The Journey to Fitness

Beyonce Reveals Her Diet Secrets, Explains How She Lost the Baby Weight

2013-03-18T19:32:00.001-04:00

Beyonce reveals her dieting secrets and explains how she got her post baby body, flaunting it on the cover of Shape magazine's April issue. She gained 57 pounds during her pregnancy with Blue Ivy last year.

“I ate a very low-calorie diet. I stayed away from red meat and ate a lot of fish, replaced pasta and rice with quinoa," Beyonce says.

Although Beyonce did diet she did add in the fact that she ate pizza almost every Sunday. Check out pieces of her interview below:

On gaining 57 pounds during her pregnancy: “I didn’t have a lot of time to lose the weight because I scheduled a show three months after I gave birth, which I would never do again!”

On losing the weight: “I ate a very low-calorie diet. I stayed away from red meat and ate a lot of fish, replaced pasta and rice with quinoa.”

On her diet: “I always have breakfast, say, scrambled egg whites, a vegetable smoothie, or whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk. For lunch and dinner, I eat a lot of fish and vegetables. And throughout the day, I try to stay hydrated… I always treat myself to one meal on Sundays when I can have whatever I want. Usually it’s pizza, which is my favorite indulgence.”

Shape‘s editor-in-chief Tara Kraft on Beyonce: “Talking about weight can be a very touchy subject for women, but Beyonce was willing to do it because she wanted to make every woman out there feel like she too could achieve what she did.”

As for how she dropped the 57 pounds she gained while carrying Blue Ivy, the Beyonce says, “Breast-feeding took care of the first 30 pounds. I was amazed at how the weight just fell off me.”

Beyonce said she had to work very hard to lose the last 25 pounds.

“I’m not a person who is naturally very thin. I am a person who has to work at keeping my body in shape," she says.

Ugh, same here! It does take hard work. And I'm glad Beyonce mentioned in the interview that she treats herself to one "cheat" meal a week. I feel like it's important to still eat your favorite "bad" foods, whether it be pizza, a burger or ice cream.

We shouldn't just do away with these foods all together but instead treat ourselves once in awhile and eat them in moderation. Be mindful of what foods you put in your mouth and how often you eat the fatty foods. But yes, it is still possible to taste them every once in awhile and still lose weight.

Hi All! I Had a Slip-Up and Now I'm Back To Working Out... For Good This Time!

2013-03-12T15:30:00.003-04:00

Motivation!
Working out is a lifestyle!
I have to become addicted again.

Its been a little over a month since my last post and wayyy over since I updated you all on my weight loss. Well, I have good news and bad news.

The bad news: Instead of losing, I have gained some of my weight back :/

I originally lost 30 pounds and dropped down to 205 - 207 pounds in October, a huge accomplishment. Five months later, I am now back up to 218 pounds. I was sooo close to finally being under 200 pounds, getting to a weight that I haven't been in years. Slip-ups happen sometimes and I'm just happy to be working out again. I'll be damned if I did all that hard work for nothing, just to go back to being 241 again!

The good news: I have been going to the gym on a regular basis for a couple of weeks now!

I'm also back to counting calories (on the MyFitnessPal app) and weighing myself on a regular basis. This is what worked for me before - actually seeing all of the fatty things I ate and seeing a number going up on a scale - this makes me cut back on calories, be a little more cautious of what goes in my mouth and also work out.

I love this machine: the abductor, great workout for the booty!

I know I won't be able to go back to my old workout routine anytime soon (5 - 6 day a week workouts) with working two jobs, but I am finding my workout mojo again! My current workout routine is going to the gym Monday and Thursday mornings before work and on Saturdays and Sundays. And, I have the same goals as before. My short term goal is 200 pounds and my long term goal is 180.

New motivation:

#1 - Spring is coming soon! No more hiding under sweaters and no layering.

#2 - I plan on going on a vacation sometime next year (this means actually being seen in a bathing suit! Yikes!) ... so time to get it together!

If you're on the MyFitnessPal app, follow me at NJLaLa to see my daily food log, notes and workouts. Follow my Health & Fitness board on Pinterest for regular fitness posts and pictures.

My Protein Shake: a handful of strawberries, two scoops of soy protein powder, two tbsp of flaxseeds, one cup of coconut milk, a cup of ice and a peach of light greek yogurt... Yum!

I updated MyFitnessPal stats:

Now:

Current Weight: 218
Goal: 180
New Net Calorie Goal: 1400/day
Weight Loss Goal: .5 - 1 pound a week
Exercise Goals: 3 - 4 days/week

(MyFitnessPal calculated my new stats and set my net calories for 1700/day. I think that is way too many calories for me to intake on a daily basis, especially since my gym days are limited and I have two desk jobs. So I reduced my net calories to 1400/day, 200 more than my old goal.)

Before:

Weight in Oct. 2012: 205 - 207.5
Goal: 200
Net Calorie Goal: 1200/day
Weight Loss Goal: lose 1.5 pounds/week
Exercise Goals: 5 days/week

Have you suffered from a recent slip-up? No worries. This doesn't mean you fell completely off. Start back into your routine slowly and work your way into it again! Lets inspire, motivate and help each other!

Upcoming Posts:

- Sneak In Office Workouts

- Get Your Butt Up Out Of Bed!

- Post Wokout Snacks

February is American Heart Month!

2013-02-01T15:47:00.003-05:00

Happy February 1st! February is American Heart Month

Did you know...

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of women, so we need to do everything we can to protect ourselves. One in three deaths is caused by heart attack or stroke, amounting to about 800,000 fatalities each year.

Controlling your blood pressure and cholestoral is key to a healthy heart. There are many other ways in which you can make healthy choices and prevent heart disease, some include:

Eating Healthy Foods
Exercising Regularly
Not Smoking
Eat Less Red Meat
Reduce Your Sodium Intake

Eat Mindfully

Eat mostly fruits and vegetables, whole grain and high-fiber foods, and fish at least twice a week. Keep tabs on your salt intake and limit saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of calories.

Listen to Your Doctor

High blood pressure contributes to many heart attacks, so pay attention to this number when you visit your doctor and follow any recommendations to lower it if you're at risk.

Get Moving

Dedicate at least 30 minutes on most days to moderate exercise to improve your all around health, including your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

(source: via Fit Sugar)

New Spa Jeans That Claim to Moisturize and Reduce Cellulite

2013-01-22T12:57:00.002-05:00

A new line of jeans from Wrangler claim they will moisturize your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

On January 28, Wrangler will release a special line called "Spa Denim" with built-in moisturizing properties and one pair with an anti-cellulite treatment.

But are these "cure-all" jeans are any different from other quick-results products? I've tried plenty of cellulite creams and yet I still have some cellulite on my thighs. So how would these jeans be any different?

According to an article from Yahoo! Shine, the brand will offer three varying styles in differing waist cuts of low, medium and regular.

The Aloe Vera style claims to soothe sensitive skin, with a cooling sensation.
The Olive Extract style is a straightforward moisturizing treatment.
The Smooth Legs style claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite. - "Infused with algae extracts, retinol and caffeine, the style was clinically tested by the Institut Adriant in France, where after four weeks of wearing the jeans for eight hours a day, five days a week over six weeks, 69 percent of the panel claimed that the appearance of their thighs had improved," according to an article in the UK's Telegraph.

So, in order for this to even possible work, one has to wear these jeans for eight hours a day, five days a week for a month and a half!

That is basically wearing jeans everyday... yeah, great way for us to buy a bunch of pairs of their jeans! Who is going to wear the same pair of jeans everyday? I feel like this is just set up for them to make money because women will buy these jeans - multiple pairs - enough for six weeks.

According to Wrangler, the treatment lasts up to 67 to 95 wears, but that means you can't wash the jeans. Dirty jeans might not work, though you can purchase refill sprays to refresh the treatment on the inside of the jeans ... more money to spend!

Is it possible for an anti-cellulite product to work through jeans? Read more here at Yahoo! Shine for more information and to see what some experts have to say.

Sorry, but I can't believe the hype.

Flat Belly Diet Smoothie Recipes

2013-01-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

I read a lot of healthy good-looking recipes on Pinterest and I came across this one the other day: "Flat Belly Diet Smoothie Recipes" which caught my eyes. They all look so delicious, check them out below:

Strawberry Smoothie <<< My fav!

SERVINGS: 1 1 cup skim milk 1 cup frozen, unsweetened strawberries 2 tsp cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil (MUFA.) Combine skim milk and frozen, unsweetened strawberries in blender. Blend, transfer to glass, and stir in flaxseed oil.

Lemon-Orange Citrus Smoothie

Lemon and orange blend for a tropical Flat Belly smoothie diet drink

SERVINGS: 1 1 cup skim or soy milk 6oz (80-calorie) lemon yogurt 1 medium orange peeled, cleaned, and sliced into sections 1 Tbsp flax seed oil (MUFA) Handful of ice
Combine milk, yogurt, orange, and ice in a blender. Blend for 1 minute, transfer to a glass, and stir in flax seed oil.

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Natural peanut butter lends texture to this breakfast smoothie diet drink

SERVINGS: 1 ½ cup fat-free milk ½ cup fat-free plain yogurt 2 Tbsp creamy natural unsalted peanut butter (MUFA) ¼ very ripe banana 1 Tbsp honey 4 ice cubes
Combine the milk, yogurt, peanut butter, banana, honey, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Related Post: Smoothies Are Better When You Make Them! My Banana Mango Smoothie

Check out all the flat belly diet recipe smoothies over here at Prevention.

And remember, don't just think you can drink a smoothie and then POW your stomach automatically drops. It takes time, patience, still watching what you eat and some exercise.

Protect Yourself From the Flu, Tricks to Not Catching a Cold

2013-01-10T15:33:00.001-05:00

What germs are lurking on elevator buttons?

This year's flu and cold season is at an all time high. So we need to exercise, eat healthy and be cautious.
USA Today reported this morning: The flu season, which peaks in January and February, is off to a roaring start with a bug that looks "particularly severe," according to the Food and Drug Administration. Outbreaks have hit 31 states.

Since commiting myself to exercising regularly, I haven't been sick and haven't had a cold since December 2010. And, I used to catch a cold like clockwork every winter. Exercising boosts your immune system. I'm also cautious in public areas and around those who are sick.

I tend to touch my face a lot so I try to minimize what else I touch so germs don't enter my body through my eyes, nose or mouth.

My little tricks are:

Don't touch the germy elevator buttons, door handles or rails, ughh. Use your knuckles to tap the buttons or use the end of a shirt so you don't have to come in contact with the button at all.
Use the end of your sweater or shirt to grab a hold of the door handles.
If you're not wearing long sleeves, then grab a paper towel on your way out of the bathroom to use on the handle.
Also, use a towel on the sink handles in the bathroom.
In the winter time, wear your gloves and this could eliminate touching door knobs and buttons.
I also take shots of lemon juice from time to time. This is a good shot of Vitamin C to help boost your immune system.
To improve your immune system from infections, I recommend taking Echinacea pills. More on that here.

If you must touch a railing or handle, make sure to wash your hands right after or use some hand sanitizer before you touch your face, coffee mug or keyboard - therefore the germs won't spread and lurk around waiting for you.

Germs just don't lurk on places we expect like handles and rails but also in the least expecting places - in the work office: the refrigerator door handle, that coffee pot everyone touches, the sink knobs, the milk handle in the fridge, etc.

It's hard to avoid things like this unless you wear gloves 24/7 but you don't want to look silly. Your best bet is to keep hand sanitizer at your desk and use it before you touch anything else.

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Below are additional tips for flu and cold season via www.newsdemocratleader.com:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or cough into your sleeve.

Give each member of the household their own hand towel. Use different colors to help family members identify their own.

Use child-friendly soap to encourage kids to wash their hands frequently and teach them to lather up their hands in the soap while singing the Happy Birthday song three times.

Keep a safe distance from person who is sneezing and coughing.

Regularly clean common surfaces such as countertops, telephones and chairs.

If you are ill with the flu, stay home to avoid infecting others.

Inspiring Post of a Woman who Went From a Size 20 to a 10!!

2013-01-10T14:27:00.000-05:00

Saw this on Facebook and had to post...

"I started my Journey 10/1/2011 1 year later I am 75 lbs lighter, went from a size 20 to a 10 and am happier than I have ever been in my life! I cut out all the junk, pop, fast food and went clean 90% of the time. I let myself cheat once or twice a week. I didn't party, I slept 8-9 hours a night. Spend 5 days a week doing 45-60 min of strength training and an hour of cardio. I told myself if I gave myself a year to change my life it would be worth it and I don't regret every bit of sweat, years and blood it took me to get here." - Becky Fulton

WOW! This is awesome and inspiring!

10 Simple and Fast Tricks to Cut Calories and Help You Lose Weight

2013-01-06T18:26:00.001-05:00

We're always on the go... which can come between our dieting and exercise time. But, even if you don't have time to workout during your hectic day, you can still manage to not splurge and in fact cut the number of calories you eat.

One thing that really affects the way I eat is the way others eat around me.

Do you eat more while at work?

Working in an office setting can be good and bad. Good because you may have a group of people dieting who can give you that extra push needed and then bad because there seems to always be a group who constantly orders out (one day is Chinese food, the next day is Italian, and so on).

To not fall into the ordering out with your co-workers trap, make sure to pack your own healthy snacks and goodies to keep in your desk draw. Also, prepare your own lunches so when asked to order food you can simply say, "No thanks, I brought lunch today!"

It may be tempting to eat what they order once you smell the take-out food, but remember how many calories it packs and that your lunch is healthier!

You'll be surprised at how many calories you can cut while at work. And pass on the candies that everyone passes around. Candy calories are not worth it and they quickly add up!

Mind what you put in your mouth!

Other tricks to cut calories (from fitbie) are:

#1 Eat pistachios

Researchers from the University of Eastern Illinois believe that people who eat pistachios two times a week are less likely to put on extra pounds than those who don't enjoy this simple snack.

#2 Enjoy sliced food

Slicing food into petite portions helps decrease how much people eat. It also makes you believe that you've eaten more since many sliced pieces appears to be a lot of food. In a study by Japan's National Food Research Institute, researches discovered that people believed that cut portions of meat and vegetables were 27 percent bigger than food that was not cut.

#3 Weigh yourself every day

Numerous studies have proven that getting on the scale regularly aids in weight loss efforts. A study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that those who log their daily and weekly weight lose up to 18 pounds more than people who weigh themselves less often.

#4 Brush your teeth right after dinner <<< This actually works!

Brushing your teeth immediately after dinner prevents you from wanting to eat anymore because it is traditionally a sign to discontinue eating. Furthermore, peppermint toothpaste has additional benefits since there have been reports of peppermint extract curbing the appetite.

#5 Eat aerated food

Whipped foods have more air in them per volumetric unit, so you are consuming less calories when you eat the same size portion of the non-whipped variety. Eating aerated food can easily be done by replacing regular yogurt and butter with the whipped kind.

#6 Use acupressure <<< I don't know about this one, lol.

Using ear acupressure is a quick, easy way to stop hunger in its tracks. When you get a craving for junk foods, try taking your thumb and forefinger and pinching the piece of skin by the ear canal. Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, says that stimulating this pressure point could assist in cutting cravings.

#7 Use hummus instead of mayo <<< I recently became a HUGE fan of hummus!

Skip the mayonnaise, and use hummus as a replacement, says Sari Greaves, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition Director at Step Ahead Weight Loss Center in Bedminster, N.J. Hummus is a creamy chickpea condiment that will cost you about 70 calories less than mayo per tablespoon.

#8 Use measuring cups

Blatner recommends measuring portions over guessing, and I have to agree with that advise since I measure my food. It only takes 30-seconds to measure out 2-teaspoons of olive oil or 1-cup of ice cream.

#9 Create your own salad dressing

Some salad dressings turn a healthy salad into an empty calorie nightmare. Make your own quick and simple dressing by whisking together lemon juice and olive oil. Use 2 parts juice to 1 part oil. Transform your dressing into a spritzer for an even lighter dressing.

#10 Know where to sit at the dinner table

Cornell researchers studied the habits of those who ate at a Chinese buffet. They discovered that the heaviest customers tended to be seated toward the buffet; whereas, the thinnest ones sat in the other direction where they couldn't see the food.

Source: (Fitbie)

Do you have any tricks you use to cut calories?

Kourtney Kardashian Loses 44 Pounds in Six Months! See How She Did It...

2013-01-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

Kourtney Kardashian managed to drop 44 pounds in six months after the birth of her second child! But, she says it was not easy and it was harder to lose the weight the second time around.

So how did she do it?

Kourtney attributes her rapid weight loss to fighting off the craving for large portion sizes as well as working out regularly. She danced off the weight, she says, through the cardio-heavy dance exercise routines of fitness guru Tracy Anderson.

The 33-year-old reality television star recently posed in a skimpy yellow bikini last month beside a Miami pool. She now weighs in at only 106 pounds and her small frame can be seen on the cover of US Weekly (pictured above).

The magazine says that the image has not been retouched.

Kourtney is really short, standing at 5'0", no wonder why she is so small! But, it does seem as if she lost the weight in a healthy, normal way - exercising and portion control!

So even after pregnancy, there is no excuse for ladies to let their bodies go!

Diet.com Announces the Kick-Off of their Annual New Year’s Weight Loss Challenge

2013-01-04T11:17:00.001-05:00

Diet and fitness website will launch its annual New Year’s Weight Loss Challenge on January 7 with participants world-wide competing for prizes.

Diet.com, one of the web's leading resources for diet, fitness and nutrition content and tools, has announced that the site’s annual New Year's Weight Loss Challenge will begin on Monday, January 7. The Challenge will run for 6 weeks, from January 7 to February 15, with participants from all over the world competing for motivational prize packages.

The Challenge will provide a forum for participants to set goals, spotlighting a “Milestone/Reward” theme to encourage members to reward themselves for each goal met. This method of setting small goals and incentivizing them with rewards has proven to be an effective motivator for healthy weight loss by helping dieters to feel successful.

The Weight Loss Challenge page on Diet.com will also showcase healthy recipes, exercise demos and fun interactive member polls, as well as feature a real-time 24/7 chat room exclusively for all participants to join in chats with their fellow Challengers. Diet.com also works with sponsors to compile prize packages to reward top Challengers at the end of each competition.

The grand prize winner of Diet.com’s 2012 Weight Loss Challenge lost 17 pounds during the 6-week Challenge and took home a $250 Visa Gift Card, 3 cases of Vita Coco all-natural coconut water, a 12-pack variety case from Colby's Kettle Corn and a variety of diet and fitness books.

Diet.com's Weight Loss Challenges are open to all Diet.com members. Those interested can create a free account by heading to Diet.com today.

Are you looking to kick off your New Year to a healthy and fit start? Find a fitness professional, club or class by clicking here. Simply enter your zipcode and check off what exactly it is you're looking for and then voilà, results.

Reality Star Tami Roman Reveals How She Lost Over 35 Pounds!

2013-01-04T10:47:00.002-05:00

Basketball Wives star Tami Roman is starting off 2013 on a good note and with a new look thanks to a 35-pound weight loss. She decided to quit smoking recently, and when she did, the stress of it all caused her to pack on the pounds.

In an interview with Shape, the 41-year-old reality star discussed the reality check she gave herself by doing research.

“I’m big on research. I decided I had to make a change, so I researched and researched until I found a product I liked, which is how I settled on NV and NV Sprinkles," she said.

NV Sprinkles is a dietary supplement powder that Tami has been pushing since mid-last year. It’s said to reduce your hunger and help reshape your figure if you take one supplement during breakfast and another at lunch.

Tami says that she didn’t want to just stop cutting out her favorite foods, but she did want to eat healthier and less. “I lost seven pounds in the first week of taking NV without making any major changes to my life."

She said, "But in the second week, I thought to myself, Tami what would happen if you added a little light exercise to your routine? So I started at 10 minutes of working out. That soon became 15 minutes, then 20, and then it became 30.”

Tami told both Shape and OK! that she’s already down six dress sizes and last time she checked, she was a size six!
Aside from starring in reality shows, Tami is now pushing for people to be healthier, telling Shape, “We’re seeing people in their 30s dropping dead of heart attacks. People really need to make a conscious decision. It won’t be instant. It takes you time to gain the weight; it’ll take time to lose it.”

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Isn't that the truth!

I'm proud of Tami for cutting out the smoking and adding exercise to her dieting routine. But, me personally, I'm not a huge fan of dietary supplements. What do you think of Tami's weight loss?

Check out her NV Sprinkles commercial below and see for yourself:

Download Your Free Monthly Motivational Calendar!

2013-01-03T18:34:00.003-05:00

It's only January 3rd so you still have time to follow along to Daily Bite's motivational calendar. This calendar is a great source for motivation that includes health, wellness and fitness tips. Post it up on your refrigerator, on your wall or on your desk at work so you can follow along to these daily reminders.

Download and print out your free PDF calendar copy today by clicking on the link below:

http://www.dailybitesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Daily-Bites-Calendar-Jan13.pdf

Courtesy of DailyBitesBlog.com

Keep Your New Year's Weight Loss Goals

2013-01-03T18:14:00.001-05:00

A new year, a new you, right?

Let's stick to that! What are your weight loss goals for 2013?

Don't fall into the trap of setting goals in the beginning of the new year and then fall off your plans by February. Write down a reasonable goal, weekly or monthly, and set little reminders for yourself so you can reach them.

Find motivation - whether it be from others cheering you on or maybe you want to lose weight for vacation - and let that be a guide to your weight loss goals.

PEOPLE Magazine published How to Keep Your Weight Loss Resolutions (Read more here).

I must say I wasn't watching what I ate during the holidays. All of the sweet desserts, holiday parties and egg nog added on. Now that the holidays are over I'm ready to get back into my workout routine and I set my own goals:

Start counting calories again

I've been slacking on this. I need to count my calories using the My FitnessPal app and limiting myself to 1,200 - 1,500 calories daily.

Workout out three days a week

With working two jobs, I'm not able to workout five to six days week like before. Three days isn't as much as I like, but it's better than slacking off completely.

Get down to 195 pounds by March (my birthday!) >>> this is doable!

I definitely gained a little weight since the end of October. My lowest was 205 since I lost the 30 pounds. Once I weigh myself I will do another post soon stating my weight and the re-start to my weight loss. So stay tuned!

What are your new year weight loss resolutions?

Physical Activity Recommendations For Healthy Adults Aged 18-65

1. To promote and maintain good health, adults aged 18-65 yr should maintain a physically active lifestyle.

2. They should perform moderate-intensity aerobic (endurance) physical activity for a minimum of 30 min on five days each week or vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 min on three days each week.

3. Combinations of moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity can be performed to meet this recommendation. For example, a person can meet the recommendation by walking briskly for 30 min twice during the week and then jogging for 20 min on two other days.

4. These moderate- or vigorous-intensity activities are in addition to the light-intensity activities frequently performed during daily life (e.g. self care, washing dishes, using light tools at a desk) or activities of very short duration (e.g. taking out trash, walking to parking lot at store or office).

5. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity, which is generally equivalent to a brisk walk and noticeably accelerates the heart rate, can be accumulated toward the 30 min minimum by performing bouts each lasting 10 or more minutes.

6. Vigorous-intensity activity is exemplified by jogging, and causes rapid breathing and a substantial increase in heart rate.

7. In addition, at least twice each week adults will benefit by performing activities using he major muscles of the body that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance.

8. Because of the dose-response relation between physical activity and health, persons who wish to further improve their personal fitness, reduce their risk for chronic diseases and disabilities, or prevent unhealthy weight gain will likely benefit by exceeding the minimum recommended amount of physical activity.

Do You Avoid Exercise to Maintain Your Hairdo? A New Study Shows Black Females Do

2012-12-20T19:37:00.001-05:00

According to a recent article published in the Huffington Post UK, two out of every five African American women avoid exercise because of concerns about their hairstyles, a study has found.

The findings, which were published in the Archives of Dermatology on Monday, sparked concerns about the obesity epidemic in the United States.

Dr. Amy McMichael, a dermatologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and senior researcher for the study, was prompted to begin her investigation after taking note of how overweight her female African American patients were.

The Huffington Post UK reports that the study gathered 103 African American women, ranging in age from 21 to 60, and had them participate in a 40-question survey that asked about physical activity, hair care and maintenance, hair and scalp concerns.

The questions included: how much and what types of exercise they do, and the time, expense and complications of caring for their hair.

While all participants agreed that exercise was important, 40 percent of the women reported avoiding exercise due to hair-related issues, and half said they had modified their hairstyle to accommodate exercise.

New York Magazine column, ‘The Cut,’ offered an important addition to the findings in stating, "While the unique characteristics of African-American hair shouldn’t be shrugged off here, it’s also true that many non-black women forgo exercise for hair-related reasons."

Do you ever worry about sweating out your hairdo or messing up your hair while working out? I surely don't. I sweat out my hair with no problem! This is exercise, not a time to look pretty and all dolled up. But, I have heard plenty of women say, "I just got a perm, I can't sweat it out!" Hey, I say throw that hair up in a pony tail and get to work!

(Source: via Huffington Post UK)

Tia Mowry Shows Off Her Flexible Side in Her New Yoga DVD's

2012-12-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

Actress, author and mom, Tia Mowry-Hardrict releases fitness DVDs and shares how she lost all of her weight after pregnancy by just dieting, eating healthy and walking...

Well, with the new year coming up, why not start the new year off right by getting into shape with YOGA!
The Game and Sister Sister star, Tia Mowry-Hardrict has just released two new Yoga DVDs: "Tia Mowry's Core Yoga" and "Tia Mowry's Calm Yoga."

Tia has also the Style-reality show with her identical twin sister Tamera (Tia and Tamera). During the first season, she was showcased showing her pregnancy and her weight loss struggles afterwards. The show is currently in its second season where Tia can be seen coming up with the beginning stages of her Yoga DVD.

Tia - who welcomed her son on June 28, 2011 - talked about her after-pregnancy weight loss earlier this year and said it was a struggle to lose her baby weight after giving birth to her first child via cesarean section, but she found a way to make it work with a strict diet:

"A lot of people are like, 'Oh my gosh, how did you do it?' Everyone knows that I had a cesarean, and when you have a cesarean, you can't work out a lot until like eight weeks, nine weeks afterwards. So what I did focus on was eating healthy - I stayed away from sugar, I stayed away from carbs, and I just ate like protein and veggies and I would do a lot of walking," she said.

Tia recently revealed that she got into yoga while recovering from an injury. "About three years ago, I actually injured my back, and I found that yoga really, really helped," she said.

"It's hard, but fun at the same time. And I think that makes a great work out."

"After my pregnancy, I'm not afraid to say that I gained 60 pounds, so the first thing that I went to was yoga," Tia shared in a press video.

RELATED: Tia Mowry Poses in the Nude, Showing Off Baby Bump - via: Ooooooo La La!

With "Tia Mowry's Core Yoga," the actress hooked up with instructor Tara Stiles to craft a 45-minute workout that will burn fat, tighten up your core and tone your abs. Yoga may be hard for some, but beginners should still be able to follow Tia's lead.

For those looking to get a little more centered, there's "Tia Mowry's Calm Yoga," which is a 50-minute routine that opens up your body and relieves stress.

"It's something that I like to do maybe to start my day off with or to end my day with," Tia said.

The DVDs, are available on Amazon or TiaMowryYoga.com, sell for $9.95 each or you can get the two-disc bundle for $15.95

Inspiring Video of the Man who Never Gave Up!

2012-12-06T19:48:00.001-05:00

Below is an inspiring video about a man who never gave up. When you put your mind to something, nothing can stop you!

I'll Be Back on My Workout Grind Soon!

2012-11-09T22:42:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone!

Its been a while since I posted any updates on here about my weight loss. With hurricane Sandy sweeping over Jersey, losing power and between working at my new full-time job and my part-time job, I've been very busy. I know... excuses, excuses.

I have not exercised in a couple of weeks, haven't had time to track my food or make my healthy snacks AND I have gained two pounds!!

Ughh!

But I will update you with my current weight soon and I look forward to getting back into my gym routine within a week so I can keep you posted on my workouts.

When the unexpected happens, workouts tend to get missed. Hopefully next time I'm better prepared. Now I have to pull myself together and get back on my grind.

Stay tuned!

- Lanette

'American Idol' Fantasia Barrino Shows Off Weight Loss (Photos)

2012-11-09T22:24:00.000-05:00

Fantasia Barrino, R&B singer and 2004 American Idol winner, has been putting in WORK at the gym and she looks great!

Earlier this year while she was recording her new album, Fantasia announced on Twitter that she was hitting the gym and eating right. Her healthier lifestyle paid off, check out more recent pictures of Fantasia below.

Fantasia at the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Just days ago, Fantasia vented on Twitter to defend herself after gossip site, Media Take Out sparked rumored reports that she may have gotten a nose job after she posted photos of herself in a cropped top. They also commented on her recent weight loss.

Fantasia replied that her nose came directly from her parents and also said she's on a serious wellness plan:

MTO stated I had a nose job but once again the lies keep coming. This time I brushed it off but wanted to say I am a TRUE black woman with great feature[s] thanks to my mother & dad. This isn’t just for my IG family but for ALL the media.

I am on a serious wellness plan & everything is steadily changing! So don’t stroke ME & THEN in the same sentence you attempt to tear ME down.

Finding Creative Ways to Stay Active - The Stilleto Workout!

2012-10-29T15:39:00.000-04:00

"Fun, Sexy Fitness Routines in Heels. Get Ready for a Great Cardio Workout Combined With Exciting Dance Moves!"

You see Beyonce strut her stuff on stage in high heels all the time and she makes it look so easy. But, boy is this a workout!

My Zumba instructor (the lady in the orange top in the Stiletto Class Diva video below) teaches this new sexy, fun workout class called 'Stiletto Fitness' which was recently introduced at my gym.

When I heard stilletto in the name I automatically crossed this class off the list because I can't stand wearing heals, let alone workout in them.

But, if you hate heels like me, you'll be happy to know that the entire class is broken up, some parts are okay to wear sneakers.

1 Hour Class Split Into 3 Stages:

20 Minutes Workout in Sneakers
25 Minutes Workout in Heels
15 Minutes Dance Choreography

The class is a great workout for your legs and core which will get your heart rate pumping. Check out the two videos below to see:

Check out some more moves below. The moves make you feel like you're auditioning to be in a sexy music video! Psst: These are also great bedroom moves for a special occasion.

Spice Up Your Gym Playlist: Sweat It Out to These Pumping Songs

2012-10-28T18:08:00.000-04:00

I have to listen to music when working out, whether it's blaring out loud in Zumba class or through my headphones, pumping music motivates me, pushes me to go harder, and keeps my pace up during cardio.

A number of studies show that music can impact your mood, emotions, energy levels, breathing and heart rates. Not only can music help you power through workouts but it could also distract you from boredom and fatigue.

I suggest listening to upbeat songs, nothing slow. I created my 'Gym Playlist' on my phone through the 'Tunee Music' app where you can find any artist/song/genre and download it for free into any music app on your smartphone.

My Favorite Workout Songs:

4 My People - Missy Elliott feat. Eve
The New Workout Plan - Kanye West
Turn Me On - David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj
Till the World Ends - Britney Spears
Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake >>> Get Your sexy on! Great motivation song to make you want to workout when feeling sluggish.
Scream - Usher
Lets Go - Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo
Dancing in the Dark - Dev
Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Titanium - David Guetta feat. Sia

Any LMFAO Song Will Do:

Sexy and I Know It
Shots >>> Great beat to workout to. This song pushes me to go longer on the elliptical, even when I'm tired. I've replayed this song over and over again so many times and before I know it I just did an extra 15 minutes on the machine without even realizing it!
Sorry For Party Rocking

Pitbull Rocks It Out:

Fuego (DJ Buddha Remix) - Pitbull feat. Don Omar <<< This is my jam!
Shake Remix - Pitbull, Elephant Man, Ying Yang Twins
We Run the Night (Rave Radio Remix) - Pitbull feat. Havana Brown
The Anthem - Pitbull feat. Lil' Jon

Women Empowerment, Inspirational Songs to Pump You Up:

Part of Me - Katy Perry >>> This song makes me feel tough like I'm ready to go crazy on the punching bag.
Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
Fighter - Christina Aguilera
Survivor - Destiny's Child

Put that playlist on shuffle and get going!

What music hypes you up in the gym?

Read Here to See Michelle Obama's Workout List

Food & Exercise Log: Busy Week Leads to Lack of Exercise

2012-10-26T22:35:00.002-04:00

Hey guys!

It's been a couple of days since I've posted a food or exercise update. This week has been crazy for me and next week will be even crazier. I got a new job and I start training next week, in addition to the job I already have. So juggling work and exercise will be challenging in the weeks to come but I will still keep you updated!

I haven't exercised since Monday but I have been maintaining my weight at around 205 point something. I have five more pounds to go and I will reach my 200 goal.

After my 200 goal is accomplished, I will focus on getting down to 190 and then 180 with my long term goal being 150 pounds. Being that I'm 5'7, I think 150 is a healthy weight for me. When I eventually reach that goal, I will just maintain my weight from there.

Read below for today's food diary and don't forget to check out Challenge #2 just in time for Halloween.

Oct. 26 Food & Exercise Diary

Breakfast - 314 cals

Yo Crunch Strawberry Yogurt with 100% Natural Lowfat Granola - 180 cals

Banana - 89 cals

Premium Organic Ground Flax Seed, 1 Tbsp - 45 cals
Lunch - 0 cals

(No lunch again!)

Snacks - 0 cals
(Will be added in later.)

Dinner - 430 cals

Whole Grain Whole Wheat Penne Pasta (I took a nice sized portion of this) - 400 cals

Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, 1/4 cup - 30 cals

Water - 9 cups

Total Calories Consumed - 744 cals

Cardio Exercises - 0 Total Calories Burned

I'm not even close to 1,200 calories for the day. After work I will have a snack even though it will be late. I'll come back and log it tomorrow. I look forward to exercising this weekend and catching up on my cardio and weights.

Challenge #2: Pass on the Sugar This Halloween, Choose Healthy Alternatives

2012-10-26T22:28:00.000-04:00

Do you know how many calories your favorite candies pack? Just looking at all the calories in a little chocolate bar could pack up to 200 calories... to me, that's not worth it.

Halloween is already next week and this tends to be the start to when many people pack on the dreaded extra calories.

How many calories is in that fun-size candy bar? See the list of candies here

Whether you trick-or-treat yourself, or snag some of your children's candy, every little piece you put in your mouth adds up. After Halloween, the extra calories keep on coming with Thanksgiving around the corner, then Christmas and then New Years!

Missed the first challenge? You can still do it! Challenge #1: Don't Count the Numbers on the Machine

With all of the celebrations and good food around, we tend to forget that the end of the year sometimes isn't too kind to us when stepping on the scale. Keep reading after the jump for challenge #2.

Candy corn, is the ever so popular Halloween candy. And they're like Pringles chips, you can't eat just one! I remember going over to someones house and seeing a bowl of candy corn and I kept grabbing handfuls.

There are 150 calories in 22 pieces of candy corn

This might not sound like a lot, but can quickly add up. And who is counting how many pieces of candy they're eating?

THE CHALLENGE:

Your challenge and mine is to pass on the candy corns, the blow pops, tootsie rolls, etc and choose a healthy alternative (as listed below).

And if you MUST have your favorite sugary candy this year, don't overindulge in it, have one then cut yourself off with the candy. But warning, even a taste could set you off and you may want more or it could satisfy your taste buds, everyone is different.

Are you up for the challenge? Post your results in the comments section below.

Keep reading below for healthy Halloween alternatives...

I'm sure kids aren't into the healthy treats, but we need to be more conscious about the things we put into our body.

View Some Cool, Healthy Halloween Treats Here

Not only is processed candy made almost entirely of highly refined (and difficult to digest) sugars like high fructose corn syrup, they usually have artificial colors, fat, sodium and other worthless components.

FOX News, posted Healthy Alternatives to Halloween on their site a couple of days ago. They suggest earth organic lollipops, Xocai chocolates with probiotics and any brand of organic, dark chocolate-covered goji berries,bite-sized granola bars, whole-grain oatmeal raisin cookies, dark-chocolate covered organic strawberries or other fruits.

What are the benefits to eating healthy, besides not having a sugar coma?

Dark chocolate contains many benefits with the compounds called flavanols, which are packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

One study showed that dark chocolate - known as the health chocolate - helped lower people’s blood sugar levels and contributed to lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and raising HDL (good cholesterol).

Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, and may help ward off cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, according to research. As with any food, moderation is key, and make sure your dark chocolate of choice is organic as well.

Source via: FOX News.com

The New Diet Craze: Dr. Oz's Raspberry Ketone, "The Miracle Pill to Weight Loss"

2012-10-26T20:45:00.001-04:00

The product that Dr. Oz called “The #1 miracle in a bottle to burn your fat” ...

I saw it in Yahoo's 'Trending Now' section today, heard about it on the Dr. Oz show before and it's all over the web... raspberry ketone!

Raspberry ketone, a dietary supplement containing compounds from raspberries, is being called the "Miracle Fat Burner."

This is becoming the hottest way to a flat belly, so people say.

Is this some sort of magic pill?

Thanks to Dr. Oz who proclaimed this supplement as a miracle weight-loss pill, health food stores in the U.S. and in Canada reportedly have had a high demand of raspberry ketone from customers seeking a way for weight loss and there's an increase rush of demand.

How Raspberry Ketone Helps You Burn More Fat, Find Out More About It:

Dr. Oz explains, raspberry ketones are the compounds within raspberries that give the fruit its characteristic aroma. More important to dieters, however, is new research showing these compounds can also melt away the pounds.

Via a release from PRWEB and Yahoo! News:

According to Lisa Lynn, a weight-loss expert and personal trainer to numerous celebrities, including Martha Stewart, several of her clients have been supplementing with raspberry ketones and experiencing results in as few as five days.

Lynn described the compound as "very healthy" with "no side effects" and says this supplement enables the body to "burn fat easier" by stimulating the production of adiponectin, a hormone found in fatty tissue that improves our ability to metabolize fat.

The latest study supporting the use of raspberry ketones for weight loss was carried out last year by Korea's Food & Drug Administration. In the study, raspberry ketone supplements resulted in an elevated secretion of adiponectin and, along with that, increased metabolism of fatty acids and less fat storage.

Raspberry Ketones is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries, and is a safe and healthy supplement with no side effects, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz.

This compound regulates adiponectin, a hormone that causes your body too boost metabolism. In turn, the fat within your cells gets broken up more effectively, helping your body burn fat faster and more efficiently.

In order to get enough ketone to have an effect on the way your body burns its excess fat, you would need to consume 90 pounds of raspberries. But, just 100-200mg of the supplement per day is enough to get your body to start burning fat the way you want it to.

On the Dr Oz show, Lynn also talks about the bigger results will be accomplished the longer you take the raspberry ketone. Although you do lose weight quickly, if you want to get to that desired weight and keep it off, you'll want to use raspberry ketones for the long haul.

Each serving of Raspberry Ketone Ultra contains 500mg of 100% pure raspberry ketones - one of the highest concentrations currently available (most products offer just 100 mg per serving). Plan to take at least 2 per day. A lot more than most say that you need, but that is the amount it took to get results in the actual studies.
Wanna try Raspberry Ketone? Sign up for your free bottle by clicking on the Link below. While supplies last:

http://www.pureketoneplus.com/vip-trial-discount/?a_aid=001&a_bid=3a5fedc3&data1=1503&ptok=disable&kw=Raspberry-Ketone

Check out some customer reviews on this product, HERE.

My opinion:

I'm not sure if I'll try this or not. Don't get me wrong, I'm very tempted to speed up my weight loss. But I've lost over 30 pounds by just exercising and eating a tad bit better. I don't want to continue to use a product for the long-term when I've been doing just fine without it.

If anyone tries this, let me know about your progress, I'll write up a blog post about you.

Also, many people think just because they pop diet pills, they don't have to exercise. WRONG!! Use supplements in addition to exercising and eating healthy, these diet pills are not a substitute to that!

Jessica Simpson Loses 60 Pounds of Her Pregnancy Weight

2012-10-26T20:12:00.002-04:00

Jessica showed off her slim, toned legs in Los Angeles on Thursday (Oct. 25) while leaving the gym.

Thirty-two-year-old Jessica Simpson has already lost 60 of the 70 pounds she gained during her pregnancy!

She graces the cover of US Weekly's magazine that came out today, in it, she talks about her diet struggles, her daily diet and her workout techniques.

Jessica just had her daughter six months ago and now she uses the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program. She exercised four times a week in training sessions with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, according to US Weekly.

Harley told the publication, "In over 20 years, I've never seen as consistent of a weight loss. Jessica's right where she needs to be … She's gotten so much stronger."

Simpson recently admitted that losing the baby weight was more difficult than she had anticipated. "I didn't realize it [the weight] didn't all come off with the baby," she told USA Today in September.

Jessica while preggies

"I'm not a supermodel. My body is not bouncing back like a supermodel. I'm just your everyday woman who is trying to feel good and be healthy for her daughter, her fiancé and herself," Jessica said.

I like that.

The Huffington Post reports that after gaining 70 pounds, Jessica signed an endorsement deal with Weight Watchers which got her $3 million! She decided to maker her post-baby weight loss known to everyone.

Well, that's some good motivation!

It probably seems easier for celebrities to lose the weight because they can pay the best personal trainers. And, in Jessica's case, she got an endorsement deal out of it. But, with eating healthy and kicking butt at the gym doing high intensity cardio workouts, we all can lose weight.

Besides $3 million dollars, there are other ways to stay motivated. Make a bet with someone, challenge yourself, think about yourself in a bikini or even post old photos of yourself around the house to remind yourself: 'I'm not going back to that.'

Train your body. If you want to lose the weight, do it!

Feeling motivated yet?

Model Kate Upton Discusses the Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle in 'Vogue'

2012-10-21T23:43:00.001-04:00

Swimsuit model Kate Upton talks about living a healthy lifestyle and being confident with her curvy body in a recent interview and photo shoot in Vogue magazine.

According to The Sun, SkinnyGossip.com slated Kate for having "huge thighs, no waist, big fat floppy boobs, terrible body definition."

Thousands of fans took to Twitter and Facebook to defend Kate's curves.

Vogue declared the 20-year-old "The New Girl" in their Nov. 2012 issue. Read parts of the interview below.

(Via: The Sun)

Kate makes a point of eating, sleeping, and exercising—a potential ambassador of fashion-model health, as she sees it. “I don’t want to starve myself,” she says. “I still want to hang out with my family and be a normal girl. You have to be confident, and that doesn’t mean starving yourself.”

Kate talks about getting more involved in fashion almost as a kind of campaign.

“I think it’s important to look at magazines and think a healthy lifestyle is attainable,” she says. “Now that the fashion industry likes the idea of me, I’m happy if I can have an influence.”

Sure, navigating the world of designer clothes is more complicated than bathing suits, given her curvaceous figure, but she deals with it. “I’m sure every girl can relate,” she says simply. “You go shopping and you’re not the same size in every brand—some look good on you and others don’t.”

She finds it all liberating, an emotional counterpoint to swimsuit modeling. “When I lived in Florida, the swimsuit was the key wardrobe piece,” she says. “I lived ten minutes from the beach, but I never sat there and said, ‘I want to be every man’s fantasy.’ It wasn’t a big deal to be in a bathing suit.

Now, whenever girls come up to me saying they’re happy to see I am confident about my body, it makes me feel good that I am contributing in a way among people my age, people who could be my friends.”

The November issue of Vogue is on newsstands now. Read the entire interview HERE.