Sometimes if something sounds too good to be true, it simply is too good to be true.  Then again, sometimes you stumble across great things with no strings attached.  Well, almost no strings…

Let me introduce you to Wexer.  Wexer stands for “World of Exercise” and is aptly named since it’s a virtual health club with instructors and members from all over the world.  Their vision is to raise the level of health and well-being on a global scale, by increasing the number of people who exercise regularly. 

Getting Started

To sign up, just fill in your basic information along with your current fitness levels and future goals.  Wexer then helps you select the exercise routines that would be the best for you.  Every class has 3 levels to choose from—Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.  You can choose from the following classes:

• Strength—Body Toning, Strength Training, Neck & Shoulders
• Cardio—Aerobics, Kick-n-Circuit
• Pilates
• Yoga
• Dance
• Back and Posture
• Fit for Work
• Stretching

What I LOVE about this site is that many of the exercise videos are only 5 minutes!  That’s right—you can squeeze in some strength moves before checking your emails when you get home from work.  If you only have15 minutes until your kids come screaming in the door, then use that time wisely!  As you know, 15 minutes of exercise is much better than simply doing nothing. 

Have Computer—Will Travel

If you happen to travel a lot for work, you’re always a click away from your favorite workouts.  No more excuses about not finding time to exercise on the road.  And, if you’re a social creature, you can connect with other Wexer members from all around the world.

So what’s the catch?   Word has it that Wexer plans to start charging for their virtual gym soon.  But, if you join now, you’ll be grandfathered in as a member—for free!

So give Wexer a try.  You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Get Fit and Be Confident,

If you don’t remember this, it’s simply because you weren’t born yet.  The rest of us will never forget this brilliant line from a famous television commercial back in the early 1970’s.  The incredibly talented Ella Fitzgerald sang a high note while being recorded on a Memorex audio cassette and it actually caused a pane of glass to shatter.  When the tape was played back, the glass shattered again followed by a voice that said “Is it live, or is it Memorex?”

So was it real?  My answer would be yes because back in the 70’s, most things were real.  If you read something in the newspaper, it was a fact.  Models on the covers of magazines actually looked like themselves—not furiously airbrushed and retouched women. 

Fast forward to today.  For over 20 years, I was a huge fan of Self Magazine.  I always thought they wanted women to feel comfortable in their own skin…until I saw the cover with Kelly Clarkson.  I won’t re-hash the story (because you couldn’t help but hear it) but it seems like if we can’t trust Self Magazine to accept their cover models’ bodies then who can we trust?  Redbook? 

Well, I guess Redbook is no different than all the others.  Take a look at these retouched photos of Faith Hill on the cover of Redbook. 

I think she’s gorgeous just the way she is–but if you look closely at both photos you will see that they turned her normal-looking arm into a skinny stick, they removed the bags under her eyes, shaved the top of her back off, changed her hair color and added a bunch of make-up. 

Magazine editors defend retouching by saying that they do it to everyone and it helps sell magazines.  Well, I’m sure that’s true but at the same time these ads are wreaking havoc on the confidence of many young girls and women.  According to “The New Normal:  What Girls Say About Healthy Living” (Girl Scout Institute, 2006), 49% of girls 8-10 years old and 59% of girls 11-12 are concerned about being fat or overweight.  Is this how we want our daughters to grow up?

I recently became a registered facilitator for the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.  They have put together an amazing learning experience for girls ages 8-12 years old.  These fabulous workshops teach girls at an early age to recognize and appreciated their own beauty.  The girls also learn that what they see in magazines and advertisements does NOT represent real beauty–because it’s simply not real.

Please take a moment to watch these fabulous videos put together by the visioinaries at Dove.  If you have about 10 minutes, please watch them all.  If you only have 1 spare minute, watch the film called “Evolution”.

After you watch them, please post a comment and let me know what you think.   http://www.dove.us/#/makeadifference/video.aspx/

Smile and be confident….and HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY!!!

Molly

Since you know I’m not THE fashion expert, I decided to go straight to the professionals—Andrea Chila, owner of Pileggi Boutique in Philadelphia and her awesome manager, Kellen Kredatus to find out what’s hot for spring. Not only do they help teach my clients how to find clothes that work best for their bodies, they also encourage ME to get out of my box. Let me translate that into English—they actually get me to try on (and sometimes BUY) DRESSES!

For spring, there are some definite looks you’ll want to incorporate into your wardrobe. Some of these looks definitely will be “throw-backs” to many of my friends. There are some dynamic combinations that may raise your eyebrows – but don’t be too quick to judge.

Pattern Play

Pattern Play:

It’s time to let your inner artist out! Go for some cool combinations—ones I’ve never thought of before. Try mixing a bold pattern print with a striped jacket! Sounds odd, but it works…really!

 Or try this beautiful floral top, cinched at the waste, with a gorgeous pink jacket to top it off.

Clean Energy:

I love this look (and the name). It’s sleek and has simple lines—with a feminine take on tailoring. Think Jackie O. Try a crisp white blazer like this one.

Clean Energy

Notice that it doesn’t look like your typical white blazer—this one definitely says I’m a woman and I look great! The beautiful gold buttons gives it a bit of a nautical look (yes, nautical is back).

Game Theory:

Designers have been getting some great tips from sports. Active wear has had a HUGE influence on the clothes this spring. They’ve taken cool materials (such as vinyl and tech) and created outstanding pieces—like this sexy evening trench made of tech.

Game Theory

This material is awesome (I have a couple pieces).

It packs well, it’s pretty much stain-resistant and the BEST part for me is that dog hairs don’t stick to it. Not a one!