While most of the exercising and training I do happens at the local gym, last summer I started participating in sprint triathlons. To train for the cycling part of those tris, I would head out on long rides with a girlfriend, but one afternoon I headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon by myself. It was an uneventful ride and I returned home safe and sound, but it dawned on me later that something could have easily happened on those narrow shoulders or around those blind corners. If it had, my phone would probably be toast (along with my ability to talk coherently) and those arriving on the scene wouldn’t have a clue who I was. And my family wouldn’t have a clue what had happened.

That’s why when I stumbled upon Road ID and their Wrist ID bracelet, I knew I not only had to have one for myself, but I also needed to share this product with our readers, especially at the start of warmer weather. ‘Tis the season to head outside on long runs and rides and participate in sporting events like marathons and cycling races!

First I want to share a bit about the inspiration for Road ID:

The inspiration for Road ID was born in the fall of 1999. For my father, the inspiration was his concern for me as I trained for my first marathon. For me, the inspiration was a black, King Kong size pick-up truck that I nearly came face to face with on a long Saturday run.

Earlier that fall, I began training for my first marathon. My father worried about me logging all those miles and would often tell me to “be safe.” One day, he suggested that I carry an ID so that he could be notified if I had an accident while training. Of course, I dismissed that suggestion. I thought: “What could possibly happen to me while running?”

So, there I was, in a ditch, on the side of the road, having nearly been hit by the aforementioned pick-up truck. From that ditch, my father’s suggestion to carry ID started to make a tremendous amount of sense. ... A few months later, from my father’s damp basement, he and I launched Road ID. To us, Road ID has always been far more than a business. We are on a mission to save lives.

Kind of makes you think twice about NOT having a Road ID bracelet, doesn’t it?

Road ID let me choose the style of bracelet I wanted, so I went with the Wrist ID Elite. I liked the sleek look with its rubberized band and watch-style buckle in a brushed nickel finish. I went with the pink (I do like pink!), entered my info including a nice, sassy, inspiring slogan, and sent off my order. Within no time at all, my new Wrist ID Elite arrived and I absolutely LOVE it!

What I don’t love is that I haven’t been able to use it yet. If you’ve watched our awesome Utah weather at all, you know we’ve had like one day of sunshine since Christmas Eve, and I don’t venture out unless it’s close to 70. (I’m a wimp like that.) So I haven’t been able to give my new Wrist ID Elite bracelet an actual test drive on the road, but I have worn it around and believe you me, it’s so comfortable and so lightweight you forget you’re even wearing it. And the peace of mind knowing I wont’ be a Jane Doe if something happens is totally priceless. (You never know…my little ones could take me hostage and cover me in duct tape and fingernail polish someday and Road ID would be the only way to identify me.)

If you’re not a sports enthusiast but have a family member or friend who is, this would make a pretty cool gift. Trust me. If Nathan had known about this product and purchased one for me, I’d think him even niftier than he already is!

Road ID now offers a Wrist ID Slim, which I might consider adding to my collection; it would also be a great option for kids! I also like their Shoe ID, which is perfect for someone who can’t handle wearing things on her wrist while active. No matter which ID you choose, choose one. You never know if it might save a life.—Emily

*** Giveaway! Road ID is giving away one Road ID bracelent, winner’s choice! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•Visit RoadID.com and leave a comment telling us which product you’d choose.
•“Like” Road ID on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you did.
•Follow Road ID on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: April 26, 2011 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

The Original Strapless Heart Rate Watch has a calorie management system that is so easy to use and helpful to stick to your weight loss plan. As part of the new Smart Touch Series, the MIO Triumph features settings to program in daily calorie targets and record your daily calorie intake. Not only does it track what you put in your body, but, it equates how many calories you burn during exercise and will set off an alarm if you go over your caloric target for the day.

When I want to lose weight I try to enlist everyone around me to support the cause…”Do not let me eat this and this!” I demand. Well now the accountability is in the watch. The watch has my back-side. It will swiftly get my butt in gear and trim my derriere by its innovative alarm system that sets off an alarm if I exceed my targeted caloric intake.
Brilliant! Finally, I can ditch the food journal and exercise log. I can forget about strapping on a heart rate monitor and tracking my progress each day. Rather, I just put on my stylish MIO Triumph watch and it keeps track of what goes into my body and calculates if I am adequately burning enough calories each day.

So many heart rate watches are bulky and big, but, not this one. It is petite and lightweight. I love that it is the same size as a standard watch but has the capacity to do what a computer does. The watch has another interchangeable pink band that comes inside the box and is easy to switch out when you want to change the color of the band.
I recommend this wellness watch for its form and function. With smart touch you simply touch the side of the stainless steel sensor with your two fingers for an on-demand heart rate. The MIO Triumph has an innovative calorie management system and can tell the time…what else do you need/want on your wrist?!
Visit http://www.mioglobal.com/mio-triumph to order your own heart rate monitor watch. – Amber

Daily Dish readers special!
Discount: 10% off and free shipping to US and Canada
Code: DISH (has to be all caps)
Order your Weight-loss watch here

This was my first summer venturing into the world of sprint triathlons and I quickly learned the importance of staying hydrated. The same went for my start in spin class—I must sweat about two full gallons every class! Because most sport drinks were too sweet for me, I pretty much stuck with water. The couple times I tried a packet of powdered electrolyte drink mix, I ended up with half of it on the counter or all over my backpack and the taste left something to be desired. (No surprise there.)

When I discovered nuun at our local REI store, I was intrigued by the tiny container filled with calorie-free electrolyte tablets about twice the size of a typical Tums. Plus the flavor selection was pretty impressive: banana, orange ginger, tri-berry, tropical and kona colada to name a few. I immediately contacted nuun and they were happy to send me a couple tubes and a nuun reusable water bottle so I could try out this tablet of fun for Daily Dish readers.

Before my take on nuun tabs, here’s a little info:

• nuun comes in a tough tube that is water resistant and perfect for carrying in your hand, bike jersey, pack…wherever. 1 tube = 6 litres (~1.5 gallons).


• nuun is an effervescent so that it dissolves quickly and ends up properly mixed (no need for you to shake). Once dissolved, it’s not fizzy.


• nuun produces a hypotonic solution so that your body will absorb nuun faster than the leading “sports drinks” or even water alone. Your body is able to restore optimal water and electrolyte balance more quickly.


• nuun provides 700mg of sodium for every litre of drink . This amount, in addition to the other critical electrolytes contained in every nuun tablet, ensures that you are adequately replenishing your body’s stores to help you perform at your best and stay healthy.

Plus I’ve also read in more than a few places that nuun helped prevent cramping, headaches and other side effects of serious training and intense activity. Now that’s cool.

I dropped a tri-berry nuun tab into my water bottle before spin class one morning and I will say I wasn’t a huge fan at first. The berry taste was good but it still had some fizziness going on—and I don’t do fizzy unless it’s Diet Coke in the afternoon. It took a lot longer for that tab to stop effervescing than I thought it would, but once it did (about mid spin class) I really did enjoy the taste. It was not overpowering like that Gator stuff and it was a nice change from plain ol’ water. Plus I knew those two gallons of sweat I lost in positions two and three on that bike meant my body needed some electrolyte action…and nuun had that and more.

I later tried the lemon lime flavor and found it too took a little while to de-fizz. I did prefer the berry, but I prefer berry in general when it comes to flavored water. I was not brave enough to try the banana even though I love bananas. I banana-flavored drink just didn’t sound appealing, but I should give it a try because I’ll probably be pleasantly surprised.

(Note: I tried the banana flavor today. Dropped it in my water bottle, added some ice and within a half hour it was no longer fizzy. And surprise, surprise, I really liked this flavor! I might even like it more than the tri-berry!)

I do love the portability of nuun, especially when you’re doing all-day activities like 100-mile bike rides (I have yet to do that but may some day!), hiking, camping and crazy things like Iron Man triathlons. Another great thing about nuun’s product is its eco-friendliness. Just one of those recyclable tubes represents 12 less plastic bottles ever being made or used. Oh, and another nifty thing? “nuun turns every water source into optimal hydration.” Just fill, drop and go!

If you’re tired of watering down your sports drink or sneezing every time you open one of those powdered drink packets (or are uncoordinated like myself and need something that’s easy to add to your water bottle), nuun is a must-have addition to your active lifestyle. Your body—and your backpack—will thank you for switching to nuun. Promise.

It’s January, 2010 and many men and women have already braved the barbells at the gym (hopefully more than once). With New Year’s comes New Year’s resolutions, one of the most common being exercise more and eat less. (In my case it’s exercise the same and drink more—water, not caffeine.) But as so many resolution makers know, it’s can be slow going turning the desire to get fit into a permanent lifestyle. After a couple weeks it’s easy to slip back into bed and back into old habits.

So how do you stay motivated to get fit when your favorite sitcom (or favorite Barcalounger) is calling your name? You grab a workout towel from Words to Sweat By and, well, break a sweat! Whimsical Walney, a good Twitter friend of mine, recently launched a wonderful line of motivational workout towels “with attitude.” Sayings include: “No jiggle in the wiggle;” “’C’ is for crunches not cookies;” and “Strength. Compassion. Peace.”  Yes, Words to Sweat By might be just what the personal trainer ordered!

Whimsical Walney sent me the “Healthy. Strong. Happy.” workout towel to review on the Daily Dish. It arrived in a cute organza bag complete with “Cherish” charm attached. The charm lasted two seconds on the bag before it was permanently attached to my purse and then moved to my cell phone so I could see it all the time. I was motivated already and hadn’t even opened the towel! The 100% cotton towel was a good gym size at 16”x24” and had a simple yet perfect applique on the front. I wanted to make sure the towel was washer and dryer friendly so I immediately threw it in the wash with some other towels to test its durability. It came out crisp and clean, no bleeding, no fraying.

We have a treadmill at home which I use when I don’t hit the gym so I hung the towel over one of the arm rails with the mantra facing me so I could glance at it while doing a 10% incline at 4.2 MPH. That incline really sucks when it’s your third time doing it in a 30-minute time frame. And believe me, I also used that towel to mop up plenty of sweat (Words to Sweat By is completely accurate). I’d have taken a picture to prove it but I think my husband used my favorite workout towel to blow his nose at some point; trust me, you wouldn’t want me to take a picture of the towel in its current state! The only thing I wish is for the towels to be a bit thicker and softer since I tend to sweat A LOT.

Along with her Words to Sweat By workout towels on Etsy, Whimsical Walney has a Words to Sweat By blog with health and fitness tips and tricks to keep you wiggling that jiggling away. Though it’s too late to stuff these great little motivational towels in stockings for the holidays, they do make a fun gift for friends and family who have set that New Year’s resolution to get and stay fit in 2010. Just remember, “Practice makes practice!”

*** Whimsical Walney is helping you pay it—or rather motivate it—forward by giving two (2) Words to Sweat By towels to each of two (2) winners! Those winners will get to keep one towel and pass along the second towel to a friend or family member. Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Leave a comment telling us your least favorite exercise.
•   Visit the Words to Sweat By Etsy shop and leave a comment telling us your favorite workout towel.
•   Become a fan of Whimsical Walney on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you’re her newest fan.
•   Follow Whimsical Walney on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re her newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winners from the comments and contact them via email. Deadline: January 14, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Melissa and Cassie M., the winners of the Words to Sweat By giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

I don’t usually use a company’s tagline as the title of a review but this one was too intriguing not to put it front and center. Beckons is a line of organic yoga clothing that is comfortable, flattering, colorful, comfortable, eco-friendly, stylish and comfortable. Did I mention Beckons clothing is comfortable? Here are some things I loved most about the company when I read more about them:

We maintain a strong commitment to the triple bottom line, where profit is equally as important as our impact on the planet and it’s people. ... From the very beginning, Beckons has embraced the yogic philosophy of kindness to the planet. We use only organic cotton and sustainable fibers in our clothing. ... We believe the little things we do, to ensure that women feel special while wearing our clothing, differentiate our brand. For example, we discretely sew into each Beckons® garment an empowering intention tag with words such as wisdom, courage, love, grace, integrity, and strength.

I’d love for you to go through your closet right now and see if any of current clothing has an empowering intention tag—and I’m not talking about something purchased from Anthropologie. Beckons sent me the strength cami in deep purple, strength t-shirt in black and wisdom roll-up capris in charcoal so my yoga wear now includes three “empowering” items. Oh, and they’re extremely comfortable empowering items as well.

I do enjoy yoga though I don’t do it as often as I should, so the strength tee and wisdom capris have become more of a lounge wear outfit than a fitness one, and I am so okay with that. Becky, one of the owners, told me those capris would become my new favorite pants, and I am 110% serious when I tell you they have. I wear those things at least three times a week if not more. They are my go-to pair of pants when I get home from a long day of errands or if it’s one of those days where I’m not planning to go anywhere. (Yes, I do take them off long enough to wash them!) They are stretchy, soft, comfy and flattering and guess what? They’re great for yoga too. I wore them on a recent visit to Bodhi Yoga with my SassyScoops.com group; you can catch them in action in this video:
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The tee and cami are comfy too, though I have yet to see the cami in action. It’s not that it isn’t comfortable but rather I don’t fill it out as much as I’d like for it to give me the support I need. (Was that TMI? Sorry!) But the tee is going to be my go-to shirt for our long drive to California and you know those capris will be in my suitcase. I can’t imagine a week going by without my wearing them at least a half dozen times!

I also love Beckons’ Grace Hemp Skirt and Grace Hemp Dress, plus they even have a a few men’s items and some fabulous lavender eye pillows. But my Beckons Wisdom capris are what beckon me; what “beckons” you?—Emily

Do you remember those questions on tests that went something like “Puppy is to dog as _ is to cat?” Today’s question is “Stretching is to yoga as skin care is to _?” Unless you’re well versed in Ayurvedic skin care, you won’t have a clue. Let me fill you in: the answer is DoshaCare. DoshaCare is customized Ayurvedic skin care, but it is more than just skin care; it is a philosophy for life.

DoshaCare combines the knowledge from the Ayurvedic tradition of India with the best of western science to for a lifestyle approach that focuses on “authentic radiance.” Their skin care line helps radiate your inner beauty and actually evolves with you. With a series of questions under “Ayurveda & Dosha Types” you can find out your primary and secondary Dosha (the page also goes into more detail about Ayurveda and Dosha) and then from there you can tailor your skin care to match. As your skin changes throughout the year (and we all know it does) you can change your regimen along with it.

I answered those questions and found out I was pretty much Pitta all the way, so DoshaCare sent me their Pitta Cleansing Bath to review. Designed to protect and soothe normal and sensitive skin, this cleanser is 98% botanical and organic. It contains turmeric for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hyperpigmentation correction and softening properties; neem to promote skin elasticity; and aloe vera for hydration and soothing. It was a good thing the information sheet I received with it had directions, for I could not find any on the box or bottle. I know, I know—lather, rinse and hopefully not repeat but I am one of those that thrive on written instructions. But I did lather and rinse…and if I was wearing makeup, I had to repeat. Plus, I’ve kind of gotten accustomed to “less is more” with most cleansers I’ve reviewed, and this one took a full pump and then a second full pump to get my face completely makeup free.

It did leave my skin feeling soft and hydrated, though not as hydrated as I would’ve liked. Though the scent was rather strong (albeit natural), I found it very earthy and somewhat relaxing. My husband walked in once while I was using it and even noticed the scent-not in a bad way, but how often is a cleanser that strong? I would have loved to have tried out the full line to see if I felt more “balanced” and if I felt it really were tailored to me and my primary Dosha.

As much as I should embrace the DoshaCare approach to life I’m not sure I’m in a place to do so just yet. (That statement probably shows I definitely should take the time to become more centered!) The Pitta Cleanser (4.2 fl oz) costs $34—a bit on the high end if you’re using twice as much as the next cleanser. But it is customized skin care, and I can’t say that Avon or Oil of Olay or any other skin care lines have ever asked me how well I sleep, what my appetite is like or how I react to stress. There just might be something to this DoshaCare thing!—Emily

** Giveaway! We are giving away a gift set to one lucky reader! (Note: The gift set may not include DoshaCare products but will include something equivalent if not better!) Visit the DoshaCare website and click on “Ayurveda & Dosha Types,” then take the test to find out your primary Dosha. Leave a comment letting us know what that is and include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 17, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Ann H., the winner of the DoshaCare giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

We first reviewed Fleurville back in January for our “let’s go green” week. We featured their Re-Run Messenger bag and MicroPod. I love Fleurville’s Re-Run fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles and keeps thousands of bottles out of landfill—nothing like going green when on the go! So I was super excited to receive Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag and Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow for a review on the Daily Dish.

I don’t do yoga as often as I should, and when I do it, it’s in the “comfort” of my basement toy room. If I had my choice I’d be “om-ing” it up at the gum, and if I had my choice of yoga bag it would be the Re-Run Yoga Bag from Fleurville. It may not have all the bells and whistles of other yoga bags (do yoga bags have bells and whistles?) but it does fit my yoga mat, strap and reusable watter bottle (of course!) nicely. I love the Ogo print with its crisp blues and greens and I love knowing I’m keeping 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It has an adjustable strap, zippered compartment for car keys, gym membership and hand towel (a necessity if you’re into the Bikram thing), and is PVC free. I do wish it had a little more room so I could fit my yoga block but I’m hoping someday I won’t need the extra help with my headstands! Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag gets a thumbs up—or strong upward facing dog—from me!

The Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow was a big hit with everyone, though I can’t say we ever actually used it for meditating. I don’t even think it’s possible to meditate with four kids in the house! My 3-year-old’s “is this for me?” won me over and he claimed it as his own. He used it as his special seat to watch his favorite TV shows and movies. My girls had to wait to use it until he was in bed…at least until the newness wore off, which took a good month or so. I’ve used it as a seat for my toddler as I put on his shoes, as a seat for myself when there are none to be found on the couch, and as the perfect spot next to the toddler bed for reading bedtime stories. It has yet to be used to meditate but it has gotten plenty of good use, that’s for sure! Apparently it was even a great resting spot for Fleurville employees at one of their tradeshows. Now that’s using your resources wisely!

Like the yoga bag, the meditation pillow keeps 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It is filled with certified organic buckwheat filling with a fill volume that is adjustable for customized comfort. No worrying about buckwheat spills; the Zafu has a Velcro guard. It is also PVC free.

I also received the ModPod, but I don’t see it listed on Fleurville’s site. Either it’s brand-spankin’ new or it’s been discontinued. I was able to find it for sale elsewhere, and this is a fabulous changing kit. It’s a step above a diapers and wipes clutch and a couple steps before diaper bag. Though it is generously sized I still make room for it in my diaper bag because it has a nicely padded changing pad and PVC-free lamination. The adjustable shoulder strap is great for when I pop it out of the bag to take to the changing room at church. When open, my favorite feature is the slightly padded head rest and the three storage pockets. I have about 3 diapers, a wipes case and an extra onesie, and even when folded it is still fairly compact. I have it, my wallet, small cosmetic bag, change of clothes for my toddler, and a multitude of snacks in my diaper bag with room to spare. Plus I love the ModPod’s sleek design. It’s my favorite changing kit so far, though it would be awesome if it was made from Re-Run fabric as well.

Whether you’re standing tree poser, meditation guru or frazzled mom trying to keep diaper changing gear in one place, Fleurville’s looking out for you—and the environment. Sometimes Re-Runs are just as great as the original, if not better. Go for style, go for function, go for environmentally friendly. Go Fleurville.—Emily

P.S. Check out their new Getaway Weekend bag—LOVE IT and the Botanical Azure print!

*** Giveaway! We are giving away one of Fleurville’s fabulous Re-Run Messenger Bags in red—a hard-to-find color! Visit Fleurville.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite product besides the ones mentioned in this review. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 12, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Rebecca S., the winner of the Fleurville giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

We’ve reviewed some awesome workout gear from SkirtSports, and now I have a great set of accessories from Studio i|m’s active line to complement your new Footloose dress. The i|m active collection was designed specifically for the “active woman’s lifestyle.”

With what Studio i|m calls ActiveHold Technology these hair accessories grip into place and won’t slip or fall out. Though I have a fairly active lifestyle (trips to the gym, yoga and chasing after four kids) I have pretty short hair so I had my girls try out a couple i|m products. We loved how the hair elastics with their ActiveHold tread were grippy enough to keep their ponytails in place but not so grippy they pulled out the hair when the girls were done using them.

My favorite, which worked just as well in my short hair is it did in their long, was the FeatherWeight black hair wrap. This headband was truly light as a feather (i.e. didn’t cause a headache after lengthy wear) and stayed put no matter how many double-takes I did (is that really permanent marker on the carpet?). And I loved the Sport Clips because their rubber tread holds wet hair really well, which is a great help when you’re trying to give your girls’ hair a trim and it’s your first time giving them a haircut!

Whether you have short hair or long, play on a high-school sports team or run a daily marathon chasing after children you’ll find the perfect hair accessory for your active lifestyle from Studio i|m’s active collection.—Emily

I first featured SkirtSports when I reviewed their ToughGirl winter running skirt in January. It was my first taste of just how flattering yet sexy fitness gear could be, even in 20-degree weather and combined with earmuffs and sweat crystals. SkirtSports is continuing to change the way women look at fitness, striving “to give the everyday woman extra attitude and style and add inspiration to their workout.”

If you look at their product line you’ll find it no surprise their gear often sells out mid season, and not just to runners and triathletes but to cyclists, tennis players and fashionistas. Check out the 4th place winner of Live with Regis & Kelly’s High Heel-a-thon. Jill Stamison not only set a world record but did it in heels and SkirtSports’ Footloose running dress in Pink Crush.

And that brings me to my own review of the Footloose running dress and coordinating Shorties. Now, I’m no record setter but that doesn’t mean I don’t get to look like one, and you can’t help but do so in this dress. I received it in Sapphire Blue and have only had one opportunity to wear it so far, but I’m sold! I’ve never worn anything like it and yet it took very little getting used to. It was a heck of a lot more flattering than my typical t-shirt and cut-offs, especially since there’s no waistband for my love handles to roll over (and jiggle as I run…not a pretty sight). I worried it might make me sweat a little more but I shouldn’t have; the lightweight fabric felt great and I rather enjoyed the updraft.

Speaking of updraft, that brings me SkirtSports’ UnderSkirt collection. Because the Footloose dress is on the sassy side (i.e. short) you’re going to want to wear something underneath (my husband begs to differ, but that’s no surprise). Whether you prefer the panty-style Spankies or the butt-lifting Shorties (their most popular product in this collection—you’ve got to read the product description on this one!), you’ll be covered. SkirtSports has even thought to include pockets for your workout needs such as gels, music or IDs.

Though the Footloose running dress and Shorties are fabulous in and of themselves, what I love even more is their effect on my attitude about exercising. I’m actually entertaining the idea of running outdoors. (Don’t tell my treadmill; its feeling are easily hurt.) SkirtSports is a firm believer that “girls rule; boys drool,” and how could those boys not drool when they spot you at mile 14 in that Mojito Green Footloose dress.—Emily

Besides doing Body for Life almost 7 years ago I’ve never stuck to a diet plan for longer than a week, and that was only before a photo shoot or tropical vacation. I’ve dabbled in Suzanne Sommers, South Beach, and even a little Atkins but all of them pretty much left me tired and hungry. I was intrigued by the Flat Belly Diet when I saw the women behind the plan on Rachel Ray. The diet claims to get rid of belly fat by sticking to a 1,600-calorie diet where you eat a mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) with every meal:

This breakthrough diet from the editors of Prevention magazine was made for health-conscious women who have tried virtually everything to eliminate harmful belly fat – it offers a proven, science-based solution combining a cutting-edge nutrition plan with expert motivational tips and advice.

I could write a whole page on the ins and outs of the Flat Belly Diet but to save time and space I’ll let you read a little bit about it here or you can watch this great interview with Cynthia Sass, nutrition director at Prevention, who talks about the science behind the diet. (I’ve actually heard it’s similar to the Mediterranean diet since MUFAs include foods like nuts, healthy oils, olives, avocados.)

I tried out the 4-day jump start plan and that probably wasn’t the best way for me to test out this diet. To be honest, I’m really not at a need-to-diet stage, so the 4-day jump start (1,200 calories a day) just wasn’t quite enough for me. Though the planned breakfast meals usually did a great job of filling me up (note: I think the 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds on day 1 is a typo—that’s almost 400 calories right there), lunch left me hungry and grumpy by the mid afternoon snack. I was really grumpy by dinner time the first day, but I had missed the planned midday fruit smoothie, so I’m sure that was part of the problem. I really should have just started in on the 1,600-calorie plan and tried out the yummy sounding—and more substantial (i.e. filling)—meals you can eat once you’re off the jump-start phase. I’m talking apple-almond oatmeal, avocado-tomato herbed breakfast tacos, Mediterranean wraps, and pork with Szechaun vegetables. Read the rest of this entry »

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