It's been several years since I have discussed my fitness routine in detail. My life has changed so much over the past decade and it is only natural that my fitness routine has changed too. In addition to incorporating exercise into everyday life, as I discuss in chapter 3 of Lessons from Madame Chic, I have an additional fitness routine.

For a fitness routine to be realistic and sustainable, one's life circumstances have to be taken into account. The same thing will not work for everyone. In the past I have had a gym membership. I have taken yoga classes. I would go on long bike rides and tried various martial arts. I've done home DVDs and we even have some gym equipment in our garage, like weights and a Stairmaster. Through all of this I have had three children, a pretty demanding career as a work-at-home mom and this past year we have thrown homeschooling into the mix. None of the above listed exercises have been able to translate successfully into my busy life as a mom.

There are two major things that have changed, that I happy implement into my life. The first is a long walk every day. I've actually always done this. When I used to live in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles I would simply run my errands on foot. Now that I live in a more suburban area, I am not able to walk to run my errands. I do, however, go out for a long walk everyday with the kids. Sometimes it's just me and the baby. Sometimes the rest of the family joins me. Sometimes the kids bring their bikes or scooters. Sometimes we all just take a long hike. These walks are often my favorite time of the day. It feels wonderful to be out of the house breathing fresh air, looking at nature and disconnecting from screens and cleaning and work.



The second major change I've made is one that I am so excited to share with you. I jump on the rebounder for a minimum of 5 minutes a day. Many people have heard of rebounding, but many haven't. I hadn't heard about it before last year. A rebounder looks like a mini, low-to-the-ground trampoline. On busy days, I will jump on the rebounder for 5 minutes, but often, I am able to jump on the rebounder several times a day for 2 to 5 minute intervals.

Rebounding has so many health benefits, which I will list below, but one of my favorite things about it is its convenience factor. I don't need to get into my car. I don't need to find a babysitter. I don't need to rush. I don't even need to change into exercise clothes. I often do, but I can't tell you how many times I just decide on a whim to jump on the rebounder for 5 minutes and I'm in my day clothes.



While you're jumping, you don't feel as though anything is happening especially because rebounding is quite fun. But when you finish your session and step off the rebounder, you feel incredible, as though you've run a mile. Many people have said that bouncing on a rebounder for 5 minutes is the equivalent to running one to two miles. The reason you feel so good after jumping is because your lymphatic system is draining and flowing.

I use a Needak Rebounder. I bought this for my husband and he and I both love to use it. Even the kids love it! Rebounders can be pricey so I did extensive research to figure out the best one to purchase for us. Needak had overwhelmingly good reviews online. They are a family company and their products are all made in America, which I love. So Needak it was!

I have the Needak non-folding rebounder in blue but they have other colors and styles to choose from on their Rebounders page.

Health Benefits
The following information was taken from the rebounder Wikipedia page regarding the many benefits of rebounding.
Strengthened Cells: All of the body’s cells are said to be strengthened through the mechanics of rebounding, either because of gravity changes or because of pressure differentials (along with more oxygen reaching cells throughout the body)

Increased Lymph Flow & Immune System Function: Rebounding is said to lead to greatly increased lymph fluid circulation, leading directly to a boosted immune system, greater white blood cell activity, and increased detoxification generally

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Improvement: Rebounding is said to directly yield impressive aerobic exercise benefits in terms of heart strength and functioning, respiration, and related physiological functions; and
Physical Strength, Muscular Development, Coordination, Balance, and Flexibility: Rebounding is often said to improve all of these.

Low Impact, Less Strain on Joints, Soft Tissue, Skeleton: The elastic element of a rebounder, either springs or bungee bands, absorbs much of the impact or shock on each bounce, thereby making rebound exercise more attractive to those who need to avoid shocking or straining their joints, soft tissue, and skeleton.

"Rebounding is a great exercise for the entire body, especially the lymphatic system. Rebounding involves jumping on a mini-trampoline; this promotes circulation. The body contains 5-6 quarts of blood, which is circulated by the heart. But without the lymphatic system, the body cannot effectively eliminate toxins. Exercising on a rebounder for 5-20 minutes at a time will promote the flow of lymph, thereby eliminating toxins... The lymphatic system is a major dumping ground for toxins and waste products. The lymphatic system can only be kept flowing by 3 means:

1. Gravity,

2. Internal massage of the lymph ducts, and

3. Exercise by rebounding or similar means.

When you use a rebounder, it promotes circulation through the body's lymphatic system. As you begin to exercise, the toxins are moved to the lymph ducts, which transport the toxins to the kidney and liver. Rebounding serves as an insurance policy against many serious diseases. Rebounding is not only great exercise, but it is fun too."
- Barbi Trejo, Natural News

NASA research concludes that rebounding is an effective form of exercise, even better than running.

Rebound exercise is the most efficient, effective form of exercise yet devised by man.”
-The Miracles of Rebound Exercise; Carter, Albert E.; The National institute of Reboundology and Health, Inc. Edmonds, Washington, 1979.

“…for similar levels of heart rate and oxygen consumption, the magnitude of the biomechanical stimuli is greater with jumping on a trampoline than with running, a finding that might help identify acceleration parameters needed for the design of remedial procedures to avert deconditioning in persons exposed to weightlessness. “
-NASA

I hope you enjoy my video today where I discuss my new fitness routine.

News
Simple Adventure references Lessons from Madame Chic in their article, 5 Simple Ways to Declutter the Kitchen.

If you are longing for more ten-item wardrobe inspiration, enroll in myeCourse on the ten-item wardrobe. With over an hour of never-before-seen video instruction, notes and quizzes, you will feel prepared to create your own ten-item wardrobe. For those of you who already do the ten-item wardrobe, this course will keep you on track and provide further inspiration. The course is self-paced and includes a lively comment section with other ten-item wardrobe enthusiasts. Enjoy!



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Tracey enjoys Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic by the fire...

The snow is lashing against the window as I sit in front of the woodburner with my dozy dog at my feet while I read "Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic" by Jennifer I Scott aka @dailyconnoisseur . Always trying to improve myself 😊 #polishyourpoise #madamechic #jenniferlscott

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Comment of the Week
ThriftyGalifty writes, "Jennifer your books have changed me forever! I now have a 10 item wardrobe ( I also own only 1 pair of jeans!) and will never go back! I’m reading your books for the second time right now and have my mom and sisters now reading them! I get dressed in clothes that make me feel beautiful everyday now and have donated everything that makes me feel not so good. I try to look presentable ALWAYS! I’m so thankful Ive read your books and feel like I took so much from them! Thank you so much for your books and videos!"

Thank you so much, ThriftyGalifty... what a wonderful testimony! I appreciate your comment and loved to read what the Madame Chic books have done for you.


Today, I would love to know about your fitness routine. How do you fit exercise into your busy schedule? Have you ever considered rebounding? If you have a rebounder or plan to get one, please let me know if you'd like to see the specific exercises I use on my rebounder. I look forward to jumping with you!

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Our French Weight Loss Secrets mini-series concludes this week as we discuss chapter 3 of Lessons from Madame Chic, Exercise is a Part of Life, Not a Chore.

When I lived in Paris I exercised every day, not by going to a gym or doing a workout regime, but by living a vibrant, active life.

Here are four thoughts to consider:

Aim to live a more active life every single day. What can you do to incorporate exercise into your life?

Commit to walking every day. Walk the dog. Go on a walk with your family or friends.

Don't let life's conveniences keep you stagnant. Madame Bohemienne didn't have an elevator in her building and she lived several floors up. Challenge yourself to do things the old-fashioned way as much as you can.

You can still look presentable always while being active. Exercise clothes are not necessary. Remember that wearing activewear all day long is a recent thing.

I hope you'll check out today's video to see the conclusion of the series.

News

A photo posted by Jennifer L. Scott (@dailyconnoisseur) on Nov 10, 2016 at 5:39am PST

I will be traveling to Japan next week with the baby to shoot a television show in Tokyo. I am so excited to visit Japan again! I will definitely vlog my trip as I did last time.

Comment of the Week

Amanda writes:

Bonjour, Jennifer! I have enjoyed reading your blog and your diet tips are wonderful reminders even for us who live in France. I live on the Swiss border and I believe we have the best cheese and chocolate in the world. It's true that no one here deprives themselves and there is no guilt about indulgence. As regards snacking, I meet up with friends several times a week for coffee/tea and no one ever has food with it. When I'm in America it seems like people often have food socially. Here you will not be offered food between meals even if you're at someone's house for hours. Funny, right? Maybe it's a reflection of the people? Americans are friendly and casual with everything food included. French are formal and respectful food included. I love living in France but occasionally our family has an American evening and eats popcorn on the couch while watching a movie. It's ok as long as you're aware of your actions, respect your food and respect yourself. :)

Hello Amanda, I loved hearing about your experience living on the Swiss border. You are so fortunate to live in the land of high quality cheese and chocolate! :) Thank you for sharing your insight with us.


Did you enjoy this series? What are your thoughts? Are there more questions you have? Let me know, and I may address them in a future video.

See you on Monday for a What's In My Fridge? video. Then we are off on our journey to Tokyo!




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This has been a heavily requested topic... losing the baby weight.

I have many thoughts on the subject that all fall in line with my general philosophy on life (quelle surprise!).

Of course I am not always good at taking my own advice. Right after having my second baby I felt frustrated almost instantly with the extra weight I had to lose. But these things take time. It's a gradual shift that occurs, that goes hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle and attitude.

Watch my video (which was recorded at the end of a rather long day!) to hear my thoughts and tips on losing the baby weight. If you are unable to see the embedded video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur

This week I would love to know... what has been your experience with losing the baby weight?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My mother-in-law, Jane, is a brave breast cancer survivor. Her inspiring story is a great reminder of the importance of getting regular mammograms as early detection is what saved her. Please don't delay. Schedule your regular mammogram today!

To donate to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research click here.

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While living in Paris I quickly befriended the French family of my friend B in my study abroad program. B's French mother (I will call her Madame Bohemienne) was free spirited- the type of Parisian woman with wild, curly hair, bright yellow walls and a penchant for throwing raucous dinner parties. She was so different to my French mother (I'll call her Madame Chic). Madame Chic and her husband came from a long line of aristocrats, had a posh pad in the coveted 16th arrondissement and a vacation home in Brittany. Their walls were cream. They were reserved. Madame Chic (in stark contrast to Madame Bohemienne's artistic locks) had a French bob with nary a misplaced hair. The two women could not be more different- but each wonderfully unique and full of lessons- ones which I was only too eager to learn. But, I digress. This post is on exercise.

The first time I visited Madame Bohemienne I noticed she lived on the 6th floor of her building. And there was no elevator. No elevator?! Six floors is a lot of stairs. The first time I climbed those steps I arrived sweaty and confused. Every time I visited her thereafter, I would prepare myself for the mammoth climb. Half way up I would curse the ancient building and its lack of elevators. I felt like I was perpetually in the scene from Barefoot in the Park when Robert Redford was shocked by the amount of stairs leading to his new apartment. They would never end! I would, inevitably wind up at her door, completely out of breath and in need of a tall drink of water (or perhaps a drink of the stiffer variety). And when I was invited to one of her many dinner parties? Forget it. The heels came off and I braced those steps- cocktail dress and all.

Madame Bohemienne was amused by my lack of stamina for those stairs. She would refer to me (and my people) as lazy Americans- too accustomed to being dropped off precisely where we wanted to land. She would float up all six floors without batting an eyelash or even breaking out into a pant (!) and claimed (rather maddeningly) that the walk was good for the derriere. She would say since she didn't work out at a gym she got her exercise in moving through the city and by walking up her stairs. This, for me, was food for thought.

Now, back in America, I am still a member of Equinox, but I don't use that as an excuse to avoid certain staircases every now and then. When met with taking the stairs or the elevator, I take the stairs and I think my derriere thanks me every time.

Today I went hiking up Runyon Canyon with two of my good friends. I consider myself to be pretty physically fit, but for some reason, today's hike was incredibly difficult.

Had the hills gotten steeper since the last time I went? Or maybe it was the headwind?

No, I believe it is because I had taken a few days off from my usual exercise routine for the Thanksgiving holiday. That, coupled with the fact that I consumed copious amounts of food I don't normally eat, along with various glasses of wine and coffee (although not all at the same time... thankfully).

What a difference a few days can make!

I think everyone hits that plateau when they are exercising, when they think they simply cannot go on. Where they would rather be any place, doing anything else than what they are currently doing. This happened today while hiking up the unusually steep hill (it has been raining here, maybe it was just a tad steeper). I honestly considered asking my friends to turn around so we could all get breakfast. But then I remembered the title of one of my favorite books by Jon Kabat-Zinn, that says: "Wherever You Go, There You Are".

And there I was. Out of breath, sweating profusely, arduously climbing the hill. I just accepted it in that moment and was able to push through. Not so bad after all...

Now if only I can remember this bit of wisdom in my early Monday morning yoga class...

I would love to know what you do to keep physically fit...

Lately I have noticed a lot of articles written on the subject of happiness: what it is, how to get it and why so many people don’t have it. Yes, happiness seems to be the Holy Grail of emotions for many people right now, so in honor of that certain esprit or joie de vivre that we would all like to have more of, I have decided to list a few things that keep me happy on a daily basis.

- My dog, Gatsby (pictured, as a puppy, above). He is the ultimate companion and best friend. It doesn’t matter if I’ve left the house for two hours or ten minutes, when I step through the front door he is completely overjoyed to see me. His excitement and happiness is palpable and contagious. Any trace of a bad mood is instantly erased when I see that wagging tail.

- Exercise. I’m really enjoying the current combination of yoga, walking and qi gong. I’ve never been much of a gym person and these exercises just seem to boost my mood and keep me happy.

- Reading. As most of you know, I LOVE to read. (Which I why I am always so grateful when I get fab book recommendations from you). I usually read about one to two books a week- its just such a fantastic way to escape and to broaden the mind. What’s on my nightstand right now? Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat Zinn.

- And lastly, finding humor in everyday life. You can imagine my reaction when I came across this carrot at the grocery store the other day... Sometimes spontaneous laughter is an instant portal to happiness.

I would love to know… what makes you happy?

Exercise is a tricky topic for me. I'm not the type to go to the gym everyday for two hours. I prefer to spread my movement throughout the day- like the French do! When I lived in France in 2001 I became the ultimate lifestyle detective. I noticed that French women preferred to walk to the market or work- or up 9 flights of stairs in lieu of hitting the gym. And I never saw a French woman in sneakers. Quelle Horreur! I took what inspiration I could from them and ran.

Here is what a typical day for me is like- exercise wise:

When I first wake up, I do yoga for a minimum of 10 minutes. This is more for my peace of mind than anything else. I love stretching and breathing deeply. This really starts me off on the right foot. This is usually followed by 5 - 10 minutes of meditation- which is more exercise for my brain in how to quiet down! Then later in the day I usually take my dog, Gatsby for a 40 minute power walk. Good for me, good for the dog! Lastly, my husband and I live in a three story town house so usually late at night, right before I go to bed, if it strikes my fancy, I usually walk up and down all three flights of stairs 10- 15 times. You get the idea.

This was all great but I became concerned that I wasn't toning my upper body and using weights. Well, as you can imagine, all of these mini exercises that I fit into my day leave room for little else, so I've developed a plan. On weeknights my husband and I watch between one and two hours of TV- a girl's got to keep up with her shows! So I now do reps while watching our favorite shows or during commercials (if I'm not watching our dvr). I'm starting out small- 20 reps of each arm move with 5lb weights. I am loving the results and don't feel guilty just collapsing on the couch!

We'll see how long this goes. I do tend to get bored doing the same thing all the time. I would be interested to find other ways to incorporate exercise into my day...

Spiritual Practice- Incorporate movement and exercise into as many parts of your day as you can. It will help you stay present and remind you to breathe!