Now, that Spring is here, Summer is just around the corner. That means more time spent outside in less clothing. If you’re dreading wearing shorts or swimsuits this Summer, then include this exercise in your routine to tone your legs. Flutter kicks will target your glutes and hamstrings. On a bench or platform, (or even on your bed if you train at home) lie face down with your hips on the edge of the bench. Keep your legs straight with your toes resting lightly on the floor. (If you are using a bed, your legs will be off the edge of it with your feet high off the floor.) Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings and straighten your legs until they are at the same level as the hips. Lift one leg higher then the other and alternate moving each leg as though you are doing a flutter kick in water. Do 3 sets of 20 repetitions on each leg.

Of course, there are many diets out there, but there are very few that actually allow you to eat, rather than starve yourself. One of my favorite diets is the Scarsdale Diet because it enables you to eat clean and healthy meals without sacrificing carbs or proteins. If you’re serious about shedding pounds, then you should definitely give Scarsdale a try. You’ll follow the Scarsdale Diet strictly for two weeks and then switch to the Keep Trim Eating regimen for two weeks. In the Keep Trim Eating regimen, you’ll plan your own menus for two weeks, with a list of additional foods permitted, and higher calories. After this two week period, you’ll go back on Scarsdale again for another two weeks of strict low calorie eating followed by another two weeks of Keep Trim Eating. Simply repeat the cycles until your weight loss goal is reached. After reaching your goal, follow the principles of theLifetime Keep-SlimProgram for ongoing maintenance. Let me know what you think about this program and whether you’re going to give it a shot.

No, that is not a typographical error. My health insurance won’t cover a medication that I need, and it’s going to cost $13,500 PER dose every 8 weeks. Yes, that is in United States currency. Yes, someone seriously gave me that quote over the phone and was kind enough to remind me that it was only an estimate because administrative charges were not yet included. I haven’t completely wrapped my head around this yet, but I needed to share this information. Now, I’m going to step outside and see if I can locate that money tree my mom used to talk about.

I had to put my Ab Boot Camp workouts on hold for a little bit due to the colitis. But, I did find another way to get a great, fun workout that won’t cause too much stress in my midsection. I started jumping rope again. It’s simple and easy to do, but it’s intense. I haven’t skipped since jumping double dutch in elementary school over 3,967 years ago. At first, it may feel awkward and tiresome, but if you put on your favorite songs and challenge yourself to keep jumping without stopping to the end of the song, you’ll get a really good workout. Plus, 10 minutes of jumping rope is equal to 30 minutes of jogging. So, you’ll burn more calories in a shorter period of time! Who’s going to join me?

So, I’ve been dealing with a serious health issue for the past three years.  It’s called ulcerative colitis, and there’s no cure for this terrible syndrome.   Despite being ill and in severe pain at times, I still try to maintain my diet and exercise regimen.  But, recently, I’ve been gaining weight.  I talked to my doctor about this, and he said it’s from my medications.  Say what now? And on top of this revelation, he wants me to stop eating healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables,and grains.  Now, I do like my doctor and I trust his expertise, but he’s going to make me fat.  So, I figure I have two options - 1) anorexia (yeah, right - I’m not really feeling the protruding bones look) or 2) fill my plate with foods that I avoid as if they were simmering in e. coli, such as white rice, white bread, and anything processed.  What’s a girl to do?