Exercises to Bring Out Your Inner Kid!

Make exercise fun and become a big kid again!

Remember your monkey bar days? Exercise can be that fun, it’s true…

Remember the days when you used cute, colourful plastic plates for your veggies and always had recess to run wild in the playground? I’d lying if I said I didn’t miss them sometimes, especially in the middle of a workout! Back then, working out wasn’t called “working out.” It was just play time in the great outdoors! Now, exercise is all too often a series of boring, mind-numbing repetitions and staring blankly ahead at the next machine in your gym routine!

Well, maybe we can’t completely lose the repetitions but the exercises can be more fun than the average push up! Jay Cardiello of Shape Magazine shares hi top five exercise moves that will have you feeling like a scampering young’un in 5 Exercises to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again!

Remember, fitness can be fun and if the whim hits you, grab a friend, go to the park and frolic like nobody’s watching!

 

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Fitness Trend: Dancer’s Body Workout

It’s Friday and we’re talking fitness!

Get that long, lean and scultped look of a dancer’s body with this Friday’s Fitness Trend!

I’ve got good news for you and me! We don’t need to be a professional dancer to look as sculpted, long, lean and toned like one! Today’s Friday Fitness Trend is from the creator of Barre 3 , Sadie Lincoln: the Ballet Boot Camp Challenge. This challenge consists of exercises that will work out all the muscles in your body, incorporating techniqes from yoga, Pilates, light weight workouts, and barre work, and combining them with cardio. What I love most is that you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to proceed with this challenge!

This type of dance-inspired exercise routine helps strengthen core muscles, pull in your waist, trim and tone legs and arms, and firm the gluteus maximus (now who doesn’t want that?)! Basically, these exercises emulate the work muscles would do if you were doing pli?s, ballanc?s and arabesques but without the pain of pointe shoes! This workout can also help straighten posture and that alone has its many benefits! It’s the exercise method where “ballet meets yoga and pilates,” to help strengthen and lengthen the body.

So if you always wanted to have the figure of a ballerina but didn’t feel coordinated enough, this might be the workout for you (and me!). It’ll take some work but I know you can do it 😉

Have a fabulous weekend! Dance and get your daily fibre!

 

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The Eatery App & PGX

There’s an app for that! Change your eating habits for the better with help from PGX and The Eatery app.

Empower yourself with the tools you need to achieve your weight loss goals!

Now a days, there’s pretty much an app for everything. Whether it’s for Facebook, Twitter, or that awesome app that tells you the name of the song that’s playing on the radio, smart phones and their applications play a large part in how we socialize and spend our free time. So, why not start using one to help you lose weight!

Allow me to introduce (drum roll, please), The Eatery! Getting started is easy: Just take a picture of your food (don’t forget to sprinkle your PGX on top or into the mix!), rate your meal on how healthy it is, and record how much of your meal you ate. Then invite your friends to follow you for support, encouragement, or to strive for the same goals along side you. As The Eatery says, “You never have to eat alone.” Finally, The Eatery will provide you with feeback and stats on your eating habits, forcing you to see the facts on what you’ve been eating – this, maybe more than anything, will push you to eat healthier.

Why we like The Eatery:

It gives you a sense of community by allowing your friends to follow your progress, and vice versa. You can achieve your goals together, and have a buddy (or multiple!) to support and encourage you on your weight loss journey!

Have you used this app or something similar to help you achieve your weight loss goals? Let us know in the comments below.

 

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Eat Like an Olympic Athlete!

Today’s Thursday Obsession: Eating Like an Olympic Athlete!

The 2012 London Olympics are almost here! Let’s learn to eat like an Olympian!

We’re 14 days away from watching the world’s greatest athletes compete in the summer olympics and I wondered, “What do these incredible people eat to keep themselves in tip top, spit spot shape?!” Luckily for me and anyone else who was wondering, Canadian National Olympic team dietician, Kelly Anne Erdman shared her knowledge on how these and probably all other athletes are keeping healthy to prepare for the games!

Check out the fabulous article from BCLiving.com and learn how to eat and maintaina the healthy lifestyle of an Olympic athlete!

As always PGX’ers, stay healthy!

 

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Healthy Snacking on the Go!

Hey PGX’ers! It’s Tasty Tuesday and we’re snacking smartly on the go!

Keep it healthy even when you have no time to plan…

We’ve all been there before: you’re running around doing errands, you’re at the airport waiting for your next flight, you’re at a rest stop, or you’re at the movies, and then your stomach begins to talk. What do you do when you’ve forgotten to pack a snack and there’s no way you’ll make it to your next meal without a bite of something to tide you over? What do you buy when you feel the need to munch on something at the cinema?

It’s simple to write a strict diet plan, but it’s another thing entirely to follow it to perfection. This is where a little bit of knowledge can go a long way in helping you reach your goals and avoid sabotaging your efforts to live a healthy life. If you are at the movies, a gas station, the mall, in front of a vending machine, or other such fast food stops, knowing what to avoid will help you maintain healthy eating habits.

Learn the best picks, good options and the worst picks for snacking from Real Simple’s Make Nutritious Snacking Choices on the Go!

 

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Weight Wise Wednesday: Hidden Calories in Salads

This Weight Wise Wednesday, we’re sharing some salad know-how!

Are hidden calories in your salad sabotaging your healthy diet?

Here on Weight Wise Wednesday we have a look at where the hidden calories sneak their way in and what are some healthy alternatives to include in your salad.

Salad Ingredients to Try to Avoid:

  • Croutons, tortilla chips and large amounts of cheese (a touch of cheese is better)
  • Processed meats: deli meat, fried chicken, and beef.
  • Creamy or sugar filled salad dressings. The average Caesar salad dressing contains 150 calories in 2 tablespoons and 15 grams of fat*.

?Healthy Alternative Ingredients to Include in Your Salad:

  • Boiled eggs (contains protein and Omega 3’s)
  • Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, onions)
  • Black beans and garbanzo beans – chickpeas (high in fiber)
  • Lean protein (baked chicken, turkey and salmon)
  • Edamame beans (high in protein, iron and fiber)
  • Balsamic dressing – see our easy recipe below.

?Balsamic Olive Oil Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 4 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
  • Pinch of Sea Salt and Pepper
  • Pinch of Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard (or to personal taste)

Shake in bottle and store leftover dressing in the fridge.

Easy way to add a few more healthy benefits:

  • Chia Seeds (Omega 3’s)
  • PGX Singles (sprinkler over the salad – helps control hunger and control blood sugar levels)
  • Flax Seeds or Flax Oil (high in Omega 3’s and Fiber)

What are your favourite ingredients to include in your salad? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. Join our healthy salad conversation.

 

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Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Ravioli!

A tasty recipe for homemade ravioli with garden fresh fillings! Yum!

Everything tastes better homemade! Try this recipe from BC Living and make it your own!

My mouth is now watering for pasta, especially for this homemade ravioli! There really is nothing better than homemade and made from scratch when it comes to food…in my opinion! And when one uses fresh-from-the-market ingredients? Even better!

Here’s a lovely recipe from BC Living that combines all of those things! There are a lot of steps but this recipe also allows you to get creative and choose what you want to put in your ravioli!

So without further ado, Homemade Ravioli with Garden-fresh Fillings!

Try adding PGX Daily Singles to your sauce for that extra kick of fibre! Enjoy!

 

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400 Calories in the Stomach

Make smart choices at meal times. Fill up on the good stuff!

How much space does 400 calories occupy in the stomach?

I truly dislike the thought of dieting. But with a looming deadline to fit into a costume that doesn’t quite zip up all the way for a performance, I really have no choice but to make a conscious effort to change my eating habits.

What is it about diets that have people dreading them? Hunger? Cravings? Guess what?! You don’t need to feel hungry when you are making the change for a healthier lifestyle. And if you aren’t feeling hungry, you will most likely have fewer cravings as well! There is no need to fear healthy eating! All we need to do is learn how to make smart choices. If we look for low calorie but dense foods full of nutrients and fibre (think low-GI foods), we’ll definitely be better off! Take a look at what 400 calories of various foods look like in the stomach!

Add PGX to your food and the fibre will help you feel full and you won’t feel the “diet hunger and cravings.” Right now you you can get a free BONUS pack of PGX Singles with purchase of PGX Daily in Canadian stores! Stay healthy everyone; make smart food choices and be sure to get your daily dose of fibre!

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Motivation Monday – Be Happy

Don’t forget an important key to great health is simply being HAPPY!

Not only is exercising and eating healthy beneficial to your overall health but being happy everyday can make a big difference in how you feel. Do at least 3 things a day that bring a smile to your face. You will be amazed by how much lighter and happier you feel by the end of the week.

The best part is that smiles are contagious – spread the happiness around.

 

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How to Avoid Summer Weekend Weight Gain

5 Tips and Links to Keep You From Gaining Weight Over the Summer Weekends

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and fun of the summer but with longer days and more socializing there’s usually more BBQ’s and dining with friends. Often these social events can lead to eating foods that you usually wouldn’t even think about indulging in. Being caught up in the moment and not planning ahead can leave you with a couple extra pounds by the end of the summer.

Here are 5 helpful tips to keep you on track with your diet and some healthy recipes to bring with you to BBQ’s and dinners. Not only will the host love you for bringing along a dish but it will also be your sneaky way of staying fit and healthy.

  1. Don’t Skip Meals: If you skip meals during the day it will only lead to you binge eating later. You will be grabbing anything and everything to gain some energy by the time you arrive at the event. Ensure that you have a protein packed breakfast to start your metabolism.
  2. Drink Lots of Water: Not only is it summer and your body requires more water but it can control cravings and leave you feeling full. Try to drink a glass of water when you first arrive at the event to keep you stomach full.
  3. PGX Travel Packs: Packing these small pill packs in your purse or bag and taking them before a meal can keep you feeling full and satisfied. This will help you avoid going back for seconds.
  4. Eat Before Leaving Home: It’s a good idea to have a small snack before you leave the house to control your cravings when you arrive at the event. Try having a small plate of veggies and hummus.
  5. Choose Wisely: Don’t rush when you are in line at the BBQ. Make smart choices about what you are eating. It may seem simple but choosing a green salad over mayo packed potato salad can make a huge difference by the end of the summer.

?How do you avoid the Summer Weekend Weight Gain? Share your tips here in the comments or join the chat on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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