Valentines Day Gifts For Him

Valentines Day.A day full of romance and love. It also can be a day of stress.The stress is what to get for that special person in my life. You want and need different ideas so you can give a variety of gifts not the same ones every year. So,we did just that. Here are some shopping choices for you.

For The Guy Who Likes Looking Sharp:
WE ♥: It's the new era for the love note. These collar stays come in fun messages like, 'you have a big heart' to more adult ones like 'that tie will be useful.' Hidden Messages Collar Stays, available at redenvelope.com, $40

For The Guy Who Likes To Smell Good:
WE ♥: Keep the man in your life smelling fresh with this eco-friendly shaving kit, which includes beer-scented soap. Cigar Box Shaving Kit, available on Etsy, $42

For The Guy With Fancy Tastes:
WE ♥: The Mantry is a man's answer to a pantry — just with more delicious finds. The membership-based site sends you six to eight artisan and craft foods a month. Memberships start at $75

For The Guy Who Loves His Glass Of Wine:
WE ♥: This crystal decanter is perfect for anyone who loves a good post-work drink — or just a fancy piece of décor in their house.Nambe Tilt 3-Piece Decanter Set, available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, $200

For The Guy Who Likes Mixing His Own Music:
WE ♥: If you're tired of hearing your partner's taste in music, give him his own space in which to experiment. These small-sized docks not only change colour, but you can also customize colours and songs as different clock modes. iHome Colour-Changing Alarm Clock Speaker, available at Best Buy, $48

For The Guy Who Misses Summer:
WE ♥: Miss the warm weather? So do we. If the man in your life misses everything about shorts, BBQs and riding his bike, treat him to this burger maker that lets you add your own fillings. Mmm ... bacon-stuffed burger. Stuffed Hamburger Press, available at Williams-Sonoma, $15

For The Guy Who Likes A Challenge:
WE ♥: For the guy who isn't challenged enough — or has a serious obsession with video games, the Wii U includes a touch screen controller and interactive games. Nintendo Wii U, available at Future Shop, $350

For The Guy Who Doesn't Like To Get Used To Tech:
WE ♥: Face it, some men don't like change. If the man in your life doesn't want the latest smartphone or fancy gadget, melt his heart with this retro phone receiver. Retro Phone Receiver, available at Urban Outfitters, $28

For The Guy Who Thinks He Knows Everything About Beer:
WE ♥: It's fair to say most men think they know everything about beer. To keep him busy for the rest of the year, let him make his own! Beer Making Kit, available at Chapters/Indigo, $50

For The Guy Who Missed Hockey ... A Little Too Much:
WE ♥: Maybe the hockey lover in your life shed a tear during this NHL lockout, but we already know how excited he is about the return of the sport. At least this gift will ensure hockey will never leave him — unless it's in the laundry. College Concepts Montreal Canadiens, available at the NHL store, $18

For The Guy Who Loves His Tablet:
WE ♥: If he loves his tablet, he'll want to protect the goods. This leather case from Coach will also keep him trendy (and there's a whole slew of colours to choose from). Bleecker Leather iPad Case, available at Coach, $198

For The Proud Nerd:
WE ♥: This R2-D2 fold-up chair will make anyone on your list feel like a kid again. Star Wars R2-D2 Folding Armchair, available at ThinkGeek.com, $40

For The Guy Who Says He Likes To Work Out:
WE ♥: This band claims to track your burned calories and steps — ideal for the guy who is always on the run or the guy who's started his new year on a healthy note. Nike FuelBand, available at Nike, $150

For The Guy Who Needs A Break:
WE ♥: It's a two-in-one: A little something for you and a little something for him. The Lelo pleasure set includes a couples' vibrator, feather teaser and blindfold. Indulge Me Pleasure Set, available at the Stag Shop, $114

For The Proud Canuck:
WE ♥: Even though Canada Day is seven months away, this bag lets anyone keep a bit of patriotism around all the time. CBC Radio Canada Mobile Recording Shoulder Bag, available at Chapter's/Indigo, $40

For The Movie Buff:
WE ♥: At one point or another, most of us wanted to be some type of action star or superhero. If the man in your life loves movies, this collector's set includes all 21 James Bond films to indulge in his spy fantasies. James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set, available on Amazon.ca, from $150
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or The Guy Who Needs Help In The Décor Department:
WE ♥: Ugly shower curtains, your time is up. This fun (and kind of creepy) black and white curtain features 30 faces with awesome facial hair. Mustache Shower Curtain, available at Urban Outfitters, $24
The Guy Who Likes To Document His Life:
WE ♥: Maybe he's into photography or just likes taking photos of himself. Nikon's new Coolpix camera features smartphone-like abilities, including an option to email your photos to your friends (so cool) and a built-in GPS system. Coolpix S800c, available at Black's Photography, $280

For The Guy Who Loves Baseball (In Toronto Or Nearby):
WE ♥: The bad news is, Canada has one official baseball team in the MLB, but the good news is, the Toronto Blue Jays have an exciting season coming up. If the guy in your life is a fan of baseball, or just wants a night out in Toronto, Blue Jays tickets are a great idea. But get on it — the first few games are almost sold out. Blue Jays Season Tickets, available at TicketMaster.com, prices depend on date

The Guy Who Loves The Idea Of A Home Bar:
WE ♥: These personalized pint glasses look good in any home bar — or kitchen cabinet. Monogrammed Pint Glass, available at Williams-Sonoma, $51 to $59

For The Guy Who Likes To Stay Organized:
WE ♥: Even Gandalf would approve. This limited edition Hobbit-themed Moleskine notebook is the perfect way to stay on top of your notes, doodles and lists in 2013. Bonus: it includes a map of Wilderland. Moleskine, available at Chapters/Indigo, $30

For The Guy Who Loves Football...A Little Too Much:
WE ♥: Every touchdown, every play and every win wrapped up in a 45-hour action-packed DVD set. Warning, he may love you a little too much after this one. NFL Super Bowl Collection, available at Amazon.ca, $91

For The New Cook:
WE ♥: Let's get cooking. The 4-Hour Chef isn't just a cookbook, it's a collection of secrets from the world's greatest chefs and tips on how to become a fast learner in almost anything. The 4-Hour Chef, available at Indigo/Chapters, $27

For The Man Who Speaks The Language Of Love:
WE ♥: Here's another one you can use together: The Rosetta Stone language kit lets you and your partner learn basic vocabulary and communication skills, along with basic sentence structure. Also, feel free to use your imagination (and internet connection) — we can't promise any dirty words are included. Rosetta Stone Spanish, available at Chapters/Indigo, $500

For The Guy Who Loves The Gym:
WE ♥: Every guy needs their own personal space. This gym bag is equipped with a mat holder, a compartment for sweaty clothes and exterior pockets. Training Duffel, available at Lululemon, $108

This should get you started especially with the different kind of gift ideas and internet links for immediate shopping. Thank you to Huff Post.com for these practical suggestions. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

How To Become More Organized

 

 

 

 

Doesn't that picture sum us up? We are so many different people doing so many tasks a day. We don't have time to get organized and fall behind. That make us feel like we have no time for our life. So, it is essential for us to get organized. From our research, we found ways that you can become more organized and have time for your personal life again.

 

I must emphasize: these are not my tips, but yours, and when you see the word “I” it refers to the reader writing the tip, not me. Names have been removed to protect the innocent.

1. 3 Most Important Tasks. Writing down and making mental note of my top 3 tasks to get done for the day. Everything else seems to fall into place if I do that.
2. An easy and workable task list, or to do list. While I love all of these handy web 2.0 apps, computer software, very neat gadgets like palms and really cool cell phones, they just don’t work for me. I’m a lazy woman, with an even lazier attitude. I might put a task in Remember the Milk, another task in my palm, one in my Gcal and send another text to my phone. With all of these different ways of doing things, I end up spending much more time trying to organize my to do list, or consolidate it, that I don’t get much actually done.
3. Keep ubiquitous capture device. It might not be the same device for every location (I have a moleskine for work, but use my mobile for inspiration on the fly) but just being able to write stuff down when you think about it is key for me.
4. Choose one tool and stick with it.
5. Do one thing at a time.
6. Do it now.
7. Make use of the word no.
8. Use the recycling bin/trash basket. Organizing unnecessary items is wasted energy. It is amazing how much more in control I feel just by ridding myself of now outdated articles I’d like to read “someday,” or countless meeting notes from which relevant action items have already been extracted.
9. A (good) place for everything, and everything in its place. By finding places that are easy to get to for all the things I use most often, and places that are pretty easy to get to for the things I use less often, I spend less time dreading doing things and more time actually doing things. And the place for things you never use is elsewhere (trash can, place that accepts donations, etc.).
10. Simplify, simplify, simplify!
11. Put it away now. The single, simplest thing I do to stay personally organized is to put whatever tool, item, clothing, bag, hairbrush etc., away immediately after using it. I always know where everything and anything is so I never waste time looking for something. Very efficient. I could tell a stranger where to find anything in my home.
12. Keep a to-do list that syncs with your mobile phone (so you can add stuff as and when you remember it). And make sure every item has a due date.
13. Change. It obsoletes unimportant things. It brings down any method or idea that isn’t timeless. It brings up newer and more important things that you and others can’t resist anymore. Best of all: it’s an organizing tool that operates itself. You simply have to embrace it.
14. Divide material into red, yellow, blue and green plastic file folders. For example, anything that has to be done today (paperwork to be given to a client, bills to be mailed) go in the red folder. Contact material or anything related to customer field support goes in the yellow folder. Your mileage may vary as to how you organize your briefcase, and like me you may also have project-specific manilla file folders as well, but dividing stuff up into just four color coded folders is a huge help.
15. Flylady.net. She helped me realize that I needed to apply GTD principles to my home life and not just work. I had work under control using checklists, projects and next actions. I tried the same system at home and failed. Then about a month ago I discovered flylady.net courtesy I believe one of your blog posts. Wow, what a difference. My house is clean and so is my desk at work. Many if not most of her basic ideas are just like GTD in a slightly different perspective (control journal, baby steps) and also concrete methods for accomplishing next actions (2 minute hot spots, 15 minute timers). Her most useful tip was to put my daily/weekly lists into shiny page protectors in my control journal. I use a dry erase marker and voila no more killing trees or not doing my list because I can’t print it (or want to avoid the hassle). The best thing about this, I am more relaxed, my blood pressure is finally dropping and I feel less stressed.
16. Unapologetically take control of your time and priorities.
17. Sort at the source. My favorite organizational tool is my post office box. I visit it once a week (usually Saturday), stand at the counter in the lobby and sort my mail. I use the P.O.’s trash bin. What comes into my house is only what I need to have. Bills and letters and checks go into my inbox (which by the way is a box with a lid that is wrapped in lovely fabric and has a yellow bow on it so it looks like a present sitting on my desk). Reading material goes on the table by my chaise lounge which is where I do all my reading.
18. A sheet of paper, a calendar and a white board. I’ve found that the easiest way to organize myself, my days and so forth is a good paper calendar, a sheet of paper that I divide into four sections and a medium sized white board. For my paper the top left section is my actual running to do list for today. The top right section is my running grocery list, or list of things I must purchase. The bottom left is for notes such as calls I made, who I spoke to, appointment dates. The bottom right is whatever I need to move to another day. If I’m told to call back on Monday, then I note that on the calendar. As for the white board, the kids can make notes (Can I spend the night at Brian’s on Friday? Grandma called), and I can jot down things as I think of them to be added to tomorrow’s to do list. My calendar, and the white board are in the same location, so I can transfer short notes if need be. I carry my paper task list with me everywhere, so I can make notes at any given moment.
19. Color coding. I’m a visual person, and I find that color-coding my various lists and calendars minimizes the time I have to spend looking at them. This worked especially well when I was in school: I dumped every class syllabus into Outlook, and then color-coded every class period (blue for paper due, yellow for quiz, red for test, etc). It took awhile to set up, sure, but then for the rest of the semester I only had to glance at Outlook to get a very clear idea of what kind of week I was going to have.
20. One binder. I use a binder cleverly labeled “@ 2007″ with the following divisions:
    • @ Today – With my Emergent Task Planner from davidseah.com;
    • @ Week – The remaining days of the week ETP’s as a skeleton;
    • @ Year – All my historical sheets;
    • @ Diet – Which tracks what I have eaten for the day;
    • @ Fitness – Which tracks my workout routine for the day. My binder is with me all the time and it has helped me become a better employee, family member and relationship guy.
21. Write down, execute and tidy up on the way. These are is my organization bible. I’ve been living that way since more than two years and I can say that I’m an organized person.
22. A little whiteboard on my bedroom wall. I have it separated into two sections, a “todo” and a “today”. “Todo” is a list of general things I have to do, like get my car inspected, buy someone a present, etc. Then “today” is what I need to do, obviously, today! Things can be moved back and forth as appropriate. I find having a specific list for today helps push me to get the important things done in a timely manner. I also keep two things permanently on the “today” part, which are meditation and exercise. This seems to help.
23. Note cards. One can write tasks on them — one per card, or in a list (depending on the type of task in question; I do both). When doing one per card, the stack serves as an easy prioritization scheme. But wait, there’s more: They can be arranged on cork boards, shared, annotated, torn up and rearranged. They can be used as placeholders, as mini-white boards and as tokens to model ideas. They are easy to carry around, and to attach to other documents. Further, different colors allow for a visual representation of different kinds of todo’s (as can different annotations). Finally, they are cheap and most importantly of all: easy (much easier than software) to reconfigure as needs and projects change.
24. Never rely on a single point of failure. I’ve seen people pay $1,000 to hear speakers at a conference and only have one pen to take notes. It’s a great feeling when one thing breaks, gets lost, or runs out of power, and you have another one in reserve!
25. Have.. less.. stuff.
26. Delegate. Learn to trust people with critical tasks in all areas of your life. When you learn to effectively delegate tasks you actually find that it is easier to keep the stuff you cannot delegate better organized.
27. You control your life. Whatever electronics or paper you use, make them work for YOU not the other way around. Does Outlook really have to stay checking your email every 5 minutes? Maybe, but I bet you’ll get a whole lot more done if you check it a few times per day. That goes for the Blackberry too! After all, there are so many tools, and one to fit everyone – so use what works, but make it work for you!

 These are useful tips to get organized and take control again. We would like to thank zenhabits.net for these practical suggestions. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

Christmas Gift Ideas For Men

Isn't that a wonderful picture? There is nothing better than giving and touching others. Another Christmas is upon us and we are now in the shopping mode.Out of your shopping list, men can be difficult to shop for because they don't always tell you or give you any hints on what they want.Well, we found some great ideas for the special man in your life.

Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Second Season

Atlantic City may pale in comparison to Vegas today, but back in the roaring '20s, it was “the world’s playground,” and that was half a century before it even had gambling. Explore this Prohibition-era resort town through the stories of intrigue of the government, political and organized crime figures running the show.
Check it out.

Sonos Play:3 Wireless Music Player

The Sonos Play:3 combines all types of digital music -- iTunes, Internet radio stations, Pandora, Spotify and more -- into one small, powerful experience. Select from more than 100,000 music sources and control them all with a smartphone or tablet. The small size of the system conceals big, three-speaker sound.
Check it out.

Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook

Thanks to a unique swivel-action hinge system, Dell’s XPS 12 combines the power and productivity of an ultrabook with the fun, intuitive interface of a Windows 8 tablet. Whether the order of the day is finishing a work project at the 11th hour or watching a zombie movie marathon, the XPS 12 does it with flair.
Check it out.

Tilley Intrepid III Bag

A vintage style inspired by WWII meets design and function built for 2012. The five pockets of the Tilley Intrepid III bag have enough room for a 13-inch laptop and daily necessities like keys and glasses. The bag combines waxed nylon, tanned Italian leather and brass.
Find it here.

Optoma PK102 Pico Pocket Projector

Pocket projectors are one of the few things on earth that can make something as dull as a workplace productivity PowerPoint seem cool and intriguing. This tiny projector from Optoma transforms iPhone, laptop and camera files into impressive 60-inch presentations. Long-lasting DLP technology ensures it’ll be showing videos, pictures and work files for years to come.
Check it out.

Lacie Cloudbox

The Lacie Cloudbox is a powerful, spacious peripheral designed to store and share. It provides up to 3 TB of central storage and backup for photos, music, videos and other digital files. Those files can be shared across the household and beyond on desktop computers, tablets, laptops, connected TVs and other devices.
Check it out.

Stuffa Jacket

Guys from around the world would love to come together to start the world’s most epic bonfire using every bulky, heavy, overpriced backpack, suitcase, carry-on and messenger bag as fuel … if only it weren’t for all that stuff that still needs to get transported hither and yon. The Stuffa Jacket’s 12 integrated pockets provide an alternative for transporting gear and clothes on short trips. Maybe we’ll have that bonfire after all.
Find it here.

VIVOBAREFOOT Neo

Barefoot shoes have been the biggest story in running for years now, so if he hasn’t tried them, it may be time to persuade him. The simple retro-styled Neo is one of the best-selling shoes from one of the pioneers of the barefoot market. A zero drop profile and mesh upper keep things light and minimal, while a puncture-resistant multi-terrain outsole protects from the elements.

Find it here.

Arctic Rocks Whisky Stones

Nothing puts the exclamation point on a smooth bourbon or Scotch like the frosty chill of a couple of ice cubes. These granite freezer stones add the cold that a whisky drinker wants without the watery dilution he doesn’t. The stones are odorless, flavorless and easy to use and clean.
Check it out.

Cuisinart Griddler

The Cuisinart Griddler brings the art of grilling indoors, ensuring that meal prep can be manly even in cold, inclement weather. It also doubles as a griddle and panini press. His appetite is bound to shift from bacon to steak to seared Italian sandwiches, and the Griddler shifts right with it.
Check it out.


Read more: http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/mrtech_100/126b_tech_gadgets.html#ixzz2ElxVI1mY

These ideas from askmen.com should get you started on what to get him for Christmas . By the way, there are active links that you can use to learn more about each product. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

Five Ways To Stay Healthy During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is around the corner. There is so much to look forward to from eating a great meal to catching up with friends and family. With so much in front of us, we can neglect our health and pay the price later. What we need is balance. So, we came up with five different ways that  can keep you happy and healthy during the holidays.



1. Drink Lots of Water
There will be tons of drinks around for you to savor on—eggnog, apple cider, sparkling cider, hot chocolate. Although these drinks are not highly caloric, multiple drinks mean multiple servings of sodium which, in combination with traditional Thanksgiving food, isn’t that healthy. Try replacing some of these drinks with good old fashioned H2O. Drinking water speeds up your digestive system and metabolism by flushing out toxins and waste products from your body. You’ll be able to stay hydrated without adding any extra calories.

2. Balance your Indulgences
It’s hard to pass up all the wonderful items on the dinner table, but you’ll have to make some rules to keep yourself from overindulging yourself. So to keep yourself from packing on too many unhealthy pounds, make sure you go for the healthy foods first. Grab vegetables and white meats for your plate before heading for the unhealthy stuff. That way by the time you reach that buttery pie, you’ll be cutting a smaller slice after filling yourself up on healthy greens.

3. Rise and Shine—Start Cooking Early
If you’re going to be in the kitchen this holiday, or if cooking Thanksgiving dinner is usually a family affair, then beware of the temptations. Tasting the stuffing or licking up the batter for pie may seem harmless, but all those extra samplings while you “save your stomach” for dinner are still opportunities to pack on calories. The best thing to do is get an early start on cooking. Start preparing the meal right after you finish breakfast. Cooking on a full stomach will keep you from sampling foods.

4. Press “Pause” on the Seconds
It’s hard to resist having second helpings of Thankgsiving food—it comes once a year right? But it’s important to remember that as good as it may be to have another go around of all the food on the table, those second servings aren’t as benefeical for your health. Timing is important in this situation. Eat slowly to make sure you allow your mind and body enough time to process and digest the food. Then, wait at least 15-20 minutes before you dive in for second helpings. Your stomach needs time to let your brain know that it’s full. If there are leftovers, bust out the Tupperware and save it—don’t feel forced to follow grandma’s old rule about finishing everything on your plate.

5. Walk it Out
It’s so easy to just plop on the couch after a big Thanksgiving meal and turn on the television set. Instead of leaving food to sit in your stomach, go for a walk around your neighborhood or do something active. This doesn’t mean break away from family time and bust out the Denise Richardson workout tapes—a brief walk outside or an active game on the Nintendo Wii is a fun way to start working off calories and get the family involved.

Now you have what you need for balance. A big thank you to cluthmagazine.com for these great suggestions. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

Women's Guide : How To Look Sexy For Halloween

It is that time of the year to look sexy and get away with it. Yes, it is Halloween. That time of the year when we get to dress however we want and get allot of attention. That is why we have a useful guide to use so you can look your sexiest from buycostumes.com.


Don’t be crushed if your costumed arrives wrinkled! Almost all costumes will need a good steaming after travel. If you don’t have access to your own steamer, just hang your costume up in the bathroom and take a nice long hot shower. This should smooth all the creases.


Don’t be “Sizest”. I, like many of you, have been guilty over the years of turning down a fabulous outfit, because I didn’t agree with the size on the tag. When buying a costume, measure yourself and compare your measurements to the charts. If you feel that you’re between sizes trust your gut, but the safe bet is to choose the size larger. Brands and companies vary, and depending on the country where the costume was made, your concept of “medium” might be smaller or larger than what they create.


Highlight your assets! As we all know, if you’re tall and slender – you can pull off anything. But for the rest of us, take a good long look in the mirror and decide what will be your Sexy Feature this season. If you love your legs, consider something short and sassy. If you have a fantastic butt, slip into the costumes that feature short-shorts or tight leggings. Got great abs? Well you can always be a belly dancer! We’re all sexy in our own way, just be sure to bring attention to the asset which you love the most.


It’s what’s underneath that counts! Whether you’re looking to lift, tuck, smooth or hide you need to rely on the magic of undergarments to help you on your way. Although I usually suggest a thong to avoid the dreaded VPL (visible panty line) – I must insist that we all consider full bottom, or even boy shorts to provide the dignity under these short and sassy frocks. You might want to also consider wearing panty hose to ensure the look of long perfect legs; I find that panty hose can also help to keep up those sometimes slippery thigh highs.


Don’t be afraid to make adjustments. We are all built differently, and as such slight alterations can greatly improve the look of a costume. Whether you’re petite and need to hem it a bit shorter, or you need to add a few stitches to fix where the fabric mysteriously bulges – there is no harm in making it your own.


Last but not least – buy your costume early enough that you can use all the weapons in your sexy arsenal! All the fantastic corsets in the world can’t help your costume, if you didn’t have time to shop for them before your big day! Remember to have fun! Tonight’s your night to shine! So embrace your curves, love your petite frame, and own your majestic height!

Well, this is useful information for you to use to look your best for Halloween. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

Fall Activities for Women

Well, It is now the fall season. There is allot to look forward to with friends families and holidays. With how busy you can be during this time, it is easy not to think about some simple ideas to enjoy the holiday better. So, we researched and found some activities that you can do to make the most of your season.

Party By Candlelight – The decreasing sunlight over the next few months will usher in a more mysterious tone to the world. Celebrate the mystery and intimate qualities of fall and winter by hosting a candlelit girls-night in. Stock up on tea candles, buy a good bottle of wine and indulge in scrumptious fall hors d’oeuvres like squash and candied pecans, or apple dumplings.

Apple Picking – This is an old, but fun stand by that usually makes every fun fall activities list, and for a good reason. The opportunity to get out and enjoy a fresh autumn day while picking juicy, sweet apples is hard to beat. Extend the festivities by inviting everyone back to your place for an apple-pie baking extravaganza. Or, if your talents lie in other areas, stop by the nearest bakery for a fresh apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Outdoor Movie Theater – Grab your electric blankets, and put up a white projector screen for this fun fall activity! Borrow someone’s projector and show a movie outdoors in your backyard. Pop up big bowls of popcorn, make up some thermoses of hot chocolate or steamed cider, and kick back on your lawn chairs to enjoy a fresh take on your standard movie night.

Fall Festivals – With fun fall activities like wine tasting, Oktoberfest, neighborhood festivals, and more going on, there’s no reason why you can’t have an entertaining and enjoyable time with friends. Just be sure to have a sober driver, or take a taxi, if you plan on drinking.

Backyard Bonfires – Nothing beats fun fall activities like cozying up to a crackling fire on a cool, crisp autumn evening. Change up the s’mores routine by replacing the usually Hershey’s chocolate bar with an exotic candy bar.


We would like to thank Women on Life.com for these wonderful ideas to use. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team

Getting Fit In The Summertime

Summer offers the chance to get outdoors and be seen. We want to look good for the summer and also get outside. So, it makes sense to stay in shape and enjoy the summer weather at the same time.  Here are some ideas for you brought to you by Web MD.



Swimming

Swimming is a wonderful cardiovascular conditioner that also helps tones arms and legs, and it's very easy on the joints, says Stuhr.In fact, it's perfect for people who have muscle or joint problems. The weightlessness of the water helps them exercise pain-free.Swimming will increase your stamina, can help ward off diabetes and high blood pressure, and relieves stress, Stuhr tells WebMD.

Equipment: A swimsuit and maybe goggles.

Pros: Most people already know how to swim; it's fun, refreshing, and forgiving of excess weight or physical disabilities.

Cons: Not everyone has easy access to pools, lakes, or the ocean. Swimming is not weight bearing, so you should pair it with other activities such as walking or lifting weights.



Walking

You say walking's too pedestrian? Actually, it's one of the best lifetime sports.
"It's easy on the joints, you don't need a lot of fancy equipment, and you can burn calories, even though it's a more modest amount compared to some other activities," says Stuhr.Current national guidelines recommend exercise (such as brisk walking) for 30 minutes, most days in a week.According to the guidelines, walking for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, at a brisk pace (about 4 mph) will help ward off chronic disease."Your risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure go down as a response to just increasing your level of physical activity," says Stuhr.Beyond that, if you're trying to lose weight, you should shoot for 60 minutes of walking most days of the week. To keep weight off, get 60-90 minutes of walking most days.
Sound daunting? The trick is to incorporate walking into your daily life and break the time into several manageable spurts. Consider walking the kids to school or the bus stop in the morning, hoofing it to pick up a bag of groceries or run errands at lunchtime, and walking the dog or taking a stroll after dinner each evening.

Equipment Needed: Good athletic shoes are all you need.

Pros: Walking is a weight-bearing exercise (which means it's good for bone health) and helps build cardiovascular endurance. Almost everyone can do it, regardless of fitness level.

Cons: You may not lose weight as quickly as with some other forms of cardiovascular exercise.

Kayaking

Kayaking is primarily an upper-body sport, but it also works the muscles of the center of your body, back, and stomach.In fact, "many beginner kayakers fatigue early because they rely mostly on their arms rather than their core," says Brian Clark, a kayaking enthusiast and residence life management area coordinator at Roanoke College in Salem, Va.Beginners should start by taking a class or clinic in a pool or flat-water location."You'll learn how to roll the kayak, paddling technique, read the river and what to do for problems like getting pinned against rocks," says John Benson, director of the Sewanee Outing Program at Sewanee, the University of the South, in Tennessee.To prepare your body for kayaking, pay attention to working out your shoulders, abs, and lower back. It's also important to work on your flexibility, Clark says. Pilates and yoga are helpful for this.

Equipment: A kayak, a helmet, a, personal flotation device, and safety gear such as throw ropes. A neoprene or wet suit is good to have in cooler weather.

Pros: If you love the water, kayaking is a fun and scenic way to work out.

Cons: Equipment is expensive, and you need training before you hit the water on your own. For most of us, this is a weekend-only activity.


Jogging/Running

Jogging is terrific for your heart and lungs, and it improves your stamina. If you're trying to lose weight, it can burn calories more quickly than walking."On the negative side, running does put more stress on the joints -- the knees, ankles, and hips," says Stuhr.The key is to start slowly. The general rule is to increase your time or distance by no more than 10% each week."The reason we make that suggestion is not because the heart and lungs can't handle it, but the joints and muscles are a little slower to adapt to the stress of vigorous exercise," Stuhr says. Too much too soon, and you can develop tendinitis or a variety of muscle or joint problems.

Equipment: It's important to get a good pair of running shoes, and, for women, a quality sports bra. Pay attention to the surface on which you run. Paths and grass are softer, but they're uneven and could have holes. Concrete is harder, but good shoes help absorb shock.

Pros: Running is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. A 150-pound woman can burn 306 calories running for 30 minutes at 5 mph (a 12-minute mile). A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999 found that aerobic exercise like running may be as effective as medication for treating depression in some people.

Cons: Running can be hard on muscles and joints and can cause injuries such as shin splints and tendinitis.

Cycling

Not only is bicycling an excellent cardiovascular exercise, but you can really explore your community by cycling to different neighborhoods or in parks, bike paths, or trails. Many people cycle to commute to work.

While running tends to target the hamstrings (the muscles in the back of your thighs), cycling uses the quadriceps (the muscles on the front of the thighs) more.

It's important to make sure your bike is fitted properly to your body; otherwise, you'll put too much stress on your back or knees.

"I recommend finding a bike shop or a demo program where you can try a bike out," says Tonya Laffey, a professional mountain biker and founder of MTB Chick Racing. "I would highly recommend getting a fit kit, which measures you for the bike."

When you're getting started, you want a softer seat but not one that is too wide, or you won't be able to get behind it, Laffey tells WebMD. If you're a woman, try a women's racing saddle. It will be more comfortable but may take some time to get used to.

If your gym offers spinning classes, they can help you prepare for biking outdoors.

It's also a good idea to learn basic bike repair, Laffey says.

Equipment: You need a bike, a helmet, and gloves with a little palm padding, which will absorb vibration and cushion your hands in a spill.

Pros: Biking is fun, can be used as transportation, and works different muscles than walking or running.

Cons: Equipment can be expensive. Cycling isn't weight-bearing exercise (the type that helps build healthy bones), so you'll need to couple it with strength training or another form of weight-bearing activity for optimum fitness.

Now you can get outside and be active this summer. If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback, you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting!
Joseph A Jones & The Welllife Team