TONE IT UP Tuesday: The Push-up!!

Be sure to check out previous editions of TONE IT UP Tuesday!

The push-up is seriously one of THE greatest upper body/core exercises in existence.  I swear by it.  It's been a staple in my workouts since I can remember!  What's not to love about a move that tones & strengthens your bis, tris, chest, upper back, AND core??  Um...how about NADA!

So...think you can't do a push-up?  Fear not.  It still counts when you do them from your knees.  It just takes some of the pressure off your core...which you might need to start with!  Want to tone up your upper body?  Adopt pre-sleep pushups as part of your bedtime routine!
 Take the PSP challenge...

Do 20 push-ups every single night before you go to bed!  Do them from your knees if you must.  If you can't complete 20, just do your best and work up to 20!  A few is better than none!

Remember Proper Form...SO important!!

• Keep your tummy tight & belly button pulled in toward your spine!
• Don't let your back droop! Keep your body straight.
• Keep your shoulders over your hands and lower your CHEST toward the ground (not your nose...this causes stress on the neck/shoulders!)
• Keep shoulders down & back! {"tuck your shoulder blades into back pockets"}
• Relax your neck
• BREATHE!!

Now. Start tonight, and get your PSP on!

Happy Toning!

-Peace. Health. RoxyB!!

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New Sunscreen Guidelines!!

Although we won't see new labeling on sunscreens until summer 2012, the FDA has released the details of its new regulations.  Go ahead and make yourselves familiar with them NOW so that when 2012 is upon us, you're ready to roll!  These guidelines could also help you choose a better-protecting sunscreen for THIS summer as well...if you know what to look for! Check out the FDA's new Guideliness below:

New FDA Guidelines:

• The final regulations establish a standard test for over-the-counter sunscreen products that will determine which products are allowed to be labeled as "Broad Spectrum." Products that pass this test will provide protection against both ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA).
• Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to 14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.
• Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as "sunblocks." Water resistance claims on the product's front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
• FDA is proposing a regulation that would require sunscreen products that have SPF values higher than 50 to be labeled as "SPF 50+." FDA does not have adequate data demonstrating that products with SPF values higher than 50 provide additional protection compared to products with SPF values of 50

Sunscreens will look more uniform starting next summer.  They will each resemble something like this:

So for 2011, keep the following tips in mind and have FUN in the SUN!!

• Always wear at least SPF15, as anything lower has not been proven to reduce the risk of skin cancer.  Yikes!
• Don't believe everything you read.  Even if a sunscreen claims to be "water-resistant" or "sweat-proof", you should reapply after 30 minutes of swimming or sweating.

-Peace. Health. RoxyB!!

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Reader Tip: Fruit Gone Bad? Freeze it Up (...and then GREEN-It-Up!)

If you're like me, it's SUCH a challenge to figure out the right amount of produce to purchase. {Remember to go organic when purchasing these fruits!} Get too little and you have to go to the grocery store WAY too often.  Get too much and it's going bad before you even get a taste!  Today I'm passing along a handy little tip from a reader.  She shares in reference to the Green-It-Up Fruit Smoothie recipe, but it goes for anytime you find your fruit looking a little past its prime :)   

Tori says:

Delish!  Love a little green in the ol smoothie!  Tip - freeze your fruits & then you won't have to put ice. This eliminates the drink from being too icey but it's still slushy from the frozen fruits (better!).  I just freeze my fruit when it looks like it's about to go bad so I always have lots of little baggies of frozen strawberry banana!

**Remember:  Organic fruits are cheaper when they're in season!  Check out this chart to direct you to which fruits are currently in season!

-Peace. Health. RoxyB!!

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Group Exercise Review #1: Kickboxing. 24 Hour Fitness. Frisco, Tx.

So my girl, Casizzle, and I are spending the month checking out some local group exercise classes.  I'll be posting my reviews here for your viewing pleasure!  Review #1 started with a bit of a kink.  We arrived 15 minutes before class time to get our munchkins checked into the Kids' Zone.  Um...after a 40 minute wait, we were FINALLY able to join the class (30 minutes late!!!)  

Tip:  Call ahead to find out the status of the Kids Care Facilities @ any gym.  Are they full?  How long is the wait?  Is there any paperwork to fill out for first-timers?

ALthough we only caught half the class, it was the bomb!  This particular instructor was super fun and energetic without being cheesy or annoying (no offense to you group ex instructors out there!).  She was having a blast, played super fun top20 tunes, and made sweating up a storm look gooood. (but so did we...duh.)

Coming from one who does NOT frequent the group ex room, I would highly recommend this class.  It will get your blood PUMPING, get a fantastic sweat going, and there are enough people in the room that no one will even notice your inevitable 875 missteps :)

Tip:  Bring. A. Towel.  You'll thank me for that one.  AND water.  You'll get water breaks for a quick swig periodically throughout the class!

Take one from Casey and me and plan on taking a new class WITH a friend!  If you have kiddos, you can rest assured (or SWEAT assured) knowing that your little ones are partying it up TOGETHER in the Kids' Zone.  A familiar face always cushions the blow of being ditched by momma :)  And, don't feel bad if they're peering over the door waiting for your return when you drop in to pick them up.  They'll get used to it :)


PS- Follow a great kickboxing workout with a delish Green-It-Up Fruit Smoothie!! Refreshing.  Energizing.  Not to mention, delect. :)

-Peace. Health. RoxyB!!

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