Jackie Warner Skips Yogurt; What Health Food Do You Avoid?

While doing research on Jackie Warner’s new television show Thintervention , I came across a video interview with her on Bravo. In it, the trainer gives advice on diet and exercise, with one of her key points being to ” ditch processed foods and sugar .” For Jackie, it’s sugar that’s to blame for weight gain. Sound advice for sure, but I was surprised to hear her say that it’s for this reason that we need to “get away from yogurt completely.” I consider Greek yogurt to be pretty healthy , and it’s definitely a staple in my diet . Similarly, Harley Pasternak shared with me in a recent interview that he recommends choosing other fruit over bananas or grapes because they lack fiber and are high in sugar. Both trainers feel that there are better alternatives for nutrients than these foods. As far as healthy foods go, I stay away from seafood because of mercury levels, fishing practices, and bacteria scares . I know that seafood provides a lot of great health benefits, but for the reasons I mentioned above I don’t eat it as often as I should . How about you? What healthy foods do you stay away from and why? Share your answers with me in the comments section below.

Read the original here: 
Jackie Warner Skips Yogurt; What Health Food Do You Avoid?

Speak Up: Which Fitness Retreats Are Your Fave?

I’m asking for your help; Summer is ending soon and I need vacation suggestions. I’m debating going glamping , but I kind of want to try a fitness retreat, which is something I’ve never done before. And even though I can turn any vacation into a fit one by renting a bike , going on a hike , or spending hours walking and sightseeing , I’m looking for something a little more structured. I’ve read about surf retreats , bikini boot camps in Costa Rica , and mountain biking in Moab . I know that yoga retreats are becoming more popular, and that resorts like Canyon Ranch offer all sorts of spa and wellness packages. My problem is that I don’t know anyone who’s ever gone on a fitness retreat. If any of you have tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Tell me what you think in the comments below, and maybe you can help end my last-minute vacation anxiety.

See the original post here:
Speak Up: Which Fitness Retreats Are Your Fave?

The Best Health Advice You’ve Ever Received Was . . .

I recently told you that the best fitness advice I ever received was, “In order to lose weight, you need to up your cardio.” This little gem really helped kick my butt into gear to lose the extra weight I gained while living it up in my college days. I asked you to share the best advice you’ve heard regarding health and fitness and here’s what you said. “Losing weight is about diet not exercise.” - onlysourcherry “You can’t out-exercise crappy eating!” - anonymous reader ksduffster “I think you, FitSugar, had something on here about your shape being 20% working out and 80% what you eat. That changed how I thought about getting ‘in shape.’” - brindey Graze With Me lives by this key phrase: “Respect your fullness & honor your hunger.” “Be the healthiest version of me that I can be.” - GlowingMoon 2muchtv says, “Be active in everything, not just the hour you spend exercising.” I have only included a few bits of wisdom, so if you want to hear the other great advice and tips, head over to the original post .

View original here:
The Best Health Advice You’ve Ever Received Was . . .

Speak Up: Share the Best Health Advice You’ve Ever Received?

In college, I let the freedom of being able to stay up late and eat jellybeans for dinner get the best of me. Late-night pizza outings, the all-you-can-eat meals at the dining hall, and the frozen yogurt machine did not do my body good. The most exercise I got was from walking to the soda machine, and I ended up gaining way more than the usual freshman 15 . By the time I graduated, I did not like how I felt or how my clothes fit, and was determined to lose the weight I had gained. That’s when I started going to Ashtanga yoga classes three times a week. I was becoming stronger, but not really losing weight. While complaining to a good friend , she said, “In order to lose weight, you need to up your cardio.” That was the best advice ever. I started a regular running routine, and slowly but surely, the pounds began to melt off. I’m forever grateful for that friend’s advice because now I’m at a much healthier weight, my heart and muscles feel strong, and I’m confident about my body. So tell me, what’s the best health or fitness advice you’ve ever received?

The rest is here:
Speak Up: Share the Best Health Advice You’ve Ever Received?

Gear Review: Polar Heart Rate Monitor Is Nike+ Compatible

Using the Nike + system to chart my walks and runs has been quite motivational . I love to compare my workouts, see how I’m progressing, and monitor my weekly mileage. Nike teamed up with Polar to offer the Polar WearLink+ Transmitter ($65), a heart rate monitor that’s compatible with your Nike+ system. If you have a fifth generation iPod Nano or a Nike+ Sportband (sorry, it doesn’t work with an iPod Touch or iPhone yet), you can not only keep track of your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, but now you can also chart your heart rate for each workout. Curious to know how it works? Then keep reading.

View original post here: 
Gear Review: Polar Heart Rate Monitor Is Nike+ Compatible

Speak Up: Pink Blows Off Steam by Running or Boxing - How About You?

Got a bad case of the Mondays? After a blissful two days off, why is getting back into the swing of a rigid schedule so tough that first day? Ugh. For me, Mondays are definitely more stressful than the other days of the week, and the littlest things can end up stressing me out. Not one to keep her emotions pent up, Pink explained in a recent interview with Cosmo that to blow off steam she runs, sings, boxes, or just yells loudly. All good ideas, but tell me, how do you de-stress? I’m sure we could all use some new techniques.

More here:
Speak Up: Pink Blows Off Steam by Running or Boxing - How About You?

Pamela Anderson Off DWTS and Onto Surfing: What New Sport Are You Going to Try?

I remember how I wanted to try climbing for years, and when I finally got myself into a harness and climbing shoes, I fell in love with the sport and have been scaling walls and rocks ever since. It’s tough to jump out of our comfort zone into something new, but if you can get over your fear, or whatever obstacle is preventing you from going for it, you’ll become a stronger person both physically and emotionally. And it’s never too late to give that new something a go. Take 40-something Pamela Anderson. After being kicked off Dancing With the Stars , she told Us Weekly , “I promised myself I’m going to learn how to surf this year! So I bought myself a pink surfboard and I’m going to get in the ocean!” Good for her for trying something different when it comes to exercise. Warm Summer weather is the perfect time to take a crack at a new sport like wakeboarding, outdoor climbing, or mountain biking. So tell me, what sport are you planning on giving a whirl?

Originally posted here: 
Pamela Anderson Off DWTS and Onto Surfing: What New Sport Are You Going to Try?

Glee Gives Us an Excuse to "Get Physical"

Last night, Glee (one of my most favorite shows ever, BTW) paid homage to some pretty cheesy musical gems like MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This,” Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice Baby,” and what could be the FitSugar anthem - Olivia Newton John ’s “Let’s Get Physical.” First, the gleeks post an incriminating video on YouTube of Cheerios leader Sue Sylvester dancing by herself to the double entendre ’80s hit, causing Sue to go into total revenge mode. In the end, I’d say Sue came out alright though: Miss Let’s Get Physical herself, Olivia Newton John, shows up to remake the video and casts Sue as her costar. After watching the Glee remake I couldn’t help myself from wanting to relive the glory and the spandex of the original. So bust out your favorite leggings, headbands, and aerobics moves and be inspired to get up and go! To see the video keep on reading.

Here is the original post:
Glee Gives Us an Excuse to "Get Physical"

Speak Up: Your Top 5 Fitness Items

Exercise is obviously really important to me, and although I’m a huge fan of Madonna, I’m in no way a “Material Girl.” I must admit, though, there are a handful of fitness gadgets and items I just can’t live without. Here are my top five favorites: My yoga mat ( Manduka , of course). My Specialized Ruby Comp road bike - she’s a beauty. My Pearl Izumi trail running sneakers that keep my feet stable and dry. Moisture-wicking sports bra (gotta keep those girls supported and comfy). My iPhone Armpocket which I never exercise without. What are your top five?

View original here:
Speak Up: Your Top 5 Fitness Items

Stretch It: Side Stretch on a Ball

I had an amazing crunchless ab workout yesterday, so much so that it even hurts to laugh. I’m in dire need of a good stretch for the sides of my torso. Here’s a great one that’s both relaxing and effective. Roll an exercise ball on over to you and keep reading

Read more: 
Stretch It: Side Stretch on a Ball

Next Page »