The Perfect Holiday Gift- Fitness with a Twist!

The holiday season is approaching and shortly after people start thinking about next year’s fitness resolutions. Why not get a present this year that will be ready for you at home when January 1st rolls around the corner? That’s where the Simply Fit Board® comes in.

The Simply Fit Board is an exercise board that engages core muscles to improve strength and balance, while offering an easy and effective workout. Lori Greiner, TV personality and investor on ABC’s hit entrepreneurial series, “Shark Tank” has partnered with the Simply Fit Board.

My Thoughts:

The Simply Fit Board was something I was a little skeptical about, but certainly interested in trying out. My core reason for doing so was to see if it would help me improve my balance, while also helping to strengthen my muscles. My fear was that it may not be sturdy enough for me to keep myself up on however since my balance is not that great.

When my board arrived I was very excited to give it a try. I got mine in Magenta. The board was lightweight and easy to move around my home. It keeps itself sturdy in the middle and has dots on the sides where you can place your feet. When I began to give it a try, I was surprised how well I was able to stand and maintain my balance right away. It took me second to get the correct placement of my feet in a position where I felt balanced. However, when I got it, the board was completely steady. It was very easy to move it back and fourth. Within minutes, I could feel my leg and core muscles getting a workout. This board certainly does the trick.

The more I started the using the Simply Fit Board, the less I would lose my footing. I never once got hurt or fell completely while using the product. When I would lose my footing in the beginning stages of use, the board would just bend to one side. I preferred using it on carpet personally. As I started getting more accustomed to my perfect foot placement, I incorporated arm workouts too as I twisted the board.

I have seen a difference in my balance which has made me ecstatic. Improvement has also been seen in my thigh, leg, and core muscles. This is such a fun and hassle free way to get a full body workout right in your own home. It's nice to be able to watch TV, a movie, or relax and still exercise. Plus, a workout DVD is included with your board! It's perfect for someone like me who is a working college student on the go. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a nice and fun way to workout right in your home without any sort of hassle.

   Connect with Simply Fit Board:

Website  Twitter Facebook  Youtube

Stylish Mode Headbands

Rebecca, owner of Stylish Mode, has a passion for creativity. She started Stylish Mode back in 2007 when she was on the hunt for the perfect headband, and ended up sewing her own.

Rebecca believes that headbands don't just hold your hair back, they add that pretty feminine compliment to our outfits that make us unique. It's about wearing the best quality headbands around, standing out like a well made suit. It's about creating your own personal sense of style, that make those around you smile and say "hi".

Back in 2009 Rebecca was honored to have had her handmade keychains featured in Woman's World magazine.

She has a love for all things colorful, fabrics with retro prints and flowers, and is a self-proclaimed animal print addict. Have a look through the shop, you'll see these themes carry on over into the handmade headbands available on the site.

Connect with Stylish Mode

Website - Facebook - Pinterest - YouTube

My Thoughts

These bands were very soft and super comfortable when I wore them. Unlike other head bands that have given me a headache, I could wear these without getting pain around my ear or slipping off my head throughout the day. These stayed put. They were very light weight and just felt good while wearing them. I was able to choose 2 designs from their website to review and choosing just two was hard.

There is a small elastic part (photo above) that gives this the ability to stretch. The material is stretchy as well. The stitching is great on these, I couldn't find anything out of place, so definitely a good quality. 

The bands are wide, so if you were to wear these out running and it was chilly outside, they could easily cover your ears and keep your hair out of your face with no problems. While I haven't washed mine, I would think you could put these into a pillow case and toss in the washer when they get to sweaty if you use them working out. I'd air dry just to be safe. 

Over all, excellent headbands. I think I will be ordering more because there are a ton to choose from, as well as other styles besides the two I chose. They also have turban headbands, and tie yourself headbands.

Live Fitness Streaming - bringing the gym to your home

Live Streaming Fitness Creates Industry Shift by Bringing Fitness, Nutrition and Cooking Classes to Smart Devices

Certified Trainers, Licensed Nutritionists and Professional Chefs Deliver Resources Online for $9.90 Per Month

Don’t have time to go to the gym? Don’t have the money for a fitness membership? Don’t know which workout equipment to use? LiveStreamingFitness.com now eliminates all of these obstacles in order to help members achieve their heath and fitness goals and live their greatest life. Live Streaming Fitness, an educational, caused-based wellness company, today announces the launch of LiveStreamingFitness.com, a site that offers live streaming fitness classes led by certified trainers, nutritional information and recipes provided by an on-staff licensed nutritionist, and live cooking classes led by professional chefs.

Live Streaming Fitness is on a mission to impact the lives of millions through its dedication to providing healthy living resources in a way that is changing the fitness industry forever. Live Streaming Fitness empowers members to enjoy the convenience of live, professional instructors working with them from the comfort and privacy of their homes or hotel rooms, removing all intimidation and cost barriers, and ensuring workouts are done correctly and efficiently.
“Until now, fitness resources have been limited to time-consuming and expensive gym memberships or repetitive at-home video programs,” said Keith Kochner, founder of Live Streaming Fitness. “Live Streaming Fitness has developed a model that eliminates the financial and time restrictions so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their health and fitness goals. Through Live Streaming Fitness, people have access to professional resources like never before, at a price point that they can afford. The implications of this are far reaching; from corporate wellness programs to traditional gym memberships, Live Streaming Fitness presents an opportunity to create a significant shift in the fitness industry.”

At $9.90 per month, every LiveStreamingFitness.com member will be able to choose from a variety of classes streamed live at various scheduled times throughout each day and week. Classes led by certified trainers include: Body Sculpt, Bootcamp, Core Circuits, Kickboxing, Pilates, Yoga, and much more. Each live class is streamed from the home or studio of Live Streaming Fitness’ trainers to members’ computers, tablets, smartphones, or Internet TVs, anywhere in the world. Members who miss their favorite class can still access it through the site’s On Demand archives at their convenience.

Not only does Live Streaming Fitness assist members in living their greatest life, the company is dedicated to contributing and serving the community through local and global philanthropic programs. Once Live Streaming Fitness reaches 10,000 members, the company will begin donating $1 of every monthly membership payment to the causes that Live Streaming Fitness is passionate about, specifically childhood obesity and clean drinking water.

For more information on Live Streaming Fitness, its online resources, benefits, and customization options visit: www.livestreamingfitness.com.

About Live Streaming Fitness

Live Streaming Fitness is an educational, cause-based fitness company committed to educating everyone, everywhere – excluding no one – to live their greatest life. LiveStreamingFitness.com is on a mission to impact the lives of millions through its dedication to providing healthy living resources in a way that is changing the fitness industry forever. LiveStreamingFitness.com offers live streaming fitness classes led by certified trainers, nutritional information and recipes provided by an on-staff, licensed nutritionist, and live cooking classes led by professional chefs. To learn more about Live Streaming Fitness, visit: www.livestreamingfitness.com.

My Thoughts

Live Fitness has a ton of neat things on the website, all from workouts to blogs and recipes. All the tools you need to stay fit or lose weight are in one place. I've been using another online workout program, so I was curious to check this one out. One thing I liked about this was the Live Class feature. I was never a big gym go'er or doing the classes. I prefer to workout at home, but for someone who likes the schedule of classes and needing to be at a class at a certain time, well guess what, they have it! There are live classes with instructors.

If you can't make a live class, that's okay. There is a whole database of workouts for you to chose from. Pilates, bootcamp, circuit training, cardio, etc. I found most of the classes were 30-45 minutes, so be ready to invest a little bit of time.

The video quality was good. I didn't have any issues with the streaming. They use YouTube for the videos but you stay in the live streaming website.

Screen shot of a video while it was playing.

Now, how are the workouts. They are good and you'll work up a sweat for sure. There is a workout for whatever you're looking to do that day, whether it's intense or a take it easy day. Here is where I need to be honest. I am used to working out with pre-recorded fitness instructors aka celebrity fitness instructors, so this was new for me because the instructors act like they are teaching a class. If the instructor messes up with what they are saying, there is no retape, they just stutter and move on. Unlike the videos I am used to, these instructors give you water breaks. I did like that aspect. I think it would have been nice to have more then one person in the videos, who might be modifying it. A few of the videos I felt took too long because the instructor was explaining all the different levels and showing the moves. Again, I never went and took classes at the gym, so this may be exactly how it is in a gym setting.

Another thing I would've liked is knowing how long a video is before I started. Most said 3.84 (or something like that) on the video but they would be forty minutes. Or even under each video explaining what the video is aside the name so I had a better idea. I felt I spent a lot of time looking for a video at the length of time I wanted. Just small things like that would improve the site a lot.

Screen capture of video library. No descriptions other than the name and video length is not always right.

Overall, I think this is a great way to stay fit or get fit. With the price, you can't beat it. It's worth checking out and seeing if this site is a good fit for you.

The Dia Method™ Pre- and Postnatal Fitness System Review

The Dia Method™, a science-based pre- and postnatal fitness system for women, offers a wealth of information to help women correctly train their abdominal muscles for total body fitness before, during and after pregnancy.  The program helps women not only maintain peak fitness during pregnancy, but also physically prepares women for childbirth byguiding them through revolutionary exercises that strengthen them for labor and pave the way for a quick, complete postnatal recovery.   Leah would be great to talk about the following and more:

• Breaking down how The Dia Method works for getting rid of stubborn post-baby weight
• Safe and nutritional weight loss plans that effectively burn off excess body fat after pregnancy
• Exercise routines for staying fit and healthy during pregnancy, as well as helping women achieve firm, flat abdominal muscles and waistlines for post-pregnancy bodies.

LEAH KELLER, MA, CPT: FOUNDER & CEO

Leah Keller is a recognized expert in pre- and postnatal fitness and a nationally certified personal trainer. Drawing on a lifelong passion for health and fitness, Keller brings over a decade of professional fitness experience to the new and expectant moms she serves in New York City. In addition to working directly with clients, Keller provides professional education and consultation services to private fitness and Pilates studios that wish to safely tailor their programs to meet the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum clientele. Applying the science of research-based methods and the art of a skilled practitioner, Keller physically prepares women for childbirth by guiding them through revolutionary exercises that strengthen them for labor and pave the way for a quick and complete postnatal recovery. Keller keeps her clients safe, strong and sexy during pregnancy and coaches them to optimal fitness post-delivery, helping them achieve coveted firm, flat abdominal muscles and beautiful waistlines. Even as a mother, any woman can achieve the best body of her life. Keller has what it takes to equip and empower every mom to make that dream a reality.

Our Thoughts

When I first started watching the prenatal videos I thought, yeah right... Like I'm going to be able to keep this up through out my pregnancy. I do admit, I started off slowly and have slowly increased my workouts seeing that I didn't really have a good workout regimen. I've noticed that even though I'm a little more than half way through my pregnancy at this point I can still feel the changes in my body. They're positive changes too! It's been nice to be able to feel just a bit better and not have my back hurt like it did with previous pregnancies. This is also helping me keep my weight gain in check a bit too. 

I have viewed the postnatal videos and am excited to be able to get to the point once baby is here that I can start doing those workouts. Since my second son's birth I've been looking for something that would help with the extra skin that I ended up with from his c-section. Hopefully this will take care of some of that... I may have to follow up this fall and let you all know how it goes! 

If you're looking for a workout video that isn't super strenuous and will make you feel a lot better during your pregnancy, this is it in my opinion!  You can check out The Dia Method by clicking here. 

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way***