73 Year Old Female Bodybuilder – She is an Inspiration!

I really like coming across stories such as this one. You may have heard of Ernestine Shepherd before, but if you haven’t, she is a 73 year old grandmother who runs 80 miles a week and can bench press 150 lbs! All I can say is, wow! She proves that it is never too late to get and stay fit. She has won many awards to include one for a bodybuilding competition. She also gives back to her community by teaching exercise classes at her local church. Ernestine is truly an inspiration for people of all ages. Check out the video below to learn more about her. Have a great weekend!

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73 Year Old Female Bodybuilder – She is an Inspiration!

Funny Fit Clips: Animal Inspiration

Filed under: Fitness , Yoga Aerobics instructors and jazzercise devotees back in the ’80s had no idea how much joy their perfectly feathered hair, matching leotards and corny commentary would bring to us in the future! At That’s Fit, we’re rounding up a few of our favorite funny fitness videos . Some are the real deal, while others are purposely playful, but no matter what, they’re sure to bring a smile to your face. If you have a favorite, please share it with us! Pets are good for your health in a number of ways: They get you outside and walking , and they can lower your stress level (except when they chew on your running shoes, naturally). Every time we see our pooch bow down into a fluid, graceful downward dog, we feel inspired to grab our yoga mats and crank out some asanas of our own. With all the great videos out there featuring animals and yoga, we may never skip a yoga class again! Downward Dog: the Real Deal Your four-legged friend might benefit your health, but you can also help his by involving him in your yoga practice. This clip shows you how to teach your dog, well, downward dog. You know, in case he doesn’t already know it. No Distractions You know how yoga instructors are always telling you to be present and ignore distractions? This one really practices what he preaches — at least until the end of the clip. (Also, does this happen to anyone else when they do yoga at home? Our pets just love to join in!) Stretch Kitteh Likes to Stretch You can’t have an animals and yoga video roundup without Stretch Kitteh! We dare you to watch this video without spreading out your toes and stretching your back. And also without saying, “Awww!” Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Funny Fit Clips: Animal Inspiration

Sara Rue: Happy at Any Size?

Filed under: Celebs & Entertainment Frazer Harrison | Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images In her new ad for Jenny Craig , Sara Rue tells the world how fantastic she feels after losing 50 pounds . Before she started the diet , she was “uncomfortable in her own skin,” which “isn’t normal.” Now that she’s lost the flab, those troublesome feelings are gone, the skinny jeans fit and all is well. Her attitude is disappointing. Why? The spot is a reversal of her former take on body image issues, a refreshing refusal to march in lockstep with the entertainment industry’s skinnier-is-better standard. Rue once embraced her natural shape. Now she and Jenny Craig link feeling “normal” with losing weight. Do we just ignore the nagging feeling that this young woman should be learning to love herself as is rather than go on a diet? A very different Rue spoke to USA Today in 2002 about being called a plus-size actress. She defended her real-woman size as average. “In fact, I’m less than normal,” she said. “I’m smaller than a 12. I don’t want to say what I am, but I’ve been called everything from an 8 to a 14. People just decide. People will label you something whether you say it’s OK or not. The bottom line is I’m healthy, and this is the way I want to be.” In short, she was beautiful, healthy and well adjusted, even under the unforgiving eye of the entertainment biz. As she also told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that year, “I consider myself normal.” “I get annoyed at the business when a size-zero actress is cast as the ‘every gal’ gal,” she added. “It’s just not true.” Rue is talented, radiant and deserves to be happy at any weight, whether she’s plus size, skinny, curvy, thin or whatever coded terms casting agents and journalists like to throw around. Certainly shedding pounds is a self-esteem boost, but it doesn’t erase the fact that telling women that being skinny will make you find true happiness is, at the very least, a questionable thing to promote to untold numbers of women who diet (or not) for the wrong reasons. I want to know what happened to the Rue who, 50 pounds ago, said, “If I’m a plus-size woman, your average sitcom woman is nothing but a head … I do hate that phrase ‘plus size.’ That has been the one thing I’ve been very disappointed by. I thought the world was cooler.” Click on the video below to see Rue’s latest Jenny Craig commercial. Read more about Sara Rue’s weight loss journey . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Sara Rue: Happy at Any Size?

Review: Kimberly Fowler’s "The No Om Zone"

Filed under: Reviews & Products , Yoga go2yas.com Kimberly Fowler’s ” No Om Zone ” book and DVD boast “no chanting, no granola, no Sanskrit.” For those who are serious and traditional about their yoga , this might be a deal breaker, but that’s not the crowd Fowler is targeting. Her goal is to make yoga accessible to people who might otherwise be turned off by certain aspects of the practice. As someone who positively hated her first yoga class and vowed never to go back, this is something I can truly appreciate. As Fowler, an accomplished triathlete -turned founder of YAS Fitness Center , states both in the book and on the DVD, many athletes have difficulty with yoga for several reasons. For one, athletic types are competitive; yoga is not. It’s hard to comprehend that it’s totally fine that the bony 87-year-old man in the corner can bend into a pretzel and hold himself on one arm when you can’t even come close. And while in the right setting (both physically and mentally), chanting can be really beneficial; it can also be scary and intimidating for someone who really doesn’t understand what’s going on. The book consists of 14 chapters, 13 of which focus on how to use yoga to help specific parts of the body from the head to the hips to the feet and ankles. Each chapter includes detailed instruction on several poses, with a 10-minute suggested routine using those poses at the end. This makes it really easy to tailor a short routine that can be done anywhere to your needs. (I’ve already taken advantage of some of the neck, shoulder and upper back asanas to combat the slouch I get while sitting at the keyboard.) The DVD offers three workouts — upper body , core and lower body . The entire DVD is a little over 53 minutes, but much of that is introduction, which you have the option to skip. Level of Difficulty Beginner. A few of the moves are slightly more advanced, but Fowler makes a point to mention early on that it’s not a competition and you should do only what feels good. “No pain, no gain doesn’t apply to yoga” is something she repeats often. Next-Day Soreness Very little, but it would be more for someone brand new to yoga. Who’s It For? Yoga beginners who are looking for a way to learn the poses without feeling intimidated or embarrassed. Likes I really, really liked the book. It would not only be helpful for beginners but also for those who have some yoga experience. It’s easy to flip through and find what you need, and I thought it was really interesting to learn a little bit about how the different poses affect our muscles. The video was also easy to navigate and offered a solid, if slightly short, workout. Fowler flows through the moves quickly but with good instruction. I found the directions easy to follow, but they might be a bit fast for a first timer. That being said, there’s always the pause and rewind option. Dislikes I wish each of the workouts were just a bit longer. The DVD says they’re 15 minutes, but I think that includes the segment intro (there’s also a long introduction to the DVD at the very beginning). And since there is a helpful “play all workouts” option, I would have loved to skip the corpse pose ending during the first two segments and instead hold that pose longer at the end. Although Fowler provides good basic instruction for each pose, I would have liked for her to explain a few more particulars — how to hold your body in the proper plane, for example. I think that would really benefit first timers considering attending a class, since those are the things I see corrected most often in a group setting. Bottom Line I like this concept, and I like both the book and the DVD. I believe I’ll get more use out of the book than the video, but they work well together. “The No Om Zone” is definitely one of the better options out there for yoga newbies, especially those who are generally quite athletic. Another good option for beginners is YogaWorks Beginner AM/PM . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Review: Kimberly Fowler’s "The No Om Zone"

Not So Southern-Style Green Beans

Filed under: Recipe Rehab with Tanya Zuckerbrot , Nutrition & Supplements Getty Images Southern foods are known for being robust and filling, and the traditional recipe for Southern-style green beans is no different. Usually seasoned with fatback, bacon or ham hocks, the beans are boiled until they are tender and have a dark green color and a salty taste. One of our readers wrote us with a request to make over his mother’s green bean recipe so that the calories represent a reasonable side dish rather than an entree. Fatback and ham hocks add quite a bit of sodium to the green beans, not to mention unwanted calories. But there is no question that they add a lot of flavor, which green beans on their own tend to lack. I will spice up the green beans with onions, garlic, black pepper and crushed red pepper to add flavor without extra calories. Cooking vegetables in large amounts of water until the color runs out leaches nutrients, which are then lost when the water is discarded. Other nutrients, like vitamin C and folic acid , are completely destroyed in the cooking process because they are not heat stable. It is best to cook veggies on a griddle or steam them . I am actually going to stir-fry the beans in a little bit of olive oil to help absorb the fat-soluble vitamins and intensify the flavors of the dish. Now this rehab may be a step away from your mother’s Southern cooking, but it is a delicious low-calorie way to spice up green beans. Ingredients: o.1 tablespoon olive oil o.1 medium onion, sliced o.3 cloves garlic o.1 pound green beans (frozen or fresh) o.1/4 teaspoon salt o.1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper o.1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper Instructions: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are tender. 2. Add the green beans and cover to keep in the steam. Cook for about 3 minutes. It may be necessary to add a little bit of water (1 to 2 tablespoons), especially if using fresh green beans. 3. Turn the green beans and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the cover of the pan and add the spices. Finish cooking with the cover off until the green beans are slightly tender but still crunchy. Serves: 4 Nutrition Content (per serving): 80 calories , 4 g fat , 1 g saturated fat , 11 g carbohydrates , 4 g fiber , 3 g protein , 154 mg sodium Spice up another side dish vegetable: Try my Brussels sprouts ! Readers, I would love to hear from you! Please send me your favorite fattening recipes that need a RECIPE REAHB! Everything from your mom’s meatloaf to your kid’s favorite dessert — let me lighten it up. Celebrity dietitian and motivational life coach Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of www.ffactordiet.com and founder of www.skinnyandthecity.com and www.theskinnyondietitians.com , has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off with her program. Her philosophy? Tanya believes you should never sacrifice taste, even when you’re eating healthy foods. Have a recipe in need of rehab? Send us your recipe! Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Not So Southern-Style Green Beans

Fit Clips: Must-See Jump Rope

Filed under: Fitness Aerobics instructors and jazzercise devotees back in the ’80s had no idea how much joy their perfectly feathered hair, matching leotards and corny commentary would bring to us in the future! At That’s Fit, we’re rounding up a few of our favorite funny fitness videos . Some are the real deal, while others are purposely playful, but no matter what, they’re sure to bring a smile to your face. If you have a favorite, please share it with us! Jumping rope is pretty much an ideal workout . It works both your upper and lower body and gets your heart pumping quickly, and the equipment is totally portable, so you can do it anywhere. While most of us think we’re rockin’ if we can go for 10 or 15 minutes in a row (or maybe just one or two, depending on how skilled and fit you are), there are people out there who take jumping rope to a whole new level. And we’re happy to sit back and watch. Kings Firecrackers Not only is it hard to imagine learning and performing this amazing routine, but can you fathom what went into choreographing it? And the number of welts that must have been sustained during practice? The backs of our calves hurt just thinking about it. Double Dutch Holiday Classic This isn’t your mama’s double Dutch, that’s for sure. We love both the competitive aspect — the athleticism! the coordination! — and the dance portion. Can you picture any other sport or competition where people look like they’re having this much fun? Cincinnati Ropin’ Rockets Wondering how these jumpers learn and practice their moves? This montage shows a bit of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into these routines. There are no fancy costumes or cheering crowds, but we were blown away nonetheless. Plus, the little guy is such a cutie! Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Fit Clips: Must-See Jump Rope

DVD Review: Elle Beauty Sculpt Starring Brooklyn Decker

Filed under: Celebs & Entertainment , Reviews & Products ellemakebetter.com I’ve always enjoyed Elle magazine as a source of fashion and beauty inspiration, but I can’t say that it’s the publication I turn to specifically for fitness advice. However, when I was offered a chance to try out the third DVD in Elle’s Make Better DVD collection , I was intrigued. I’m always interested in new sources of fitness inspiration! The DVD I received, “Beauty Sculpt,” features model Brooklyn Decker (best known for the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover and her marriage to tennis player Andy Roddick ) and is led by trainer Sara Haley , a Global Fitness Instructor for Reebok International and, as Decker calls her in one of the DVD’s bonus features, a little ball of fire. “Beauty Sculpt” offers two 25-minute workouts, both of which include intervals and light weight work , so even though the video doesn’t specifically say you need hand weights, you do. I used five-pound weights, which felt just about right for me, but you’ll want to adjust the weight to your level of fitness. After a couple more sessions, I think I’ll probably move up to eight pounds. Level of Difficulty Intermediate with beginner modifications. Next-Day Soreness Moderate in the butt and thigh area. Who’s It For? Those who are looking for a video that incorporates some strength training but works both big and small muscle groups simultaneously will enjoy this. Also, it’s a good choice for those just starting a fitness routine and looking to improve: They can start out doing just one workout using the modifications and work their way up to a 50-minute workout without modifications. Likes These workouts flew by! The format is a slow interval, then a high-speed interval on your right, then the same on your left, and then, you’re done with the workout, which I really liked. Haley cues really well and does a solid job of explaining the nuances of certain moves (like what you’re working and exactly where your feet should be), which is really important for beginners. However, there wasn’t too much instruction; everything flowed really well. I was worried that Decker would annoy me, but she came across as totally lovely, like someone I’d like to hit the gym with. You know, if I could dress her in something huge and baggy to preserve my self-esteem, that is. Dislikes I can’t come up with any real dislikes about this DVD. It could be more challenging, sure, but then it wouldn’t work as well for beginners. Bonus Features This DVD had a ton of bonus features, including interviews with both Decker and Haley and tips on packing in light and quick workouts that Decker employs. However, my favorite bonus features were the two bonus workouts; I really wish they were included at the end of the two Beauty Sculpt Workouts as a challenge rather than being in a place you need to navigate to. Bottom Line I liked the video; it has me interested in checking out the other two videos in the series. And hey, if it works for a Sports Illustrated cover model, it certainly can’t hurt me, right? If you like your interval training with a little more butt kicking, 30 Day Shred might be a good choice for you. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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DVD Review: Elle Beauty Sculpt Starring Brooklyn Decker

Stephanie Pratt Gets Cookin’ With the Tone It Up Girls

Karena and Katrina of the Tone It Up community group recently spent time with reality star Stephanie Pratt at the Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat . They shared this video of themselves making protein pancakes with Stephanie. The Hills star Stephanie Pratt & Tone It Up girls make pancakes on TV Guide .     To see the pancake recipe that the girls made together, head over to the Tone It Up community group . While you’re there, poke around the rest of the FitSugar community and contribute. We might use your post right here on FitSugar!

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Stephanie Pratt Gets Cookin’ With the Tone It Up Girls

Would You Risk Your Health For Fashion?

High heels , over-sized purses, skinny jeans , and heavy hoop earrings aren’t the kindest to our bodies, but many women don them in the name of fashion. These days, the dangerous cutting edge fashion trend is all about the eyes, a la Lady Gaga’s enlarged pupils in her ” Bad Romance ” video. Even though Gaga’s eyes in the video are mostly computer-generated, many woman aim for that big-eyed effect with circle lenses . These eye-altering contact lenses are all the range in Asia, and also made popular by makeup artist Michelle Phan , allow you to change the size and color of your eyes, creating huge doe-like eyes. Ranging in price from $20 to $30 a pair, the lenses, which are made overseas, are illegal to sell in the US because they’re not FDA-approved. Doctors are worried that between the lack of safety regulations and customers not being fitted properly, sporting circle lenses could result in eye infections, cornea damage, and even loss of eyesight. Watch this clip from CBS for more details. Being a contact lens wearer myself, I know the importance of wearing quality brand lenses fitted by a licensed optometrist. This new fad seems like bad news to me, but what do you think. Would you? Would You Risk Your Health For Fashion? Yes, I’d do anything in the name of fashion. It depends how risky or harmful it is to my health. No way. My health is most important.

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Would You Risk Your Health For Fashion?

Get Out and Take Part in Salutation Nation: Aug. 7

Practicing yoga on your own has its benefits, but nothing beats the energy and joyfulness you feel when breathing and moving with a group. On Aug. 7, 2010, you can feel the energy of hundreds of thousands, as yogis across the country take to their mats and practice at the same time, from 9 to 10 a.m. Lululemon is hosting this amazing yoga event called Salutation Nation, where every one of its stores in North America is offering a complimentary outdoor yoga class. Check out the video below for some inspiration. You too can be part of the most monumental yoga event in the country. Visit Lululemon’s Facebook page for locations so far .

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Get Out and Take Part in Salutation Nation: Aug. 7

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