Things Every Woman Can Do At Home To Stay In Shape

I love getting expert advice from those in-the-know. So we decided to ask a few experts at Body Design for their easy tips every woman can do at home to stay in shape. Here is what they said:

Leslie Bergey:

Women (and men too) could do just four things to stay in great shape. But these things have to be done with consistency and integrity:
1) Plank (elbow and regular)
2) Slow pushups
3) WALK every day!
4) Stretch....there's nothing a good Down Dog can't fix!

Marra Okola

1. Eat healthy portion controlled food
2. Eat healthy portion controlled food
3. Eat healthy portion controlled food

Jennifer Parra

1. Cardio - Cardio is important for fat burning. I can have Evangeline Lilly’s muscle tone but no one will know if I have a layer of fat over it. Some form of cardio for 40 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. It could be spent on the treadmill, elliptical, kickboxing class, going out dancing or running after your kids – just move.

2. Strength training - It’s also important to focus on building muscle tone 2 to 3 times a week.

3. Making healthy eating choices - Be mindful of eating healthy foods and portion control. Not everyone can have a personal chef whip up their diet conscious meals, but we can all make better choices within our means: choosing a light dressing, having half of the bread serving, opting for carrots over French fries, sorbet over chocolate cake, ice tea over the frappuccino and cutting our plate down by a third. Incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables and drink TONS of water!

Inside Scoop on Healthy Snack Ideas + A Beauty Secret

I love getting the inside scoop from the experts about their tricks to stay healthy and fit.
Jennifer Parra, one of the Pilates instructors at Body Design in Newport Beach gave us her ideas on a healthy snack and her favorite beauty secret.

Q: Do you have a favorite healthy snack?

Jennifer: I’m always looking for a new healthy snack to keep me from getting bored because the truth is that I LOVE comfort foods, and I need things that will keep me satisfied. Right now, I’m loving whole grain crackers with a slice of apple and mozzarella.

Q: Do you have a beauty secret you can share?
Jennifer: Hahahaha, I’m pretty low maintenance. But I always moisturize. And sleep! Moisturizer and sleep keep everything fresh.

Why Women Should Try Pilates

So you've decided to get in shape? Or get healthy? Or both? Why not, right? Summer is coming after all.

With all organic food at your finger tips and tons of information out there about living a healthy life - Thanks Oprah and Dr. Oz! - your next decision is where do you start? We are going to post a few blogs about some different options, including Pilates, Gyrotonic and weight training.

Jennifer Parra, a Pilates instructor at Body Design, the women's athletic and wellness center in Newport Beach, offers her thoughts on Pilates and why women should try it.

Q: Why do you think women should do Pilates?

Jennifer: I think Pilates is a great choice because it’s work for the body and mind.

To do it correctly, you have to be physically dedicated and mentally focused, which is just the challenge and stimulation that we women crave. It’s perfect for posture and our joints.

In terms of physical shaping, it’s ideal because it makes women strong without making them bulky. It targets the core, lengthens the muscles and reshapes the body to be lean and toned.