Whole Body Vibrations (WHAT?!)

 

 So I recently found out about this machine called the ProVibe. Have you ever heard of it? I first tried it at a local health food store, Gloria’s Good Health. Check out their page about the machine here. Then watch this video:

An excerpt from Gloria’s Good Health website:

“Movements performed on a Whole Body Vibration (WBV) oscillating platform have been shown to be four times more effective than equivalent exercises performed on a stationary surface.

Because the amplitude and intensity of the vibration can be controlled, WBV is intended for users of all types and all fitness levels.WBV activates an average of 97% of all muscle groups and produces up to 30 involuntary reflexes per second, all of which results in the burning of fat and the building of muscle.

There is no stress on the joints, ligaments or tendons compared to other resistance training. The result is more benefit in less time.”

I know that the response from many people is: “it is an excuse that you don’t have time to go to the gym.” But maybe that was your excuse in your lifestyle and priorities. I know me and my family life, and you know your own. That is pretty much the extent of how much anyone knows about another person’s “excuses”. For anyone curious enough, however, I don’t mind letting you in on how my days usually go:

Monday through Friday, I leave my house in the morning at 7:30 and once I am off work and pick up my daughter, we usually are not home until 6 p.m. That is on a night that we do not stop by the grocery store, visit with anyone, get gas or anything. Once we are home, we cook supper and spend time cleaning up and playing together with our daughter. A few nights a week we also do “preschool at home” type things. Then she needs a bath, teeth brushed, and bedtime story books. It is between 9:30-10 p.m. on a FLAWLESS night before she is finally asleep and snoring. Considering I am in grad school with homework; we mow our own lawn; and we occasionally like to have a social life and invite friends/family over for just an hour or two… It can be later than that before Trevor and I can sit down. Most nights I don’t even start my homework until 10 p.m. I’m also at the age and have enough demands on my life, that I sort of need a little bit of sleep. Otherwise mama begins to crash. So, yes, I have changed the way we eat (which is a major hurdle in fitness and weight loss), but my priorities and time are different than other peoples. I prefer time with my 3 year old over an hour in the gym. If that defines me as “making excuses”, I totally can respect your opinion; therefore, respect my opinion. 🙂

My point is, when I found out about Pro Vibe, and that 10 minutes on the machine is equivalent to an hour on the treadmill in the gym.. I was interested enough to check it out! It is a few miles from where I work, so I just drive over on my lunch hour.

I really enjoyed it! Not going to lie… it is weird and awkward at first, but now I just get on it without thinking twice! The second day I was on it, I used the straps you can pull tight to help tone your arms, and by the time I left work that evening my arms were sore! The soreness that you usually feel the next day after upper body workout in the gym.

Some stats from different days after my time on the machine:

313 Calories burned. Equivalent of running 6.26 Miles In Ten Minutes.

322 Calories burned. Equivalent of running 6.44 Miles. In Ten Minutes. (Distance/Calories vary because I vary my speeds)

There are so many benefits to using the machine. Here are a few of the benefits:

• improved bloodflow
• improved circulation
• increased flexibility
• reduces lower back pain
• improves bone density
• increases metabolism
• accelerates weight loss
• tones and strengthens muscles
• massages and relaxes muscles

 

 

I’ve noticed a difference in the firmness of my skin. I feel more energetic, too. Who wouldn’t be happy about that and want to share the excitement with everyone??! Do you have a local health food store? Call around and find a store that has this machine and just check it out!

You will not regret it. 🙂

 

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New Found Love for Bolthouse Farms

Over the last year I have struggled with an Iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency. I currently inject a monthly B12 shot just so that I can have the same level of energy that every one else naturally produces. Yay. Not. It has been almost a year now, so it doesn’t bother me as much as it did. I can always tell the difference in how I feel toward the end of the month when it is almost time for the next shot. I feel a lot more tired even after getting 8+ hours of sleep. I’ve also had 5 Iron treatments since May 2013 as well. Being iron deficient also can be a cause of the tiredness. Either way, I’ve been struggling with this for a year now and every chance I get I have searched out foods or drinks that naturally contain iron and B12. This is how I found Bolthouse Farms.

I knew that blueberries naturally contained B12, and one day while shopping in Wal-Mart I saw the Bolthouse Farms Blue Goodness drink and picked it up to check it out. The first thing I noticed was that on the side of the bottle it listed the amount of each fruit included in the bottle in addition to the fact that the drink is non-GMO and preservative free. I looked around at all of their different options and noticed that most all of their drinks are non-GMO and some are even gluten free! At my local Wal-Mart I can even get them for $2.68 for the single serving size!

I love drinking the Blue Goodness drink for breakfast. Usually one of the larger bottles is enough for two mornings. When I have drank Bolthouse Farms drinks a few days in a week, I can tell the difference in my energy and how I feel. I know it may be a combination of the B12 shots as well, but when you are OVER being so tired for no reason, you will get excited about anything extra that helps.

**SIDE NOTE: Bolthouse Farms does not only make fruit drinks. They have MANY, MANY vegetable drinks as well. They also sell carrots for snacking, cooking, etc. We love to get their baby carrots for snacks. 🙂 Those can be found in your local produce section. I tried out a few of the vegetable ones and well… I believe I will just have to stick with eating those on the table. I couldn’t do it in the drink form. I need it to be sweet apparently. I wish I would have had someone to share them with, because we just had to throw them away. Even my daughter wouldn’t drink them. Ha! Must run in the family.

 

Below are just a FEW of my favorite drinks from Bolthouse Farms:

 

I will add, that these drinks are not low calorie drinks. So, if you count calories you may want to incorporate these drinks in with a smoothie or shake instead of drinking the whole drink as a single serving. I am sure some of them would be great to make in a smoothie with some protein, plus almond milk or coconut water or water and then add ice, especially the strawberry banana drink.  May have to give that a shot and let you know how it turns out!!

If you decide to try out Bolthouse Farms, let me know which ones you love!

 

 

I Have Never Won Anything

I am not kidding when I say that I have never won anything in my entire 23 years. I enter drawings at times for the heck of it. Never win. Not even like a free drink. Sad, I know. (;

Well, I have exciting new for you: I finally won something! The first thing I have ever won was…

A Free Three Month Gym Membership.

Ha! I do not know if that is a joke or a sign. Either way, I am taking advantage of the opportunity.

The gym is a very upscale gym located in the city where I work. The family who owns the gym actually has opened multiple locations over the years in Decatur, Hartselle, Madison, Huntsville, Guntersville and Pell City. Maybe you’ve heard of them? Benders Gym. I have the opportunity of using their newest million dollar facility free of charge for three months. What a deal! Free Group Fit classes, tanning, child care, 2 complimentary sessions with a personal trainer, smoothie bar, secure access. Oh, and every piece of cardio equipment has a built in flat screen TV in it. WHAT? So, I guess everyone can scratch of the excuse about not missing their show is why they did not go to the gym… Ha!

Honestly, though, the place really is amazing. I wish they would build one in the town where I live. Now THAT would be convenient enough to make my cough up the extra for their memberships.

Wouldn’t you love to say you were a member of a health club that looked like this??

So far I have worked cardio and legs on Day One, and the next day I worked cardio and upper body. I am hoping next week to start attending at least one class per week. Free means Free. Only have until July 24 so I am going to us the opportunity to my fullest advantage! (;

Because of the amazing opportunity at this elite gym is holding me more accountable. Which is a good thing!!

Have you won something unusual  from a drawing win? What all have you won in drawings?