Your diet regimen…… let’s talk about it.

I have watched several people around me try and grab a hold of the “losing weight” concept and what that entails. From actually working out to trying to find that magic pill. As I learn more on fitness, I sometimes think everyone else is learning the same things. But then realize they may not have the same knowledge that I have, or quite honestly the same drive I do. All of us have a “bottom” or “pit” where you have had enough and nothing will stand in your way of your weight loss goals.

I hit my pit with a picture. A muffin top that I felt growing under my clothing. I was then confirmed it was there as it squished over my jeans in a photo. What is it for you that made you change? What is it that will make you change if you haven’t already? There has to be something which will be your pit and the end of your obesity and excesses weight. I believe so much of working out is mental. We almost have to have that mental moment where we know, that we know, that we know, something has got to change. The Ahh-haa moment, so to speak.

So once we make the decision to change, what do we change first? Most people prioritize their food habits and try to get rid of their worst food choices first. Your sugar habit, your coffee habit, and even the dreaded pop/soda habit. Stop. Just 'cause it says diet, does not make it good for your. HUGE pet peeve of mine. If it has no calories, and no sugar, and no carbs.......then what is it? CHEMICALS IN A CAN!!! STOP STOP STOP. If you can give up anything, this is it. Please quit. Aspartame is a huge factor in premature Alzheimers. Think about it, or forget you heard this and forget the rest of your life too as it literally sucks the life out of your brain. Don't believe their ads. If it's diet, that does not mean it's good for you!

Giving up habit food can be a slow transition and for others it’s a cold turkey decision. Get started by cleaning out those cupboards and don’t bring it in the house or even buy it at the store. My hard earned dollars will not support the High Fructose Corn Syrup industry. (You should have seen my shopping experience with my nephews. They learned a lot about HFCS and Aspartame. Aunt Angie won’t buy it!)There’s one thing that still baffles me completely. Once someone makes the choice to workout and be healthy, and maybe give up some of their bad habits, right after the workout they crack open that pop or get into the vending machine junk food. Don’t you realize what you just accomplished in the gym is now null and void? Seriously. You just depleted your body of energy as it’s all pumping into your muscles and working to burn off fat and then you re-energize yourself with donuts or a Diet Coke? Does this really make sense to you?

How about waiting a half hour or so and having a chicken breast, a small sweet potato, and some asparagus? Wouldn’t this make more sense to help your body repair from the tear down in the gym? When you are reaching for that junk food or the one thing that still has a hold on you, remember how hard the last push up was or how bad those squats hurt. That crap food can’t be worth it.

We all have choices to make. I am no different. Let’s try and make the right choices together. Set a goal and if you can give up your vice food for 4-6 weeks, you won’t ever want or need it again. Chocolate will soon taste different, believe me.For the chocolate lover try a dark 83-85% cocoa bar. You will get used to it and the Snickers will no longer satisfy. Keep it up and Find the Fit In You!

Click on YHH to go to the home page. I have added great inspirational moving music and lots of new links to more fitness information. You won't ever be bored in your fitness walk when your subscribed to YHH!

Blessings, Angie

Gym Gems Jewelry Giveaway!

We all need a little motivation. Something to get us through our next workout. Maybe a rubber band wrapped around your wrist as a constant reminder to yet again hit the gym. But what if it didn't have to be a little string on your finger? But something fun to remind yourself of your new choices. To show others your commitment to a new healthier lifestyle. I found the perfect thing.

Thanks to Fran, over at Gym Gems, I am now the proud wearer of the Gym Gems Barbell Necklace and I couldn't be happier. I am honored to be part of an elite group of fitness professionals and gym enthusiasts alike, that sport this jewelry.

Just because us ladies like to workout and throw around a few weights, doesn't mean we want to look like a guy or lose our femininity. As so many think. We want to still have style and look great when not in gym clothing. And don't worry boys, there is something at Gym Gems for everyone.

I first found Gym Gem jewelry in the back of my favorite Oxygen Magazine. Then shortly after, started to see my favorite fitness models wearing them in photo shoots. After checking out the online store, I just new I wanted to see what these were really all about.

Their customer service is that of quality. From the first Gym Gems email confirming my shipment, to a tracking number shortly after, to the professional way it was packaged and shipped.

I received the dumbbell charm (Retailing at $48), the Spiga Chain at 18" (Retailing at $20) and a jewelry polish cloth (complimentary). All of this was wrapped in a great logo gift box with velvet bag.

I think we all need something to remind ourselves of the accomplishments that we have made and are yet to make in the future.

So now the exciting part. Fran didn't just bless me with a chance to see the quality they sell over at Gym Gems, but has sent me one for you as well.

This is a joy for me to be able reward a subscriber. You have been loyal to me and allowing me to help in your journey of fitness and in your efforts of working out. I want to bless someone who has done a great job with their weight loss.

So here are the rules. Three ways to register.
#1 - Be a subscriber and leave me a comment "I subscribe." If you are not a subscriber, there's no time like the present. Sign up and leave a comment "New subscriber." (Remember to verify the subscription in your email inbox for further posts. Once you are subscribed you are entered in all giveaways for the life of your subscription.)
#2 - Be a follower and join my crazy hard core fitness junkies. Leave me a comment "I follow". Or "New follower."
#3 - This is important as winners are also chosen by comment as well as subscription: Visit the Gym Gem site and let us know what you think. If you could pick an item of your choice, what would it be?

Entries must be received by June 6th at midnight. A winner/subscriber will be chosen on Sunday the 7th.

Be Blessed in all you do and keep up the great workouts!

Rio Wear Clothing

Rio Wear is a very cool clothing company with great customer service. I was given the opportunity to try out a few of their designer items. They have great styles to choose from. There are not many companies out there when it comes to fitness clothing, that have any originality whatsoever.  

 

The different jackets they have to offer are quite nice. I have the jacket shown above. It was much heavier than what I thought originally. I was expecting it to be a really light weight thin material. Although it is lightweight enough to use as a warm up jacket, the material is a heavy duty quality giving it some weight. I have the black w/ blue camo and just love it.  It is on sale now for $65. Not bad from the original $99.

Sports bras at Rio Wear are not what you are used to seeing.

As you see in these pictures here.  This is a great twist (pardon the pun) on an old idea of a sports bra. With designs like these you can use them for your goal accomplished photo shoots or just looking great at the gym.  The first picture shown is the Flower Top design and retails for $38. The Charm top is another of my favorites with a grey and pink braided strap. These are very comfortable bras and do the trick when working out as well. I love finding great items that I can recommend to you for your fitness needs. 

I am not only here to encourage you in your fitness journey but to show you the best and easiest way to workout and look great. I hope this helps finding great companies for you to try that maybe you don't have the time to find yourself. Hopefully you don't have the time to find it because you are in the gym.  

Zosimos Botanicals Giveaway

Check out a great review on organic beauty products over at Green Organic Diet. Only two more days to register to win a gift set.  One facial moisturizer, eye creme, and jasmine perfume stick could be yours just for commenting and/or subscribing.

More great giveaways coming soon to Your Happy Hearts.

*Remember it's summer. You are putting in a great effort at the gym (at least I hope you are) and now it's time to take that energy outside and do something you couldn't do last year.

Find a new hobby. Hike, bike, kayak, camp and be active. Don't let another summer of sitting on the deck with your wine go by.

YHH has faith in you. Keep up the great workouts and Find the Fit in You!

Please leave all comments for organic giveaway at www.greenorganicdiet.com to enter to win.

The Girls Apparel

Working out is not easy. If it was, everyone would have a beach body right? Finding something to wear while working out, which actually allows you to move freely, not sweat profusely and is comfortable, can sometimes be harder than the workout itself.

In searching the internet, on a mission to give you the best fitness information I can, I came upon a company called The Girls. (Sorry guys, this one is for the girls.) They are a very friendly company with simple, but great choices in clothing.One item that I was given a chance to try were the Tummy Control Bottoms with zippers. The material is of a really good quality and I must say, after lots of shopping, their prices are great. $37.99 retail for these pants. While I am a little more short wasted, and like my pants to sit lower, these sit higher in order to control that tummy we all want to go away. These pants are great for yoga or even a jog.

The V-Neck Body Control Top is great (Shown above in Grey). I really enjoy this shirt. It's so comfortable. It not only works in the gym but in your everyday wardrobe.

Blu-Tec Power Mesh is added to the bottom of the shirt to smooth out your tummy. I really like this feature. If you wear this shirt with a great pair of jeans, it smooths the transition between your tummy and the top of your jeans, making your waste look incredible. I am sure all the situps and counting calories is helping too! Another great feature, is again the price. This shirt retails for $24.99. That's just great and can fit into any workout budget.

Side Note: You should have a budget for your fitness life. Gym equipment, clothing, gym memberships, workout DVD's, vitamins, whey protein, etc. If you don't, make an envelope today and start budgeting it in and setting money aside, or you will never have what you need to get a great figure. Something else will always come up and be needed instead and you will justify putting your workout lifestyle on hold yet again.

So for the smart shopper who wants something comfortable, cute, and good quality, I highly recommend you visit The Girls apparel and get some great clothes ordered today.

Deviled Eggs Don't Have To Be Evil

While browsing through the new copy of The Biggest Loser book, I came across a recipe. If you can call it that. It's more of an idea or a new twist on an old favorite. 

The good 'ol Deviled Egg is a family favorite and something easy to make for picnics and gatherings. But how about a healthy way to get your protein and not all that mayo?

Boil your eggs and cut in half as you would for normal Deviled Eggs. Then throw out the yoke. I know, I don't like waste either. Fine, toss it to the dog if you must. Then lay out your whites and fill with hummus. 

If you really want to be healthy and organic you can make your own. But for those of us who don't have the time, Sam's Club sells really good hummus in a variety of flavors. I would probably add a little paprika or Cajun to spice it up.

After a conversation with friends on this new Deviled Egg discovery, someone suggested filling with guacamole instead. You could even do a plate with half of one and half of the other to please all party guests. Guacamole is another item you can purchase at Sam's Club. No bad preservatives or added sugars. Just good avocados. We like to buy the frozen guac, thaw, and add tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. Yum Yum.  


Give this a try and let me know what you think. 


Remember if you have any questions concering weight loss or fitness please contact me anytime at findyourfit@charter.net


Blessings.

Say Yes to Carrots - Lip Balm Giveaway

 

You have heard me say in the past how I love organic products. Thus the start of the Green Organic Diet site. As we become healthy in fitness and working out, we must all change the things in our lives that surround us on a daily basis. We are making wise choices in workouts and food, but what are you doing about the products in your daily lives? Are you making organic healthy choices or continuing with the wrong purchases at the grocery store?

Yes to Carrots is an ever growing company. They have so many products I can not possibly share them with you all here. I actually heard about them through another site and was extremely impressed.  I got a hold of one of their awesome lip balms and wanted to get it in your hands. It's an organic melon you won't be able to live without, man or woman. Who doesn't love a great lip balm? 

This is going to be an easy contest for you all. Three simple steps and you could be chosen to win the lip balm that will save your lips from the hot summer sun.

#1 - Be a subscriber or subscribe for the first time and leave me a comment "I am a subscriber" or "I just subscribed." 

#2 - Second chance to win - follow this site and add your face to that those who are making healthier choices every day and working out like crazy!!

#3 - Leave me a comment after visiting Yes to Carrots and let me know what your favorite product was.

Contest will end midnight of Sunday the 24th of May.  A winner will be chosen the next day and contacted for mailing information.

Good Luck.  

Razor Mate

I was approached by Razor Mate , who asked me to test their product so I could share with you about my experience.  It's quite the product actually and not what I was expecting. It's exactly what it is named, a mate for your razor.  The Razor Mate company explains it the best so I will quote them: 

"Contrary to popular belief, a razor blade is not rapidly dulled by shaving. The micro thin edge of the blade quickly begins to undulate.  This distortion can cause cuts, razor burn and poor shaves. A razor blade can be pulled back into it's original form using the Razor Mate's magnetic system." 

I know it's hard to believe right? But by placing your disposable razor blade on the Razor Mate after each shave, it is straightened by using magnetic pressure. 


Now I have only used this a short time and don't know the full potential of this product. But I can say I know someone who personally has been using the Razor Mate for quite sometime  and is still on their same disposable razor. That says a lot for our economy as well as your wallet.  

So for those of us who love to workout, stay fit, and care about our appearance, this is a great product. Men and women in fitness can spend a lot of time shaving and making themselves competition ready. I highly recommend this product. Check it out!

Smart Wool- Socks and More

I was given the opportunity to try two pair of wool socks from Smart Wool.  This site has great wool products for all your hiking, skiing, biking, or outdoor needs. When I first saw the socks shown above I was impressed with the quality. Then I put them on. Shown above are from the PhD line. (Check out http://www.smartwool.com/phd/, for an explanation of the PhD sock. Very informative) They were so comfortable and a great fit. After wearing them around the house as slippers, I put on my shoes to drive into town to get groceries. My first steps with them in my shoes were amazing. Seriously. They felt better in my shoes than just walking around the house. Smart Wool socks are made to limit the abrasion on your feet. No slipping or rubbing at all.

I also received a pair of the knee high socks shown above (but mine are brown). The wool is not quite as heavy on this sock. These will look great with a fun skirt or even just under a comfortable pair of jeans. Everyone should have a great pair of knee highs.

Smart Wool offers Womens top and bottoms, Men's tops and bottoms, and even a kids line.
So check out Smart Wool for that next hiking or camping trip and make sure your packed with the highest quality wool.

Spot Reducing Fat

Spot Reducing Fat! Sounds kind of fancy huh? This simply means just that: reducing fat in one spot. I am so sorry to break this to you if you haven't heard it before, but SRF can't be done. Yes, you can make your belly smaller and you can make the flab on the back of your arms go away, but it's going to take effort. All over effort.

Nothing comes for free or everyone would be strutting their stuff on the beach healthy and thin. Remember you didn't get the big pooch or caboose overnight. It took time. You weren't paying attention every time you put a fry in your mouth. So don't be impatient when you are trying to get it to come off. With all good bodies, it takes just as much time to go the other way. Sometimes more. I know your counting every carrot, or staring in the mirror every five minutes at your stomach (or maybe that's just me) but just think every carrot equal to every fry. But the carrot will do what it was designed to do, nourish your body.

Now back to the Spot Reducing. Since this can't be done, what can you do? Obvious by the picture above you must workout and resistance train., ie: weights. (You MUST use weights. Or your body will eat the muscle FIRST and then head for the fat.) When you build the muscle you will burn more fat.

If you have a problem area such as your belly, you will have to lose weight all over your body. For example, you can not tell your body to only burn fat from around your stomach. Your body will burn off the fat evenly around your body. You may notice it going in your belly more as that's where you held the majority of our weight. Or off the back of your legs, thighs and buttocks. Or it could be you notice it falling off in a specific area because you are only focusing on that.

As you lose weight by working out and eat only what GOD made for us, you are slowly going to build muscle under your fat. Very soon after the fat starts to drop off, you will start to actual see your muscle.  This is the exciting part. When you really start to see and feel a difference in yourself. The less fat you have the more energy you will have which will in turn burn more fat. But you have to start somewhere. And it's probably slow and no energy. But TRUST me, the more you workout and make that change the faster you will feel like doing more.

Who doesn't want to look like this guy? Maybe you don't and that's OK. Being healthy is the most important thing.

I want to give a tip about the nasty flab on the back of your arms. Once you start to lose your weight, you can "fill" in the lose skin by building muscle. Another great reason to grab that weight.

I hope this encouraged you to make a change or keep going. You deserve to be healthy and happy!

Victoria Jackson Makeup

I wanted to share my experience with Victoria Jackson's make-up. I was not approached by the company to write this review, I have simply found it on my own. I should say I found it thanks to Sam's Club and the special they are running. (Call your local Sam's for tour dates). PLEASE READ FOLLOW UP REVIEW POSTED 05/15/2011.

I am typically searching for more organic based products to use on my skin, thus the start of www.greenorganicdiet.com. But when shopping in Sam's Club a few days ago, there stood a huge display of Victoria Jackson Cosmetics. It said the "No Make-up" Make-up.  I just had to check it out. I had never heard of this brand before. (Maybe I am the only one. She is a makeup artist to the stars and a best selling author). After a demonstration at Sam's I went home and checked out Victoria Jackson's website. I found the cost of the kits they were selling at Sam's Club and I rushed back the next day. This was too good to pass up.

This is the survival kit. It has eye pencil, lip pencil, mascara, 10 eyeshadows, 5 lip glosses, 2 blush, brushes, and mirror. Folds up, clicks shut and is made to travel through an airport snug in your purse. Or with you on a daily basis. It also came nicely packaged in a protective case with magnet closure if you are like me and like to keep your packaging. I was impressed. This retails for $110 on the site.  Right now at your participating Sam's club you get this for $26.95. But.....it also comes with the following free.....

 

This is the shimmer powder brush bronzer. Retails for $32.00.  It is refillable. You want to put powder foundation or more bronzer of another brand in. Which I really like the glitter on this and am impressed also. There is a built in clear plastic tube that slides up the brush to keep it intact. That was a bonus.

Then you also receive a compact called Exotic Eyes which is not on her site. It has six more eye colors and two creme eye liners; brown and black. The case is gorgeous and has a huge mirror. On her site, her eye and lip kits, which I found to be comparible are around $49.00. So I would guess that would be the price of the Exotic set as well.

So this smaller set at Sam's is about $191 worth of stuff for only $26.95. You just can't beat that.

When I went in the first day the sales woman showed me the smaller set. Then when I went the next day and decided to purchase a kit for myself and my friend, she told me about the second kit. You got all I just mentioned above plus......for $56.95.

Additional items in larger kit include:  Essentials Face color kit. I would say it's close to the one shown above, but slightly different for promotional reasons I am sure. The case is more of a rubber feel where the other cases are high-gloss black. This kit has nine more eye shadows, two huge lip glosses, and two large blushes. This retails for $69.00 on line.

The Pocket Palette is very cute as well. (shown above) There are four creme to powder eye shadows and two more lip glosses. The eye shadows are cool because they are very shimmery but have a dry feel and seem to really stay on. This retails for $48.00 on line.

The final item is a brush set in a roll case with snap. The brushes are high quality and comfortable in your hand. I love the lip brush (far right).  When the cap is taken off you don't see the brush as it is down inside. But when you put the cap on the back end of the brush (as pictured above) it pushes the brush up and out. This keeps the gooy lip gloss from getting all over the other brushes. Very clever.
This retails for $44.00 on line.

So now you are talking about $352 worth of make-up (give or take a few dollars) for $56.95.  I was so impressed I just had to share with my readers.

Both sets shown above, come with a small spiral bound book with tabs to each part of your face and instructions on how to do proper make-up applications. These are tips from her best selling books rolled into one small one. Bonus!

We try everyday to take care of ourselves and be healthy. So feeling good and looking good is important to us. I knew you would be impressed too.

Let me know if you rush out and get one and what you think. Happy shopping.
Angie -

SofSole Shoe Accessorie Giveaway

Who doesn’t love a good tennis shoe for jogging or walking in? I know I do. So what do you do when your favorite pair really starts to wear out on the inside?

SofSole is the place to get all your running shoe accessories, and much more. They have all kinds of different shoe inserts and you can give your old tennies a new feel.

SofSole offers a shoe arch insert you can place in your oven, warm up on a cookie sheet, put in your shoe and slip your foot in. As the insert cools, it takes perfect shape to your arch so you get the right fit every time. No guessing in the store which support would be the right one. A standard insert is available to for those who want just a little support, but really need the new padding on the inside of your shoe.

Now you can’t have a great insole without the perfect sock. SofSole has tons of different socks. Some that breath, some so soft you won’t want to go for a jog, and some that sit so low they hide in your shoe. I was given the opportunity to try several of their products and have been impressed with all. This past winter, YHH has published an article previously for the SofSole Company. For spring they would love to head you in the right direction for fitness. They have offered my readers, yet again, a chance to win some awesome products.

SofSole has provided YHH with men’s shoe inserts, women’s inserts, and several pairs of socks. A few selected readers will also get a specialized laundry soap sample to reactivate your weather protected clothing. Now there is no excuse not go workout in the rain.
To enter the giveaway, simply follow the steps below:

#1 – Leave me a comment letting me know you are a subscriber. If you are not part of my radical wannabe healthy fitness junkies, join today by simply filling in your address in the subscription box. (Remember to verify the email message in your inbox to receive all of YHH’s great posts.)

#2 – For a second entry: Check out SofSole and leave a comment on what you think or what products intrigue you the most.

#3 – For a third entry: Join as a follower and get Your Happy Heart moving in the right direction of fitness and health.

Good luck. Contest ends May 10th at midnight.