Since I’m such an old school-traditionalist, I’m surprised about my own enthusiastic reaction to the latest fitness trend that is happening in some schools across the nation.

High tech fitness equipment is now being used in some elementary PE classes, as part of the standard curriculum. As I explained in my article about used gym equipment, fancy machines found in national fitness clubs can be quite affordable when bought as refurbished equipment. Some schools are incorporating such equipment into their programs.

Read the rest of this entry »

When I was in college, I met an old soul of a guy, who, despite his chronological age of 20, was like talking to a man many years older. His name was Thomas and he had a crush on me. Although I too, was a bit introspective and probably too serious for my age, Thomas’ maturity seemed over the top to me.

I just couldn’t reciprocate with the type of feelings he had for me. Maybe I was intimidated by his knowledge of Bach and Beethoven, or just plain bored by it, or maybe too embarrassed to walk around with a guy who was comfortable enough in his own skin to sport boots that looked like something straight off of Danielle Boone’s body.

Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, all of you pregnant *f.a.t. sisters and those planning on becoming pregnant - I’ve got a new line of clothes for you! You know that my philosophy is that all women should look and feel good during their workouts, because fitness is not just about your body - it’s about your mind and spirt! And let’s be honest -  looking frumpy is just plain de-motivating. Pregnant women tell me it’s even harder to not feel like a Frump-a-Lump when exercising, because, well….there’s a big lump attached to them.

So maybe there’s not much you can do about the Lump part, but I got your back on the Frump-a- part of the equation.  I’ve just discovered a company created by two women, with an emphasis on maternity fitness apparel! It’s called BornFit.com, and I think you are going to find their clothes to be affordable, practical and attractive! With any luck, we’ll get to review some of them for you, but for now, go check out the site!

When I was about eight, my mom had a doctor’s appointment that required her to relinquish her kid duties to my dad one morning. This meant it was dad’s job to get us ready for school. A bad hair day for me, turned into a bad day all around for my poor dad, who did not know that my bangs were a hairspray-forbidden zone. Unfortunately for dad, he found this out, a couple spritzes too late, amidst screams of: “That’s not how mom does it!”

Sometimes, though, it’s not the kids screaming at dad about his approach, but it’s their moms who find it hard to relinquish control to their husbands. A mom can find herself expressing criticism about the way her man is handling his parenting tasks, even if his way is working just fine. Dudes do it differently - so if your son or daughter isn’t in danger,  just accept it.

Ladies, we can’t on the one hand, want men to take on more domestic tasks, and then bash him for how he does it! Give the guys a break and embrace the idea that there is more than one way to do things.

If it gives you a little more time to work out and take care of YOU, by letting him take over for awhile, then don’t look a gift horse in the mouth! 

See if you can relate to this video on JuiceBoxJungle .

By: Jennifer Bussell

My Valentine’s “date” with myself went off without a hitch for the most part. The first part of the day was hectic, but fun. Chatting over breakfast with close friends was enjoyable.  The casual lunch and birthday celebration with our cousin’s family included memorable “Kodak moments”, and TO DIE FOR chocolate cake.  In the evening, the children collapsed into slumber with smiles on their faces.  While my husband was working, I DID send him that naughty little text…and he returned the sentiments, gratefully. 

So, then it was “me time”. I curled up into bed wearing my little “nightie”, with my journal, my soothing hot tea, and…….my NyQuil. There is something about a congested, sniffling mommy, alone in bed on Valentine’s night that seems so……..unsexy. (But how can I begrudge my children for so lovingly sharing their germs with Mommy right before Valentine’s Day?)

So what is it that I wished to accomplish on this night?  Maybe most women wouldn’t have spent Valentine’s Day alone in bed, trying to find answers to questions that they haven’t yet had the guts to ask. 

Probably. 

Very likely. 

Almost certainly. 

Read the rest of this entry »

This is Santa Barbara.

This is your brain on Santa Barbara.

Time to go? Enter the contest that gives you a chance.

Written By: Jennifer Bussell

I used to love me.  I was athletic all of my life.  I looked good.  I felt good.  I can reflect with pride on a childhood full of field day ribbons, teen years filled with multiple team sports trophies, and cheerleading squad photographs, in which my body was nothing less than rock solid.

My pride extends into early adulthood achievements such as police academy graduation (top of my class in physical fitness!), successful  hiking excursions, waterskiing weekends, and dance floor “marathons”.  Childhood friends still remind me of my athletic physique, and my “sexy” legs.  Despite the “thoroughbred” nickname, I loved those legs.

Read the rest of this entry »

I am so excited to be able to deliver this information to all the Fit After Thirty Moms out there! I have found a truly great opportunity for two lucky moms to jump start their fitness goals with the help and inspiration of Bob Greene, Oprah’s trainer, while helping a video game company launch a fitness product!!!! This requires no purchase of anything, and is not a gimmick to get you to buy the product. I assure you of that!!!!

Moms must live in the Los Angeles area and be willing to communicate with the media about their experience, and if you are chosen, Fit After Thirty will provide you with the forum to do just that! 

Ammo Marketing, a San Francisco-based company, is currently working on a fitness-based product launch, and are conducting a search for two moms between the ages of 25-45 by Wednesday, February 11th, 2009. As of yet, they have still not found the right moms!

If you are a woman who does it all for everyone else, but might need a little help taking care of herself, this opportunity is for you!  

Click here for all the details and to enter. If you prefer reading the details on our site, keep reading:

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, you may want to take a look at this article detailing an interesting new study that shows the potential cause of postpartum depression. It might be something to discuss with your doctor in order to be as prepared as possible after delivering your baby.

My name is Stefani McDermott and I am 38 years old. I grew up in New Jersey, moved to San Diego in 1995 and then up to the Bay Area in 2002. My husband Mike and I have been married for five years and have 3 wonderful kids: Aidan, 4 years old; Riley, 2-1/2 years old; and Liam, 7 months old.

I am fortunate enough to stay at home with my kids—although I must admit that my “mommy” job is far more demanding than any other past job. Raising two toddlers and one infant with no outside help, I find it pretty easy to stay fit. How is that, you ask? Well, for one, gone are my days of sitting for long periods of time. In fact, I often reflect on any given day and realize that the only time I was off my feet was while driving the car and/or feeding my youngest (and a few trips to the bathroom, but I don’t really think that should count, do you?) It really boils down to this equation: up and moving vs. sitting in front of a computer all day = countless calories burned (which, in turn, means keeping fit)!

Read the rest of this entry »