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If you're like me, getting in the mood to exercise is not easy. Often I will skip working out because I just can't force myself to get in the right head space. Well, there's good news for us. It may come as no surprise that you may be working out already without realizing it! You burn tons of calories just by doing your daily routine--running errands, performing chores, laughing, kissing, and yes--doing the nasty.

Now that you've been bestowed with these gems, no more complaining about dashing off to get some last-minute ingredients for dinner at the grocery store. One cool tip to get you in the mood - on days you don't need to hit the office, dress yourself in your finest workout attire to keep you motivated and reminded of your mission to embark on these mini-workouts. Check out some of our most stylish workout shirts for plus size women. Here are a couple of moves you can do without bathing in perspiration:

1. Try puckering up! A passionate kiss is a great way to burn calories. Sex turns up the heats and great sexual sessions under or over the sheets can burn loads of calories.

2. Laugh, laugh, laugh. A giggle won't do. Raucous laughter with tears streaming down your face, belly heaving, and side-splitting is a big calorie burner. About 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn up to 50 calories!

3. Take the stairs. Ditch the elevator, ladies. Park far so that walking from your car can be a warm-up if you climb those flights of stairs instead. Set a limit to how many flights you can take on at once, too. Don't overdo it.

4. Calf raises - Stand up and do some calf raises while chatting on the phone, or reaching for something high up, or even while showering. Your legs will look more toned and shapely.

5. Housework heals. Doing simple chores like laundry can force you to walk back and forth from washer to dryer. You could also hang your clothes, forcing you to take more steps and performing some calf raises to reach clothing lines.

Whatever you decide, make sure you stretch before and after any of these moves and try to incorporate as many as you can daily. You'll be surprised by the results!

Top Plus-Size Yoga Positions

09-21-2009 | By: Plus Size Clothing Direct Online | (0) Post comment » | Read comments »

3 Best Poses For Fuller Figures

Some Yoga poses present a problem for plus size women. A standing-forward bend can force a larger belly to block breathing. Women with curvier body types need to be more mindful of their size and what they can and cannot do. One helpful tip is to actually move or adjust the belly by pushing the belly to the side to bend over further. Yoga is all about maintaining form, and this move can help achieve that.

But if that sounds too complicated and awkward, we've provided the five best poses for you which offer the greatest benefit. First, to practice Yoga in comfort, you'll need a pair of pants, leggings, or shorts that stretch. We recommend Yoga pants. Check out our soft stretch fabrics that cling to the contours of your body without feeling tight and constricting. Our Yoga pants are truly the most comfortable because they are breathable, odor-resistant, and made of antimicrobial fabrics which leave you feeling dry, cool, and fresh.

So let's begin. Downward Facing Dog is one of the best poses you can do. It It stretches your spine, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and strengthens your deltoids and triceps. In time, you can say goodbye to those nasty loose pieces of hanging flab under your triceps. Start on all fours with your feet and knees hip-width apart. Place your hands shoulder-width apart, and spread your fingers out. Pressing through your hands, lift your knees off the floor and straighten your legs. You can modify this for ease by gently bending your knees instead. Walk your hands forward a few inches and your feet back a few inches so you can lengthen the pose. Squeeze your thighs as your press back and press your heels back toward the floor. Relax your head and neck and allow your shoulders to slide down toward your feet. Breathe deeply and hold for one minute. Good!

Warrior III is going to make you feel like a superstar! This powerful pose will grace you with long, lean and toned arms and legs, and a stronger core. It's easy, too. From a standing position, step your feet about four feet apart. Turn your right foot so the toes point toward the front of your mat. Turn your left foot 30 degrees. Raise your arms to shoulder height, parallel with the floor, palms face down. Bend your right knee so your shin and thigh make a 90-degree angle. Tuck your tailbone down as you draw in your belly. Hold for five deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling through your nose. Straighten the right leg and repeat on the opposite side.

Want to feel fierce? Try the Fierce Pose. It stretches your spine, strengthens your quads, and provides support around your knees, making them less injury-prone. This pose also enhances your posture to make you feel taller and more confident. Start by stepping your feet hip-width apart, spread through your toes to create a stable stance. While raising your arms upward, palms facing each other, bend your knees and stick your butt back as if you were getting ready to sit into a chair. Pull in your belly to prevent lower back curving. Put all your eight into your heels and make sure your knees do not extend past your toes. Hold for five deep breaths, breathing in and out through your nose. Rest for one minute and repeat.

Try mastering these three powerful poses and you'll be feeling stronger, leaner, more toned, and more empowered in no time! You'll be ready to take on the world--or at least more poses.

Plus-Size Perfection: One Model's Story

09-21-2009 | By: Plus Size Clothing Direct Online | (0) Post comment » | Read comments »

Crystal Renn's new book promotes appetite over ambition

Model Crystal Renn appeared on "Good Morning America" earlier this month to sell her book, Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves. In her memoir, she discusses her struggles as a young model who wages an ongoing war between her ambition and her appetite. She was miserable as a twiggy model who suffered from heart palpitations, and fraught with constant worry over her figure and what she put into her body--including Diet Coke. Plagued by anorexia and fatigue, she continued to make a name for herself in one of the world's most competitive and high-profile industries.

The young model was discovered by a model scout when she was just a teen. She was led to believe she had the goods to become a supermodel. But only if she shed 70 pounds. At 5'9", Crystal struggled to slim down. Eventually she lost the weight and her plus size status, but gained a $250,000 contract.

Crystal starved herself for years. Ultimately she realized she didn't want to keep abusing her body, and allowed it to blossom into her default size--which was a size 12. The runways aren't brimming with plus size women, or even size 12 models. But Crystal didn't care. She longed to be true to herself. This, she says, has made her even more successful. She's appeared on the cover of international issues of Vogue, in ads, and on the runway for super chic and high-end couture for Vena Cava, Heatherette, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. She's also the only plus size model to appear on the cover of Harper's Bazaar .

Apparently the number of plus size models has quadrupled in recent years, but it's still not on par with the entirety of the modeling business. Don't despair! One message remains clear: Be true to yourself and your size and you will make real strides in life.

Flatter Your Figure: Its All About Choosing The Right Pieces

09-21-2009 | By: Plus Size Clothing Direct Online | (0) Post comment » | Read comments »

Now more than ever, there are more trends to choose from for plus size women. The fashion industry is catering to an even hotter trend--women who are curvier than runway models. Clothing for plus size women are abundant. Women's plus sized clothing isn't limited to specialty stores like Lane Bryant anymore. Women are shopping in stores and online for plus size clothing that flatters their figures.

But clothing alone doesn't do the trick. To really flatter your shape, you need to do something daunting yet rewarding--stand in front of a mirror. Really look at your shape, embrace your curves and femininity. Gloss over any flaws you are programmed by the media and runway culture that you are programmed to spot. Accept them. Love them. Then take stock of your assets.

Wearing clothes that are too tight or too loose can be a tricky tightrope dance. One the one hand, you don't want to over-accentuate your curves, but you don't want to hide them, either. Shapeless clothes obscure your figure, covering up unattractive and attractive features. Choosing colors and styles to de-accentuate flaws and accentuate assets is the first step to building a posh wardrobe. Start with choosing a hue that complements your hair and skin tone. If you're brunette with light skin, try cool colors. If you're a redhead, stick with blues and greens, and if you're blonde, try warm tones. Stay away from anything too loud, as you don't want to attract negative attention to your curves.

Shop for clothing that highlights your good features. If your best feature happens to be your legs, find some mid-length skirts or dresses to flaunt your hot gams. Don't hide them under sweatpants! Learn to accessorize, too. Try on a scarf to add a nice hint of color to your face. Pair it with a wrap blouse and streamlined pair of slacks to look polished and confident. Blouses always look crisp and smart.

But you can also try a semi-new trend which might be around for a bit--tunics. Tunics are different than plus sized women's dresses. They are a bit shorter, not as tailored, have flair, pizzazz and style, and can obscure your hips. You can wear them with plus size leggings or without. Over pants or a skirt, too. Get one which is vibrant, has some flow and flair from the waist to your mid-thighs. Tunics are great at camouflaging what you want to hide, and show off your trendy, sexy self.

Health & Fitness News

10-06-2010

Wii Workouts

Five middle schools in New York City are trying out a new fitness program for their students. Four hours a week, 25 students do yoga and other fitness activities after school, seeing if incorporating the Nintendo Wii into a fitness program is viable. Nintendo is backing this trial, donating all of the necessary equipment. If the program is a success, it can spread state-wide, with the help of private funding.

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