ModernGear Health: Transform your body with Gwyneth and Madonna's trainer!

Did you watch Oprah yesterday? I haven't watched the show for quite a while, but when I heard Gwyneth Paltrow was going to be on, I knew this was one I had to tune in for.

Is this what you're chatting about with your girlfriends today, like I am? Her hair! Her style! THAT BODY! As the hip kids today would say, "It's sick, right?"

Well, it is that way for a reason. She works at it - click here to watch a video about her workout.

I buy what Gwynie is selling, because there's no reason she's any different from the rest of us...well, except for the fame, wealth and pedigree. But here's where we're the same: she says she just can't diet because if she restricted any type of food, she'd end up eating more and more of it. Hello! High five!

What those anorexic girls from the new 90210 don't know is that they're just terribly boring! Not eating? Yawn. I'd never want to hang out with someone like that.


Anyway, I digress. I find Gwyneth to be interesting and attractive because she loves food and wine, and understands that she has to work hard to be able to achieve a level of fitness in spite of that healthy appetite. I liked her quote on Oprah, "When you're 35, you either starve yourself, or you do serious cardio. There's no free ride."

And I also buy into the notion that, though she may have this amazing trainer and a great gym in every home, that I can do it too. Okay no, I'll never look like Gwyneth Paltrow, but, working with my strengths and weaknesses I can look like the best version of me. I'm definitely interested in the workout and the technique that her trainer uses, though. The personal trainer who has helped to re-shape Gwyneth and Madonna's bodies is Tracy Anderson. Now, she's no stranger to controversy herself, but if her system works, it works.
She has three DVDs available, for $29.95 each on Amazon.

The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Mat Workout DVD
Tracy Anderson Method Presents Dance Cardio Workout DVD
The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Post Pregnancy Workout DVD

I would try the first two, and think I will...and maybe the last one after having a baby. Tracy's system is, if I understand it correctly, based on Pilates, with her own twist. I have done Pilates before and loved it. I saw results and felt longer and leaner, but my wallet felt leaner too and I just simply can't afford it right now.

Watching Tracy and Gwyneth train in the segment on the Oprah show, I was very inspired to try this at home for myself. Tracy says that women do not need to lift weights any heavier than 3lbs, so this seems to be something that my Arthritic joints could handle quite easily.

I'll let you know what happens - I'll be ordering the DVDs in the next few days, and if you have tried or are going to as well, please let me know your thoughts, and your results! We'll check in again in a few months.

If you missed the Oprah show, you can catch some of the highlights here and in a video here.

Til then, keep sweating!! Click here to read rest of story...

ModernGear Helpful and Handy: mini towels for life outside the home

Sometimes when life hands us messes, we're lucky enough to be at home. In any given week, I can deal with a Duane-related clean-up (he's house-trained but there's sometimes a bit of drool to contend with),a spilled glass of wine, an errant dollop of jam...you know those little accidents well.

So what do you do? Just grab a towel or sponge and wipe up any manner of mess, and Bob's your uncle. Well, I don't know about that, but I do know you're on your way. As we all know, though, life continues outside of the home, and so do accidents! I have two solutions for those big and small problems...

Sometimes you just need a little helper - dusty dashboards, a spill of coffee or scuff marks in the car, leaked hand lotion in your handbag, a spot of jam on your baby's face that you didn't see as you were getting ready to leave the house.

For these small problems you just need a small solution, and my favourite helper is a miniTISSUE. I always carry a few of these - one in my makeup bag, another in an inside pocket of my purse, one in the glove compartment of the car.

They start out tiny - no larger than a small after-dinner mint in a wrapper. Add a few drops of water, and they expand into a washcloth. A small bag of the miniTISSUE has 8 individually wrapped for $1.99, and their unfolded size is 8 1/2 x 9 1/2" or 22 x 25 cm.
I love the bag of rolls of tissues, 5 tubes with 10 pieces for $9.95:
They come in three other sizes as well:
Napkin - 12 x 18", $5.95 for 10
Wipe - 12 x 27 1/2", $6.95 for 10
Towel (washable cotton) - 12 x 22" or 30 x 55 cm, $1.95 each.
The smaller tissues, napkins and wipes are made of cellulose cotton fiber that is 100% biodegradable, so I don't mind using them when I need to. You can get them in retailers and at minitissue.com.

While those ones are for everyday folks with everyday messes, these ones are great for active people. Say you fancy a swim at the beach, or one night after work are able to squeeze in a quick work-out before a dinner date but forgot your towel...or even want to lighten your load and take up less space while camping, climbing, cycling or traveling...Lightload Towels are perfect.

When compact they fit into the palm of your hand and take up barely any space in a bag:
They measure 36 x 60", and have a whole bunch of other uses that are handy for the active outdoors lover: flag for signaling, dish towel for washing or drying, blanket for covering or as a ground cover, fire starter, coffee or water filter, wind scarf, first aid cloth and more .

I tried one and found it to be really absorbent and strong too, which is handy when you're out in the wild (though I tried mine in the wilds of my kitchen!). I also like that they store for a long time, and don't go bad...so while your sleeping bag and tent might get musty over a long winter, any unused Lightload Towels will be as good as new for your next adventure...and after they're done, they're biodegradable as well.

Get them at outdoor equipment stores, and lightloadtowels.com.

There! Now you're prepared for any problems life throws at you... Click here to read rest of story...

ModernGear Women: stomping out cellulite

I'm going to cheat a little on this post and copy a story I wrote for the Globe and Mail Style section, because it's so timely...if you click on it, it'll open up larger and you should be able to read all the text. If you can't read it all and want to, let me know and I can send the copy.


I bought the MBTs in the red bowling shoe style back four years ago when I wrote the piece, and though I don't wear them very often in hot and sunny California, I walked the pooch while wearing them one evening last week, and I yet again experienced the wonderful additional workout they provide. My article still stands - these shoes are not a gimmick and they really work!
I did find them quite expensive at the time, but the good news is that discontinued styles are now on sale - click through to Shop anti-cellulite treatments at blissworld.com and go straight to the MBT section.

The red bowling shoe like I have was $245 and is now $159 and they also have that style in baby blue as well as some other shoe options, and a pair of sandals that was $235 and is now $129.
No, you won't be wearing these with that cute summer dress you have, or even your new fall denim, but as part of a regular walking routine they'll actually help you look better IN those fashions (and out of them, too)!

There's no end date on the sale so I would assume it'll be on while supplies last. Get 'em while you can! Click here to read rest of story...

ModernGear Active: SPIbelt

Fanny pack - the very term strikes fear into the hearts of certain people, and brings joy into the hearts of others. Ubiquitous in the 80s, dying a slow death in the 90s, and a source of humiliation in the 21st Century, they're for the most part relegated to the geriatric set, and to tourists - carry your wallet, passport and camera all in one handy tool that doubles as identification of your out-of-towner status!

All photos courtesy of brilliant web site FannyPackAntics.com

Their lack of fashion is not disputable, but the problem is, neither is their great function. There's a reason the fanny pack is seen on tourists from New York to Paris, Cairo to Tokyo...who wouldn't want to carry all of the stuff they need, hands-free? It becomes even more important when you're out and about doing physical activity, too.

Kim Overton of Overton Fitness certainly thought so...an active and fit personal trainer, she would resort to stuffing her keys into her bra when she went for a run, so she came up with a better way - the SPIbelt (SPI = Small Personal Items).

A sleek, low profile package sits on an elastic belt - at first it looks like it couldn't possibly hold your keys, much less all the things you'd like to bring along with you...
...but I was able to fit an MP3 player, cell phone, cash, keys and lip balm into mine, because of its expandable nylon fabric and construction.

With that elastic belt, it fits snugly and securely, and no matter what you pack into it, it doesn't bounce.
SPIbelts are perfect for marathoners because of just that...not that I'd know anything about running a marathon (!), but there are loads of pictures of happy runners sporting their SPIbelts at marathons, on their web site.
It's okay, you don't have to run a marathon to get use out of this product - it's handy for people of all sorts of activity levels from top athlete to those who enjoy a nice walk or bike ride, or even for stowing all your stuff when you walk the dog. Duane, my dog, would have you know that it's even good for holding his treats, too.

There is a rainbow of colours to choose from...


I have one in pink, but my favourite SPIbelt is the new reflective fabric one...perfect for night activities.


Available at stores across the USA with a few in Canada as well, or at events (event calendar here) You can order the SPIbelts at Overtonfitness.com: regular for $19.95, reflective $29.95.

Do you think this guy wants to get one for his wife? Click here to read rest of story...

ModernGear Active: fun yoga mats by Plank

Hey - you in the downward-facing dog...what 'cha lookin' at? Not much? I know.

Oh sure, it would be lovely if you were really so in the Zen zone that you didn't have to stifle the odd yawn during your yoga practice but let's be honest - unless (and even if) you've achieved Yogi status, sometimes it's not such a bad thing to lighten up the atmosphere in the studio.

I'm definitely not suggesting bodily function humour (though who hasn't let a silent one slip in a particularly relaxing pose...guilty as charged...) but maybe just a small injection of humour to help put the "HA" into Hatha once in a while.

I'd suggest starting with a great yoga mat from Plank.

The Cobra isn't just a yoga pose, it's also the name of this photo yoga mat ($85), featuring lush grass that would be gorgeous between your toes and a sneaky snake in the grass. Just be careful he doesn't bite you in the asanas.
I also love the Shag yoga mat, $85. Sink your hands into this fine plushness, lovely for the Cat Flow series.
In the end, though, my favourite is in the Text series ($65)...look closer and you'll see what I am more likely than not, thinking of during my yoga routine...
You can check out more Plank products at Plankdesigns.com, and also see their stores list for retail locations in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia and more.

Namaste. Click here to read rest of story...