The Secret Life of Boston

• Study in Chunks 
• Study in 20-25 minute sessions then give yourself a 5-10 minute break doing something relaxing.This not only reduces your stress levels but also helps memorization. Doing this for a week with one subject will be sure to get you an A!

• Alternate Study Spots 
• Ever feel like you're in a rut after studying for awhile? Switch it up and try to study somewhere new! It will increase productivity. If you can't do that, then try to study in a quiet place.

• Form a Study Group 
• Being able to explain a concept to someone means you fully understand and comprehend it, and it will motivate you to study and learn more when you're in a group atmosphere. You can also collaborate your notes so that you can make sure that you didn't miss any material in class.

• Manage your Time 
• Forget about going out during finals week, this is the one week where you must dedicate your time to your classes. Make sure your schedule is free so that you have time study for your tests, and only make time for really important things like work.

• Start with what you know
• Start with material you feel comfortable with, then go onto the material you aren't that comfortable with. Make connections between the two, and you will be able to better understand the harder material.
• Gather everything you have received during the term. There will probably be handouts, notes, and tests. Read through your class notes twice so that you can refresh your memory on points that you forgot about a while back.

• Don’t Cram! 
• Cramming is probably the worst option if you're trying to reduce stress and anxiety. It means that you haven't prioritized your time, and you want to avoid it at all costs...
• However, sometimes cramming is inevitable...It's important to know that most people lose the information fast after cramming, so if you're doing it for a subject in your major - think twice. If you decide to do it, it is recommended to do so within 24 hours of your final, so the content is fresh in your head. Make sure to read through all material so that nothing is left unread.

• Get a Full Night of Sleep
• Sleep is key to memorization and sanity during finals week. A full 8 hours of sleep is recommended before taking a test to ensure that you don't fall asleep during it.
• However, many of you won't listen and will pull all nighters most likely cramming the material. In this case, remember to take short breaks in between studying to give your brain a rest. You'll most likely be worn out after finals week, so make sure to catch up on any sleep you've missed!
• Caffeine is key to pulling all nighters. Keep your fridge stocked with Red Bulls, Monsters, and Starbucks espresso shots.

• Limit Distractions 
• Put away your cell phone, turn off the TV, and stay away from social media sites. It's really easy to get distracted when you're trying to study, so have some will power to deter any distractions from happening.
  
  
  
  

Exercise of the Week: Stress Relief Stretches
These can be especially helpful either after a long day of finals or a long day of studying!


#THEHEALTHGURU

Feeling stuffed from your Thanksgiving feast this past weekend? Don't want to throw out all the yummy food that you know isn't that good for you? Turn it around into something healthy and filling with these recipes:

Guilt-Free Pot Pie
 
Take leftover skinless turkey breast and dice it into cubes and mix with steamed vegetables. Instead of a cream sauce or gravy, you can make a light roux (butter, milk, and flour) and then season it with herbs and dilute it with chicken broth. This way it is creamy and low in calories! You can replace the traditional pot pie crust with low fat mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes and then bake until warm!

2 tbsp. slivered almonds
1 tbsp. curry powder
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup mango chutney
1 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups cooked turkey, diced
1/2 cup grapes, diced
1/2 cup diced celery

Place over bed of lettuce or 2 slices of wheat bread.


Use up your leftover turkey by creating a yummy salad with it! Just add some avocado, leftover toasted pumpkin seeds (or whatever seeds/nuts you prefer; I like pistachios), and toss with seasoned rice vinegar.

Spice things up by taking your Thanksgiving leftovers South with this Mexican inspired dish! It's a great way to still enjoy your leftovers if you're getting sick of eating them.

1 yellow onion, small diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 can black beans
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional)
1 tbsp. chili powder
½ tbsp. cumin

Place the above ingredients in a pan and sauté, then add to 6-inch whole grain tortillas or hard taco shells. Top with reduced fat shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and salsa.


These recipes plus more can be found at HuffPost Healthy Living


Exercise of the Week: HOLIDAY CALORIE BURN
I usually show you short videos, but given the circumstances of holiday overindulgence, I've decided to post a workout that is an HOUR long! Think you can do it to get back to your pre-Thanksgiving figure? I dare you!



Happy eating and exercising! ;)
#THEHEALTHGURU

Have you been worrying about staying healthy for the holidays? Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where overindulging yourself not only acceptable, but expected. However, I've researched all over the internet for tips and recipes to keep you fitting in your favorite jeans come Friday!

Some tips to keep in mind on Thursday...
Eat Breakfast - You may be wanting to save all your calories for your delicious Thanksgiving feast, but by the time the turkey is completely cooked through, you're ravenous. This situation will most likely always result in you overeating because you're so hungry. However, eating a small breakfast in the morning will curb your appetite until the meal is completely cooked and all your family has arrived and allow you to have control over what you eat. Go for something with protein like egg whites or whole wheat toast with peanut butter.

Be Wary of your Portions - The dinner table during Thanksgiving is always overflowing with plenty of different dishes; that doesn't mean your plate has to overflow as well. Survey what is available and choose certain dishes that you really want, but watch the portions you give yourself. It's always better to give yourself less and go back for seconds if you're still hungry than to give yourself a lot and eat it just because it's on your plate. A good tip I read was to not waste your calories on foods that you can eat all year long; go for the special dishes that only are made on Thanksgiving to get the most satisfaction out of your meal. Also, do not go for seconds if you are not really that hungry. Save room for dessert instead. If you're not the one cooking, there are some key dishes to keep in mind that are the healthiest for you: white turkey meat, plain vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, fat free gravy, and pumpkin pie.

Eat Slowly - Savor every bite. There's no need to eat fast at Thanksgiving, it's all about relaxation and spending time with the ones you love. Try to spread your food intake throughout the day. Plan appetizers midday, the turkey with side dishes around dinner time, and dessert later on in the night. That way everyone will have time to digest all the delicious home-made dishes and know to save room in their stomachs for more food later.

Remember that Drinks have Calories Too - Many people like to relax and drink on Thanksgiving, and that's fine, as long as it's in moderation. Alcohol has a lot of calories in it, so if you're trying to stay healthy then you have to choose between the delicious meal that comes once a year or having a few drinks. One or two glasses of wine shouldn't add any notches to your belt. However, the best way to keep your weight stable during this holiday is to drink lots of water. It has 0 calories and will make you feel full so you don't overeat.

You should also keep in mind some fun facts about this holiday...

• I've read on a few sites that the average person eats almost 5,000 calories on Thanksgiving day. That's two days worth of calories. Don't lose your cool though, the extra calories add up to less than a pound of stored fat so if you notice you gained a few pounds on Friday, it's just temporary. As long as you go back to your normal eating and exercise schedule, everything will go back to normal in a short amount of time.
• The average person only gains about 1 pound after all the holiday festivities (between Thanksgiving and New Years). This means if you come out of the holidays overweight, you most likely went in overweight. One of my fellow health bloggers, Nutrition Diva, wrote a saying that I really wanted to share with you guys: 

A big holiday dinner isn’t going to make you fat any more than a day or two eating cabbage soup is going to make you thin. When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, or even just trying to eat a healthy diet, I suggest that you not focus too much on your best days or your worst days.In the long run, what really matters is how you eat most days.

Some Healthy Recipes for Thanksgiving

Green Bean Casserole

One of my all-time favorite dishes! This recipe takes away the canned soup which allows you to make your own sauce where you can control what is put in it. This way, you can get rid of most of the sodium and fat!

Wild Mushroom Stuffing

This yummy recipe uses mushrooms to add texture and richness to the stuffing. It also includes turkey liver which gives it an amazing flavor, but if you're too scared to try it, you can omit it from the recipe.

Root Vegetable Gratin

Try a new way to eat your carrots, parsnips, turnips, red beets, etc. Roots not really your thing? Well they are excellent for you and taste amazing in this dish with the breadcrumbs and cheese! Plus, this dish pairs perfectly with roasted turkey.

Oatmeal-Nut Crunch Apple Pie

Although pumpkin pie has a strong tradition for being dessert during Thanksgiving, I have to say that apple pie is my all time favorite. This recipe uses low-fat ingredients and fresh apples. If you don't feel like making the crust from scratch, you can buy a pre-made one from the store. You definitely want to save some calories during Thanksgiving to indulge on this at the end.

Exercise of the Week:



Check out more of SHAPE's Thanksgiving Work Out Videos here!


Have a happy Thanksgiving and remember that it's not just about all the food that will be available to you, it's about spending time with friend and family. If you focus on that, you won't have to worry about overeating and ruining all the hard work you've put in so far!

Stay tuned next week for healthy ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers!
#THEHEALTHGURU

1. Wash your hands. This one's the old favorite for staying healthy and sick free. Come on, it's an obvious ones. Bacteria and viruses are contagious and transferable; some can live for a long time on an inanimate object where some sick person left them after blowing their noise into their hand and touching it. It's completely gross. And what's worse? Bostonians constantly take the T where you have to hold onto something that a million other people touched already. You think the MBTA cleans those things? I think not. Keep anti-bacterial soap handy on you at all times, then you don't have to worry about finding a bathroom after touching all those public surfaces. And just as good practice, always wash your hands before preparing or eating food, it's the easiest way to catch something.
2. Wash your cellphone and other gadgets you use daily. Most people don't think of this one because they think washing your hands is enough. But I can bet any one of you that you touch your cellphone, iPod, iPad, Kindle, etc after touching a public surface and before washing your hands. You think the bacteria and viruses just disappear? Wash your gadgets daily. Go a step further and clean off everything in your living space that you touch daily: your laptop, the remote, the refrigerator handle, etc. These seem silly but when was the last time you cleaned them off? If the answer is never, you're harboring a whole colony of bacteria on those items.
3. Don't touch your face. The only way bacteria and viruses can affect you is if you let them into your body. And what's the best entrance? Through the mucous membranes located in your eyes, mouth, and nose. So keep your hands away from those areas and you'll have less of a chance of getting sick!
4. Avoid those around you who are sick. You gotta be up front with them. Just say "sorry, I know you're sick and I can't risk getting sick because of [insert excuse here]." It's that easy, and trust me, they'll understand and back off. Don't share anything with them and do not touch them. They are a breeding ground for bacteria who want to spread. If they're a sneezer or cougher, try to stay as far away as possible since all those nasty germs will be air borne around them. And just as an extra precaution, stay away from anyone who informs you that someone they live with/are intimately close with is sick. They are most likely carrying germs on them which can infect you.
5. Make sure you get enough sleep. I say this all the time, sleep is your best friend. It's been in my tips a few times, and for good reason. It's recently been backed up by science that sleep can, in fact, help deter a cold. Don't believe me? SummerTomato wrote a similar list to mine which referenced this scientific fact. Check it out here.
6. Stay hydrated. I'm not saying you have to chug 8 glasses of water a day, but try to stay hydrated with as much fluids as possible. This means lots of water, orange juice, apple juice, etc. However, this does not include alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates you, so it's the last thing you want to drink when you feel like a cold is coming on. Your body needs those extra fluids when it's trying to fight off a germ within you, so help it out a little by making sure you have those fluids inside of you.
7. Eat healthy. This one is similar to stay hydrated. Your body NEEDS the right vitamins and minerals to fight off the sickness, so try to eat healthy when you feel like you're coming down with something. Don't eat foods that induce inflammation like sugars and starches because your body is already weak. Eat foods with lots of Vitamins C and D in them, or you could...
8. Take vitamins and supplements. Some doctors recommend increasing your Vitamin C intake by 500 mg, twice daily when you're at risk of getting sick. Other doctors recommend taking Vitamin D supplements since most people are deficient this time of year in that vitamin from lack of sun due to early sundown. The amount of Vitamin D you take should depend on how much sun you receive during the day. I say, take both vitamins. Better safe than sorry. The easiest way to do this is to take supplements which can be bought at any grocery store for a modest price.

Laughing

This is by far the most simple and easy tip that I can provide you to de-stress a little bit. Laughing is actually proven to lower tension and improve your blood flow and heart health. No wonder people say laughter is the best medicine... The best thing about it, is that you can do it anytime, anywhere! Go see a funny movie, call your best friend and reminisce, or start a tickle fight with your crush - it doesn't matter how you do it, just do it!

Socializing

This tip can go hand in hand with laughing! Spending time with people you love and who love you back can make you forget about all your cares in the world. They are great people to confide in, and to share a laugh with. Choose to hang out with energized people; a good attitude is contagious! But don't forget, meeting new people is also very thrilling and can cause a rush. Go out to a club or bar, any place that #TheSocialScene recommended yesterday, or even to a place you love to go like your favorite bookstore. You'd be surprised on how many people you can meet with common interests just by going to your favorite place. Even if you go out partying, you can create some fun memories and who knows, maybe even get a date, or two. ;)

Organizing

Okay so, I'm a bit of an organization freak so this is probably my favorite tip. I can tell you from first hand experience how cleaning your room can lift a boulder off of your shoulders. Take some time out of your day to organize your room so that everything has a place. I promise that if you put some time into it, you will get really into it and feel so much better! Physically organizing your stuff actually makes you feel mentally organized as well since you feel like you gained control of your life again! Ever feel stressed in the morning when trying to get ready for work/school because you can't find anything you need? Clean and organize your room before you go to bed; you will be able to wake up a little bit later every morning and you will feel so refreshed knowing where everything is.

Changing Something

My last tip can stem into this one. Sometimes you just need a change to feel renewed and let go of the remaining stress that you've been harboring. Whenever I'm trying to just let go and start new, I change my room around so that it looks like a different room. Not only do you organize in the process (which is always a plus for me) but it refreshes you and gives you something to focus on rather than whatever you are stressing about. Get creative! Some people change their hairstyle, their clothing style, or even something as drastic as their job. Choose what feels right to you and never change something that you are unsure of, you don't want to add unnecessary stress to yourself from a situation that could have been avoided!

Planning Ahead

So I'm guessing for most of you, you're stressed out from Midterms because you didn't plan ahead and you procrastinated until the last day to get everything done. I do it too, sometimes. However, planning ahead can really prevent stress from even happening. Most of you probably have jobs or some other extracurricular activity that takes away a lot of time that you could be using to do your school work. This is where planning and scheduling comes in handy! Mark down due dates and exam dates ahead of time on a calendar, and then mark down all plans, work schedules, and extracurricular activity schedules on that same calendar so you can see what days and times you have available to dedicate to your school work. You can then prioritize  your commitments. Once you start completing assignments a few days ahead of time, you will understand the liberating feeling of not having to worry about finishing all your work the night before it's due.

Sleeping

I think we all know that sleeping can help lower stress levels. However, the key is knowing how to control your sleep cycles. Not many of us can sleep in due to our class and work schedules that seem to never let us have a day off to relax. This is where you have to give a little and I swear the benefits are so worth the price. Go to bed early. I'm not saying go to bed at 9PM if you always end up going to bed at 1AM, but try to go to bed an hour early each night; that extra hour will make you feel so refreshed in the morning. You don't have to do it every day, (I'm sure you won't do it on the weekends), but once you start doing it, you will grow to love that extra hour of rest time. Even if you can't actually fall asleep, laying down in bed for that hour can relax you and help you fall into a deeper sleep for the rest of the night.


Just a few more tips to keep in mind when trying to de-stress...
- Go outside! The fresh air will clear your head and nature is known to be calming.
- Have a pet? Research has shown that petting your animal can lower stress levels. So go on and show your hairy friend some love!
- Don't look to alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to help you relax; they will only make you feel worse eventually! Eat right, exercise, and take care of yourself! Those are sure fire ways to keep you mellowed out.

Here's a fun extra de-stressing tip: Google Image "cute kittens" and let the "awwing" commence for the next 4 hours.

Exercise of the Week: De-Stressing Exercise Routine
So this week I'm trying something a little different by showing you short exercise videos!
Let me know how you like it!


#THEHEALTHGURU

**Nutritional Facts obtained from WHFoods

My favorite winter squash is definitely the acorn squash, and I have a really yummy recipe to share with you that will satisfy your squashy needs!

1. All you need is a green and slightly orange acorn squash, a little brown sugar and butter or syrup, and some salt. The first step is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
• When you pick out your squash, make sure the surface is slightly dull and smooth all around. The heaviness of the squash indicates how much moisture is withheld inside of it.
• Rule dictates to cook/eat the acorn squash within 2 weeks of purchasing it. Keep it outside of the refrigerator until it is cooked!
2. Cut the acorn squash lengthwise and scoop out the pulp and seeds, (you can save the seeds and roast them later if you want to!)
3. Poke holes in the fleshy, yellow insides of the squash and then either put half a tablespoon of butter in each half and sprinkle some brown sugar over it or pour syrup into both insides of the squash, (you could even do both if you want it extra sweet!) Finish off with a dash of salt to amplify the taste.
4. Place the two halves, insides facing up, in a baking dish filled with a little bit of water and put that into the oven and cook for 55 minutes - 1 hour and 15 minutes. When done, the squash should ideally be brown on the tops, soft, and the skin should have a crinkled effect.

 


You can find other types of winter squashes here if you want to get experimental with the hearty veggie!




Sweet Potatoes
Who hasn't had sweet potatoes at least once in their lifetime? Sweet potatoes aren't real potatoes, and are actually one of the best winter vegetables that you can eat. They are chock-full of beta-carotene, which provides a rich source of Vitamin A and helps your reproductive system function properly; it is essential to your diet! The important thing to remember is that beta-carotene's benefits are maximized when paired with a little bit of fat, which isn't that hard to do in the upcoming recipe for this delicious root veggie! It should also be noted that sweet potatoes nutritional benefits are maximized when steamed or boiled.

**Nutritional Facts obtained from WHFoods



Turnips
Turnips are not normally something that many college students would use in recipes. I understand, you never had a good experience with them growing up.
However, turnips are EXTREMELY good for you, and when I say EXTREMELY, I mean EXTREMELY!
Okay so, turnips can be a bit bitter, but that's only because they are loaded with calcium! And not only that, but they have more glucosinolate content than any other commonly eaten cruciferous vegetable; those include cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli. What's glucosinolate and why should you care? I'm glad you asked. They are phytonutrients that can be converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs) which have cancer-preventing properties.
Turnips can help prevent cancer!!!
Diving a little bit deeper into that, the reason turnips have this ability is because they provide nutrient support to three body systems which are closely linked to cancer development: the detox system, antioxidant system, and the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system.
They are also filled with Vitamins K, A, and C. You can't go wrong there.

**Nutritional Facts obtained from WHFoods

Local Chef Oliver Marshall

Exercise of the Week: The All Toner
This exercise works your arms, chest, core, butt, and legs!

1. Get on your hands and knees, sitting back so your butt rests on your feet.
2. Start lowering your head, scooping your back (think of a cat stretching), letting your butt lift off your feet.
3. Pull forward so that your back is straight with a slight arch.
4. Pull back to your knees and do it all over again. Repeat 16 times.

This week's exercise routine was brought to you by Cosmopolitan.
Learn more at Easy At Home Exercises - Cosmopolitan

Melon Brain

This one's easy and awesome to look at!
All you need is a watermelon, which are high in lycopene.
Lycopene is important for cardiovascular and bone health!
Watermelons are also full of Vitamin C and Vitamin A,
and at only 45 calories per serving, you can't go wrong!

To make this gruesome treat:

1. Use a vegetable peeler to take off all the green rind, exposing the white rind.
2. Use a toothpick and outline the squiggly lines of a brain!
3. Use a parring knife to cut into the lines and expose the inner pink of the melon.

Apple Bites


Apples are not only in season, but they are a staple for healthy eating!
As they say, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Thankfully, creative people have spooked up an old favorite so it's fun to eat again.

To make this snappy morsel:

1. Core and cut an apple of your choice into quarters.
2. Take each quarter, and cut out a small wedge to look like a mouth.
3. Insert small pieces of slivered almonds in as teeth.
4. *Optional - Put peanut butter in the wedges and stick in almonds as teeth.

We've all heard the horror stories of the Freshman 15, but is there any truth behind the tales?
Unfortunately, there is, and it's an even bigger issue than what we've made it out to be.

The GOOD news: you won't necessarily gain a lot of weight your first year of college.
The BAD news: you most likely will gain a substantial amount of weight throughout your college years if you are not careful.
* This point is especially important for all you readers who are NOT freshman, and a fair warning to all that are.

Since it's still the beginning of the school year, I thought now would be a great time to discuss how to avoid the Freshman 15, how to avoid continuous weight gains throughout college, and how to lose the weight if you've fell victim to the monster.

Avoiding the Freshman 15
It's your first year of college; you're finally allowed to eat whatever you want for dinner, snack on whatever you want throughout the day, stay up late and order out, go out and drink all weekend, we get it. But did you know that during all these liberating actions, you're slowly packing on the pounds? There's a reason your parents yelled at you for eating before dinner, made you eat all your vegetables, and wouldn't let you eat past midnight.

Now that you know how destructive your behaviors have been to your future self, let's take some preventative measures to avoid gaining a bunch of weight so you can look great at your next high school get together with all your old friends.

• eat at regular meal times; just because your mom didn't make your dinner doesn't mean you should stray from your eating schedule.
• choose a mix of nutritious foods - this means adding fruits and veggies to your plate, don't worry you'll still have room for your dessert!
• eat slowly; I know you're constantly in a rush to get to class or meet up with your friends but if you eat fast, you won't realize that you're overeating until it's too late.
• stay away from vending machines and fast food - they may be the cheapest and fastest options but just remember: a moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips! Bring fruit or trail mix with you if you know you won't be able to get a full meal for a while, it'll keep you full until you can eat something that's good for you.
•  avoid eating when studying, watching TV, when you're bored, and when you're stressed out. During these times, you will overeat, and you won't realize it. Don't eat when you're not hungry, and recognize when you're doing it to stop the habit.
• don't be fooled; alcohol has a lot of calories, and a night of drinking can take up your whole day's caloric ration. Binge drinking is not only unhealthy for you in that sense, but it is also very dangerous, so think ahead before you go out partying!

Just follow these simple tips, and maybe add in a little exercise, and you'll have nothing to worry about!

Some More Tips to Keep Weight Off Throughout College
These tips are still useful for freshman, but are more relate-able to those students in their later years of college, as the work gets more stressful and harder...

• smoking can cause weight gain; your cigarette may seem like your friend since it's calming your nerves after that impossible test you just took, but it's slowly making physical activities more difficult for you every time you smoke one. Many smokers find that after quitting, they have more energy - so keep that in mind next time you take a haul.
• as stated in the previous tips (and I'm repeating it because it's SO important), drinking uses up a lot, if not all, of your daily calories. Now that you're getting older, turning 21 and going to bars, it's important to remember how many calories you're consuming when you go out drinking. They don't call it a beer belly for nothing.
• remember to EXERCISE! I know you're busy juggling your basically full-time job with your 5 classes all while trying to go out partying or spend time with your significant other, but just take half an hour to an hour out of your day, 3 times a week, and I promise you'll notice a difference.
• catch some Zzzz's. Studies have linked getting a good night's sleep with maintaining a healthy weight, and if that isn't enough to get you to bed on time, sleep also helps lower stress levels. Commit to getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. It's time to organize your time and write your papers a few days in advance rather than to keep pulling all-nighters.

How to Lose the Weight You've Gained
So, you've succumbed to the stereotypical Freshman 15; it's time to change your life around!
Crash dieting never works, don't do it. You will not only gain the weight back that you lost in the short time span, but you might even gain more back. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is changing your lifestyle. I know that seems hard, but I'm here to help you through it.
You've got to start exercising, and if you already do, you've got to start changing up your routine.
Combine cardio with weight training and you'll not only lose the weight, but you'll tone up too.

Too self conscious to go to the gym? I recommend TapouT XT or Insanity.

TapouT XT is an MMA inspired, 90 day work out routine that gives serious results and is not too intense for the exercise weary. The set comes with a diet book, DVDs, and a restraint band. No weights or gym equipment required.


Insanity is not for those who have just begun exercising, but if you want to try it, it will change your life. It is a 60 day work out routine, complete with a daily diet. Shaun T uses max interval training to keep your body on the edge and always burning fat! You only use your body in this work out regimen, and it will give you the skills necessary to continue a healthy lifestyle.
** Both these work out sets do cost money, but it's worth it if you want to lose weight, and fast. I've seen amazing results from people who have used these programs, and you can do it too!
You can go to their sites and order by clicking their names above; a link is attached.

Also, remember that eating a balanced diet is the key to losing weight. This includes controlling the size of your portions! Eat with your stomach, not with your eyes. Try eating in more than going out, this will help you know and be in control of what's in your food rather than being clueless of what you're really eating at a restaurant (did you know that most restaurants add lots of butter and salt for flavor?) AND REMEMBER THE OLD RULE: 8 glasses of water a day really does help with losing weight and keeping it off. Most times people confuse thirst with hunger, so drink a cup of water when you're feeling famished and see if that quenches your appetite!



Exercise of the Week: The Mermaid Crunch

1. Lay on your back with your legs straight and your ankles crossed over one another
2. Lift your head, torso, and legs at the same time while squeezing your inner thighs, core, and abs
3. Hold for 4 seconds
4. Repeat 8-10 times

** This weeks exercise routine and picture was brought to you by Cosmopolitan.
To see original exercise routine and more, please visit: Cosmo Exercise Routines


Good luck staying on track this week, and as always, comments and suggestions are welcomed!

#THEHEALTHGURU