With 2013 right around the corner, it’s time to jump start your workout, and get you in shape and ahead of the game. Some of us love hitting the gym, but sometimes that’s not convenient or you’re just not feeling it. Whether its booty blasting or tummy tightening that you’re looking for, tons of at-home DVD programs can help you achieve great results. We’re weighing in on three popular at home workouts.

INSANITY

Insanity invokes a lot of different images in the mind (i.e. Jessica Simpson’s encore pregnancy after only 7 months of motherhood). But we’re talking about the Beach Body Insanity workout. This is a workout designed by the beach body crew using the principles of maximum interval training to slim, tone, and tighten your whole body. This means you’re working out for long stretches with small breaks in between. The system is broken down into 10 DVD’s and each day and everyone follows the same schedule. Initially you are asked to do a fit test to get a baseline of where you started.

Cost: $120 + Shipping

Pros: This workout will have you dripping with sweat. If you think you can skip the shower afterwards, think again. You will have a huge boost in your endurance and friends will notice a significant slim down. Not only do you shed pounds, but you’ll also find you are losing inches.  The other great thing about Insanity is that you are doing a different workout each day (though some of the exercises are similar). You don’t need any extra equipment so that’s another plus. Finally, the workout, if done properly helps you to build a much stronger core. Abdominal strengthening is addressed almost everyday.

Cons: Given the heavy emphasis on plyometric techniques, Insanity can be extremely hard on the knees. For those with knee problems or other injuries, you’ll need to be extremely careful when doing some of the exercises. Although this is a total body workout, the minimal upper body focus leaves more to be desired. You will seldom focus on biceps or shoulders, so it’s very difficult to develop these muscles. The program is also supposed to be done over two months, which may be daunting for some. The first month, however, is a good milestone, so if you stopped after this you would not have completely wasted your time. If you love upbeat music during your workouts you may be disappointed with this, so consider using your own music once you have learned the moves. This will also alleviate you hearing Shaun T say “dig deeper” for the fifty-first time.

BRAZIL BUTT LIFT

This is another workout from the Beach Body crew that developed P90x and Insanity. This specifically targets the butt, but also promises a total body workout. You initially choose your “butt-type”, from one of four shapes: pear-shaped, big all around, combination, or flat. Based on this, you are given a schedule of workouts to do for the month.

Cost: Around $60 + Shipping

Pros: If you stick to this plan, you will definitely see results. The workouts are fun, and the instructor’s Brazilian “flavor” makes it entertaining. In addition to losing inches and pounds your body will feel much more toned. The combination of workouts (bum bum, high and tight, cardio axe, etc) allows you to do a different workout each day which keeps your body guessing and more importantly keeps torching calories. The music is more upbeat than traditional workout dvd’s so you are less likely to get bored.

Cons: This is definitely a challenging workout for someone who is a “beginner” level exerciser. From a medical perspective, if you have not done these types of movements before, you can easily sustain lower back or shoulder injuries. Don’t expect to be dripping in sweat from the cardio axe, you may want to swap this one out for another cardio workout (run, elliptical, etc). To get all the desired benefits from the Brazil Butt Lift you need to do some of the workouts with weights and/or resistance bands, so if you don’t have these at home that’s an added purchase.

METAMORPHOSIS by TRACY ANDERSON

This celebri-trainer is well-known in Hollywood. Some find her methods controversial, and others like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Jennifer Aniston swear by her. Similar to the Brazil Butt Lift, your workout is based on one of four body types according to where you carry most of your weight. Of note, we are only discussing the workout portion of Metamorphosis here, not the eating plan she recommends.

Cost: About $90

Pros: No matter which body type you are, you will be introduced to arm and ab exercises that are unique and not used in typical workouts.  Additionally, the workouts tend to work a muscle group past fatigue so you’re likely to see significant changes, especially in the thighs and legs if you can keep pushing.

Cons: The cardio portion of this workout is extremely difficult to follow, and lacks quite a bit of instruction. If you’re not into jumping around and “dancing” to burn calories and hoping you look cute while doing it, this isn’t for you. Additionally, this is supposed to be a 90 day plan so doing this cardio DVD multiple times is extremely boring. You will definitely need to supplement with other cardio options.

Bottom Line: The Metamorphosis DVD was confusing and lacked a lot of instruction. It is also rather boring after the third day. For this reason we wouldn’t recommend it. If you want a more fun workout that won’t break the bank, and will get you great results, Brazil Butt Lift is the perfect option.

Perhaps watching Michael Phelps race in the pool, has kept you at the edge of your seat recently, but while he’s putting those gold medals in his mouth for pictures, what have you been putting in yours? Maybe just a few more Sour Patch Kids? (The red ones, of course).  Or that cookie you had during the women’s gymnastics final? Its easy to mindlessly eat, and tough to keep track of your daily intake.

Nowadays, if you breathe oxygen, you probably have a smartphone.  We’re weighing in (no pun intended) on three popular calorie tracking/weight loss apps for your mobile phone.

Lose It!, MyFitnessPal, and SparkPeople are three of the most popular calorie tracking apps on the market. All three are free and can be quickly downloaded onto your phone. They also have corresponding websites where you can log your foods and exercise, and connect with other users that have similar goals. Each app also has a dedicated tab where you can enter in exercise routines. As you weigh yourself each week you can re-enter the value and the apps track your progress.  Millions are using these three apps, but it’s hard to pick which one is for you. Here is some info to make your choice a little easier:

Lose It! 

Pros: You can easily look up foods and add them to your log. The home screen is easy to read and you are always reminded of the amount of calories you have left for the day. Adding exercise is also easy. You are able to enter the intensity of your workout, which adjusts your calories accordingly. This is a great feature considering that reading a magazine on the bike burns far fewer calories than a high intensity cycling class.

Cons: Compared to other apps, Lose It! appears to have the smallest database of foods. This makes it hard to add items beyond bread, cereal, milk, etc. For example, if you want to look up a non-traditional sushi roll, or even one with multiple vegetables you will be searching for a while.  A weekly graph of your daily calories is also provided but it’s difficult to read.

SparkPeople 

Pros: Although the other two apps also have online communities, SparkPeople has one of the strongest online networks among fitness apps. There are online challenges and several support groups that can give you extra support when you’re feeling less than motivated. This app also provides a section of exercise demos, which is helpful if you’ve never done certain exercises.

Cons: SparkPeople is definitely the least convenient to use. Logging foods and navigating between screens isn’t easy. It takes longer to load each screen than on other apps, and when selecting foods there’s no information about the food until you click through a few more screens. This makes it less than ideal for logging foods on the go. In terms of exercise, SparkPeople lacks the ability to customize your workouts and intensity, making the calories burned possibly inaccurate.

MyFitnessPal

Pros: MyFitnessPal is extremely easy to use. The interface is clean and simple, and very easy to maneuver. It also has two extremely helpful features. First, when you search a food a list of several options comes up and right below you see the calorie content and a little more information about the food. This eliminates the need to weed through ten different Greek yogurts to find yours. Additionally, there is a breakdown of calories into carbs, fat, and protein, so you can easily see where you’re spending most of your calories. MyFitnessPal also had an extensive database of foods to choose from, including vegan and international foods. MyFitnessPal also has a place where you can enter exercises. The list is extensive and you can enter the degree of intensity as well.

Cons: Although each app has a barcode scanner, MyFitnessPal’s scanner is not always accurate which can make logging foods slower if you’re relying solely on this method. Additionally, if you want to adjust the amount of protein or fat you’re taking in, there is no way to customize this.

The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a comprehensive and seamless mobile app to help you count calories and jump-start your weight loss MyFitnessPal is your answer. You can easily log foods throughout the day and the calorie tracker subtracts each food as you enter it from your daily total. You’re also able to see a weekly bar graph of the total calories you’ve consumed and how you did compared to your goal. This is helpful and easier to understand than other apps. This can give you extra motivation to start each week off right. Among many users who have tried multiple apps, MyFitnessPal has consistently come out on top.  Give yourself two or three weeks to get used to using this app and you will see a difference in your eating habits and hopefully your waistline!

If you’re still worried about thinning hair, listen up- today we’re talking about Viviscal. This is an all-natural supplement to renew and restore thinning or processed hair. Depending on what your concerns are, you will select from two different options, the Viviscal “Hair Repair” system, or the Viviscal “Extra-Strength” system. Both of these options contain ingredients like biotin (a B vitamin known to help hair and nail growth), Selenium, and Folic Acid. Viviscal also contains a specific complex called “AminoMar C” that was formulated as a protein that helps provide strength to the base of the hair and reduce shedding.  Once you have identified the system that’s right for you, you can begin taking the supplement. For the Hair Repair System you take one tablet daily with food.  The Extra Strength system is two tablets daily (morning and night), also with food. Initially, the hardest thing is remembering to take the pill, especially if you do not take medications on a regular basis.

We had two groups try the system (mostly women), and here is the breakdown:

Hair Repair System: This group felt that their hair needed revitalization after significant heat styling, color processing, highlighting, etc. Within two weeks many of these women felt they had less breakage and by one month most reported some sensation of increased volume and thickness of their hair.

Extra Strength System: This group felt that they had generally thinning hair, or were concerned about hair loss in specific areas of their scalp. Each person that tried this system felt that they had visibly thicker hair by the end of the month.  A few also noticed their hair grew faster than normal. They also noted stronger and quicker nail growth. More people in this group, however, did mention that they felt their hair was slightly oilier than it had been before, but they did not feel this would keep them from using the supplement again. This group also mentioned that taking the pill twice a day was sometimes difficult to remember. Overall, both groups were pleased with the results.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a relatively easy, painless way to restore the health of your hair, Viviscal is a great option. It has been proven to show a positive difference in a few studies (you can check out their website for more detail on the methods of the studies- but these were done by the company, so keep that in mind) where it was tested. Many of the ingredients in Viviscal are natural vitamins and minerals that many of us lack, so you don’t need to worry about taking something with a large amount of chemicals and preservatives. For a one month supply the cost is about $100 for the Extra Strength, and $30 for the Hair Repair System. If you are considering trying Viviscal, bring the supplement to your personal physician before you start so he/she can make sure none of the ingredients interact with your current medications.  If your hair is thinning, fragile, or extremely processed, Viviscal is an all natural option you may want to consider.

If you’re like most people, you’ve vowed to make changes to your diet every New Year, and every birthday- but usually forget about it quicker than you can fast forward the commercials on the latest Modern Family episode (we just can’t get enough of Manny!)

The Mediterranean Diet has been praised for years by the medical community, but what is it really all about? We’ll break it down for you.  The first thing to understand is that this isn’t a fad diet. You won’t need to put a feeding tube down your nose or throat for this (I hope you pretend you never heard of that ridiculous diet scheme with the tube!).

The principles behind the Mediterranean Diet aim to help you alter your lifestyle and consume protein, lean fats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants.  Just like any change in lifestyle, it’s important to ease into it. If you are eating a ton of processed foods, you may want to make these changes over a few days to weeks. Remember that everyone’s body is different.

Researchers first shed light on the Mediterranean lifestyle after noticing that people from Greece, Spain, Italy and surrounding regions had reduced incidences of cardiac related deaths when adhering to this diet.  After numerous studies linked this lifestyle to a reduction in cardiac mortality, these principles became popularly known as “The Mediterranean Diet”.

There are a few basic concepts the diet suggests. Consider adapting as many as possible into your new lifestyle.

• Fresh vegetables and fruits should be dominating most of your meals. If your idea of salad is the lettuce on your burger, you’re in for a big surprise! Fruits and vegetables not only contain fiber and vital nutrients, they will help you feel full during your meals and help you consume fewer preservatives and chemicals.
• Olive oil can be used as a healthy fat in your diet. The idea is to consume more “good fats” and eliminate trans fats and saturated fats (these are typically to blame when it comes to heart disease and obesity).  Whether you are eating at Mario Batali’s newest restaurant or Sbarro at the airport, olive oil is everywhere. Rather than using butter or corn oil consider making olive oil your primary source of fat because it contains unsaturated fats that protect the body.
• Choose fish and lean meats rather than red meat.  Whenever possible, first consider plant based foods rather than animal products. When choosing meat and protein, aim to eat fish and poultry rather than red meat.  Limit your intake of red meat to twice a month, and aim to eat fish or poultry at least twice per week. Fish is a great source of omega-3-fatty acid’s, which are essential for brain development and heart health (especially in women!).
• Minimize salt. This seems like an obvious one, but it’s not just the salt you put on your food. Several packaged meals may claim to be healthy or low in calories but are actually very high in sodium. Eliminating salt and replacing it with spices and the natural flavors found in fresh ingredients can help you decrease your blood pressure and eliminate bloating.
• Limit your dairy intake. This is important because dairy can be linked to inflammation and significant gastrointestinal problems. Consider eating small amounts of yogurt and low fat cheese (particularly feta or goat rather than cheese from cow’s milk as this can be very harsh on the digestive system). If you love to drink milk, choose a skim or low-fat option.
• Consider a glass of red wine daily. Wine contains antioxidants that have numerous health benefits. Several studies have shown the cardio-protective effects of red wine and some even suggest that drinking a small glass of wine with meals may help avoid overeating.

The Bottom Line: Consuming foods based on the Mediterranean Diet can be difficult for many, but well worth the benefits. For those who tried this change, the biggest initial challenge was changing habits rather than finding foods to fit this diet. In reality, these types of foods are all around us, but it’s a matter of picking them over a more convenient but also more processed option.  For those with cardiac risk factors or elevated cholesterol, you’re likely to see a decrease in your cholesterol after a few months if you can stick with it. Additionally, many people noticed a brighter complexion, and increased energy even by changing their diet to incorporate only one or two of these dietary concepts.  There are several recipes that incorporate this diet and lifestyle. Consider getting a book of them or checking out recipes online when you are first starting out. You may spend a bit more buying fresh ingredients, but you’re making a big investment in your health, and that’s something you will be thankful for later.

If you’re looking to get healthy this year and feeling like your bad eating habits weren’t left behind in 2011, look no further. Although you can always count on Snooki to talk about big muscle Juice-heads, you don’t have to love the Jersey Shore to try this kind of “juicing”.

Juice cleanses have become increasingly popular in the recent months and with a new brand popping up daily, it’s tough to know where to start. Many juice cleanses rely on similar principles. This review will teach you more about Pressed Juicery, a company that is popular in Los Angeles, but you can use this information to help you understand other juice cleanses also, in case Pressed Juicery is not easily accessible to you.

Pressed Juicery offers its “drinkers” cold-pressed juices. What the heck is a cold-pressed juice? It’s a method of pressing produce to squeeze out the most nutrients and benefits from each fruit or vegetable that is used. It does not grind or cut through the produce like a traditional blender, preserving the essential vitamins and minerals when you drink each juice. This method also allows the juice to stay fresh for a longer time than when using a blender.

Just like any workout, it’s important to warm up before juicing. Trading out your Cheetos for celery is tough at first, but this cleanse makes it easy for you. If you were eating highly processed foods, large amounts of meat or dairy, or high levels of refined sugars, a cleanse from Pressed Juicery may shock your body. Make an attempt to eliminate some of the processed foods and sugars a few days before you start juicing.

Whether you’re a newbie or an expert, you’ll find a cleanse that’s right for you. To start, log on to the website at www.pressedjuicery.com and take a quiz that will help identify which cleanse is right for you. It probes you for your daily eating habits, vices, and more. Within seconds you’ll get a recommendation of a personalized cleanse. Next, you get to pick a variation of each juice to suit your likes (or dislikes).  Finally, you select a three or five-day option and you’re on your way. Novice juicers might want to consider the three-day cleanse.

Photo Courtesy of www.PressedJuicery.Com

When you actually receive your juices in the mail, or after you pick them up locally, you should refrigerate them to help preserve freshness.Over the course of the next few days you enjoy each juice in the order described without eating any food in between. This can be difficult if you have never done a cleanse before. Typically, it’s not that you are actually hungry. It’s more that you are used to chewing and eating, which makes drinking liquids all day harder on your mind and body. If you stick to it, however, you will likely feel a surge of energy and feel good about what you are putting into your body. The second half of day two can get tough, but the protein juice (either almond milk, or a variation) is a great reward to look forward to. Many of the other juices are made with ingredients like Kale, Parsley, Ginger, Grapefruit, Strawberry, and Coconut-to name a few, so its hard to go wrong with any of the cleanses or juices alone.

The Bottom Line: Pressed Juicery juices taste great and are packed with tons of nutrients that many of us are lacking. During this cleanse, your body also gets a rest from the preservatives, dairy, meat, and sugars that many of us consume day after day. For many people, this can be exactly what they need to set out on a path to eating better and treating their body with a bit more respect. If a cleanse is too much for you, incorporating the juices into your diet and daily life can be another way to help you feel better about your health. If you’re hoping to lose a lot of weight or think this is a quick diet, you may be juicing for the wrong reasons. Any weight loss you have will probably be very temporary, and once you incorporate solid foods back into your diet you may see the weight return. It’s healthier and safer for you to start eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods after you finish this cleanse. The good news is, once you’re done you’re likely to feel energized and motivated to consume better foods. Speak to your personal physician before beginning this cleanse. If you have specific medical condition (like diabetes, or are pregnant) you should not do a cleanse.

As for cost, this cleanse is not inexpensive. Having said that, it combines several wholesome ingredients and makes juicing extremely convenient. It’s one of the easiest ways to get the benefits of fruits and vegetables if you can’t eat all of them daily. Many of the juices are also delicious, which is an added, and important benefit. If you’re not sure about committing to this cleanse, consider trying some of the juices separately and give it a test run. At the end of the day, your skin will look great and your body will feel rejuvenated!

It’s tough to keep up with the latest things that are #trending these days- colored denim, denim jackets, the semi-smoky eye, or the latest iPhone accessory (the Moshi Moshi handset-genius!).  Unfortunately ladies, one thing that will remain timeless is your skin.  Believe it or not, good skin is always in. No matter what your age, caring for your skin should always be a priority.  Most doctors agree that the best way to look and feel younger is to take care of your skin and eat a healthy diet. We all get lazy after a late night, but maintaining a consistent cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating routine can take years off your look and restore your natural glow.

The DDF Revolve 400x micro-polishing system can help you do just that! Thousands of women are using this and several dermatologists are recommending it because it provides at-home cleansing and refining that was previously only available through spa treatments or a physician’s office.

The system contains the micropolisher hand piece, two microderm exfoliator heads, one deep cleansing brush head, a tube of polishing crystals and AA batteries. The product claims to minimize the appearance of pores almost instantly and provide deep cleaning and exfoliation up to 8x better than using a scrub by itself.  A face cleanser is not included so you will have to use your own.  Having said that, your own cleanser with the deep cleansing brush action truly provides a “deep” clean.  You may think you had cleaned off all your makeup, but you’ll see the brush head absorb your foundation, powder, and post gym funk, leaving only smooth and clean skin behind. The device has two different speed settings-an added benefit because the slower setting allows you to use the cleansing brush everyday without making your face feel raw or over-scrubbed.

The microdermabrasion requires a bit more focus, but still very easy. The company advises against doing both deep cleansing and exfoliating with the microdermabrasion head on the same day. So if you’re going to exfoliate, its wise to wash your face without the deep cleanser brush.  The product claims to provide immediate improvement in skin tone, fine lines, skin clarity and brightness after just ONE microdermabrasion treatment. The claim of  just one treatment does not seem to be universally true. Realistically, after about the third time your skin truly appears brighter, tighter, and smoother. This may vary depending on what type of skin you started with. When the crystals are applied to the face you will feel a sudden warming sensation. Don’t worry ladies–it’s not the type that will make you want to pee in your pants! It’s a soothing and calming sensation that is the perfect prep right before you use the micropolisher to  slough off old and weathered skin.

The system rings up at around $100. This is a bit costly for a facial product, but depending on your budget a great investment. The kit can provide microdermabrasion, and deep cleaning, all from the comfort of your own home. It is probably wise to purchase this from a place that allows you to return it incase this just doesn’t do it for you.

The Bottom Line: Overall, this product provides a thorough cleanse, and eliminates dullness to leave your skin glowing, soft and smooth. Don’t forget to use a good moisturizer and SPF after using the micro-polishing system!