Courtney Lost 35 Pounds Without Starving Her Sweet Tooth

Filed under: Motivation , Success Stories Courtney Before Name: Courtney Jeanne Tetreault Age: 28 Height: 5 feet Before Weight: 160 pounds How I Gained It: I gained weight for a simple reason: I just started eating a lot, and at first I guess I didn’t even notice it. The weight slowly started creeping on, and no one ever said anything to me about it, so I continued to eat more and more. I love food, especially gourmet food, rich pastries and desserts. I also love to bake, and I have a definite sweet tooth, so those aspects certainly didn’t help. I’m an emotional eater , and during the difficult first year of my marriage, I gained even more weight. There were certain comfort foods that I would eat constantly: Oreos, ice cream, chocolate and candy were my favorites, but I’m a sucker for anything sweet and rich. Add to this the fact that my portions were way out of control. I would order a meal at Jack in the Box , add a milk shake and still eat ice cream later on that night. Breaking Point: Like many people, my “moment of truth” came when I saw a photo of myself. I couldn’t believe how different I looked! I decided right then and there that I had to lose the weight. How I Lost It: Initially I joined the Slim Fast program — it was difficult but it got me on the right track toward portion control and mindful eating. However, it could not have been a long-term plan for me — I missed eating real food at meals, and two shakes plus a tiny dinner just weren’t doing it for me. I even felt weak and dizzy sometimes from lack of calories . After I lost five pounds, I joined Weight Watchers online. I learned to count points and set a regimen for myself each day. If I wanted something special such as a sweet, I either had to give up points from another meal or earn more points by exercising. It really helped me cut down on my portions, and it taught me to watch everything I ate. If I had an “off” day, I just went right back on my plan the next day. I never gave up. Courtney Now As I learned to eat better, I was completely shocked when I started learning the calorie content of my comfort foods . It was obvious why I had gained weight — the way I was eating, I was probably consuming almost 3,000 calories a day with little or no exercise ! I started to cook leaner meats like chicken, and I switched white carbs for whole grains. I also switched from full-fat milk to nonfat. As for my sweet tooth, I satisfied it with low-fat ice cream, frozen yogurt and preportioned 100-calorie-type desserts. Sugar-free Jell-O and fat-free Jell-O puddings were my go-to snacks when I was losing weight. Once I was maintaining, I added back a little bit more food but not too much. I also started fruits and veggies for the first time in my life. When it came to exercise, I made small changes — I would park farther away from the store so I’d have to walk more. Slowly, exercise became part of my life — and surprisingly, I really began to enjoy it. I found that it’s not just good for my body, but it helps me relieve stress and anxiety as well. But above all, I knew that if I was going to keep up with my new healthy habits, I needed to put an end to my emotional eating. That was hard for me — I was in the habit of eating when I was bored, upset, stressed or even happy, even though I wasn’t hungry. Instead, when emotions got the best of me, I would try reading a book, taking a hot bath or going for a walk. Restaurant meals had to be cut back, and I changed my comfort foods. I also tried to be more mindful of the food I reached for. Even though I’m at a weight I’m happy with, I still exercise and count calories. I do spinning classes a few times a week, and on the other days, I walk at least two miles with my dog. She’s a Siberian husky, so she really never gets tired of walking, and it helps keep me on track. After Weight: 125 pounds Courtney has maintained her weight loss for three years … and counting. Got a sweet tooth of your own? Find out how Michelle tamed hers and lost an amazing 140 pounds . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Courtney Lost 35 Pounds Without Starving Her Sweet Tooth

Lo Bosworth Needs Her Butt Kicked by Someone Else, Do You?

Lo Bosworth may be into boxing, but she’s also into spinning at Equinox . The Hills actress tells People , “As far as fitness, I love indoor cycling - it has made a really big difference. I feel a lot skinnier than I did last year. It’s kind of the ultimate cardio.” She admits that exercising with a group class and an instructor who pushes you is majorly motivating. Lo adds, “Because if I’m by myself, I go to the gym and do 15 reps. And then I’m like, ‘Oh, my e-mail. I need to make a phone call.’” Because I’m somewhat competitive, I do a pretty good job of pushing myself through an intense sweat session, but I do love the occasional tush whooping from a badass trainer or instructor. Tell me, do you prefer kicking your own butt or having someone kick it for you? Lo Bosworth Needs Her Butt Kicked by Someone Else, Do You? I prefer to kick my own butt. I never get as good a workout unless someone else is pushing me. It depends on the type of exercise. I don’t work out.

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Lo Bosworth Needs Her Butt Kicked by Someone Else, Do You?

Blueberries and Yogurt Even Better Together

We’ve all been sharing our fave healthy food combinations , and now Prevention magazine has a duo to share too: blueberries and yogurt. These two foods bring out the best in each other. The high fiber content of the berries (almost four grams per cup) bolsters the healthy bacteria found in yogurt, aka probiotics , helping it survive the perilous journey through the digestive tract. Once in the gut, the probiotics help the body absorb the soluble fiber of the blueberries. Talk about a tasty win-win situation. I know what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow. What about you?

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Blueberries and Yogurt Even Better Together

Cycle-Yoga: Spinning and Yoga Come Together

Filed under: Fitness Madd Dog Athletics What other group fitness class can blast 500 calories in an hour and simultaneously strengthen and sculpt your entire body, especially your arms and abs? The answer is a new blend of yoga and spinning : Cycle-Yoga. Most gym classes are geared either to fat-blasting aerobics or strength training but very few can claim the benefits of both. While blitzing hundreds of calories pedaling, a cyclist’s posture contributes to muscle tension and imbalance since the spine is constantly flexed forward over the handlebars. In order to achieve overall flexibility and balanced muscle groups — and to sidestep common injuries — a biker desperately needs yoga to sculpt the abs , balance upper and lower body muscles and get out all the kinks. There are several progressive two-for-one classes at health clubs around the county, and while there aren’t DVDs of this dynamic duo yet, stay tuned to That’s Fit and we’ll keep you posted. Cycle-Yoga Where: Bodies in Motion, Century City, Calif. For the first 40 minutes, instructors lead you through sprints and out-of-the saddle rides, and then you transition to strong standing poses on your yoga mat and begin those Sun Salutations. Quite the challenging workout! Cycle In/Yoga Out Where: Equinox Fitness Clubs in Los Angeles and New York Thirty minutes of cycling precedes a flowing strength-based yoga class where savvy instructors favor toning postures that bike riding ignores: plank pose for arms and abs; backbends to soothe lower-back cycling muscles; and handstands for agility. Cy-Ga! Where: Cyga Studio in Shorewood, Wis. Cycling and yoga unite in this head-to-toe, athletic workout. Teachers combine 30 minutes of cycling with 30 minutes of Power Yoga (lots of jump backs and Warrior poses) to optimize balance, flexibility and strength. Yoga and Cycle Where: Breathe Studio in Denver, Colo. You start with 30 minutes of interval training on a bike, lots of riding out of the saddle to boost cardio endurance, and then enjoy 30 minutes of a gentler flowing Vinyasa-style yoga with a nice, long stretch and seated meditation at the end. Soul Cycle Where: SoulCycle’s Tribeca studio in New York As with other classes, instructors prefer warming up and doing hill training on the bike for 45 minutes first to loosen muscles and prep your joints for the power yoga flow poses to come. Most studios also charge a couple bucks more for a Spinning-Yoga class, so call first! Discover other efficient cross-training workouts. Fitness expert Nicole Dorsey Straff is a Los Angeles-based exercise physiologist and author, and frequently writes about diet, health and wellness. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Cycle-Yoga: Spinning and Yoga Come Together

Don’t Sweat It: Sunscreens That Last

Filed under: Fit Beauty , Fitness , Reviews & Products Getty You already know that you probably need to apply more sunscreen , but with all the options available, which do you choose? When it comes to outdoor workouts , it’s not just about SPF , but also about the sweat factor. Here’s the results of a few we recently tested: Arnold Palmer DriGrip Sunscreen Not surprisingly, the Arnold Palmer sunscreen ($9.95 for 3 oz.) is designed for golfers, but the formula is great for any athlete who doesn’t want her sunscreen to make her grip slippery. The sunscreen dries to a powder finish so it doesn’t feel greasy or moist at all — this is especially important as you go to reapply in the middle of something like a golf or tennis game. It only comes in SPF 30, and was fully effective in our test (running with a dog leash in hand). However, because of the way it dries to a powder, it really leaves a mess if you get it on your clothes. A larger bottle would be great as well, as three ounces doesn’t last long if it’s being passed around on the green. Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen We’ve used other Peter Thomas Roth products and have always been pleased, and this was no exception. The PTR Uber-Dry Sunscreen ($26 for 4.2 oz.) provides adequate sun protection at SPF 30, and it felt just like our regular moisturizer, which makes it great to put on underneath makeup. We tested this on our face, neck and chest on a sweaty hike through a rain forest, and emerged with no burn or uneven coverage, so we can attest that it works well. However, since it’s a bit pricey, we reserved it just for our more breakout-prone areas to make it last longer. Coppertone Sport Coppertone Sport Sunscreen (generally under $10 for 6 to 8 oz.) isn’t new to most of us — we’ve been using it for years. What we hadn’t known, however, was what a wide variety of sport-specific sunscreens the brand offers. A sampling of the different products were sent to That’s Fit, ranging from SPF 30 in a regular “Ultra Sweatproof” lotion to SPF 50 made specifically for the fact, all the way up to a “Very Sweat Resistant” continuous spray in SPF 100+. All are waterproof and contain antioxidants , and the continuous spray bottles both lock and spray at any angle. We really liked having the option of lotion to apply before activity and spray when we were ready to reapply. And, since it’s so affordable, it’s easy enough to stock up on a bottle for the face, a lotion and a spray (and maybe even a sunscreen stick for quick, hands-free application). Although we were happy with all the sunscreens we tested, when it comes time to shop for it ourselves, we’ll probably opt for Coppertone. Athletes have specific skincare needs, and while the sunscreens above have your fun in the sun covered, MISSION Product has lots of other issues under control. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Don’t Sweat It: Sunscreens That Last

Guess Who Tweeted It?

Guess which Hills star updated her Twitter account with this message? “Off to spin [class] I go!”

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Guess Who Tweeted It?

Nicole Kidman: Running Is a Family Thing

In the latest issue of British magazine SHE , Nicole Kidman opens up about health and wellness, confessing that running, well, runs in the family. Nicole tells SHE , “It’s what my dad taught us - he’s a marathon runner. He’s 71 and goes on 10-mile runs.” Nicole says that her papa also likes to go hiking for hours at a time. It looks like dad’s lesson paid off. Nicole is seen running around town or hitting the gym pretty often - she even went to spinning classes while pregnant with baby Sunday Rose ! Nicole must have chosen spinning when she was pregnant because it’s easy on the joints. The actress also gives a little insight into how she maintains that svelte frame of hers - it’s genetics! It can be hard to stay healthy when you’re on a road trip, something Nicole knows all too well when touring with her hubby, country musician Keith Urban: “As Keith’s a musician there are pit stops at Wendy’s, but I’m six-foot tall, so it’s not weight that’s an issue for me, but things like cholesterol.” We imagine that Nicole will be spending a lot of time on the road this week promoting Nine before its Dec. 25 release. Hopefully, she has some tips for staying healthy when eating out. If not, we’ve got a few to share with her, like splitting a massive sized entrée or having starters as a main course .

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Nicole Kidman: Running Is a Family Thing

Indoor Cycling Just Got Better: Schwinn Training Bike

Winter rain and snow means it is indoor cycling season: I’m talking about spinning. Equinox has filled its Cycling Studio with new spin bikes by Schwinn. The bikes are pretty dang sweet. I rode one during 45 minutes of Sports Cycling, and the ride was smooth and comfy with so many different hand grips available - the handlebars are tilted for ergonomic placement. The tension on the fly wheel is created by magnets too, ensuring that all the bikes in the room create the same tension across the board. Best of all the bikes have console computers, which not only work with most heart rate monitors, but also measure miles per hour, cadence, distance, and watts. The pedals have cages, if you don’t have cycling shoes, and the pedals are compatible with road bike cleats as well as mountain bike cleats - very versatile. These indoor cycling bikes will arrive at Equinox gyms starting now throughout early Winter. They are exclusively at Equinox for the time being, but these bikes can only spell upgrades for most gyms. Tell me, do you spin?

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Indoor Cycling Just Got Better: Schwinn Training Bike

Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth Disagree on Spinning

While talking to PopSugar on their way to A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival , LC and Lo talked health and fitness. Lauren told Pop that the housemates cook a lot at home and are firm supporters of organic food. Among many things they share, one is a personal trainer. They do not, however, share the same opinion when it comes to spinning. Here’s a brief exchange to clue us in to their fitness personalities: Lo: I just started spin and Lauren went with me. LC: - and I hate it. I prefer boxing or hiking, more fun activities. Lo: I love it though. I think it’s just important to keep it varied so you don’t hit a plateau. Last year we learned that LC loved boxing , and glad to hear she is sticking with it - you gotta do what you love. I share a love of spinning with Lo. What about you? Where do you stand in the great spinning debate? Source

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Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth Disagree on Spinning

Do Celebrity Weight Battles Cause More Harm Than Good?

Weight issues don’t make someone famous, but they frequently become center stage once celebrity status is official. Sure, the general public is overly concerned by struggles with the scale. But the celebrities who publicize their weight battles could be damaging the way the overweight public handles their own body issues. The New York Times takes issue with celebrity weight battles in a piece that explores the various ways celebs deal with their public struggles. The Times interviewed overweight women who feel offended and unmotivated when Kirstie Alley makes statements like “I was so much more disgusting than I thought!” and when Oprah admits that she’s embarrassed about hitting 200 pounds again. Self-esteem takes a beating when “before” pictures resemble what these women currently see in the mirror, and this affects the way the public perceives people who are overweight. Still, as one weight stigma expert says, “Celebrities can show us how complex this problem is. Even if you have all the resources at your fingertips, it doesn’t make you immune. So it’s important to see that it’s a battle for everyone.” Do Celebrity Weight Battles Cause More Harm Than Good? Yes, I think public celebrity weight battles cause more harm than good. No, I don’t think publicized weight battles cause more harm than good.

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Do Celebrity Weight Battles Cause More Harm Than Good?

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