Exercise Without a Gym Membership! (All About YOU August #3!)

This blog post is dedicated to ways of getting physical activity and workouts without a gym membership. Some things may cost some money, but definitely not any outrageous prices. You can pick and choose what you invest your money into.

1. Blogilates: blogilates.com | youtube.com/blogilates

Cassey Ho is a trainer who makes youtube video workouts. You can do these in the privacy of your own home, and don't need much equipment. She offers alternatives to certain equipment. She often uses a yoga mat, which I would highly recommend if you have wood floors. If you have carpet, I think you'll be okay. Every month, Cassey comes out with a new workout calendar designed to improve your fitness. She combines about 5 videos to get you a complete 1 hour workout. Her videos are NOT easy by any means, but sporadically she uploads easier ones. You just have to find them! (P.S. She also has a beginners calendar you can use)

2. Play sports at the park!
Many parks have tennis courts, baseball fields, and soccer fields for the public to utilize. Some even have a volleyball court or two! Just getting out with family or friends to play a couple of games will burn some calories and bring people closer!

3. Go swimming!
If you have a pool, this is easy. If you don't, visit a community pool! Swimming burns a ton of calories without you even realizing it! Plus, most people get in there for hours, maximizing calorie burn.

4. Go for a run!
Go around your neighborhood or find a trail. Many parks also have running trails, too. If you live in a place with lots of hills, run the incline so you burn more calories! The Nike+ app really helps with this.

5. Workout videos!
They're pretty cheap, and offer a wide variety. They're designed to burn calories quickly and cater to people with a short amount of free time.

Easy Food Swaps to Improve Your Health! (All About YOU August #2!)

BREAKFAST
1. French Toast  -> Lightly buttered regular toast or waffles
2. Syrup -> Fruit added to your toast/waffles to make it more sugary
3. Honey Nut Cheerios -> Regular Cheerios
4. Frosted Flakes -> Special K! Protein/Special K! Original Cereals
5. Other sugary cereals -> Cascadian Farm Organic Cereals
6. If you're on the rush and grab donuts, grab a tangerine and a granola bar instead!

LUNCH/DINNER
7. Fast food hamburgers -> Homemade lean hamburgers
8. Fries as a side -> Green beans
9. Hot dogs -> Tofu dogs (There are great Tofurky dogs from Trader Joe's!)
10. Big bag of potato chips -> Individual single serving bags to prevent from overeating!
11. Fast food pizza -> Single serving CPK Pizzas (I recommend the "Four Cheese" kind!)
12. Any high quantity of non-lean meat can be replaced with baked fish!

SNACKS
1. Gallon of ice cream -> Ben & Jerry's minis (under 300 calories!)
2. Candy bar-> Skinny cow 100 calorie candies