Today's Fitness Trend is the Medicine Ball Workout!

Get fit and toned with 9 moves and 1 tool!

I don't do gyms. I've tried before; I've gone through the motions of getting a gym membership and scheduling gym sessions into my routine but somehow, it didn't last. For those of us on a tight budget, the gym isn't always a priority either. Luckily, it's possible to get a workout without fancy gym machines! This weeks Friday Fitness Trend features just one small tool that can get you in shape and on your way to better health with just nine moves: the medicine ball.

Here's a weighted tool that I've seen before but never really knew how to use effecitively. If you feel the same way, Shape Magazine has shared a simple and straightforward set of exercises using a medicine ball that, when performed properly, can work wonders in your overall fitness ability and core stability.

Medicine Ball Workout: 9 Moves to Tone Every Inch.

Why is this a good workout? Well, it's easy to do at home and it allows you to be flexible. You can choose how many times a week and how many reps for each movement, enabling you to build up your fitness level. Each of the nine movements also works to improve your core stabilty which in turn, can help you improve posture and avoid lower back pain!

Have a healthy weekend everyone!

Image Source: Shape Magazine

Hey PGX'ers! Need a snack? Try one of these low calorie recipes!

Shape Magazine dishes up some tasty, weight wise treats!

Chicken salad peppers, banana milkshakes, raspberry smores, caprese salad... Yes! Those snacks can be less than 200 calories per serving! If you’re craving something sweet and fresh this summer, try one of these recipes from Shape Magazine’s 10 Summer Snacks Under 200 Calories. Enjoy!

Image: Shape Magazine

This weekend, PGX wants to help you concentrate on ... YOU!

PGX has searched the web to bring you links that all focus on the well-being of one person - you.

As you wind up your work week, we just wanted to leave you with some fun stuff to check out this weekend. Especially, since the weather forecast here in Vancouver, BC doesn't look terribly promising (sad face). But enough about the weather, let's get back to YOU! We've found some links that we hope will help inspire, instruct and provide useful information on how to help you be your healthiest, happiest self!

Enjoy!

1. Don't let yourself get bored with your workout; add some fun to your routine by adding a ... headstand?! That's right! Here are 10 Reasons to Do a Headstand Every Day.
   
   
2. Get some inspiration on how to get some #YouTime from our colourful Pinterest board.
   
   
3. Take good care of your body with these Top 20 Artery-Cleansing Foods. (Fibre is #2!)
   
   
4. And if you happen to be spending the weekend somewhere with a better forecast than Vancouver, protect your skin with the Most Effective Sunscreens for 2012.
   

Take care of yourselves, PGX'ers, this weekend and always, and have a fabulous weekend!

Image source: Kara McKnight

Welcome back to Weight-Wise Wednesday with a look at proper fitness technique at the gym!

PGX takes a look at how doing an exercise with the correct form could make all the difference to the outcome of your routine.

We've all been there. You're eating well, you're fitting in regular exercise sessions but for some reason, your workout routine is just not working for you. Chances are, a small mistake, such as not taking a long enough rest period, as explained by shape.com, is coming between all your hard work and the results you derserve! So, let's master those moves!

Shape.com's list includes:

• Proper posture on cardio machines
• How to correctly execute sit-ups on an exercise ball
• Working on your core to improve your form in all areas of your workout
• Proper kettleball technique
  

All it takes are a few tiny adjustments to your form. So, adjust, apply and get out there PGX'ers and show those exercises who's boss!

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adriarichards/2798736890/

PGX is getting weight wise and taking tips from the newly crowned Miss USA 2012!

So what does the newly crowned Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, eat to keep her pageant figure?

I'm not a beauty pageant fan and I almost never watch them. However, every once in a while, when the television air time coincides with a family gathering, we turn it on and start betting on who will win. For the second time that I can ever remember, this happened and we watched the end of the Miss USA competition last weekend, all of us vieing for the prestige of choosing the winner correctly. This year wasn't as much fun since we chose the same girl, Olivia Culpo and this year's Miss USA.

I can imagine that being in a pageant must take quite a bit of discipline, especially when it comes to health. So what does Miss USA eat to keep her trim and toned figure? Shape Magazine shares Olivia's top ten must have snacks that keep her going without piling on the pounds!

Stay awesome everyone!

Image source: Shape Magazine