Run It. Walk It. Move It.

If you're okay, we're okay. But if you've been thinking about it for more than a month, than it's time. To Start Exercising.

We suggest running or walking. Four times a week. Not a killer-routine either: 30-40 minutes max. Outside if you can. But inside on a treadmill works too.  It's not an expensive commitment and the routine is a slave to your schedule, not the other way around.

We say this because its good for your mind and your over-all well-being. Not because we're advocating dramatic weight loss or body transformation - though with time, that's a possible bonus outcome.

When you exercise, your mind produces endorphins, which help combat stress, anxiety and depression. So just a little bit of movement will help elevate your mood. No dramatic changes - just a little boost. Which is what most of us need.

If you've just had a baby and you're not in your comfort zone- mentally or physically- give yourself a month. Then start moving. Take your baby in a jogger and go for a half-hour walk. Then move your way up to a half-hour jog. Babies love motion. If they cry, stop, hold-them, breast-feed them if that's what's called for; bottle feed them if that's where you're at. Whatever. Then start again. If it doesn't work out the first time, don't get discouraged. Just try again the next day.

Excuse-Busters:

I don't want to spend a lot of money on this- I don't know if I'll even stay with it.

Running shoes at Target cost $28.00 and they're made by a leading athletic foot wear company. Target and Walmart also sell athletic clothes and jog bras.

I'm nursing.

Check out La Leche League's Hi-Impact Sports Bra (about $27.00. Prices vary regionally). Walmart and Target also sell nursing sports bras (about $17.00-$27.00).

Pack in your stroller: water; sun block; diaper & wipes; nursing cover. You can get a really pretty nursing cover at BéBé au Lait: www.bebeaulait.com

If you can't get outside and you're not afraid of a small investment:

HSN sells treadmills on their FlexPay program (payment installments) so that you can pay a smaller amount and get the machine home, paying off the entire cost in about 6 installments. Of course prices for machines vary, but there are usually FlexPay options that start at about $140.00. Also, the HSN website and shows will often offer free-shipping.

WE LOVE to watch running DVDs from VirtualActive . They are virtual videos of running and hiking trails throughout some of the most beautiful places in the country - the next best thing to actually being there. And they keep you interactive with your work-out, so that you'll actually stick with it. Purchase one of four running DVDs or four hiking DVDs for about $20.00 on their website: www.vafitness.com

IF you do decide to stick with walking or running, we suggest treating yourself to some 15Love Apparel. The clothes are super-comfy and cute. And we LOVE the website which has a playlist of suggested music to move to. www.15loveapparel.com

Finally, if you want to do good while you move, join the Curves for Change ("C4C") 5K Run/Walk at 7PM, Thursday May 19, 2011 in NYC, at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive (or sponsor a participant). C4C supports the empowerment of women and girls.

The money raised from this event will support two organizations, The Komera Project (www.komeraproject.org) and Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (www.hghw.org).  To sponser a participant in the 5/9/11 5k event, go to www.crowdrise.com , type in C4C in their search box and click on the event to donate as little or as much as you want.

xoxo Amalou Skin

Hey Stretch!

Exercise is good for you, of course. But we're not going to tell you to do it. It's a personal choice and we'll leave it at that.

However, if you're pregnant (or otherwise), we will say that stretching feels good. And yoga feels better. It's not going to give you a Hollywood Body, but it will give you the ability to walk down the block or up a flight of stairs without painful waddling (or at least not as much).

We found this video really helpful: Yoga Journal's Prenatal Yoga (put out by GAIAM, it can be found on Amazon.com). Instructor Shiva Rea, and demonstrator Poppy, are human-looking pregnant women and so are the other participants. No one in here is going to make you feel bad about yourself for not looking more lean, mean or put together... just the opposite... they make you feel like you look exactly how you should... beautifully, humanly pregnant.

And the routine is easy - again, this video is to get you more flexible - to stretch - not to sweat. If you're looking for a hardcore workout, this is not it. But if you are looking for some peaceful time, just for you, and the ability to touch your toes again, even for just a second, well - check it out.

xoxo Amalou Skin