The biggest loser trainers have made a workout DVD and it was reviewed in our paper. Here is what our DVD diva had to say:

Cast - Non-gimmicky Biggest Loser TV show trainer Bob Harper strolss among show contestants, Bernie, bill, Michelle, Heba, Vicky and super-toned Ali.

Skill Level Required – Beginning to moderate. DVD has three add-on levels. In one you hold long yoga poses and sweat; in the second you do abs/pilates/yoga and shake a little; and in the third, yoga mixed with weights may make you grunt.

Equipment – Yoga mat, medicine ball and a couple of light weights. This workout works.

What’s good - Bob is as no-nonsense as his basic gray T-shirt and shorts. The people he instructs are at various levels and you can pick yours all along the ways. Great mix of basic yoga with everything but cardio.

What’s bad – Music in one segment was “so tension building DVDiva expected Keanu Reeves to drive through any minute in a bus rigged to blow.” Calling this “weight loss” is deceptive because there is no cardio.

Overall Grade – A-

See our previous DVD reviews Sculp-ilates DVD review and Walking DVD for Exercise

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Our paper published some very practical tips for weight loss. Here they are:

1. Get eight hours of sleep a night.

2. Eat breakfast – Even if you have to choke it down, studies have shown over and over and that those who eat a good breakfast are more successful at losing weight.

3. Walk briskly for 60 minutes every day - No fancy equipment needed. Climb the stairs a few times at work and then do it again at home. Walk around your neighborhood. Park your car as far away as possible from the store and walk.

4. Write down what you eat – It’s the best way to keep track of your food intake.

5. Weigh – Step on a scale to monitor your progress. Don’t do it every day, just once a week is fine.

6. Find support - Our paper listed this site for a free online support group momhouston.com

7. Never give up – If you stick to your diet consistently your weight will come down. Even if you fall off the wagon a few times, the important thing is you get back on.

See our post on What-About-The-Obesity-Gene

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Our paper has a health section that periodically reviews workout dvds. really like the way the woman who reviews them organizes the review. IHere is the latest review on The Firm Sculpt-ilates:

Skill level – Beginning to moderate

You’ll need – Bare feet, a mat and a strong stretch band, one is included with the DVD

What’s good – This is Pilates sculpting with a twist. It’s a series of deceptive-looking little tortures with cute names like “ladybug” and “swimming” mixed with moves like “swan” and “mermaid” that can feel even better than the cool down stretches. The 50 minutes are over before you know it. According to our local columnist and I quote “DVD diva almost forgot that there were moments when a thigh muscles or obliques were already screaming when Robyn smiled”, and said “Only four more, I’md oing it with you.”

What’s bad – Not much. According to the columnist “The Firm muscle mavens have never wasted DVDiva’s time.

Grade – B+

There was another new Pilates-type DVD that was reviewed. Piyolet is a blend of pilates, yoga and ballet all rolled into one workout. The DVD has three 20-minute piyolet workouts and sells for $14.99 on the creator’s (Roslyn Bazzelle) website – www.roslynbazzelle.com. According to the reviewer the ballet moves are mostly confined to arms (port-de-bras) but the workout is intense.

To see a review of a a walking dvd see our post Women walking for exercise in front of the tv

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New Obesity Research – The Obesity Gene

Just saw a really interesting article in Parade Magazine. Acording to the author, FTO, otherwise known as the “obesity gene,” is found in more than half of some populations. Okay, I admit it – the obesity gene is definetely in my gene pool. My cousin used to call it “the zest for food” or maybe she said lust for food. I don’t remember but I know my ancestors have that gene. Apparently those with two copies of the gene (I guess that means both your parents have it) have a 70% more likely chance to be obese than noncarriers. But it seems, in this case we don’t have to necessarily live our DNA.

The latest research indicates that you can overcome your genetic predisposition for obesity and be fit and healthy. The article quotes a recent study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which says exercise can help to prevent weight gain even among people who carry the FTO gene. The study used a group of 700 Amish people and found that among the most physically active, the gene had virtually no effect on weight. Don’t worry you don’t have become Amish to be immune to the FTO.

The article recommends increasing your activity levels by walking, gardening and incorporating other forms of moderate exercise.

See our related post Women Walking For Exercise In Front Of The TV

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I just read some reviews in our paper of something called a walking dvd. These are exercise DVD’s where the main form of exercise is walking. These are called I guess I haven’t checked out exercise DVD’s since purchasing my easy yoga dvd’s but these sounded kind of interesting so I thought I would look in to it.

According to my research, a walking dvd will either teach you how to walk with good form, on the treadmill or outdoors or use walking combined with other exercises for an indoor cardio workout.  In this post, I want to discuss the latter. These “walking” DVD’s give you a  low-impact workout that is as easy as walking and is good for outdoor walkers when they are prevented from walking outdoors. Walking is the easiest and most basic form of exercise. These videos would be a good way to begin an exercise program if you are just starting out.

Fast and Firm! 4 Really “Big” Miles (Leslie Sansone) – Running time 56 minutes. Cardio with a little resistance and flexibility, basic beginning-intermediate. According to the review you “walk and lift knees in your living room with chatty, chirpy direction. Miles quicken to ponytail whipping 10 minutes.” Boosted walking is included which mean jogging in place and that as strenuous as it gets. The reviewer did not like the music on this one and said the standing ab crunches were worthless. There is a stretching cool down at the end.

Leslie Sanson – 2 Mile Walk – Running time 30 minutes.  Cardio workout using walking and low-impact aerobics. According the site I got this from Videofitness.com rated this as a favorite. Beginners could follow it easily and stop at the 1 mile mark, while more advanced walkers got their heart rates up for a good workout. Comes in VHS or DVD.

Kathy Smith – March To Fitness – Running time 30 minutes. Kathy Smith always has great videos. I did her pregnancy workout way back when and loved it. She is always very careful to make sure you don’t injure yourself and her instructions are easy to follow. This DVD is recommended for beginners and as a tape to do indoors every day of the week. The workout uses simple, low-impact marching steps. Kathy also teaches you about calorie burning  interval training. According to the review people liked this non-intimidating video with a warm and friendly instructor.

Denise Austin – Blast Away The Pounds – Running time 55 minutes. Fitness level beginning to intermediate. The disk has three 15 minute exercises of increasing intensity – easy walk, fat blasting interval, and power walk and tone. Each walk is one mile. There is a ten minute stretch at the end. Many reviewers liked this video and said it was particularly good for the chronically unmotivated. Most of the negative reviews I encountered took issue with Denise herself. I happen to love Denise Austin but some people are really put off by the bubbly blonde personality. My kids can’t stand her, but hey their not the ones doing the exercise.

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If your dental health goes untreated it can painful and expensive. Most dental procedures run from $100 for a cavity to $650 for a dental crown to $1000 for a root canal. Plus dental problems can come on suddenly and the pain can be really bad. If you suddenly have to have dental surgery you don’t want to have to choose a dentist while you are in pain and maybe can’t make the best choice.  You can avoid worry and stress  by having regular dental checkups that will probably run you from $5.0o to $20.00. 

You can also do things at home to prevent expensive dental procedures. Practicing good dental hygiene is not that hard. Just flossing once a day can help a lot. Dental floss is so much better than it used to be. Easy glide brands are great dental tools and really do just slip right between the teeth and don’t hurt as much as some of the other brands. If you have not flossed for awhile it may be a little painful in the beginning but it will get better. Children seem to do better with those disposable flossers that look like little swords.

You can also buy special tooth brushes that help clean your gums. I began using one of these and the condition of my gums really improved. Some over the counter mouthwashes also contain fluoride or you can purchase a flouride rinse from your dentist. I have used the flouride rinse when my teeth became overly sensitive and reduced the sensitivity. 

If I have a sore in my mouth, I use a few drops of the essential oil lavender diluted in about 1/4 cup of water and swish it around in my mouth. The lavender rinse also helps with sore gums. Also, if all your teeth or several of them are aching, you may be grinding your teeth. Try using a mouthguard (you can buy them for a dollar or two at sporting goods stores) at night and see if the pain stops.

Most dental insurance will cover two cleanings per year and x-rays. Generally you will get a 25 percent discount on all other dental procedures. Pediatric dentists are more expensive because they are specialists but still the discount is helpful in bringing down the cost.  Take it from someone who has bad teeth and has been through it – dental insurance is worth the money spent. The only cautionary note is to choose your dentist carefully and don’t be afraid to change dentists or get a second opinion if you feel the recommended treatment is not necessary. 

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Breast cancer runs in my family so when I saw this in our paper I wanted to pass it on. I have a teenage daughter too. New research shows exercise during the teen years – starting as young as age 12 – can help protect girls from breast cancer when they’re grown. Middle-aged women have long been advised to get active to lower their risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Researchers tracked nearly 65,000 nurses ages 24 to 42 who enrolled in a major health study. They answered detailed questionnaires about their physical activity dating back to age 12. Within six years of enrolling, 550 were diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause. A quarter of all breast cancer is diagnosed at these younger ages, when it’s typically more aggressive.

Women who were physically active as teens and young adults were 23 percent less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer than women who grew up sedentary, researchers report today in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. The biggest impact was regular exercise from ages 12 to 22.

The women at lowest risk reported doing 3 hours and 15 minutes of running or other vigorous activity a week – or for the less athletic, 13 hours a week of walking.

The theory is that in youth physical activity itseff lowers estrogen levels.

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Sudoko or crossword puzzles

Interaction with others and the more interaction the better - Join clubs that offer socialization plus mind challenge. For example a card club will make you use your brain. Fitness and dance classes will make you memorize steps or routines. Making crafts can also engage your brain.

To improve concentration – Choose a book, open it at random and count the words in a paragraph. Count them again to make sure you have counted them correctly. After the task becomes easier, count all the words on the page. Perform the counting mentally; don’t use your finger to point to the words.

To improve memory – Choose a poem, wise saying or Bible verse and memorize it. Repeat the exercise daily.

To improve communication skills – Write a short paragraph that incorporates the following unrelated words: woman, television, plant, igloo, light bulb, snake, massage, rocket, mouse, van, book, plate, glue. finger and spoon. You can use other words to complete the sentences. Repeat the exercise using 15 unrelated words.

Simpson says brain nerve cells are like a highway. The roads can be repaired and widened to improve travel but the problems don’t go away as the roads get older and more traveled. So challenge your brain and force it to make new connections. “When you work it in a way it is not used to, you force it to come up with new ways to store information,” Simpson says. I read something once that doing things with your non dominant hand also creates new pathways in your brain.

All Simpson’s suggestions are also good for alleviating depression. I find getting out and interacting with others takes my mind off my problems as does involving my brain in solving some sort of problem or creating something.

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