New Online Magazine Opportunities

I'm both honored and excited to announce the upcoming launch of the magazine named after this blog. There was a struggle with the name of the magazine, but it was determined that "It's Your Life" fits with the natural living theme of the magazine.

With a desire to educate others in how to live a happy, healthy, natural life the name of the blog seemed to fit. After all it is your life and you have choices to make in regards to how you live it. Do you want to continue living sick and tired or are you sick and tired of it? Now this magazine gives no guarantees, but instead seeks to open minds to the various health and mental problems many suffer. What most do not know is how complex our bodies and minds truly are and what it can take to make or keep them healthy.

Through my journey to a happy, healthy, natural lifestyle I have learned alot and continue to learn. Sharing the experiences I have had personally and the inspiration of others who have also overcome physical and mental health problems without drugs is what this magazine brings to its readers. Striving for a unique magazine that has never been done before we have come up with some great ways to help our readers lead a happy, healthy, natural lifestyle.

What You Will Find in Our Magazine

• Unique articles geared towards natural healing of various health and mental problems 
• Articles geared towards physical fitness its importance and the many benefits it brings
• Self sufficiency on various levels rather you just want to grow your own food or strive to be totally off the grid
• How to avoid GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and improve your health along with unique recipes
• Superfoods are important for our bodies as they bring various vitamins and minerals other foods do not. 
• Herbs for health, healing, and growing
• Detoxing and avoiding heavy metals and other toxins
• World news that makes a difference to our health
• The mind is a terrible thing to waste yet so many of us do find out how powerful your mind is and how it can bring you peace, happiness, and financial freedom
• You will be introduced to coaches who can make a difference in various aspects of you life.
• Homeschooling is an important part of the natural living lifestyle as our children were given to us to raise and bring up. Each issue will include a topic with links for study, knowledge, and fun.
• All advertisements will be geared towards natural living if it be those who create, provide, or can bring to us something that effects our life in a positive manner.

 

This magazine incorporates all these topics into one magazine by writers who are either living what they write about or have a strong passion for the mentioned topics. 

Call To Action

• We are seeking more bloggers passionate about these topics to write for us in exchange for advertisement with a live link and bio.
• If you have a product you would like to advertise geared towards natural living we will do it in exchange for a link to the online magazine on your site, will include a live  link time span to be determined.
• FREE issue for those who will put up a link to the magazine in their sidebar for that issue
• If you have a topic you would like to see written about that no one else has addressed email me @ edjumpoff@yahoo.com.

These terms are for a limited time only to be determined.

The deadline for the first magazine is Monday March 16, 2015 contact Joyce Wheeler editor, writer, publisher, and co-designer for more information @ edjumpoff@yahoo.com.

April is Autism Awareness Month if you or someone you know has dealt with this health problem naturally we want to hear from you. We are seeking an article on a family who done this and know that they are out there. So, many families deal with autism and they need to know that if caught early enough it can be eliminated.

Find Your Pefect Push Up

 When we think of doing push ups we think of the traditional position and/or the traditional female version. However there are various ways to do push ups some to make it easier and others to make more intense. No, matter where you are in your health journey there is a push for you.

 If you are having a hard time doing traditional push ups try doing them on a counter or wall. Place your feet at a distance that is comfortable for you. Support your core by sucking in those abs, be sure you are feeling the contraction in your chest and upper back. If you do not feel that contraction change your foot position or hand position. This option is one which may have to be experimented with to make it work for you.

There are a variety of ways to do incline push ups and you can use whatever you have available. The first way is to place your toes upon on object, I like to use the stability ball. The second is to place your hands upon an object such as a step or workout bench.

Taking it to next level is easy to do and there are tons of options. You can use a medicine ball to perform an uneven pushup, start with one hand then roll the ball to the other hand. Once the ball is in the other hand perform the pushup movement.

One of my favorites is a push up with a row you will need a dumbbell for this one. If just starting out start with a 3 lb, I have been doing them for awhile and use a 5 lb.

 There are many more clapping after doing a push up, one hand push up, doing push ups with someone on your back, and believe or not a bunch more. If you are interested in other versions because you have already mastered all of these I have included a few links for you to check out.

82 Push Ups You Need to Know About

25 Ways to Do a Push Up- Video

Maintaining Your Weight During the Holidays

 

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The holidays are upon us and with them comes food, lots and lots of food. There are all sorts of parties, office parties, family parties, friends’ parties, Christmas parties, and New Years parties. With these parties comes food, so what can you do to still participate, but maintain your weight. There are a number of things one can do to maintain their weight while still partying.

Think About it

Thoughts to process while at a party are that there are more parties and food to come. What time of the day is it? If the party is a night you should refrain from eating at all for two reasons. The first being that food is energy for our bodies and odds are you are sitting, talking, and drinking. You are not burning any calories this way. Secondly it is bad for the digestive system. You will go home go to bed with undigested food in your stomach which cannot digest probably.

Moderation is Key
Moderation, eat in moderation, do not fill up a plate with gobs of food. Make healthy choices, view the options before grabbing a plate and decide which foods have the least amount of calories. If there is something you want that contains high calories make that the smallest part of your plate.  Sweets, we love them, but here too moderation is key. If there is an appealing pie or cake that makes your mouth water, cut a sliver. Sweets that do not have to be cut are easier to just take two or three at the most.

 

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What are You Packing 

Traveling for the holidays is something a great number of people do. The one thing many fail to pack is work out gear. No matter what type of work out you do there is a way to continue during your holiday travels. This can get a little tricky, like taking your tread mill, or your weight bench and weights. Instead think of ways you can modify your work out. It might not be the work out you are used to, but just remember, something is better than nothing. If you have a health club membership to a chain like Snap Fitness, check and see if there is a location close to where you will be staying. If you are staying in a hotel try to find one that includes a gym.

Combined Eating  
Combined eating is an important factor for maintaining your weight during the holidays. Foods digest at different rates, if eaten in the wrong order foods are left undigested. Fruits digest the fastest, eat these first and alone. Vegetables are next, eggs, and fish also digest quickly only a half hour. Cheese takes up to five hours, and meats vary depending on what it is. Be aware with meats they take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to digest. Fats also digest at a slower rate, lastly do not eat protein and carbohydrates together as they cancel out each other’s enzymes. This explains why we feel lazy and horrible after Thanksgiving dinner, stuffing, turkey, and potatoes should not be eaten together.

Using these simple suggestions will aid you in having a happy, healthy, holiday meals.

What tricks do you use for maintaining your weight during the holidays?

Workout at Home Arsenal

Over the years I have gathered quiet alot of workout products for my home workouts. This took time and usually came with the purchase of a new workout DVD. For instance I purchased my step in a package from The Firm which at the time came with three workouts and two steps. Later they came out with the incline step which also came with three workouts. The incline offered more versatility for working out, but allowed me to also use the previous workout videos I had.

When I first started working out at age 17 I purchased an exercise mat, ankle weights, and a set of hand weights. As years went by more products for working out at home became more abundant. Now I don't own a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike and never have. First off these are big ticket items that I did not have the money to buy, or a place to put. Yet I have managed just fine without those items and even after working out at the gym, at various times in my life, I prefer my arsenal.The step is great to use for a combination of cardio and toning at the same time. This makes for a shorter more effective workout incorporating the entire body.

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At this time I have four sets of hand weights 3 lbs for flies, 5 lbs for rows, biceps, triceps, lying down flies and use them on my inner thigh for extra weight. I have 8 lbs for using on the step for extra weight and for some other step work along with chest presses. Last I have 15 lbs for working the lats which is the muscle shown on the left. As you can see this is a big muscle and can handle heavy weights. However I would start with 5 to 8 lbs and work your way up. Currently I do 30 upright rows on both sides. I need to move up to 20 lbs which is what I used at the gym.

I do have a set of ankle weights, but in order to use them I have to tie them on because the Velcro is no longer holding. Wish they would come back with the ones with straps.

When the stability ball came out I was in love and had to have one. This is the best piece of equipment for developing a creating a strong core. It is also very versatile for working the body all over while still engaging the core.

Resistance bands, I got my first pair when I purchased the Boot Camp Tae Bo  series. I then found a set that had weights in the grips by Tae Bo and purchased those. When purchasing The Firm DVD, I no longer have or remember the title, I got a different type of resistance band. At the time I had no workouts that utilized this type of resistance band, but as of now I have two.

Then I purchased Cathe' Friedrich's DVD "Butts & Guts* " I purchased my 8 lb medicine ball. I use this to enhance ab work like Russian Twists, along with the stability ball and for uneven push ups. All of the workouts I do that incorporate the medicine ball are from Cathe' Friedrich.

At the suggestion of my health man I bought a rebounder. This is a great workout for those with joint pain because it is easy on you joints. The rebounder hosts a lot of benefits. You can see my post "The Rebounder/Mini Trampoline Benefits."

The last part of my arsenal is the most important because all of my other items would be useless without my library of workout videos/DVDs. I also use YouTube for various workouts and have an extensive list on there between two different play lists. If you would like to go through them and see if you are interested in anything you can explore my "Fitness" play list and my "Exercise" play list.

Buying a Stability Ball?

I have posted before about the stability ball here, but did you know there are different sizes? Yes, there are, and do you know why? Because depending on your height depends on what size ball is best for you.

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Now they tell you to sit on the ball, but the balls do not come inflated, so that is kind of hard to do. It is important to get the right size ball or you will not get the full benefits. It could lead to bad form which can mean injury or an ineffective workout. Now I don't know about you, but I set time aside each day to workout and do not want to injure myself, and want to get out everything I am putting into my workouts.

It is important to make sure you have proper air pressure. Depending on where you are working out determines how much air pressure you want in your ball. For those just starting out you will want to make sure the ball is not real firm. This will allow you to get use to the unstable environment. Once you are comfortable fill the ball so it is more firm. This will give you a more unstable ball causing you to work harder to maintain balance, it is great for the whole body. DO NOT OVER INFLATE!!!! This could cause your ball to burst, not good.

Safety tips: If working out on a bare floor use an exercise mat, be sure the space is void of any items. Most important follow the directions on the ball for inflating it. This is not a toy do not allow children to play with the ball as if it were. This could result in punctures and wear the ball was not meant to endure.

I wish I would have known about the size thing when I bought mine. When I was going to the gym they had various sizes and I used the bigger one and wow what a difference. Guess it's time to buy a new one, sad to see this one go we have been through alot together. I just realized I have had it for like 7 years and it is still going strong.

Beachbody Products on Sale

There is always something exciting going on with Beachbody and this month is no different.

First up is the 10 Minute Trainer from Tony Horton. Get a full body workout in just 10 minutes great for those busy days when you don't have time for a half hour or hour. Step up your game using the resistance bands, and cardio belt included with the program. Most programs focus on one muscle group at a time. Tony Horton combines all the muscle groups along with cardio, toning, and ab moves to give you a full body workout in just 10 minutes. You will also get a nutrition plan which includes 10 minute or less recipes. Along with recipes, resistance bands, and cardio belt you get.....

•  5 10 minute workout DVDs.
• Customized workout calender
• 2- Day jump start plan
• Tony's on the go workout cards
• 3 additional Rapid-Fire workouts for faster results
• 24/7 online support
• Accelerated results calendar
• Your choice of a month supply of Shakeology

On sale now for $160.00 and a savings of $70.00 available in English and Spanish. In reality you are getting this whole program minus the Shakeology for only $31.00. Sale ends August 31, 2014.

Next up we have Focus T25 use this when you have more than 10 minutes, but not an hour. However, the program is designed to feel like an hour workout. This workout is designed by Shaun T who also brought us Insanity. There are modifications so no matter if you are just beginning or advanced this workout is for you. So, here is what you get.

10 High intensity 25 minute workouts.

• Cardio
• Speed 1.0 
• Total body circuitA
• Ab intervals 
• Lower focus
• Cardio core
•  Speed 2.0
• Rip't circuit 
• Dynamic core
• Upper focus

You also get a quick start guide, nutrition guide containing recipes using 5 ingredients that can made in 5 minutes for 5 daily meals, 15 lb resistance, and more. Plus Shakeology chose your flavor, don't forget vegan flavors are available. All this for $180.00, you save $90.00 until August 31, 2014, total cost for the program minus the Shakeology $51.00!!!!

21 Days to a Better Me

Just because we eat real food does not mean we will not gain weight, or become unhealthy. Our bodies are very complex, and it needs alot of different things to keep it healthy. Exercise is one aspect of our lives many ignore, we were created to move. In this day and age many have jobs requiring them to sit all day. Now don't think because you have a physical job you don't need to work out,  not true. Ladies, just because we are chasing after kids, lifting our babies, or climbing stairs doesn't mean we don't need to work out.

We all need to work out to strengthen our bones, heart, and develop slick defined muscles. Some people might just focus on cardio for weight loss. Down side to that you will be left with lose skin, yuck not very attractive. While you are losing weight you have to tone that body as well. Just as you shouldn't do just cardio, you also should not just tone even if you are just maintaining your weight. That heart needs to pump to stay healthy, and this is what the cardio will do for you.

I just became a Beach Body coach because I love helping others get fit and healthy. For a long time I refused to do this because of the price of the products. Then I did a freelance job for a coach for a new program called the 21 Day Fix. I was impressed by the eating system incorporated into this program using containers for the various food groups. I also started looking at their product labels, I saw organic, non-GMO, and BPA free plastic, okay that really did it. If it were not for those three words I would not have become a coach. I can not, would not, will not sell or promote any product I would not use my self.

You don't just get the containers you also get a Shakeology container to mix your drink in, which also comes in vegan. The eating plan booklet is awesome, there are recipes which tell the containers to use, a chart to mark off the containers used each day, snack ideas, and so much more.The 21 Day Fix DVD contains seven workouts, 30 minutes each, so don't say you don't have time, 30 minutes is one sit com. It is two DVDs and each one also contains a 10 minute ab workout which is the same on both DVDs.You also get the bonus DVD Plyo Fix which is also 30 minutes long.

Next month I will turn 50, and I don't want to look, act it, or have anyone be able to look at me and determine how long I have been on earth. That is why I am taking this challenge however, my issue is not pounds it is inches. Anyone else want to join in this challenge, recipes, and printables will be made available.


If you are interested in taking the challenge please click on the challenge tab. When you do purchase the program you can enter the giveaway by sending in your before and after photo click here to see what you can win, doing this will also get you a free 21 Day Fix t-shirt

My Latest Free Workouts

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Due to being busier than usual these days I have not had time to do my hour workouts. YouTube to the rescue, I have mentioned my workouts from YouTube before, and doing so again. I was looking mainly for some quick cardio workouts, and once again was not disappointed.

There are three I found that are about ten minutes each. That is a little less than I wanted, but works out great. Depending on the time I have I either do two of them, or all three. I included the videos so you could view them first, and the link if you want to save them.

The last one is the most intense because each exercise lasts a minute. Does not seem like much until you are burning for that minute to end. Modifications are included so for you beginners out there this is a great way to get started.

Calorie Burning Cardio Workout




10 Minute Cardio Quickie




150 Calorie Cardio Fat Blast

Health Benefits of the Martial Arts

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Many people think of martial arts as simply learning self defense. While this is a true fact there are a variety of health benefits associated with the arts as well. As a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a fan of Tae Bo I have experienced these first hand.

The many forms of martial arts require you to utilize your whole body. Unlike a gym where you work one body part at a time, cardio, and toning are done apart from each other. Doing martial arts allows you to burn calories through the many moves which will get your heart racing, required to burn calories. Tone your entire body through the various forms martial arts incorporates.

Forms are a series of moves put together, such as a side kick combined with a punch, and a block. Done together they make up a form, the various kicks tone different parts of the leg muscles. Various types of punches work the different arm muscles, along with the upper back, chest, and obliques, or love handles. The side kick by itself works the outer thighs, getting rid of those saddle bags, glutes, hips, and obliques, you can't do that with any machine.

Those with health issues can profit from the martial arts. There are various articles on the internet discussing how those with Parkinson's disease have had success at reducing their symptoms. Other articles talk about how participating in martial arts could slow down, or even prevent Alzheimer's.

Martial arts are a great way to relieve stress, which in our society is abundant.  Relieving stress is important for various health reasons such as the following.

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Out of all the workouts I do, Tae Bo based on martial art moves, relieves my stress better than any other. Afterwards I breath a sigh of awwww and state how good that was.

For our youth the martial arts are good for their health in every aspect. Due to the fact that our society is so technical, the health of our children can suffer. Children for approximately five to six hours a day are in school, most of the time sitting. When they come home they sit down to do their homework, then off to watch T.V., go on the computer, or a gaming device.

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Martial arts teach children how to defend them selves, self control, team work, confidence, and much more. It is a fun way to burn that energy that has been stifled up all day. Statistics prove that children with certain health issues benefit from the arts, such as ADHD, and autism. Not only will you be helping to relieve their stress, help them be healthier, but you are also giving them a blue print for a healthy lifestyle through out their lives.

I have to give my testimony on the health benefits of martial arts. If you are a regular reader you might remember the post "A Month of Health I." if not you can go back and read my experience with familial tremors. People with familial tremors are often misdiagnosed with Parkinson's disease. My coordination was off, and I really noticed it when performing martial art moves. Good news is I am a determined individual, I refuse to give up my martial art style workout, and now my coordination gets stronger every time I do it.

If you live in or around Brisbane Australia, and would like to participate in a martial arts class visit the BTC  web site, there is something for the whole family. Classes in Tae Kwon Do start as early as three years old, what are you waiting for go and join now!!

Do you do martial arts? If so have you noticed an improvement in your health?

Tae Bo Extreme & Raw Coleslaw

I love Tae Bo, did I mention that before? Billy is my go to guy when I gain a couple of pounds, or just want a great, fun workout. Yes, I said fun, Billy is alot of fun to workout with.


What I love about Tae Bo Extreme! is Billy adds the step, and hand weights to the workout while sticking to the traditional Tae Bo style. It is 56 minutes long, starts with a warm up, Billy style, goes into some traditional Tae Bo, then on to the step. I love the way Billy incorporates Tae Bo into the step even if there are no kicks. After the step comes the hand weights with alot of great moves including jumping jacks with a press, you have to see it. Another unique feature Billy adds is working the obliques with the weights on the step, another gotta see. Now on to the floor where Billy uses the step to do some donkey kicks, side kicks, and push ups.

This is a great workout with alot of versatility, definitely for the more advanced. If you are intermediate looking to up your game I suggest giving this a try.

 Last week I decided to make some homemade coleslaw with the raw mayonnaise I have made in the past. I'm loving my new food processor, first I shredded the cabbage both green and purple along with the carrots.

Washed out the food processor, and made the raw mayonnaise I blogged on previously . What I love about the mayonnaise is you can season it up if you want to, I added some Italian seasoning to it. Not to much just a little, it was so good, and healthy, but I'll still need Billy to keep in shape.

Strengthening the Core With Planks

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A friend of mine messaged me on Facebook asking if I knew of any core exercisers. She said due to a health issue she could not perform traditional exercises to strengthen her core. For those who do not know your core is your torso, and in order for the body to perform at its peak performance it is important to have a strong core.

One of the best exercisers I know to strengthen the core is planks, and I told her this. Well, later she said they were great, but she could not do them on her hands due to another issue with her wrists. That is fine there are many ways to do planks, and they are easy to modify. Recently I asked her how it was going she said good. Knowing she was only doing a basic plank I asked her if she would like me to provide her with variations, and she said yes. This post is what I am going to send to her.

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 Lift one leg for 8-10 times, than change legs, going no higher than your glute muscle. You can also put the right leg out to the right side pull it back in than move the left leg alternating between the right and left for the same amount of reps.

 

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For this plank stay on your elbows and bring your knee towards your elbow, do 8-10 on each side. If you are unable to do 8-10 do as many as you comfortably can, and work your way up. Remember not to lock those joints.

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Put one leg up, and slightly push the leg up, heel to the ceiling while maintaining the plank position. Do 8-10 on each side.


I found this great site that has a nice selection of plank variations for both on the elbows, and on the hands. Chose the ones that suite where you are in your fitness journey, when you're ready go back and try some of the other ones. This is a great site because there are not just images, but small videos continually playing.

My favorite is a plank with a  row, how 'bout you, do you plank?

Planks

Getting Back into Workout Mode

Well, my daughter went home Saturday, and I have yet to do a workout. It is not because I don't want to, but due to our recent flu out break. Soooo, it has been over a week since I last worked out. After such a long break I need to motivate my self back into it again. I'm thankful that for me this is pretty easy.

All I have to do is watch a work out video, or see an image of someone working out, and I get stoked. Why? Because when I see someone else working out it reminds me of  how much I like the feeling of working out. When I workout I feel my muscles working, and know that I am doing something good for my body. I also like the way it feels as I build a healthier body.

As I work my upper body with weights I can feel and see my muscles working and flexing. Working my lower body, I feel power move through the various muscles in my legs, and glutes. I love doing planks, a lot people don't, but as I hold my self up I am gaining strength through out my core, arms, legs, just the whole body. Add a row to that plank, and build more muscle, plus since I started doing planks I no longer have lower back pain after standing for an hour. You can say that for me working out is an addiction, I love the way it feels, and want more. It may sound funny, but if I am not dripping sweat when I am done, then I didn't work out hard enough.

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Motivating your self to workout may not be as easy it is for me. Find what motivates you, and use it whenever you need it. Remember while looking better, working out on a regular basis builds a healthier body. An appealing image in the mirror is just a bonus.

Because it has been over a week, I'm going to kind of ease back in. I'll be using the rebounder today which is not just a great work out, but will detox my lymphoids, considering I was just sick this is important. I will also be working my abs for about 20-25 minutes. Got to work that upper body so, I'll be doing 25-30 rows, curls, presses, flys, rows, and lateral raises.

What motivates you to keep working out?

More Workouts on YouTube

I have added some more work outs from
YouTube onto my Exercise channel.  You can see some of my favorites from my post on "YouTube for Fitness" post.

As I mentioned in my post "Jillian Michaels Killer Abs Review," my abs are my where I have the most trouble, so they are my main focus. Of course you need a cardio to get rid of the fat and so off the muscle you have. Which is one reason I love workouts geared for the abs that contain cardio.

So, I found two more videos on YouTube geared towards abs with cardio. The first one is Jillian Michaels 6 Week Six-Pack Abs level 1, which is a 35.40 minute work out with a warm up, and cool down. While it is not the whole work out which consists of three levels it is a great work out. A work out mat is a must, along with 3-5 lb weights, I use both. You can get the 6 Week Six-Pack DVD with all three workouts for only $9.95 which is 71 minutes long. Oh my gosh, as I scrolled down to look at the reviews, just curious, I noticed that they had a bundle with this DVD, and two of the other ones I do on YouTube for $28.91. So, you get the 6 Week Six-Pack, 30 Day Shred and No More Trouble Zones. While the last two are on YouTube in full, I think I might order this bundle. I have had some videos I worked out with deleted from YouTube.

The other one I found is now another favorite, It's done by an unknown, Chris Freytag, it is a 40.02 circuit ab workout. Like Jillian she incorporates cardio with the ab work out. It is called 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme-Core, it's four circuits, you will need a mat, and some hand weights. This is just one segment of her DVD 10 Pound Slimdown which includes four other work outs besides the core. Each work out is 20 minutes long, hmm may add this to my wish list, for $17.99. You can also find them on YouTube, great way to preview a work out before you buy it.

Okay after realizing I could get other work outs from Chris Freytag's DVD on YouTube, I added some more of the segments to my exercise channel. I added Total Body Circuit oh man side planks with row, Cardio Kickbox, oh yeah.  There is also a Upper Body and Lower Body work out, but I didn't add those. I like to work the whole body whenever possible to save time, but if that is your weak area you might want to check those out.

Oh my I have to tell you about the two I found for the rebounder/mini trampoline, you can read my post on The Rebounder/Mini Trampoline Benefits to learn more about it. I only have one DVD for my rebounder, and wanted more options, so off to YouTube to see what I could get. I love kickboxing, so 10 min Kickboxing was a must, and kicked my butt. I also love Tabata, and found one Tabata work out for the rebounder called Rebounder Exercise Tabata Workout. I looked for more, but that was the only one bummer, guess I'll have to come up with some on my own.

My husband always asks me what I want for Christmas I think I know just the thing.

So, tell me do you use YouTube for working out?