Are you getting enough sleep?

So

I recently invested in a bodymedia fit armband. I'm kind of obsessed with it right now. It tracks your calories throughout the day and also when you're sleeping. I knew some days I was more tired then others but I had no idea how little sleep I was really getting. The first night I wore the arm band I knew I had to get up early. Although I was in bed for 7 hrs I only slept 4.5 Then I slept 5.5 hrs two night in a row and last night actually slept 6.5...I feel like a new person today. How much sleep do you get a night?
It'd be a perfect world if we could all sleep 7-8 hrs but I'm finding that's not realistic in my crazy schedule.
Tips to help you get better sleep:
1. No caffeine past 3:00 pm
2. Avoid taking a nap
3. Spray your pillow with some lavender - Bath and body works makes a great scent
4. Wear socks
5. If you wake up in the night try not to turn a light on
6. Don't watch the clock (I tend to do this a lot when I know I have to be up early)
7. Meditate, read, or something that will relax you
8. Drink some chamomile
9. Eat greek yogurt or low fat cottage cheese about an hour before bed
10. Invest in your own bodymedia :-p

Party Hearty!

Well February is here and it's time to wear some red! Not just for Valentine's day but for Heart Awareness month. Your heart is the most important muscle in your body!! Are you training it properly with cardiovascular exercise? Take your resting heart rate first thing in the morning for 3 days and then take the average to get a good idea of where you're at and it can help calculate your heart rate training zones. Check out the Karvornen formula http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/g/karvonen.htm so you can find where you're heart rate should be while training.

The American Heart Association has also posted some great tips for a healthy heart.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Heart-Healthy-Valentines-Day-Tips_UCM_322023_Article.jsp

On to the main event....so Nancy and I are going to be throwing our first Zumbathon! 75% of the proceeds are going towards the American Heart Association. Our event is going to be Monday March 7th from 7-8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. You can preorder tickets at http://www.ZumbaChicago.com
There is going to be live drumming, guest instructors, and fun dances to be learned! Some come out and Party Hearty with us!!