Stats:  Published every other month (6x’s a year)

Cost: $3.95/issue or $14.95/one year, $24.95/2yrs, $34.95/3yrs.

Review:

I really like this magazine.  Let me tell you that I am no stranger to weightloss magazines and I know a good one when I see it.  The layout is a little different though, and may take some getting used to.  Rather than having every single article referenced in the first few pages, the table of contents is divided into sections.  The sections listed are; “your looks,” “your life,” “your cookbook,” your health,” “your fitness,” and “first person.”  When you turn to the page listed for the section, you’ll see a small table of contents that references that particular section.  It’s kind of nice because everything about cooking, for example, is in one section instead of all throughout the magazine.  Now this means that if you are looking for a particular article, you’ll need to know which section it falls under or else it might be difficult to find.  But it’s a good concept and works well.

Here are a couple of  titles to give you an idea of some of the articles featured throughout the magazine: “The Heart of the Matter” (about diabetes, hypertension, etc.), “Step It Up” (a walking plan), and “Jump-Start Your Success” (a meal plan).  The articles seem pertinent and well-written without a lot of “fluff.”

And now for my favorite part - the Success Stories.  Other weightloss and fitness magazines only offer one, two, maybe three at best.  But not WW Magazine!  They have four! Yes, you read that right - FOUR!  I’ve always found these stories to be inspiring and am glad to see that they have so many. 

Bottom Line:  it’s a great magazine that offers the same diet articles that you are used to, but with a formatting twist. 

Pros:

• Reasonable cost
• Good articles
• Great “success stories” about real people

Cons:

• Only published every other month

Website: Order here

Rating: 5 Stars

Posted by: Tabitha

Stats: Cal 5/ Carb 1g/ Sugars 1g/ Caffeine 30 mg/ Serving Size 8 fl. oz (2 servings per 16.9 fl. oz bottle)/ Available at Whole Foods and Target

Cost: $1.29 - $1.59

Review:

Function Light Weight is a drink that is supposed to help you burn calories. It is “created by physicians” and uses some kind-of formula to help speed up your metabolism.  It has EGCG which is a green tea extract and gymnema extra that reduces the number of calories that you take in.  There is even a red wine extract (resveratrol) to increase energy production.  

The taste isn’t too bad.  I’ve definitely had worse.  But it tastes like a diet drink, frankly.  It’s actually pretty sweet and not as watered down as other diet drinks.  And one good thing: there are no perservatives,.

Pros:

• supposed to burn calories and increase metabolism
• tastes alright

Stats: 85 cubic inches/9 oz./Holds 48 oz./2 pockets plus main compartment

Colors: Blue knight, Neptune & Magnesium (green and grey), Amber & Magnesium (orange and grey)

Cost: $19.93 - $40.00

Review:

I bought this pack for one purpose only: to use during a 20-mile walk I was participating in.  I knew I had to stay hydrated and I also knew I didn’t want to carry anything but the essentials (my IPod being at the top of the list of course).  I loved this pack for a couple of reasons.  It has two little pockets that are at the front near the clasp that are perfect for an IPod and a cell phone (one on either side).  The main compartment (located in the back) is a decent size and holds plenty of dehydrated food, bandaids and sunscreen. 

Now lets talk about the water bottles.  First I’ll say that I’ve not once found a plastic water bottle that is perfect.  So I shouldn’t expect much from them.  And these water bottles fell in line with my expectations.  They did their job and I was able to drink from the spout easily.  I especially liked that there was an elastic cord that held the bottles in place. 

Another thing to note is the location of the bottles.  I really liked how the bottles and the compartment were in the middle of my back.   I was able to walk freely without my arms scraping against the sides of the pack.  That is a big deal when trying to avoid chafing.  The position of the bottles was a downside, however, when trying to actually drink from them as I had to turn the pack around to get to them.  But it was a minor inconvenience and a necessary one.

One final note: the pack was very heavy by the time I got everything loaded.  It fit a lot of stuff, but it sure weighed a ton.  I ended up keeping my bottles half full so that it was more manageable.

Pros:

• Placement of water bottles: in the middle of the back
• Large main compartment
• Elastic cord to keep bottles in place
• small pockets for IPod, phone or keys

Cons:

• Have to reach around back to get the water bottles
• Quite heavy when fully loaded

Website:  www.rei.com

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Stats: Anti-chafing stick 5″x1.5″x6.5″

Cost: $14.99 for 2.5 oz. ($9.99 for 1.3 oz.)

Review:

You may not need this product on a routine workout, but I can assure you that it will save your life (at least your skin) during the long ones.  I used this on a recent 20 mile walk and it was fantastic although I still managed to get blisters on my feet at the end, which is why I didn’t give it a perfect score.

Body glide goes on just like a deodorant and is used in any place where you might chafe: legs, feet, arms, etc.  It is odorless and easy to use and it protects your skin where you may need it the most.

Pro’s:

• Easy to use
• Scent-free
• It is not sticky
• Can be used for any body part

Con’s:

• Has to be reapplied after extended use

Website:  Click here to order through Amazon

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Stats: Cal 40/Fat 0g/Carbs 10g/Sugars 10g/Protein 0g

Flavors: Pomegranate Cherry, Blackberry Grape, Orange Tangerine, Strawberry Kiwi, Passionfruit Citrus, 

Cost: $1.39 for 20 oz.

Review:

I really don’t care for this water.  And I am willing to try any water once.  In fact, I consider myself quite the connoisseur of water.  That is why I was so disappointed with this one; I blame it on my high expectations.

The taste is bitter and fairly strong.  It’s one of those drinks where you can almost see the artificial sweetener - you can definitely taste it!

Pro’s:

• No fat
• Colorful
• Nice bottle