Stats:  Cal 150/ Fat 4.5g/ Carb 28g/ Fiber 9g/ Sugars 9g/ Protein 3g/ Serving Size 1 bar/ Purchase at any grocery retailer

Flavors:  Oats & Peanut Butter, Oats & Chocolate, Oats & Caramel

Cost:  $3.39/5 count box 

Review:

You know what they say about fiber being good for you and how you need so much in your daily diet, blah, blah, blah?  There’s probably some truth to that, as a matter of fact I know there is, but usually fiber products just taste like cardboard.  That is why I was so pleasantly surprised when I first ate a Fiber One Bar.  It tastes just like a cookie!  I’m not even exaggerating - it’s chewy and these little peanut butter chips all throughout it.  You don’t even taste the 9 grams (yes, that was NINE grams) of fiber.  Of course, eat more than one or two at at time, and then you’ll believe you were eating 9 grams of fiber, but you get the idea. Bottom line:  Who knew that eating fiber could be so good?  You’d be doing your body a favor to try these things! 

Pros:

• Tasty
• Chewy
• Sweet
• Can’t taste the fiber
• Good size bar

Cons:

• Risky to eat too many

Website:  www.fiberone.com

Rating:  5+ Stars

Posted by: Tabitha

Stats:  1.75 hp continuous duty engine, 160 pounds, belt size, 20″x55″, 0-10 speed (.1 mph increments) 0-10 incline, fold up storage

Cost:  $599-$999

Review:

If you are looking for a first time treadmill, this one just may be for you.  For the price, it offers a lot of standard features: eight classic workouts, customized weight loss feature (uses your weight and work-out time) and a decent Grafixx™ display.  A nice touch (but one that is becoming more standard) is the Universal iPod Dock.  

The motor is pretty quiet and the speeds change fairly quickly.  The frame is a little shaky at the top (the handlebars) but to be expected for this price range.  My first treadmill was a ProForm and I was quite pleased with it.  In fact, it lasted for four years and I only sold it because I was moving, so I think ProForm treadmills are quite durable.  

As an aside: I looked at the reviews on Sears.com and it received a 4.5 (out of 5) from 47 reviews total.  

Pros:

• Offers multiple workouts
• Display is easy to use
• iPod docking station
• Heavy and solid feel

Cons:

• Frame a little shaky

Website:  Click here to purchase

Rating:  4 Stars

Posted by: Tracy

Stats:  Cal 90/ Fat 3.5g/ Carb 14g/ Fiber 1g/ Sugars 6g/ Protein 2g/ Serving Size 1 bag (20g)

Flavors:  Cinnamon Streusel, Buttered Popcorn, Caramel Drizzle, Chocolatey Drizzle, Chocolatey Mint, Peanut Butter

Cost: $3.19/6 count box

Review:

If you love rice cakes, you’re going to love these Mini Delights.  Even if you just “like” rice cakes, you’re going to love these Mini Delights.  And, for those of you who don’t like rice cakes at all, I would suggest at least trying them because this may just be the product to convert you.

The Mini Delights are just that: mini bites of rice cakes.  The great thing about them is that they are drizzled with some sweet stuff that make them taste a little like cookies.  Definitely a sweet treat and a low-fat choice.  Bottom line: If you can get past the thought that they are rice cakes, then you just may be pleasantly surprised by these Delights.

Pros:

• Small, easy to pack individual bags
• Tasty
• Sweet
• Fairly nutritious

Cons:

• Still rice cakes so they may seem a little dry, especially if you’re not used to rice cakes
• Not very filling, enough to take the edge off

Website:  http://www.ontrackeveryday.com/

Rating: 5 Stars

Posted by Tabitha

Stats:  Calories 35/ Fat 2g/ Carb 1g/ Sugars 1g/ Protein 2.5g/ Serving Size 1 wedge/ Can purchase at your local grocery store

Light Flavors:  Creamy Swiss, French Onion, Garlic & Herb

Cost: $3.49 (6 oz. wheel)

Review:

I’m not sure how to review this product because it could really go either way.  If you love cheese and don’t want to give up the real thing, you may not like this product as it is a spreadable cheese.  In otherwords, it’s not a real cheese.  However, if you love cheese and are looking for a low-fat substitute, this may taste close enough to the real thing to satisfy your cheese cravings.

The consistency of the spread is nice, it’s thick but not so thick that it’s difficult to use.  The wedges are small, of course, but enough for a few crackers.  Overall, it’s a tasty little treat and one that might come in handy when you need a pick-me-up or a quick protein fix.

Pros:

• Low-fat, low calories
• Pre-cut into wedges

Cons:

• Tastes a little processed which is to be expected

Website:  www.thelaughingcow.com 

Rating:  4 Stars

Posted by: Tracy

Stats:  Gym whose hours vary but usually are from 5:00 am - 11:00 pm

Cost:  Varies depending on special, as low as $35.00 a month

Review:

When I try out a gym for size, I look for a few things: accessibility to classes, availability of equipment, cleanliness of facilities, and friendliness of staff.  Each gym is going to be different based on location, but typically a company will maintain the same standard of quality throughout the organization.  I have visited several Gold’s Gyms and found them to be consistent in this area. 

The accessibility of classes and the classes offered has been good.  They seem to keep the class selection updated, offering dance workouts, yoga, pilates, and of course the ever-popular cycling class.  Some of the classes get full due to popularity, but I haven’t noticed a huge problem getting in.  The instructors are also friendly and seem to know what they’re doing.  

The equipment is maintained and is fairly new.  It’s usually accessible too - there may be one or two times (during peak workout hours) that the machines are be full, but I normally don’t see a problem.  The Gold’s Gyms that I’ve visited have all been clean and relatively new.  In fact, several of them have been very modern and “funky.”  One thing I will say is that the Gold’s Gyms are popular and tend to attract a younger crowd in my experience.  That is not a bad thing, of course, but I often associate Gold’s Gyms with a certain social scene that either you enjoy or you don’t.

Pros:

• Located in 42 states
• Offers discount plans and membership rates
• Now offers a month-to-month plan for $64.99 ($79.99 enrollment fee)
• Is usually modern, clean and well maintained
• Offers new and edgy classes
• Usually has some sort of personal training program

Cons:

• Tends to draw a younger, social crowd (this could be a plus or minus, depending on what you are looking for)

Website:  www.goldsgym.com

Rating:  4 Stars

Posted by: Tracy