Fitness Wednesday: Great Places to Work Out & Resistance Bands

Today I was a chaperon on my son's school field trip to the Loggerhead Turtle Rehab located on the beach.  It was a gorgeous day, no clouds in the sky (a bit windy) and the ocean was an amazing turquoise color.  On our walk from the rehab center to the beach I noticed two women with a trainer on the beach!  How cool and what a great way to save a few bucks, get your workout in and enjoy the beautiful scenery while inhaling that fresh ocean air!  They were using some resistance bands and having their own little class right there on the beach .  

Having a trainer can be expensive, but if you split it with a friend or two and go somewhere interesting like the beach or a quiet park you can get a great workout and have fun in the process.  If you don't feel that you need a trainer just grab a friend and go! Resistance bands made specifically for exercising are a great alternative to bulky weights and are inexpensive, easy to take along and offer just the right amount of resistance to thoroughly work and tone your muscles with a lesser chance of injury. If you use them correctly you get an even better workout because you are getting resistance during the entire movement instead of just during part of the movement with free weights.  They are available in different resistance levels, but you can also double up the band for more resistance.  There are many ways to use them, you can stand on the band and do some bicep curls just as you would with free weights or machines. Another option is to wrap it around a pole or stick in the the door.  You can do many more exercises with resistance bands than you can with machines.  It all depends on where you position the bands.  Use them on your ankle and do some lifts to tone your legs and butt!   Resistance bands can also help to strengthen your core since there is tension throughout the entire move, you need to stabilize your body by tightening your abdominal muscles.  Anytime you are exercising and notice you are off balance, check your abs, are they tightened? The options are endless and you will be really surprised with the results if you stick to it!  

I love resistance bands because they are cheap (between $6-$12) and they are easy to take along with you when traveling. There are plenty of websites online that give great tips and routines for you to follow.  

In honor of Joyce Mahoney

I lost my aunt in 2007 to heart disease.  She was a special person to me not just because she was my aunt, but because she holds a special place in my heart.  She took me on my first trip to Europe and taught me how to sew as a little girl. Every day that I sit at my sewing machine I am reminded of her.  When my son came home from school the other day with a packet for Jump Rope for Heart, he was eager to get right to raising money.  We talked about Aunt Joyce and about the importance of the American Heart Association and how keeping fit and healthy can help to prevent heart disease. He decided on a goal that he wanted to reach so I helped him set up his own personal web page to raise money.  I am so proud of him and the interest he has in helping others! It is great that the schools do things like this to raise money for a good cause, but also to teach kids about charity and the importance of medical research and keeping healthy for life!  If you are interested and would like to learn more or donate to the American Heart Association, please click here.

Adorable Blank Handmade Notecards Free

We have some really adorable handmade notecards to give away. With every purchase at abbabyboutique.com you will receive one handmade card free as our gift to you! No strings attached! They are perfect to send to a friend to tell them you are thinking about them, or use it as a thank you note, birthday card or maybe an invitation to lunch or tea. Each card is embellished with embroidery or ribbons, little flowers, pins and more. Each is entirely unique and one-of-a-kind. Keep it for a special occasion or give as a gift!

HUGE STOREWIDE SALE

We are having a HUGE SALE. Since there is so much talk about CHANGE, we have decided to offer some really great savings on some of our hottest items.  We have marked down over 100 items to make room for a change at abbabyboutique.com . We have a whole new level of products to introduce to you coming soon, so we are going to make room in our storage and save you money in your wallets! So head on over and check it out!  These items will be going quick so stock up and save and don't forget to tell your friends!  Post this sale on your blog, website, facebook etc. and we will give two lucky winners a free pair of Babylegs. If the response is overwhelming, we just may add a few more prizes.  Winner to be announced soon!  So don't forget to comment with a link to your post to qualify!  

Take me to the sale by clicking here!

Fitness Wednesday: Excercise Videos

I am hearing a lot about this new workout video called the P90X and I am considering trying it out. It's claims to transform your body in only 90 days. Apparently it works by using "muscle confusion" constantly adding new moves to trick your muscles and thus avoiding the "plateau effect". It also introduces new routines to keep you and your muscles from getting bored. It is a combination of weight training, resistance, yoga & cardio using resistance bands. It also offers nutritional meals and advice on using supplements. At $120 with a 90 day money back guarantee, it doesn't sound so bad, that is if you are really motivated to do it. All you need is some resistance bands and a place where you can do pull ups and a mindset of success. Anyone try this? I will let you know if I decide to give it a whirl. I would love to hear your comments if you or anyone you know has tried it!

New Press for 2009

We are so excited to be in the current issue of Bust Magazine! Featuring abbabyboutique.com and our very own Wristlet Key Ring is the second product listed in the Bust Product Showcase on page 93! Bust Magazine is widely known for supporting women crafters and indie designers. Bust is know for it's enthusiasm and interest in the handmade and craftiness of artisans and puts on some really cool craft shows called the Bust Craftacular! Bust also features interviews with Women of the moment like Amber Tamblyn (in this issue), great new fashion finds, stylish decor (I'm loving the DIY headboards) and some really cool music interviews. Definately a mag to check out, keep in mind there is a lot of things in there you would not want your kids to see so don't leave it out on the coffee table ;) Bust magazine is an uncensored look at life as a female and their slogan is "for women with something to get off their chests"

Healthy Tip Wednesday

It's 2009 and since most of us have some sort of resolution to get healthier, get in better shape, eat better or just be more active, I have decided to add a health and fitness tip each week.  As a competitive gymnast for most of my childhood and teen years, I am no stranger to the gym.  Working out has been a huge part of my life since the age of 5.  I am lost without it and when I do skip my workouts I can feel it both mentally and physically.  Working out just 30 minutes a day can improve your mental health more than you can imagine.  It also improves your energy level.  I find myself so sluggish on the days I miss my workouts which is a great reason to not miss my workouts, but if you are just starting out your main goal is getting to the gym or getting the motivation to do something active.  Here are a few suggestions.  

1. Find a workout buddy (friend, neighbor, hubby, kids)
2. Decide where you are going to exercise whether at a fitness facility or at your home.  Vigorous walking & biking with a buddy or neighbor can make your workouts at home seem like you are not working out at all!  
3. Change it up so you don't get bored
4.  Make a schedule and stick to it
5. Start slow, you don't want to injure yourself
6. Don't forget to warm up and cool down
7. Have fun, it's your time! Enjoy it!

Feel free to comment with your tips and ideas so we can all get in shape together and encourage one another to stick to it!

Save Small Businesses from the CPSIA

cloud watching

Remember when you were a child and you used to lie on your back in the grass and watch the clouds, trying to find pictures or familiar images in them?  I was reminded of that this morning while driving the kids to school. I saw this cool set of clouds that appeared to me to be people holding hands in a line.  I just had to take a picture of it.  Do you see it?  

Next time your kids say they are bored, take them outside and look up at the clouds, see what you can find.  It will change their mood, yours and give you a great opportunity to spend some quality time together being creative.  

Happy New Year

2009 is here and we want to encourage you!  2008 was tough for so many of us so we are looking to a much better 2009!  What are your New Year's Resolutions?  Whatever yours may be, we are cheering you on!  Tell us your intentions for 2009 and encourage one another.  Here are three of mine.

1.  Start each and every day thanking God for the blessings He has given me and for the blessings to come.
2.  Think positive thoughts.
3.  Get and stay organized.

Comment to this post with your resolutions and we will award a gorgeous set of handmade notecards to one winning post!  The winner will be drawn from a hat live on video so be sure to leave contact information so we can let you know if you are a winner!  We can't wait to hear from you!  Cheers from all of us at the A.B. Baby Boutique to a New Happy Year!