If anybody out there is looking to put on a little bit of size this summer then check out this article I found on t-muscle magazine.  It's about training for hypertrophy using timed intervals rather than repetitions and explains how this modification can help you gain the most lean muscle in the shortest amount of time!  

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workouts

Ladies,

I may be a 'roadie' but I will never knock biking on a cruiser.  On my last trip to SF, I rented a cruiser bike to tour around the city and across the Golden Gate, it's a lot of fun.

Many people get intimidated by clipping onto the pedals of a road bike and think the seat is uncomfortable, but this is why a bike shop is important.  They will get the right pedals and shoes, size the bike properly, and get the right shorts, etc, and you would be surprised how comfortable a long ride can be.

But I'll admit that New York is a daunting city, and not as bike friendly as SF, DC, or Seattle.

Great show, and I think Julia's bangs give her a very Sandra Bullock-esque look!

Mary

I am sure you were behind this idea for an episode, and I just wanted to thank you for it. I think it's one of the best you guys have ever done, not, ahem, the most "boring."

I spin four to five times a week and I can't recommend it highly enough, or any regular, intense cardio, actually. For pure vanity reasons, yes, my bum, legs and arms are thankful. But far more importantly, regular exercise is like a risk-free anti-depressant. When I can't exercise for some reason, my emotional wellbeing does suffer. 

Recently I had to stop for about three weeks due to insane workload, visiting family, other obligations. And I actually felt as though I suffered a mini-depression. Exercise is crucial to my mental health.

So for that one among you whose moods are constantly swinging and who has chronic sleep problems -- seriously, don't scoff at exercise and roll your eyes and write on your blog that the topic is "boring." Try committing to something for a month; you'll feel a lot better about yourself, you'll start to sleep, and your work ethic will improve. Learn from Mary -- she's got it figured out and sure seems a lot healthier, happier and more content about her life.

Just a note to you all about soliciting advice from your readers.

You've asked again and again for our advice, opinions, referrals, etc. on virtually every topic on the planet, but when we actually take the time to email you with some very constructive, positive and helpful ideas, you ignore them. Not only do you not acknowledge the emails (a super quick "thanks!" would suffice), but you move on to an entirely different topic and completely ignore what initially seemed so "urgent" and don't follow up with anything on your blogs.

Julia: You've asked for help with health issues before. Insomnia, time and time again. I've never seen you follow up on your blog re: the answers you've received, and we know there must have been many responses to your query.

Meghan: Recently you said you wanted to be more pro-active in helping young girls with charities and organizations and called for ideas on this. Again, you were probably sent several answers and we never heard a word about it again. Instead, your next 15 posts were all about "sample sales." Seems rather flaky, on many levels.

And now you want help on set dressing for TMI? Please, girl. If you took the time to actually read people's emails and look into some of the loyal readers that have been following you, you'd know that you've got immediate resources on this subject at your fingertips. Given the way you've flaked on recent calls for help, I won't be one of those people spending time on yet another email for you. We're done with the girl who cried wolf.

PS: Julia: Those clip on bangs are a disaster and can be spotted a mile away.

Girls you all look great! Really love your show, keep up the great work!

Here is a tip I give to all my clients. If you have a hard time starting any exercise but desperately want to lose weight then start by doing 1 hour of cardio for 5 days in a row. Just make sure it's 5 days in a row and stick it out. Your body will immediately begin to tighten up a little giving you some encouragement to continue. This tip has worked for a lot of my clients after they have fallen off the wagon.
For good, inexpensive workouts check out http://www.trainerpack.com

This might sound silly, but Mary, what you just said about exercise purging the mind and helping you move forward, struck a chord.  I was debating fitting in a yoga class today and I so needed that reminder; it goes beyond the physical, but for some reason I tend to forget that if I haven't exercised in a while.  Even though time is tight today, I am unrolling my mat here at home.  Oh, and I also own one of those mini trampolines, look it up, a lot of doctors recommend them as one of the healthiest types of exercise.  I love them.  Thanks for the inspiration, Mary!

Good stuff but does anyone have a tips for toning arms?  It's my trouble spot!

I thought this episode was very informative and interesting! Personally, I take dance class and I LOVE it. I can really identify with what Mary said at the end about overcoming obstacles through fitness and applying it to your daily life. When I nail a triple pirouette or a complicated dance combination, it's such a boost for body, mind and spirit and I can tell it translates into my daily life. Mary - I love your lifestyle topics like fitness and cooking and I can't wait to see your upcoming episodes on wine and sports, two things I particularly love as well - especially college football! (and I'd wager that there are A LOT of other female sports fans out there like us!)

dude, take those bangs out. they look dead and limp. you should go for the plunge. it'd be worth it.

cute episode! I don't have a lot of money right now so I haven't been able to get a gym membership.  Hopefully I'll get one in the next few months. I try going for walks outside but it's so cold, so I downloaded some yoga videos. I've probably done one of the shorter workouts once? I can't seem to motivate myself!

wow, could mary and julia hate each other more?  julia looks like she's about to reach across meghan and punch mary in the face!

What about Zumba? I'm super-curious about that.  Its' like a mix between latin dance and aerobics.

Also, Julia, the hair is oh-so retro.