ON THE ROAD AGAIN: SECRETS TO EXERCISING WHEN YOU TRAVEL

Since I last wrote, I've flown on 19 planes, stayed in 14 cities, and done six interviews a day! I've learned how critical my workout routine is to keeping up my energy. But I've also realized what a challenge it can be to take care of oneself on the road. Here's my plan of action:

• Ask the front desk of the hotel for a safe and attractive walking and running route.
  
  
• "Borrow" weights from the fitness room and take them to my room. (Of course, I return them afterwards!).
  
  
• Plan a time in my schedule each day to exercise.
  
  
• Drink plenty of water on planes and travel days to avoid dehydration.
  
  
• Make it a priority to get plenty of sleep.
  
  
• Eat three healthy meals a day.

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who came to my signings and talks across the country. I happen to be celebrating my fortieth birthday this week, and hearing your own stories of how exercise and good nutrition transformed your lives are gifts I treasure.

I am also thrilled that so many people have written to me regarding the launch of http://www.strongwomen.com. Did you know we have users in 25 countries around the world? In fact, our site received nearly 1 million "hits" during its first month, and was named by the media as one of the hottest spots on the Net.

Over the next several months we're planning to bring you even more cutting-edge information from our laboratories, as well as my insights and tips about health and fitness.

Here's to StrongWomen!

Miriam E. Nelson

MEDIA WATCH

Time Magazine spotlights Dr. Nelson in its "People To Watch" column this week.

Reader's Digest features Dr. Nelson's work as part of their cover story on slimming down for Summer in its April 24th edition.

Guess who made April's New York Times Expanded Best Seller List for advice books? Dr. Nelson's latest, Strong Women, Strong Bones. Thanks to our readers!

COMING SOON TO WWW.STRONGWOMEN.COM

Your Own StrongWomen Virtual Trainer

How'd you like to have a workout that couples the latest Internet technology with the best clinical research in the country?

This Summer, women of all ages will be able to obtain their own customized workout program, based on the "Strong Women" books.

First, your virtual trainer establishes a customized routine for you. Then it keeps track of your progress, sending you personalized e-mail for encouragement and motivation.

Memberships will be offered at a fraction of the cost of one session with a personal trainer. Look for information about priority enrollment for your Virtual Training program in the next newsletter and on the web site.

SMART WEIGHTS

StrongWomen "Smart Weights" are a 21st century technology that allow you to chart your workouts effortlessly from your home, office, or on the road.

Using a built-in transmitting system, the adjustable dumbbells software program. Eliminate the tedious recording of your workout data into the computer!

Standard weights will soon be available through our on-line, retail shop. You can purchase them along with other StrongWomen apparel and accessories such as water bottles, workout bags, and heart-rate monitors.

Further news about the "Smart Weights" will be available in upcoming issues and on the web site.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

You may have noticed some exciting changes to our web site. Below are questions that we received over the past month regarding the upgrade.

Q: I used to print the program trackers [exercise logs] straight off of the web. I can't find them on the new site. Are they still available?

- Jacqueline

A: Click on the following links:

Vibrant Aging: http://strongwomen.com/vibrant_aging/exerciselog_va.asp
Stay Slim: http://strongwomen.com/stay_slim/exerciselog_ss.asp
Strong Bones: http://strongwomen.com/Strong_bones/exerciselog_sb.asp

Be sure to hit "Print Screen" on these web pages to print out the log

Also, the following pages from the books have logs:
Strong Women Stay Young (original): pages 257-268
Strong Women Stay Young (revised): page 153
Strong Women Stay Slim: page 215
Strong Women, Strong Bones: page 264

Q: Where can I purchase the Strong Women Stay Young video?

- Sally

A: It's available from Women First Healthcare, Inc. To order, call 1-888 7WOMEN1 (1-888-796-6361). The video will soon be available at our online retail shop.

Q: How do I access the back issues of the newsletter on the new site?

- Katie

A: Check back in a few weeks for a complete archive of our previous newsletters. Click on the "Newsletters" icon.

Q: I love your recipes. But I'm on the Weight Watcher's program and need to know the calories, fiber and fat to calculate my daily points. Any chance you could include the nutritional analysis? By the way, I've lost 57 pounds so far.

- Martha

A: Congratulations! I hope that you are also combining exercise with your sound nutrition program. All of our recipes are being updated to include nutritional information. For a complete list, go to http://www.strongwomen.com/recipes/recipes.htm

FROM THE MAILBOX

Here are excerpts from inspiring letters we've received recently. If you enjoy reading them, check out our collection of reader mail at: http://www.strongwomen.com/success_stories.htm

"What a delight to find that "Strong Women" has a web site. I'm 57 and one of the world's biggest skeptics. Having lost a significant amount of weight 12 years ago, I was dismayed to discover that 14 unwanted pounds had slowly crept back on. I knew it was time to do something before 14 pounds became 20, and 20 became 30. On a whim, I picked up "Strong Women Stay Slim" thinking I might give it a shot.

Well, it's been six weeks.... 8 of those pounds are history and my legs would put Tina Turner's to shame. I am truly amazed at the results in such a short time. Even though the weight loss is minimal, my clothes are falling off me, my stomach is almost flat again and I feel like a million bucks! Exercise is not my forte by a long shot, but this is actually fun and something I really look forward to.

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart...I'm a new woman!"

- Bernadette

"When I started the SWSY program, I used 500g weights (due to my back and other health challenges). I am now doing the SWSS program, using 1kg & 2kg weights, plus 3kg weight for the biceps curl. It took a couple of months before I really started to build strength, but now I'm doing great."

- Jacqueline

"Two years ago, I weighed 68-70kgs. My blood pressure was 140 over 90. My cholesterol was 6.9. I began looking for a health program that would also help me lose weight. I didn't have much money and lived too far from a gym anyway. At my local bookstore, I bought a copy of Strong Women Stay Slim and invested in a few weights. I also started walking every day. Now, I've lost 20kgs. My blood pressure is consistently 120 over 70, and my cholesterol is down to 5.2 with very high HDL levels.

I even used to have a problem with acne. Now, I am constantly complemented on my skin that has a healthy glow it never had before. I am passing on a copy of Strong Women, Strong Bones to my 78-year-old mother."

- Laura

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