Staying Fit and Balanced with the @AuroraeYoga Synergy Mat {Holiday Gift Guide}

One thing I've learned while on my journey to become more fit and healthy is that we all need balance in our lives. That balance not only keeps us whole and upright, it also helps make sure that we aren't forgetting anything. And with any good workout routine there needs to be balance.

Aside from the cardio and weights, mind-body exercise is a great way to pull together everything we're working on in creating a healthier body and really helps center our thoughts and our ability to work out on a more deeper level.

Recently I've added a yoga class to my workout routine and I'm happy to say that I'm starting to feel more energized and relaxed as I increase my level of cardio and weights. With the addition of yoga and the deep stretching I'm now doing, I'm able to go farther and push myself more in other areas of exercise. My limbs and muscles feel good and I feel more at peace with the body I have.

With any fitness routine, there are always tools that help create a better experience. And recently I was introduced to Aurorae Yoga. Their site carries everything needed for an amazing yoga experience including:

• Yoga Mats
• Yoga Bags
• Towels
• Yoga Straps
• Yoga Blocks
• Aromatherapy Mist

and much more! 

I received Aurorae Yoga's "Synergy" Mat-Towel combo and I must say that I am in love with this mat! While other mats I've used have been pleasant, this Synergy mat is by far the best yoga mat i've used. It's comfortable, padded, and the perfect length!

The Synergy mat is a great way to practice yoga and to use for stretching before working out. The combination of the Yoga mat bottom and the skidless microfiber towel top surface creates a space that is both inviting and relieving for hands and joints. The more you sweat the better you can grip the towel!

With it's beautiful, bright colors and gorgeous embroidery stitching around the perimeter you won't have any problem showing this mat off in class or to your friends at home. I recently went out of town for a family wedding and took my yoga mat with me to stretch before working out.

The Synergy mat made working out while on vacation easy and fun. And the portability of this mat is excellent! I haven't yet had a chance to make a carrier for it but the mat is very light weight. This mat also works great for different varieties of yoga. So whether you're practicing bikram, Ashtanga, or hot yoga, you will find that this mat works wonders!

I've been using the Lavender Meditative Mist Aromatherapy while using my Synergy mat and the combination of the aromatherapy and the yoga has allowed me to work on breathing, stretching, and finding my inner balance. By giving myself 10 minutes for peace, quiet and tranquility I've found that I'm more patient (especially with the kids), I'm enjoying myself more, and I feel better throughout the day.

The mat has also provided a place for teach my children a few moves. They are having an amazing time learning different stretches. My son recently took a few gymnastics classes where he learned a few stretches. So he decided to teach his sister his favorite position, downward dog.

By bringing yoga into the home (instead of simply participating at the gym) I've opened up a door for teaching my children the balance of exercise as well. I've also created an added bond with them. Every morning after I drop my son off at school, my daughter and I get to our stretches before our little dance parties. Before you know it she'll be showing me her favorite position!

Aurorae Yoga products are the perfect gift for this holiday season. Bring some comfort and relaxation to someone you love by purchasing the Aurorae Yoga Synergy towel-mat combo or allow them to take a moment to themselves with the Aromatherapy mist.

You can find Aurorae Yoga on Facebook and follow them on twitter at @AuroraeYoga. For safe and reliable purchasing, check out all of Aurorae Yoga's products on Amazon.

Aurorae Yoga will be including a Synergy towel-mat (an $89.95 value) in the Noise Girls Winter Gift Guide giveaway starting November 1st.

Head back to enter to win one of three amazing prize packages featured in this giveaway. And make sure to check out our complete Winter Gift Guide for ideas on what to give this holiday season.




Disclaimer: I received a Synergy Yoga Mat-Towel for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  
 

Strong San Diego Woman with Brain Cancer Fights Back {Guest Post}

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving last year, we received shocking news. My husband's sister, Melanie had a seizure in bed and was rushed to the emergency room. After a few tests, they found a tumor. In her brain. We were floored. As we scrambled to catch an airplane to San Diego, a hospital worker told her the kind of tumor she had. The prognosis? 18 months to live.

My husband and Melanie are only 18 months apart in age and are very good friends. As we drove to the airport in Seattle and took a flight to San Diego - we were devastated. To lose a loved one, at such a young age, is heart breaking. My husband barely spoke at all.

Thankfully, when we arrived and spent time in the hospital and met new doctors, we found out that she was misdiagnosed. She did not have that particular tumor. But it was brain cancer. Stage 2 Astrocitoma mixed Oligodendroglioma to be exact. This brain cancer has a 3-8 year life expectancy.

After two brain surgeries and an experimental vaccination, we are hoping the tumor does not grow back. A recent PET Scan was done as a 6 month follow up and showed a "glob" and we are praying it is just scar tissue. With 4 children (3 of them under the age of 8) and a large family who loves her - we want her to live much longer than the 8 years.

My sister in law Melanie has stayed so strong during this time. Not even a year has passed but she joined a half marathon, bought an RV, traveled our country for 7 weeks, and just finished a walk for her brain cancer support group. She alone raised $4K for the walk. They have switched to an organic, vegan diet, and the improvement in their life spiritually, physically and as a family has been phenomenal.

This is why I nominated my sister in law Melanie in the Yahoo! Women Who Shine contest. I nominated her in the survivor category. Because no matter what, she is a survivor. Even if brain cancer takes her one day - she is the ultimate survivor. Please take a moment of your time and vote for Melanie. You can vote one time per person, even if you voted for someone else in the contest you can still vote for her. (You must be logged in to Yahoo! to vote.)

This is a guest post by Seattle area family blogger, LaVonne, author and owner of Long Wait For Isabella.

Getting Unreal is The Perfect Alternative for Trick or Treating this Halloween #NGFoodie

Since having kids I've been a lot more cautious about what I pass out at Halloween-time to trick-or-treaters. I realize how much junk my kids receive in their baskets and I knew I needed to change up what I passed out to the kids who came to our home.

I had the pleasure of trying out some very tasty goodies while at the Social Luxe Lounge in New York and was pleased to find out how they compared to the candy on store shelves today.

UNREAL™ has unjunked America's favorite candy and has created a product without the corn syrup, the artificial ingredients, and the partially hydrogenated oils. Not to mention less sugar. They've even added more cacao, real caramel (not corn syrup dyed to look like caramel), more peanuts, protein, and fiber.

All this is the product of the UNREAL™ culture. UNREAL™ is building an eclectic mix of people from different walks and experiences. A Kashi guy. One from Google. An interior decorator. A P&G’er. A guitarist from Glaceau. A guy from Mars. An actual Oompa Loompa. A dog named Lola.

 You’d never find these people together in any other company in the world. But it works. Why? Because They’re drawn together by a common mission. To challenge what we’ve come to accept in our food and its effect on our health. To change the way junk food is made here in America and around the world. To unjunk the world™.

To see exactly what I'm talking about, check out the comparison above. M&M's compared to the UNREAL™ UN54. How amazing is this? A superior product with less calories AND only 4 more grams of sugar than an orange. Plus these chocolate candy shell peanuts are amazingly tasty!! My kids couldn't get enough.

By passing out UNREAL™ on Halloween you're not only helping your kids recognize the difference in the candy on the shelves and the ingredients in the candy they're consuming, you're also passing on the awesomeness that is UNREAL™ to parents who might not realize that there's a great alternative to the junk they're used to.

For more information check out the UNREAL™ website and see how you can get UNREAL™ this Halloween! Don't forget to keep up with UNREAL™ on Facebook and follow them on twitter at @GetUnreal


The Noise Girls have yet again put together an amazing giveaway event to tantalize your tastebuds! The Fall Foodie Festival giveaway event starts on October 1st so please remember to hurry back and enter for your chance to win.

And Ozeri has joined in on the fun to offer one lucky reader an assortment of UNREAL™ candies of their own in this giveaway.



Disclaimer: I received a set of UNREAL™ candies for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Savings on the Go with Walgreens Mobile App and Balance Rewards Loyalty Card #BalanceRewards

Did you hear the news?

Walgreen's new Balance Rewards card is here! What's the new Balance Rewards card, you ask? It's a loyalty card that allows you to earn points on purchases online and in stores.

Being a loyalty card holder has it's perks:

• Save on sale items each week.
• Earn points on thousands of items including prescriptions.
• You can earn points just walking into Walgreens.
• Redeem points for items purchased. 

Easy to Use Mobile App
You can sign up easily for the Balance Rewards card on the Walgreens app. Don't already have the app?

Download it now

The mobile app can make your busy life a little easier and cheaper!

Once you've installed the app, simply click on the Balance Rewards icon on the screen and fill out the simple form. That's it!

You'll receive a confirmation email letting you know you're in and then you can start using the benefits of the Walgreens Balance Rewards card in stores and online.

Shopping on the Go
Once you've signed up for the app and have signed up for your rewards card it's time to shop! You can browse everything Walgreens offers in stores and online in their mobile app shop. I was in need of some hair care so I simply opened my Walgreens app, slid over to the second page on the home screen and selected the shop icon.

From there I went into the Personal Care section and selected Hair Care then Natural and Organic Hair Care. I was able to easily find the Organix line I was looking for and within a few minutes I had 3 products in my shopping cart ready to check out.

To read more about my shopping experience, check out my Google + album here.

Sign Up Online Or In Stores
Don't have a smart phone? You can still sign up for the Walgreens Balance Rewards card online as well! And if you forget to sign up in advance online, you can sign up in the store as well. My local Walgreens conviniently added the sign up on their Photo Kiosk. Simply ask an associate where to sign up and they will direct you right to it.

It takes less than 5 minutes and you can start racking up rewards as soon as you make your first purchase with your Balance Rewards card. You should have your card in the mail within 7-10 business days but can start using your phone number until you receive your card.

And if you do prefer to use your smart phone but forgot to download the app in advance, you can simply scan the QR code at check out and download it before your purchase. This is definitely convenient if you're waiting in line to finish your transaction.

Like Walgreens on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @Walgreens to stay up to date on all the great savings!

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Walgreens. All opinions are my own. #CBias #SocialFabric 

Sharp Women's Health Conference {San Diego Events}

An inspiring day exclusively for women.

The Sharp Women's Health Conference is an empowering event designed to enrich and inspire women of all ages to live healthier and more balanced lives. Feed Your Soul is a day to focus on you — whether you choose to take in an early morning yoga class, get pampered in a salon in the exhibit hall or learn about the latest in health advances in everything from cancer prevention to skin care.

Emcee Kimberly Hunt from Channel 10 will lead the day, along with keynote speakers Kathi Burns, Shivani Singh and Marci Shimoff. Learn more about the Women's Health Conference speakers.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012
Time: Registration, Screenings and Exhibits - 7:30 am
           Conference - 8 am to 4 pm
Location: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Cost: $45 per person

Tickets: Purchase tickets online or by calling 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277),
              Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.

Live, Learn, Enjoy!

Feed Your Soul with a day filled with:

• Continental breakfast
• Fabulous gift bag
• Free health screenings
• Gourmet three-course lunch
• Informative breakout sessions on health and fitness
• Opportunity drawing with great prizes
• Pampering booths

And much more!

I am looking forward to listening to the keynote speakers and attending the breakout sessions at this event! Breakout sessions range in topics including skin care, aging, personal finance, fitness (yoga, Zumba, etc.), nutrition, and health topics like heart care, cancer prevention, etc.

Plus, the exhibit hall features free health screenings, Ask-the-Doctor Q&A, free giveaways and product samples from beauty and health sponsors, and fun activities like beauty make-overs and eyebrow threading.

This event is for women of all ages! Whether you're in your 20s or in your 70s, you'll find a great benefit to this conference. Plus I hear the gift bags and food are amazing!!

For additional details, see ticket information and sponsorship opportunities.

Interested in winning a pair of tickets for you and a guest?

Simply fill out the rafflecopter form below by September 21st at 11:59pm and you and a friend will have the chance to attend! Hope to see you there. Good luck!

Why Yes, My Son Is In Gymnastics {Creating Healthy Children}

This summer was a fun, and busy, one. We spend most of our time playing wiht our friends, exploring San Diego, and picking up a few new skills.

My son spent one day a week learning a few awesome moves in his gymnastics class. I was impressed and excited to see how quickly he picked up what the teacher showed him. And he had an amazing teacher!

What I wasn't expecting was the reaction I received from others when I told them he was in gymnastics. Now, I'm not talking about my friends or family members, but people I met at the park, or at a restaurant (don't ask me how we got on the subject... the lady sitting next to us was VERY nosy), or at the doctor's office.

While most people would simply say, "Oh, how fun!" others reacted with a distasteful, "Why?!"

Well... why not?

And that's what I'd respond with. Gymnastics is a great way, for boys and girls, to learn the basics of balancing, core strength, motor skills, and flexibility. And I love that my son can now build on these skills as he grows and learns new ones. Not to mention the fact that he was part of a social circle that helped promote physical activity instead of at home on the couch watching cartoons.

Doing an awesome somersault on his own

Here are a few ways that gymnastics skills can help aid in healthy development of kids:

Core Strength and Exercise
Exercise and proper training through gymnastics have a positive effect on a child’s cardiopulmonary/cardio respiratory status and bone mineral density, helping to reduce the risk of serious illnesses in adulthood, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. It can also reduce the chances of childhood obesity by aiding in body composition and the loss of body fat (the healthy way!).

Motor Skills

Gymnastics helps children build a range of motor and coordination skills, and assists in developing a good sense of body awareness.

A young child in gymnastics will learn how to use different parts of their body in difference ways. By participating in gymnastics children have more body awareness, control, and coordination, which can be beneficial to other physical activities, sports, and in everyday life.

Flexibility

Stretching exercises help improve flexibility, allowing muscles and joints to bend and move easily through their full range of motion as your children grow. Kids look for opportunities every day to stretch when they try to get a toy just out of reach, take off their shoes, or do a somersault.

By becoming more flexible, children are less likely to get injured while playing and can perform better at certain tasks and sports. Stretching and improving flexibility can also help alleviate growing pains.  

Don't have time (or the budget) for gymnastics? You can encourage core strength in your kids through fun games and activities. Take a look at this awesome publication from USAGym I found for a few great ideas! I'll be using a few of them with the kids since my son started preschool and our busy schedule can no long allow for gymnastics classes.

Remember to be a role model for your child. If you are active, your child will be active. So get up, head outside, and start playing!

Diana's Bananas {Cool Treats without the Calories}

When I'm in the mood for something sweet and delicious I usually end up losing all control over my ability to stop after 1-2 bites. Whether it be cookies, ice cream, or a brownie, I just cannot have a small amount of sweet and stop. So when I started to look for other great alternatives for sweet desserts I was excited to find Diana's Bananas, a healthy cool treat without the calories found in other dessert options.

Diana's Bananas is claimed to be the world's best chocolate dipped frozen banana and I'm pretty sure that this claim is all true. 

From the minute I took my first bite of this milk chocolate coated banana I knew I was in heaven! The creamy smoothness immediately tricked my tastebuds into thinking I was enjoying some yummy ice cream and the richness of the chocolate was perfectly balanced.

I was also able to try the dark chocolate version as well. And for those who consider dark chocolate to be the only chocolate, this dark is amazing and only 130 calories for the Banana Babies size! And since it's coated over a banana, this healthy alternative gives all of the benefits of dark chocolate and bananas in one delicious, cool treat.

Not only are Diana's Bananas a great, low calorie treat to snack on for me, they're great for the kids as well! As soon as I opened one up the kids were at my feet looking at me with pleading eyes until I gave in and let them have some.

My little scavenger quickly went to sit behind the couch to eat hers so that she wouldn't have to share with anyone... including the dog. I might have to take note and try that next time! 

Once my daughter ate all of the chocolate off of her frozen banana, she then ate 1/2 of the banana! That's huge. She typically only eats 1/4 of a banana at a time and the rest goes into a smoothie or in the freezer for later. She really enjoyed eating it frozen. I'm sure it was a great teether for those teeth that are trying to break through.

Diana's Bananas come in three flavors, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate and Peanuts, and two different sizes, Full Size and Banana Babies.

I absolutely love that a smaller size is offered. Not only is it built in portion control for me, but I know that my kid would be able to inhale... er... enjoy the whole Banana Baby as opposed to only half of the Full Size.

Where to Purchase

Interested in purchasing some delicious Diana's Bananas? Head on over to their site and order online now! Or find out where they're offered in your area to purchase locally with the store locator.

And keep up with promotions, sales, and more by liking Diana's Bananas on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

Disclaimer: I received Diana's Bananas for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Staying Healthy While Breastfeeding {Delta Labs Postnatals}

One thing I've struggled with post-baby is finding a great vitamin to take that will also include the nutrients I need while breastfeeding. I've simply been continuing to use my prenatals as a suppliment but recently found a better alternative from Delta Labs.

For the past two weeks I've been using Delta Labs Postnatal Fat Burner in an effort to continue to get the nutrients I need for breastfeeding (and increase milk supply) as well as helping me burn the fat that I still have from my pregnancies and before. While I'm at pre-pregnancy weight right now, I still have a long road to go.

These postnatal vitamins not only are safe for me but are safe for my daughter as well. The pills contain healthy CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), L-Carnitine, and B6. These three ingredients have been proven to promote weight loss, build energy, and increase metabolism leading to healthy weight loss.

The ingredients included in this little pill are 100% natural and are manufactured under strict cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines in a facility that carries a NSF certification.

Delta Labs offers a wide variety of supplements and nutrients made specifically for women so that any woman can find what they need! And if you want to know what works best for you simply contact them to find out. You can also reach out to them on Facebook and twitter.

Delta Labs is also committed to conservation and a greener planet. They will give you a $5 discount on future purchases simply for returning your empty bottle. How awesome is that?

Interested in WINNING a two-month supply 

of the supplement of your choice?

Enter to win two bottles of any Delta Labs health and wellness formulas in the rafflecopter form below. Two winners! Giveaway ends August 10th at 11:59 EST so hurry up and enter now. Good Luck!

And if you don't win this time around make sure to head on over in September to enter the Noise Girls For the Family giveaway for another chance to win a two month supply!

FitBit {#simmwlc Tricks & Tools}

When I started my weight loss journey this time around I knew I needed something that could easily track my fitness. I have a heart rate monitor but I only wear it when I'm going to the gym so I wanted something that would be great for all day use.

And since sadly I haven't found enough time to fit in the gym, I've been trying to stay active in my day-to-day activities by walking more and doing at-home training. So it's hard to track all that I'm doing to stay fit. 

That's when I found the FitBit Ultra. And I've been in love ever since.

The FitBit Ultra wirelessly tracks any and all activity in the form of how many steps are taken each day, calories burned, and how far you've traveled, with it's 3-D motion sensor (think: Wii technology). All in one little device that securely attaches anywhere from your waistband to your bra to the clip it comes with. It can even track floors climbed with the new altimeter technology built in. This device is much, much more than a pedometer.

I love securing it to my pocket or waist during the day and even while running around with the kids and getting up and down 100x it has never once fallen off. It can be attached via the clip that comes with it or by simply attaching the device to your waist, bra, or pocket.

And if you're worried about someone noticing this device, don't. It's so small that I've only once been asked about it and that's only because a friend had read a previous blog post where I mentioned using the FitBit. She didn't even know I was wearing it at the time!

I keep the FitBit docking station on my nightstand plugged into my laptop. That way I remember to wear it as soon as I get up and I place it back on the dock when I go to sleep. I absolutely love how easy it is to keep track of everything. All of the data is instantly sent to my computer wirelessly without me having to push a button.

AND I get super awesome reports with a run down of my activity each day. A summary of the previous week is even emailed to me so I can keep up with how active I am over the course of 7 days.

Take a look at what a typical day looks like for me: 

How awesome is this for motivation?

I'm always trying to beat the previous day's steps. Some days I succeed, others I fail miserably. But I'm having so much fun doing it. And with the push of a button I can tell how I'm doing at any point in the day.

Not only does the display on the FitBit Ultra have the steps, stairs, and calories; it also includes a clock, stopwatch and a personalized greeting! When I'm out and about I just need to look down and check what time it is instead of pulling out my cell phone. Quick and easy!

Being home full time with my kids and working from home allows me little time to really focus on the time I spend being fit. By including the FitBit Ultra in my daily routine I not only am aware of how active I am but how active I need to be; I spend less time worrying about it! And less time tracking fitness means more time focusing on what really matters.

I have yet to use it to track my sleep but will be delving into that function this month! So stay tuned for another review of the Sleep Tracker functionality of the FitBit ultra in August.

And if you want to check out the FitBit Ultra for yourself head over to the FitBit website to purchase one today! 

Disclaimer: I received a FitBit for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Underweight and an Iron Deficiency?

Last Thursday my daughter had her follow up weight check. If you remember, she fell off the chart at her 15 month appointment and the pediatrician wanted to make sure she was staying on her own curve and not plateauing in weight. Height and head circumference were just fine.

So we beefed up the healthy calories and really focused on structured meals and snacks to make sure she had as many opportunities to eat healthy, caloric foods as possible to keep her on the right track.

And the results?

In six weeks she gained 11 ounces. Enough to keep her on her own curve and out of the 'danger zone' of plateauing on the curve.

But, and that's a big but, the pediatrician wanted to see a bit more of a gain to get her back onto the charts. We'll continue to make sure she's offered a variety of nutritious meals and snacks as well as making sure the foods we feed her are higher in calories.

Now that we've gotten the weight issue taken care of we're fine, right? Wrong.

At the 15 month check up my daughter's iron levels were low. The pedi re-checked the numbers again this time and they're still low. Now we have to  supplement with iron drops. Not easy for a girl who doesn't eat much.

Not only am I now trying to offer lots of foods, I'm also trying to offer foods that I can hide the iron drops in. And this girl eats maybe 5 bites of one thing at a time. Not great when the metallic flavor of the iron supplement needs to be masked by the food or drink it's in.

I still have yet to get a full dose in her. And she needs two doses a day, every day.

Luckily I have an awesome BFF who recommended a few products to try out. She currently uses Floradix Iron & Herbs and loves it. 

I actually first heard of this brand back at BlogHer'11 last year and have even received samples at a few events I've attended over the past few months. I've put a call in to the pediatrician to see if he approves of this alternative.

They even have a kids multivitamin I've heard great things about called Floradix Kinderlove Children's Multiple Vitamin. I might get that as well to start Ethan on something in case he's lacking in nutrition too.

We're also making Green Monsters every day and are considering adding chlorella or spirulina. There isn't a ton of iron in the chlorella or spirulina but it's very easily assimilated. There's also a chewable called Nature's Plus Animal Parade Kid Greenz that I'm looking into as well.

And on top of the supplements I am also watching her Vitamin C consumption as well since it's supposed to aid in absorption of iron. So along with the iron drops I'm also offering orange juice, melon, strawberries, apricots, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes.

I'm going to try my best to get her iron levels up and decide on a course of action. If it's not one thing it's another! So is life...

A positive in this is the fact that my daughter is a smart, funny, and very personable 16 1/2 month old and we are blessed that our problems are ones we can address and resolve. I know that some families aren't as lucky.

Have any suggestions for increasing iron? I'd love to hear them!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through to the sponsor's website your are helping support the Simmworks Family Blog. 

Get Skinny Pre-Launch Book Tour {#getskinnybook Review & Giveaway}

Imagine having the energy to perform at your peak throughout the day, the inner strength to tap into your true potential, and the ability to permanently lose weight--- all while having absolute confidence in who you are and what you can accomplish.

If you are thinking about losing weight but don’t know where to start, let "Get Skinny! The Six-Week Body Challenge" be your guide. Unlike other fitness books on the market, this six-week body challenge won’t leave you feeling confused about what you need to do to permanently lose weight and change your life.

"Get Skinny! The Six-Week Body Challenge" gives you the true feeling and experience that comes from working with an elite personal trainer one-on-one. For the next six weeks, you will be guided through several fun and challenging exercise and nutrition programs as if you were actually meeting with an elite trainer at your local gym. You’ll be pushed to reach for your true, inner potential while being praised for your efforts. There are even targeted goals and weekly check-ins to help keep you motivated.

In the end, you’ll be able to laugh and have a good time, make mistakes in a safe and comfortable environment, and personally connect with your trainer in a way that will allow you to achieve lasting and permanent success, forever changing the way you look at fitness!

About the Author

Scott Schmaltz is a veteran of the fitness industry with more than 10 years of personal training experience. He holds a board certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner, a degree as a nutritional consultant, and seven certifications in personal training and rehabilitation.

Scott has run personal training departments and corporate wellness programs for companies including Gold’s Gym, Snap Fitness, and Health Partners Insurance. He is the author of "Get Skinny! The Six-Week Body Challenge" and a writer for different online health and wellness blogs. He's also the creator of Custom Workout Videos, which produces and sells online exercise and nutrition videos (CustomWorkoutVideos.com).

My Review

This 6-week program touches base with every aspect of the weight loss journey. Get Skinny not only focuses on fitness but also goes in depth about nutrition as well. By focusing on the different components of the weight loss process I really think that I can succeed in my goals.

Since I don't have the budget for a trainer now I really need all the help I can get to stay focused on my fitness. But I've also been slacking on the nutrition side. So by following a plan, being held accountable, and knowing that there's someone out there rooting me on makes me feel so much stronger about my goals. Scott even took the time to write a personal inspirational note in my copy. Now that's motivation!

I've had a lot of time to read and process this book and with the knowledge I've gained I am going to start following the plan and the workouts today. I now have a variety of workouts to choose from and know that by not limiting myself to certain foods I'll be able to better control my weight and start losing again.

Where to Buy

You can purchase Get Skinny on  Amazon in Paperback & on the Kindle as well as at Barnes & Noble in Paperback or on the Nook.