Are You Destined to Have Your Mother’s Body?

Like mother, like daughter, right? When I look at old photos of my mom at my age, we look exactly alike. Some children resemble their parents so closely that there’s no doubt in your mind that they’re related. So does that mean a woman is destined to grow up to look like her mom, and inherit the same body type, whether it be wide hips, large thighs, or a flat tush? One finding proved that apple-shaped bodies are more likely to be seen passed down through family trees than pear-shaped and thin frames. That’s because it’s not just your mother’s genes you inherit, but also your father’s. Since men usually store fat in their bellies, this body shape can often be passed on to his children. Don’t worry just yet if you’re not too psyched about growing up to look like your parents. The good news is that although your inherited genes may determine up to 80 percent of your weight and shape, you’re not destined to have a tire around your waist just because your mom does. Your environment and personal choices also play a major role. Another good point to bring up is that your mother’s generation wasn’t encouraged to exercise like women are today, so a regular exercise routine can make a huge difference in what your body looks like when you reach your mother’s age. Tell me, do you already see your mother or father’s shape when you look in the mirror?

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Are You Destined to Have Your Mother’s Body?

This Exercise Works What?

If you’re into working out, it’s important to know which exercises and stretches target which muscles. Take this quiz to see if you know your stuff.   Question 1 of 7 All you runners out there will love this stretch that targets what area? Hip flexors Lower back Hamstrings

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This Exercise Works What?

Sage Tea to Ward Off a Cough

Some of you might remember that my aunt has a thing for conjuring up herbal remedies, like her cold-fighting ginger tea . So when I got hit with a nasty fever last week, I called dear ol’ auntie first. After I described my ailment, she said one word: sage. I was skeptical, mostly because I have never been a huge fan of the pungent, peppery herb. But since sage has been a longstanding healing plant, I whipped up my aunt’s recipe. Not only was my cough suppressed, I could actually breathe for a few hours! Give this tea a try the next time you’re feeling sickly. To see the recipe, read more. Soothing Sage Tea original recipe Ingredients 1 1/2 cups hot water 1/2 teaspoon dried sage 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest Juice from half lemon Honey, to taste Directions Combine hot water, sage, thyme, and lemon zest. Cover and let mixture steep for 5-15 minutes. Strain into another glass, and add lemon juice and honey. Serve immediately. Print recipe with images | without images

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Sage Tea to Ward Off a Cough

Red Carpet Ready: Valerie Waters Teaches You How to Eat

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters helps get the ladies of Hollywood in shape for events like bikini shoots and walking the red the carpet. She’s even named one of her lifestyle makeover programs Red Carpet Ready . But kicking your butt into shape, and I mean that literally (check out Val’s booty-toning moves ), is only part of the body transformation puzzle. This why Ms. Waters is a self-described food coach who tells all of her new clients, “If you don’t change the way you eat, you won’t change your body.” Valerie’s mantra when it comes to food is: plan, prep, prepare. Not only is this part of her snacking philosophy , but she applies it to restaurant meals too. She explains that when you’re staring at a menu starving, “You don’t need more will power; you need a better strategy.” This means researching the restaurant’s healthy options and limiting yourself to those, taking temptation out of the picture. To learn what food Valerie thinks you should avoid completely, keep on reading.

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Red Carpet Ready: Valerie Waters Teaches You How to Eat

How to Beat a Stomach Bug

When I recently asked which is worst: pink eye, stomach bug, or the flu , over half of you voted that a stomach bug is the absolute worst. And I must agree. This awful illness is responsible for all the worst symptoms: nausea accompanied by vomiting, abdominal cramps, the runs, headaches, and a fever. Ugh, I feel sick just thinking about it. Although the actual getting sick in the bathroom part usually only lasts a day, but sometimes up to three, when you have a stomach virus you can end up feeling tired, achy, and with tummy troubles for up to 10 days after. A stomach bug really wrecks a person, and I know the last time I had one, it took me almost a week until I could go back to eating my normal diet. If you’re unlucky enough to contract a stomach bug, you’ll want to know how to feel better as soon as possible so read more. I hate to say it, but the best thing you can do is let nature take its course and let your body do what it needs to do. You probably won’t feel much like eating, so stick to clear fluids such as ginger ale, ginger tea, water, and ice chips. If you do feel like munching a little, stick to bland foods such as bread, crackers, broth, or white rice. Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol, since they’ll just aggravate your tummy. Rest as much as you can (between visits to the bathroom), and if you’re really feeling awful, taking some Pepto Bismol, Tums, or other over-the-counter stomach-easing remedies may help. What you do need to watch out for is dehydration caused by losing too much fluid. Not only will this make you feel worse with symptoms including dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue, but it could also lead to seizures or permanent brain damage if left untreated. So be sure to drink those clear fluids often. Sip small amounts, so they’re more likely to stay down. And just keep in mind that with time, you’ll be back to your old self. Once you experience a stomach virus, you want to do everything in your power to prevent it from happening again. Since it’s highly contagious, wash your hands often, especially when you’re touching public items such as door handles and elevator buttons. Also, keeping up with your healthy diet and regular exercise routine will strengthen your immune system, so if you come in contact with a bug, your body can fight it off. Tell me, what makes you feel better when you have a stomach bug?

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How to Beat a Stomach Bug

Snow Shovel Stretch: Shoulders and Torso

Some areas of the US are getting dumped on by snow. That translates to lots of shoveling, which definitely helps burn calories and tones your muscles but can leave you with aches and pains too. I’ve already shown you how to stretch your lower back and hamstrings using a shovel, so here are some stretches to target your shoulders, upper back, front abs, and the sides of your torso. Here’s how to do the first stretch, which feels great on sore shoulders. Stand with your feet hip distance apart. Extend your arms out in front of your chest, holding the handle with one hand and the other end of the shovel with the other hand. Raise the shovel over your head and, as you gently arch back, lower the shovel behind you as much as you can. You should feel a nice release in the chest, shoulders, and abs. After 30 seconds, bring the shovel to the front of your body and lower it to the ground. For another stretch that will target the sides of your body read more. Stand with your feet together. Extend your arms out in front of your chest, holding the handle with one hand and the other end of the shovel with your other hand. Raise the shovel up over your head and then arch to the side, lowering the bottom end of the shovel toward the ground. Try to keep equal weight in both feet, and gaze up toward the sky. After 30 seconds, raise the shovel over your head and switch sides, holding for another 30 seconds.

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Snow Shovel Stretch: Shoulders and Torso

Fortify Your Soup With Whole Grains and Veggies

Cooler weather always inspires me to reach for warm and creamy foods like soup. When I’m in a hurry though, I don’t have time to whip up a homemade batch . That’s when all natural canned or boxed soups make a great meal, but some can often leave you feeling unsatisfied if there’s not much to them. So here’s a trick: Instead of adding some substance with a big hunk of bread or crackers, add cooked whole grains, chopped veggies, and beans to your bowl. It instantly turns a boring meal into a more exciting and wholesome one, filled with added fiber and protein. I started with Butternut Squash Soup by Imagine and added rice, kidney beans, carrots, corn, and broccoli florets. It was super satisfying and filling, not to mention healthy.

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Fortify Your Soup With Whole Grains and Veggies

Speak Up: Has Doing Yoga Made You More Emotional?

Stop the presses! Spencer Pratt  has traded in his bad boy image for prayer beads, crystals, and is joining his wife for some Kundalini yoga . Whether he’s had a true Kundalini awakening is up for debate, but something is going on with his chakras - the once angry man has shared with the Twitterverse that he’s crying every day. “I have proven that Kundalini yoga taps your feminine power in your body because I find myself crying now at least once a day!” While many people look to yoga as their mainstay exercise, the practice is rooted in the philosophical idea that our body movement, breathing, and meditative state can bring us closer to enlightenment. Compared to other practices, Kundalini does fall into the more spiritual realm of yoga and could explain why Spencer is crying so much. Kundalini is said to be untapped energy that sits at the base of our spine - the poses are done in conjunction with a specific breath to awaken the energy, which then rises upward through the body awakening the seven chakras. I have several friends who say yoga has changed their lives for the better - they feel more open and vulnerable, have a new self awareness, and don’t seem to sweat the small stuff. Although I’m dubious of anyone that shows up to a Las Vegas club holding onto a huge crystal (ahem, see picture . . .), I’m all for anyone using yoga to better themselves. Have you also tapped into your emotional side since practicing yoga?

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Speak Up: Has Doing Yoga Made You More Emotional?

Fitness Download of the Day: Lower Body Yoga Sequence

I’m pumped because this week’s Get Fit For 2010 challenge is all about fitness, and there are so many different ways to get moving. Yoga is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body, and a great complement to high impact activities like running, skiing, and swimming. If you can’t get to a class, check out this nine-posture Lower Body Yoga Sequence . It’s great for runners looking to increase their speed, for skiers and riders looking to perfect their balance, and also great for stressed out people looking to slow down their body and create serenity in their mind. Download this PDF , print it (color looks best), and hop on your mat. I guarantee that your thighs and booty will be burning by the time you reach the last pose, Half Moon . After you exercise, don’t forget to write a fitness journal blog post in the Get Fit community group for a chance to enter our weekly prize - $100 gift card from Nike - as well as our fabulous grand prize .

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Fitness Download of the Day: Lower Body Yoga Sequence

Speak Up: What Healthy Habits Are Hard For You to Stick With?

Every time I go to the dentist, the hygienist asks the million-dollar question, “Have you been flossing every day?” I know she can tell by looking at my teeth and gums that the answer is no, but I think she asks just so I feel bad enough to actually remember to do it. I know it’s recommended to floss at least once a day , but for some reason, I can only remember to do it a few times a week, which is why flossing daily is one of my healthy goals for 2010 . Tell me, what healthy habit to do have a hard time keeping up with?

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Speak Up: What Healthy Habits Are Hard For You to Stick With?

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