Gym Gems Belly Ring

Gym Gems has done it again! Wow, what amazing jewelry. For all you body pierced YHH readers, I have the perfect belly ring for you.

Gym Gems has graciously sent me their belly ring with barbell and CZ's. I was actually much impressed with the clasp. It hinges open, has a nice click when it's latched, and you know it's in place and not going to fall out on your next workout.

I think it would look awesome with amazing abs. You know the ones most of us are striving for? Here's an inspirational tip: Purchase the Gym Gems belly ring and use it as your motivation to the belly you are striving for. Once you reach your goal wear it with pride.

I tried it for a day and it's heavier than my normal barbell I usually wear. Getting used to something moving on you is different. Wearing it over time, I can see how you could get adjusted to the feel and probably wouldn't even notice it in.

I again love the quality of the piece as with all Gym Gems. You get what you pay for. You also know you are getting first class sterling silver and a company who backs their products. So as always, check out Gym Gems and tell Fran YHH sent ya!

Working Out to Music

Most American's now have an iPod or some sort of MP3 player. The question is, are you utilizing it for your workouts?

What music makes you move? Dance and Pop music are great to use for cardio. Anything which has inspirational words, means something to you specifically, and gets you moving is great for a jogging or a trip on the elliptical.

The Black Eyed Peas, "I gotta feeling", is perfect for me to start my cardio. It gets me mentally prepared for a good day and a good workout. I then change to heavy Christian rock music (Kutless, Skillet, Chris Daughtry) for lifting weights. I use a cool down of peaceful tranquil music (Travis Terry, Indian flute musician) for yoga stretch.

iPod's have a playlist feature. Use this to set up a cardio list, a lifting list, and a cool down list. By organizing your songs in a particular order, from softer to heavier music, it may motivate you to push more at the end of your workout when your starting to slow down.

Another good idea is to look at the time on the songs when building your playlist. How long do you want to do your cardio? 20 minutes, 30 or 45? Then set a list of songs that will take you the amount of time you need. This will let you get in the groove of the music without having to pay attention to a clock. When the set list is done so are you. Have the last song a slower rhythm which will let you know it's time for your cool down.

I would love to know what's on your iPod. As always leave comments on YHH at anytime. I try and answer them all, so check back.

Have fun grooving with your next workout!

Fit Chicks Face Book Page

Fit Chicks is a new FB page for Christian women (sorry boys) to share their fitness journey, questions, and concerns. It's only been up and running for about two weeks and already has 73 friends. Let's see how fast my YHH.com girls can bring up this number. (But don't forget to become a fan of Your Happy Hearts.com too!)

Amazing conversations, reminders, and informational videos/links have already been posted. Also, being Christian based, inspiring music videos are posted too. Which being a huge fan of praise and worship music, I love.

This is a place for you to go and check in with gals of all ages, who care you ran a mile today and hope to do 1 1/2 tomorrow. From gals who squat 200 pounds or more, to some who compete in fitness/figure competitions, to someone who took the dog for a walk as a way to start anew. They are all now great FB supporting friends and awaiting you to join in.

You can also post questions to the wall and receive a variety of answers depending on other Fit Chicks views and knowledge. So click on the Fit Chick photo and request friendship today. Get to know the women of FC and possibly make some of the best FB friends you can!

LivPure Water Filter Bottle

The Liv Pure water bottle is an amazing invention. They are equipped with their own charcoal filtration system. The water passes through the filter on the way out. When you squeeze the bottle, the tap water is forced through the filter allowing the filter compounds to reduce more than 50% of the chlorine from your tap water. Cleaning out harmful bacteria and making your water safer to drink.

Reduce the amount of plastic bottles being thrown away by using this PBA free bottle. You can filter up to 75 gallons of water (that's almost 500 refills) on one filter saving over 500 plastic water bottles from being tossed out. And the expense of all those bottles you buy for your family.

The filter is created to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. Simply pull it out to rinse every few bottles and snap back in for easy replacement.

YHH found two places you can purchase these bottles. One is direct from Fit&Fresh. The bottle retails for $12.99 with one filter being in the bottle when you receive it. Filter replacements are $7.99 for two. With each filter lasting approximately 3 months, to my calculations, two sets of replacements will have you good to go for one year.

At LTD Commodities you can buy the bottle on sale for $5.95 and a set of replacement filters for $4.95. With this deal I could not resist and purchased two bottles with one set of filters.

When we received the bottles and found out how cool they were we went back and stocked up on more filters. My husband and I are tossing out the water bottles we tend to use over and over (which is not good either) and giving LivPure a try.

YHH will let you know how they work out after a few months and if we are still using them. If you own one already, leave a comment and let us know.

Your Happy Hearts Official Fan Page

After several tries and several failures, YHH finally has a Facebook "Fan" page.

If you are currently a fan of Angie Happy-Hearts check out Your Happy Hearts.com and become a fan. No waiting for friendship approval, no limit to fans, and more interaction. You can post your thoughts, success stories, questions and concerns. Even fan pictures of your weight loss success and transformation.

Angie Happy-Hearts will be taken off line in approximately 30 days, after Your Happy Hearts.com has been loaded with all the great photos and information found on the original FB page.

Be a fan and hear first when products are coming in for review and if you are eligable for a chance to win one of your own.

Lets see how fast this page can grow. Share with your Facebook friends who are interested in fitness and let's start an amazing community of support!

NFPT - Update

So how is school going? It's still going. With lots to study and learn, I decided to do up my own flash cards. Now with a little help from the spouse, I can learn hopefully a little easier.

With regards to all the anatomy, I see where I struggle in this area. But I know this is something that I really want to do and am going to keep at it. How good is this school? I sent an email to my contact and asked a few questions. Later that night I was emailed back and asked a phone number for which I could be reached and a good time to do so. The very next day I was greeted by a phone call and explained a few things I had missed or misunderstood. What on line school does that? NFPT!

So if you are still considering becoming a personal Trainer and taking your fitness to the next level, check out the National Federation of Professional Trainers today and get registered. You won't regret it.

If you are already registered, in the program, or a graduate, I would love to hear your comments. You can comment back to YHH at anytime.

Yummy Yogurt

Who doesn't love a big bowl of ice cream during a movie or TV night? This could be one of my favorite things besides pop corn. I discovered something wonderful the other night and hope you enjoy it too. Stonyfield Organic Yogurt comes in one awesome flavor. Well, actually lots, but one really caught my eye.

It's a vanilla yogurt with chocolate on the bottom. Yes, you heard me right. It's organic chocolate. I shook one of these babies up and tossed it in the freezer. It was delicious. And with it being the size of a normal yogurt, my portion was just right. Stonyfield has an amazing website. With YoTube videos (yes, that's spelled correctly) you can visit the farms where the cows live which provide Stonyfield's milk products. Stonyfield can be found at Meijer stores (if you have those in your area) or check the store finder for a location near you.

*They also have frozen yogurt in all sorts of amazing ice cream flavors. YHH has not tried these yet, but we intend too!

HFCS - Yup this again.

Today's tidbit of information goes back to HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup).

YHH has talked about it several times in the past. I was turned on to this study by a FB friend who posted it to their status. It comes from the Princeton University official website.

When you have the time to read this article check it out. Or just breeze through for the pertinent information. Simply put: HFCS "causes significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. The researchers say the work sheds light on the factors contributing to obesity trends in the United States."

Another good visual is to think your body can not break down corn or any byproduct. This includes HFCS. You body becomes confused and your hormones are thrown for a loop. Corn was created for cows who are said to have four stomachs. They really only have one but four separate "compartments". They break down the corn, bring it back up, chew it again turning it to cud, and eating it yet again. All this to process corn. In my opinion, just stay away from corn or any byproduct.

To read all about the studies found and finally change your mind on processed foods, check out the Princeton Universities Sweet Problem.

YHH is now saving you time

Life is busy for all of us. For some it's working a full time job, others raising families, some just trying to find the time to workout, and still or again attending school. Then there is the lot of us who relate to all of the above. I sometimes wonder if YHH readers are spending precious time reading word for word every post. Are some of you reading the title and not being interested, simply hitting delete? We don't want you to miss anything. Our goal is to inform you and keep you motivated. Not take away from your precious gym time. As there is a consistent number of subscribes, I tend to think YHH must be doing something right to keep you coming back for more. And for that we are greatly appreciative.

YHH wants to make sure we respect your time. YHH is going to "attempt" to post shorter articles. Still jam packed with information, recipes and videos.

It's Just Like Riding a Bike

I had a conversation with someone the other day and it got me thinking of a parallel of events. My friend was concerned about starting out into the world of gyms. When I suggested working out with friends, she felt she may be lagging behind and that could be embarrassing. So I explained it like this:

When we are little we get that beloved first "bike". Or something which looks like one. We dream it to be a big adult bike. We get on with some excitement. Sometimes too much and soar down a neighbor's driveway to only wipe out at the bottom. Collecting a few scrapes and bruises along the way. Now imagine first walking into a gym. Everyone looks like they are already on the big kids bike, peddling along at lightening speed. You feel sluggish and get on your little bike and take a slow walk on the track, pick up a few weights with which you have no idea what to do with, stumble right into a machine or two and collect your bruises.

You continue to go to the gym, determined to learn what you need to in order to lose your weight. Just by watching others, you move up to a bigger kids bike and screw on those training wheels. You use light weights with a bit more confidence, your slow walk becomes faster, and you try to experiment with a few new pieces of equipment. As with all training wheels, you wobble around from one place to another, still not sure of yourself, but happy you are at least there.

You finally smarten up and ask for help. Either a friend or a trainer comes to your aid. They first instruct you to take off the training wheels and have confidence in yourself. You can do this! They show you proper form, balance, and how to get in a great workout. After time, they slowly let go of the back of your seat and lighten the grip on the back of your shirt. You are now doing a full set of squats without someone re-correcting your form. You feel it and you get it.

After time, you are just loving the gym. You're starting to see results as your cardio improves. You are pushing more and feeling soreness everyday from a great effort in the gym. You try a few group classes, even a spin class. Not only have you graduated from the toy bike, or the one with training wheels, but you are now on your way to the adult 12 speed you always dreamed about. You rarely fall off anymore and the bruises and scrapes are few and far between.

After a few months, the results really show and you're discovering a new you. You have a new found realization there is no stopping and life has changed dramatically. You have more energy, feel great about yourself, and you want to help others. People are forever asking you "what are you doing? can I do that?" You are now a motorcycle with little tricycles looking up to you for advice.

One day while working in the gym, you look over and see a kids bike coming in. They look like they may know what they are doing, but you aren't sure. So you decide to check it out and give them a hand. They tell you they are rusty as they haven't worked out in years. They feel like they are starting all over. You reassure them "It's just like riding a bike."

Green Tea Protein Shake

This is coming to you from the April edition of Oxygen Magazine. I thought it sounded yummy and wanted to share with my readers.



Green Tea Protein Shake:
1 large cup Green Tea, steeped from two tea bags
2/3 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 tbsp ground Flaxseed
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein Powder (name brand of choice)
Pinch of cinnamon
Ice cubes

Place all ingredients into blender and blend till smooth. Oxygen suggests drinking half before your workout and half after for recovery. Sounds like a great idea to me.

( Ingredient information will vary depending on the type of whey protein powder you use. )

ASF- Expo Booth #4 - Monica Brant

As we walked through the Arnold Expo, I spotted a large poster with pictures of several of my favorite cover models. I noticed one to be Monica Brant. I quickly turned to my friends saying "Is Monica here?" So we ventured to where the poster was and saw on the sign she would be there between a certain time which was almost two hours away. We continued on and then I got a glimpse at another booth farther down the row. "That's her. She's over there."

As we approached the booth, so did a nicely dressed business man. He stepped up into Monica's booth and they started talking. I asked one of her assistants about the photos on the booth table and looked over the selection of awesome glossies. I decided Monica was someone I had to hang in my home gym. So for $10, I picked out a photo of Monica with all her medals. As soon as she saw me standing there waiting with my photo, she quickly stopped her conversation with the business man and turned to me. (I love when they actually seem to care and not snub you off). She shook my hand and I told her it was great to meet her. She then signed my photo and said "Would you like this one too?" And signed another one. I asked if she would mind taking her picture with me and she said sure and invited me back into her booth. She was so pretty up close.

Monica had great skin, a perfect smile, and had a personality that was so genuine. I told Monica I have read Oxygen for quite a while and she was one of the first fitness models I started to follow and take a liking to. She asked me a few more questions which honestly, I was a little star struck, and don't really remember. But when I started to walk away, I turned back and said, "You are more beautiful in person." She got a big smile and said Thank You. Then as I turned away again she called me by name (nice that she remembered) and said "Angie, here take one of these." It was a flier for her Venice Nutrition Program. It's a computer program with online coaching, meal plans, workout routines, and more. (For more details check out MoJo Wellness Pros.com. They call her MoJo for short).

Next year I want to go to all the competitions and see these amazing women in action. But I am not disappointed one bit for getting the opportunity to only go for the one day, as I met so many of my fitness inspirations. I will remember this day for a long time. (See Monica in action. Start at 1 minute.)

For those of you who are not familiar with Monica Brant, I would love to fill you in. But that would take about 3-4 posts in itself. She is one of the most awarded, photographed, more ad campaigns, and more magazine covers than any other fitness model of our time (or so I have been told.)

Check out Monica's site for all her stats and get to know Monica Brant.

Do you really want to look like Monica? On her site you can also purchase clothes from her closet. Check it out! I know I am. "From Monica's closet to yours."

She has a Fem Camp where you can go train with her for a few days, do a photo shoot, and learn about modeling and posing. Check out Fem Camp and register today.

I will leave you with this story which I read quite some time back (If I remember correctly, it was a reader's letter to Oxygen. Of course rewritten to what I remember. But sure of the last line!).

Two soccer moms, one fit, one not so much. The not fit mom notices the fit mom reading Oxygen Magazine. The next day she goes out to buy one. She brings her magazine to the next game and sits by the fit mom and says, "I got this magazine as I saw you reading it last week." She flips to a supplement ad and says "I want to look like her." The fit mom smiles and says "Honey, that's Monica Brant. Everyone wants to look like her."

ASF- Expo Booth #3: Tosca Reno and Robert Kennedy

The third booth (or should I say three and four) put a lot into perspective for me, and is something I will remember for a long time.

My friend and I went right to the Oxygen Magazine booth as it was not crowded at all. This turned out to be very lucky for us. I purchased the Oxygen No Pain No Gain daily workout journal. I used it Monday for the first time and it's great! My friend subscribed to Oxygen as she was not previously. As we were making our purchases, I glanced over to the next booth. And there she was.....

Alright, so this isn't the best picture, but it tells the story. I looked over and saw Tosca Reno. Oxygen columnist, Fitness model, Oxygen cover model (several times), an inspiration for women who are not in their 20's, and the author of the famous best seller book The Eat-Clean Diet! (which I own). I decided to snap this picture while there was no crowd. Just in case I didn't get a chance to move in closer. She looked right at me as I did. Then I was thought, bummer, I had left her cover magazine back in my car or she could have signed it for me. (To learn more about Tosca, read her biography by clicking here.)

When we left the Oxygen booth and made our way to the Eat-Clean Diet booth, we saw they were selling her cover magazine for only $1 and you received an Eat Clean Diet shopper bag, to now comfortably carry your expo collection.

After reading Oxygen mag for four years, I have seen Tosca's career change dramatically. I have also noticed frequent pics of her and Publisher Robert Kennedy, at different events, posted throughout the magazine. With what I believe to be only one or two small mentions of the two of them officially being husband and wife, I thought everyone knew. If you read your Oxygen front cover to back, you were sure to know!

Tosca took a moment to sign my magazine while I told her how I loved my Oxygen. At that moment, I was thinking how all this time, I have believed maybe her husband pushed her career along so easily for her and wasn't she "lucky." (Just being real here). Realizing this was not a nice judgment on my part, as she seemed so sweet and friendly, I looked down at a gorgeous wedding ring and decided to just be real with her. I touched her hand and said "Congratulations on the wedding." She looked up from the autograph and with a smile said "You figured it out huh?" She then proceeded, without prompting from me, to tell me her story. She explained how Robert didn't want people to assume he just gave her the Oxygen column and covers, but that she worked really hard for all she had. Robert doesn't want to take away from her hard work and they keep their marriage on the down low in the magazine. I could also see how much she admired him when she talked of him. I guess as in any marriage, he encourages her.

We actually talked a moment or two more and then she said "Would you like to meet him?" She turned to one of her booth staff and asked them to find Robert. Moments later, there he was and here I am....

Robert Kennedy, the Publisher of Oxygen Magazine, Tosca Reno and me! They could not have been nicer. I told him I was only missing one magazine from a four year subscription. He shook my hand and expressed his thanks and was glad I liked the magazine. He then asked if I wanted a picture with them and they invited me into the booth.

I can honestly say I have a new found respect and admiration for these two people. They could have easily blown fans by their booth, acted tired and irritated after three days of expo, but they didn't. They could not have more down to earth and I was seriously impressed!

Thanks for the time Robert and Tosca. I hope to see you again next year at the 2011 Expo.

If you have not gotten your copy of The Eat-Clean Diet, do it today. There are several to chose from. Tosca even wrote one for men. I will soon be purchasing my "Recharged" version as it's loaded with new information and over 100 more pages and 50 more recipes. It's much bigger than the first print. I can't wait to read through this one as well!

ASF- Expo Booth #2 -NFPT

Also at the Arnold Sports Festival was my school, National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT). They answered questions and provided information to anyone who may be interested in turning their love of fitness into a career. The study materials were on display so one could breeze through them and see first hand what NFPT is all about.

Here I am with Billie who ran the booth for NFPT. He was very nice and seemed to be having a good time at the expo. He was also glad to see I was happy with the on-line school so far. I explained to him some days I feel overwhelmed and wonder if I can possibly do the exam on my scheduled date. He informed me as several breeze through the program, due to a fitness background, not everyone makes their exam date in the 8 weeks outlined by the program. He instructed me to go the speed I was comfortable with, but encouraged me to go for it.

As much as I want to take the test as scheduled, I also want to pass. I am continuing on the 8 week course and we will cross the exam bridge when we get there!

It was really reassuring to see NFPT represented in a booth at the Expo. It gives one comfort in making a decision to receive their education from NFPT, as they involve themselves in these types of events. NFPT does not hide behind the "on-line" program. They take time to meet and greet their current and future students.

As you see here in this pile of expo "stuff" I was blessed with a NFPT gym towel. I don't think I will be dirtying this towel in the gym, but better yet, hanging it up on the "wall of fame."

After this weekend, I really have to make an official Wall of Fame!

ASF- Expo Booth #1 - Gym Gems

The first booth I came to was someone who I had hoped to run into and finally meet.

Gym Gems has been a part of YHH for quite some time. I spotted an ad in the Oxygen Magazine over a year ago and quickly found them on line. Instantly falling in love with the jewelry I contacted the company.

Fran takes great pride in her jewelry and we are happy she is part of the YHH family. She has even been kind enough, in the past, to do two giveaways. An awesome chain link necklace with dumbbell charm and a bracelet with charm as well. I sport her toggle necklace and bracelet all the time, and of course wore it to the Expo. And now I am a proud owner of a Gym Gems bling T. (as Fran is wearing here.)


Gym Gems also has a charm in honor of "The Arnold". Each item is something you can wear on special occasions or every day. Let everyone know about your love of fitness with choosing a piece which represents your passion.



So if you chose to go to the Arnold next year I am sure you will see Fran and Gym Gems with all their fabulous pieces. They even had great jewelry, not fitness related, for those those of you who don't pump iron! Or check out Gym Gems on line at www.gymgems.com.

Home from "The Arnold".

So what was the Arnold Sports Festival Expo really like? Here's your inside look into the craziness they call "The Arnold."

I was only there for Sunday, so all I experienced was the Expo. I am hoping next year to go for the full weekend. Head out Thursday and experience all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's much like a mini-Olympics. With everything you can imagine in kids' sports to adult arm wrestling competitions. The competition schedules are non-stop. There was a center stage in the Expo so I did get to see some entertaining things going on while we walked around grabbing free samples.

The center stage was full of young ladies with jump ropes. They did some pretty amazing things and the routine was pretty cool. As we only watched for a few minutes, because of time restraints, I can see how you could sit and enjoy all these events if you were there for the full three days. But let me tell you, if you don't like crowds or lots of people in a tiny space than this is NOT for you.

I was told that on Saturday there were about 170,000 people who had come in and out of the expo. With only 170,000 sq. feet, that's 1 sq. foot for you and your expo bag full of goodies. Sunday was for sure the better option. I believe I had about 2 1/2 sq. feet to myself at all times. Sometimes more. When we first got in we were able to rush to some booths and meet some amazing people and not be pushed off so the next person could get in to talk or get an autograph. Who did I meet? That's all coming soon!

It would not be "The Arnold" without a Terminator booth. Of course, after taking the pic, I noticed the sign that said no pictures. Oops. So here, you get an exclusive shot!

Here is a photo of all the items I brought home. Of course I ate a lot while I was there. I was high on protein powders & shakes, fat burners, chicken & rice with protein packed pizza, and juices galore. I did spend around $30 for some things that were only for sale and not free but each item was worth the $1, $5, or $10.

If you would like to see all of the photos from the Sports Festival - ask to be my friend on FB (Angie Happy-Hearts) and you can see my complete album.

But don't worry, more photos to come with who I met and what they were really like. I feel the models, authors, publishers, and some businesses, deserve their own post.