Monday's Fit Tip Mania: Sporadic Much?

Yeah, I know this Monday fit tip comes and goes, but such is life, eh?  (That's the deep thought for the day, don't expect much more or you may be disappointed).

Fit Tip:  "Is it better than . . .?"

Explanation:  Today I'm going to ask myself this question over and over again.  When I look at the dang jar of M&Ms that have somehow made their way into my office, I'm going to ask myself, "Is an M&M better than fitting in my super svelte and sexy Seven jeans?"  Sigh.  No, of course not.  And then I'm going to put that M&M down and walk away from it.

Reasoning:  If you keep your health and body image as your prime motivator, then everything else will fall into place behind it.  Sometimes in mid fitness quest we forget why we started down the road we're on.  We feel deprived and even angry that we can't have whatever it is we want.  But really, do we really want it?  Today, ask yourself that question.  "Is (insert the demonic thing that's talking to you from your cupboards) better than (insert your goal)?" 

Good luck on that!

The Climb

Is it cheesy that I love the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus? I'll just have to live with that, the cheesiness that is, because I love it. It's inspiring and so true.

I started doing aerobics 13 years ago after I graduated high school and gained the freshmen 30. Seriously. That's no joke. All of a sudden...or not so sudden...I found that my jeans didn't fit. That's a feeling I DON'T LIKE. At some point in your life you may have felt the same. If so, you can identify. It's depressing. Yucky.

A few girls down the hall in my hale (dorm) were attending the aerobics classes at BYU-H. I went along with them and HATED it. Really. It was horrid. My face was bright red, sweat poured down my brow like I was standing in a rain storm, and I couldn't breathe. I wanted to leave. And I almost did. But something stopped me.

The Whack aerobic instructor yelled, "Isn't this great? I love it." She loves it? WTF? She must be taking crack. But still, the nutty comment made me think. Does she really feel that way? How would it feel to love working out?

Right then and there I decided to continue working out until I LOVED it too.

4 months after I started going, another early morning attendee mentioned that I'd lost so much weight. I looked at myself in the mirror. I hadn't even noticed. Wow. I lost weight. But the funny thing was, I still HATED working out, getting up every morning, and going to the classes.
So I kept on, keeping on. I would go until I 'loved' it.

It took a year. One morning, as I was preparing to go to aerobics, I realized that I couldn't wait to get there. I needed my release. My Release? Wow, I'd come a long way. And as I looked back over the last year, I realized that in some twisted sense, I had fun. I enjoyed it, and I certainly liked my new fit self. It was then that I took the steps to become an aerobic instructor.

So now when you come to my class and I say something like, "Good times at aerobics. Isn't this fun?" Just know that I fully mean it.

Tip of the Day: Do it till you Love it, and try to enjoy it along the way.

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...Um, a day late

Muscle Up.

I went to the car show last week and thought, hmmm, how does this apply to fitness? Well, Duh. If you want to look hotter and have more energy (power) you need to muscle up. Add intensity to your workout by adding in weights.

Side Note: I always get lovely ladies in my aerobic classes who think if they lift more than a 5 pound weight then they will bulk up. NOT TRUE. Really...that is, you won't bulk up if you keep your diet the same or change your diet to eating lean meats, lots of fruits and veggies and limiting the Carbs (you know, yummy cookies and bread...ok, so sneak just one in).

Anyway, add some muscle. Throw it into the mix. Squats, Lunges, Bicep curls and Tricep Kickbacks. Do at least 10-12 reps of each, two times. Then work on increasing it.

Monday's Fit Tip Mania

1. Roll out of bed when you're supposed to and go for that run. Don't sleep in until the kids are reaping havoc on your home.

2. Steer clear of the Lucky Charms and be content with your fiber one cereal.

3. Never open the freezer at 11:00 am just to 'look'. The ice cream your hubby bought the night before will still be there and it will somehow talk you into scooping a bowl full and sneaking off to your room so your kids don't see.

4. Get off the computer. Don't let the computer suck away hours of your day, where you are tempted to read, look, and EAT!

5. If you're reading this blog post, remember not to judge the author.

*sigh*

Take A Hike

Monday's Fit Tip: Go Take a Hike

Seriously. Last week a friend and I ended our thirty minute power walk with a brief hike into one of Pleasant Grove's hiker friendly canyons. Not only does your body have to juggle your balance on the rough terrain, but your butt benefits from trekking up the incline. If you keep a pace quick and steady enough to elevate your heart rate, then you're getting a GOLDEN workout for free.

GOLDEN? What's that? Unlike some of the cardio and weight machines in the gym, this exercise challenges more than one muscle group at a time. The more muscles worked at one time THE BETTER!

Hiking = Glutes, Hams, Quads, Calfs, and Abs = GOLDEN workout

(you get my abbrev. don't you?)

And did I mention it's free? You know I'm a sucker for free stuff. Get out there, wear comfortable and supportive shoes and Go For A Hike!

Maybe one day you too can be like this guy here who didn't hike through the mountains for fifty long and crazy miles, no HE RAN!

Monday's Fit Tip Mania: Don't Go to BYU Conferences

Fit Tip of the Day: Steer clear of any conference that has you sitting for 10 hours a day and eating CRAP. Plain. Simple.

Sitting + Eating all day long = WEIGHT GAIN

What to Do if you find yourself in that situation: Eat Less. Work Out.

Stay tuned for next weeks more inspiring fit tip. Luv, Erin

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...on Tuesday

A day late? Of course. Isn't that how life is sometimes. I figured since I didn't get around to posting yesterday, that could be my inspiration for today. Today, I am an on the ball blog poster.

Fitness goals always lingering in the back of your mind? Are you putting it off till . . .? Yeah, I've been there. I've thought, I'll start my fitness routine on Monday. And then sure enough, Monday rolls around and its 'not such a good day' and I end up waiting until the next Monday.

I say, why set that starting time at all? NO, I don't mean throw in the towel all together, I mean just become what you want to be.

Remember, you are who you are right now. Cheesy, corny...who gives a flip. It works for me. I am not the couch potato, m&m eating, Pepsi guzzling gal I was yesterday. Today I am the in shape, healthy eating, fun mom I want to be. (Sure, I may still be downing the diet Peppsi, and not look like the in shape mommy because of my actions from yesterday...but I can fake it.) As the greatest saying in the world goes,

Fake it Till You Make It

Shake off the chains of who you were yesterday and the day before that and be who you want to be today. Pretty soon, being who you want to be will show through!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: WHO are YOU today?

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...The BEattitudes

BE-Attitude- Be Forgiving.

I have heard this a thousand times over. "I'll start to eat good, but then I'll have one bad day and that ruins me." Why is that? To be pointedly honest, I am the queen of this. Guilt. Frustration. Defeat. These are all emotions that hold us back from our goals. And because of this, a minor slip up (or a major one) can send us reeling off track from our goals. So much so that it can point us in the opposite direction. Have you ever set off to lose weight, only to end up gaining a few pounds? It isn't unheard of . . . no, in fact it happens quite often.

How do you get past that cycle? Simple (well, simply enough said) BE FORGIVING. You have to get over those times that you've let yourself down. Minute by minute this needs to be done. Don't procrastinate that forgiveness to the next day. Too many times I hear, "OK, I slipped up today, I'll start again on Monday." That is what the evil Fat Goddess wants you to hear. Kick that Chunk Butt Fat Perpetrator that sits whispering no good nothings on your shoulder TO THE CURB. If you want to reach those goals, feel great for the summer, look rockin' in a pair of capri's, then FORGIVENESS now, for that brownie you just downed will keep you from eating the rest of the pan.

You need to tell yourself. "Oh, well I slipped up, I am just jumping back on track RIGHT NOW!"

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do when you have a big slip up?

Monday's Fit Tip Mania

Remember me? Ms. Fit Tip. Yeah, I know, Long time no see eh? I'm back and in force. I'll try my best to be here every Monday for your fit tip needs and to rejuvenate the YEAR OF THE GREAT SLIM DOWN...don't think I've forgotten about it because I've been a little preoccupied.

FIT TIP OF THE DAY: Turn the T.V. OFF!

If you are anything like me, you wanna munch while you veg out to the boob tube. Yes? No? Either way, wasting that much time saturating yourself in idle gazing is no good for anyone. Yep, that includes me. Over the last few months I have tried to cut down my t.v. watching habits to one night a week. FO' REAL! I know, you're like 'whatevers'. But I am totally serious. I noticed that when I'm not lounged out in front of the media box after the kids go to bed, then I am also not MUNCHING--one of my big downfalls.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What T.V. shows are you willing to kick to the curb? What must you still see?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: in the trenches

What week are we on? Can you believe we started this the beginning of January? If you are anything like me and my attention deficit ways, then I am sure you have had your ups and downs.
For some, this is the easiest time to stay on track...they've already fought past the first few weeks of committing to a making lifestyle changes, and now they are on a roll.

Or, you could be the other end of he stick where every day seems to steam roll you before you are even past breakfast...is this whole healthy lifestyle change a little too daunting?

FEAR NOT! I like to remind myself that each day is a new day...and when that doesn't work, I try other things to pick up my mood.

1. Go on a walk - the best thing to fight the winter blues is to get out side and get moving...even if the sky is cloudy and gray. Just the crisp air and the rush of endorphins can help you get on track.

2. Eat a grapefruit - why? well besides the fact that they taste great...they are packed with fiber. There is nothing like getting the whole 'system' moving to make you feel a little better.

3. Call your buddy - I have a certain buddy that I like to call for motivation when I'm lacking it. Sometimes she is doing just as bad and we commiserate together...and sometimes she has the awesomest pep talk. But, either way, it's always just what I need.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do to get past a lull? A Plateau? A Down Day...week...month?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: Reality Check

Did anyone out there happen to catch last week's episode of THE BIGGEST LOSER? To sum it up, Joelle, (who in real life is probably a very nice woman) spent the entire week moseying around the gym, and making excuses about her obvious decrease in workouts. She ended the week with a 0 pound weight loss, and was then kicked off the ranch with her not-so-best friend.

I sat on my couch, eating popcorn, and booing Joelle for her lack of ownership in the 0 pound weight loss fiasco. Come on Joelle? Are you really that surprised you didn't lose anything? You practically couldn't get of your rear the entire week.

EPIPHANY: And then it hit me...uh, what exactly had I been doing all week? My kids were sick, I was about to get sick any day so of course I couldn't work out. And tomorrow, when I go to weigh in at my friendly WW meeting, I'm probably going to be the spittin' image of Joelle living in her alternate reality bubble...UGH!

WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING? (right now, is when we all sit back and realize making excuses never helps us get anywhere...then some of you click off my blog because your happy excuse making...and the rest read on, maybe a little hopeful) Today is the day to take some ownership.

Mark's always hating on me because I love to say, "You either do it or you don't...there is no TRY." So, to be blunt, I didn't do it last week. I dropped the ball on my own GREAT SLIM DOWN. But, no worries, I'm no depressed blob of sucked out motivation...NO WAY, today I'm owning up to my slack off week and I'm getting right back on it.

REALITY CHECK: OWN IT! Own up to the success you've had or the failure...then move on, and DO better.

Fit tip of the week: For an at home kick butt workout, you could do this
Or for a little bit of money, buy P90X.

P90X is the best at home workout you can buy. Because there are quite a few different 1 hour - 90 minute workouts that come in the package, you almost never hit boredom. Also, the workouts are pretty intense, so you can knock down the intensity level to something you can manage, and as you increase strength, you'll have something to work to.

Get on it, work it out at home and OWN IT! (This blog is in no way affiliated with p90x...I'm just an X junkie)

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What have you been up to? Are you doing it or not? ohhh, and by the way, I loved all the tips people gave last week. Post a physical activity tip this week to help me beat the winter blahs.

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: Monday's Fit Tip

WEEK 4: If you haven't jumped on board yet, that's ok, whenever you are ready just join in. This party train is for anyone at anytime. Start adding your points up and start finding little successes every day. And when you have an 'off' day (because really, we all do) keep moving on and do better the next day (this applies to when you have an off week too...and I know I have had those too).

PRIZES: If you have found little rewards to help motivate yourself along the way, that is excellent. If you need a little something more in way of an external reward then I met this awesome gal Jenny who teaches a great zumba class at the rec center that I work at (rambling...I know...I'm getting to it), well this awesome lady wrote a cook book. And, she has added it as a prize. So now for your effort, energy, points earned and lifestyle changed you have the chance of winning a family photography package from me (check it out here) or you can win an awesome cook book from Jenny (check it out here).

TIP: (This tip is spurned off of my own horribly disastrous week). A week and 1/2 ago I was so excited that I was already down 5 pounds. So excited that, I BOMBED last week. Really, I am talking all out bombed..probably gained back all that I lost. Have you ever had a freakishly bad, you wanna hide in a hole, type of week like that? UGH...IT SUCKS! So my tip for today is to start fresh. I know that if I berate myself and feel like a giant sludgy poop, that I will never move on and recommit. So drop the guilt, and start fresh. Today can be the first day of your better life, the first day of making healthier choices...it will be for me at least.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did your week go? Do you have any tips for success or great low cal recipes? Please please share and help me out...I really would like to have a good week.

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN: house order

It is week 3 of THE GREAT SLIM DOWN, and time to really pack on the points. I am totally pumped up about stay on track, and getting more rewards. I have had a few crazy days, but I am not giving up. If anything, I am starting off stronger today, and you can too!

For this week we are adding another point option.

Clean your Home for 30 minutes - This can include anything from dejunking a room (and placing those articles aside so you can throw a raging yardsale in April), or vacuuming, dishes, and dusting. You decide what needs the most attention in your home and work on it. You will be burning the extra calories and getting your home in order. This week every time you clean, organize, or dejunk for 30 minutes you earn 1 more point. That's 1 more point towards success.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Overall, how was your week last week? What is your goal for this week?

MY GOAL: Be healthy on Friday and Saturday! (I tend to get stir crazy on those days and head straight for the junk food isle)

TIP TO REACH GOALS: Buy the 5 pound bag of baby carrots at Costco, and when you feel a munchy monster coming on, snack on them.

WEEK 2: The Great Slim Down

So I am dying to know, HOW DID YOU DO?
Are you avoiding me and this question, or have you been checking my blog every hour waiting patiently for this post so you can share how you rocked it?
Either way, I want to hear how you did.

ME:
Monday - good, Tuesday - good, Wednesday - good, Thursday - ok, Friday - VERY VERY BAD, Saturday - bad, Sunday - who cares anymore.

There you have it, I admit it, I totally bit the dust on Friday. If it was there to eat, then I ate it. But I am going to tell you right now, I don't feel bad at all. Why? Well because the whole point of THE GREAT SLIM DOWN is to make a lifestyle change. I am not interested in dropping a few pounds, just to gain them back when I am no longer starving myself. This is not about unhealthy choices. THE GREAT SLIM DOWN is about being a better version of myself. It is about being healthier and happier.

MONDAY'S FIT TIP:
My one goal for this week is to do better than last week. Even if I bomb out 2 days this week, at least it is better than last week. Each week I simply want to make better choices than the week before. That is my quest for this week!

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did you do last week, and what is your goal for this week?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN Q & A

Here's the answer to your deepest questions:

Question: What do you mean by 'no sugar'?

Answer: This one is for you to decide. I personally spent 3 months a couple years ago totally off of sugar. I made all my own bread, and ate oatmeal for breakfast. I only ate fruit with natural sugars in them. Personally, I don't intend on being that extreme for the great slim down; however, if that floats your boat, GO FOR IT. Either way, you can interpret it to mean: NO CANDY, COOKIES, CAKES OR JUNK!

Question: What is the prize? What do I get out of this?

Answer: This is up to you! I want you to choose your first goal mark and then reward yourself when you make it. I am going to be totally candid and honest here. I am 5' 6" and I currently weigh 151. I normally weigh about 135. I feel good anywhere between 135 and 140. I have set my first month goal to drop 7 pounds. By the end of January, my goal is to be 144. When I reach that first goal I am going to buy myself a sweet awesome new pair of SHOES! (I love shoes more than any other thing I could put on my body)

So, not only will you get a rockin' awesome body, you will also get your own reward...

However, for those of you who need more of a substantial reward, I am offering a grand prize reward of FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION (a $225 value). The overall winner at the end of 12 weeks gets the prize.

Question: How will you pick the overall winner?

Answer: Easy, you will post comments along the way and track your success! The person with the greatest success in points earned and weight lost will be my winner! If it is a close call, I have a back up team of fitness professionals who will decide.

Question: What do I get if I live out of state?

Answer: If you pay for the travel, you will get the great photography session for you and all your family. Or you can simply use the offer for whenever you have the time to come to Utah.

Question: Do you have an easy Excel Spreadsheet I can use to track my points?

Answer: OF COURSE! A great wonderful reader, Faith, created one and sent it to me. If you would like your own personal copy, please email me and I will send it to you. My email is erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Question: Does shoveling snow count for 30 minutes of cardio?

Answer: If you worked up a sweat, exerted yourself and kept a consistent pace for 30 minutes, SURE!

If you have any questions that I left unanswered, please email me and I will get them answered.

ASK THE AUDIENCE: How did you do yesterday? Was it easier than you thought it would be or harder...or are you just not participating, but want to comment on the blog?

THE GREAT SLIM DOWN IS HERE!!!

I'm 30, it's a new year, I am no longer pregnant, I have 16 pounds to drop. Do you know what I am getting at? This is it. This is the YEAR OF THE GREAT SLIM DOWN. Are you in or are you out? Here me out first before you make your final decision. If you jump on this band wagon, join my party, ride this train (are you getting my point yet?) IF YOU ARE IN IT TO WIN IT, then not only will you look great for the new year, but you will feel better too. Did you know that just 10 extra pounds on your frame will have you feeling more tired quicker, and less energy all around. That only goes to say that if you have more than 10 extra pounds to dismiss, then think of the benefits you will gain when you have dropped the weight.
Here is the Challenge: Earn as many points a day as you can by following the simple rules to earn points. Total up your points each week and report it to me, a friend, a spouse or just anyone...accountability is a MUST! Then check back here every week for GET FIT TIPS and stories sent in from others on how they were successful...and you can send in your advice and story too!

1. There are a set of 12 given tasks that earn points. If you complete one, then you get a point for that day for that task. You can earn as many points a day as you want, or as little as you want, providing you complete the tasks that earn points.
2. You cannot earn double points for the same item in one day.
3. You cannot make up points for an item if you miss it one day and double it the next, doubling up on one item does not get you double points (*this excludes weight loss points).
4. Go at the challenge with friends or alone, either way, I will be your number one supporter! So feel free to email me questions or your daily epiphanies at erinsummerill{at}hotmail{dot}com.
5. You can wait to calculate your weight loss points till the end of the week, or the end of the month. Weight Loss is the only points that you can earn as many points as possible. If you lose 6 pounds in a month, you earn 12 points for that month for weight loss. I would caution you to NOT weigh yourself everyday as you might have emotional ups and downs that might affect your fitness goals.

Email me for a great EXCEL spread sheet to track your points! I have an awesome friend who created it and it will work perfect for tracking points! erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com

MONDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL MONDAY POINTS:

TUESDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL TUESDAY POINTS:

WEDNESDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL WEDNESDAY POINTS:

THURSDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL THURSDAY POINTS:

FRIDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL FRIDAY POINTS:

SATURDAY:
30 min cardio
20 min toning
5 fruit/ veggie
Breakfast
No soda
7 hrs sleep
Multi-vitamin
Water 64 oz
Stop eating at 7:00
Scriptures/Pray
No sugar
Weight loss (2pt)TOTAL SATURDAY POINTS:

SUNDAY FREE DAY!!!

Monday's FIT TIP MANIA!!!

Last night a good friend came over to teach me how to make home made caramels from heavy cream...yum! They turned out awesome, a little too awesome. I cant seem to keep myself away from the pan of caramels. I'm sure some of you out there know what I am talking about. It's as if the pan of caramels is talking to me, taunting me, trying to lure me to eat more and more and MORE! AGGGGHHHHHH...so I decided to heat up a bowl of vegetable chicken soup, drink a glass of water and munch on an apple. Surprisingly, after I filled my tummy with the warm fulfilling soup, my will-power has revved up. (kung foo chop) Back off CARAMELS!

TIP OF THE DAY: If you find your self mesmerized by the sweet Christmas treats lying around your home, fill your belly with something warm and satisfying (a chunky soup) and drink a glass of water. Just having a full stomach will help you walk away from those treats having only eaten a few instead of the entire pan!

Monday's Fit Tip Mania

HOW is the HOLIDAY HUSSLE going? Or are you lacking that Hussle in your bustle? (Really I have no idea what I am saying, but I thought it sounded catchy.) I will keep today's tip short and simple since I seem to be at a lack for coherent things to say.

TIP OF THE DAY: PROCRASTINATE! The holiday season can be so wonderfully stressful. Am I right or what? If you are anything like me, you probably have a food/stress reaction. I feel like one of Pavlov's dogs. As soon as the stress in my life starts heating up, I start salivating for the Junk Food. So, to ward off those night time munchies (or in other words, chocolate craved binges) take a load off. What you don't finish today can always wait for tomorrow. There is no need to stress the big stuff. And really, a year from now who is going to remember that you forgot your potluck dish for the company party, or your kids wore pjs to church? NOone...so RELAX...take a load off and kick the stress eating in the gut!

Monday's Fit Tip MANIA!!!

THANKSGIVING?!?

Need I say more? If you are like me, you gorged yourself on stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pie; and right about now you feel bloated, tired, and pretty uncomfortable in those jeans. But hey if you don't fit this description, then ROCK ON, but if you fell into the Turkey trap that I did, this post is for you.
With Christmas around the corner, why not spend the next three weeks feeling better than you have in a while? Give yourself the early gift of fitness. This weeks tips will help you stay on track and get all that busy holiday business done.

1. EAT BEFORE YOU GO -During the holidays I get up, get out and get shopping and realize halfway through the day I am starving. Crud, then I am left to pig out on fast food! Not only does my pocketbook take a hit, but so does my figure. Then a week later when I am trying to shove on that black holiday frock, I look like a stuffed sausage! I say, to curb those crazy cravings, eat a healthy breakfast, and pack some carrots for a day of shopping. Just think, while you are shopping you could be dropping...pounds that is.

2. EXERCISE EARLY - No matter what your normal routine is, when the holidays are around justifications like I will work out later just don't cut it. By the time 5pm rolls around you are either too tired or too bogged down with festive plans to take time out to take care of yourself. So get up, run over to the gym, go on a walk, or pop in a great 30-60 minute fitness video and get it done! You will feel so much more confident throughout the day if you have checked that one off your list early.

Stick these two tips out for the next few weeks and you wont be looking like a stuffed sausage when you pull on that great little holiday outfit!

Monday's Fit Tip MANIA!!!

BACK BY (not really any requests) but my PERSONAL NEED!

I am so excited to launch Monday's Fit Tip Mania. Please feel free to read through the random tidbits of fitness tips or add to them by posting in the comments section. I have been teaching aerobics and personal training for the last 12 years. The tips I post on my blog are tools of the trade that I have picked up along the way. If they work for you, GREAT! If they don't jive with your style just discard and wait for next weeks tip.

TIP OF THE DAY: (I actually picked this tip up from my Rockin' sister-in-law Shari, thanks!) If you just cant seem to find the time to get out of the house, say you have too many kids to load in the mini-van and haul to the rec-center; then this fit tip is just for you. Use your stairs to work your own personal 'StairMaster'. Set a timer in your home, pop in your ipod or pull out a great book and begin walking. If you don't want to just walk up and down the stairs for the given time, then add some distance around the home. You could walk up the stairs, around the family room, into each bedroom and then back down the stairs. Whatever the track, just keep moving until your timer rings.

If you are advanced in your fitness level, then add some great interval spurts. Walk or jog the stairs 10 times and then add a 1 minute of plyometric squat jumps or lunges! Whatever you choose, keep your heart rate at a level 6-7 out of 10 while walking the steps, and then boost that heart rate up to 8 for your 1 minute interval!

GET FIT!