Written by Inés de Sequera-24 May 2013
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Happy Friday PGX'ers!

We want to keep you motivated over this lovely May weekend!

We all have our up and down days. There are some days we just don't want to exercise or eat healthy, I know. But! That is what today is all about! I've found some fabulously inspirational quotes and links that are sure to help get you moving and loving that healthy lifestyle! All I can say now is: you can do it! Oh! Don't forget your daily fibre!

First, a few fitness links:

A Lower-Body Blast Workout to get strong, toned legs.

6 Moves for a Rock Solid Stomach

Women's Health Magazine has a Weekend Challenge, the Windmill!

This isn't a workout but a Honeydew Smoothie sounds like a delicious snack!

Check out these fabulous fitness trend posts from the past:

And now, some motivation to get you moving!

Here's Why You Should Exercise (Even When You Don't Want To)...

Here's great slideshow with over 20 images of the ispirational kind: No Excuses! Mtivational Quotes to Get You Moving

A little something from Pinterest:

But, most importantly... Be Yourself. (Image by Jayme Marie Designs)

Written by Inés de Sequera-23 May 2013
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Get your dance fitness gear on and Jazzercise!

There's no limit to your fitness options! Exercise can be fun!

Dance and Jazzercise your way into those skinny jeans! It's true, exercise can actually be enjoyable. I find one of the best ways to keep fit and make time for fitness is to have a fun activity. If it's the same old boring routine or hamster wheel running on the treadmill, I personally would have absolutely no motivation whatsoever to exercise!

So let's throw it back this Thursday and check out the fitness trend from 1969: Jazzercise. Created by Judi Sheppard Misset in the 60's , Jazzercise combines jazz and dance aerobics, yoga, Pilates, resistance training, and kickboxng movements to create a total body workout that's fun and yields results. Just as in any good workout, jazzercise can help increase your cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility giving you those "feel good" vibes one can get after a successful workout!

If you ask me, dancing sounds like a lot more fun than a machine in the gym with sports TV on the overhead! Check out this entertaining demonstration by Steven and Chris with fitness expert Assata McKenzie: Jazzercise the Calories Away and learn more from the Jazzercise website!

Image source: Jazzercise Facebook

Written by Inés de Sequera-10 April 2013
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On your marks. Get set. Exercise!

Get in shape with the app that turns fitness into fun and games...

We've all got a competitive side right? Now there's a fitness app that appeals to our inner competitor (racer, fighter, Olympian?) and can help you stay motivated to workout! Fitocracy is an app that turns your exercise routines into games!

Fitness geeks and gurus, Brian Wang and Richard Talens, decided it was time to help people actually fall in love with fitness; not an easy task! With Fitocracy you can climb levels, earn points, and compete in quests and challenges, turning that routine workout into an addictive game world of health and exercise! A healthy habit addiction?! How very convenient!

So if you find yourself lacking in consistant motivation or just looking to stir the exercise pot, try this app and start competing with yourself and your friends. A little healthy competition can go a long way!

Image source: Fitocracy.com

Written by Inés de Sequera-19 March 2013
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Get your exercise groove on!

Put on those tunes and get pumped to move. There's nothing like a good song to get you going!

I have a confession: I always get lazy before a workout! I'm not even kidding, before every workout, I sit myself down and realize that I begin to make up any excuse I can thinkof to avoid getting out of my house and driving to a dance class or the gym! Other than pure will power (which, let's face it, is difficult to muster more often than not!), the only thing I can think of that ever helps me get my head out of that mind set is a really good song.

Not only does music help me concentrate at work, it helps me to want to move and keep on going! A good song with a really great hook is usually all I need to get myself off the couch and, at the very least, dance like a fool for an hour in my kitchen! 

So I'd like to share with you my top three make-me-want-to-jump-up-and-move workout tunes of this week:

First up, let's take it back to the 80's with Duran Duran's The Reflex and Human League's Don't You Want Me Baby! We all need to take it back every now and then...

And someting that's a little more recent than those first two... Surfer Blood's Swim:

Enjoy and get moving! Sound off in the comments below and share your favourite tune!

Written by Inés de Sequera-28 February 2013
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Fitness and protein go hand in hand.

Let's talk about your workout and protein and discover the how, the where and the why!

Not to too long ago, a close friend said to me that he purchased protein powder to go along with a new workout plan. I thought, "Great!" and didn't really think much more on it, until he began asking questions about when and how often to take it. Well, that got me thinking about the whole connection between protein and working out...

What does it do for you? When do you take it? How much do you take? Is it only for body builders? What is this mysterious relationship between protein and exercise?! I felt like it was time to put on a detective hat and twirl my fake, non-existent mustache.

Protein is an essential nutrient for the human body. Just as amino acids are the "building blocks" of protein, proteins are the "building blocks" of human tissues. We need to consume them in order to maintain normal body functions such as muscle recovery and growth, and maintaining energy.

Ahh! The connection between exercise and protein is becoming a little clearer. But there are so many types of protein sources and forms. We may understand what protein is but how do we use it to compliment our visits to the gym? In David Smith's Ultimate Guide to Protein Supplements, he explores the ins and outs of protein and your workout, as well as taking a closer look at the various sources of protein!

So have a fabulous workout, enjoy your protein accordingly, and don't forget your daily fibre!

Image source: winonaagency.com