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:

• The Victoria's Secret Workout
• PGX's Thursday Obsession: Biking
• Friday Fitness Trend: Jump Rope

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)

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

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

Get inspired to workout and save money!

Bribe yourself into fitness with a personal tip money jar!

Sometimes it can be hard to get motivated for your workout. It's cold and chilly outside or maybe it's too hot. You're busy and have no time. You're not feeling well or, plain and simple, not in the mood to get off of the couch! I've been there, you've probably been there, we've all been there at least once in our lives!

So what can we do for motivation? Here's an easy do-it-yourself project that can help get you in shape and saving money!

Grab a jar, preferably clear so you can see the contents grow and keep yourself motivated. Every time you successfully get off the couch and complete a workout, reward yourself by adding a dollar or two to your fit money jar! Give yourself a goal or a timeline. For example, wait one month before counting the contents and/or tell yourself that you wont spend the money until you've reached $50 dollars!

It's as easy as that! After dedicating yourself to your workout and donating to your fit jar, treat yourself! Pledge that money to something small, like a manicure or a new book! If you'r feeling really motivated, up the stakes! Pay yourself more and save for a big treat like a weekend getaway!

It's a good trick that you can use to get motivated and inspire yourself to do almost anything, from working out to taking vitamins! Good luck and get motivated! And don't forget your daily fibre!

Image source: brookenotonadiet.wordpress.com

Over indulge in culinary delights? These foods and health tips will have you feeling back to normal in no time!

As much as we strive to maintain healthy eating habits and exercise all the time, there are days when we give in to our cravings and definitely over indulge (special occassions in the year are especially difficult to resist)! We've all been there before: too much to drink, served too much ham and roast on our plates, couldn't resist round two of dinner helpings, just had to try a bit of every dessert on the buffet table, neglected exercise... Need I say more?

As enjoyable as these occassions are, sometimes the aftermath is less so! Here are a few tips from nutritionist Peggy Kotsopoulos (often featured on Steven & Chris):

Had a little too much to drink? You're probably not feeling your best and this is usually caused by dehydration and loss of precious minerals. Peggy K's first suggestion? Coconut Water! Coconut water is full of electrolytes, so while you are rehydrating, you are also restoring nutrients vital to your wellbeing. Chlorella is another natural and helpul source of phyonutrients that can help your body detoxify and function in tip top shape!

If you've gone back for one too many servings, you may find yourself feeling a little... bloated. Maybe you didn't over eat during your main meal, but maybe you didn't realize how much of the salty appetizers and finger foods you nibbled on. You may be surprised at Peggy's simple solution: celery! Instead of reaching for salty foods, grab some celery because this calorie negative veggie can help get rid of the water retension!

Did all the activity get you feeling stressed? Peggy K suggests adding some maca to your diet! Maca is a peruvian root vegetable that has been shown to help increase your body's resistance to stress! How? Maca is full of nutrients and vitamins including B-vitamins, vitamin C and amino acids and protein (to name a few). "One of my favourite ways to take maca is in chocolate! Chocolate improves your mood and it has magnesium so it's perfect!" said Peggy to Steven Sabados (on the Steven & Chris show). Sounds like a tasty way to take in some nutrients! Another mood boosting snack is the omega-3 and tryptophan-rich Savi Seeds (fruit from the sacha inchi plant common to Peru)! Plus it's full of fibre!

Last but certainly not the least, she suggests bananas. If you're feeling low in energy, bananas are also a tasty source of B-vitamins and tryptophan as well as potassium!

Hope these tips help you feel fabulous and healthy! Don't forget to get your daily fibre!

Image sources: discoverybeachhouse.com, redorbit.com, wikinoticia.com, thehealthyherbivore.com, getridofmommytummy.com