As we approach the three month mark of 2011, many of you have probably already fallen off of the new years resolution wagon.  You hit the gym and ate right for the first part of January, but then the motivation and drive you felt after the first of the year quickly dwindled and now you’re left wondering where to go next.  If you need a motivator, Carole Carson’s new book “From Fat To Fit” may be the answer.

“From Fat To Fit” chronicles the story of how author Carole Carson exceeded her goal of losing 40 pounds by her 60th birthday. Whether you’re in our 20s or well into our 50s, it’s never too early or too late to take better care of our heart and body.  In honor of American Heart Month and as a way to help motivate you to kick your fitness routine back in high gear, our sister site iEnhance.com is giving away Carole Carson’s “From Fat To Fit” to one lucky winner.

How To Win

There are 3 methods for entering, and the more things you do the more chances you have to win.

• Visit the From Fat To Fit Giveaway page and comment telling us why YOU want to get fit.
• Like iEnhance on Facebook (While you’re at it be sure to “Like” Beauty Chat as well)
• Follow iEnhance on Twitter and retweet the following: RT @ienhance #Giveaway Carole Carson’s new book “From Fat To Fit”! Ends Feb. 27. http://bit.ly/fz8ZqG  (Can be retweeted once a day for an additional entry)

So get out there, get fit, and good luck!

Cellulite – about 90 percent of women have it and, unfortunately, it has no cure; however, there are ways we can alleviate its appearance. I am a victim of the “cottage cheese” look, and with summer around the corner, I have been trying different home remedies (such as Java Junkie). I also got a chance to try out Endermologie ®, which is a massage type technique that helps to break up the fat cells that cause the appearance of cellulite. Even with these techniques, cellulite stills requires constant maintenance to diminish its appearance.

Creams advertised to get rid of cellulite can be effective in cellulite prevention and treatment, but are not as effective as cosmetic treatments. However, by incorporating these creams into your everyday routine, circulation can be promoted, which the fat cells need to break up and smooth out the appearance of what some call “orange peel skin.”

After my experience, some of my fellow BeautyChatters decided to try out some of these at-home treatments to see if they would help them achieve significant results.

Here are their experiences:

Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel,  Soap and Glory: Jennifer

“I used the Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel as directed: twice a day for about three weeks on my tummy. I liked the cool, tingling feeling it gave off when I applied it, which made me think that it was actually doing something! However, after a while, I started to notice that it was causing me to itch and I had to stop using it. I tried the gel again after a week and couldn’t continue, due to the itching. But I did like how my skin felt. It was very soft and smooth.”

Bootcamp for Butts, Mama Mio: Jacquie

“This is a great four-step process to help your skin look and feel more firm. This is a must! I used it for almost four weeks and started noticing a difference in my skin texture within the first week of use.

Due to my daily use of the products, and incorporating the three-minute exercise routine along with it, I noticed a difference in my overall skin texture and tone.  The key to this four step process is massaging your skin, which activates and creates blood flow to your cells.  When I looked in the mirror after using the product, I noticed less dimples and way less visible, creepy skin on my arms.  I personally don’t like trotting around in the buff but I am more confident with my body as swimsuit season is quickly approaching.”

Slimwear Body Cream, Soap and Glory: Elana

“I was so excited to get a product, the Slimwear Body Cream that is designed to fight the battle of cellulite. Right below my bottom and on the outer sides of my hips (“saddlebags”), the cottage-cheese appearance makes me insane.

It had a nice consistency, not too watery and not to thick. Consciously, I made it a point to start at my ankles and move up, so that I am loosening up the cell formation. Because I exercise regularly, I couldn’t tell if the appearance of my cellulite improved because of the cream, the exercise, or a combination of both. For the most part, the Slimwear Body Cream is a nice addition to a healthy lifestyle.”

From their experiences and my own, there are ways we can diminish the appearance of cellulite with creams and other remedies, but even with regular maintenance, entirely getting rid of cellulite still has yet to find its ultimate solution.

What about you, have you tried any at-home treatments? How effective are they in diminishing the appearance of cellulite?

Photo Credit: Me! And Bootcamp for Butts

The warm weather is here, bikinis have been on the racks for a few weeks now, and tanning salons are getting booked. Summer is approaching and we’re ready to rock the beach! Or at least almost ready to rock…we just need to lose those last five to 10 pounds. But we’ve all got so much going on that it’s become nearly impossible to hit the gym on a regular basis.

What are we to do? Aside from undergoing a cosmetic procedure – liposuction or tummy tuck surgery – there are many diets that we could try, including the “Five Bite Diet” that Dre and Jana are currently doing, but there are also other ways to lose the weight: diet pills. Or as some companies like to call them “dietary supplements.”

I’ll admit that in an attempt to drop a few pounds the easy way I did try a couple of different brands some years back. However, I failed to do as the bottle stated, which was to eat a sensible diet, exercise, and take the pills as supplements.

Many diets pills claim to help us lose weight quickly and easily, but they don’t bother to reveal all the negative side effects that they also bring along. Saying that we should consult with a physician prior to taking them is hardly enough warning that they may not be safe for us to use.

These supplements can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, anxiety or nervousness, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even death if not monitored correctly. Are the risks worth the possibility of losing a few pounds?

Living in Southern California requires a beach ready bod and I’m determined to get into shape. Instead of trying to cheat with diet pills, I’ve started eating healthier and I’m working on incorporating more activities…soon. In the last month, I’ve already dropped eight pounds!

What do you do to get in shape for the beach? I’d love to get some fun ideas!

Photo Credit: Sheep Chronicles

I have struggled with weight loss for years, trying just about any thing there is out there without having to consider any plastic surgery procedures.  My friend Jana told me about a weight loss book she had been reading and suggested I read it; so I did.

The book is called “Why Weight Around” by Dr. Alwin C. Lewis. In the book, Dr. Lewis stresses that a portion controlled diet is the most effective strategy to losing weight.  He developed a two part weight loss program called “The Slimming Station.”

The first part is to read the book, which explains what the diet is and how it works.  The second part is to work one-on-one with a Slimming Station Coach; this helps maximize your success and maintain your goals. After both reading the book, Jana and I decided to try it.

Here is a quick overview of what we do (which we dubbed the “Five Bite Diet”):

-    Skip breakfast
-    Eat only twice a day, Lunch and Dinner. NO SNACKING!!
-    Each meal only consists of five bites each. (Bites not bigger than a bite size Snickers)
-    One bite of the day must be a good source of protein, such as chicken or steak
-    Take a multi-vitamin daily.
-    All drinks are to be low to zero calorie.

Even though this explanation seems pretty straight forward, I highly recommend reading the book or going to Dr. Lewis’s website before starting this diet.

Jana and I have had great success with this diet plan; though we haven’t completed step two of the program yet, we would love to in the future. We both lost 30lbs. by our sixth and seventh weeks.  I’ve never seen results this quickly.

Thanks, Jana, for introducing me to it, we’re doing great!

Photo Credit: Jana and Dre

When I was diagnosed with a Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), the name alone scared me to bits. What really freaked me out, though, were the limitations I was given by my doctor. First, I was put on a permanent medication called Atenolol, which basically lightens the load on my heart by slowing it down a bit, but makes me feel even more tired than usual.

Next I was given what I call the “No-No List” which basically said no hardcore cardio exercise – no running, no excessive use of stairs; the list went on and on. Being that I was never what you would consider a “gym enthusiast,” I didn’t really have a problem with the rules at the time, but quickly found out that just about every type of exercise that I was actually interested in was considered a No-No for me. This left me with a problem: How in the world was I supposed to keep myself from getting massively overweight if I was tired all the time and couldn’t do any real cardio?

Last year I started looking into exercise alternatives and I have to say, almost everything I have found has been fun and fulfilling for me. From Yoga and Pilates to scheduled walking and low speed bicycle rides, I found that there were tons of options out there for someone with limited exercise capability like me. Recently, I have really gotten into using my Wii Fit. It offers Yoga, which stretches my body and helps me to stay limber. It also provides strength training to build muscle and work off fat without getting my heart rate going. There are even a few really fun games like hoola hooping that helps to tighten up my abs and backside!

With all of the modern technology out there (and a little help from my handy-dandy wrist monitor), I am able to exercise and strengthen my body and heart, all the while keeping my actual heart rate at a reasonable level for my safety. Now, with summer on its way, I really need to get to work on improving my body and staying as healthy as can be!

Do you have any alternative exercises that you like to do? Do you know someone with a health condition who has had to be creative in order to maintain a lifestyle that includes regular exercise? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Photo Credit: Healthy Heart

I find myself doing it all the time…I get lazy and instead of going home and making something to eat, I opt for the easier choice – drive-thru restaurants. I hate fast food; yet, for some reason, I find myself indulging it – it is cheap and easy.  Even though fast food restaurants are often marked as “unhealthy,” it is still possible to go healthy even when in a hurry.

Health.com recently posted a recommended list of the healthiest fast food restaurants; surprisingly, among that list was McDonald’s! However, keep in mind that just because McDonald’s is on this list, it doesn’t mean that all of the choices available on the menu are healthy; they just offer healthy selections for their consumers. The key is selective ordering when deciding to go with fast food for your meal of choice.

So, if you are trying to lose weight even when you’re on the go, here are some tips to follow when wanting to choose a healthier option at fast food joints:

*Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu: If it says deep fried, crispy, creamy, pan-fried, etc., it is more than likely high in fat and calories. Instead, look for items that contain leaner meats, such as fish and chicken, and stay away from cream sauces, like Alf redo.

*Skip the dressing: Leaving out cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and other spreads can reduce a lot of fat from your meal. Go light or don’t have it on your food at all.

*Avoid eating on the run: The purpose of fast food is to get something on the go, but when you do have time to eat, take your time – chew your food thoroughly, you’re more likely to get full faster and eat less.

*Don’t add more salt: Most fast food choices are already high in sodium and salt, so do yourself a favor and don’t add more. Try to get the least salty options as possible.

*Find alternatives: If you are getting a meal that comes with fries and they offer other choices, replace the French fries with a healthier alternative. McDonald’s has a wide selection of replacements for fries on their menu, such as apples with low-fat caramel dip. Other restaurant may let you replace the fries with a salad (be sure to avoid creamy dressing).

*Check the nutritional information: Before going out to fast food restaurants it would be smart to look up the nutritional information online for some of the places you eat at most often. You can keep a mental note of the choices that are low in sodium, fat, calories, etc.

In most cases, you know what is fattening and what is not; the key is to think healthy. We all know that if it is dripping in grease, it is very likely to be infused in fat and loaded on calories. Keep in mind that most fast food meals are around 1,000 calories each (that takes up almost your entire caloric intake for the day!), so if the meal is a large portion, you can always eat half and save the rest for another meal, or you can share with a friend.

There are healthy choices available at fast food restaurants, look for them!

Photo Credit: The Book of Threes and Wisebread

Okay, I know I am a bit behind the craze, but Nintendo ® Wii ™ is amazing and I am addicted! I recently tried out the game, Boogie SuperStar and all I can say is, I must be out of shape!  I started to break a sweat after only 20 minutes of playing. It is fun and I actually feel like I am getting a work-out, or am I?

There have been a lot of arguments for and against Wii and the fitness benefits that it entails. This is what I get from the whole phenomenon – it may not be an option for a hardcore cardiovascular work-out (such as running or kick-boxing), but it definitely does get an individual motivated and work off his/her booty! (Which is an improvement for the inactive population). On top of that, Wii challenges its players, as you get better at a particular skill, the game is designed to make the activity more difficult.

I have yet to try out Wii Fit, but apparently it has its benefits; the game performs a body test by weighing you, calculating your body mass index, and leading you through a series of balance exercises. Depending on these results, it offers suggestions for improvement and then asks you to set a goal. In essence, it is assisting you in setting objectives and motivating you to stick to them, which doesn’t seem to be a bad attribute at all.

Whether or not Wii promises to make you look like a supermodel, it doesn’t hurt to play. In retrospect, it does promote physical activity, which I never see as being a bad characteristic. Experts are only concerned about the increase in Wii-related injuries since the game console has been released.

“Wiititis” (having an over-exertion of Wii play) gamers are encouraged to stretch-out and warm-up with jumping jacks or running in place before Wii play. In addition, Wii gamers are also advised to limit their playing time if they feel muscle soreness or any other pain – in other words, treat Wii just like any other work-out; stretch, warm-up, and cool-down every time you play to prevent injuries.

As far as my Wii addiction, I feel a difference in my energy level – playing Wii has inspired me to start jogging on a regular basis again. For some reason, it gets me motivated to stay active and get into better shape.

Am I the only one alone with this addiction? Have any of you tried the Wii Fit? And if you have, do you believe you have gained fitness benefits from playing it? (Let me know, I want to try it!)

Photo Credit: Alexis Bacchu and Geek Force Five

There are some of us who love it and some of us who hate it: jogging…or however you would like to refer to it. Many of us just can’t get ourselves to jog, even though it is a great cardiovascular workout.

I used to be an avid soccer play; live, eat, breathe, soccer. However, once I realized I was never going to make it to the World Cup, I decided to just play it for fun, and usually only when I had down time. I used to always be in shape; yet, over the years I have seen my body let go from the effects of exercising “whenever I get the chance.” This means that playing soccer a couple times a week just is not enough to keep my girlish figure.

Since I don’t regularly partake in my favorite sport anymore, my new passion is jogging. I found that doing it on a regular basis can is a challenge for me, and I am a huge fan of challenges. If I don’t have a soccer ball at my feet, running is a chore for me. I have been working on building my endurance, training myself to run further each time at a set amount of time.

If you are like me and see jogging as an unpleasant task, I can tell you baby steps are what has gotten me out there everyday. You cannot expect to become a marathon runner overnight; it takes time, dedication, and progress.

With that said, here is my crash course, which could possibly train you for your first 5K run (roughly three miles).

 Jogging 101, Lesson One: The Run/Walk Method

If you have not heard of it, the run/walk method is an easy way to build yourself up on your distance and time. It is an alternation of segments of running and walking.

1. Start off with a warm-up, which could be a fast-paced five minute walk.
2. After your warm-up, do an alternation of running and walking. For beginners you can start off with one minute running, and seven minutes walking.
3. Keep repeating this method until you have made your goal time, such as 24 minutes, which would be a 1:7 ratio for three cycles.
4. As you continue this routine, add more time to your running and less time on walking.

It may take a couple months, but if you are moderately in shape, you can easily get to running up to 30 minutes a day by training with the run/walk method. As you increase the amount of time you run with the alternation between walking, within a couple months, you should be able to run continuously. To increase your endurance and fitness, run for 30 minutes a day, four days a week. 

If you do not think you have enough motivation to continue on this routine solo, ask a couple friends to join you. I go running with my roommates a couple times a week and we help push each other. Also, I try to change up the scenery a bit; I run somewhere different each time, so it does not get repetitive.

The uniqueness about running is that you can do it anywhere and it is an all-over body work out.

Make running fun by challenging yourself and setting different goals for your time and distance. You may benefit in an overall improved physique and fitness.

Photo credits: MarthaStewart.com and prevention.com

April! Congrats, you will receive a starter kit from SENSA. Here is what April had to say:

“I need this in my life- not because losing an extra an pounds will make my life perfect, but because I want to be HEALTHY because you are only as beautiful as you feel, and when you are healthy you are BEAUTIFUL. Beauty fades, but what you do NOW will affect your health LATER…we only have ONE body and we should be treating it like the temple it is! Using the body’s natural psychology is an in-genius approach to weight loss, as opposed to starvation or extreme diets and exercise.”

Thanks for entering the contest, as well as your continued Beauty Chat support =)

To all of our other readers- look for more contests and giveaway in the near future!

Trying to lose weight and want something different than the ordinary diet? Then we have an idea for you! The creator himself, Dr. Hirsch, introduced us to the SENSA Weight-Loss System at the Total Beauty Blog Summit.

SENSA is different than your normal diet program. Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. You just add the SENSA sprinkles to your everyday food. There are salty sprinkles for your salty food and sweet sprinkles for your sweet food. It’s that easy.

According to their Web site, this is how SENSA Tastants Technology works to make you feel full faster:

1. Scents from Sensa Tastants travel through your nose to nerve receptors.
2. The receptors send signals to the brain that stimulate the olfactory bulb.
3. The olfactory bulb, in turn, signals the satiety center in the hypothalamus.
4. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland that triggers the release of hormones that suppress hunger and appetite.

According to Dr. Hirsch, SENSA “Uses natural physiology of the body to lose weight.” With this system, your sense of smell is tricked into thinking that you are full — resulting in less consumption of food.

For more in-depth information, check out the SENSA site. And be sure to watch a feature of Dr. Hirsch and his weigh-loss system on “Extra.”

Do you want to try this product? We are giving away one starter kit (month 1) to a lucky Beauty Chat reader, courtesy of SENSA.  Just leave us a comment telling us how you would benefit from this new diet program. We will choose a winner on Friday, September 5th. 

(Please note: As with most diets and weight-loss systems, SENSA is only recommended for those who are significantly overweight.)

Photo credit: SENSA