Do you know what to do if someone has a heart attack? It’s easier than you might think! This groovy, hilarious video shows us that we don’t need a CPR training course to save a life.

In this new Hands-Only CPR video from the American Heart Association, comedian Ken Jeong uses his medical training and the disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” to help average Joes and Josephines like us remember what to do in a sudden cardiac arrest:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Before we learn more about this fun video, you might like to know about the giveaway contest being held in conjunction with it’s release!

Donate & Win!

The American Heart Association is working with Crowdrise.com, an innovative social fundraising website founded by actor Edward Norton, to raise money to support the association’s lifesaving research and educational programs.

For four weeks beginning June 15, visitors to crowdrise.com/HandsOnlyCPR can win prizes for raising money for the American Heart Association, including:

• Two tickets to “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno
• Two tickets to “Ellen”
• “Hunger Games” hardcover books signed by Jennifer Lawrence (star of upcoming “Hunger Games” films)
• “Glee: Journey to Regionals” CD signed by Chris Colfer

About the video

“I may play insanely crazy and comedic characters on screen, but as an internal medicine physician in real life, I want people to know that sudden cardiac arrest is a serious matter,” said Jeong, star of The Hangover, The Hangover Part 2, and the NBC series Community, returning for its 3rd season this fall. “Immediate action can be the difference between life and death. Everyone needs to know it’s in their hands to help save a life.”

It was directed by filmmaker Jesse Dylan, the creative force behind will.i.am’s “Yes, We can” video and Bono’s “RED” campaign.

Who came up with combining “Stayin’ Alive” & chest compressions?

Alson Inaba, M.D., an American Heart Association CPR instructor and associate professor at the University of Hawaii, is credited with first using “Stayin’ Alive” to teach students the correct rate of chest compressions. Studies show that when CPR training uses the song to teach the technique, people are more likely to remember the correct rhythm and feel more confident performing CPR.

Hands-Only CPR

Hands-Only CPR – or CPR without using breaths – involves two simple steps to help an adult cardiac arrest victim: 1. Call 9-1-1 and 2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest until an AED arrives and is ready for use or healthcare providers take over.

Sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart abruptly stops functioning. It’s a leading cause of death in the U.S. with nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital cases reported annually. About 80 percent of victims collapse at home, as the victim’s family, friends or loved ones often stand by because they don’t know what to do. Providing CPR immediately is crucial – chances of survival more than double with immediate and effective CPR.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org. Learn more about the American Heart Association’s CPR and First Aid courses at www.heart.org/cpr.

About Crowdrise.com

Crowdrise is a website dedicated to online fundraising, event fundraising, volunteering, and having the most fun in the world while doing it. In 2009, Edward Norton, Shauna Robertson and Robert and Jeff Wolfe created Crowdrise after an experiment with what turned out to be super unique and successful campaign to raise money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust during the New York City Marathon. They raised $1.2 million in less than 8 weeks, much of it from small donors who gave more than once, making it one of the top fundraising success stories of the marathon. Crowdrise takes that experiment to a whole new level: an innovative web platform where millions of individuals use the best tools and technology to raise money for over a million different charities, while competing in fun and quirky challenges with unique incentives and prizes.  Thousands of charitable organizations make Crowdrise their home for starting events, team fundraisers, and turning their base of grassroots supporters into a base of grassroots fundraisers.

You may find today’s post shocking and disturbing. Some of you may even be offended. But it’s an important topic that must be discussed for the sake of everyone’s health: hand washing, especially after using the restroom.

I recently made a new friend who works with Toronto’s Public Health. The subject of hand washing came up, and I was reminded of when I worked downtown in an office. It was SO surprising the number of times I would be in the stall, hear someone next to me flush, and then leave without washing their hands. Eww!

That’s when I realized there are people in the world today who do not consider washing their hands with soap and water (especially after using the restroom) an essential aspect of personal hygiene. Nor do they believe this oversight endangers the health of others! It was then that I began the habit of using paper towels to open public washroom doors.

Just how many people out there don’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom? After a little research, I found a few surveys online to give us an idea. (Keep in mind that survey results are usually skewed because it relies heavily on people telling the truth AND they fail to reflect the portion of the population who don’t participate in surveys.)

In a 2009 and 2010 Healthy Hand Washing Survey, funded and performed by the bathroom manufacturer Bradley Corporation, the results from over 1,000 respondents showed that the H1N1 virus actually improved public health! In 2009, 45% washed their hands more thoroughly and frequently because of the virus versus the 2010 results where 50% answered yes to the same question.

The Bradley Corporation cites several observational studies, pre-H1N1:

• In 2003 and 2004, the Minnesota Department of Health saw 75% of women and just 51% of men wash their hands with soap and water after using the public restroom at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
• In a 2007 study, researchers from the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) found that only 77% actually wash their hands after using a public restroom.

And, thankfully, public washroom hygiene seems to be improving. In a 2010 study, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the ASM and the American Cleaning Institute, over 6,000 people in 6 different locations in 4 American cities were secretly recorded for their hand washing habits in public washrooms. (Source: LiveScience.com) Here are the results:

• Guys at sporting events showed the poorest results, with barely two-thirds (65 percent) of men washing their hands at Turner Field (Atlanta) restrooms. However, 98 percent of ladies washed their hands at Turner Field.
• Overall, the rate of women washing their hands in public restrooms improved from 88 percent in 2007 to 93 percent in 2010.
• Chicago and San Francisco had the best turnout for hand-washing, with 89 percent of adults lathering up in public restrooms.
• Atlanta was next (82 percent), followed by New York City (79 percent).

Although these numbers indicate an increased awareness for hand washing, clearly there are a large number of people who are spreading germs and infectious bacteria.

Germs stick to objects (like subway poles, door handles, staircase railings, etc.) and can be picked up by those who touch the same objects. Many microbes that can live harmlessly on our skin will wreak havoc if they enter our bodies through the mouth, nose, eyes or through a cut. Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent disease and illness, for both yourself and others.

Check out this Toronto health poster and FAQs for when and how to properly wash your hands with soap and water. And I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject – for instance, do you think this public health notice takes it too far?

What does getting healthier really mean? It’s about releasing old habits that no longer serve you and adopting new ones which will make you stronger, younger and more vivacious. It’s about learning to embrace change and sometimes, you can find inspiration in the least likely places, like movies and T.V. shows!

Did you see the 4th episode of Village on a Diet last night? Normally reality shows aren’t my thang (actually, we don’t even have cable or satellite) but I was encouraged to check it out when CBC contacted me with an offer to participate in an telephone conference with three experts from the show and two other health bloggers.

A big thank you goes to Erin, the CBC rep for inviting me to yesterday’s call. Not only was the Q & A session interesting and informative, it was what spurred me to go to CBC.ca and watch last week’s episode.

Village on a Diet is exceptional programming – I rushed outside for my daily walk, looked forward to my healthy, home-cooked dinner and as I watched last night’s episode, I actually jumped off the couch and did core exercises!

Village on a Diet

The Canadian town of Taylor, BC, wants to lose weight. Yes, the entire town (60% are overweight and obese) have a goal to lose a ton of collective weight within 3 months. To help them out, a team of health professionals arrive: a medical obesity expert, dietitian, chef, psychologist and two hard-core personal trainers.

The stars of the show are, of course, the Taylorites. The show’s creative team does an amazing job weaving the personal stories of some of the most dedicated townspeople, even their overweight pooches! We watch their ups and downs as the health pros push them beyond their comfort zones to help them attain their health goals.

Village on a Diet is a part of CBC’s health initiative, Live Right Now:

Live Right Now is a movement of Canadians making a difference in their own health, and the health of our country, and it’s designed to help you make small, manageable changes that will have a large and lasting effect on your health.

The heart of the movement lives online at LiveRightNow.ca, where you can join the movement for access to tools and resources like healthy living blogs, a body age calculator, recipes and videos.  Plus, you can log your progress, create groups and challenge your friends.

What makes Village on a Diet unique from other weight-loss reality shows?

On the conference call was Dr. Ali Zentner (the physician specializing in obesity and cardiac risk management – and who was once obese herself), Mike Veinot (one of the tough personal trainers) and Maria Thomas (registered Dietitian). When asked this question, they inevitably chose to compare Village on a Diet with the popular show, The Biggest Loser.

In a nutshell, this was their combined answer:

The Biggest Loser was a contest for a small group of people. A monetary reward was the incentive and they were whisked away from their daily lives to a ranch where they trained for 5 to 6 hours a day. Also, when the biggest loser went home, they had to convince their partners and family to adopt the same healthy lifestyle.

Maria Thomas, Dietitian

The participants in Village on a Diet, however, involved a whole town working together as families and a community [including the town's popular Pizzeria] in creating healthier lifestyles. They continued their daily lives and had to fit healthy living and the help from the experts into their schedules. The only reward for them at the end of the 3 months was the benefit and satisfaction from achieving their goals (if they do – we won’t know for sure for another 6 weeks!).

What I don’t like about Village on a Diet

The show may actually de-motivate some people in adopting healthier lifestyles because from just watching the program, it appears as if there’s too much change, too quickly for the residents. Margaret Wendt from the Globe and Mail points this out in an off-hand way, too, although I disagree overall with her negative review. (The show is inspiring me!)

From my own personal experience in getting healthier over the years, the old agage, “no pain, no gain” just isn’t sustainable. (I wrote about it in The Secret to Making Healthy Living Easy in 2008). Some of the workouts the Taylorites endure look down-right painful while it’s obvious their palates haven’t had time to adjust to the taste of the healthy meals Chef Jonathan creates for them. (You should see the grimaces when they try the tofu kabobs!)

Saving Graces

Perhaps between the show’s time limitations (3 months) and publicity factor, it placed too much pressure on both the Taylorites and the show’s health experts. After all, and I’ve heard it in both the show and in yesterday’s conference call, the townsfolk are learning new and healthier ways of living – not just going on a diet.

Maybe the challenges of discovering our limitations is part of the story and it’s still too early in the show for us viewers!

Actually, the 4th episode reveals several instances where the experts are starting to realize the change is too much for some of the residents. And it was a consensus among the experts in the conference call when they answered the question, “What are the top 3 take-aways from Taylor that can help the rest of Canada”:

1. Tenacity. Although many of the residents were overwhelmed with the degree of change they faced, the message is, “Never give up!” If something isn’t working, then adjust the plan, perspective or approach, and/or create more reasonable goals.
2. Small changes. The residents gained more when they implemented the expert’s tips and ideas, like portion sizes. Little changes add up over time.
3. Sense of community and support. The group weekly challenges and joining group activities motivated many of the residents to overcome their resistance to physical activity. It also helped when families worked together and supported one another towards the common goal of a healthier lifestyle. And sharing your goals with others creates an accountability which helps some people keep going when the going get tough.
4. Remember why (BONUS): Nothing else motivates you more towards change by getting a clear picture of why you want to change in the first place. (I wrote about this in Why Being Healthy is Worth the Effort.) When you’re struggling, envision your vision to get back on track.

What I learned from Village on a Diet

It’s time to kick it up a notch or two. I agree with Dr. Ali, Mike and Maria that incremental changes are the way to adopting healthier habits, and it requires implementing those little changes! I’ve been too easy on myself and it’s time to get a little more serious.

And I have been since watching Village on a Diet! I’ve already added in a workout and decided where I can be a little more strict with myself. Before editing this post I went for an hour long walk and found myself treating it like a workout: being more mindful of the intensity and my breathing, adding a bit of intervals and stretching afterwards.

If you choose, Village on a Diet is much more than pure entertainment. There’s a practicality to it which gives it real meat. It reminds us we are not alone in our challenges to live healthier lives, and we have the option to take action on the tips and tricks offered to the Taylorites by the health professionals.

Village on a Diet airs on CBC Television, Mondays at 9pm but if you missed it, watch it online at CBC.ca (click here).

Have you seen Village on a Diet yet? What do you think of it? Has it inspired you towards changing some of your habits and lifestyle?

Are you skeptical of hands-on healing? Well, good! That’s the way you should approach it, according to William Bengston, a Sociology professor, hands-on healer, researcher and author of The Energy Cure. Today we meet Bill, a pragmatic man who has a fascinating story about healing.

In Thursday’s post, 20+ Gift Ideas for Health Nuts, I mentioned Bill and his work for the first time. I recently read his book, The Energy Cure, and listened to his 6-CD Hands-On Training Course, and I’m SO jazzed about it all! He’s literally turned my head upside-down around the entire world of healing.

Bill is an academic who fell into the world of psychic phenomenon and hands-on healing. For the past 30+ years, he’s been experiencing it first-hand and has brought it into the lab to study. His results are incredible and their potential practical applications are exciting, including proof that everyone has this ability and can hone it with practice.

Let’s meet William Bengston in this 6-minute YouTube video:

Doesn’t this just blow your mind!?

The most mind-boggling discovery Bill’s made is that neither the healer or the healee need to believe in hands-on healing for it to work. In fact, he suggests it works even better when both are non-believers! This goes against everything I’ve ever learned about healing and the power of the mind.

For instance, here’s what Dr. Elson Haas, who practices integrative medicine, has to say about healing in Staying Healthy with the Seasons:

Healing has always been said to be an art, intrinsically intuitive. The healer must believe in what he or she is doing. Great practitioners have found equally remarkable results with Western medicine, herbalism, naturopathy, homeopathy, and acupuncture. The more open and ready the recipient is to be healed, the stronger tends to be the effect. A belief in the approach used and the ill person’s trust in the healer are both critical.

While Bengston’s research and personal experience actually help prove much of what Haas says here (specifically, healing is intuitive and results are stronger when the patient is open to healing), Bengston’s work debunks the entire belief around the importance of belief in the hands-on healing methods used. Cool, eh?

Stay tuned for several reviews in January, when I review both The Energy Cure (update: here’s the book review!) and the training course. But for now, if you’re at all interested in hands-on healing (or manifesting everything you want in life), make sure to put either this book or training course on your holiday wish list.

What did you think of this interview with Bill? Or the concepts being presented here? I want to know what you think about hands-on healing!

How would you like to process negative emotions in minutes? Or find relief to physical symptoms, addictions and resolve those pesky emotional issues holding you back? In today’s post we learn about a non-invasive healing method, Emotional Freedom Techniques® (E.F.T.).

Based on the theory that “the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system,” EFT is an emotional form of acupuncture. There are no needles in this therapy, though, and once you know the basics, you can easily do it yourself – anywhere, anytime and for any issue (pretty much).

Gary Craig, the developer of EFT, explains:

…we tap with the fingertips to stimulate certain meridian points while the client is “tuned in” to the problem. To some newcomers, this may seem strange. To others, it hits the bullseye and represents a missing piece to the healing puzzle… I’ve lost count of the number of phobias, traumatic memories, guilt, grief and physical ailments that have been elegantly relieved, often in minutes, by this procedure. Even though EFT violates just about every conventional belief out there, the results remain remarkable. EFT isn’t perfect, of course. We don’t get 100% positive results. But it usually works well and the results are sometimes spectacular. And it often works when nothing else will.

For a sneak peak into some of the spectacular results obtained by using EFT, check out the documentary, The Tapping Solution. Here’s the 2:27 minute trailer:

Are you interested in details, like how do you do it and some of the particulars? Check out this Introduction to Emotional Freedom Technique video (18:49 minutes):

The best thing about EFT is that the method seems to celebrate and accept negative emotions as part of being human. We need to feel negative emotions but they cause us harm over time. When you’re ready, EFT clears energy pathways so you can process them.

Have you tried EFT? Did it work for you? And if it has, how long have you been doing it?

Are you concerned with low-level radiation damage caused by living in the Age of Technology? Apparently, there’s a `grounding’ technology out there that not only reduces your radiation exposure but gives you the healing power of the earth!

We’re exposed to electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation on a daily basis through television and computer screens, microwaves, cell phones and other electrical devices that emit energy waves with frequencies below 300 hertz. (Source: www.energpolarit.com)

During our 2010 TV Detox earlier this year, we discussed whether or not TV is killing us. The findings are debatable but many health experts believe the accumulation of EMF exposure in our bodies is contributing to health issues.

So what a relief to hear from one of America’s leading Natural Health experts, David Wolfe, about this crazy grounding technology that mimics the healing effects of natural earth energy!

In this 7 minute video, Mr. Wolfe uses a volt meter to show us the typical EMF exposure we get from an office setting and neutralizes it before our eyes with a Carbon Electron Carrying Pad:

For those of you who missed it, David tells us that the carbon electron carrying pad carries an electrical charge that mimics earth energy. What it does is `grounds’ the electrical charges flowing through our bodies from the immediate vicinity.

He claims this natural earth energy also has healing effects and produces antioxidants that squash inflammation and pain.

What have you heard about this grounding technology? Have you tried it? If yes, have you felt different or has your health improved?

Everyone of us has a unique biological make-up that differentiates us from one another. In today post, Dr. Mercola shares with us a free online tool designed to help us find which body type we are so we can find what fuels optimize our health towards wellness and away from disease.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a video interview with Dr. Gabriel Cousens where he spoke about determining the best diet for you via the 3 Ayurvedic body types. You could go to a health practitioner to find out your body type or stay at home and complete the comprehensive questionnaire in Dr. Deepak Chopra’s book, Perfect Health.

If Ayurvedic medicine isn’t up your alley or you don’t want to invest any money (at least not yet) into determining the right diet for you, there’s a free online health tool that will do the same thing!

Look for the link below but before you do, please watch this video as Dr. Mercola reveals one of the universal health principals we should all be aiming for, introduces the online tool and tell us about the 3 nutrition types (basically the same typing found Ayurvedic medicine but with an easy-to-understand western spin):

As Doc Mercola mentions in the video, this nutritional typing tool used to go for 30-bucks-a-pop. But since he feels this information is so valuable to the health of society, he’s offering it (as well as practical recipes and e-guides for each nutrition type) to the general public FOR FREE!

In case you missed it, here’s the link to the short (about 5 minute) online questionnaire which helps determine your nutrition type: http://products.mercola.com/nutritional-typing/.

Head’s Up

Now, the last thing I want to do is burst your bubble but filling out this questionnaire won’t necessarily tell you which diet is right for you – at least not without some work on your end.

For instance, the first question is about your typical breakfast. The next one asks whether this alone will energize you or if you need caffeine to last until lunch.

Do you see how circumstances might affect your answer? What if you’re addicted to caffeine? This would make it impossible (at this point) to provide a reliable answer.

Dr. Mercola is aware of this caveat and stresses at the end of the video about listening to your body. This online nutritional typing tool seems to be an excellent place to begin becoming more aware of what foods add to your energy and which deplete it.

I’m a “Mixed Type” (so far) and plan on reading through the e-materials that came with my nutritional typing results. I’ll be watching what I eat, attempting to control factors that may affect my energy and observing how my body reacts to different foods. Then I’ll take the test again.

What nutritional type are YOU?

Are you tired of spending money on health tools only to have them fail for you? It’s because what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. However, after several months of trying out my M2 personal health coach, MyTrak may just have the solution!

It’s been 2 months now since I’ve had my M2 and although I feel it’s still a bit early for a complete review, a few readers have requested I post something on it.

Short on time? Here’s my overall rating on the M2 so far: ***½~ (3.5/5)

My rating factors:

1. Effectiveness – Does it do what it promises to do?
2. Versatility – Will it work for most people?
3. Product Support – How willing is the company to help when it’s most needed?
4. Added Features – What’s really exceptional about this product?
5. Ease of Use – How easy is it to reap the benefits of the product?

The following is a breakdown of my M2 experience (so far).

Effectiveness ½ (0.5/1)

The M2 measures your overall health, energy expenditure levels and heart healthy minutes. It does this by tracking your hip movements and jumping motions. As a stand-alone product, the one area where the M2 fails to properly measure is the heart healthy minutes. For instance, if you’re weight-training, it will fail to measure your increased heart rate because you’re not moving or jumping around much, if at all.

You will need a specially coded heart rate belt in order to get full credits for your heart healthy activity. Without the heart rate belt, MyTrak says they credit you more heart healthy minutes by increasing either the intensity or time of your activities.

For myself, there’s only so much time I can squeeze out in a day for physical activity (typically 30 – 90 minutes for me). I took their advice to do more intense activity but even on the days that I’m sweating, breathing hard and know my heart rate is up there, I’m still getting yellow and sometimes red (the goal is to “Go For Green!”).

I already have a heart rate belt and I’m reluctant to invest in another for the benefit of meeting my M2 goals. Additionally, MyTrak has yet to release a water proof version of the M2 so if you like water activities, you won’t be credited for them and the results of your health efforts will be skewed.

Versatility * (1/1)

The MyTrak M2 rocks this category. When you set up your personal goals, you have the choice between a weight loss or fitness program.

I haven’t had the opportunity to check out the weight loss version yet but as for the possible fitness lifestyle goals, here are the various levels:

• Inactive
• Light
• Moderate
• Active
• Intense
• Extreme
• Competitive

I have yet to come across a health tool that offers so many personal health goal options!

Product Support ½ (0.5/1)

Although I only gave them a half a star here, MyTrak is well on its way to owning this product rating factor.

In the 2 months since registering, I’ve had 2 calls from customer support to see if I had any questions or concerns with my M2. I’ve also been contacted via email by one of the health coaches just to let me know that I’ve been consistently behind in hitting my heart healthy minutes. This health coach explained how my M2 measured my heart healthy minutes, offered suggestions in how I can achieve my goals more consistently and encouraged me to do so.

The reason I only gave the M2 a half a star here is because there wasn’t much information provided at the onset about exactly how and what the M2 measures. The 3 health aspects (health, energy & heart) make up the ring on the device but I wasn’t given a full explanation. Knowledge is power, right?

The online tracking and analysis tool is a bit confusing at first, too, and took awhile to even partially understand. (Note: the information is available but you have to hunt for it in the message board.)

On the upside, they’ve recently added regular webinars which explain the M2 functionality and dashboard results (i.e. tracking statistics) and sheds some light on questions. However, the webinars are only about 30 minutes and the presenters speak fast to get it all in. I’ll need to hop into another one of these webinars so that I can absorb all the information.

Another reason for only a half a star in product support is that MyTrak’s responsiveness is a bit slow and sometimes lacking. For instance, back on January 26th I asked a question about what the stars mean that show up next to my profile pic. I haven’t received an answer yet but I found it in the community message board this week.

It’s obvious that there’s a lot going on with the online portion of the product and they’re still working out a few bugs.

Added Features * (1/1)

Besides the social networking component online, MyTrak offers a comprehensive amount of nutritional, fitness, health and supplement information via published content on the site, and now webinars. Some of the webinar topics include:

• Exercise, Myths, Misconceptions and Lies
• Break the Weight Loss Plateau
• All Stressed Up and No Where To Go
• Walk This Way

They have an Announcements section to keep everyone up-to-date on what’s going on with events, the M2 and additions to the team of health coaches. For fun and motivation, they’ve created groups where you can join other like-minded individuals in activities, challenges and events. You can also create your own groups!

The online tracking statistics are phenomenal, too. You can analyze your daily, weekly and monthly results in all 3 areas of health (overall health, energy and heart health). You can track your meals (calorie & nutrition intake), your goals (and adjust them if you’ve chosen overly aggressive goals) and choose specific activities that suit you personally. In addition to these activities, MyTrak will tell you how long you have to perform your fav activities in order to hit your goal that day.

What about even more personalized support? MyTrak kicks butt here. In the “My Body” section of the online tool, you can create personalized plans for nutrition, fitness, health and supplements. They also offer support via personal coaching! Use the community board to post a question or befriend one of the coaches to privately request support.

You also have your own personal blog and message board to post whatever you want there. Friends and coaches can see what you post so they can respond.

Ease of Use ½ (0.5/1)

MyTrak makes the M2 sound really easy, just “wear, sync and succeed”. I’ve found that it’s a bit more complicated than that, though.

There’s definitely a learning curve with all that they offer. I’m certain I’m not using all the online statistics to my advantage. But it’s been difficult so far to manage life and pursue my health goals while getting to know all I need to know in order to use the M2 and its community effectively.

The webinars are really helping to reduce this learning curve, though. I’m confident that within the month I’ll have a routine down where I can actively achieve my fitness goals, log into the online portion regularly and participate more fully in the community. I’m aiming to take the MyTrak opportunity for personal health coaching soon, too!

Stay tuned for additional reviews as I become more accustomed to the M2 and its online tracking/analysis capabilities, the growing online community and as I successfully meet my first fitness goal!

Celebrities look great all the time. It’s their job. And they pay good money for coaches to whip them into shape. So tell me, would it be easier to meet your health and fitness goals if you had your very own personal coach by your side throughout the entire day?

Your personal health coach would be there to remind you of healthier choices, push you just enough so you can improve a little each day and kick your butt into high gear when you’re slacking.

That’s why I’m excited about my new M2 personal health coach (given to me as a Christmas gift from my thoughtful, wonderful and beautiful cousin. Thank you, Tina!).

The folks over at MyTrak have designed a health solution that fits on your hip and tracks your movement throughout the day. It’s interactive and customized, so you go online and set up your profile. After a few questions about your current state of health and your goals, you’re ready to rock and roll!

Here is a 2:48 minute video introducing the M2 personal health coach:

I registered and configured my M2 on January 15, so it’s only been about 20 days since my personal health coach has been by my side. I’m aiming for a more intense lifestyle!

Stay tuned for an upcoming M2 review post where I share my experience with it and the MyTrak online community.

What do you think of the M2 so far, Readers? Do you think it’ll help you achieve your health & fitness goals?

How do you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are? If you want to start feeling great in 2-3 weeks, I suggest that you take an online health assessment tool by a trusted source and regard their advise!

USANA Health Sciences has a useful online health assessment tool that takes about 10 minutes to complete. I took it today and based on my current lifestyle, they recommended a variety of nutritional supplements and small changes I can start doing today to improve my life!

Good news is that I’m taking most of the supplements already. Whoo Hooo! And the suggested lifestyle changes, which I downloaded in a .pdf from the tool, will be easy to follow.

Click here to get your health assessed and allow USANA’s health experts give you some individualized advise.

If you’re ready to try USANA out for yourself, contact stephanie [at] livelighter [dot] org and I can hook you up with a trusted associate.