Pumpkin Pudding!

I finally found the recipe for the Pumpkin Pudding that everyone has been talking about!

Decadent, creamy pudding for less than 150 calories - and it helps you lose weight! Just combine a 6 once container of nonfat vanilla yogurt with 1/2 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree and a dash of cinnamon. The pumpkin bulks up the yogurt, already a protein rich, nutrient packed food and adds a hefty dose of fiber. This winning combo of protein and fiber expands in your stomach, keeping you full long after you finish so you're not looking for more munchies an hour later.

Eat Monounsaturated Fats-Not Saturated Fats

A new study listed in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that if you consume foods high in saturated fat, (beef, butter, full fat dairy products) our brains signal our bodies NOT to feel satiated, which can last for about 3 days.  In contrast, the study found that eating the heart healthy monounsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, edamame & avocado) have the opposite effect and makes us feel fuller faster.  This sounds similar to the effect High-fructose Corn Syrup has on our satiety factor!  This is more evidence that we can help control our brains and bodies by what we eat.  More and more I am convinced that "Eating Clean" is the way to go.  Read more about eating clean at: http://www.eatclean.com/

Skechers Shape-Ups Product Review

I purchased a pair of Skechers Shape-Ups for myself to add to my "wearable fitness tools."
They claim to:

• Promote weight loss
• Strengthen the back
• Firm calf and buttock muscles
• Reduce cellulite and tone your thighs
• Increase cardiovascular health
• Improve posture
• Reduce stress on knee and ankle joints

I put them on immediately after purchasing them and wore them in the Mall.  The first thing I noticed was that it felt like I was walking barefoot in the sand.  I wore them that first day, feeling a bit of a workout in my legs.  That evening, while relaxing in my chair watching TV, I noticed a surprising twitch/slight pain at the top of my right hamstring, as if it was saying, "What did you do to me today!!" "You are doing something different!"

The next day I wore them while doing my "brisk walk" on my treadmill and noticed I needed to reduce my speed because I was putting forth more effort than usual.

I have been wearing them as much as possible as my new, everyday shoes.  I believe they are definitely causing my body to work a little bit harder and I am feeling it in my legs.
Would I recommend them?  Yes, what would it hurt to try them out, other than the $100 cost. Any increase in effort and toning is better than wearing a normal walking shoe. 

I would put them in the same fitness tool category as the Body Togs, Thigh-Mate thigh weights, and the Walkvest Weighted Vest. They are all great tools to wear on your body to help you to increase your calorie burn & muscle tone.

Body Togs (wearable weighted sleeves worn on your arms & legs), Thigh-Mate thigh weights (non-slip thigh weights to wear during exercise) and the Walkvest Weight Vest are all available online for purchase through my website: http://www.womenspersonalfitness.net/  Check them out!