Fitness Blog
My Secret Workout Weapons & More!
SECRET WEAPON #1 Delfin Spa (Fat Burning) Neoprene Shorts
Many years ago as a new trainer and a novice Body Builder Competitor, I learned really quickly that to get the job done right it’s best to have the right tools and I soon fell in love with all kinds of gym tools that made my workouts really fun for both myself and my clients.
Now, years later as a Certified Master Trainer, Nutritionist and gymrat for the last decade and more, I’m ready to share my Secret Weightloss Weapons with you.
Secret Weapon #1
A very long time ago I discovered how effective wearing neoprene pants were to target my midsection and thigh areas as I prepared for bodybuilding competitions. My neoprene pants are THE best tool in my SECRET WEAPON TOOL KIT.
Make sure you have at least two pair. One to wear and one for the wash. They work using thermal heating. Which means they raise your core body temperature and help target fat burning in any area thats covered by the neoprene. My favorites are the DELFIN SPA WOMENS HEAT MAXIMIZING NEOPRENE WORKOUT HIGH WAISTED SHORTS https://amzn.to/3rHja4v I like these because they come all the way up to the bottom of your bra top and cover your entire midsection all the way down to mid thigh. I also like the
DELFIN SPA WOMENS HEAT MAXIMIZING NEOPRENE WORKOUT CAPRIS
https://amzn.to/3I7LXTh
for wintertime because they cover more of my legs and you can run outside in the cold and still be warm and plenty sweaty.
For Men
DELFIN SPA HEAT MAXIMIZING NEOPRENE WORKOUT SHORTS
https://amzn.to/3Q2KQKP always have a pair of these in my gym bag so Im prepared for my fatburn sessions.
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
SECRET WEAPON #2 Powerbeats Wireless Earbuds
Motivation
MUSIC is the most motivating thing you can have at the gym. The pace and beat of the music can get you totally motivated or drag you down and put you to sleep.
. But access to it needs to be convenient and shouldn’t be cumbersome with cords all over the place.
I use Spotify premium version and have a different play list for each of my different gym activities. Ie, HIIT Workouts, Incline Trainer Fat Burn Sessions, Cardio Sessions and Weight Lifting sessions.
After much searching for the right ear buds, I finally chose these ones.
POWERBEATS PRO Wireless Earbuds– Apple H1 Headphone Chip, Class 1 Bluetooth Headphones, 9 Hours of Listening Time, Sweat Resistant, Built-in Microphone – Black, Ivory, Midnight Blue
I love them! They stay in place when I am jumping rope, doing jumping jacks, or wind sprinting, etc, they are sweat proof, have clear sound and noice cancelling and I LOVE the white ones (because the match everything)!
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
SECRET WEAPON #3 Yvette High Impact Sports Bra
Secret Weapon #3
No Bouncing
When choosing a bra top, it’s very important to get one that’s comfortable but also controls the girls and the bounce. My all time favorite is this one.
Yvette Zip Front Sports Bra with Racer Back – High Impact Sports Bras for Women Plus Size Workout Fitness Running
This bra is really comfortable with 3 different closure choices in the back awesome bounce control with full coverage and shapes the girls well too. Plus it’s fairly easy to get in and out of and washes up great!
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
SECRET WEAPON #4 Blender Bottle & GoStak Storage
Secret Weapon #4
Blender Bottle
I have been a fan of Blender Bottle for about 20 plus years now. I can’t even count how many colors and models I’ve had. But I LOVE their latest model the best which has a rounded bottom inside so your powder never gets stuck in the corners ever again. Also you can keep protein powder or supplements in the bottom.
BlenderBottle Shaker Bottle with Pill Organizer and Storage for Protein Powder, ProStak System, 22-Ounce, Plum
Blender Bottle GoStak Food Storage Containers for Protein Powder, Healthy Snacks, and Portion Control, 4-Piece Starter Pak
These are perfect for my gym bag. I have several tall stacks of them for my all my supplements, BCAA & Glutamine powders and for snacks like nuts and raisins. I love that the layers stack and twist together and you can mix and match the sizes too. You can make it as tall or short as you need.
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
SECRET WEAPON #5 Lifting Gloves & Straps
Secret Weapon #5
Lifting Glove
My favorite weight lifting gloves are made by Harbinger. Make sure you get the women’s so they fit. I love these gloves above all the other brands for several reasons. The velcro flap folds where your wrist bends so you still have full range of motion in your wrist. They are also padded in the palm area and fingers where you need it and they have a finger pull tab to get them off. They are soft and comfortable and wash up really well. I have had countless pairs of these over the years and still love them. I use them until they wear out and look forward to a new pair in a new color.
Harbinger Women’s Power Weightlifting Gloves with StretchBack Mesh and Leather Palm
Lifting Straps
You are also going to need weigh lifting wrist straps. These help you hold heavier dumbells and also give you more control over the dumbells when they are over your head for shoulder presses or when curling dumbells or doing walking lunges with dumbells.
Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps with NeoTek Cushioned Wrist (Pair)
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
SECRET WEAPON #6 Feetures Running Socks
Secret Weapon #6
Feetures Socks
I looked for years for great socks for running that wouldn’t slide around, were moisture wicking, had compression and were comfortable along with having great color choices.
I scored big time when I finally found Feetures Socks. They check off all the boxes. The compression snugs your feet and keeps them from sliding around in your shoe.
Your feet can breath and they have some stretch. Love! Love ! Love! They are the only socks I wear for running andI also wear them inside my dress boots as well.
Enjoy!
Feetures Elite Ultra Light No Show Tab Solid- Running Socks for Men & Women, Athletic Compression Socks, Moisture Wicking
If you have feet issues, also checkout their socks for Plantar fasciitis.
Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Relief Sock Light Cushion No Show Tab – Targeted Compression Sock for Women & Men
Enjoy your happy feet!
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets
The kitchen is truly the heart of the home and my favorite room in the house. It’s where everyone gathers around to eat, catchup and share their day.
It all started with my very versatile Kitchenetics Mixer I bought as a young mother. To be able to mix and make my own homemade bread with my fancy mixer was so exciting, and that’s not all it could do.
But alas, they don’t make them any more but back then, any gadget that made my life easier in the kitchen for a family of six was happily accepted. Whether it was for my Birthday or Christmas, it was a hit and put a smile on my face.
But it doesn’t end there. Kitchen gadgets STILL make me swoon! Anything that matches my kitchen theme colors of red, white and black in the way of kitchen decor or matching dishes, glasses, tablecloths, or centerpieces, all makes me very happy
KitchenAid KSMC895ER 8-Quart Commercial Countertop Mixer with Bowl-Guard, 10-Speed, Gear-Driven, Empire Red
I also have a fabulous
KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor, Empire Red
It makes chopping, dicing, and pureeing so quick.
Another kitchen tool I love is
Rachael Ray Tools and Gadgets Stainless Steel Pastry Scraper / Bench Scrape / Kitchen Tool for Baking and Cooking / Dishwasher Safe, Red
Mine is red of course, but it makes scooping up all of your freshly chopped veggies a cinch!
I used to use the side of my chef’s knife, but it doesn’t hold very much. The shovel gets the job done quickly and effectively.
Rachel’s EVOO Oil Dispensing Bottle and matching Vinegar Bottle. These have made it super easy to use my oil and vinegar when cooking without the messiness of lids and glass bottles sitting around on the counter.
Next is my black 8 Cup RICE COOKER by Aroma. I LOVE this cooker! It has a basket inside for steaming vegetables while the rice cooks. My favorite rice is a Gourmet Blend with long grain Wild rice mixed in, called WildBlend by LUNDBURG. This rice comes out perfect every time in the rice cooker and is so healthy too. I add broccoli or asparagus in the top basket and they come out steamed perfectly every time.
For Christmas last year I gave my daughter the most awesome PIE SERVER! This server has a built in pusher that pushes the piece of pie off the server and onto your plate perfectly. It’s genius! (Wish I had thought of it) Along with a fancy pie server I gave her a beautiful sunflower yellow PIE PLATE to match her kitchen,of course.
Now lets talk spatulas and wire whisks. I have had a ton of both over the years , some better quality than others, and made from all types of materials. I have finally settled on SILICONE SPATULA’S PASTRY BRUSHES and SILICONE COVERED WIRE WHISKS. Silicone is fabulous! They make scraping and mixing fun again and are super easy to clean as well. They don’t burn or melt which is a must when making Caramel and of course mine are all red to match my kitchen.
Last but not least, my favorite GEORGE FORMAN GRILL. This is so awesome and versatile I can’t live without it. Although I have an awesome outdoor grill, this little grill is perfect for indoors. I love it so much, I also bought one for my son away at college so he could eat healthy in just a few minutes. He loves it too!
Well I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my favorite Kitchen Gadgets and maybe peaked your interest in trying a new kitchen gadget or two yourself. I’m sure I’ll come up with more in the future as more new fangled stuff comes on the market. Meanwhile, HAPPY COOKING!
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
Soft Drinks are destroying your health
Soft Drinks Are Destroying your Health
- The average American Consumes 2 CUPS or more of SUGAR a Day!!
FACT: The difference between a normal persons blood sugar and a diabetics blood sugar is…1/4 of a TEASPOON!
If we are consuming over 2 cups of sugar a day… is it any wonder that DIABETES is rising at an alarming rate?
Whether sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, sodas are playing havoc with your health. The sugars and chemicals in both regular and sugar-free colas combine to create a witch’s brew of health dangers that create problems in your body from head to toe.
- Obesity
A British study found that when a child’s fat cells mature, if fructose is present, more of the cells mature into fat cells in belly fat. And researchers at Princeton University found that rats who were fed high-fructose corn syrup gained 47 percent more weight than rats who were fed an equal number of calories, but without corn syrup. Diet drinkers aren’t safe from weight gain, either. A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, found that people who drink soft drinks don’t lose weight; they gain. And the risk of obesity was even higher among those who drank only diet sodas. - Cancer
When sodium benzoate, used for mold prevention, in many soft drinks, is mixed with vitamin C, it creates a carcinogenic substance called benzene.
Researchers at India’s Tata Memorial Hospital found a “very significant correlation between soft drinks and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Other studies have also linked soft drinks to the risk of deadly pancreatic cancer. - Bone Fractures
Phosphoric acid, which gives drinks their “bite’” leaches calcium from the bones. Diet sodas are just as much to blame as those sweetened with sugar. A study done at Walter Reed Medical Center found that diet sodas leeched both calcium ad phosphorous from the bones of healthy women, putting them at risk for osteoporosis. - Yellow teeth
Phosphoric acid, in addition to leaching calcium from bones, causes tooth enamel to erode, leaving yellow teeth. Normally saliva is slightly alkaline, but the phosphoric acid lowers the pH of saliva and causes tooth enamel to corrode. The result: yellow and rotting teeth. - Cholesterol
A study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, found that people who drank one or more soft drinks each day were 25 percent more likely to develop high blood triglycerides (a type of fat), and 32 percent more likely to have low levels of “good” cholesterol. - DNA damage
Sodium benzoate has the ability to switch off vital parts of a person’s DNA, according to research from a British University. The results could eventually cause cirrhosis of the liver and other degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. - Diabetes
Research at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston suggests that women who drank one sugary drink each day double their risk of developing adult-onset diabetes when compared with women who drank fewer than one a month. And information from the Framingham Heart Study found that drinking one or more sodas a day, whether regular or diet increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors which increase the odds of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. - GERD
Studies have shown that people who drink sodas suffer more from gastro esophageal reflux disease than those people who didn’t drink sodas. Sodas boost acid levels and often require medication. Soda also causes other gastrointestinal problems: Chronic high-acid levels can inflame the linings of the stomach and duodenum. - Brain Damage
More than 92 side effects are associated with aspartame, a sugar substance used in diet sodas. They include brain tumors, emotional disorders, and epileptic seizures. But the brains of those who drink sugared drinks aren’t safe either: a study at Georgia State University found that a diet high in fructose impaired the memory of rats. - High Blood Pressure
Researchers at the University of Colorado found that a diet high in high-fructose corn syrup increased the risk of developing high blood pressure by 87 percent. And a recent study of volunteers who consumed 74 grams of fructose daily, the equivalent amount found in four soft drinks, showed that a third of them had borderline high blood pressure, and 8 percent had hypertension, even though none had experienced blood pressure problems. - Kidney Stones
Numerous studies have shown that drinking colas enhances the formation of kidney stones. One study the Journal of Epidemiology found that drinking two or more colas drinks each day, whether regular or diet, increased the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. - Fertility Issues
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that men who drank more than a quart of cola daily had a sperm count 30 percent lower than those who didn’t drink soda at all, putting them at risk of becoming infertile. And research funded by the European Union found that one cola a day containing artificial sweeteners increased an expectant mom’s risk of miscarriage by 38 percent: Four or more cans a day increased the risk by as much as 78 percent. - Gout
Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and Harvard Medical School in Boston found that men who consumed the highest levels of fructose—found in large amounts in sugar-sweetened colas—more than doubles their chances of getting gout.
FACT: A popular Cola, at pH 2.5 is almost 50,000 times more acidic than neutral water, and needs 32 glasses of neutral (pH7) water to counteract the consumption of one glass of Cola!
Why would you set yourself up for these health problems? You only get one body and you must take care of it and it will take care of you.
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
HARDBODY FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH INSTITUTE
Kissed By the Sun - How to Tan the right way
How to tan the right way. The sun is our friend…
One of my favorite tanning products is
Tanamins Tanning Vitamin-Get a Darker Tan Naturally (2 bottles/120 Count)
The 2000mg of Tyrosine in this product is what helps your body produce more of your own melanin. With more melanin you will be able to get a deeper darker tan.
Be Happy – Be Healthy!
-Annette
Let's Talk About Self-Care
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