Fytness Fanatik

Amanda,
I wanted to write you a quick letter to let you know how you have inspired me to get back into fitness and take back my health. A very good friend of mine began her fitness journey last year and introduced me to your website and blog and I was immediately hooked!! I must say that you are one dedicated and very inspiring woman!! It wasn’t long afterwards that I became aware of your love of the total gym, and how you incorporate it into your daily fitness routine. I had purchased a total gym years ago, many years ago in fact. I believe it was the original, or one of the earliest versions anyway, it was the total gym 1000. You inspired me to dig mine out of storage and I began using it again everyday and loving it again the way I once did!! Quickly I learned that there were newer versions of this wonderful machine as I had seen on your website, and I found myself ordering the total gym XLS. Lets just say I LOVE IT!! I received all of the attachments that come with this machine and love everyone of them…..I am completely hooked and use it every single day!! I haven’t felt this good in a very long time!! I was injured quite badly 11 years ago in a car accident and fractured my spine and had a long recovery process and developed chronic back pain and found it difficult to workout. This machine is fantastic in the sense that it is so easy on my body, fluid in the motions, along with the stretching of the muscles you are working, it is very easy and pain-free for me to workout and get in shape. I cannot thank you enough Amanda, for your inspiration and ongoing support and encouragement. You have helped to bring fitness and health back into my life and for that I am so very grateful!! You have lit the fire in me once again and you can be sure I will keep it burning thanks to the total gym!! Thanks so much,and take care….Melissa.

As I reflect on the weekend of April 20th, 2012 I have realized that the Total Gym has changed my life, which in turn helped me change lives of others. What I experienced this weekend through my visit with the Gena, Joy and KSK, assured me that all the giving that I do from my heart is respected, and people are grateful. In hindsight, I know that I came into the weekend completely blind. The first demonstration brought tears to my eyes-for that depth of emotion, to feel the love in the room for something that you don’t even know - that is unbelievable and life-changing.

As I pause to remember the events, the kids’ demonstrations is what really struck a chord with me. Witnessing the passion and life in their expressions was incredible, like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have the opportunity to meet my movie idol, and I am thankful that this trip has changed my perspective in many ways. It has solidified my beliefs in the morals instilled in me by my parents and I that I have in turn bestowed on my children.

I fully believe that everything happens for a reason...and in this chapter of my life, it started with my Graves Disease diagnosis. Had I not been afflicted with this thyroid condition, I would never have turned towards exercise to heal myself – and never would have been introduced to The Total Gym and the Norris family.

My friends, family and fans have been joking with me for months saying that the one last thing I need to prove "angel status" (because of giving and fundraising efforts, including my fitness initiatives) is that i need to be "Chuck Norris Approved"... I just giggle.

I had no idea that Gena & Chuck poured their heart and souls into changing the lives of children until I was invited to KSK. It is impossible to express how amazed and impressed I was with their kindness and generosity. Chuck, has been my idol for some time (as he reminds me of my father, hard-working, with strong beliefs and morals) a role mode in fitness and lifestyle, however; I had very little knowledge as to how far your beliefs went. Gena, is such a remarkable woman - strong, loving, respected and beautiful. Meeting and spending time with you is something that I will never forget or take for granted.

I can’t share my thoughts on this amazing journey without mentioning Joy Campanaro. Now, here is an engaging, passionate, wonderful, positive and intriguing woman - it feels like I have known her forever. I see that Joy's dedication and commitment shines like a beacon just like the rest of the KSK team.

It may sound strange, but I am thankful for the struggles with my health that led me to this adventure – what once seemed like a curse was really a blessing in disguise! My gratitude is endless, and all I can do now, to steal a wonderful expression, is PAY IT FORWARD and continue to help whomever I can, however I can.

I was privileged to be seated at the head table with Gena, Joy and several other wonderful guests, and was able to witness the lives that were transformed by their association with Chuck Norris.

Cellulite often has nothing to do with being overweight as there are many thin women who are not overweight and still have cellulite because of their bad eating habits and exercise absence.

To remove cellulite you need to understand what cellulite is. Cellulite is a fatty substance that is found under your connective tissues. As it accumulates it pushes against the connective tissues and makes the skin pucker and ripple. Yikes, gross, is our first and for the most part, only reaction.

The best way to start with ridding of the cellulite is to drink a lot of water. At least 10 8oz glasses of water daily. If you are going to start to get rid of cellulite and the toxins stored in it, we need to give your body a way to flush it out.

Of course you all know that you need to develop an exercise program that is designed to help remove your body fat content. Exercise is an effective way of reducing the amount of cellulite that you have. Effective exercise programs will need to include cardio, strength training and flexibility training. You should try working out at least 3 to 4 times a week.

A great way to tone up your muscles is with a strength building and resistance program. Studies have shown that improving muscle firmness can help you get rid of cellulite. Concentrate extra time on muscle beneath the areas with lots of cellulite, but create a total body workout for best results.

Stick to a low calorie diet. Cellulite is not exclusive to overweight women, but eating healthy will keep the size of your fat cells small.  Avoiding saturated fats, coffee , salty foods and soft drinks as well because all this increases the possibility of fluid retention and thus to suffer cellulite.  Processed fatty foods such as sausages, cheese, biscuits and cakes, are particularly bad, often full of additives, salt or sweeteners, which increase the accumulation of toxins in the body.  Foods that are great for reducing cellulite are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, mangoes, papaya and foods that rich in vitamin C.  Other foods that strengthen the skin are oily fish, chicken, grapefruit, tomatoes, apples, spinach, carrots and avocados.
You can purchase a moisturizer that has a sunless tanner mixed in. The moisturizer will hydrate you skin and reduce the severity of the rippling. The sunless tanner will darken you skin making your cellulite less visible. This is a great cosmetic trick to hide cellulite while you work on lowering your body fat content.

Try skin brushing. This technique is very simple and relatively inexpensive. Simply use a loofah sponge or a soft body brush and scrub your hips, thighs and belly. This not only helps you to exfoliate, but it also stimulates blood flow and supports lymph functions. This will help to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

Once a week put a generous layer of castor oil on the skin over the parts you are working on, put the old PJs on that you don't care about and go to sleep like that. This helps to increase your lymphatic drainage and get rid of trapped toxins!

Don't get discouraged - change takes a while, but this will help you lose weight too!

Best results can be seen after about 3 months of treatment.

Quit smoking (if you do). Many smokers have large concentrations of cellulite, making researchers think there may be a connection between smoking and cellulite.

Cut caffeine from your diet. Unfortunately, one of the toxins in cellulite appears to be from caffeine. However, many anti-cellulite creams use caffeine. Caffeine if applied to the outside of skin may help reduce cellulite. Rubbing coffee grinds on cellulite is a popular choice for many people, though researchers question its efficacy.

I have recently received emails on to how to get rid of bra fat or cellulite.

Here are methods that will help strengthen your back muscles which in turn will help pull your shoulders back, so you stand taller and appear leaner. You'll also play sports and perform chores with more ease and be less likely to suffer from back woes. The following exercises target the muscles on your upper back, and around your bra. Do two sets of 10 to 12 repetitions, with a 30 seconds of rest in between, 2 - 3 days a week. Allow a day of rest between workouts.


 
Bent-Over Row Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and knees slightly bent for support. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your back straight, bend 90 degrees from the waist and allow your arms to hang down toward the floor, palms facing your legs.

A tip to help sculpt and tone yourself a sleek body is to team up and compete with a friend.  I find when I push others to do their best, it also pushes myself.

Motivating others, motivates me.  When you watch a workout DVD by yourself you are more opt to turn it off and give up because no one is watching, rather than continue on and help push the person you are working out with.  If the person you are working out with is better than you than that automatically makes you raise your own goals and forces your ego to step it up.  If you are working out with someone you hardly know (I don't know why you would do this) however, you will be naturally wanting to impress them, show them what you have, and that is also motivation.  So grab a friend and make the new year something to talk about.

When you work out with a partner you can....
- co-ordinate or shop for work out outfits to keep things fresh and fun
- swap music playlists for something different
- act as silly as you want because you have someone with you doing the same thing
- be motivated by fun
- help push your partner to accomplish their goal
- be leader and follower
- grab the camera or video camera and upload photos to motivate others in your community
- have friendly challenges


Push ON!

Do you love to jog but can’t find the time or motivation or simply don’t think you can jog? 

I have been suffering with asthma since birth and over the course of the last few months, I have trained my body to be able to sustain jogging.  For the first time in my life, I can jog, and being able to do that, has given me to motivation to repeat it as often as my lifestyle will let me.  As you can see, even fit people have barricades to jump over, and if you are passionate about life, then you will find a way to succeed.  Even a little bit of success is a goal for someone like myself who has lived with asthma and graves disease.  I found that having fun is the first step in overcoming symptoms and when the positivity sinks in that is when it becomes easier to make the new lifestyle a habit.  The way I make jogging fun; a great motivational music list, a new outfit, great shoes, my husband & our chocolate lab, and wonderful weather.  I end my exercise with a cool-down and do light stretching. This gives my muscles a chance to relax.

Also, if you are the type that enjoys any type of weather then you should try puddle splashing!!! That is mud bogging with your FEET!

Remember to always consult your physician before getting started with jogging. Happy jogging!  If you have any other questions feel free to email me at amandalynn@fytnessfanatik.com

Exercising while at work will make your day easier to get through, you can exercise without even moving from your chair.  Always remembering to keep your posture straight, stretching from time to time and moving your legs often will prevent fatigue. I often squeeze my eyes closed for 3 seconds to give them a rest from the computer screen as well.

Try a combination of these exercises to firm up those soft spots that jiggle when you move.

Remember that a recommended 30 minutes of cardio at least three times a week is required to get that blanket of fat removed from above your muscles.
Over-the-Bra Jiggle
To get rid of that roll that falls over your bra strap in the back, try bent over rows.  Stand next to a chair with a dumbbell in your right hand.  Put your left knee and your left hand on the seat and extend your right arm to the floor. Bending your elbow out to your side, slowly bring the weight up to your chest.  Try two sets of 15 reps on each side.
Thigh Jiggle
In addition to cardio, try the four-way lunge.  With your hands on your hips, step forward with your right foot and lunge, return to the start.  Lunge backward, return to start.  Lunge right, return to start. Lunge with your left foot, return to start.  Try two set of 15 reps on each side.
Underarm Jiggle
Triceps are the easiest muscle to train and they respond quickly to fat loss and exercise.  Place your hands on the edge of the seat of a chair and walk your feet out.  Slowly lower your buttocks towards the floor, bending your elbows to a 90 degree angle and then press back up.  Try two sets of 15 reps.
Jiggle Belly
Flatten your abs with planks.  In a push up position with your forearms flat on the floor, hold that pose for as long as you can.  OR/AND Grab onto a chin up bar and lift your legs up as high as you can straight out in front of you.