes Late NiteDiabetes Strong founder, Christel Oerum will stop by the studio to share her experience thriving with type 1 diabetes and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin will provide musical inspiration. Join us here on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 – 7:30 PM.

Christel is a certified personal trainer, diabetes writer and advocate. She has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1997, and lives by the motto “there’s nothing you can’t do with diabetes.” With a wonderful life motto like that, we had to ask Christel to share some advice and guidance on staying strong with diabetes prior to our podcast interview.  

Q: You posted on Diabetes Strong that when you first started to work out that you didn’t understand the difference between being ‘skinny’ and being ‘fit’. Can you explain how this impacted your fitness goals?

Christel Oerum: It shifted my whole approach to health and the way I structure my workouts and nutrition. While “skinny” can easily become an endless chase to “lose weight”, being fit and strong is more tangible. My focus is now more on increasing strength and eating to ensure my body can perform. I find strength incredibly empowering and I never go to the gym for “punishment” or to lose anything. I go because I like it and when I leave, I feel accomplished.

Q: Most women don’t want to lift weights because they’re afraid of looking ‘too bulky’ – what’s your opinion? 

Christel Oerum: Building muscle is surprisingly hard, especially for women, so I don’t think women have to fear that. To “bulk up”, you have to consistently (we’re talking years) lift heavy and eat enough to support muscle gain. I’ve done that, and I don’t think I look “bulky” but that I look strong.  

Q: What does your saying ‘forget about “toning” and focus on “building” mean?

Christel Oerum: “Toning” is such a weird term. Toning indicates that you lean out (aka reduce your body fat) to reveal your muscle tone. Well, you need to build muscle first in order to show it off. I think a lot of people (especially women) become frustrated when they lose weight and still don’t have the “toned” body they want.

Obviously, we all carry muscle even if we never lifted a dumbbell, but if you really want to “tone”, you’re probably also interested in having a little more muscle tone to show off.

Q: How do you deal with blood sugar fluctuations before, after and during your workout?

Christel Oerum: I limit the fluctuations by having a good understanding of how different workouts most likely will affect my blood sugar and by knowing which blood sugar management strategies are optimal to implement. I’ve written several articles on that on Diabetes Strong because it’s something many struggle with, and it takes time and effort to figure out what works for the individual.

But gaining that knowledge is golden. By knowing which types of exercise most likely will increase blood sugar and which won’t, we can adjust our medication and food accordingly and just enjoy exercise more.

Q: How do you feel that knowing how many calories you’re eating and what kind of calories you’re eating is important? 

Christel Oerum: I don’t think it’s always important to know your calorie intake. I definitely don’t track what I eat all the time. However, if you do want to gain or lose weight, it’s important to know how much you’re consuming compared to how much you should be consuming. And the most efficient way to determine that is by tracking your food for a while. There are different methods for that and I always recommend people choose the right method for them. If tracking calories result in unwanted eating pattern and eating disorder behavior, I highly recommend a different method.

Q: How can others living with diabetes learn how to make peace with their obstacles and find ways to turn them into something positive? 

Christel Oerum: I truly believe in finding your way through joy and support. We all have obstacles we need to tackle, and if they’re not approached with some level of positive outlook, they will become practically impossible to work your way out of. Diabetes is an obstacle, but it’s also an opportunity to become extremely aware of how your body works and responds to pretty much anything you do. And you’re not alone in this journey. There is a vast diabetes community online that you can tap into. We’re in group chats, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in person at meet-ups around the world, you just need to reach out.  

Q: We’ve read that you often advise people living with diabetes who are interested in starting a fitness routine to do ‘what gives them energy’ what does that mean? Can you explain? 

Christel Oerum: I find that when we enjoy something, when we have fun, it makes us happy and gives us energy. If you love to dance, you might be smiling all the way through that favorite song of yours, and you’ll probably have a smile on your face or in your heart even after the song is over, even if you are out of breath and covered in sweat. That’s how I feel about resistance training. I might not always want to go, but I pretty much always feel amazing afterward. I feel energized and happy.

Do what you like and what makes you happy – not what someone else says is the “best” way to exercise.

We’re celebrating World Diabetes Day with a special Diabetes Late Nite musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM.

There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way.

Aretha’s own health journey is sparking a discussion about the uncertain connection between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Long-standing diabetes can be considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It causes a modest increase in risk of 1.5- to two-fold. Some of the other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), family history of pancreatic cancer, obesity and certain genetic syndromes.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Diabetes Strong‘s owner Christel Oerum, Beautyphonics CEO and “Beneath The Makeup”Author Suzanne Perez, Jessica Clark, Trisha Artman and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics’ courtesy of SONY Music.

FREE  DIVABETIC  GIVEAWAY: We’re giving away a copy of Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport and Dr. Sandra Neshin Bernstein’s Friendship Matters: Memoir, Life Lessons, Laughter on November’s Diabetes Late Nite. Tune in (using this link to win! 

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.

A Yellow That’s Anything But ‘Mellow’

Rafael Nadal’s epic win at the Italian Open (Rome Masters) last week not only means that he will move back to the top of the tennis rankings for the sixth time in his glorious career, it also served as the tipping point for yellow trending in fitness fashion.  

Let canary yellow clad Rafael Nadal & Divabetic inspire you to brighten up your diabetes wellness routine with these sunny ideas in fitness, fashion and food!

While you might not have an excuse to wear a designer ball gown that often, we’ll bet you wear fitness clothes all the time. Take some inspiration from your favorite movie star, musician and/or athlete and look Red Carpet-worthy while you’re working out in canary yellow!

Actress and fitness fanatic Renee Zellweger’s canary-yellow Jean Desses gown’s sweetheart neckline comes with this moisture-wicking workout top: Lole Women’s Central Tank Top in Solar Power, $70 BUY NOW 

Milani’s limited edition Fantastical Plumage Collection has a dazzling array of colors to choose from including canary yellow! Milani’s limited edition Fantastical Plumage Collection. $4.49 LINK: https://www.milanicosmetics.com/products/color-statement-nail-lacquer

Trek’s Shift 1 WSD! The lightweight aluminum frame’s seating position is rider-friendly and places you in a relaxed, upright stance. It’s also incredibly stable and confidence inspiring, perfect for all types of riders, especially beginners. Take the long way home, you’ve got a super-soft saddle and a 7-speed drivetrain that allows you to pedal longer, with more comfort than you ever thought possible. Plus, the Shift sports durable Bontrager wheels, sandal-ready pedals as well as a high-rise handlebar with soft grips. Get to work, get in shape, get coffee and have a great time doing it. $439.00 BUY NOW

Garmin vívofit 2 is an activity tracker that shows steps, calories, distance and monitors sleep. It comes in many colors including canary yellow.  Garmin Vivofit 2 Energy-Themed Bands, 3-Pack l $22.33 BUY NOW

Salomon Sense Pro – SS15 Trail Running Shoes Womens – Canary Yellow/Black/Black. $55.16 BUY NOW 

Yellow Mustard features in most fast foods. This might make the condiment seem unhealthy, but it does offer certain health benefits according to Cure Joy.  Potassium and phosphorous in the sauce promote heart health. READ MORE

Yellow Squash, also called yellow zucchini or summer squash, is a hot weather vegetable picked in its immature stage to ensure a thin, edible skin and sweet, soft flesh. This squash typically ranges in size from 6 to 8 inches long, although it can be smaller, depending on when you pick the fruit. You can eat yellow squash raw, as well as stir-fried, baked, grilled or sauteed, and you can substitute it for any green summer squash since the taste is similar. One cup of raw, sliced yellow squash contains 18 calories. This low-calorie vegetable is an ideal side dish if you wish to lose weight  according to Live Strong.

“The egg is one of those nutrient-dense foods that generates a lot of debate about its healthfulness, “ says Best-Selling Author  Jill Weisenberger RD, CDE . “Because eggs are high in cholesterol, which has historically been linked to heart disease, the public has long been warned about eating too many eggs, especially the cholesterol-rich yolk. People with diabetes may have even greater concerns because their risk of developing heart disease is quite high.” READ MORE 

 

Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE compared prediabetes to a yellow light in a traffic signal. The basic concept that a yellow light signal means proceed with caution while driving is also applicable to your diabetes health. You can either choose to either stop, slow down and/or speed up a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It’s up to you.

Eating healthy foods, incorporating physical activity in your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight can help bring your blood sugar level back to normal. Yet if these people don’t take steps to control their blood sugar now, a diagnosis of diabetes within the next few years is highly likely. READ MORE

84.1 Million people are considered to have pre diabetes according to the Center of Disease Control. The trouble is, many of them don’t know it. Prediabetes often has no symptoms at all.. It’s a diagnosis made when your blood glucose is higher than it should be, but not high enough to be called diabetes. “Prediabetes is this kind of grey zone,” says Dr. Stewart Harris, a professor in family medicine at the University of Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine who specializes in diabetes. “Your body is metabolically losing the ability to manage blood sugars after eating, and they start to creep up.”

Divabetic presents Diabetes Awareness Day featuring a Dog Fashion Show, Health Screenings, Healthy Food Tours, Diabetes Alert Dog Demonstrations, Poetry Readings, Art Displays & More on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at Mosaic Central Farm Market in Fairfax, VA

Here’s a complete listing of Events & Activities:

9AM -12 PM Lions Free Sight & Hearing Screenings for Adults & Children: Lions Club District 24A Sight and Hearing Van hosts free sight (including glaucoma) and hearing screenings for all visitors (men, women, and children). They will also offer a paper screening test for diabetes and blood pressure testing.

10 AM Healthy Food Tour of Mosaic Central Farm Market with Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator Nadine Young RD, CDE with Virginia Hospital Center: Learn how the season’s best fruits, vegetables and artisanal foods can fit into your meal plan. Visit different booths to pick up tips on preparing seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as local dairy, grain and protein products so you can build your healthy plate.

10:30 AM Dog Fashion Show Registration & Rehearsal: Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome to compete on the red carpet for fabulous prize awards compliments of Mosaic Central Farm Market vendors. REGISTER NOW: https://goo.gl/forms/WWxkBrs7ugpfK38P2 

10:45 AM Healthy Food Tour of Mosaic Central Farm Market with Dietitian Nadine Young RD, CDE with Virginia Hospital Center: Learn how the season’s best fruits, vegetables and artisanal foods can fit into your meal plan. Visit different booths to pick up tips on preparing seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as local dairy, grain and protein products so you can build your healthy plate.

11:30 AM Dog Fashion Show: See the best dressed dogs pose on the red carpet at our 2ndAnnual Dog Fashion Show. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic:

12 PM Diabetes Alert Dog Demonstration & Talk: Find out how dogs help people manage their blood sugar high’s and low’s, answer your questions and share resources for purchasing a diabetes alert dog and/or training your own pet. Presented by internationally known Scent Detection Dog Expert, Debby Kay and Health Educator, Kathy Gold RN, CDE

1 PM Plate Poetry Project & Workshop: What’s Eating You? Fine Artist Susan McCaslin’s Plate Poetry Project explores the conservations that people have with themselves while eating. Poet Lorraine Brooks helps adults and kids to express their mealtime thoughts and concern after reading aloud several of her poems. Generous donation provided by Onieda.

Don’t miss the Capital Jazz Fest featuring Luther Vandross’ longtime collaborator, renowned bassist, producer and songwriter Marcus Miller.  Marcus Miller hosts the  Late-Night Jam Session on Friday, June 1, 2018, 11:30 PM – 2 AM. The Capital Jazz Fest takes place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, located at 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. The venue is 28 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. and 18 miles southwest of Baltimore.

 

 

 

How To Walk Off Your Thanksgiving Day Feast with Your Dog

A typical Thanksgiving meal contains more than 3,000 calories and is high in fat and carbohydrates. What does it do to your diabetes self-care plan?

A feast can be challenging for people with diabetes who are trying to manage blood glucose levels and weight but with careful planning, you can make healthy choices that fit into your diabetes meal plan and enjoy this wonderful celebration with friends and family.

Make your day about togetherness and family fun, and not just about the food by adding some exercise, like taking your dog for a walk, to your Thanksgiving Day celebration.

“Physical activity is the currency with which you pay for food,” says Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of Fight Fat After 40 (Penguin USA, May 2001)

My friend and colleague, Debby Kay, who is a pioneer in scent detection work for over 40 years and a member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers offers these tips for Turkey Day walks with the dog:

  1. Keep up the pace, most people walk too slow to make the walk enjoyable for their dogs. Dogs are anxious to get out and see what’s around the next corner so keep your pace brisk, even for the little guys. No stopping along the way though, keep moving.
  2. Walk to an area where the dog can relieve themselves, stop there and give a release word(s) like “free” or “okay get busy”  When they are finish resume your walk.  Keeping the walk and potty time separate will make for an enjoyable and productive walk for you both.
  3. If you see another dog that is reactive to your dog or your dog is reactive to another dog, turn around and go in the opposite direction or cross the street.  Have treats in your pocket and distract your dog by asking him to look up at you while you are walking away, once he is looking at you and walking nicely with you THEN treat him but keep on moving.
  4. Walk with a buddy to keep it more interesting for everyone.
  5. Don’t over do the walk. 15 minutes is good for little dogs, 30 minutes is about right for medium to larger dogs.
  6. If there is ice on the walkways or salts have been put down where you are walking, put those booties on your pup’s feet to protect him from chemical burns and potential poisoning from absorbing things through their pads.

THANKSGIVING TIP:  Let your family members know they can support you and your diabetes wellness by walking around the block with you after dinner.

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness month, for November only, Debby Kay has a special offer for all the people struggling to train their own dogs to be alert dogs. She is discounting a bundle of all her materials for this training by 15%.

You will get Debby Kay’s starter Snoopers kit for collecting samples and training aids, her handbook on training alert dogs AND the DVD that goes with that book AND finally the complete scent training course in a two DVD set, separately these items sell for $345 but with this discount you can get the complete set for the low price of $292.82 + S&H.

To order you set today visit:
http://www.debbykay.com/product/diabetes-training-package/

 

Debby teaches Super Sniffer®workshops for amateur dog owners and professional trainers alike.  She has set up several non profit organizations worldwide for Diabetes Alert Dogs and her Sweet Snoopers program is now in 22 countries around the world helping people manage this disease better through the use of trained  alert dogs.

TUNE IN: Debby Kay joins us for December’s Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. We will be featuring songs from the new Elvis Presley Christmas album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This wonderful album features his classic hits and covers Blue Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night and The First Noel.

The album brings together the legend’s yuletide performances from his 1957 Christmas Album and Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas from 1971, re-imagined with new arrangements performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A deluxe edition of the album, containing four bonus tracks (new symphonic versions of material from Elvis’ Peace In The Valley EP) will follow shortly after November 24.

Diabetes ‘Workout with A Wow!’ for Winter

lime.001

Do you dread your workouts? Catch yourself counting down every minute you’re at the gym? Your mind plays a big role in each of your workouts, and if you find an activity you really enjoy–you’ll stick to it and have fun.

We get it — and it’s totally OK to skip a workout every once in awhile. But, sometimes, you need to sweat, whether that’s to actually get you to the gym, motivate you in the middle of a tough workout, or snap you out of a rut.

Let Divabetic help inspire you to take your workouts into the limelight in 2017.

Since color plays such a critical role in energy levels we chose a vibrant color to jump start your workout routine … Lime Green!

Did you know that color creates psychological and physiological responses in people and the color of your gym can affect your workout?

According to Old Earth website the color Lime Green brings Manifesting and Getting What You are Due. Lime Green brings you rewards for your labors and striving and an end to stress.

41qZI1Z5ZrL._UL500_

Instead of wearing black or gray baggy clothes to your next workout, add some will dazzle with lime green! The color green makes people think of nature, fresh starts, spring and youth(!) The Germanic roots of the word mean “to grow.”

2b9707ce44f280ce8c66ceb596156d08

Motivate yourself to workout with a little fitness fashion show. Playing dress-up helps many women (including personal trainers)  get motivated to move their bodies.

Or add some dazzle to your shoes! This Nike Women’s Air Max Thea Running Shoes will help you stand out among the crowd. Made of mesh and pylon materials, these shoes bring the durability and comfort whenever you wear. For the outsole, this visible air-sole was made of the premium rubber which support individuals in every movements.

70dd91f70902727f8258acef0e91e736If dressing in head-to-toe lime green scares you then why not make it an accent color? Like most colors, lime green looks good with a crisp white or black. Greens are almost universally positive.

Lime can be used as a substitute for lemon because these two types of fruit have sour taste and similar vitamin and mineral content including potassium. Potassium is important for maintaining nerve function and healthy blood pressure levels. The fruit is also linked to antioxidants and bioflavonoids that researchers believe could lower the likelihood of cancer.

Fun is another big motivational factor too. If you associate your workouts with excitement, exercise will become an enjoyable part of your everyday life. Here are three ideas that are sure to spice up your routine and make your workouts fun.

outfits-with-green-shoesJust ‘sexy enough designs’ to choose from that you might want to ditch the heels and step out in sneakers on for Date Nite. Many running shoes use of high-end fabrics and come in fabulous color palettes making them perfectly acceptable across all facets of life, from Saturday brunch to the Wedding Day!  And with more design houses and celebrities jumping on the trend we will be seeing a lot more running shoes in late nightclubs.

Divabetic ‘Workout with A Wow’ Tip: Exercise, eat, and take your medicines at the same time each day to prevent low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia.

A great way to kick start  your fitness routine is to crank up the tunes. A great playlist can motivate you to get moving and keep moving. Music can improve performance and even make you think the strenuous activity is easier than you otherwise might.

Variety is the key to enjoying your workout. Why not rotate power-walking, running, and lifting weights? Get inspired by the iconic 90’s NYC nightclub, ‘The Limelight’ to create different music playlists for each specific workout.

Right now, I’m listening to the ‘La La Land’ soundtrack including my absolute favorite song, ”Another Day of Sun,” I doubt anyone can sit still after hearing the first few notes of the exuberant song.

Why not grab Alicia Keys’ new album, “Here” on SONY Music? We will be featuring selected cuts from the album on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

ALIC.001

Trying to lose weight?  Why do it alone? Today  there are plenty of tech-y support to help motivate and encourage you to be your reach your ideal weight like mobile apps that do everything from decoding the back of a snack box to breaking down which produce is worth buying.

Lose It! is a mobile app that helps out with a range of wellness targets, like tracking food and exercise, hydration, and blood pressure. It works with your weight and fitness goals to help you stay on track and keep you accountable.

How does diabetes affect your workout?

The affect physical activity has on your blood glucose will vary depending on how long you are active and many other factors.  According to the American Diabetes Association physical activity can lower your blood glucose up to 24 hours or more after your work out by making your body more sensitive to insulin.

You should become familiar with how your blood glucose responds to exercise. Checking your blood glucose level frequently before and after exercise can help you see the benefits of activity. You also can use the results of your blood glucose checks to see how your body to reacts to different activities. Understanding these patterns can help you prevent your blood glucose from going too high or too low.

Use the ‘Rule of 15’ when you are working out:

If you experience hypoglycemia during or after exercise, treat it immediately. Use the same process as you would any other time of the day:

Have at least 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (sports drinks, regular soda, or glucose tabs are all good ideas).

Wait 15-20 minutes and check your blood glucose again.

If it is still low and your symptoms of hypoglycemia don’t go away, repeat the treatment.

After you feel better, be sure to eat regular meals and snacks as planned to keep your blood glucose level up.

If you want to continue your workout, you will usually need to take a break to treat your low blood glucose, depending on what activity you are doing and how much insulin you have circulating in your bloodstream. If you do stop exercising, check to make sure your blood glucose has come back up above 100 mg/dl before starting to exercise again.

60880-onetouch-ultramini-meter1The OneTouch UltraMini Blood Glucose Meter has all the features you need to test your blood sugar plus it’s small enough to fit into a clutch. A simple testing process provides accurate results in just five seconds.

Divabetic  ‘Workout with A Wow’ Tip: Go public. Tell your personal trainer, workout buddie(s) that you are living with diabetes and educate them about how they can help you if you are experiencing a low blood sugar.

Exercise beginners are often terrified of boot-camp style workouts, and experienced gym-goers sometimes write off bodyweight training as not challenging enough. Fortunately there are so many options and variations that you can make them as easy or as difficult as you need right in your home without changing your clothes. There’s a reason they call it housework! 

Did you know the average 125 pound person will burn 128 calories per hour while ironing? 128 calories per hour while washing dishes? 150 calories per hour while cooking? 150 calories per hour putting away groceries? 165 calories per hour doing general housework?

04341-51700-87103-00-BTY

Of course, just because you mopped the floors today doesn’t mean you can skip your workout.

One of our favorite cleaners is LIME-A-WAY® Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It removes all soap scum and buildup on the glass shower doors. Works like a charm every time. The ingredients found in LIME-A-WAY® aid in the dissolving of limescale and calcium deposits and hard water mineral build-ups.

Divabetic ‘Workout with A Wow’ Tip: Work out with someone who knows you have diabetes and knows what to do if your blood sugar gets too low.

One way we keep ourselves in the zone is by setting up healthy rewards to celebrate hitting specific fitness goals or milestones.

Many women believe that the only way to lose weight is to do cardiovascular (aerobic exercise). So they jog or take aerobics classes five times a week. Eventually, though, they notice that while their bodies are a little smaller, there are still a lot of flabby and jiggly bits. Sound familiar? Aerobic exercise is important for good health, but for a lean body, weight training is essential. If you avoid pumping iron because you’re afraid of getting “bulky,” then you’re missing out on one of the best fat-burning methods around.

How much does your purse weigh? Chances are you’re lugging around an extra 10 to 15 pounds of weight everyday!  Why not add some weight training to your fitness routine and grab a pair of lime green dumbbells?

61HxMJYp3KL._SX522_

Weight training can slim you down, create new curves, and help avoid the “middle-age spread.” Dropping only 3 percent of your body fat could translate into a total loss of 3 inches off your hips and thighs. And no, you won’t bulk up—women don’t have enough muscle-building hormones to gain a lot of mass like men do.

Researchers at Tufts University found that when overweight women lifted heavy weights twice a week, they lost an average of 14.6 pounds of fat and gained 1.4 pounds of muscle. The control group, women who dieted but didn’t lift weights, lost only 9.2 pounds of fat and gained no muscle. When you do an intense weight-training program, your metabolism stays elevated and you continue to burn fat for several hours afterward. During regular cardio exercise, you stop burning fat shortly after the workout.

Why not indulge yourself with a safe manicure or pedicure? If you have diabetes, you’ll have more peace of mind if you take precautions to avoid nicks or cuts on your skin at the spa or salon. You’ll also lower your odds of getting an infection.

In general, it’s safe to get manicures or pedicures at a spa or nail salon if you have diabetes that’s well-controlled, says Fred Williams, MD. He’s a clinical endocrinologist in Louisville, KY. But choose carefully before you get services somewhere.

0b3d3fc62cf35d2fcef04275a8b1d6cb“The general rule of thumb is that there are really good places to get a pedicure and there are bad places,” Williams says. “Talk to someone you know who has been to that particular spa. Make sure they practice good hygiene, that their soaking solutions are changed frequently, and their instruments sterilized before each use. If the salon doesn’t seem quite right or doesn’t look clean, don’t go back.”

a50add3bf1e94f077b7f1b8b3c9a3ff3

Always tell your nail technician that you have diabetes. This lets them know to use extra care while pampering you, even if you don’t feel anything is wrong, says Brent Bauer, MD. He is the medical director of the International Spa Association.

Unfortunately not all nail polishes are designed with environmentally friendly formulas. Make sure your manicure is free of harmful chemicals with polish brands that pride themselves on providing nontoxic tips.

We love fresh-squeezed lime taste so much that we wanted to enjoy it wherever we go so we made True Lime®.

Hydrating before, during and after your workout is very important. Need some motivation to stay hydrated?  There’s now a free Dally Water app on i-Tunes to help you set personalized objectives and stick to them by keeping track of each glass of water chugged per day (the recommended eight glasses of water a day).

One online review of the Daily Water app said, “I’ve tired all the drink water reminder apps out there, and this by far is THE one to install; simple, precise, and keeps me on track to staying hydrated.”

600-0016To help you determine the amount of fluid you lose during exercise, you can weigh yourself before and after exercise. For each pound lost during activity, drink 24 oz. of fluid. If your body weight increased, you have overhydrated and you should drink less fluid in future exercise sessions.

After a practice or competition, drink to quench your thirst and then drink some more. Because the thirst mechanism is an inaccurate indicator of dehydration, you’ll have to monitor your urine to determine whether or not you’ve had enough.

Sometimes  you want to quench your thirst something with a little more ‘zing’ than  water.   Our Winter ‘Workout with A Wow’ beverage of choice is True Lime. True Lime is a low calorie (0 -10 calories) way to add fresh-squeezed lime taste to your water, tea or recipes. Each packet equals the taste of 1 lime wedge and is made with only 3 ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, no preservatives and is gluten free. It’s also great for seasoning and recipes that call for lime juice.

9d12edbd-2876-437d-bade-48da482ac27a_2.984c3886e2b0ed4a46e9ed7ae772bb9fIndulge in a healthy snack. Key Lime Low-Fat Yogurt with Graham Crackers and White Chocolate.  Made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients.This means that ingredients like sugar are sourced from sugar cane, and not beets, which are genetically modified.  The concept behind Chobani Flip isn’t new: sell a yogurt product with two compartments. The first is for “wet” ingredients, and the second is for the dry ones.  So is this a healthy snack? According to the Fooducate website it’s certainly healthier than a candy bar, especially due to the healthy probiotics (live and active cultures). However, a better choice would be plain yogurt to which you can add fruit, nuts, and a much less sweet.

Now with 20 varieties of Chobani “Flip”™, one container has 200 calories and 25 grams of carbohydrates. Ingredients: Lowfat Yogurt (Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Cream), Evaporated Cane Sugar, Water, Wheat Flour, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Key Lime Puree, Cocoa Butter, Key Lime Juice Concentrate, Milk, Key Lime Peel, Skim Milk, Fruit Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Natural Flavors, Salt, Honey, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, White Vinegar, Organic Soy Lecithin, Fruit Juice Concentrate And Turmeric (For Color), Lemon Juice Concentrate. Contains Milk, Wheat And Soy. Manufactured On A Line That Also Handles Tree Nuts And Peanuts. Contains Live And Active Cultures: S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus And L. Casei.

Everyone who exercises knows how great it feels post-workout–that natural high you feel when you’ve gone for a satisfying swim or finished up your training run. Did you know this feeling is actually scientific–exercise releases endorphins which produce a natural high. That feeling is what gets a lot of people off the couch and into the gym, pool or court.