The RAGFit Drop 10 Challenge Starts Today!!!

As you all know, the Drop 10 Challenge starts today! The goal is simple: drop 10 pounds in 6 weeks through healthy diet and exercise. Over the next few weeks, I will post different tools that will help you get through the challenge. In the meantime, read up on the basics, and get going!

LEX

P90X vs. Insanity

How many of you have seen the Beach Body infomercials advertising the Insanity or the P90X fitness system? Have you ever wondered how and if these programs work? Have you wanted to try one of them, but you don't know which one? Well, lucky for you, I have tried them both! And I am here to give you a side-by-side comparison. 

Both programs boast serious results in as little as 90 (P90X) or 60 (Insanity) days.  But which one is right for you? Take a look, compare, and see which one suits you. 

P90X

Website: P90X Official Website

Length: 90 Days (You read it right! That’s 3 months!)

Equipment Needed: Dumbbells or Resistance Bands, Pull Up Bar, Yoga Mat, Yoga Blocks, a Sturdy Chair, Water, and a Towel

What You Get: 12 Workout DVDS, Fitness Guide, 3-Phase Nutrition Plan, and Workout Calendar

Cost: $119.85 (You can break it up into 3 monthly payments)

What’s All the Hype About?: The Power 90 Extreme Workout, affectionately called P90X, is a fitness program that combines cardiovascular and strength training, as well as yoga, plyometrics, and stretching to make a healthier and sexier you in 90 days. P90X focuses on the concept of “muscle confusion,” which prevents the body from adapting to any one activity, and reduces the chances of hitting a plateau. The program has 12 workout DVDs, each of which target a different muscle group. In order to get the full impact of the program, users are required to workout 6 days a week (with 1 day of rest) for 13 weeks. You would need anywhere from 60 to 105 minutes to complete the workout, depending on which DVD you are working on. P90X also gives the option of following the original or the Lean plan. The plan also urges users to follow the accompanying nutrition plan to achieve maximum results. Before beginning on this workout, be sure to mentally prepare yourself for the daily workouts. I suggest starting the plan with a workout buddy to keep you motivated. Also, be sure to strictly follow the fitness plan.

Insanity

Website: Insanity Workout Official Website

Length: 60 Days

Equipment Needed: A Mat, Water (lots of it), and 2 Towels (One for you, and one to clean up the pool of sweat on the floor)

What You Get: 10 Workout DVDs, Elite Nutrition Plan, Fitness Guide, and Insanity Calendar

Cost: $119.85 (You can break it up into 3 monthly payments)

What’s All the Hype About?: The Insanity Workout uses strenuous, cardiovascular training to improve one’s fitness in 60 days. Insanity focuses on the concept of “max interval training,” which requires users to workout strenuously for about 3 to 4 minutes, followed by a period of rest for about 30 seconds…and then repeat! The program has 10 workout DVDs that focus on plyometric drills, non-stop interval training, and ab/core training moves. The workouts average about 45 minutes per day (not too bad!). Like P90X, the Insanity workout requires users to workout 6 days a week (with 1 day of rest). Additionally, the plan urges users to follow a nutrition plan to achieve the best results. Again, having a workout buddy may help to keep you motivated. And following the fitness plan is key!

There you have it! Just a quick synopsis of these two popular fitness plans. For more information and to read reviews for each plan, please be sure to visit each website. 

Also, if you have done either of these fitness plans, please share with everyone by commenting below!

LEX

Now Eat This! Cookbook!

I am always looking for ways to enjoy the foods I love without neglecting my waistline. I come from a southern background, and I am not a stranger to soul food. The problem with southern cuisine is that its dishes are typically high in calories, fat, and sodium. Although this combination is a recipe for numerous health ailments, it seems a bit unfair to completely cut these delicious and savory foods from our diets. Let’s face it…these dishes are delectable and comforting, and is usually the backdrop for all of my family gatherings. But what if there was a way to enjoy these foods in a healthy way without sacrificing taste? I think I may have found the solution!

Head to your favorite bookstore, and pick up Now Eat This! 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods All Under 350 Calories by Rocco Dispirito. This cookbook deconstructs some of your favorite comfort foods, and makes them healthier by substituting key ingredients. For example, the Penne Alla Vodka recipe uses low fat Greek yogurt and marinara sauce, instead of heavy cream and tomato sauce. This simple swap eliminates almost 300 calories per serving! Amazing, right? There’s more where that came from. This cookbook provides recipes for reduced-calorie appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood, beef, and chicken entrees, pastas, side dishes, and desserts. It also discusses and explains fat-free cooking techniques, such as faux frying, poaching, and flash frying. In a nutshell, this cookbook is AWESOME!

With that said, I encourage you to check out Now Eat This!. You will not be disappointed with the recipes. They are easy, and delicious! You can thank me later!


LEX

Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza!

So...you woke up super early to get ready for work. You had a long 9+ hour work day. You pushed through a 1 hour workout. You fought traffic to make it home. Now what? It's dinner time! 

But wait...your dinner didn't prepare itself, but you're hungry...and tired! What do you do now? Well, you can hit the drive-thru of your favorite fast food restaurant (no good!). Or you can order pizza or Chinese takeout (a better option!). Or you can prepare a quick meal that is healthy and satisfying (win!). 

Why not try the Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza! This recipe is one of my favorites from Cooking Light magazine. It is deliciously filling, and surprisingly low in fat and calories. And get this...prep time is only 20 minutes...I swear! So check out the Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza, and let me know how you like it!

Ingredients 

1 (10-ounce) pre-baked thin pizza crust

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided 

1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast 

1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 medium unpeeled peach, thinly sliced 

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Cooking spray 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Place pizza crust on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil evenly over crust. Top evenly with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, chicken, Gorgonzola cheese, and peach slices. Top with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella. Bake at 400° for 11 minutes or until crust browns.

3. Place vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 5 minutes). Drizzle balsamic reduction evenly over pizza. Cut pizza into 8 wedges.

That's all! Quick and easy, and perfect for busy Divas. This recipe serves 4 and is only 384 Calories per serving. If you would like to see this and other great recipes, check out Cooking Light Online. 

LEX

Morning Challenge!!!

Happy Saturday! As we prepare to begin the Drop 10 Challenge on August 1, 2012, there are a few preparatory steps that we need complete so that we're ready. Today's challenge: Know Your Numbers!

Everybody is different. And every body is different. We all have different starting points and different goals. As such, we can't all follow the same diet and fitness plans. Here are the numbers you need to know before starting the challenge:

1. Your starting weight.

2. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) based on your current weight and height. (Click Here To Get Your BMI);
3. The amount of calories you need to consume/burn each day in order to safely lose a certain amount per week (Go here to calculate this number).

Knowing your numbers will help you to create a meal and fitness plan that will help you reach your goal. So today, get your numbers down. 

Have a healthful weekend!

LEX

The Drop 10 Challenge...Basics and Challenge Preparation!

Okay ladies! Here is the information for the Drop 10 Challenge, which starts August 1, 2012. I love that you all are so excited about this, and I encourage you to actively participate and stick with it. Over the next few days, I hope to share more preparation information leading up to the August 1st kick-off. Please be sure to read all posts carefully, and make any and all suggestions that you think will help others during the challenge!

The Basics!

Goal: Drop 10 Pounds!

Length of Challenge: August 1, 2012 – September 12, 2012 (6 weeks)

Approach: Healthy Diet and Exercise...that's all!

Challenge Preparation!

1. Find a Healthy Buddy - As discussed in the Morning Challenge post, find a Healthy Buddy to do the challenge with you. Your healthy buddy should be someone who shares similar health and fitness goals as you. Someone who can motivate you and you them. Someone to fuss at you when you begin talking yourself out of going to the gym. Someone to run around the track with you. Someone to give you the side-eye when you go for an extra serving of cake. Need I say more? Get one!

2. Take "Before" Pictures - Because you need to see yourself when you start to appreciate your progress. So, get in your workout gear and take 3 pictures: a forward-facing picture, a profile picture, and a back picture. And don't suck in your stomach! Place your picture in a safe place, and don't look at it until September 13th at the end of the challenge. Don't cheat and sneak a peak!

3. Select an “Eye on the Prize” Item - Do you have an item of clothing that you wish you can fit back into? I have several! Pick one item, and place it in the front of your closet so that you see it every morning when you  are picking out your clothes. This is your "Eye on the Prize" item. The item that will get you to your goal weight. Keep it within your sights...after each challenge, you will see how much closer you are to getting back into it!


4. Know Your Numbers - Everybody is different. And every body is different. We all have different starting points and different goals. As such, we can't all follow the same diet and fitness plans. Before you start the Challenge, please speak with you doctor to ensure that you are able to be challenged. Your doctor may also be able to share a few numbers with your, such as:


- Your Body Mass Index (BMI) based on your current weight and height. (Click Here To Get Your BMI);


- Your "Healthy Weight" range; and


- The amount of calories you need to consume/burn each day in order to safely lose a certain amount per week (Go here to calculate this number).

5. Create Weekly Meal Plans on July  31^st, August 7^th, August 14^th, August 21^nd, August 28^th, and September 4th. - That's right! Each week (with the week starting on August 1) you should sit down and create your weekly meal plan. You should plan 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners, and also account for your snacks. If you are looking for some great inspiration while creating your meals, check out some of the sites under the Healthful Links header on your right. I will add more as I find them. We will also discuss this a little bit more over the next week.

6. Create Weekly Fitness Plans on July  31^st, August 7^th, August 14^th, August 21^nd, August 28^th, and September 4^th.- Same deal as the meal plan. Each week, you should plan your workout schedule. Where will you work out? When will you work out? With whom will you work our? What kind of workouts will you do? Again, check out the sites under the Healthful Links header on your right. We will also discuss this a little bit more over the next week.

7. Find a Food and Calorie Tracking Program - One of the most effective tools in losing weight is accountability, and the best way to hold yourself accountable for the foods you eat is to document everything. There are a ton of food and calorie tracking programs on the market that help you to document what you are eating. My favorite program is MyFitnessPal, which allows me to track my foods on my smart phone and online. LoseIt is also another good one that serves the same purpose. These programs also allow you to track and share your progress with your friends that are using the program. However you choose to do it, you have to do it!


So that's the basic information. Don't be overwhelmed! I will continue to expand on these steps over the next week or so leading up to the challenge so that you are more than ready to start. In the meantime, start thinking about these steps and preparing to execute come August 1st. Let get it!


LEX

Specialists Women Should See in Their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s

Greetings Divas! I came across the following Infograph on the Huffington Post and wanted to share it with you all. Very Informative! To view the entire article in the Huffington Post, Click Here!

In the spirit of healthy living.......!