Fitness for a fast paced world
Just a quick link to an article I found this morning that might be helpful to some of you out there, its top 10 free Iphone Apps to help you lose weight! From the website:
Even if you didn’t make a resolution to lose weight this year, you probably have some fitness goals you would like to achieve in the new year. To help, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 free iPhone apps to help you lose weight and get into shape.
Top 10 Iphone Apps To Help You Lose Weight
Enjoy!
For a while now I’ve been thinking about redesigning this site to make it a bit easier to update, and to make it more flexible when I’m making changes.
I’ve been designing graphics for websites for quite some time now through my other site, Logos For Websites. I started years ago designing logos for friends who had stores on Ebay, and just needed a quick graphic to show on their ebay store. Over the years I’ve moved on to other projects including header logos, twitter backgrounds, entrecard logos, gravatars, ebook covers and anything else you can think of.
One of the more challenging things I’ve done is design header logos for WordPress Templates. The problem is that often the templates are not setup in an easy to understand manner, and there is no real way to know what size the logos should be, how it will fit into the template, and a variety of other issues relating to how the logo will look once inserted. They’re just not user friendly.
Recently I started getting requests to design logos for people who are using the Thesis WordPress Template. Thesis is one of the more popular themes in use today, and after helping design logos for several people using the template, I found out why. It is one of the most flexible, and easy to use templates available. Since I knew so many people who had been happy with the template, I took the plunge and bought it for myself.
Chris Pearson, designer of Thesis talks about why he designed the template:
I built the Thesis Theme because I wanted a framework that had it all—killer typography, a dynamically resizable layout, intelligent code, airtight optimization, and tons of flexibility. Now, after months of field testing, I’m confident enough to offer it to those of you who have come to expect nothing but the finest themes from me.
Some of the benefits of the template, as listed on the Thesis website:
So the Thesis theme is flexible, easy to use -even for novice users, has good SEO so you’ll be showing up in search results, and on top of all that they have a top notch support forum where you can find answers to just about any question you might have.
I had a problem with one client’s logo getting inserted into the template. I did a quick search of their support forums and had my answer within a minute or two. Piece of cake!
So if you want an awesome theme that’s guaranteed to give your website the fresh look you need and an easy to use back end, check out Thesis. You won’t regret it!
So what do you think of our new design on Quick To Fit? What things do you like? What things do you not like (for example, is the color too bright?) Let us know in the comments!
photo credit: Abdullah AL-Naser
It’s that time of year again where people are making resolutions, vowing that they’re going to lose that 10-20 pounds that they’ve gained during the year.
If you don’t already have a home gym, or a membership at a local club, you’ll probably be looking into joining a club where you can work off the extra pounds. The problem is that most of these clubs aren’t cheap.
According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the median annual cost for a new gym member is a whopping $775 (This amount is based on a sample of IHRSA gyms.)
An article I found on smartmoney.com offers some tips to getting a gym membership and keeping it more affordable.
- Negotiate: Even if the gym is having a “New Member Drive” with specially-discounted rates, don’t settle for the first offer they give you, says Cedric Bryant, who develops education certification and training materials for the American Council on Exercise. That’s because gyms are eager to get new members. “Many gyms are much more open to negotiating because there’s fierce competition for acquiring new members,” says Bryant. Ask the gym to eliminate its initiation fee or reduce the monthly payments. Or request that they include programs you’d otherwise have to pay extra for. Current members can also try haggling for a lower price. Use more attractive offers from other gyms as leverage to renegotiate your dues, for example. Or ask for any special deals they’re offering to new members.
- Tap Into Employer and Insurer Discounts: Even after you’ve haggled your way into an affordable gym membership, you may be able to reap even more savings through special employer- or insurer-sponsored discounts. Often, large companies or unions will offer discounts at a certain gym or reimburse employees for a portion of their membership expenses. To see what’s available to you, contact your company’s human relations department. Insurance companies often offer discounts through their health and wellness programs
- Make Sure the Gym Fits: Just because the price is right doesn’t mean the gym is. If the gym isn’t conveniently located to your home or office, has hours that don’t fit yours or is just too crowded, the likelihood of actually using your membership drops dramatically, says Rofling. Before you commit, ask to use the gym on a trial basis to test out its equipment and classes. Most gyms will allow first-time members to do so for around two weeks. (Be wary of gyms that don’t.) Visit the gym during the hours that you’ll be there most. For example, while most gym equipment tends to be free on weekday mornings, it’s common to see lines of people waiting to use the treadmill in the evening. Also, check to see if the gym plan offers the services you want. Prefer to work out in groups? Make sure the membership includes classes and you don’t have to pay extra. Each gym has a different policy, says Rosemary Lavery, spokeswoman for IHRSA.
- Track Down Affordable Alternatives): Working out in a state-of-the-art gym isn’t the only way to stay fit. For those strapped for cash, look to local parks and recreation programs for low-cost fitness programs. Also, some local colleges and universities open their gyms to the general public for a small cost, says Bryant. Another option: Try a 24-hour workout center like Anytime Fitness and Snap Fitness that aren’t staffed with personal trainers or much staff for that matter. (You can, however, bring your own personal trainer or the fitness centers can supply one at an additional cost.) Each member has a key card that gives them 24-hour access to the facilities. Membership is cheaper than commercial gyms, but this option is only well-suited for those who know the proper way to work out on their own.
- Sign Up for a PassBook: For yoga, Pilates and other fitness enthusiasts, one inexpensive way to gain access to a host of fitness clubs and classes in your area is to buy a PassBook. Sold by the American Health and Fitness Alliance, PassBooks allow consumers to use gyms, yoga, Pilates and dance studios and other fitness facilities without signing up for a membership. PassBooks are available for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, and are valid throughout the calendar year. (The number of times you can visit a specific facility will vary.) One book costs $75 plus $4 postage and handling and can be found on the AHFA’s web site or call 212-808-0765.
So there you have it, it’s time to get fit. Now you have no reason not to do it becaues you should be able to fit it into any budget. Want to workout at home? Check out my article talking about building an inexpensive home gym!
Christmas is almost here, and if you’re anything like me you’ve got a pretty long list of people you need to buy gifts for.
I don’t really want to spend a ton of money on the gifts I buy, but I do want to give gifts that people will appreciate – and use.
With that in mind I came up with a list of 10 frugal fitness gifts that you can give to a loved one this Christmas, for under $50! Click through to the links to see more details!
So there you have it, 10 frugal fitness gifts you can give this Christmas. Have some of your own ideas for a frugal fitness gift that you’re giving this year? Let us know what it is in the comments!
I know I haven’t been posting much on this blog lately, but I have a good reason! We’ve been planning a 2 week European cruise from Barcelona to Venice over the past couple weeks, and now we’re finally leaving!
There won’t be much posting on here for a couple of weeks. Regular posting will continue on our sister site Bible Money Matters.
When I return I’ll be picking it up where I left off, resuming my normal workouts, and getting back into shape! Stay tuned – I might even share a few photos from our trip!
It’s been a few days since I posted here on Quick To Fit. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and my fitness goals have pretty much gone by the wayside. I know that sucks, but sometimes that happens.
At the beginning of last week I got an infection in my eye that caused my eyelid to swell up to several times its normal size. On Monday I couldn’t even see out of my eye. I went to the doctor and they gave me some antibiotics to help kill the infection. That seems to have helped, but I still had a buildup in my eyelid that needed to be drained (ewww.. i know). This morning I went in and they cut my eyelid open and removed it. I now have 2 stitches in my eyelid. Because of the infection, I haven’t felt much like exercising – even though I could have.
photo credit: Luis Fabres
From the middle of the week last week I was dealing with a problem with our house’s foundation. We discovered some mold in our basement a few weeks ago which seemed to be the result of a crack in our foundation. After several weeks of going back and forth with our builder, they stepped up to the plate and fixed the issue. We were happy with that, but it also meant I had to take off work several times in order to be there while they fixed the problem and replaced the drywall. Once again, being there while they fixed the problems took away from time I could have been exercising, and stole my motivation.
Within the past couple of weeks I also had my car broken into and a bunch of stuff stolen, including a digital camera and my Ipod that had my 100 pushups workout on it. Luckily my friends in the blogsphere have stepped up to the plate and provided me with a new Ipod shuffle, and a new camera, however, I just haven’t gotten around to going to the 100 pushups website and downloading the workouts yet. Lame excuse, I know – but there you go.
Over the weekend I went to a retreat with my family at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. While we were there I had planned on going out running, and getting some exercise, but besides a canoe ride with my wife – all I did was exercise my jaw eating at the all you can eat buffet in the college’s dining center. Ugh.
I’m a bit afraid to see if my weight has gone up over the past couple bad weeks – but I suppose I’ll have to get on that scale tonight to see. Here’s to hoping I can muster up some motivation to get back on the exercise wagon!
Have you had a bad stretch in your exercise regimen, and how did you get RE-motivated to exercise?
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Well, I was planning on doing week 5 of the 100 pushups challenge this week, but every day something just seems to come up and get in the way. Yesterday we didn’t get home from a gathering at a friend’s house until late, and I was too tired to do any pushups. Tonight I had softball practice for a company softball grudge match on Friday. And tonight I am exhausted – I forgot how much work playing softball can be!
As of right now I plan on trying to get started up again on the pushups tomorrow evening. Hopefully I’ll have the motivation!
Well, I was supposed to do the 100 pushups, week 4 day 2 workout last night. Unfortunately I had other things going on.
My 14 1/2 year old dog Buddy had to be put to sleep last night. You can read all about Buddy and how special he was at my other blog in the post titled, “It’s so hard to let you go. Rest in peace old friend“.
I’ll resume regular posting shortly – and I’ll be doing my pushups tonight! Buddy wouldn’t want me to get fat, now would he?
Quick to Fit was launched on July 1st 2008 as a place for me to put down my thoughts on matters of health and fitness, as well as to track my own progress from overweight to fit. So far it’s been a positive impact on my life, as I’m able to watch myself slowly get fit, and keep track of the progress on these pages.
We’ve been making some great strides since we launched, and I thought I’d share a few ways that different readers can stay connected with the Quick to Fit community. In doing so, hopefully newer visitors to QTF might discover some element of who we are that they might have missed.
I’d also love to get your feedback in comments below to help us keep improving.
At Quick To Fit you’ll find all sorts of great content. I’ll be posting everything from fitness tips, product reviews and progress reports on my own fitness regimen to links to what else is happening in health and fitness all around the Web each day.
There are a number of ways of following the blog:
Another new part of Quick to Fit is our Forum at http://quicktofit.com/forum/bbpress/. In this forum you can get together with other readers to discuss your workout regimen, share healthy recipes or just read and share health and fitness news.
There are three main ways that people keep in touch with the forums:
That’s a summary of the main ways that people keep in touch with us here at Quick to Fit.
How do you follow what’s going on at QTF? I’d love to hear your feedback to help us continue to improve what we have to offer. Email us here.
Quick to Fit now has t-shirts, hats and other Quick To Fit gear available for purchase! Check out our great designs at our new store!
The designs are limited to start, but we’ll be adding more – and taking requests if you have a certain design (or color!) you’d like to see! Let us know and we’ll get right on it!
