Don't miss the feature on Kathy Smith and PGX on Entertainment Tonight and get your FREE DVD!

We're happy and excited to share the news! Kathy Smith will be appearing on Entertainment Tonight this lovely Friday evening. She's going to be sharing her tips to lasting health and talking about how PGX can help you get in the best shape!

To celebrate, we are giving away a FREE DVD of Kathy's 50-minute, total body workout. If you're strapped for time, don't worry! Her workout is broken down into five, convenient 10-minute segments that enable you to work at your own pace, giving you the freedom to customize your exercise routine!

Here's what Kathy has to say about exercise:

"Who says exercise can't be fast, fun, and fit into your schedule? I created this DVD to help you lose weight, get sculpted and feel refreshed in quick 10-minute segments. When you're crunched for time, try one workout as a fast and easy shape-up. Or combine all five for a total-body fat burning routine!"

And here are the workouts you will receive:

• Workout 1: Body Basics
• Workout 2: Fat Blast
• Workout 3: Total Body Toner
• Workout 4: Flat Abs Fast
• Workout 5: Stretch & Flex

Did I mention it's free?! Don't miss your chance to grab your free copy of Kathy Smith's Get Fit Fast: The 10 Minute Miracle!

Have a great time on the set of Entertainment Tonight Kathy!

5 Tips to Stay in Control when Dining Out!

The weekend is almost here and social gatherings plus dining out can present a challenge if you're on a weight loss plan. Some people just avoid these situations but we're here to tell you that losing weight doesn't mean you have to stop living! There is a world of healthy choices out there and you're in charge! 

Here are some handy tips to try this weekend:

1. Go online. Many restaurants post their menu online. Make a note of the healthiest options in advance!
2. Appetizer menu.  Save money and save calories! We call this a smart option! Just steer clear of fried foods and cream-based ones. 
3. Modifications.  Most restaurants will take dietary needs into account. To be on the safe side, call ahead and find out if you can make substitutes, you'll be a happier and healthier customer!
4. Forget the bread. Munching on bread can derail your good intentions. Drink some water, or ask for a small dinner salad while you’re waiting for your meal.
5. Slow down. Take your time to enjoy the meal and your social time. When you slow down you can register when you’re full and avoid getting overstuffed.

Image source: Wikipedia

Getting Weight-Wise with PGX and Flamenco Dancing!

How do flamenco dance and PGX combine for better health? Here's my story...

Having written for this blog for quite some time now, I decided it was time to share my journey to better fitness and health. We all have our ups and downs on the road to our reaching our personal fitness goals. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt like a yoyo at some point. But after years of trying different diet and exercise routines, I've finally discovered the key to my personal success: flamenco and PGX.

Dance has always been a passion, hobby, and, best of all, a fabulous way to exercise! Livestrong.com estimates that for some dances such as ballet, swing, tap, ballroom, line and flamenco dancing, one can burn up to 300 calories per hour. This number of course depends on many factors such as your weight and intensity, but it is still a sure sign that dance is a fun and effective way to get in shape!

I've tried many of these dances but none of them have helped me like flamenco. Flamenco is a full body workout that will get you moving practically every muscle in your body from your fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders, hips, legs, feet, abs, and even your facial muscles (have you seen the facial expressions?)! Its the type of dance that gets your heart pumping and your lungs working, giving your body a balanced aerobic workout. It encompasses fast and slow rhythms, having you alternate between low and high intensity movements that keep your muscles working and increasing your stamina.

How does PGX fit in with my routine? Over the weekend I had the chance to perform in a flamenco production of Peter Pan and after a flattering but incorrect alteration, I had a limited amount of time to squeeze into my mermaid costume. I started to take PGX Satisfast with Whey Protein prior to meals and before I knew it, the skirt fit!

Without PGX, flamenco did wonders for me. With PGX, I'm getting closer and closer to my personal health goals! If dance worked for me, it could work for you. If not flamenco, there are plenty of options (even dancing in the kitchen for an hour is great!). Find something you love and give it a swing, a tap and a whirl!

Image source: Karen Flamenco and for a cool sample of flamenco dancing, check out this video of Maria Juncal

PGX Investigates: The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Can owning dog really make a difference to your health? Yes!

You may be surprised to learn that owning a pet is actually connected to better health! There are plenty of reasons why people have pets and now improved health can be one of them!

Studies have shown that people who own pets are less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness. Depending on what kind of animal you keep, having pets can also increase your opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and socialize!

A study conducted in 2007 by Queen's University Belfast found that dog owners especially are more likely to live a longer life and experience healthy weight maintenance, improved cardiovascular fitness and superior self esteem, as well as reduced blood pressure adn cholesterol!

According to the British Journal of Health Psychology, daily walks with your dog (a great way to get out and exercise) are only part of the equation. Dogs can be great stress "buffers" and have been a great source of companionship to people with injuries or disabilities. Incredibly, dogs have also been able to detect an oncoming seizure!

So even though walking is only a part of the healthy equation of pet ownership, the next time your dog comes to you with the leash in his mouth, lace up those sneakers and go for a walk!

Want to read more about the health benefits of pets? Check out these great articles...

Health Benefits of Pets, CDC

Dog-owners 'lead healthier lives' BBC News

Live Like Royalty: The Many Health Benefits of Dogs, Man's Best Friends, The Atlantic

Looking for new fitness ideas? PGX is too!

Today we're checking out the celebrity favourite, the Tracy Anderson Method...

What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Davis, and Courtney Cox have in common (aside from acting)? Their fitness routine and today's Friday Fitness Trend, the Tracy Anderson Method. In her GOOP newsletter, Gwyneth Paltrow is all praises for this method, attributing her Iron Man figure to Tracy's videos. Tracy Anderson is a highly sought after trainer based in Los Angeles who has come up with a fun way to target muscles and tone without the bulk, incorporating aerobics, strength training and dance.

After some investgation into Tracy's latest regime, Metamorphosis, I have to say, I'm not a fan of the restrictive and extremely low calorie meal plan and don't recommend any form of crash dieting (I can't stress that enough). However, meal plan aside, I see how her exercises can be effective. Tracy Anderson claims that she can help you avoid bulking up by regularly changing your exercise routine. Whether this is how you avoid bulk or not, mixing up your fitness routine and keeping it fresh is definitely one of the best ways to keep your metabolism up and avoid those pesky plateaus!

So if you are looking for some new moves to mix up your routine workout, check out this video of Tracy's arm workout or this video of lower body exercises. Add some variety to your workout and you will definitely be taking another step closer to your goals. Keep on moving everyone!

Image source: Well and Good NYC