Three years ago while visiting my best friend in Hawaii, I took my first Bikram yoga class. It was quite an experience, and they weren’t kidding when they said hot, but like most people who are afraid of collapsing from the heat, it’s the feeling once you get through a class that makes you want to keep coming back for more.  Is it a commitment that some might find hard to keep? You bet it is, but it is worth it? Yes! Yes! Yes! For your health, mind, body, and because you deserve to feel and look fabulous. 

I have never been much of a fanatic when it comes to working out. I have had gym memberships that never got used, spinning classes that expired, and every gadget for my thighs, rear, and stomach, including a treadmill that my mother now uses to hang laundry. My girlfriend had been talking about Bikram for months and bragging about how good her body was looking. Of course being a skeptic, I knew I needed to see for myself before agreeing that it worked.

My first class was with Katherine who sold me after just one session. Her knowledge, love, and tone when speaking was like a drug, and after just three classes I could already see the effect it was having on my body, and I liked it!  Bikram Yoga is like Hatha yoga in a 105 degree room, sometimes a little hotter. It helps to cleanse the body from the inside out, and when those 90 minutes are up, you feel amazing!!

The story behind Bikram is also a very intersting one, and proof that a diagnosis due to an injury doesn’t always mean you can’t recover. I am lucky enough to have a great studio right around the corner from my house, and Lorne who is one of the instructors is fantastic. My sister and I try to go together at least 2 times a week, but with our crazy schedules it doesn’t always happen.

For anyone wishing to feel good, get toned, and do something nice for yourself, then give Bikram a try. The only workout that I still do, and still love!

To find a location near you, or to check out the official Bikram Yoga site click here.

xx

image credit: examiner.com

Trying to lose weight can be a bumpy road.  Changing diets as often as you might change your hair color can be a dreaded challenge. But thanks to Atkins new healthy balance of nutrient sense food with adequate protein, fats, a full array of high-fiber vegetables, fruits, and good fats while limiting carbs, you can now get your body back on track, and what a perfect time to start.

The Atkins Nutritional Approach is a powerful way to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come.  The best part is there are no pre-packaged meals or membership fees involved. Always a red flag for me. It’s all about the foods you eat and how they can change your body for the better.  Eating the right foods can also help you to burn fat immediately.  The key is to establish a carbohydrate level low enough for your body to switch to burning fat over carbs.  As more weight is lost you can work up your carb tolerance, consuming anywhere between 80 - 120 grams of carbs a day!

I am in love with the snack bars and have probably eaten way too many, but they really are good. Not too much time left before summer arrives, so if you are feeling like you want to get yourself in shape and back into that swimsuit, then why not check out www.atkins.com and get the real scoop.

xx

image credit:  Atkins

This year bloggers from around b5media’s Lifestyles, Health and Wellness channels are giving readers a special surprise. They’ve created a virtual mall to help ease the anxiety of shopping for those on your Christmas list who may be a little more difficult to buy for.

Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover - but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience - but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea - but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge - allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift - let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them - Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year - check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family - down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails - check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

For the baker on your list - Marye from Baking Delights shares some of her personal favorites for her baking adventures in the kitchen. At a time when flavors, colors, aromas and tastes are at their peak, finding the perfect gift can be a bit of a challenge.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites - A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From everyone at Lifestyles - Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Image credit: Stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: holiday gift guide,shopping guide,unique gift ideas,b5media,lifestyles channel,health and wellness,christmas gifts,black friday shopping,cyber monday

OMG! Have you heard of the FitFlop? I know I have seen ads for them and read a bit about them on the blogosphere, but I finally got myself a pair, and I will never walk the same again.

By walking, I mean walking for exercise. My nightly walk used to consist of me wearing a pair of backless Keds. They gave me no support, but I hate sneakers. Hate them, hate them, hate them. SO, Keds it was. UNTIL NOW!!! I love these FitFlops.

FitFlops are made for walking and comfort, while giving you the best benefits.

7 reasons why everybody is wearing FitFlops, from the FitFlop website:

Read more

I am not sure if you know that I am a weekly contributor to Burning the Scale, our little weight-loss blog that a group of us Beauty & Style gals are involved with. If you haven’t been reading, you should really check it out. All of us girls have different needs and goals, with one thing in mind - getting in shape and losing weight. Overall, we want to be healthy!

I am pretty happy this week, as I finally got on the scale to discover that I have lost 6 of my 35 pounds (my immediate goal).

Read more

As I am dedicating the year to me and especially my health - which we all need to do by the way, I have decided to make every Wednesday, Hump Day, Health Day here at Aging Fabulous.

Today’s health topic is exercise. We all know it is good for us, right? Well, I am trying very hard to incorporate a bit of exercise into my day. Each and every day. It is a challenge, but one that I am definitely up for. (You can track my progress on this over at Burning the Scale, another b5 Beauty & Style channel blog, where I will update you every Monday.)

Some benefits of exercise:

• Exercise improves your mood - Exercise stimulates various brain chemicals, which may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.
• Exercise can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol - Exercise gets the blood pumping through your heart thus helping to lower both of these.
• Exercise can help you lose or manage your weight - This one is obvious, as you exercise you burn more calories which helps to control weight or even lose weight if you burn more than you take in.
• Exercise can help you sleep better - This one puzzles me sometimes, but regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper, as your body is more physically tired than if you do not exercise.

You know you should exercise, I know I should exercise - and our health will be all the better for it.

One TV Show that inspires me is The Biggest Loser. Do you watch?

Our own Claire from Burning the Scale is the first stop on the official Biggest Loser Blog Tour. A contest sponsored by Wrigley’s and NBC, winners can win one of ten Walk and Chew Gum Sets. How fun!

Check out all the contest information and an awesome interview that Claire scored with Wrigley’s nutritionist.

With summer winding down, I am starting to get back into my daily walking routine. It will be much easier once the kiddos are back at school, but for now, I have set a time, 7PM to walk go on a rigorous walk.

Did you know that walking really is the easiest exercise? Walking can be done at just about anytime and anywhere. You can walk outdoors on the sidewalk, at a track, on a treadmill, at the mall. Or you can even walk in place, getting that heart pumping!

With a good pair of shoes that have heel support, walking is simple. Walking not only makes you feel good, you will start to notice in just a very short time, that by adding walking into you daily routine, you will soon have more energy. Walking will also help decrease your stress level, to make you feel more relaxed. Overall, it will improve your fitness, and by gently increasing your speed or distance every day, walking will improve your stamina.

Most of the time I like to walk alone, with my iPod, and sing along as I walk around town. Sometimes I do walk with a friend though, and that is when I seem to pick up the pace and walk longer. It all depends on my mood, I guess.

Whatever my mood, I do enjoy it, once I get out there and walk.

Who will join me in my new walking routine?

Keeping cool is a challenge as you know. Summer time, hot flashes, or simply going to the gym get our heat levels rising. Instant cooling and hydration is a must.

Cooling in a can? Could it be? Yes, Watersall, has combined water and nitrogen, to deliver a fine mist of pure, sterilized water to keep us cool, while keeping skin hydrated and refreshed. One quick misting over the face restores the skins normal pH balance, and leaves skin looking hydrated and a bonus: feeling cool.

For more information and uses, check out Watersall.com

I do not keep a scale in my house. My parents have one of those scales like they use at the doctors office, and it is very accurate.

I use their scale on occasion, usually once a week if I am there - but other than that, I just can’t obsess about the up’s and down’s of my weight each and every day. I would go crazy. I do like to stay on track (as I am trying to lose a few lbs), so once a week is enough for me.

Well, Claire, one of our newest b5 bloggers is Burning the Scale. Join her as she discusses diets, fitness, nutrition, and weight loss in general. I can’t wait to learn some new secrets and tips.