Microsoft celebrates Fitness Day and the launch of the Microsoft Band

Keeping fit over the holidays is always a challenge.  Not only are there all kinds of holiday treats to tempt you, all those parties and events mean less opportunity to work out, less sleep, and more stress. It's always a good idea to get a workout in before things start to get busy -- and that's why Microsoft chose October 30, the day before Halloween and the start of the holiday season, to host a fitness day celebrating the launch of their latest fitness tracking gadget, the Microsoft Band.  #FitnessDay events were held at Microsoft Retail stores across the country, including Westfield Valley Fair Mall, one of my favorite local malls, so I put on my yoga gear and headed to the Microsoft Store for a few hours of fitness and fun!

Event staff and trainers were on hand all day, offering fitness tests and giving customers the chance to try out some of the fun fitness games on Xbox Kinect.

Stores hosted two free fitness classes: a high energy Zumba class at noon, and a stress relieving yoga class in the evening.

The first 150 customers were given a fun present (their choice of yoga mat, hat, water bottle, gym bag, or jump rope).  They had free jamba juice, Gatorade, water, and energy snacks.  And there were giveaways all day long.

You could pose with a variety of props and your souvenir photo was mailed you on the spot.

 The star of the day was the Microsoft Band, Microsoft's entry in the wearable fitness tracker market.

The Microsoft Band is nice and slim, but it has an elongated touchscreen display, not just a bunch of flashing lights. It's the ultimate in wearable fitness, tracking steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, UV sun exposure, and more.

It also functions as a smart watch, notifying the wearer of incoming texts, phone calls, new emails, Facebook updates, Twitter updates, weather, calendar alerts, and so much more (it syncs with your phone via Bluetooth).  There's even a Starbucks app that lets you pay for your morning capuccino.

The downside? Even in the short time that I tried it on, it feels extremely uncomfortable. It's semi rigid and I felt like it was pressing down on my pulse points.  It's possible that I wasn't given the right size, or I didn't adjust it properly, so don't quote me on that, just be aware of it.  Obviously this isn't an actual review of Microsoft Band since I didn't get to spend an extended period of time testing it! But it certainly seems worth checking out, especially with the holidays coming up.  What better way to be aware of how your day to day activities help your health and fitness goals!

Of course, shoppers can also check out all the other cool tech gadgets.  My eye was immediately drawn to the Surface Pro 3.  It's just like my Windows 8 laptop... only it's a touchscreen tablet with a removable keyboard!  I love that you can take the tablet and relax on your sofa with it to read a book or browse the internet or catch up on social media.  Then you can dock it onto the keyboard (additional accessory) to type up an email or work.  Surface is bluetooth compatible, so I can use a Bluetooth mouse (I've never liked track pads, I'm old fashioned that way). The tablet even has a USB port!  I think Alfie would love this for a Christmas present!  Actually, so would I!

This holiday season, get thee to a Microsoft Store to check out the Microsoft Band, the Surface, and other Microsoft products!

Disclosure: This is a compensated post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Fitness made fun with Leapfrog's new LeapBand

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview soccer star Mia Hamm. We talked about her involvement with Fit Made Fun Day and her tips to get kids more active (soooo important at a time when a third of kids or teens in the US is overweight or obese!).  We spoke about LeapFrog's new activity tracker, the LeapBand, and how it is motivating kids to get up and about.  I had the chance to test out the LeapBand, and boy is this gadget such an exciting development!  If you have a Fitbit or a Jawbone or a Fuelband and your kid loves to play with it, you can now get him or her a LeapBand to track activity in a much more fun way!

The Basics

What Leapfrog did for kids' education, they are now doing for kids' fitness -- they are using video gameplay to motivate kids and make it fun! The new LeapBand is a kiddie activity tracker that is worn on a child's wrist and registers motion. It has fun activity challenges like "wiggle like a worm" or "dance like a chicken" or "clap your hands" that kids don't really think of as exercise, just fun and games. Below are some of its best features:

Activity Tracker
The LeapBand tracks your child's motion -- walking, running, skipping, dancing, any movement.  The main screen has an activity meter (visual, not numerical) to give kids an idea of how active they've been.  The LeapBand also lets kids complete fun activity challenges ("Jump like a tiger and roar!", "Hop like popping popcorn!",  "Wriggle your fingers and toes!") for the chance to earn jewels (a pun on "joules"!).

Virtual Pet
To motivate kids, the LeapBand has a virtual pet that kids can feed and bathe and take care of (remember the Tamagotchi craze?). When your child moves around and completes activity challenges, they earn treats for their virtual pet and unlock new games and new pets to play with.

Games
Kids can interact with their pets in 3 mini games (Pet Parlor, Pet Boogie, Pet Chef), where they learn the importance of good grooming, good nutrition, and healthy habits.  There's also a separate app, Leapfrog's Petathlon Games (available on the LeapPad Ultra or an iOS or Android device), that lets kids' virtual pets compete in the Petathlon Games and play more mini games.

Parental Controls
Parents can download the LeapConnect app for the LeapBand onto their computers and connect the LeapBand to the computer via USB cable.  They'll be able to view their child's activity, see the jewels they've earned, and download additional activity challenges (up to 50!) onto the LeapBand.  They can even set "quiet" times when kids cannot play with their virtual pet (i.e. school time or nap time).

The Bongga

* The LeapBand is simple and easy to use, with just 4 buttons and audio instructions so even kids who don't yet know how to read will know what to do.
* The LeapBand also has a watch (so kids can tell time) and a stopwatch (so they can time themselves running or doing anything)
* Parents can set quiet times for the LeapBand (via the Leapfrog Connect app), so even though it is still tracking motion, kids can't use it to play with their pet (they can only use it as a watch). So they can wear it to school or during naptime and not be tempted to play with it.
* The LeapBand is rechargeable (via a USB cable); no more batteries to run out!

The Blah

* There is no volume control.
* The plastic wristband is not very flexible; some kids might find it uncomfortable wearing for extended periods of time.
* Unlocking pets can be frustrating. Kids have no idea how much longer they have to wait in order to unlock their next pet.

The Bottom Line

All in all, the LeapBand is another great product that masquerades as a video game, but in reality is developing all kinds of skills and healthy habits!

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Making fitness fun for kids: an interview with Mia Hamm (and a LeapBand giveaway for you!)

My kids have led active lives all their lives.  The Pea started ballet at age 3, and 10 years later, she's on a competitive dance team, taking multiple dance classes 4 days out of 7.  3Po and Jammy are crazy about soccer; they practice 3 days a week and spend their weekends playing league games and tournaments. They walk and bike to school. We walk downtown on the weekends and take them sailing or hiking now and then.

It's so tempting to feel superior and wonder why other kids don't get as much activity -- but different families lead different lifestyles, and getting physical activity can be difficult.  I should know: my childhood was nothing like my kids'.  I led a very sedentary lifestyle as a child.  I was driven everywhere, and although my parents put me in ballet and gymnastics classes, I never really liked them, so I never put in more than a bare minimum effort.  It wasn't until my early teens that I fell in love with volleyball and jazz dance, and in my early twenties that I started running.  So I know how challenging it can be to get into the habit of being active.

To help encourage parents to get up and get active, Leapfrog teamed up with soccer star Mia Hamm this weekend at the first National Fit Made Fun Day in Santa Monica, where families gathered to help set 3 Guiness World Records: most kids making snow angels, most people hopping on one foot, and most people doing a swim dance.  Leapfrog also launched their new kids' activity tracker, the LeapBand™, a new  which records kids' movements and combines screen time with physical games and activities. I had the privilege of interviewing Mia by phone a few days ago, where she told us all about Fit Made Fun Day:

Mia had lots of great suggestions for instilling active habits in kids from a young age.  Here are some of her pearls of wisdom:

• Keep it simple, not too many rules because kids will tune out
• Make it part of a daily routine (bedtime dance party to get the wiggles out)
• Invite friends and family to be a part of it
• Make physical activities a part of family gathering and events (football, wiffle ball game)
• Celebrate physical achievements - go to different parks, go ice skating
• Show kids that you appreciate having fun together

For school aged kids, Mia stressed the importance of letting kids follow the sport that they love, letting them enjoy the social aspect of sports, letting them pursue multiple sports (if they want) so they don't burn out, and being a parent ("a soft place to land"), not a coach. As for kids who don't like sports, even they can still get active!  Mia stressed that getting up and getting active doesn't have to be complicated.  Games and relay races keep kids active, but to them, it's not really a physical activity, it's just fun.  That's where the LeapBand comes in: it's a great way to make fitness fun by turning it into a game.

Win a LeapBand Activity Tracker

Leapfrog is giving away a LeapBand to TWO lucky Bonggamom Finds readers!

Required Entry

Leave a comment on this post and share a tip for building active habits in your children.

Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry): I entered the Leapfrog LeapBand giveaway! Ends 9/24 at http://ow.ly/BmAhn

6) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)

See @bonggafinds interview Mia Hamm & enter to win a LeapBand activity tracker fr @Leapfrog! Enter by 8/24 http://ow.ly/BmAhn

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join) The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on August 24,  2014; I will draw 2 winners at random, on August 25 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

  Disclosure: Leapfrog provided the interview opportunity, a LeapBand sample for review, and two LeapBands to give away. The views and opinions expressed here are my own. Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Celebrate National Fit Made Fun Day with LeapFrog

Do you want to meet soccer star Mia Hamm?  Do you want to help break some Guinness World Records?  Do you want to try out LeapFrog's latest hi-tech toy designed to keep kids active?  Do you want to get your family out this weekend for some fitness and fun?  Do you live near Santa Monica, CA?

If you answered yes to all those questions, I've got a fantastic opportunity for you!  LeapFrog, my favorite hi-tech learning brand, is launching the  LeapBand™, a new wearable activity tracker that keeps kids active by combining physical activity with games and challenges.  To celebrate, they are holding a Fit Made Fun Day on September 6, 2014, 1:00pm-4:00pm at Santa Monica beach!  This 3-hour event is packed with fun things for the whole family to do.  Here's what to expect:

• Attendees will attempt to set 3 new Guinness World Records, for "Most children making sand angels on the beach", "Most people hopping on one foot", and "Most people doing a swim dance".  You could be part of a world record!

• Soccer star Mia Hamm will be leading the attempt.

• A DJ will spin KidzBop tunes as kids and parents get active and enjoy healthy snacks.

• Participants will receive a LeapBand activity tracker and goody bag packed with fun extras to take home!

All local families with children ages 5 through 8 are invited to attend -- but space is limited, so you must register to secure your spot.  Hurry, the fun starts in THREE DAYS, so register ASAP!

Disclosure: I did not receive a product sample or compensation for my post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Make fitness fun with the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Sprint. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and to thank me for participating.

Alfie and I recently did one of those online quizzes that predict your life expectancy.  I got 97.  Not bad, right? Well, Alfie got 104.  Are you kidding me???  Aren't women supposed to live longer than men?  Why don't I get to live to 100??  Alfie laughs at me and tells me I'm taking this way too seriously and that stressing about it is actually shaving years off my life.... but my competitive instincts have kicked in.  There's no way he's outliving me!  So I'm reexamining my lifestyle choices and resolving to make little tweaks to give me the best chance at a long, healthy life:  Eating less refined carbs.  Letting go of stress.  Getting more sleep.  Working out more.

To help me stay motivated for workouts, Alfie has been nagging me to download a fitness app onto my phone, but for some reason I've resisted.   But a couple of weeks ago I received a Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport smartphone as part of the Mom Central SprintMom Ambassador Program.  This isn't your regular S5, it's a special Sport version -- and it's fantastic!  Sprint actually teamed up with Under Armour and MayMyFitness to integrate special fitness solutions right into the S5 Sport:

• Samsung's exclusive Activity Zone app is preloaded on the S5 Sport.
• The S5 Sport features a textured body that makes it easier to hold when you're sweating, and hard keys (instead of touchscreen keys) that make it MUCH easier to operate the phone while you're working out.
• The S5 Sport comes gives you 12 months of free MapMyFitness MVP.
• The S5 Sport comes with S Health, a mobile health platform that helps you keep track of food intake and even monitor your heart rate!

Even without all the fitness features, the Samsung S5 Galaxy is a winner.  Here are some of my favorite features:

• 5.7 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches, 5.6 ounces, 5.1 inch Full HD Super AMOLED® display
• 16GB internal memory, Android™ 4.4.2, KitKat, 2.5GHz quad-core processor
• Sprint Spark™ network enhances the phone's LTE service and allows for high quality videos.
• Dual Cameras; a 16-megapixel rear-facing Phase Detection Auto Focus camera with Zero Shutter Lag, flash and video capture, and 2-megapixel front-facing camera with full HD recording at 30fps
• Smart Remote feature allows you to use it as a remote control with your home theater equipment

And don't forget, Sprint Framily Plan users get six months free subscription to Spotify Premium!

I loved using the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport!  I have no idea why it took me so long to start using MapMyFitness!  I can record all my workouts and fitness activities.  Even something as simple as walking to school counts, and I can see how active I've been all week -- distance, pace, speed, elevation, calories burned, route traveled.  Keeping records and measurements has always been key to keeping me focused and motivated with my workouts, and the free 12-month premium subscription to MapMyFitness MVP couldn't be handier.

Did you notice that I said "I LOVED using the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport"?  That's because The Pea fell in love with it and begged me and begged me to let her have it!  She loves the large screen size and the amazing camera!  How could I say "no" to that sweet face?  Especially since the S5 Sport is helping her become more active!

Note: Phone cases for the Samsung Galaxy S5 will NOT work with the S5 sport -- the size is all wrong and the buttons are in different places. And since the S5 Sport is so new, there aren't too many phone cases available.  The "made in China" phone covers I found on Amazon and eBay are ugly and bulky, so I highly recommend purchasing a case from your local Sprint store or from Sprint online.  They have good cases from Body Glove and Tech 21.  I bought the clear Tech 21 Impact Mesh Case because it had the sleekest profile (The Pea didn't want any bulky cases but I insisted she get a case to protect the phone from drops and falls) and a cool color combo (clear with orange highlights, which lets the electric blue color shine through!).


Check out some other great phones on the Sprint Network:

• HTC One M8 Harman/Kardon edition 
• Kyocera Vibe.

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Sprint. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and to thank me for participating. Product information (in italics) is provided by Mom Central. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Find some Runs Worth The Drive with the Buick Verano Turbo

I've been running to stay in shape for almost 20 years now.  It's free, it's easy to learn (not so easy to do!), it's great at burning calories -- and I love the runner's high I get that makes me feel like I could conquer the world!

Most of the time, all I have to do is step out of my front door and start my workout.  But convenient as it is, running around the neighborhood, time and time again, passing by the same houses and cars and sidewalks, can get old.  Sometimes it's nice to get in the car and drive somewhere totally different.

I'm definitely not alone in this; in a recent survey, 71 percent of users of MapMyFitness apps said they drove to a specific location to start their workouts. Whether it's a new route or new scenery or a new challenge that you crave, mixing up your runs can definitely keep your running workouts fresh and exciting!  That's why Buick partnered with MapMyFitness this summer to create the "Runs Worth the Drive Challenge" -- to help runners find, record and share their favorite routes, while also learning how vehicles like the Buick Verano fit into an active lifestyle.

The Challenge ended last week, with a record-breaking 89,000 participants!  I was one of those participants; Buck actually loaned me a Verano Turbo for a week, encouraged me to sign up for the Challenge, and challenged me to explore some running trails to see whether I could discover some "Runs Worth the Drive".  After a week of driving the Buick Verano Turbo to some great running trails, I have to say I enjoyed the drive to the trails just as much as I enjoyed running those trails!  Here's what I loved about the Buick Verano Turbo:

* It drives like a dream.  The problem with driving to trails, of course, is that you need to allow time to get there, which makes your total workout time a lot longer -- but the Verano Turbo zips along the highway like a dream.  Driving this car gives me a sense of freedom and "one-ness" with the road that I get when I'm running down a hill!   I'm not surprised that Buick claims the Verano Turbo is "more powerful and faster than Lexus IS250, Acura ILX and Audi A3".

* I feel safe driving it. Even though it can drive really fast and accelerate like no one's business, I still feel in control.  And I love the safety sensors that beep when you're in reverse and something (a car, a pedestrian, a bike) is approaching the car from the side (it's called Rear Cross Traffic Alert).

* The interior screams luxury and comfort.  After a tiring run, it's so nice to get back to this car, turn the airconditioner on, and just take a moment to breathe.  The interior is nice and roomy, and the model I drove came with beautiful leather seats.  And even though I get all hot and sweaty and gross after a run, Buick tells me that the interior has been tested for resistance against the effects of sweat, sun, sunscreen and bug spray -- so the car won't start smelling funky after 3 months of driving it.

* It's surprisingly affordable.  Guess what?  MSRP for the Buick Verano Turbo is $29,990!  Car and Driver says the average price paid is $28, 491 (note: I think these prices are for the 2014 model; pricing for the 2015 model is still unavailable).  I think that's great for a car in the compact luxury class. In fact, the Buick Verano was recognized for 5-Year Lowest Cost of Ownership of Entry Luxury Sedan by Kelly Blue Book.

I do think they could have made the car look a bit more like a sports car and less like a sedan, but on the whole, I think the Buick Verano Turbo is a great car for anyone who wants a car that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

Now, on to the big question: are there any Runs Worth The Drive in my area?  You betcha!  I ran 4 times that week, at three of my favorite local running destinations:

Cornelius Bol Park
Bol Park has a trail that's great for beginners: it's about a 1.5 mile loop with mild elevation.  There are so many trees, you'd never guess you were in a neighborhood park (yes, some lucky folks don't even have to drive there!).  The trail leads you past a creek with a rope swing, past the famous Barron Park Donkeys, and across two creeks.

Baylands Preserve near Shoreline Lake Park 
Shoreline Lake Park has a trail running through about half of the lake's edge, but there are nicer, wilder, and longer trails just behind the lake, where the paths join with the Palo Alto Baylands. There are a ton of trails of various lengths, weaving in and out and around the Baylands, and the surrounding area is filled with plants and wildlife.

Stanford Dish
The Dish is my favorite running trail to drive to!  I try to go there at least once a week (I went twice last week!).  I can't even take a photo of the car next to the trail, because you have to park a bit of a distance away.  The Dish is not for the faint of heart; a complete loop is 3.7 miles of up-and-down torture.  I have never been able to run it the whole way, and even walking it is guaranteed to give anyone a great workout -- but you are rewarded with a view of practically the entire Silicon Valley, as well as close encounters with all kinds of wildlife.  I have seen squirrels and gophers and hawks and deer and snakes; I haven't seen mountain lions yet, but sightings are common.  The beauty of this place never fails to fill my soul.

Disclosure: I was loaned a Buick Verano Turbo for a week.  Product information (in italics) is provided by the featured company/product. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Come walk with me

I've got some exciting news -- I've been chosen to be a Walkabout Challenge Ambassador for Orthaheel and Weil Integrative Footwear! Over the next 28 days, I'll be joining 49 other people from all walks of life (pun intended) in a quest for improved fitness and well-being. I'll be chronicling my journey via this blog, Facebook and Twitter, and I hope you'll join me as I walk towards my 40th birthday, towards better health and a better me.

The challenge officially begins today. Get ready... set... walk!

Disclosure: As an ambassador for the 28-day Walkabout Challenge for Orthaheel USA and Weil Integrative Footwear, I received a package containing a pair of Dr. Weil footwear and other promotional items. I will not be receiving any other form of compensation for my participation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Tweet this!

Continue reading...

Amira Mor's Belly Dancing Fitness DVDs

If you've been reading my blog these days you'll know that I'm making an effort to incorporate more exercise into my weekly routine, and one strategy for doing that was to do more dancing. I've started taking Zumba classes, and just that one weekly class has gotten my dancing juices rolling. I'm already thinking about other dance classes I'd love to take -- tap, jazz, hip-hop, even belly dancing and pole dancing! Due to time and finance constraints, I probably won't be taking more than one (or at the most, two) dance classes at any point in time.

Fortunately, there's a wealth of dance and fitness DVDs out there that you can buy and try at home. They're so inexpensive compared to signing up for a class, you can work out and learn in your own home, and you can alternate DVDs so you never get bored! If you're a self-motivated kind of person, dance and fitness DVDs are a great option.

I actually received a couple of belly dancing DVDs to review late last year, but I wanted to wait until I was sure that these DVD's would actually be good enough to become a part of my regular fitness routine before I gave them the thumbs-up. It was definitely worth the wait, because I've been working out to one of them fairly regularly (i.e. I'm trying to work out to a fitness DVD 1-2 times per week, and I've been using the Belly Dancing DVD 2-4 times per month), and I think they're great!


The Basics
I received Vol. 2 (Belly Dance for Fitness) and Vol. 4 (Belly Dance for a Total Body Workout) of Amira Mor's Belly Dance DVD series. Amira Mor is a reknowned belly dancer (we actually got one of her Behind the Veil DVDs a couple of years ago because we wanted to show the kids how beautiful belly dancing) who has the #1 belly dancing DVD series on Amazon.

Here are some brief descriptions of the titles I received:

Belly Dance for Fitness
This DVD is the ABC s of belly dance, aimed at using the art of the dance for a well-rounded fitness program. Amira Mor and the Jewels of the Nile bring the energy of a live class into the privacy of your home. Amira breaks down the sensual movements of belly dance to the most basic and easy to understand instructions. You will be guided through step-by-step of body isolations, the fundamental building blocks to the beauty of belly dance. Amira shares with you the tips and secrets that make belly dance the perfect combination of feminine sensuality and fitness. Amira Mor is an internationally renowned belly dancer, choreographer, producer, and certified fitness instructor as well as the director of the Jewels of the Desert Dance Company.


Belly Dance for a Total Body Workout
NO MORE SUFFERING WITH BORING EXERCISE! Amira brings her classroom into your home with 20 students from ages 6 to 66. Amira and her students guide you through her innovative, state of the art, fat burning and body toning workout for every part of your body. This DVD is for you if you want to lose weight, flatten your belly, firm your butt, hips and thighs, sculpt a curvy body, increase your energy level, build stamina, improve muscle strength, balance your emotional stability, look and feel younger. You will definitely have "Mor" fun and success with this total body workout.


The Bongga
Here's what I love about the DVDs (note: I'm going to focus on Vol. 4: Belly Dance for a Total Body Workout, because it's the one I regularly do. Vol. 2: Belly Dance for Fitness is also great, but it's more appropriate for people who are having difficulty with the belly dance movements)

* The people in the workout are Real People, not perky, toned models who you know you'll never ever look like, even if you shimmied from here to eternity. Don't worry, you still have the gorgeous body of Amira and some of the younger dancers to inspire you -- but the point is, there are also other women of all shapes and sizes. There's even a little girl of about 8 or 9! Having all these students there makes you feel like the workout is not too out of reach; if they can do it, so can you.

* Both DVDs give you a great workout! You might think belly dancing looks easy -- for the first five minutes. The rest of the time you'll be doing some killer isolations that really work your arms, core muscles and legs. The first time I did the workout, my arms felt like they were going to fall off! And I still can't go down as low as Amira and her students do when they do hip rolls with bent knees. Doing the movements when the tempo speeds up is really challenging, and that's what keeps me interested and engaged. I can definitely feel my muscles toning up, and combined with my Zumba workout I'll soon be ready to rock the dance clubs! Okay, maybe not, but I'm more in tune with my body, and that makes me happy.


The Blah
Here's what I think could be improved:

* The quality of the Vol. 4 DVD leaves a lot to be desired. While Belly Dance for Fitness was filmed on a simple set with beautiful middle eastern-inspired backdrop, with scarves and drapes, Belly Dance for a Total Body Workout is set in a gym classroom. You can even see people sweating it out on the treadmills and stair climbers through the glass windows! It's totally distracting and it looks like they couldn't be bothered to pay for a proper set.

* I personally found the video easy to follow, but I've seen reviews that complain the movements are too advanced. Maybe it's because of my dance background. If you're having trouble , I'd recommend starting with Vol. 2, Belly Dance for Fitness. In that video, Amira takes it much slower and goes into more detail for each movement. Also, if you have a full-length mirror, you might want to set it up beside your TV, so you can see your own body and try to match your movements to Amira's.


The Bottom Line
Amira Mor's Belly Dance DVD's are a fun and effective addition to your DVD workout repertoire!

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review. I was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...

The Bar Method Pregnancy DVD giveaway

I think ballet dancers have some of the most beautiful bodies in the world -- they are lean and strong, graceful and elegant. And there's nothing quite like a ballet-based workout, which is why I think The Bar Method gets such rave reviews, from Hollywood celebrities to PTA moms. This body-sculpting workout utilizes a ballet bar fitness technique and draws from the principles of isometrics, dance conditioning, interval training, and physical therapy.

I haven't tried any of their classes, but after doing a bit of research, I'm intrigued. They have a studio near my home so I might try a class out! If The Bar Method doesn't have a studio near you, don't worry -- they also sell exercise DVDs, including one for expectant moms. It sounds like a great way to keep fit during pregnancy and get back into shape afterwards!


Win a copy of The Bar Method Pregnancy DVD and a Bar Method Onesie
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a copy of their new Pregnancy Workout DVD and a Bar Method white cotton baby onesie.
Master teacher Lee Potter in her third trimester with twins adds her own special wit and playfulness to the Bar Method’s pre-natal workout, a long-standing and popular class at its flagship studio in San Francisco. Lee leads you through this 45-minute long series of gentle, safe and challenging moves, including free-weight work, thigh exercises, standing seat-work, and abdominal strengthening exercises performed while propped up on pillows. Lee’s fellow performers are Hannah Blue, co-owner of the Downtown San Francisco studio and Lauren Dunning, a teacher at the Downtown San Francisco studio, both appearing in this DVD in their second trimester. As Lee puts it, this DVD “will help you feel strong during your pregnancy, will assist you in delivering your baby, and will snap you right back into shape.” Retail: $20.00


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share how you kept fit and healthy during your pregnancy, or how you plan to, if you're pregnant. If you've never been pregnant and want to win it for a friend, tell me why you think The Bar Method would be a great way to keep fit during pregnancy. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry).

3) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Bar Method giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/bonggaprizes

5) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):
Win a Bar Method pregnancy DVD + Bar Method onesie on @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/bonggaprizes #giveaways

6) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you join)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on February 28, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on March 1 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Thanks to KMRPR and The Bar Method for providing the giveaway prize. Product information is provided by KMRPR and is clearly indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...

Simple changes in 2011

January is almost over, and I'll bet a lot of people have started slipping up on their New Years Resolutions! I'm proud to say that I'm not one of them, because this year I really tried to come up with some goals that are simple, measurable and maintanable. They're not revolutionary changes, but hey, sometimes the simplest of changes can make the biggest impact. Here are some of the simple changes I would like to make in my life this year, and how I've planned to make sure the changes actually stick:

1) Walk more.
The physical benefits to walking more are obvious, but did you know that studies have shown that walking for 45 minutes a day, 3 times a week, can help improve brain function? A recent Newsweek article about Building a Better Brain claims that studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found that simple aerobic exercise improves episodic memory and executive-control functions by about 20 percent. Inspired by this little tidbit, I've resolved to walk the kids to school more often. We already walk to school every day, but when I pick them up in the afternoons, I delay until the last minute so I'm forced to drive to school. This year I've set a goal of walking to pick the kids up from school at least twice a week. It's a small, attainable goal and one that I haven't broken yet.

2) Run more.
I've been way too sedentary, so I've resolved to get back into running this year. To help me stay movitated, I've signed up for a couple of races in March and May, and I intend to sign up for more before the year is done. I figure one race every two months or so will keep me training without getting so sick of the whole thing that I stop running in between races and train like mad the week before the race.


3) Get back into dancing.
Another way I've decided to improve my fitness level is to put dancing back into my life. When I was in my teens and 20's, I attended a jazz dance class five days a week. It's not a coincidence that I could eat anything I wanted, and I was in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately I don't have the time to dance five days per week, and at my age, even if I did I would still not be able to eat anything I want, but putting some dance back into my life will certainly go a long way towards improving my cardio fitness level as well as my flexibility. I've signed up for a Zumba class, just once a week, but already I'm enjoying myself thoroughly and look forward to the classes!




How about you? Are you making any changes in your life? Remember, even simple changes can make a big impact!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Simply Orange® blogging program. If I am one of the first 65 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 Target gift card and a gift pack that includes a Simply Orange® cooler bag and logoed fleece. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...

The Girls Fitness Pant review

Mornings are crazy for me, so I like to pull on a pair of yoga pants or leggings that look and feel good without too much effort. A couple of months ago I was given a pair of Tummy Control Boot Cut pants from The Girls, and it has joined my set of go-to wardrobe staples for school mornings, workouts and casual wear!

The Basics
The Girls is a line of fitness apparel that have been seen on celebs like Ashley Tisdale, Lauren Conrad and Amanda Seyfried. Here's some information about The Girls:

The Girls is an amazing Fitness brand. They offer a special blu-tech fabric system constructed with the highest quality yarns and just the right formula of nylon and spandex, that helps to slim, shape and contour the body in just the right places. Found only in The Girls™ Tummy Control styles, this special power mesh system is discreetly placed inside the clothing invisible to the rest of the world so only you know it is there.


The Bongga
I'm so happy I tried these pants! First of all, it comes in lots of colors, including chocolate brown, my favorite, which for some reason is super difficult to find. While I can't pretend that these pants make me look like Ashley Tisdale, I think they do a good job of smoothing out the midriff bulges. But more importantly, these are the comfiest fitness pants ever. Here I am at the Big Sur Half Marathon, wearing their Tummy Control Boot Cut Pant:

These pants felt great -- throughout the entire 13.1 miles, I didn't have to tug them up once. But they're not just for workouts; I wear them anytime and everywhere!


The Blah
I find the bootcut pants rather short. I'm a wee bit above average height, 5 feet 8 inches, and I think they could stand to be about an inch longer.


The Bottom Line
The Girls line of fitness apparel feels great, looks great and comes at a very very reasonable price.

Disclosure: I received a product sample, but was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is clearly indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...

How an Ordinary Person (like me) can finish a half-marathon

Two days ago I ran the Big Sur Half-Marathon. It was my third half-marathon, but that hardly makes me an expert. I'm just an ordinary person, trying (but not always succeeding) to live a healthier, more active lifestyle despite the demands of my kids' schedules, the lure of more sedentary pleasures (i.e. blogging, television, eating anything with fat and salt in it) and the onset of aging.

For the past two years I've been plagued by plantar fascitis (aka heel spurs), so my five mile runs have shortened to three or two, and indeed, my runs have slowed to jogs or walks. Doing a third half-marathon was always in the back (very back) of my mind, but I didn't really do anything about it until Sony invited me to be one of their Sony Walkman Runners and sponsor me in the long distance event of my choice. The opportunity to combine two things I love to do -- blog and run -- was the perfect motivator to get off my feet and start training.


I'm not going to pretend that my training was perfect. Oh, I trained, but it's all too easy to find an excuse not to run, some valid, some not. All those times when I too busy, too sick, too much in pain, or just too lazy to run came back to haunt me in the weeks leading up to the race, when I started wondering if I'd even be able to finish.

It turns out that my training wasn't as lacking as I had feared, because I not only finished the race but I also finished in far less time than I anticipated! It was a tough race, and my legs are still aching two days after, but I am so happy and proud of myself for accomplishing what I set out to do!

I feel like I've won an Oscar or something, so in typical Oscar-winner fashion, I'm making out a list of people to thank -- or in this case, a list of things that really helped me overcome the fatigue, pain and discouragement that I felt during some portions of the race, and got me to the finish line:

1) The weather -- I couldn't have asked for better race conditions. It was cool and clear. There were no winds to battle or fog to chill me or hot sun to sap my strength.

2) The scenery -- There is nothing like running alongside the ocean to clear your head and distract your from thoughts of giving up.

3) The music -- Thank goodness for my Sony W-Series Walkman! Now that I've mastered the controls, I'm even more convinced that it's perfect for people who walk, bike or jog. I just hooked it behind my ears, set it to play and let my running playlist energize me when I was feeling low.

4) The cheers -- Having crowds of people cheer you on does wonders for your morale, even more so when some of them are people you know and love. Seeing Alfie and the kids in the crowd and being able to give them high-fives as I ran past them really pumped me up.


Of course, Sony also deserves a resounding cheer and a special Thank You for sponsoring my run!


Disclosure: As a Sony Walkman Runner, Sony sponsored my registration fee to the Big Sur Half-Marathon. They also gave me a complimentary W-Series Walkman to "power me up" during my training and for the actual event. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...

Sony W-Series Walkman

I've got three weeks to go before the Big Sur Half Marathon, and training is proceeding smoothly. I'm walking/running three times per week, so hopefully during the Big Day I should be alright. I'm not aiming to run rings around everyone else; in fact, I've accepted that I won't be able to run the whole way. I'll have to do a combination of running and walking. The mix that seems to work for me at this point is about 20 minutes of running, followed by 30 minutes of walking. Hopefully I'll be able to push that to 50-50 during the actual race.

Since I'll be on the course for quite a while (I'm hoping to make it under 3 hours, or just over), I'm definitely going to be taking along the W-Series Walkman that Sony sent me as one a Sony Walkman Runner. The website on the Big Sur Half Marathon says that the use of headphones is banned for the competitive runners, and discouraged among everyone else -- but if you do want to use it, then use caution. I'm definitely using mine, and I'm taking comfort in the knowledge that with the W-Series, at least I won't be distracted with all those wires bouncing around!

The Basics
Here's a brief description of the W-Series Walkman:
The one-piece music player that's ready for the treadmill, trail, or gym, designed to stay put and out of the way while you work out. With true-to-life sound and deep bass, plus a water-resistant2 seal to keep the sweat out, the W Series music player works with you to hit your personal best.

And here are some of the features:
* Streamlined, one-piece construction

* Water-resistant to withstand sweat from hardcore workouts

* Easily load your music by dragging and dropping music files from iTunes®, Windows® Media Player or Rhapsody.

* Quick-charge battery: get up to 90 minutes of playback time from just a three-minute charge and a total battery life of up to 11 hours from a thirty-minute charge

The Bongga
Here's what I'm loving about the Sony W-Series Walkman:

* It's so easy to transfer music to the device. You can use Windows Media Player, Content Transfer (which lets you transfer songs from iTunes!) or simplest of all, you can even use plain old Windows Explorer -- just drag and drop!

* This is the coolest-looking device ever! From the front, you can barely see the headphones. It's kind of like have a bluetooth device on both ears, connected by a wire that runs around the back of your neck:



* Each of the earpieces fits snugly into your ear, so the sound is wonderful. The W-Series comes with an assortment of earbuds so you can find one that fits comfortably for you. Controls are located on the earpieces; they're simple (but not exactly easy) to use, requiring only a pressing or toggling motion.


* Best of all, NO WIRES. No more wires jiggling and bouncing in front of you, no more wires to wind up when it's time to put it away, no more wires to untangle and sort when you want to use it again, because let's face it, no matter how neatly you've wound it up, it always seems to get tangled again!



The Blah
There are a couple of things about this device I've found kind of inconvenient:

* It has been quite difficult to get used to managing the controls; I'm still constantly fumbling around, not knowing whether I've clicked the volume or the shuffle/playlist button or jogged the play/pause/forward/rewind button. The instructions don't seem to help me much either! Maybe I have extra-fumbly hands or I'm just not used to it, but the learning curve seems kind of steep.

* The unit cannot be connected to a computer with a generic USB cable; you have to use the USB cable that comes in the W-Series package, or it won't work (and believe me, I've tried). We have so many USB cables around the house, and I'm used to just grabbing any of them, so I find it inconvenient to hunt around for this one particular black cable in a sea of dozens pushed into our cable drawer (told you I hate cables).

But the cool design, great sound and ease of use do make up for them!


The Bottom Line
The W-Series Walkman is PERFECT for running and exercising because of its no-fuss, no-hassle wireless design. Once you get used to handling the controls, you'll be off and running and on your way!


Disclosure: As a Sony Walkman Runner, Sony is sponsoring my registration fee to the Big Sur Half-Marathon. They also gave me a complimentary W-Series Walkman to "power me up" during my training and for the actual event. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Continue reading...