Now that autumn is here that drive that built-up over the summer to stick with a solid workout schedule is faltering; Not to mention the sometimes overwhelmingly strong desire to live in those ultra-worn in yoga pants.

Do not give in ladies!

Just because the temperatures are falling, that doesn’t mean it is ok to veer off the path of fitness and looking foxy while you do it! Lucky for us, celebrity fitness trainer Lacey Stone offers these AWESOME tips, time-saving tricks and words of wisdom to keep up on track as the seasons change.

1. Lifestyle sweat pants: I like to layer my looks when I go to the gym, so these lifestyle “MC Hammer” pants are perfect for warming up with my spandex underneath. Post workout I put on these lifestyle “MC Hammer” pants and go out with friends: Saves time and space in your gym bag.

2. Support Bras for all shapes and sizes: For years women didn’t have supportive bras to workout in so I would see my friends wearing two even three sports [bras] to maintain the “bounce.”  Nike and Lululemon have really taken notice design bras that are super supportive and even stylish:

Nike’s New Bra The Rival:

My pick for BEST supportive bra, The Shock Absorber:

My pick for most Fashionable support, Lululemon:

3. Shoe Functionality: Brands have now made it that you have to buy a specific tennis shoe for each particular activity. I actually think this is great technology as a trainer because the bottom of the shoe does have an impact on your workout

My favorite cross trainer: Nike Cross Technology “Diamond Flex”:

Asics tread is designed for running not lateral movement:

4. I love how well brands are blending clothes you can work out in and clothes you can hang out in.

This is one of my favorite gym to fashion looks from Nike:

5. Brands are designing Gym Bags that can double as a “Fashion” Style bag:

From NIKE:

And last but certainly not least, the extremely versatile Lululemon

Such fun, trendy and practical suggestions by Lacey Stone! So have at it ladies, time to keep this swim-suit bods in prime condition! And remember…

“Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall… It’s defined by those who fought fell and rose again.”

The post Fall Fitness Fashion Tips and Tricks with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Lacey Stone appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

You may know her as the talented, and insanely fit, dancer on Dancing with the Stars, or as a judge on Dancing with the Stars Australia, but what you may not know is that Kym Johnson is your new best friend to help you get into shape! She recently came out with her 5678 fitness program which includes exercise videos and a book that are designed to help keep you on track throughout your fitness journey.

I was able to speak with Kym about the program, what inspired her to create it, and even got some really great advice from the DWTS winner!

Kym’s inspiration for 5678 started when she began judging DWTS Australia, which meant she was no longer dancing eight hours a day and burning thousands of calories. As a result, she could no longer have the occasional hamburger without feeling the effects of it the next day. She knew she had to make a diet change, which was not going to be fun. In addition to a less active lifestyle, she was also constantly getting asked by people everywhere how they could get a great body like the celebs have at the end of the show. From all of her experience as a choreographer, she felt confident that she could create a program that everyone could enjoy and make a part of their daily routine.

That’s where 5678 comes in; where 5 stands for 5 protein sources, 6 is for the colors of the rainbow, 7 represents 7 anti-inflammatory foods, and 8 is for 8 glasses of water. This idea is based on the program that Kym worked on for herself with a nutritionist after she started judging DWTS. Having the numbers makes it an easy way to incorporate a healthier attitude into your lifestyle! The book that details 5678 has everything you need to get you inspired and started; from a menu guide to a recipe book and even stories about her time working with all of the celebrities on DWTS. Some of whom even collaborated with Kym on the book, including Florence Henderson who added a few of her own recipes. On top of other celebs contributing, she also has friends who are young moms in the book, adding their favorite recipes and giving advice for staying active during their busy days. Kym’s favorite part of the book are the gluten free pancake recipes, like the peaches and cream one, which she’ll often have for dessert. She’s also a huge fan of the tea recipes, especially the Sweet Comfort Tea which has cocoa and cinnamon- a great anti-inflammatory ingredient!

Then, there’s the 5678 DVD that is dance based and designed for anyone from a beginner to a total pro to get a good workout. The best part about the workout program is that it’s essentially interval training, meaning you go from high intensity cardio dance moves, like a jive, to moves that target your arms or legs. This means that you also get as much of a workout as you want, so if you want something low impact, all you have to do is slow down your jive! But don’t be surprised if you keep up with her pace as the workout itself will always keep you wanting to do more as you continue to learn new steps and start feeling just like the celebs on the show. Not to mention Kym’s super supportive attitude that makes you feel like you can conquer the world…or at least the dance floor!

And if you’re having trouble getting motivated, take some advice from Kym: if you’re really unmotivated, just tell yourself you’re only going to workout 15 minutes. You’ll often find that 15 minutes turns into you doing the entire workout once you’ve gotten started. This is a tactic she often used with the celebrities she trained. She would tell them that they’re just doing the first half of the routine, but found that once they did that, they would end up following through with the rest of it. Like she said, the hardest part of any workout, or anything in life for that matter, is just getting it started. But, once you do, you’ll always be happy with the end result.

This is obviously something she’s carried with her throughout her life. She started dancing at just 3 years old and ended up on DWTS Australia before she came to the US version to dance with Jerry Springer in her first US season. Although she was expecting George Clooney as her dance partner, she ended up getting some good advice from him: no matter what you’re doing in life, even if it’s just sweeping floors, just do a great job and you’ll get noticed and it’ll lead to something better. Kym has remembered this advice and it’s helped her when she’s working with a new partner each season. She notes that her partners really rely on her and have to trust her since they are put in an entirely new, and uncomfortable, situation of professional dancing. She becomes a quasi life coach to each of her dance partners, and hopes that that sort of coaching can shine through in her book and inspire readers to work hard to achieve their goals-fitness or otherwise.

And for anyone with kids looking to get into this industry, be prepared for a lot of hard work and a lot of rejection. But Kym believes that you have to have a sense of humor about it, and not let rejection get you down. You just have to remember that as long as you put in the hard work and have passion for what you do, the rest of it will fall into place! This is true not just for future dance stars, but for anyone working towards a goal.

So what’s next for this two-time DWTS winner? Well, she’s engaged to former dance partner and Shark Tank panelist Robert Herjavec and is busy planning their wedding. She says they’re thinking of dusting off their dancing shoes and having a big number at the reception. Fingers crossed we get a video!

*Photo credits: Glenn Nutley 

The post From coaching the stars to coaching you: appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

By Samantha McConnell

As a mom, finding time for any sort of exercise can be next to impossible. Additionally, it has become incredibly easy to get discouraged when all of the fad diets, exercise programs, and supposed magic diet pills on the market prove to be flops. However, the tried and true exercise form of yoga has proven time and time again, and for the span of centuries, just how effective it is. This is a practice so effective, that even the most sought after celebrities have given yoga a go. And the wisdom and teachings behind many of Hollywood’s finely tuned physiques comes from none other than Mandy Ingber. Former actress turned yogi, yoga instructor and now author, Mandy gives great advice to all on life, fitness, and the importance of carving out time for yourself in this special interview.

1) Yoga is a practice that has taken America by storm. What is it that drew you to yoga?

I was raised on yoga. My father was very progressive and cutting edge. When I was age 5-6 my father began his practice which evolved throughout his life. In an effort to gain my father’s praise, and due to his example of self exploration, I too was pulled into the yoga world. There was no yoga community or culture when I was a child. It was extremely fringe. Many people found out about yoga at my house. We were also the first people to be vegan, macrobiotic, use acupuncture rather than go to doctors…it was just the way my household was. I was not drawn to yoga, I was steeped in it. I didn’t really have a choice…I didn’t have to seek it out.

2) You have had a hand in shaping the bodies of some of Hollywood’s most prominent and sought after celebrities. From Jennifer Aniston to Woody Harrelson; you have been everywhere! Do you feel a strong sense of pride knowing that your teachings played a part in their fitness?

Woody was actually one of my co-stars from my former career as an actor. I remember the first episode of Cheers that Woody ever shot. The ‘80s! He was one of the people in my life who knew me as a cutting edge yogi, because although he was just getting into yoga, I had been practicing for over a decade at that time. He encouraged me to be a teacher. He probably doesn’t even remember saying that, but I remembered. It just somehow resonated, and now I understand why.

Regarding feeling pride. I do feel proud that I have been an aspect of so many people’s lives. Prior to being a teacher, I was an actor and watched many of my friends become successful. Then I became a spinning instructor in 1996, and I have had a hand as a supporter in many people’s lives. Being an observer of people caring for themselves fills me with joy. So, yes, that’s very gratifying to hold space for the individual that is practicing self- care. It’s one of the most challenging aspects of our culture: to make time for self-care. I love my work, for it is a safe place for people to do that. I also love that through the celebrities that I have turned on to spinning or yoga or anything health related, that the very practices I was raised with have gotten more exposure. In that way, I feel I have contributed immensely to the yoga community as well. I almost owe it to my personal history….to my father. It’s the legacy.

3) For many women today, carving out time to take care of their body is a struggle. What advice would you give to those who have a hard time squeezing exercise into their day?

We all struggle with putting ourselves first. You kind of have to trick yourself into it. Perhaps putting it in your date book like it is an appointment, making it buddy time so you have a healthy way to be social with your friend, or reminding yourself that your child follows your lead. I follow my father’s good example of self care. It’s hygiene. Good healthy habits. So, I guess if you can’t do it for yourself, pretend you are doing it for someone else! You might even enjoy it, and look forward to it as your “me” time. It’s like brushing your teeth though or taking a shower…your body requires daily practice and consistency to feel good, and the body is the greatest gift you were ever given. Celebrate it and use your gift! You only need 30-6- min 5 x’s a week.

4) Do you think moms can get a good yoga session in with their children around, or would you say that yoga is best practiced with no distractions?

It really depends upon the individual. Maybe there is a way to do it together? My father practiced in the middle of the hall in the morning and the living room at night. We attended a family yoga class once a week…so I would say, it can be a part of family time. However, it’s whatever works for you.

5) What is the biggest misconception that beginners to yoga seem to have expressed to you?

That it makes you calm or spiritual. Yoga is just like anything else, you make it your own. You can take a walk in a spiritual way, just as you can practice yoga in a Type A way. The mindset is up to you. There is no magical pill that is going to change you. It’s a choice you make. It’s not one action that creates us, it’s an accumulation of our habits and the way in which we execute them. Also, yoga does not have to be boring, too easy or woo woo. We are living in a time where there are yoga options for everyone, so I recommend trying 6 different styles with a variety of teachers until you find what resonates with you.

6) Aside from the physical benefits from engaging in the practice of yoga, would you say there are any additional benefits? Would you say there to be any psychological benefits perhaps?

Of course. No matter where you go, there you are. Yoga confronts you with yourself in a challenging process. You get to observe where your thoughts go when you hit your edge. You get to hang with it, and build a relationship with your own thoughts, emotions and physicality. When you develop a sense of self observations through this detached way of being, you are able to make changes in multiple areas of your life. It’s a great model for the rest of your life and a terrific place to start. I will say that you can find this way of observation off of the mat, with proper guidance.

7) When people take on a new activity there are bound to be some humorous slip-ups. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in one of your classes? Have you ever had a beginner student that took to it particularly well?

Humorous? I can’t think of one. I guess my favorite is when people freak out if a cell phone rings. My theory on that is, if you can’t handle that…you’re gonna have a really hard day. Life is a lot more challenging than a phone ringing. Regarding students taking to yoga, of course! I find that often dancers will try yoga, and immediately appear to be connecting with energy lines and the dynamic expression of the pose. Actors tend to take to it well, since the physicality of a role is part of the craft. Yes, people who are new take to it all the time. In fact, even if you have taken it before and didn’t like it, you may find that now you do, Life is funny that way, in terms of timing. What wasn’t possible yesterday can be possible today.

8) Let’s say that I wanted to start doing yoga right now. What would you say I would need for my yoga starter kit? Have you found any products to be superior to others?

A yoga mat. I like Manduka or Kulae. You won’t need a brick strap or bolster if you try a class, for the studio will have that for you to play with. If you have wrist issues, you may consider a wedge. A glass water bottle to bring to class, Life Factory, which has multi colors and a protector is a great brand. My DVD Yogalosophy and my Book of course! My app on your iPhone! The greatest part about yoga is that all you really need is your body. Also, love some good yoga wear. Lululemon, Athleta, Fabletics, all great. My favorite yoga music: Krishna Das.

9) Your book, Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover, available for purchase from the official Mandy Ingber Store, provides a 28-day plan for the reader to achieve a healthier body and better eating habits. What made you decide to do the book considering how much of your teachings can be found on YouTube?

I always wanted to write a book because my students would say that I should share my philosophy and daily motivations, so the book was an organic extension of what I was sharing in my classes. When you write, you are able to go deeper [than] in a video which is visual and entertaining. I have always been a voracious reader and like to hold something in my hand, take it with me and think on it. I may seem bubbly, but the bubbles well up from the depth. I also love reading and books myself. It’s a quality product. The quality of this book is what I love especially. Jen told me that when Courteney Cox held it that was the first thing she said. I agree. Seal did a great job with the layout.

10) Yoga is a practice that dates back to the first millennium BCE, yet you have managed to keep it fresh, engaging, and most importantly, successful! Where do you find the inspiration to keep this old practice fresh and interesting?

I am inspired by making each day a fresh start, and each moment a new opportunity. Yoga is no different than how I feel about the rest of my life, we are constantly evolving. Usually it is more internal than external. That journey is about perception. It is lovely to be able to approach each moment with beginners mind. I simply share what my perspective is and attempt to be open to what comes my way. It’s never too late to start over again.

The post Yoga For All in Fall appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.