Health & Fitness Lifestyle

Fitness Trends for 2012

2011-10-28T12:19:00.002-05:00

The top ten fitness trends predicted for 2012 are:

1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Given the large number of organizations offering health and fitness certifications, it’s important that consumers choose professionals certified through programs that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), such as those offered by ACSM.

2. Strength training. Strength training remains a central emphasis for many health clubs. Incorporating strength training is an essential part of a complete physical activity program for all physical activity levels and genders.

3. Fitness programs for older adults. As the baby boom generation ages into retirement, some of these people have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts. Therefore, many health and fitness professionals are taking the time to create age-appropriate fitness programs to keep older adults healthy and active.

4. Exercise and weight loss. In addition to nutrition, exercise is a key component of a proper weight loss program. Health and fitness professionals who provide weight loss programs are increasingly incorporating regular exercise and caloric restriction for better weight control in their clients.

5. Children and obesity. With childhood obesity growing at an alarming rate, health and fitness professionals see the epidemic as an opportunity to create programs tailored to overweight and obese children. Solving the problem of childhood obesity will have an impact on the health care industry today and for years to come.

6. Personal training. More and more students are majoring in kinesiology, which indicates that students are preparing themselves for careers in allied health fields such as personal training. Education, training and proper credentialing for personal trainers have become increasingly important to the health and fitness facilities that employ them.

7. Core training. Distinct from strength training, core training specifically emphasizes conditioning of the middle-body muscles, including the pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen – all of which provide needed support for the spine.

8. Group personal training. In challenging economic times, many personal trainers are offering group training options. Training two or three people at once makes economic sense for both the trainer and the clients.

9. Zumba and other dance workouts. A workout that requires energy and enthusiasm, Zumba combines Latin rhythms with interval-type exercise and resistance training.

10. Functional fitness. This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programs for older adults are closely related.

Jennifer Nicole Lee America's Sexiest Fitness Mom Coined Top Sexercise Expert

2010-11-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sexercise? Sounds crazy (combining something we love with something we loath) but studies have routinely found that the right workout can boost libido, increase stamina and boost body confidence. So we asked fitness expert Jennifer Nicole Lee for advice.

She gave us some tips from her new book, "The Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Diet: JNL's Super Fitness Model Secrets to a Sexy, Strong Sleek Physique."

Jennifer Nicole Lee has now joined the "Most Desirable Women" list as the mecca of news, CBS News.com named her com "America's Sexiest Fitness Mom", interview at JNLSexyFitMom.com. Yes, this motivational weight loss success story turned mega-super model mogul has many titles, now not only is she a bestselling author, highly sought after cover model, key note speaker, successful international spokes model, but now she is "America's" "sexiest" "fitness" "mom".

More than just your average fitness model, Jennifer Nicole Lee (JNL) is a name that needs no introduction. Famous for her inspiring 80-pound plus weight loss success story, JNL is now known as the top profile leader in the fitness and wellness industry as well as the esteemed CEO to her multi-million dollar empire, JNL, Inc.

It all started when JNL, who was reaching 200 pounds after bearing two children, miraculously lost 70 pounds that brought all eyes on her and later was crowned as “Miss Bikini Diva Universe” champion. She instantly became an icon for women and fellow moms across the world, who got very motivated by her weight loss success story. Everybody wanted to know how she did it, everybody wanted to know her secrets. Seeing this as a glimmer of opportunity to help others realize and achieve their lifestyle goals, JNL agreed to share her motivational weight loss success story when she was featured in The Oprah Winfrey Show, The CBS Early Morning Show, Fox & Friends, Inside Edition, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, inspiring millions of viewers all over the globe.

This empowering experience has undoubtedly shot JNL into the health and fitness industry and gained her the respect of countless professionals. JNL started to appear in many television commercials, print ads and billboards in over 100 different countries, all thanks to her #1 global hit, the Ab Circle Pro, which is currently ranked #1 as the best selling exercise equipment to date worldwide. It is so successful that JNL, who is not only the spokes model for product, but also a partner, co-creator, and designer of the product, had to in fact, dub her voice into over 20 different languages just to put up with the product’s demand for various different countries.

That is when this mega-brand mogul initiated her brand new division to her empire on July 4th 2009, entitled JNL World Wide, Inc., which was inspired by Kathy Ireland – her mentor and idol that she so looks up to. Her newly created JNL World Wide, Inc. division again took the world by storm where she teamed up with her partners to create the exercise equipment of the future and made it successful on an international stage.

The fitness guru, lifestyle consultant, fitness model and most importantly devoted wife and mother who authored the “The Mind, Body, & Soul Diet: Your Complete Transformational Guide to Health, Healing & Happiness”, states that it is indeed a blessing to be in the position that she is in right now.

“I have been able to turn my passion for fitness and motivating people into a lucrative business on a global level. My team and I are busy making plans already for the future, well into 2011 and beyond. I just wrapped shooting and filming for The JNL Experience, which is the 2010 – 2011 swimsuit calendar. This truly does mark the new era for JNL Worldwide, Inc. and JNL, Inc. I can’t thank all of my fitness friends and fans for their support.”

JNL has indeed succeeded to walk her talk. She really believes that everyone deserves to increase the quality of their life and that with healthy diet, exercise and a fierce determination, anything is possible. When she is not busy running her empire, JNL can be found making monthly appearance to over 90 million households on the #1 interactive shopping channel. Her second book, “The Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Book” is now available.

She is now sharing her top super fitness model secrets in her bestselling books with other women, so they too can be sexier and fitter. Her latest literary work is fittingly entitled "The Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Diet: JNL's Super Fitness Model Secrets to a Sexy, Strong, Sleek Physique"

And just take a look for yourself at the sexy photo gallery of JNL that CBS News.com showcased, along with the breaking news at JNLCBSNews.com and JNLSexyFitMom.com.

Additional Resources:

Download: The Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Diet.

Next-Generation Paleo Diet Signals Change

2010-11-04T11:43:00.001-05:00

After the success of her first Paleo Cookbook series, Nikki Young is back with a second cookbook entitled, ‘Simple Paleo Recipes’. This innovative collection of recipes signals another landmark for the increasingly popular paleo diet which is fast becoming a global lifestyle choice.

The paleo diet follows the ancestral hunter-gatherer diet which excludes processed foods, grains, dairy, sugar and preservatives. The paleo diet sticks to a natural pathway, only consuming foods for which the human body was designed to digest; lean meats, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, with no grains, salt, sugar, legumes or dairy products allowed.

The next-generation paleo adaptation brings the paleolithic diet into the modern day by molding the diet to a contemporary lifestyle without compromising on quality of food or deviating from a high nutrient content. Rather than chasing wildebeest across the plains in the summer and scavenging for berries and seeds in the winter, modern paleo followers barbeque lean meats, roast vegetables and concoct colorful salads.

Due to proven reports of better health, and faced with the compelling reality that a modern day diet plagued with chemicals, additives and processed sugars will destroy the body, paleo popularity has soared to extraordinary levels across the globe. Those undertaking a paleo diet have reported an absence of headaches, improved sleep, increased energy, drastically reduced illness and natural, sustainable weight loss. These surface benefits are immediate and apparent, yet long term, paleo has the ability to ward off life threatening illnesses and maintain a high level of internal health well into old age.

This latest paleo cookbook release by Nikki Young comprises 200 brand new recipes, and is themed around simplicity with the intention of increasing accessibility to delicious foods that are simultaneously kind to the body. Speaking on the release of her new cookbook, Nikki Young comments, “The Simple Paleo Recipes cookbook is designed to cater for a person’s entire diet. These recipes follow the staple foundation of a paleo diet which incorporates the nutrients and vitamins required by the body for optimum health. I have included a variety of protein sources, vegetables and fruits, as well as incorporating essential fats through the use of various nut oils; these oils also contribute greatly to the delicious taste of a number of the recipes."

For hundreds of thousands of years the paleo diet has been responsible for keeping the human race strong, alive and fighting illness naturally. It is by no means a contemporary fad diet, but a way of living that is innate to human beings. There is no real effort involved, only the application of instinct to eat foods naturally engineered for the human body to remain healthy.

To assist paleo beginners in getting acquainted with the diet of mankind, the cookbook incorporates a number of useful features. Most notable is a color coded meal recommendation indicator which helps the reader decide for which meal time the recipe is best suited. The PDF formatting provides immediate kitchen accessibility via computer or a mobile device and also ease of access for those wanting to print off a single recipe or the entire cookbook. The reader is helpfully given a shopping list and weekly meal planner so ingredients can be noted down and purchased accordingly. The cookbook also contains a conversion page for global measurement alternation.

Historically healthy cooking has appeared complicated to the masses who have succumbed to a diet of ready meals and fast food takeaways. But rapidly the world is becoming increasingly conscious of food-related illness and the daily suffering caused by a poor diet. Simply by providing an abundance of natural, nutrient rich foods, the paleo diet reduces the risk of lifestyle related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

The Simple Paleo Recipes cookbook opens up the doorway to healthy eating for all, not just those already useful in the kitchen. As Nikki Young explains, “I wanted to make this cookbook as easy as possible to follow and for people from all walks of life to enjoy. I am passionate about helping people achieve good health and well being by eating the right foods. This new cookbook harnesses that passion in its presentation and content.”

Additional Resources:
Paleo Food List
Paleo Brands
Everyday Paleo
Paleo Momma

Paleo Diet Update to Our Previous Article: Paleo Diet The food of Champions

2010-07-16T15:02:00.003-05:00

After a month on the Paleo diet – big chunks of meat, no ketchup, cereal, chips or alcohol – Globe reporter Dave McGinn is ready to stuff his inner Neanderthal back in the cave.

read the full paleo diet article here:

Trying the Paleo diet? Be prepared for Caveman crankiness

Other Resources:

Paleo Diet Recipes

Should you be eating like a cave man?

Guide to the paleo diet for athletes

Paleo Diet The food of Champions

2010-05-24T06:00:00.007-05:00

It is common knowledge that athletes follow strict diets to achieve sporting greatness, but what if there was a diet that required little effort at all, yet could take you from a rank outsider to the top of your field.

In just 4 years, female rower Ursula Grobler went from a learn to row class, to winning the Head of the Charles which is the largest regatta in the world. In early 2010, Ursula took the world by storm by becoming the world record holder for the fastest lightweight woman on the Concept 2 Ergometer. But besides being very talented, how did Ursula Grobler condition her body to shave an incredible two seconds off the previously held record?

While her fellow athletes wolf down heavy carbs in the form of pasta and oatmeal, Ursula maintains the required weight for her class and the power needed to be a champion by following the diet of our hunter gatherer ancestors. Ursula Grobler was introduced to the Paleo Diet by a fellow athlete, and nutritionist Neil Stephenson to guide her along the Paleo path, she shed the weight needed to become the leading lady in her class.

Ursula immediately noticed the effects of switching to Paleo eating, she explains, “the first thing was my recovery. I came to training the next day feeling energised. I could perform well with less sleep and I was more focused, I felt more stable and a sense of better wellbeing in general”.

Listening to the world champion speak, Paleo living is clearly a no brainer. Citing berries, nuts, sweet potatoes, salads, salmon, lean steak, steamed veggies, mangoes and bananas as part of her daily diet, it becomes apparent that the rest of us would also benefit from focusing our taste buds on these everyday foods.

Ursula Grobler’s success is of course down to hard work and dedication, but there is no doubt that Paleo eating has facilitated her ability to maintain the weight and power needed to excel beyond her competitors. When asked about her secret to breaking the World Record for Lightweight Women at the annual Northwest Indoor rowing competition in Seattle, Ursula simply says; “My diet stayed mainly the same. Lots of fruits and veggies. I was a little more conscious of my nuts and changed my lean protein source to mainly fish”.

Could the difference between successful and average really be down to something as simple as food?

The proof as they say is in the pudding, and ironically the Paleo Diet does now have its very own dessert options. Paleo Diet enthusiast Nikki Young has devised 310 scrumptious Paleo recipes which include multiple snack, main meal and dessert options. Eating like a champion is now not only easy, but tasty.

You may not want to become a world class rower, but undeniably the majority of us want to look as lean and healthy as Ursula Grobler does. Previously, looking as fit as an athlete was something the majority of us could only fantasize about whilst flicking through diet magazines in the doctors surgery, but those days have passed. By eating a natural diet, free of preservatives, processed sugars and high salt volumes, we can maintain a healthy weight, increase our energy levels, sleep better, boost our immune system and live longer.

With the help of a Paleo Diet, Ursula Grobler is busy training for the 2012 Olympics. A shining example of what can be achieved with the correct dietary knowledge and a diligent attitude, Ursula Grobler is living proof that Paleo eating not only works, but can dramatically change us into successful, high achieving individuals.

Have you or are you on the Paleo Diet? Tell us about your success by leaving a comment

Consuming Nutrients at the Right Time

2010-05-20T15:53:00.000-05:00

Consuming nutrients at the right time and in appropriate amounts can take fitness and performance to a new level. The complex science behind nutrient timing, however, requires the help of sports nutritionists, usually restricting the practice to elite athletes working with professional ‘food coaches’.

Now, renowned sport nutritionists Heidi Skolnik and Andrea Chernus—who work with elite athletes from New York Giants football players to Julliard School dancers—break down the nutrient timing issue for all types of athletes in a hands-on guide. In "Nutrient Timing for Peak Performance" (Human Kinetics, June 2010), they advise when to eat what so nutrients have their greatest impact on athletes’ bodies.

“The timing of nutrients can have a big impact on an athlete’s energy,” claims Skolnik. “Plus, when and how much you eat can help not only with muscle hypertrophy but also with immune function.” She adds that staying well fueled can also reduce the risk of injury.

Skolnik and Chernus explain in layperson’s terms the science behind nutrient timing and detail nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, smart fat, essential vitamins and minerals and the role of fluids and supplements. With that base of information, they provide the strategies, plans and sample menus to help people develop their own individualized Nutritional Blueprints incorporating the Nutrient Timing Principles (NTP).

Before exercise, for example, the authors suggest specific strategies for ingestion of carbohydrate, protein and fluids. Carbohydrate before exercise provides a “topping off” of fuel reserves and blood sugar, says Skolnik helping athletes stamina, concentration and skill remain strong. Pre-exercise protein, meanwhile, may be difficult to tolerate, but small amounts may aid in reducing muscle soreness. Strength athletes, specifically, benefit from a small amount of high-quality protein to aid insulin release, inhibit muscle breakdown and facilitate muscle repair. However, “it need not be immediately before exercise in any special form,” adds Skolnik.

Fluid needs vary by individual, but the authors generally advise drinking 17 to 20 ounces of fluids two to three hours before exercise to supply optimal fluid to muscle tissue in advance of the workout and for any excess to be excreted. They also advise drinking 7 to 10 ounces of fluids 10 to 20 minutes before exercise. “This will help ensure that blood plasma is hydrated,” explains Chernus. “This timing strategy also ensures that there is some fluid in your stomach so that as you drink during your training, absorption will be faster than if you began with an empty stomach.”

The authors go on to provide advice for fueling during and post-exercise, and they give specific guidelines for strength and power athletes, endurance sport participants and stop-and-go athletes.

“Our goal is to help athletes formulate an eating plan to meet their goals,” says Skolnik, “whether they are male or female, compete seriously, participate for fun, or are training for health, well-being and aesthetics.”

TRX Suspension Trainer

2010-05-11T04:00:00.002-05:00

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Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA Responds

2010-05-07T16:47:00.001-05:00

EPA Responds to the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Since the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 22, 2010, EPA has mobilized resources to support the U.S. Coast Guard and protect public health and the environment. Our Emergency Operations Center at headquarters has been activated, trained EPA responders are working on the scene, and special mobile equipment has been sent to the Gulf area.
We have several online resources available:

1) We're posting updated data and other information on our BP oil spill site (www.epa.gov/bpspill):

Get air quality and water data

Find answers to common questions

Submit technology solutions

2) Connect with us on social media sites:

Administrator Jackson's personal account of the response to the oil spill: Facebook and Twitter

EPA's announcements about our response: Facebook and Twitter

3) Please subscribe to our oil spill updates at http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USAEPA_389.
You can also visit the coordinated government response site (www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com) for:

Information about the spill and efforts to stop the oil from flowing

Hotlines to report oil on land or injured wildlife

Details of how you can volunteer

Do you think the Federal Government is doing all it can to help stop the oils spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Let us know by leaving comments.

Oil Spills Gulf Coast, Keep Drilling Baby

2010-04-28T12:22:00.004-05:00

Keep drilling for oil offshore! The latest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has really brought offshore drilling to the forefront. Now, why would we want to increase our drilling for oil offshore. By increasing offshore drilling, will the increase, increase the chances of another oil spill?

Now the Coast Guard states they will have to start controlled burns to burn off spilled oil too save the coast lines. What impact does burning the oil spill have on air quality for the Gulf Coast?

Tell us what you think by posting your comments below.

How Aware or Concerned is the American Public in Regards to"Oil Spills" in the last 30 days?

See The Results here

Related Articles:

Cost to Clean Up The Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast

Do a search on Google News for Oil Spills for the Past Month. The results are astounding,

View all News Articles for the past month on "Oils Spills"

Related News Video:

See NASA Video of the Oil Spill

How to get fit at work: Cubical Boot Camp

2010-03-28T16:48:00.001-05:00

Tell us how you stay fit at work by leaving a comment.

Earth Hour 2010 Help Fight Global Warming

2010-03-25T09:53:00.007-05:00

Earth Hour, which takes place Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 p.m. local time, is an event in which millions of Americans will turn out their lights for one hour in support of action on climate change and toward creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future.

2010 marks the third year of the event, which attracted more than 80 million participants in the U.S. last year, and nearly a billion people around the world, as lights dimmed on such global icons as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney's Opera House, the Great Pyramids of Gaza and New York's Empire State Building.

Help fight global warming by turning your lights off, on March 27, 20201 at 8:30 pm your local time. For more information visit EarthHour.org

Fitness Product Reviews

2010-03-03T10:33:00.001-06:00

We came across this site that has fitness product reviews totaling around 300 fitness products or so.

It shows various products used for fitness and we think it would be helpful to the general public. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Click here to see Fitness Product Reviews

Weight Loss Myths of 2010

2010-01-28T12:06:00.002-06:00

It's not too late to resolve to live a healthier lifestyle in 2010. The road to sustainable weight loss can begin when you get rid of weight loss myths that might be standing in your way.

For all the good information out there on how to improve your health, there are a lot of weight loss myths that continue to circulate. Weight Watchers, the world's leading provider of weight management services, debunks some of the most common and controversial weight loss myths, and provides some timely tips to help you make healthy changes in 2010:

Myth: Eliminating food groups will help you lose weight

By eliminating certain types of foods, like bread, you may experience an initial weight loss simply because you're no longer eating the additional calories from that type of food. But in the long run, you start to miss the prohibited food - no bread means no sandwiches, after all. In the end, it becomes too hard to resist and you generally overcompensate by eating more bread than you normally would.

Tip: Incorporate all food groups into your diet. Visualize your plate in three sections - half filled with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with whole grains and the last quarter with lean meat or protein.

Myth: You have to eliminate sugar and fat, not to mention foods you love, in order to lose weight.

Everyone knows that a diet high in fat and sugar will pack on the pounds. This myth carries that concept to the extreme, with an all-or-nothing philosophy that assumes you can't achieve the self control required to eat certain things in moderation.

Tip: Self-deprivation is a sure fire recipe for failure. Depriving yourself entirely of foods you love will likely make you resent the restrictions and return to old (poor) eating habits. Instead of giving up things like pizza or ice cream, plan your indulgences. On the day you want to enjoy pizza for dinner, have a lighter lunch or increase your exercise to compensate for the extra calories. Consider writing down what you eat so that it's easier to track and plan ahead for treats.

Myth: Fresh produce is always healthier than frozen or canned

With so much emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, this is a myth that's easy to believe. Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of important nutrients, but some vitamins may be lost in handling or transportation, and while they're sitting in your grocery store's produce aisle for days at a stretch.

Tip: Frozen or canned veggies are packed at the peak of their freshness, which helps preserve their nutrients. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as healthful as fresh - as long as you make sure they don't have added sugar or sodium. Increasing your veggie and fruit intake can help you succeed at losing weight, thanks to their higher fiber content and lower calorie count.

Myth: You can't eat out when you are trying to lose weight.

Restaurant portions in America are notoriously over the top, and many dishes are high in fat, calories, sugar or sodium. Even salads, which might seem healthy, can be loaded with calories at a restaurant, thanks to add-ins like bacon bits, cheese and high-calorie dressings.

Tip: You can eat out and still chose foods that won't derail your weight loss efforts. Take note of how items are prepared - a good rule of thumb is to select dishes that are grilled, sauteed or broiled versus fried or stuffed.

Also, don't be afraid to request sauces and dressings on the side as this may help reduce your fat and calorie consumption. Many restaurants also now offer lighter options that feature the calorie and fat content. One way to avoid overeating is to request a to-go bag at the beginning of the meal versus the end to keep portion sizes in check.

See Video - "Food to Avoid For Weight Loss"

Businesses Fret Effects of Swine Flu

2009-09-09T17:48:00.002-05:00

A New survey is out on H1N1 Swine Flu and how worried business are about their bottom lines. Read the full story here:

Businesses Fret Effects of Swine Flu

How to Use A Stability Ball

2009-09-09T16:05:00.004-05:00

This video demonstrates how to use a stability ball for a wide variety of exercises.

Where to buy a stability Ball

Which Sweeteners Are Best?

2009-09-08T16:26:00.008-05:00

According to recent studies, many popular artificial sweeteners--such as aspartame, saccharin and sucralose--may be detrimental to consumers' health. Dr. David Friedman, health expert on Lifetime Television's popular morning show, "The Balancing Act", recently revealed the three natural sweeteners that he recommends for optimal health and well-being.

In order to demonstrate why natural sweeteners are best, Friedman first explained the negatives of the artificial options.

"Anything labeled 'artificial' is usually created by chemists in a lab, and therefore is not easily digested by the body," explained Friedman. "Additionally, the chemicals in many artificial sweeteners have been shown to actually stimulate the appetite, which is bad news for people trying to lose weight while using these sugar substitutes."

He also explained that many chemicals are used to modify natural sugar in order to make it calorie-free, including: chlorine, acetone, formaldehyde, benzene (a carcinogen found in oil and gas), and chemicals used in engine anti-freeze and windshield washing fluid. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other laboratory studies, a litany of adverse reactions and ailments has been associated with these sweeteners over the past few decades.

The solution? Three natural, low-calorie sweeteners top Friedman's choices for people and families across the nation.

The first option Friedman recommends is Xylitol, which is extracted from the birch tree and sometimes referred to as birch sugar.

Another of his recommendations is agave nectar. Agave nectar comes straight from the agave plant with no chemical modifications, and is sweeter than table sugar.
"Agave nectar is a great option for vegans because unlike honey, it is not an animal product. It also easily dissolves in liquids, so it makes a great sweetener in beverages like iced tea," Friedman said.

The third natural sweetener he recommends is Stevia. Stevia has been used as a sweetener in South America for more than 1,500 years and is sold in the United States as a nutritional herb. Stevia is 100 percent natural and 300 times sweeter than sugar.
"Just one teaspoon of Stevia replaces one whole cup of sugar," explained Friedman. "The calorie savings add up very quickly."
To find these three natural sweeteners, Friedman recommends going to the local health food store

Foods to Avoid for Weight Loss: Video Tutorial

2009-06-04T22:12:00.002-05:00

How Green Tea can help you to lose weight

2009-06-04T21:39:00.005-05:00

With so many fad diets around, green tea stands out with a proven, scientific record and has been used for its medicinal and health qualities for thousands of years.

Unlike other weight loss methods, green tea does not require you to alter your diet; it simply compliments other weight loss efforts such as exercise. Scientific studies have illustrated that green tea contains 2 elements, namely caffeine and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which aid weight loss.

Benefits of green tea weight loss:

• Burning fat

• Increasing metabolism

• Blocking conversion of energy into fat

• Helping the body reduce dietary fat

• Regulating blood sugar levels

• Reducing food cravings

Replacing traditional cups of tea or coffee with green tea not only helps individuals to lose weight, it also has a host of associated benefits, helping drinkers to be sharper and more alert at work and generally feel happier and healthier.

Living a Healthy Lifestyle on a Budget

2009-03-29T19:21:00.004-05:00

Health and wellness is a privilege that everyone should be able to afford even in difficult economic times. With the right experience and know-how, anyone can make smart choices about healthy living while also being wallet wise.

Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg has mastered the art of staying fit, while also being financially responsible. She is a busy mom of three, runs a private practice in New York City and serves as chief pediatric officer for RealAge.com - an informative Web site that helps people live healthier, longer lives. Through her extensive experience of balancing work, life and wellness, she has learned how to keep living a healthy lifestyle, while keeping out of the red.

Dr. Trachtenberg shares her top five tips for staying healthy on a budget:

Tip 1 - Buy Frozen for Good Nutrition
The fresh produce section at the grocery store can be a budgeter's nightmare as pricey fresh foods can really add up. The budget-conscious can find much needed relief in the frozen food section. Frozen fruits and vegetables typically have the same levels of nutrients as their fresh counterparts, because the produce is frozen at the peak of its ripeness, locking in the maximum amount of nutrients .

Tip 2 - Get Fit in the Great Outdoors
No matter what the season, the outdoors is a great place to move your body and bond with family and friends without the confinement and encumbering expense of a gym membership. Calorie-shedding activities can be enjoyed year round:

* Winter - Ice skate at a local rink or work the biceps with some snow shoveling

* Spring - Get some friends together and form a softball league, or ride a bike on weekends

* Summer - Try to walk instead of driving short distances or take up swimming

* Fall - Get some cardio by raking leaves or challenge yourself to participate in a local road race

On rainy or chilly days, visit the local library and check out a workout video. It can be a lot of fun and doesn't cost a thing.

Tip 3 - Let the games begin!
Lately, board games are making a major comeback with the reinvention of the traditional Family Night. Flexing your mental muscle by opting to play cards, trivia games or parlor games of yesteryear can help cut costs on expensive movie rentals and excessive cable charges. Plus, leisure time spent with friends, family and neighbors is always a healthy and fun way to de-stress.

Tip 4 - Drink to your health!
Water is a necessity and getting the recommended eight glasses a day is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Switching from bottled water to tap can save hundreds of dollars (not to mention it also eliminates the amount of plastic bottles that get discarded!). To ensure tap water is healthy and clean, consider a PUR Water Filtration System, which could save up to $600 each year in comparison to bottled water. PUR is certified to reduce many unwanted contaminants to help ensure drinking water is clean and healthy. Visit www.purwater.com for more details.

Tip 5 - Sweet Dreams
Getting much needed sleep no matter what your age is crucial to mental, emotional and physical health. You will feel better, be more productive at work, have increased levels of physical and mental alertness, and your body will get the rest it needs to fight off diseases. For these reasons, make a commitment to schedule your day so you get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep. Children, depending on age, might require more.

Earth Hour-the world's largest global climate change event

2009-03-27T10:55:00.003-05:00

From melting glaciers to increasingly intense weather patterns, we know that climate change is already impacting life on our planet.

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, our employees will take part in Earth Hour-the world's largest global climate change event. By simply turning off all non-essential lighting for one hour at our company buildings and in our own homes, we will join tens of millions of concerned citizens throughout the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations.

Earth Hour is an event led by the World Wildlife Fund. In 2008, more than 50 million people in 370 cities around the world took part, as the lights dimmed at Sydney's Opera House, Rome's Coliseum, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even the Google homepage went dark for the day.

This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger. In cities large and small have said they'll participate…with more signing on daily. They will join international cities such as Auckland, Beijing, Bogota, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kiev, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, and Warsaw.

Energy efficiency isn't just good for the bottom line. We all have a stake in the future of our planet and must learn to operate in ways that don't deplete our world's limited natural resources.

In the weeks leading up to Earth Hour, we plan to take a close look at ways our company can operate more efficiently, waste less and reduce our environmental footprint-not only in our own operations, but throughout our supply chain. Joining Earth Hour is a great way to show our readers and our community that the people genuinely care about their future.

We hope you'll join us in the important and inspiring effort and encourage your own employees, customers and suppliers to take part.

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and absolutely free. To get more information and to have your business listed among those participating in our community, visit www.earthhour.org /and pledge to turn out all nonessential lights from 8:30-9:30 pm on March 28, 2009.
Don't forget-on March 28th at 8:30 pm, switch off. A simple way to help make the world a better place.

How Not To Weight For The Bus

2009-03-23T13:10:00.003-05:00

Let' set the stage. Your downtown and your waiting on the bus. You sit down on a bench and then you notice a sign next to you telling you how much you weight. Sound like fun?

Personally, I think it good advertising from Fitness First

Do you like being humiliated into buying a gym membership? This is the type of fitness advertising that can cross the line, but does it? Do you think this is considered public humiliation?

Read the full story here:

Weighting For The Bus - ANIMAL

Power yoga, the fitness mantra of Bollywood beauties

2009-03-02T10:01:00.002-06:00

This is an interesting story on how the Bollywood actors stay fit.

Power yoga, the fitness mantra of Bollywood beauties

The Benefits of a Strong Butt

2009-02-22T22:05:00.003-06:00

First of all, a strong butt does not mean no butt. Current trends in popular culture, with emaciated models and super skinny actresses, have made real women feel that in any extra "junk in the trunk" is unattractive and undesirable. Not only is this body style not realistic for most women, it is not ideal. In fact, women are genetically predisposed to carry extra weight in their lower bodies to help in childbearing. Additionally, in many cultures a full bottom is considered very desirable and sexy, and a full, round derriere is envied and appreciated by men and women alike.

That being said, a strong, healthy butt offers many health benefits, in addition to making us look and feel better in our jeans. First of all, because of the large size of the muscle group that make up the posterior, the butt muscles make the rest of our bodies work more efficiently.

According to Fred DeVito,V.P. Of Exhale Spa, the Glutteal group (medius, minimus and maximus) form one of the largest muscle groups in the body. Consequently, muscle tone in this area helps to create a strong support base for the pelvic girdle.

DeVito says, "This supportive base relieves pressure on the lower back and also allows for more efficient posterior leg function in movement as well as in standing postures."

Additionally, according to Michael J. Donovan, Ph.D., Presidential Management Fellow at National Institutes of Health, "Strong gluteals can improve your posture, minimize your effort to walk, especially upstairs, and can help with heavy lifting." The "butt muscles" are partly responsible for keeping us upright. Moreover, strong gluteal muscles provide muscular power formost aerobic activities.

A strong butt ensures maximal muscle efficiency. "When the gluteal muscles are weak other muscles are recruited to produce certain movements. These recruited muscles function best in a supporting role, so the result will be weaker and, over time, could develop into a chronic, overuse-type injury," says Donovan. Also, the gluteals stabilize the hip joint and, consequently, play a major role in keeping the knee healthy. Strong gluteal muscles help control hip and thigh movement, preventing the knees from folding inward.

Donovan explains, "This is a common problem in women because the female pelvis is wider than the male pelvis, forming a more acute angle between the hip and knee. Hence, strong gluteal muscles help strengthen the hip joint thereby stabilizing the knee joint and helping to prevent knee pain." In fact, the health benefits of having strong gluteal muscles are so well recognized at this point, that development and strengthening of these muscles is a focus of rehabilitation therapy.

Irv Rubenstein, Ph.D. Exercise Physiology and President of, STEPS, Inc. explains that because "studies show high correlations between non-functioning gluteus medius and acl injury, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and low back pain risk, rehab is now directed toward developing the glute medius first in function, then endurance, then strength."

In addition to the health benefits strong gluteal muscles provide to the overall functioning of other muscle and joint systems, they also perform an important metabolic function and play an important role in weight management.

Accorrding to Fred DeVito, "Because these muscles are large in mass, when toned, they are engines that burn calories for fuel. While all muscles act in this way, the gluteals have the greatest potential for burning calories (even at rest) due to their size and mass." The more muscle you have, the more fat your body is able to burn when you are in a resting state.

Since the glutes are a large muscle group, strengthening and increasing your muscles there will begin instantly burning fat. Carrying around excess body fat wears down your muscles and fatigues your body. By carrying around this extra weight, your body is using up the energy you need to work and play. This fatigue can also affect your mood dramatically. Rob Price at SportsWorkout.com, a certified personal trainer and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Sports.

Numerous health benefits derive from a healthy, strong butt. In addition to making our posture better, our knees function better, our hips less prone to injury and pain, and our other muscles groups work more efficiently, they also turn our bodies into fat-burning machines that enable us to burn calories even while resting. A follow-up article will discuss in detail easy ways to strengthen these important muscles so that your body can get the full health benefits of having a strong butt. Not to mention, you'll look great in your jeans.

How To Find Healthy Restaurant Food Choices Fast

2009-02-19T14:30:00.000-06:00

The average American eats around five meals at restaurants each week. GoodFoodNearYou makes eating healthy restaurant food convenient. GoodFoodNearYou displays localized search results of the healthiest food at the restaurants closest in distance. The GoodFoodNearYou search empowers people to make smart, fast and healthy dining decisions. GoodFoodNearYou also displays the menus for every restaurant listed in the search results and the typical nutritional values for each menu item including fat, calories and carbohydrates.

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports nutritionist and nutrition author says, "If you are looking for food help when you are on the go, GoodFoodNearYou.com is a handy tool. Calorie and health conscious eaters can find menu options in local chain restaurants that will support their nutritional diet goals".

GoodFoodNearYou has the food and nutrition information for 33,000 food items at approximately 220,000 U.S. restaurant locations including popular casual dining restaurants, fast food restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores. A search on GoodFoodNearYou results in twenty of the healthiest food options at the restaurant locations closest in distance. To fulfill specific diet requirements, search results can be sorted by lowest fat, calories or carbohydrates.

"GoodFoodNearYou came about because of a need we had in the office when trying to order healthy food for lunch," explains Nick Desai, CEO of Global Fitness Media, the company that developed GoodFoodNearYou. Desai is the Founder, Chairman and former CEO of Juice Wireless and inventor of JuiceCaster, an award winning mobile social networking service offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, Nokia and others.

Desai continues, "Diets often fail because they do not fit into your lifestyle. You end up doing what is convenient, rather than what is healthy. We took the convenience of the web and made healthy restaurant food options accessible. We are excited to launch GoodFoodNearYou as there is a great demand for simple lifestyle solutions and location based help with dieting and weight loss".

Lifestyle and technology trends indicate that local search and web and mobile browsing are used more commonly for seeking out information. GoodFoodNearYou improves public access to useful local restaurant food and nutrition information.

"GoodFoodNearYou is a product that reflects the variety of ways people use technology to find information. Global Fitness Media developed mobile application versions of GoodFoodNearYou for GPS enabled devices like the Apple iPhone and the BlackBerry Curve because mobile browsers on cell phones are often used to access location based information on the web," explains Desai.

Start Your Search Today Go To: GoodFoodNearYou

Technorati Tags: Healthy,Food,Resturant,Search,Diet,WWeight Loss

Weight Loss Reduces Incontinence In Obese Women, UCSF Study Shows

2009-01-28T21:05:00.004-06:00

Behavioral weight-loss programs can be an effective way to reduce urinary incontinence in women who are overweight or obese, according to a study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

Volunteer participants in the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise (PRIDE) experienced both significant weight loss and a significant reduction in the frequency of their incontinence episodes, according to the study. Findings appear in the January 29, 2009 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine."

The multi-center, randomized clinical trial was conducted at UCSF, Brown University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

The results support the inclusion of weight reduction as a first-line treatment for incontinence for overweight and obese women, according to Leslee L. Subak, MD, lead author on the study and associate professor in the obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences; urology, and epidemiology and biostatistics departments at UCSF.

"It has been well documented that behavioral weight-loss interventions decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, improve control of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improve mood and quality of life," Subak said. "Our results suggest that a decrease in urinary incontinence can now be added to the extensive list of health benefits associated with weight loss."

Previous studies have indicated that obesity is a strong risk factor for urinary incontinence, a condition that affects more than 13 million women in the United States and accounts for an estimated $20 billion in annual health care costs, Subak said. The PRIDE research team sought to provide evidence of the beneficial effect of a weight loss program involving diet and exercise on urinary incontinence.

The study randomly assigned 338 overweight and obese women aged 42 to 64 years with at least 10 episodes of urinary incontinence per week to either an intensive 6-month weight-loss program that included group diet, exercise, and behavioral modification sessions, or to a control group who received weight loss information but no rigorous guidance. All participants received a booklet describing current methods for improving incontinence, including exercises for pelvic floor muscles.

Study participants in the weight-loss group lost an average of 17 pounds and reduced the weekly number of incontinence episodes by almost half (47 percent). In comparison, the control group lost an average of 3 pounds per person and had a 28 percent decrease in weekly number of incontinence episodes. The study also found that weight loss was more effective for stress incontinence (involuntary urine loss with coughing, sneezing, straining, or exercise) than urge incontinence (loss of urine associated with a strong urge to void).

Among women in the weight-loss group, a higher proportion achieved a clinically relevant reduction of at least 70 percent of total stress and urge incontinence episodes per week compared to the control group. Additionally, women in the weight loss group perceived greater improvement in the frequency of their urinary incontinence, lower volume of urine lost, less of a problem with incontinence and higher satisfaction with the change in their incontinence at 6 months, compared to women in the control group.

The research team will now examine additional data to determine whether the effect of weight loss can be maintained over an 18-month period.

"Improvement in urinary incontinence may be an additional way to motivate overweight women to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as weight loss and increased physical activity, impacting public health as well as an individual's health and quality of life," Subak said.

Other investigators and co-authors on the paper were Deborah Grady, MD, MPH, of UCSF and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Rena Wing, PhD, Miriam Hospital and Brown University; Delia Smith West, PhD, University of Arkansas; and Frank Franklin, MD, PhD, University of Alabama in Birmingham. The study was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Office of Research on Women's Health.

NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health and conducts and supports basic and clinical research and research training on some of the most common, severe and disabling conditions affecting Americans. The Institute's research interests include: diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutrition, and obesity; and kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.

ORWH serves as the focal point for women's health research at the NIH, including setting and monitoring policy; promoting, stimulating, and supporting research; and enhancing the recruitment and advancement of women in biomedical careers.

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. For further information, visit www.ucsf.edu.