Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Getting Clean

Submitted by on April 15, 2012 - 11:10 pm

I just returned from Tokyo and what an amazing trip it was! The Japanese are so polite and attentive. (I’ve never before experienced customer service like I did in Japan.) And Japan is super organized and clean. (I’ll talk more about getting clean in a minute.) My 3 classes at the Peak Pilates Japan Convention were sold out and I had a great time working with the participants. I also spent a day teaching private Pilates sessions to instructors at the Pilates Alliance studio, in Tokyo. What fun it was to teach such polished and dedicated instructors.

On my second day in Tokyo my hosts took me on a tour of the famous cherry blossoms, for “hanami”, viewing flowers. Cherry blossoms are indigenous to Japan and only bloom once a year, for a period of 7-10 days. I was lucky enough to be in Japan exactly when the blossoms were in the height of blooming. I walked under a canopy of cherry blossoms, along with my friends Yuki Kato and Zoey Trap (and thousands of other people). It was breathtaking!

On my day off I took a bus tour of Tokyo. I went up Tokyo Tower, visited the Meiji Shrine, toured the East Garden of the Imperial Palace and then spent the afternoon shopping in the Ginza district. OMG! Japanese department stores are to die for! Each designer, or brand, has its own storefront. We’re talking a distinct storefront and unique design for each, and every, brand. It’s like walking into a whole new store, every 20 feet.

I enjoyed the best sushi of my life, as well as delicious Korean food. And my hotel, the Shinagawa Prince, was so interesting. It had a bowling alley, movie theaters and an aquarium, (all inside of the hotel)! Again, I’ve never seen anything like it, (and I’ve been a lot of places). Don’t even get me started on the toilets. They’re so cool and futuristic that I could go on, and on about them.

Overall, my quick trip to Japan was fantastic! I loved every moment and hope to return again soon. But in the meantime, it’s time to clean up my act. Feel free to join me, on the Clean program, if you’re finding that you:

 

  • have more headaches than usual
  • have allergies or hay fever
  • get bloated after eating
  • get heartburn
  • have dark circles under your eyes
  • tend to get colds or viruses each year
  • get cravings for certain types of foods, especially sugary or starchy foods
  • get pain or stiffness in joints or muscles
  • have bowel movements less frequently than after every meal
  • get congested or mucousy

 

The list goes on. If you’re ready to experience optimum health check out the Clean Program, and join me in detoxing and rebooting your system.  In preparation for the Clean Program, today I started the “Elimination Diet” portion of the program. Click Here to learn more about the Clean Program and Click Here to purchase the New York Times Best Seller Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger (Board certified in internal medicine and cardiology, as knowledgeable in Eastern medicine).

I’m excited to get “clean” and would love your support. I’ll post my progress on FaceBook. Domo arigato.

“Done properly, compliments on your glowing skin and svelte figure are just the frosting on the cake; your body’s natural healing abilities will be restored, insulin levels regulated, and your liver detoxified.”

Vogue.com 

Vernal Equinox Party!

Submitted by on March 9, 2012 - 4:20 pm

Join me for a celebration of the vernal equinox (equinox mean “equal night”), marking the day (one of 2 per year) when the length of day matches length of night. On March 20, 2012, at precisely 1:14 A.M. EDT (March 20, 05:14 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. This moment is known as the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

In celebration of the vernal equinox the Iconic Equinox Sports Club West LA will be hosting an amazing Vernal Equinox party on

Tuesday, March 20th from 6:00-9:00PM

1835 S. Sepulveda Blvd

Los Angeles, CA  90025

310.473.1447

Join me for special fitness classes, performances (including my own), music, drinks and more..

RSVP  at ana.caban (at) equinox.com

 

Mabel’s Cranberry Apple Crumb Pie

Submitted by on November 9, 2011 - 9:00 pm

Growing up, a very dear family friend, Mabel Garis, always made a special dessert at Thanksgiving time. It was her amazing Cranberry Apple Crumb Pie. A few years ago I asked her if she might reveal the secret recipe, and she kindly obliged. Today I’d like to share this deliciously sweet-tart recipe with you. I hope that you will enjoy it this Thanksgiving as much as I have, over the years.

Ingredients:
3 cups fresh cranberries
3 cups coarsely chopped pealed apples
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp. salt
whipped cream of vanilla ice cream

Combine first 3 ingredients
Turn onto a buttered 9″ pan
With pastry blender or finger tips blend together the remaining ingredients
Sprinkle on the fruit and bake for 1 hour at 350F

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Buen provecho!

Friendship, Gratitude & my iPhone

Submitted by on November 3, 2011 - 10:30 am

Friendship doubles joy and halves grief.
 – Egyptian Proverb

I have to say that I have been blessed with amazing, lifelong friends. Some I met in grade school and some as an adult. No matter where, or how I met them, I feel so fortunate to have them all. Friendship really does make life fuller and helps when times are tough. I hope that you always feel surrounded by friends and that you are a good friend to many.

I recently found a great FREE app for my iPhone called “Thankful For”. It’s basically a little journal where you can post anything that you are grateful/thankful for. What’s great is that you can chose which notes are kept private and which get shared in a gratitude newsfeed. It’s super uplifting to read what others are thankful for, whether it be a sunny day, electricity or their favorite dessert.

Click Here & head on over to the Apple Apps Store to download your Thankful for app!

5 Quick & Easy Ways to Burn 100 Calorías, (without even trying)

Submitted by on September 8, 2011 - 11:09 pm

It’s a Dogs’s Life! Enjoy a stroll to the dog park with your furry friend and quema (burn) 30 calorías in 10 minutos.  While he plays do 5 minutos of jumping jacks and burn 40 calories.  Hoof it back to your crib and you’ll burn the other 30.

Play them off! With the new Kinect Sports: Calorie Challenge from VBox Live ($4; Xbox.com) you can go cabeza-a-cabeza against a virtual treat, and burn off the item’s calorías (100-plus for the Super Soda avatar, for example).  Enjoy activities such as running or boxing.

Jump like a kid! Did you know that jumping on a trampoline not only tones your legs, butt and abs but also burns 100 calorías in only 27 minutos.  And, it’s super fun, of course! So go ahead, be silly and jump around!

Be a tourist! Climb the steps of the Great Wall of China (or any ancient ruin) and burn 100 calorías in only 14 minutos.  No ruin in sight?  Hit your local museum, where you can quemar the same number of  calorías absorbing the art for 37 minutos.

Meet a pal on the mat! Join a friend in a local park for a mini-workout.  Start with 5 minutes of jogging (30 calorías) then have her hold your feet for 5 minutos of ab-work (40 calorías).  Finish up with 3 minutos of lunges (30 calorías).  You had fun and you’re done!

These are just a few ways to get your body moving and up your metabolism.  Curious what your waking day metabolic profile is (how much energy you expend in YOUR day)?  Stay tuned for my NEW Metabolic Profiling Program! Coming soon!

Calling all Los Angeles Ana Caban Fans!

Submitted by on August 10, 2011 - 4:42 am

Do you live in L.A.?  Would you like to train with me, for FREE? Well, this may be your lucky day.  I am currently enrolling test group participants for a new workout concept and I’d love for you to participate.  This is an exclusive group of individuals who will be trained by me 3x/week for a 6-week period.

All participants must:

1. Be available to train with me, in Eagle Rock, Mondays and Fridays at 8:00AM and Sundays at 10:00 during the weeks of 8/22-10/2.

2. Be willing to sign an N.D.A. (non-disclosure agreement).

If you are interested in being a part of this test group please email me at info@anacaban.com.  Again, there is no fee to participate in this group.  Please include your name, age and telephone number in email.

Muchas gracias,

Check out my new Betterist site!

Submitted by on August 9, 2011 - 8:06 pm

Betterfly
Ana Caban

This is a great place to showcase your services.  Check it out!  Just click the purple link above.

Día 5 of 30 in 30 Challenge

Submitted by on July 16, 2011 - 2:11 pm

Ok, so día 5 of my 30 in 30 Challenge was a busy one.  My son woke up sick, so I didn’t get my usual morning workout in.  Instead, after a doctor’s appointment and a run to the pharmacy I was able to (kind of) do the Crunch Cardio Salsa workout DVD.  I say “kind of” because as I danced around my son tried to walk through my legs, (he’s obsessed with “tunnels” these days).  Anyway, I certainly did move my body.

How about you?  How is the Challenge going for you and what did YOU do today to move your body and inspire others to do so?

Click Here to check out the crunch Cardio Salsa Workout DVD.

Día 4 of 30 in 30 Challenge

Submitted by on July 14, 2011 - 9:45 pm

Ok, so I am officially “stoaked” that so many of you have joined me on my 30 in 30 Challenge.  I ran into my colleague Dara Blaine this morning, who has been working out consistently, too.  Not to mention the folks interacting with me on FaceBook.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that my fans across the US and THE WORLD are doing the Challenge, too!  This morning I squeezed in a strong 30-minute Pilates mat workout.  I didn’t have more time than that, between clients, but I may do a little something more later today.

Click Here to see my Day 4 video.

Can’t figure out what to do today?  Here are some ideas:

So now what will YOU do to move your body today?  Share below!

Día 3 of 30 in 30 Challenge ~ “Getting Melted”

Submitted by on - 4:15 am

So, today is día 3 of my 30 in 30 Challenge.  I feel great and I see that I have inspired TONS of you folks to join me.  That makes me so happy!  I love seeing your comments on FB, Twitter and my YouTube channel.  Gracias!

Tonight I headed to Hollywood, to “get melted”.  Curious?  Check out my video, LIVE from Hollywood, CA!

Click Here to watch!

The Reigning Workout Wednesday Queen

Submitted by on July 13, 2011 - 9:45 pm

Ok, so I may not exactly be Kate Middleton, but I was just named Workout Wednesday QUEEN on the Fat Girl Escapades blog, for which I am truly honored.  Apparently, I have inspired blogger Cynthia Martinez to get her fluffiness into shape.  Not only is she trimming the fat with my Quick Start Pilates for Weight Loss DVD, she has joined me for my “30 in 30″ Challenge and is also spreading the love through her blog.

Click Here for guaranteed (uncensored) entertainment.  Who knows, you might even learn something!

Let’s All Exercise!

Submitted by on - 12:00 pm

Here’s a special message for you from our friends over at Sesame Street…

Día 2 of 30 in 30 Challenge

Submitted by on July 12, 2011 - 7:09 pm

Hola,

Today has been a busy one, but I managed to squeeze in a Pilates group equipment class,  How about you?  What have you done o move your body  today?

Need inspiration? Shake it like Shakira with my Cardio Latino Interval Training workout. Click Here to check it out! Use Coupon Code EXERCISE and get $3 off.  (Offer expires 7/14/11).

Click Here to see today’s video!

Being like KK (a.k.a.Kim Kardashian)

Submitted by on July 11, 2011 - 8:06 pm

Today I re-launched my “30 in 30” Challenge.  I’m so excited to do 30 in workouts in the next 30 days.  (It turns out that I’m not the only one that works out every day.  Whenever KK is home, in L.A., she makes it a point to work out daily, even as she’s busy balancing her multi-media career.)

Join me for 30 workouts, really any type of exercise, over the next 30 days, as I get summer fit (it’s never too late) and ready for my big party at L.A. Live!  (If you live in So Cal and want to join me for the fiesta, make sure to keep your eyes out for all the 4-1-1).

Click Here to see what I did for exercise today!

30 in 30 Challenge!

Submitted by on - 8:00 am

Ok amigas, my “30 in 30″ Challenge is BACK!  Most of you now that last December 1st I committed to doing some sort of exercise each day, for 30 days.  I called it my “30 in 30 Challenge“.  My hope was to start the new year off in great shape, (i.e. without putting on any holiday weight) and feeling great.  Well, the Challenge went great.  People from all over the world joined me,  followed my progress online and shared their progress with me.  It was awesome!  (You know, if you joined me or at least followed along).

Fast forward 7 months and my “30 in 30″Challenge is back.  On August 12th, 2011 I’m hosting a HUGE party in downtown L.A.  My goal?  To look fabulous in my custom-made dress.  (Yes, I am having a dress MADE for this party.  Stay tuned for more on the dress in the near future).  Anyway, I want to look great in my new dress, and as the host of this slammin’ party.  So, I decided to do the Challenge, again.  That being said, I’d like to invite YOU to join ME beginning Monday, July 11th (or whenever you read this).

The good news?  I’m not planning on (nor asking you to) run 10 miles a day.  On the contrary, I just plan on doing SOMETHING each day. Sure, on somedays I will jog on others I may just do some Pilates, Yoga, or squats and lunges.  The goal?  To move my body, look and feel great!

I’ll be journaling my progress at www.anacabantv.com and here, on my La Buena Life blog.

Click Here to watch my original 30 in 30 video.

I hope that you’ll join me for my “30 in 30″ Challenge. Click Here to get your FREE workout log.

Ana

P.S. July has 31 days, which means we do get “a day off”.  :)

4 “Razones” Why You Should Wear Sunscreen Daily

Submitted by on June 30, 2011 - 2:17 am

Did you know that only 31% of women are consistent about wearing sunscreen daily? The other 69% mistakenly believe that they’re exempt. Here are 4 of the many razones (reasons) why they are very mistaken.

Razón Número 1 (read “Uno”) – UV Rays Are Everywhere

Whether we are at sitting outside, under fluorescent lights or at the computer, we are constantly exposed to UV rays. In fact, most of us rack up about 14 hours of casual UV exposure per week. Prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. And in the long run, UV radiation diminishes the cells of the skin, fibrous tissue and blood vessels, which may lead to wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer.

La Solución

Make sure that your moisturizer has an SPF of at least 30, and apply each morning. Planning on sweating? Then make sure that it’s sweat-resistant and slather it on all sun-exposed areas, just to be on the safe side. A great one is Aveeno hydrosport, with SPF 85!

Razón Número 2 – Sunscreens ARE Safe

Contrary to popular belief, the chemicals used in sunscreens are NOT more dangerous than sun exposure. That belief may have come from studies using animal data, not humans. An example of one such study fed mice huge doses of oxy-benzone, a UV–light absorber commonly found in sunscreens. Researchers believed that strong estrogen effects in these sunscreens could cause cancer cells to grow más rápido. However, according to dermatologist Dr. Steven Wang it would take more than 250 years of using sunscreen daily for you to be exposed to the amount of oxybenzone used in the study.

La Solución

Wear sunscreen daily and proudly. If you’re still worried about potential ill-effects of ingredients try a sunscreen like Colorescience Powder Sunscreens, which are safe for the face and body.

Razón Número 3 – You Don’t Look as Good as You Think

Don’t get me wrong. I like a healthy glow as much as the next gal. But what I don’t like, and wouldn’t want to look forward to is saggy, leathery skin. You KNOW what I’m talking about. Don’t let that be you!

La Solución

Get your glow on with a subtle bronzing lotion. There are so many available these days. My personal favorite is L’Oreal Body Expertise Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion.

Razón Número 4 – There is Always a First Time

Just because you have “never burned” doesn’t mean that it’ll never happen. Why do we wear seat beats? Because we are constantly getting into car accidents? Not! But we might. Better safe, than sorry. When we were younger it might not have been such a big deal, but as we age our skin loses its ability to effectively produce melanin and THAT may actually make us more apt to burn. The bottom line is that whether or not your skin is rojo sun damage-including wrinkles and loss of elasticity- are occurring.

La Solución

Try a sunscreen like Avon ANew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion, which prevents burning and helps heal past damage with a unique blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals.

So, go ahead and love the sun and your computer!  Just make sure to limit your exposure and ALWAYS wear sunscreen.

ZICO Coconut Water

Submitted by on June 29, 2011 - 11:30 am

I spent much of my young adulthood visiting Latin America, where if I were traveling down a rubbly road, (in the middle of nowhere), or lying on a beach, I could most likely grab an “agua de pipa” (“drinking” coconut). A “drinking coconut” is much different from a coconut that you eat. You see, top, (or young, coconuts), are ready for use as drinking coconuts while to lower coconuts are fully ripe and ready for processing as copra for cooking /baking use).

This young coconut water has been revered as a natural source of nutrition, wellness, beauty and hydration, for over 4,000 years! Even in times of famine and war, coconut water was used as an intravenous fluid and saved many lives. It’s amazing to think that coconut water can be safely injected into the human blood stream, to increase glucose levels.  What’s even more amazing is that you don’t have to go to Latin America, or even a Latin American neighborhood, to get yourself some coconut water because, ZICO Coconut water has been packaged and shipped to a retailer near you.

ZICO is delicious! It now comes in 7 flavors: natural, mango, lima citron, pineapple, pomberry, passion fruit and CHOCOLATE! I have tasted them all, and they are great!  ”Natural” flavor taste exactly like the “agua de pipa” that I used to buy on the beach, from the man with his cooler slung over his shoulder. (Coconut water is best served chilled).

I love ZICO Coconut water because it’s like a natural sports drink. It provides carbohydrates and electrolytes, as well as hydration.  It’s COMPLETELY natural and an 11-ounce serving has only 60 calories.

Get muscle cramps when you exercise? Drink ZICO Coconut Water. It has more potassium* than a banana & 15 times more than most sports drinks. Drink ZICO before or during a workout for the natural energy you need for optimal performance. After a workout, ZICO replenishes and re-hydrates you, to speed recovery. What ever you do, DRINK ZICO!

ZICO is “the perfect, natural beverage to replenish and re-hydrate.”
Jennifer Lobo, co-owner of Bikram Yoga, New York.

To learn more about Zico Coconut Water Click Here.

*Potassium, one of the main electrolytes, is an essential element in the basic, everyday workings of the body. It plays a role in muscle growth and contractions, nerve cell function, and protein synthesis.

5 Great Summertime (or Anytime) Tips for Staying Trim

Submitted by on June 3, 2011 - 3:20 am

Here are 5 of my “go to” rules for getting summertime (or anytime) fit & healthy!

Start the day with a healthy breakfast.

It’s so easy to blame a busy schedule, or a lack of appetite for not eating a good (or any) breakfast. The thing is that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Plus, according to Andrea Giancoli, R.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, “People who skip breakfast tend to overeat at the next meal”. Well, that isn’t very good, is it? A great, hearty breakfast, which will keep you full for hours, and trim is a bowl of steel cut oatmeal with berries, or as some people refer to it, “Irish Oatmeal”. This oatmeal is low in sugar and high in fiber, keeping you fuller and your blood sugar levels more level, making you trim and nicer to be around.

Aim to eat foods whose names you can pronounce.

If you can’t even say it, do you want to eat it? Maybe. Sure there are some natural ingredients that may have strange or long names, but as a general rule I figure that if I can’t pronounce the ingredients names, or even recognize them I’m probably better avoiding that food, all together. As a general rule, processed foods (with all those words you can’t pronounce) aren’t very healthy, are hard to digest AND they won’t really satisfy you. So try sticking to foods in their most natural state.

Eat every 3-4 hours.

Ok, I’m not saying to binge every 3-4 hours. Oh no! I mean, eat smaller meals throughout the day. It may sound hard or crazy, but just think about it. A car runs better when it has a full tank, not when it’s dragging on “empty”. Do what you can to eat something small and healthy every 3-4 hours, or so, and you’ll see how much more energized (and trim) you are.

Pack half of it up.

When dining out a great trick that I use, which I credit Brittany Spears for turning me on to, is ordering my meal and asking for half of it to be boxed up “to go”. We all know that restaurants over serve us (well, that’s unless We’re dining French or eating sushi) so it’s our job to pull back the reigns a little. The good news is that by doing this you will still enjoy a delicious meal and BONUS-you can enjoy it again, the following day.

Make every bite count.

Count as you chew. Did you know that to properly digest food and receive the most nutrients we should chew each bite 20-30 times? Yes siree-Bob! Slow down, light a candle, put on some smooth tunes and ENJOY your food. Make every chew count, literally!

Have a super fun summer!

My interview on BeChicMag.com

Submitted by on May 26, 2011 - 1:28 am

Being a smart Latina is more than just knowing which products to use or where to shop for the latest styles. It’s also about keeping our bodies healthy which results in natural beauty.

What if you don’t have enough time to workout? What if you’re out of shape or overweight and don’t know where to begin? To help answer these questions, we spoke with Fitness and Lifestyle Expert Ana Caban.

“Beauty and fitness are very intertwined,” says Caban. “We feel and look more beautiful when we are healthy and radiant. Exercise is so important and you don’t need a fancy gym.”

Back to Basics: Why Exercise is More Important Than You Think

Improves your mood
Boots your energy level
Manages weight
Helps you sleep better
Gives skin a radiant glow
Helps combat chronic diseases
Puts a spark back into your sex life
Makes you more fun
Here are five exercises to get you moving and toned:

The Pilates Hundred (pictured above)

For a super strong core, flat abs and good circulation

Lie down on your back on a mat or towel. Bend your knees and bring your legs to a table top position over your hips. Stretch your arms straight down by your sides and curl your head and shoulders up off of the mat or towel. Begin pumping your arms by your sides, as if you are slapping your palms down on the surface of water. Keep your abdominals firm and scooped in as you inhale and exhale for five counts each. The arms will continues to pump as you complete a series of 10 breaths, inhaling for five counts and exhaling for five counts each. Bend your knees into your chest and relax your head, shoulders and arms down to the mat.

The Swan Preparation

For a strong back and great posture

Lie face down on your mat or towel. Place the palms of your hands on the mat, underneath your shoulders. Keep legs parallel and slightly apart. Engage your abdominals, by lifting them up to support your back. As you inhale, extend your spine and lift your torso up off of the mat, press your palms firmly into the mat to assist you in lifting. Keep your elbows as close to your sides as possible and slide your shoulders down. Deepen your abdominals in one more inch. Hold the position for five counts and lower your torso back down to the mat, lengthening your spine as you do so. Repeat four more times. Sit back on your heels and stretch out your back.

Plank

Full-body exercise for power and shape (If you only have time for one exercise, make it this one).

Kneel with your hands and knees on the ground. Engage your abdominals and extend one leg, then the other, back so that your legs are straight and you are on the balls of your feet. Imagine magnets on the inner portion of your legs that are pulling together to keep your legs firmly “zipped” together. Keep your hips and head lifted so that your body is completely straight and looks like a plank of wood. Keep your abdominals strong and breathe naturally. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat once more and hold for 30 seconds. With practice, build up until you can complete three repetitions, holding the position for one minute each.

Know the difference between pilates and yoga?

For bigger women who want to lose weight:

Many overweight women prefer to do Pilates rather than other forms of exercise because the movements are all low-impact, causing less discomfort and stress on the joints and involve only their own body weight, no additional weights are necessary.

The Modified Hundred is great for bigger women because it strengthens the core and gets the circulation going at the same time.

Lie down on your back on a mat or towel. Bend your knees and place your feet on the mat about hip width apart. Reach your arms long by your sides and curl your head and shoulders up off of the mat or towel. Begin pumping your arms by your sides, as if you are slapping your palms down on the surface of water. Keep your abdominals firm and scooped in as you inhale and exhale for five counts each. The arms will continue to pump as you complete a series of 10 breaths, inhaling for five counts and exhaling for five counts each. Relax your head, shoulders and arms down to the mat.

For thin women who are out of shape:

The Single Straight Leg Stretch is great for thin women because not only does it strengthen the core, it also increases flexibility and tones legs.

Lie down on your back on a mat or towel. Lift both legs straight up into the air. Curl your head and shoulders up off of the mat. Reach both hands behind the back of your right leg (thigh, calf, or ankle). Bring your right leg towards your head and your left leg away from you, like your legs are a scissor. With your abdominals pulled in firmly, gently pull the right leg towards you for two little pulses, then scissor the legs and pull the left leg towards you for two little pulses. Inhale on the right leg, exhale on the left leg. Continue until you have completed 10 sets (right, left 10x). Bend your knees into your chest and relax your head and shoulders down to the mat.

The Food You Eat

But before we start doing last minute work outs to trim our bellies for the summer, here are some things to consider. “When wanting to get toned or lose weight, what’s even more important than exercise is what you are putting into your mouth,” says Caban. “You can workout all night and day, but if you are eating junk your results won’t be great. I would say that what is most important in looking trim, is getting enough sleep and eating well. You won’t lose that belly you are concerned about because the junk food (i.e. processed foods) can’t be broken down by your body. So what isn’t broken down properly gets stored as fat. So the best remedy for toning your tummy is to eat fresh and “clean” foods– foods that aren’t packaged and are cooked with little fat. Drink lots of water, in lieu of sugary, nutrient-lacking drinks and get at least eight hours of sleep every night and exercise several times a week.”

No time to hit the gym?

Find an activity that you enjoy that burns calorie like walking, dancing, cycling, joining a fitness class or cleaning the house
Schedule your workouts weekly
Join a friend. Want to catch up with a friend or two? Why not take an exercise class together, a walk, or go dancing. Your social outings don’t have to revolve around food.

“Being a smart Latina is being a powerful, dynamic and conscientious Latina,” says Ana Caban. “It’s sharing your gifts and talents with the world in order to inspire and empower others and make the world a better place.”

By Mercedes Sanchez of BeChicMag.com

How do you stay in shape?

Click Here to read more Be Chic Mag articles & to watch Be Chic TV!

Spring Cleaning for Your Body and Soul

Submitted by on May 17, 2011 - 5:57 pm

Spring is in full swing. It’s the time of everything anew.  So why not clean up, (i.e. change up), your workout routine, too?  I often do.  There is nothing like adding a little variety to your workout routine to keep it interesting, keep your body challenged and keep your spirit alive.  Plus, the last thing that you want to do is plateau right as the summer approaches.  Here are 3 quick & easy steps to clean up that old, tired routine of yours and infuse it with energía and fun.

  1. Take it outside!  Chances are that you have been cooped up for the better part of the past 6 months.  Get your nalgas (behind) outside and have some fun!  That could be walking/jogging, biking, rollerblading, hiking, jumping rope, skipping or dancing.  It’s makes no difference.  Just get outdoors and let the sun energize you.  Don’t forget your SPF, of course.  :)
  2. Try something new!  Do an experiment and try out several new workouts over the course of a week or two.  See which ones you enjoy the most and add them to your usually routine, or replace one of your old workouts with a new one.  (Just don’t replace your Pilates.  LOL)  ;)
  3. Create your own workout!  If you were to create the next workout craze, what would it look like?  Morph together your favorite moves and try it out!  You might be on to something.  If it doesn’t become the next P90X at least you will have discovered what really makes YOU move!

Enjoy the spring, because before you know it it’ll be over and summer (and your bikini) will be here!

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