Take Your Tote

Whoa: check this out. Billions or even a trillion plastic bags are used every year. Check out this link for the actual statistics on plastic bag usage and waste. So, get yourself a cute little reusable bag and save yourself a lot of trouble storing those flimsy petroleum-based death bags, people. My friend in Japan sent me the cutest little thing: it's a sturdy nylon bag with a charming little lion printed on it and it zips into its own little pouch. It lives in my handbag so that I never find myself in those "Oops, forgot my own bag" situations. America seems to think that the organic cotton tote is the way to go, but I beg to differ. While the nylon bag may not be as sustainably made (although who knows) it goes everywhere with me so I never forget it - I ALWAYS forget the canvas totes. Nuff said.
p.s., while these aren't nearly as cute as mine (sorry!) they're A-OK: Baggu

Exercise in the Kitchen

Don't you think the woman who demonstrates the crunchless abs moves looks just a bit like Jaime Pressly? I watched this movie last night wherein she is the goddess-beautiful coed. Of course.

So, I totally wasn't going to comment on Make Healthy a Lifestyle today, but then I had to go look and now I can't help but comment. Freshen up your workout by doing some of the moves suggested there. There's always a move of the month, but there are also 3 moves right now suggested by Maura Barclay (click on Top Trainer Tips). One of them you can do in the kitchen, while you're waiting for your soup to simmer. It's always nice to get a new spin on a trusted exercise move.

Congratulations to Meet You

Ever feel like you're totally failing to live up to your very own expectations? I do all the time. And it turns out that the people we think have got it together feel it too - wrapped up in personal disappointments. This month's A-Ha Moment for Linda LaRue has to do with that and ties it into the really great personal discovery/life change book "Eat, Pray, Love" (think I'm about due for a second read of that right about now.) You need to register at LL's Make Healthy a Lifestyle before you can read it - but that's easy and free and you don't get bombarded with emails or anything.

Crunchless Tweets

Goodness, EVERYONE is tweeting. You can find Linda LaRue's Twitter feed here. Politicians, artists, therapists, businesses, and the rest of us... we're all keeping each other informed of every move we make throughout the day! By contrast, I'm DELIGHTED to see that Linda's tweets are pleasantly measured. When I first got into the whole thing via Facebook, I updated incessantly throughout the day just like others. And now, I'm feeling the fatigue. Kind of like when you do traditional crunches instead of the crunchless abs program - you know!? All that wasted energy. I enjoy the well placed, witty and/or insightful updates so much more than the hourly navel-gazing minutiae.

Guess What's Coming to Dinner

Yes, that title IS indeed a Battlestar Gallactica reference. It just seemed so appropriate.

So, I went to http://store.exercisetv.tv/ to see which of Linda LaRue's Crunchless Abs videos were available for download and I couldn't believe my eyes ... Dr. Laura has fitness videos. WHAT?! All I can say is she's consistent - she even berates her personal trainer who does the videos with her. Whatever.

In terms of REAL workout videos, you can get ALL of the Crunchless Abs videos at this website. And unlike watching the Dr. Laura fitness videos, you feel GOOD after watching Linda LaRue's program, both in body and mind.

Move of the Month

Have you signed up yet for "Make Healthy a Lifestyle" - Linda LaRue's online fitness support system? You really should, if you haven't already. It's totally free and easy. One of the great perks is every month there's a new exercise move. This month's will help your golf swing and also slim your waistline. Now, I'm no golfer, so I'm not concerned about that part of it, but it's a nice stretching, strengthening move. And as you may have guessed, there are no crunches required.

10 Minute Workouts Are Good For You Afterall

You know, I always thought it was daft to say that if you failed to accelerate your heart for 20 minutes 3 times a week, you might as well sit on your arse eating oreos for the rest of your of life. It really never made any sense to me. Something is always better than nothing. And finally, an NPR article that vindicates my personal philosophy. Get out of your chair and move around for 10 minutes, a couple times a day, and you're doing yourself a favor. Amen. Now, that isn't saying that you won't be better off if you do cardio a few times a week, or if you do your Crunchless Abs workout daily - of course you will. But don't shame yourself if sometimes all you can manage is a brisk walk around the block.

Souper Slim and Smart

Got soup? I seriously could live on soup. Love the stuff. Just saw a recipe for white bean/shrimp/dandelion green stew - soup, stew, just a difference of liquid (yes, of course, an important distinction, but well, a gray area...) and it sounds divine. Check out Linda LaRue's Souper Slim diet booklet and also this piece she wrote about the effectiveness of incorporating soup into your weight loss program. You might call it a soup diet. I'd call it Souper Smart!

Another Kind of Workout

I love this. It's a workout for you and your dog. Hopefully there are *or will be* other courses of its kind around the country. This one is at Runyon Canyon in L.A. - the Bow Wow Workout. Now don't go thinking this replaces your Crunchless Abs workout. No way. But it's a fantastic activity for you and your best 4-legged friend to do together.

Pass It On

Thankfully, recycling is increasingly becoming a part of daily life for more and more Americans. Of course, back in the day, we reused our own things until they simply couldn't be repurposed anymore. Then lots of folks - out of actual or relative affluence - began chucking everything into the landfill when they were tired of it. And now, finally, people are either throwing things into the recycle bin, or passing goods on to someone else who needs it more than they do. Hurray!! In Linda LaRue's latest blog, she points us to some resources for passing on athletic shoes. It's a great idea. How many homeless folks have you seen who are either barefoot or close to it? Many. It might sound a little funky to you to wear someone's old running shoes, but I'm sure I'd be glad to wear them if they were my only option. Get to it: donate your shoes.