FLogg DAILY Food and Fitness Journal, classic black (Hardcover) Review

The FLogg DAILY has helped me monitor my eating habits so much more effectively than I ever did before.Now, I don't forget about last week's Thursday night munchie session, instead I can plan my workouts more effectively around how I eat.And now I know when I'm overdoing it way before my jeans start to feel too tight.I've been using mine to monitor not only my diet but to gauge my training for a 350 km bike tour I'm doing in Europe.
The book itself is nice and very low-profile, to the unknowing observer it looks just like a standard moleskin journal.There are also easy to use references for both food and exercises. About the only thing missing are personal chef, trainer and calculator.
This journal is essential for anyone serious about their health or getting peak performance out of their bodies.

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Product Description:
Use FLogg DAILY with any diet or fitness program.- Three full months of caloric tracking- Nutritional Guide with caloric values for 250+ Fresh Foods-Caloric Expenditure Chart for 200+ Sports & Activities- Personal Assessment Pages to check your progress- 36-month mini calendar reference- Before/After Photos Page- Add'l Notes Section- Sleeve for receipts/loose leaf memos

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Flip the Switch: Proven Strategies to Fuel Your Metabolism and Burn Fat 24 Hours a Day [Bargain Price] [Hardcover] Review

I obsessed for a couple of weeks before buying this book. I already had the "Low Fat Living" volume and had found it okay. It seemed to espouse a lot of the ideas promised in the advertisements for "Flip the Switch," so maybe I could save $35 and still eat better.

However, I did go ahead and try it out, which turned out to be a good decision. "Flip" has new science, starting out with a few lessons on hormones and how they control the body's chemical processes and why. With the recommendations for doing little things to turn on your metabolic thermostat (the Meta-Stat, they call it), you can keep yourself burning calories.

I found that when I understood what was going on with the body chemistry, it was easier to get myself to do the exercises, almost all of which are easy to work into even a busy daily schedule.

Most of the recipes are accessible, too. My favorites include anything to do with pistachios and chicken, as well as something called "peanut butter bursts," a delicious protein-filled, low but complex carb dessert that even my four-year-old loves.

Even the act of making the recipes is a sort of calorie-burner in itself, and it's fun. Most of the meals don't take that much time to make, especially after you get used to the process. It's not as easy as opening a carton, venting a plastic seal, and punching in a series of numbers on a keypad, but neither is it like building a piano.

One thing that did take some time was finding some of the ingredients. I'd never looked in some of the places I had to look now. Things like unsalted butter, toasted sesame oil, garlic and herb flavored goat cheese are not items I was in the habit of dropping into my cart. Besides the search time, I was afraid buying the ingredients would break the food budget, and for a while I did spend about three times as much as I did for salty, chemical-laden microwave meals, but after a couple of weeks, that expense plateaued and now I have most of the items I need for most of the recipes. All I have to do is buy the meat and I'm there.

Take a look at the salt and preservatives on the back of a box of a meal of shrimp. You're likely getting half a day's worth of salt. Then calculate the cost of buying a pound of fresh or frozen shrimp (about $4 in my area) and you'll find yourself singing the praises of this book, just like me.

And when you clean up, the stuff you wipe and throw away will make your garbage can smell like a gourmet meal.

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Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell: The First Weight-Control Program Designed Specifically for Women (Paperback) Review

She states in the book that, "the typical American woman today eats 200 calories less then she did in 1960 and weighs about 6 pounds more."Wonder why?Read the book!

This book is for the person who wants to make very simple changes to their life which will allow them to eat the foods they love - in moderation.You never feel deprived or guilty!And you will lose weight - if you are honest with yourself.I was working out 4 to 5 days a week and was still gaining weight.After joining weight watchers the amount of food I ate was diminishing, but I only lost 4 pounds in the first two weeks then 4 weeks went by and I lost nothing.It seems that I wasn't eating enough for my body to release the fat!After reading this book, 4 meals a day is helping the weight loss.I decided to track my points with the Weight Watchers to see what I was eating.I am eating beyond my 35 flex points per week - which equates to over 1600 calories a day!!!

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Product Description:
The first weight-control program designed around the distinctive composition of women's fat cells shows how to burn fats, shrink fat cells, and how to lose weight while eating at one's pleasure, all in three months. Reprint.

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Spark Box Set [Hardcover] Review

I recently signed up (beginning of April/this month) and started logging my nutrition and fitness information on the free web site that accompanies this book and work out DVDs ([...] is the free site... dunno if amazon.com folks will let me post the domain to a free site).Anyway I LOVE that free web site and have already made some very positive and healthy changes that have shown me, albeit small but that is to be expected, results like getting up and down off the floor easier when I play with my kids.

First the pros:
- I am about 1/4 of the way through the book and have really enjoyed it.The CEO of sparkpeople is also the author of the book.He is a real person talking about his real life and inspirations.He relates his inspirations and `sparks' to the reader and tells you how you can incorporate them in to your life.
- At the current price of 23 dolars this is a very good deal.
- The work out DVDs and the book are a nice companion to the free web site.In fact all I had to do was search for "80s Aerobics Workout" in the fitness section of the web site.
- The work out DVDs are geared toward a broad audience, there is something for everyone from beginner (namely ME) to someone in good shape.Coach Nicole is both encouraging and engaging.She pushes you to do your best and keep up but always prefaces not to push too hard and isn't discouraging. Especially on the cardio DVD, she encourages you to keep moving and gives you alternatives that you can do if you can't do what she is doing.
- Coach Nicole counts down the last couple repetitions on the DVDs.I really like this because it means I don't have to stare at the TV constantly to make sure I am moving in time with her.

Now the cons:
- I wish the product descriptions were a little more in depth, meaning there is no information about additional work out equipment you will need.As someone new to working out at home it never occurred to me to buy dumb bells or jump rope.This may be something that most people know but I had no experience with work out DVDs except the Pilates DVD so I already have a floor mat but nothing else.However DO note that, at least for the dumb bells, Coach Nicole does offer suggestions on what to use instead of a dumb bell if you don't have one.
- I wish the 2 DVDs came on one DVD.I don't know if it was a space issue on one DVD but it would more convenient if there was an option to buy both the cardio and the strength DVDs on one DVD.

However all in all my two "cons" are really negligible.This is an excellent product and sparkpeople is an excellent site.I have already encouraged a friend to both sign up on the free web site and to order this box set if she can.In other words I *highly* recommend this product.

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Product Description:

This box set features three extraordinary products that will help you discover a new way to think about your weight, your health, and your life!


THE SPARK – From Chris Downie, commonly known as "SparkGuy," the founder and CEO of SparkPeople.com-recently ranked as the most active diet and fitness Website in the U.S.-comes The Spark, a groundbreaking book that focuses on transforming your life and your idea of what dieting means.


Within these pages, you'll discover: a 28-day program that distills the most effective, medically accepted nutrition and fitness practices from SparkPeople into an innovative 4-stage, 4-week program. Whether you want to fit into your "skinny jeans," improve your mood and self-confidence, or reach other health and life goals, The Spark has something for everyone!


THE SPARK: Fit, Firm & Fired Up DVD – Inspired by the book The Spark, this DVD includes effective yet unintimidating workouts for "everyday" exercisers led by Nicole Nichols ("Coach Nicole"), a certified fitness instructor who helps people of all skill levels integrate simple but powerful fitness techniques into their daily lives. With her encouragement, you'll be inspired to get moving . . . and get results!


This DVD includes: seven targeted 10-minute strength and toning workouts (All About Arms, Lower Body Blast, and more); a bonus 15-minute cardio workout; training tips; and additional workout combinations-all on one DVD!


SPARKPEOPLE Cardio Blast DVD –

Get 34% OFF

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The Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit (Paperback) Review

This is a wonderful book. It is a combination of encouragement, hard facts and strategies for success. Her personal story of going from self-destructive eating and obesity to a healthy and fit size 12 is incredibly inspirational. It has empowered me to make lasting changes for my own health.

Her approach centers around health and fitness. She guides you to step up your metabolism by eating regularly and exercising, to eat well without getting bored, to set healthy boundaries around treats, holidays and pressure from others. She has a section at the end for moms, and a chapter dedicated to "the dreaded plateau".

The basic approach in this book is nutrition and exercise. More specifically, she asks you to eat about every three hours, which works out to be breakfast-snack-lunch-snack-dinner-snack, while limiting your consumption of calories and fat. She encourages you to begin exercising by gradually increasing your activity level, challenging yourself along the way; she started by walking and now runs races and plays for a soccer team.

It's very sensible; it's calories consumed versus calories burned. Yet, the magic is in how she teaches you to be successful, how to plan to succeed. I love how she says there's no "on track" and "off track"; there's no "wagon" to fall off of. There's just Life -- and You, and how you navigate all the bumps and detours that are inevitable. The goal is not to be perfectly behaved; the goal is to do things better when you can, and make the best choices whenever possible.

She also touches on the emotional aspects of overweight and eating. She suggests a few writing exercises to explore it, but I think that serious exploration is going to take more than that. She herself had a shrink,and recommends getting professional help if it seems necessary.

One beautiful thing is how she encourages you to not put off the things you think you'll get to do when you lose the weight. Go ahead; run that race, take that dance class. Be the person you want to become -- now!

There are a few little things I could criticize this book for, but I will only mention one. Many words and lifestyle references in this book are specifically Australian, and as such it uses the metric system. I think that the publisher should create a U.S. edition with measurements and occasions that are more understandable and relevant to us. Well, I suppose it doesn't hurt to make the effort to do a little translation work; I did. Hmmm... I suppose I could edit that edition... Anyone at Bantam listening?

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Product Description:
AJ Rochester has always been a lazy girl. She knows how hard it is to lose weight and exercise, and keep inspired about it to boot, especially when she'd much rather curl up with some chippies and watch Carson on Queer Eye. After losing a staggering 45 kilos, and writing about it in her bestselling CONFESSIONS OF A REFORMED DIETER, hundreds of desperate women wanted to know how she did it. Now in paperback - THE LAZY GIRL'S GUIDE TO LOSING WEIGHT AND GETTING FIT is a simple, step-by-step program and details the nuts and bolts of how AJ lost weight - and continues to help others to do. There s no starvation, no low carb torture, and no weights and measures - AJ focuses on achievable goals, having fun and loving yourself while you make the biggest changes in your life.Lazy girls will love AJ s insights on:* getting started* the basics and what, how much and when to eat* the serious issue of emotional eating and how to combat it* popular diets and why they don't work* fine-tuning your new lifestyle* living a normal life and keeping on track* getting off the weight loss plateau* fit kids, not fat kids* stepping outside your comfort zone with exercise* a 4-week eating plan and 12-week exercise guide* food diary* Q & A and recipes.

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The A-List Workout: Top Hollywood Trainers Reveal the Body Shaping Secrets of Their Celebrity Clients (Hardcover) Review

The book's cover may deceive you.I guess they've got to do something to get your attention! Upon reading the book I liked the simple fitness tests recommended, these are:1 minute pushups, I minutesitup test, and the 1 min chair squat.How simple, but still powerful! this is really helpful for the lady who doesn't have time to go through all the appointment setting, finding a baby sitter and the list goes on.

While looking at the different exercises, I was impressed by the author taking her time in educating consumers on how to purchase a balance ball.They even have illustrations on the different body parts, and their corresponding exercises. Yes, there are a whole bunch of people who don't know the difference between the biceps femoris, and the arms' biceps.Thank you Alyssa!

Jeannette Jenkins's contribution is superb, she has some gutt wrenching,body sculpting, fat burning circuits that surely bring results.
Kudos to Jeannette for showing us that the human body is the number one gym in the whole planet.

I really appreciated some warm up information that Alyssa shares. Especially in regards to warming up the shoulders.This is something that I always emphasize to my clients-the shoulder is a weak joint, so one needs to be cautious with it.

This is not a quick fix, the trainers featured in the book are highly educated and experienced, it is a definite pick for anyone who wants to get in shape.

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Product Description:

Want a Hollywood body like Angelina, J. Lo, Jessica, or Uma? Here's the inside scoop!How do Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz, and Jennifer Garner manage to look so sleek and sculpted on and off the red carpet? They do it with help from today's top fitness coaches. Now, in The A-List Workout, you can get your own bodacious bod with help from the same trainers behind Hollywood 's A-List physiques.Fitness magazine's Alyssa Shaffer takes you inside Hollywood's top gyms and fitness spas to get the inside scoop. Each chapter of The A-List Workout focuses on a different goal, whether you want flat abs, toned arms, or a buff butt. You get the actual exercise regimens prescribed to the stars--explained step by step--along with their diet and motivation tips. And you get an exclusive 12-weekworkout plan designed by Shaffer--herself a certified trainer--that combines all the best techniquesdescribed in the book.

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Little Black Book ~ Daily Food Diary® [Color] (Hardcover) Review

This is a great product to use when keeping track of what you eat.It is an easily portable size and has its own pen.

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Product Description:
Are you dieting or on a weight loss program? The Little Black Book~Daily Food Diary fits. Tracks everything you eat or drink. SHAPE Mag's #1 Favorite food journal. A diary helps you make lifestyle changes that get you from I CAN DO IT to I DID IT. This is a nice small journal that does not look like weight loss gear. Tracks 3 Months/100 Pages, 3-1/2 x 5-1/2 in. soft, black simulated soft leather cover w/pen.Doctors, dieticians, nutritionists and personal trainers all recommend food journaling. Now you can easily follow that expert advice by keeping a daily food diary with exercise journaling. A key part of any kind of weight loss effort.It is great for women or men on the go. At home, work, restaurant, or while traveling. It is right there at your finger tips and small yet easy to use, convenient and discreet. Fits in your pocket, purse, briefcase, pack or duffle bag. Its the perfect accessory for on-line weight loss programs.There is NO big spiral bound diet journal to carry around. NO waiting for others to leave the computer. NO battery operated gizmo.The well-organized forms simplify each entry listing the time you eat, the food/drink consumed, serving size, and calories. There are colorful boxes for marking off food group servings like protein, carbs or vegetables. This lets us focus on balance and helps us change a behavior if needed. There is even a place to check off water consumption and any medications or vitamins you take. You will eat a healthier, balanced diet, not just reach a random weight goal.You can also record Exercise Calories and subtract them.A no charge copy of a downloadable Personal Choice Menu template from our site helps with managing choices. Use it for a healthy shopping list too.It is always good to have a buddy system for support. This is great for aerobics classes and is used by weight management groups, gyms and spas.

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Thin for Life Daybook: A Journal of Personal Progress-Inspiration & Keys to Success from People Who Have Lost Weight & Kept It Off [Bargain Price] [Paperback] Review

After reading the reviews for this journal, I placed it on my wishlist and received it in the mail today.I am very disappointed with it.
There are many good points about the book:It has a complete year in one book, the quotations/inspirations, the recipes.However, the space to record your daily intake is way too small.There is no room to write your daily weight, the date, the calories, fat, protein or carb grams....or points, if you're doing Weight Watchers as I am.
The book is broken down by weeks.The first page for the week is Weekly Wisdom.It's great.Very motivational, informative, and excellent for a journal. This section is reminisce of the author's wonderful book, Thin for Life.The next page is Weekly Forecasts.It has a section for Goal(s) for this week, Anticipated Obstacles, Possible Solutions, Exercise Plan and finally Try this for Supper.That all takes up one page.Then The next two pages are the journal for the week. The first page of the journal has room for Monday through Thursday, with each broken down into Morning, Afternoon and Evening What I Ate sections. The bottom of each section is Exercise/Accomplishments.This is where the journal goes bad, because there is such inadequate space to write here.I'm sure I will be writing outside of the margins to include weight, date, water, and vitamin. Finally, the second page has Friday through Sunday, and at the bottom of the second page of the journal, there is a What Really Helped This Week section.I think this could be very useful; however, I'd much rather have that extra space for my journal entries.
Overall this is a well-organized, thought-provoking journal.It's just not something to use if you write big, can't see small print, and do many calculations regarding calories or points.
If they could possibly enlarge the food journaling section, this would be an excellent choice.

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