'A-LIST BLOGS' Blogs (80)

Use the meaning of flowers to make Valentine's Day special

Tired of the same red roses for Valentine's Day? Try something different and make it mean even more!

During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and due primarily to the young monarch's fascination with it, floriology or the meaning of flowers became all the rage during the 1800s. The idea that flowers have meanings dates back to ancient Egypt, but was especially cultivated during the Renaissance in Middle-Eastern harems where secret messages were conveyed through the…

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Added by J. Lenora Bresler on February 12, 2010 at 6:17pm — 2 Comments

The real St. Valentine and other Valentine traditions

Yes, there was a St. Valentine! He was a bishop in the 3rd century AD. in Italy. At that time, the Roman emperor decreed that soldiers could not marry, believing that they did not fight as hard or take as many chances once they had families to whom they wished to return. This decree was used by many to justify pre-marital and even extra-marital relationships. Bishop Valentinus, in knowing violation of the law, married soldiers and their sweethearts, believing that the law was unjust and… Continue

Added by J. Lenora Bresler on February 3, 2010 at 2:14pm — No Comments

The 7-Steps to Changing Anything in Your Life

By Habib Wicks and Joshua Wayne, MA

I wish I could say I penned this. But I can't.

However, I thought it so significant that I wanted all of you to be able to benefit from it, as is.

Somehow, we feel we are paralyzed to make positive changes in our lives. We aren't. We just need to know how!

Currently we have 100 individuals participating in an 8 week transformation event called, Lean Out… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on January 28, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Relationship Tip of the Week: Take a Tip from Conan

I don’t normally watch late night television, but after all the hoopla about NBC replacing Conan O’Brien as the Tonight Show host, I tuned in for his last couple of shows. What I viewed was an example of what Relational Life Therapists like myself refer to as "relational living." On Thursday’s show, there was great fun at the expense of NBC. But on Conan’s last night as the Tonight Show host, he became serious. He expressed gratitude for his twenty… Continue

Added by Amy Warren on January 24, 2010 at 6:58pm — 2 Comments

Tips for Your Next Winery Visit

I will be making a visit to the California wine country soon and I thought I should share some tips with you regarding tasting tours. Though my trip will be focusing on finding some new gems for everyone, many of the same tips will apply.

Organize Your Visit

Select both large and small wineries to visit. This will give a perspective of what’s out there. Plan on selecting three to five winery’s per day. Two in the morning, one at lunch and two in the afternoon, this will… Continue

Added by Ric Reed on January 22, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

HAVE MORE SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS

One of the best educations a child can receive is a classical education. It is the training that the ancient Greeks received, as well as the Italian nobles of the Renaisaance and America's Founding Fathers. A classical education focuses on the three things which were considered to be the reason for and thus the focus of education up until the 1800s: truth, virtue, and beauty. This is in contrast to today's modern education system which focuses on knowledge as a conduit to a profitable… Continue

Added by J. Lenora Bresler on January 22, 2010 at 9:08am — 1 Comment

Detoxing? Is it healthy?

Detoxing is a popular concept.

All of my 120 Lean Out Lakeland Contestants are currently on "detox week". I challenge ALL of my clients to begin their training with me by following very strict eating parameters to get the ball rolling for all of the changes they are fixing to experience.

Do you need a special “miracle-cleansing” product to really “do it right”?

My short answer is “no.”

Your body was designed to “detox” itself with real food and NO… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on January 21, 2010 at 4:27pm — 5 Comments

The Ultimate Hard Body Exercise!

It's all about being fit, feeling strong and leading a healthy, authentic life!

What exercise will get you there the fastest?

My personal opinion is the bicep curl that brings the fork to your lips

BUT, if I had to choose only ONE exercise to do the rest of my life? It would be a Squat or a Lunge.

If you’ve spent any time with me personal training or in our Strategic Boot Camp program, or our newly begun Lean Out Lakeland, you have experienced… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on January 19, 2010 at 10:00am — 2 Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Don't Let The Shame Be On You

As humans, we all make mistakes at one time or another. When a mistake is made or something has been done to hurt someone, many people tend to withdraw and wall off in shame, inwardly berating themselves. This behavior is what is called toxic shame. The message is “I’m so hurt by how I hurt you that my pain is more important than yours.” Others lash out and attempt to mask their error by blaming the other person for his wrong-doings. Both of these types of behaviors are self-absorbed and do… Continue

Added by Amy Warren on January 13, 2010 at 7:35am — 1 Comment

So You're Engaged.....Plan Now for Your Financial Future

So, You’re Engaged….Plan Now for Your Financial Future

Congratulations, you’ve met your soul mate and are getting married. There is so much to do.

Pick out initiations, buy the perfect dress, plan the reception, etc…While the wedding and all of the planning that comes with it is important, planning for your long-term financial future shouldn’t wait until the ceremony is over.

I know that talking about finances is not the most romantic topic in the world, but one that… Continue

Added by Sharon Casey on January 5, 2010 at 3:30pm — 2 Comments

It’s a New Year! Shake up your Training!

It's a Brand New Year!

Time for some new ideas for your workouts!

Your workouts NEVER have to be boring.

There will be days you don’t feel like going. You’re human!

But there’s never any excuse for doing the same old 10 reps, 3 sets. We ALL get bored with that.

Strategically (one of my favorite words) modifying your training variables will maximize your efforts in the gym.

What can you do to dramatically change your workouts and… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on January 4, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Make a Resolution for Your Relationship

Most of the time when we make resolutions for the New Year, our resolutions tend to be self-centered. Resolutions such as losing weight or stopping smoking are generally about you and you alone. This year, as you make your New Year’s resolutions, expand your pledges to include actions that will impact your relationship. Perhaps you need to stop yelling or complaining, be more accountable for your mistakes or spend more time simply having fun together. As an incentive, remember that your efforts… Continue

Added by Amy Warren on December 29, 2009 at 9:08am — No Comments

Entrepeneur's Creed relegated to bathroom corridor

There has been a lot of bashing of business these days in our political discussions. There are, no doubt, some in any field of endeavor who lie or cheat or abuse people in the process of getting to the top, but as a whole, we should honor, not discourage those who have the courage to launch out on their own and start their own business. As someone who has worked in a variety of capacities -- for large academic institutions, stable government, the judiciary, a medium-size estabished law firm,… Continue

Added by J. Lenora Bresler on December 29, 2009 at 7:59am — 2 Comments

Auld Lang Syne: What Does it Mean?

Most of us will listen to a familiar song as we ring in the new year, but some of us won't understand the lyrics. The song traditionally sung at midnight is "Auld Lang Syne," a very old Scottish song. Scottish poet Robert Burns is credited with writing the lyrics in the 1700s, but the melody is thought to have preceeded the lyrics.

New Year's has always been a big holiday in Scotland, to this day even topping Christmas, in that many Scottish people gladly work Christmas Day so they… Continue

Added by J. Lenora Bresler on December 28, 2009 at 7:54pm — No Comments

Optimizing Your Cardiovascular Training for GREATER Fitness and Fat Loss. Part 2

In Optimizing your Cardiovascular Workout Part 1, we explored the way to utilize heart rate training with a heart rate monitor to power your workouts to the next level using the

Karvonen method.

If you haven’t gotten your heart rate monitor yet, there are many great models out there.… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on December 28, 2009 at 9:02am — 2 Comments

Optimizing Your Cardiovascular Training for GREATER Fitness and Fat Loss. Part 1

Yesterday I blogged about running, and outlined a few tips for those of us who are approaching our running with a new vigor. It is fast becoming yet another one of my many passions. (VERY surprising for those of you who know me well.)

Even at 5:30, on a holiday week, there are a LOT of people out running around Lake Hollingsworth. (Today is Hill Running Day in our training for the Strategic Wellness Challenge Team 2010.)

Someone… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on December 24, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Beginning Running Tips for your New Year's Resolution!

Are you one of the millions of individuals contemplating taking up running for the New Year?

I know that with the January 16th onset of Lean Out Lakeland , and our newly formed Challenge Team 2010 that all contestants are invited to participate in,… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on December 23, 2009 at 9:36am — No Comments

Diary of a Laser Treatment: Day Four and Five

When I awaken on Day Four after a laser treatment at Mondello Medical Spa, my skin no longer feels like sandpaper, but rather like a surface that has almost been sanded smooth. Showers are the only time my skin seems to exfoliate. The peeling of large pieces of skin that I imagined would shed never happened, only small flecks.

My skin glows with a natural-looking rosiness. I am officially out of hiding days sooner than Dr. Mondello predicted. Even without make-up, I don’t feel… Continue

Added by Amy Warren on December 22, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Becoming a Corporate Athlete!

A while ago, while studying for my Wellcoaching certification, I ran across an article called The Making of a Corporate Athlete. The basic premise was that sustained high achievement demands physical and emotional strength as well as a sharp intellect. To bring mind, body, and spirit to peak condition, executives need to learn what world-class athletes already know: recovering energy is as important as expending it.

Interestingly… Continue

Added by Whitney Cabrera on December 21, 2009 at 11:13am — 1 Comment

Diary of a Laser Treatment: Day Three

My face has begun to exfoliate. It’s not the peeling of large pieces of skin that I imagine. Only tiny, dark color pin point dots of skin begin to rub off when I wash or touch my face. I begin the day with certainty that I won’t attend the night’s parties. My face is still inflamed and splotchy. I take the service elevator at my condo rather than run into people in the building. In the afternoon, I venture to the hair salon for the appointment I rescheduled from yesterday, hoping I’d present a… Continue

Added by Amy Warren on December 20, 2009 at 8:25am — No Comments