Busy Mommy Media » Women’s Health

Sun Protecion Shouldn’t End With Summer (Product Review)

Pamela — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:34:12 +0000

Can you smell it in the air? Fall is just about to drop and the season will change. You may be packing up the beach toys, putting away the shorts, tanktops and sandals. Depending on where you live, you are pulling out the cold and/or rainy weather gear. At this point you are probably not thinking about the effects of the sun on your children’s skin. It is a common misconception that if that clouds are covering up the sun you can’t get sunburnt, or that even if the sun is out, but it’s cold, you can’t get sunburnt. Though in the first case, the risk is minimized, in the second – it is patently not true. If you are out in the daytime you and your children are at risk of sun overexposure.

Keep the SPF

A lot of time people only think to put on the sunscreen and sunblocks in the spring and summer time. But if you are headed to the park for a day of play, you still need to put on some sort of protection for your child. Some form of sunscreen should be in your diaper bag year round. If you are like me, you are constantly worried that you will reach into the diaper bag or – worse – your purse only to pull out a hand covered in cream because at some point or another the nozzle or top of the sunscreen or other lotion bottle got opened and subsequently the contents were squirted all over the rest of the bag. It is just not a happy situation. The very clever people at MD Moms have provided a great solution to the mess – Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes!

MD Moms Sunscreen Towelettes

Let’s face it: babies like to go outside – and so do their parents! These award-winning soft wipes are saturated with a gentle, sweat-proof, broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen that’s enriched with Vitamins E and B5, marine silk, aloe and oat, to protect, soothe and moisturize even the youngest baby’s skin. Each wipe contains enough sunscreen to cover baby from head to toe, with no fuss and no mess. They’re a dermatologist-approved way to keep baby protected from UV rays at any age, anywhere, anytime.

Contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum or waxes
Contains physical sunscreens, titanium and zinc oxide, as the only active ingredients. No chemical sunscreen ingredients.
Broad Spectrum: protects against UVA and UVB rays
UVA rating: PA+++ (provides the highest level of protection against UVA rays)
Clinically tested, hypoallergenic & dermatologist approved
Made in the USA. No animal testing
Water resistant and sweatproof
Each wipe has enough sunscreen to cover the average 2 year old from head-to-toe
Only $1.73 per premeasured application! (When using even half the recommended dose, typical lotion sunscreens are between $2 – $5 per application)

TSA-approved for carry-on luggage

Here’s What I Think:

I am guessing that you all are probably realizing that I am very concerned with the smell of things. Because my very first action with these towelettes was to smell them, and they smell rather pleasant. You can still tell they have sunscreen in them, but it is not overwhelming. I must say I was very excited about the prospect of sunscreen in a towelette form, because my kids just hate in when I put the cream on or, spray it on, and this product did not disapoint. They didn’t even realize I was putting on sunscreen when I wiped them down with the towlettes. I assume they just thought that I was giving them a little bath. I was pleased to see that there is a generous amount of sunscreen on each towelette without it being copious. I also really like the way they are packaged. You can get them in a small pack with 15 towlettes or you can get them in single packages – great for tossing in the picnic basket – because the packages are water and sweat proof (which means nothing is getting in or out!)

You can purchase this product on Amazon:

Disclaimer: Although I did receive a sample of this product from MD Moms, I was in no way directly compensated to publish this post. These are my real and honest opinions.

Organize a Walking Club

Pamela — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:57:33 +0000

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It provides a full body workout complete with cardio work and muscle toning. However, it can be one of the most boring forms of exercise when done by yourself. Don’t get me wrong, I do have a certain small envy for those lone walkers that find comfort in the quiet time spent walking the neighborhood. But if you are anything like me, it won’t last long and then it will become a hellish tedium that will quickly end up scratched off the calendar.

What is a Walking Club?

It is simple really, it is a group of people with some common interest (maybe you all have kids in the same class, or you are also a book club or maybe you just all live on the same street) working towards a common goal of physical fitness. However it is a little more organized than just walking from one home to the end of the street and back. You have a preset workout before you head out. You determine the distance and route as well as plan for pit stops. Pit stops are where you drop and do 50 crunches, or you get out your hand weights and do 2 sets of 20 bicep curls on each arm.

You need to set up a starting point and time that works for your group of walkers as well as a frequency schedule (maybe you only do Monday, Wednesday, Friday). I am hoping to start one with other moms from my son’s school in the fall. I want to start the walk at the school just after drop off time and return to the school. This way even if we don’t live near each other we can still walk together without having to drive across town. Convenience is a big deal to me, if you haven’t noticed.

This is Exercise with a little bit of Social

AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! We all love to get together and chat with our gal pals, and there is truly nothing wrong with that, in fact it is vital to your survival as a mom and woman. But if you are going to be part of a Walking Club, you need to remember that it is exercise first and socializing second. This means you need to keep a brisk pace, not a leisurely meandering. In order for walking to achieve aerobic benefit, you must get your heart rate up to 85% and keep it there for at least 20 minutes. I am not encouraging you to turn into a Boot Camp Drill Sergeant from H-e- double hockey sticks. Just remember that this is a workout not a hangout time.

Equipment is Important

You can get away with not having the fancy clothes or the ankle weights and dumbbells, but if you are going to be walking for exercise, you need to have a decent pair of shoes. You can learn lots about selecting the correct shoes in my article: These Shoes Were Made for Fitness. If you do choose to go for the ankle weights, be sure that you work up to them and that they are adjustable. You want to try the kinds that have removable weights so that you can adjust your workout to your level of energy that day.

Sample Workout

0-3Minutes Stretching

3-8minutes Warm-up – start out with a slow pace and work up to your steady pace

8-15minutes Brisk Walking

15-20Minutes Pit Stop

20-30Minutes Brisk Walking

30-35Minutes Pit Stop

35-45Minutes Brisk Walking

45-50Mintues Pit Stop

50-56Minutes Cool Down – gradually bring your heart rate down to resting levels before you stop.

56-60Minutes Stretching

Pit Stops

You can get creative with these. Look at the route you have choosen to walk. Are there monkey bars or chin-up bars easily accessible? Then use them.

5 sets of 20 Crunches (make sure to bring along a roll-up mat or towel) You can also get creative with side crunches, supermans, etc.

5 sets of 20 Bicep Curls on each arm (bring easy to carry hand weights)

5 set of 20 Tricep Presses on each arm

Up and Down the Bleachers

50 Jumping Jacks

50 Push-ups

1 minute intervals (1 minute on, 1 minute off) sprinting in place

The What, Why, When and How’s of Kegel Exercises

Pamela — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:32:42 +0000

Just about every female that has made it pass health class in high school knows about Kegel exercise. We know we are supposed to do them, but do we all know how to do them, and more importantly when to do them? Do you even know exactly what a kegel is? Well let me clear it all up for you! I first want to point out that it is never too late to start doing kegels and still reap the benefits. Although you may not be able to completely repair all of the laxity that years of stress have put on the kegels you can still prevent further stretching.

What are the Kegel Muscles?

The Kegel muscles are the group of muscles that support the pelvic floor. They are positioned in the opening of the pelvis and provide support for our bladder, uterus and the rest of the organs located in the abdomen. Additionally the urethra and cervix are connected to this muscle group and directly controlled by them.

Why do we need to worry about this?

There are number of reasons to have strong kegel muscle but the most prudent of the all is to prevent urinary incontinence. As the muscle become lax we loose the ability to hold our bladder once it become full. This is what results in the pee when you laugh, sneeze or get scared scenario that so many women experience as they get older. Strong kegel muscles will also improve your sexual experience as it gives you more “control” on your side of things. Lastly having strong kegels will help with various aspects of Pregnancy as well as labor and delivery.

Pregnancy and Kegels

If at no other time in your life you do kegel, the day you discover you are pregnant is the day you should start! The process of pregnancy causes a directly strain on your kegel muscles. And then the passage of the baby through the birth canal essentially pushes the kegels inside out. In order to rebound from this process it is important that they have been getting a daily exercise regime.

How to do Kegels

One of the most common errs in doing kegels is actually working out the Abs or the inner thigh muscles instead of the kegels. The best way to “locate” your kegels is to sit on the toilet and pee. As you are in full stream clench to stop the flow, the muscle that you use for this are your kegels. Now that you know where they are, an actual “kegel exercise” is to clench the muscles for 3 seconds and then release for 3 seconds. It is recommended to do 3 sets of 10-15 reps each day. You do them all at once or throughout the day. For some it is easiest to remember that when you sit down for breakfast, lunch and dinner you do your kegels. Some people find that they need more help with kegels and may need equipent. You can use Benwa balls to better ensure you are exercising the correct muscles, or you can also use a Kegel Exercisor.

Back-To-School Is A Great Time to Go Back to the Gym

Pamela — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:40:49 +0000

Going back to School for the kids is a great time for mom to go back to the gym, or other workout routine. Let’s face it, summer time is a hard time to stick to a rigid workout routine. Whether it is just the weather, or the activities or maybe the fact that there isn’t a treadmill and weight set on the boat on the lake, there is a national trend to less workout routines during the summer months. I have gathered some tips on how to get exercise back into your schedule come the first day of school.

Walk or Ride to School

If it works for you and your situation try to walk to and from school with your children. Obviously if you live several miles from the campus, this is not logical, but if you are just down the street (a block or two even) try to walk as often as possible. You could also talk to other nearby moms about creating a walking club. You can all meet at the school to drop off the kiddos then go for a walk from there to a desired location and back to the school. If you are really ambitious, you could bring along power bands and weight and stop every so often for a few weight sets or maybe get in some crunches and race up the bleacher stairs and back.

If you must drive, stop in at the gym on the way home

Check the gyms class schedule and see if they offer a class just after school drop off time or just before pick up time. These are both great times to stop in at the gym – you are already out of the house and it won’t matter that you are in gym clothes in either case. And you will take you kids everyday to school, so you will be more inclined to go to the gym, if you are already out of the house.

Work on the diet

You want your kids to have the right energy levels when it comes to school. They need a protein filled breakfast to get them started out right. A carb (healthy whole wheat versions) based lunch to help them make it to the end of the day. Rounded out with a fulfilling dinner to help them wind down and get ready for the next day. And while you are getting your kids on healthy eating plans, why not include yourself and hubby too?

Anytime you make a major schedule transition, it can be difficult. But studies have shown that combining multiple changes can actually lessen the total blow! So since the kids are headed back to school, it is a great time to head back to your workout schedule too!

What’s the Dish on Fish??

Pamela — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:41:49 +0000

We hear it all over – “Eat More Fish”, “Fish is an important part of your diet”, “Kids need fish for brain development” “Fish is important for heart health” and on and on. But what are the facts? First lets make one blanket definition. Fish does not necessarily mean/include seafood. These are two different food categories. In fact, seafood is actually both shellfish – like shrimp, crab, oysters, lobster – and regular fish – like tuna, halibut, swordfish – that are from sea water. However there are shellfish – like crayfish – and fish – like trout, catfish – that live in fresh water. Some people use the blanket term when talking about all of this, while other are very specific. And still others are actually referring to fish oils and not exactly fish meat, which is what we mostly eat. So the lesson is that you should be clear on what “fish” means to the person or company making the claims.

Truths

“Omega-3 Fatty Acids are good for the heart” This is absolutely true. Study after study has proven that an adequate intake of Omega-3 fatty acids will increase your heart health. You can find Omega-3 in the fatty fishes like mackerel or salmon, or you can opt to take it in pill form.

“Fish is a great source of protein” Fish contains what people in nutrition world call “complete proteins”. This means that they contain a complete collection of amino acids and therefore provide great tissue development in your body. This is important for gaining muscle mass as well as brain development in children.

Falsehoods

“Avoid fish consumption due to mercury intake” This was a statement made back in 2004 and was actually only meant to be directed at young children (under the age of 5) and pregnant and nursing woman. The rest of us really don’t need to worry about it as long the fish is fresh and from clean waters.

“Fish is high in cholesterol and while raise my blood cholesterol” This one is only half false. It is true that fish is high in cholesterol; however it is not the type that will increase your blood cholesterol. The type that is not good comes from trans fats and saturated fats, which is not what fish has.

Important to Keep in Mind

Fish and seafood, needs to be fresh or frozen very soon after catching. When you are going to purchase fish, you want to make sure that it is still very cold, that the eyes are clear (if still attached) and that there is no graying around the edges of the meat.

Fish is something that needs to be properly prepared. Sushi is great, but must be made with the appropriate types of fish as well as handled properly. It is always smart of follow a recipe when preparing a new fish dish. For more tips on proper food handing read this article: Food Poisoning: How to Avoid it.

When buying canned/bagged fishes (tuna, specifically) be conscious of how it was packaged as well as what type of fish it is. When buying tuna, your healthiest choice is to choose Albacore Chuck Tuna in WATER. Many canned/bagged fishes are packed in oil, which pretty much negates the healthy choice.

Having said all this, I want to encourage you to trade out at least one meal a week for something centered on fish. Tuna Noodle Casserole is probably the easiest meal you can throw together – cooked whole wheat wide noodles, cream of chicken/mushroom/broccoli or cheddar cheese soup (healthy request version of course), canned tuna, and a veggie (peas, broccoli) all mixed together and baked at 350deg for 25-30minutes – delish!

Review: Lindsay Brin Shed 5 Fast DVD

Pamela — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:53:17 +0000

As a mom – I of course am constantly fighting those few pounds that get added with each child. So for me, with three boys, I am fighting more like 15 (or 30 but whose nitpicking, right?). As soon as I read the description for this workout DVD I was on board. The thing that grabbed me right off is that it is an attainable goal. I have talked to all before about setting attainable goals – like 5 pounds in a few weeks – to be more successful. The huge astronomical goals are never going to happen because you will always feel as though it is too much and give up. But if you set smaller manageable goals you are more apt to reach them. You can read more about that concept in my article,

My Review

Back to the DVD, which was a real butt-kicker!! But in an absolutely awesome way! I was totally impressed by the fun and intense get to it vibe Lindsay puts on film. Sometimes when you watch a workout video you just don’t want to do. All you see is a bunch of hard bodies bouncing around with endless energy. These gals are definitely in great shape, but they look like normal people, which is encouraging. I also like the variations offered, for people at different skill levels. As an aerobics instructor, I always like to include different levels for people not just of different ability but different moods on a particular day. Because let’s face, even if you are able to drag yourself to the gym and show up doesn’t mean you have the energy to give it 1000% every single time. It is okay to just go through the motions every once in a while. In this sort of situation it is more important to just keep the workout time in your routine, then to overwork yourself.

All in all, I really enjoyed this video and think it would be a great addition to any woman’s workout DVD Library. Lindsay has very graciously agreed to offer each of you 20% off your own purchase of the Lindsay Brin Shed 5 Fast DVD. Simply click the coupon and you are on your way!

Product Description

Workout 1
Warm-up: 3 minutes
3/3 Intervals: 24 minutes
Cool-down: 3 minutes

Workout 2
Warm-up: 3 minutes
3/3 Intervals: 24 minutes
Cool-down: 3 minutes

Did five extra pounds sneak up on you in your busy life? Lose 5 pounds fast with Lindsay’s Weight Loss methods. These two total-body workouts balance toning exercises with bursts of energetic cardio for maximum fat burning in only 30 minutes. This interval training is the most efficient way to burn calories, and two different workouts ensure you won’t hit a plateau during the six week program.

You’ll lose five pounds or more in just the first three weeks with this Weight Loss fitness DVD! Lindsay Brin uses the 3/3 interval method for the most effective fat burning workout – 3 minutes of toning using multiple muscle groups to boost metabolism, and 3 minutes of martial arts/kickboxing to melt fat in exercises that are simple and effective. Follow your level- beginner, intermediate or advanced, or step up your program to advanced as you start to see results.

To lose 5 pounds even faster make sure you use Moms Into Fitness Weight Loss Plan in addition to the Shed 5 Fast Workouts. Also found on our home page.
Equipment needed:
1-2 sets of weights, optional mat

Disclaimer: I did recieve my own copy of this DVD from Lindsay Brin in conjunction with MamaBuzz, but I was in no other way compenstated to publish this post. These are real and honest opinions.

#Momstorm After-Party – How to Prepare for a Healthy Childbirth

Pamela — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:48:12 +0000

Did you miss out on this week’s #MomStorm Twitter Party?

Welcome to the Twitter AFTER Party!

This week we were lucky to have Becky Rasmussen – a Certified Child Birth Educator (CBE) and mother of seven – join our twitter party. She has coached more than a thousand expectant parents on effective birthing and fitness.The main topic of this week’s party was how to prepare for a healthy childbirth.
Here are the highlights from the MyBirthClass Perfectly Prepared Twitter Party:

Top Tips provided by Participants:

1. HotMamaGowns Lots of visualization of the birth I wanted, building the confidence in MYSELF that I could do this-my body was made 2 do this
2. MyBirthClass @busymommymedia Water aerobics are an excellent way to get the baby off your back and remove the forces of gravity
3. Chroniclescrib I also did acupuncture the last few weeks last time and LOVED it! If nothing else it helped me relax
4. EvergreenMomma water, water and more water. Only shop the perimeter of the store (fruits, veggies, dairy, protein).
5. @busymommymedia Humor is one of my favorite coping techniques in labor, but laughing hurts during a contraction
6. @hotmamagowns: Q4: Things to build stamina; swimming if possible, breathing exercises walking and pampering is ALWAYS warranted

Other Interesting Things We Discussed:

Ten years ago Harvard medical studies proved that our due dates are supposed to be 8 days later than we calculate them to be
Remember, your bodies were divinely built to do this work we call Labor.
Trouble sleeping? Improve sleep w/intercourse before bed. Male semen contains hormones that induce deep states of REM…as well as natural antibiotics
I encourage you to avoid induction and C-Section unless absolutely medically necessary. You’ll heal so much faster.

Huge Congrats to our prize winners!

Winner of the prenatal cardio and toning DVD set from @MyBirthClass was @mstyle10

The winner of the birth options audio CD from @MyBirthClass was @mgmommy0930
@Chroniclescrib was the winner of the prenatal Nutrition & Relaxation & Pain Management Audio CDs from @MyBirthClass
The winner of the All About Labor DVD from @MyBirthClass was @HotMamaGowns
The winner of the post partum recover CD from @MyBirthClass was @RaisingOlives
@kathyluman was the winner of the Common Concerns & Discomforts Audio CD from @MyBirthClass
The winner of the All About Labor DVD from @MyBirthClass was @sweetone624

For a limited time you can get Perfectly Prepared for half price at www.mybirthclass.com/MomMedia6
Want to know how can you win cool prizes? By coming back to Busy Mommy Media for the next #MomStorm Twitter Party and RSVP on the linky below the details. Remember you must be RSVP’ed to be eligible for the prizes at each party. And don’t worry, you can RSVP right up to the party time and still be eligible!

Sunscreen is a MUST

Pamela — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:41:04 +0000

The sun is shining, the days are hot and if you aren’t careful your skin is burning! Sunscreen and/or Sunblock application is a very important daily ritual, all year-round, but especially in the summertime! But how do you know which to choose, how often to use it and what is really the point. Here are some basics.

SunBLOCK versus SunSCREEN

It really comes down to a simple variation. Both work to prevent over-exposure to the sun’s rays, they just each use different means. Sunblock, as you guess, actually blocks, or reflects the UV rays from your skin, preventing exposure to the harmful rays. Sunscreen absorbs the UV rays so that they don’t reach your skin. Since both, “actively” work to reduce exposure to the sun, you need to follow the bottle’s directions regarding how often to reapply. Essentially as the cream does it’s job it get’s “used up” so reapplication is imperative to insure continued coverage.
As for which to choose, it really is a preference than anything else. You just want to be sure that you and your whole family put on sunscreen everyday, even if you won’t be sitting in the sun all day, if you are going outside you need to put it on, especially in summertime.

What is the Point?

It seems you can’t read a single magazine or what any of those health-related television shows without someone urging sunscreen use. Shoot, I am doing it right now. Well there are two very important reasons: Skin Cancer Prevention and Anti-aging.
According to the American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer is the number one most common form of cancer found in Americans. Fortunately it is also one of the easiest forms of cancer to prevent as well as catch early. Skin cancer is caused by over-exposure to UV rays (the rays from the sun). So it goes to reason, that adequate Sunscreen/block usage will do lots to prevent skin cancer formation. For more information on how to prevent, as well as what signs to look for please visit the American Cancer Society’s Website at www.cancer.org
As for the skin aging ramifications, it has been proven that at least 80% of the visual signs of aging on the skin is caused by UV exposure on the skin. Basically, collagen cannot withstand the effects of the sun. Collagen is what keeps our skin “perky” and smooth. Once collagen is damaged, there is much debate about whether is can be repaired. But most the of research leans towards the notion that it cannot be repaired, it is better to provide protection the try to fix the damage after. What this all boils down to is the fact that extended sun exposure results in lots of wrinkles!

As an aside, sunglasses are also very important. You want to find a pair that really block out the sun, as UV rays have adverse affects on your eyes as well. The brightness alone can have long-term negative effects on your eyes’ ability to focus.

Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Yoga DVD

Marie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:51:02 +0000

Congratulations to Jennifer!

When I first told my mom that my husband and I would not be taking any child birthing classes to prepare for the baby, she acted like I was from an alternate universe. I tried to explain that with all the DVDS and other information sources that are available these days, we just didn’t see the need.

What I should have done is told her about the Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Birthing & Fitness DVD/CD set from MyBirthClass and I guarantee she would have seen my reasoning. This 8-disc set features everything parents-to-be need to know about prenatal birthing, fitness and even post partum recovery.

Created by Becky Rasmussen, a Certified Child Birth Educator (CBE) and mother of seven, this extensive series includes DVDS that cover Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Cardio, Prenatal Toning and All about Labor. Perfectly Prepared also includes Audio CDs that dive into Prenatal Nutrition, Relaxation & Pain Management, Common Concerns & Solutions and Postpartum Recovery.

Everything is broken down nicely in this 8-disc set so you can watch and/or listen on your own time, at your own pace. I especially loved the Postpartum Recovery CD since I’m a week out from my due date, and that has been on my mind a lot lately. On this disc, Becky takes you through all the things you should expect once you’ve delivered your precious baby. Topics include what happens to your body, mood swings, how to stay healthy after labor, and more.

The series also provides information on both natural and medically supported birthing techniques so you can make an informed decision.

The fitness DVDS look easy to follow; but honestly at nine months along I am having enough trouble getting off the couch, let alone trying to do an entire workout. I wish I had known about these DVDS earlier on in the pregnancy – especially Prenatal Toning.

So if you are looking for an alternative to a child birthing class, I would definitely recommend picking up Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Birthing & Fitness. This all-encompassing set will not only help you prepare for child birth, but also educate you about the process, help you make informed decisions, keep you healthy, and let you know what to expect post partum.

Enter to Win

Enter to win prenatal yoga DVD from MyBirthclass.

This giveaway is closed

Visit MyBirthclass.com and make a comment on this post about why you think childbirth education is important to enter the giveaway.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a set of Perfectly Prepared to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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How Clean is Your Fitness Equipment?

Pamela — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:01:10 +0000

You get your workout in, and you go jump in the shower. But what about your fitness equipment, do you clean it? A surprisingly large amount of people don’t! It’s just not something most people think about. But if you have your own equipment in your hope, you need to keep it clean and well lubricated. You also need think about your water bottle, weights, mats, and even shoes!

Large Equipment, Weights, Benches and Mats

You drip sweat all over your treadmill, elliptical or other piece of cardio equipment, but do you really clean it up? Even if you are taking a towel to it, you may not be getting all the ick off! Think about what sweat really is – it’s the impurities and bi-products that result from your body working. You definitely need to be using something stronger than a wet towel.

Try something like disinfecting wipes. You can also use these to clean the handles on your weights, wipe down your weight bench and wipe off your yoga mat. You also need to follow the manufactures maintenance guidelines for machines. They need to be lubricated with the proper products to keep in good working order. Also, treadmill belts need to be adjusted to the right tension occasionally.

Water Bottles

You probably run your water bottle thorough the dishwasher after ever workout, right? But is it really getting clean? And if you are putting more than just water in your bottle – like Propel – you are probably creating a residue that you can’t even see.

You may want to invest in some water bottle cleansing tablets. They are gentle enough to not ruin your bottle or leave anything behind!

Athletic Shoes

This is one that people really don’t think about until they get Athlete’s Foot (an infection that is caused by a fungus that grows in moist areas and causes painful burning and itching as well as scaly, flaking skin), and then it’s almost too late to salvage the shoe. When you exercise with shoes on, your feet sweat! You probably put your socks in the wash but what about your shoes? This is not just about the smell that your shoes might take on, but also the bacteria. Some people just run their shoes through the washing machine (don’t dry them, most athletic shoes have specially designed molded plastic pieces in the upper or sole, and they will not withstand the heat of a dryer). For the odor, you can try some Charcoal Shoe Inserts. For disinfecting purposes, you need to find a product that actually kills the bacteria and fungus – such as a Shoe Spray.