New exercise to try...

Getting tired of lunges and squats?  It seems like all I do are lunges and squats anymore and I'm starting to wonder if they still have any effect.  As we know, we need to constantly mix up our routine to challenge our body if we want to continue to improve.

So while lunges and squats will never go out of style, here's a way to mix it up a little so that you continue to reap the benefits.

Offset Dumbbell Lunge

The benefit: Holding a weight on just one side of your body increases the demand placed on your core to keep your body stable. The result: Your hips and abs have to work harder, and you'll also improve your balance. And better yet, you'll burn tons of calories.

How to do it: Hold a dumbbell in your right hand next to your shoulder, with your arm bent [A]. Step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your right knee is bent at least 90 degrees and your left knee nearly touches the floor [B]. Push yourself back to the starting position. That's 1 rep. Do all your reps, then repeat with your left leg, while holding the weight in your left hand. (from womenshealthmag.com)

Chocolate! Nom nom nom...

I've always been a chocolate lover.  Let me guess, you too?  Who doesn't love chocolate? 

I admit to eating chocolate.  What?!?!  She eats sugar?  You may be somewhat confused after my last couple of posts and with good reason.

But, that's not the kind of chocolate I'm talking about.  I'm talking about dark chocolate.  You know, the good kind.  Well, at least the kind that is good for you.  See, not all chocolate is created equal.  There's dark, white, bittersweet, milk, semisweet, unsweetened...

Dark chocolate is the only chocolate that can be considered healthy.  In fact, it has numerous health benefits.  It's been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  It improves circulation to the brain helping with cognitive function.  It's loaded with antioxidants which destroy harmful chemicals such as those involved in aging processes.  (You mean chocolate can keep us looking younger, could it be?) 

Dark chocolate is also high in vitamins and minerals.  It helps reduce insulin resistance, protecting us from diabetes.  It even contains a compound that has been shown to harden tooth enamel, protecting us from cavities.

With all of this evidence, why aren't we eating more dark chocolate?  Truth is, for most people it is a refined taste.  Honestly, I never used to like dark chocolate.  I was a milk chocolate fan all the way until a few months ago when I made some adjustments to my diet.  The less refined sugar I ate, the less I wanted.  Milk chocolate began tasting too sweet.  At first dark chocolate tasted bitter but the more I tried it, the more I enjoyed it. 

So when my sweet tooth hits, as it sometimes does, I subdue it with dark chocolate.  And my favorite way to do that is with dark chocolate covered almonds or dark chocolate covered bananas.  They are so easy to make and if you freeze your chocolate covered bananas you can always have some on hand.  I like to chop the banana into bite sized pieces, melt the chocolate, dip the bananas pieces into chocolate and then freeze them.  You can't go wrong with that dessert.  And, did I mention it's good for you?  :)

Just a quick note: chocolate is high in calories so remember to use portion control.  Also, choose a dark chocolate that has a high cacao content (65% or higher).