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Back-to-basics guide to weight lifting for women

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:29:00 -0700

The allure of cardio for many women lies in the fact that it requires little to no instructions. Tie up laces, untangle headset chord, plug in iPod and go. Not so with weight training. You can zone out listening to music on the elliptical trainer, but try that while lifting heavy objects over your head and you could end up with a broken nose or worse.

Q&A with Face Off's McKenzie Westmore on staying fit

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Turns out that yoga does more than enhance flexibility, posture and balance. The meditation aspect also helps keep you calm while sitting in a makeup chair for 15 hours straight. That's what McKenzie Westmore, host of SyFy's Face Off, found out while gearing up for the show's third season.

Gold-medal diet tips for women

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:47:00 -0700

What woman isn't motivated by shiny objects? When the shine you seek is from a gold medal, however, it's more work than most are willing to do. Then there's the diet. And by diet I mean eating huge amounts of food to fuel that goal. The thought of worrying you're not eating enough is a concern most of us wish we had.

5 Summer Games that burn serious calories

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:57:00 -0700

Imagine being so active that part of your job requires you to take in 3,000 calories a day. That's the scenario for the many of the women athletes taking part in the 2012 Summer Games. Yes, "I'll have bacon on my burger and a slice of chocolate cheesecake for dessert" could be part of your vocabulary! Oh, to dream.

The anti-aging workout

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:32:00 -0700

Let's face it: Until scientists discover a way to reverse the effects of gravity, we're all destined to age. You can control the process considerably, however. Smoking, drinking to excess and too much sun take their toll on your face and your body. Stay active, eat healthy foods and laugh a lot and you'll look younger than your sedentary counterparts. It's well worth the effort.

Upper-body workout for runners

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:07:00 -0700

If you're a runner, chances are you don't want to spend a lot of time in the gym. Or any time, for that matter. After all, if you're not running, what's the benefit, right? Au contraire. Upper-body strength benefits athletes of all types. Runners who train with weights experience better running economy—you expend less energy when you run. In other words, it's like a one-day sale at Macy's: you get more bang for your running buck.

7 Ways to boost your metabolism

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:31:00 -0700

We all have that one friend who can eat whatever she wants and never seems to gain a pound. You gnaw away on a celery stick as you watch her wolf down the latest fat-laden burger -- extra mayo, thank you. "How do you do it?" you ask, hoping to gain access to this Holy Grail of skinny secrets, to which your friend responds with a shrug, "I don't know. I must have a fast metabolism" . Obviously, there's some mysterious force at work here. Or is there?

Cryotherapy: Healing sports injuries with ice

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:01:00 -0700

You whirl it into smoothies and use it to cool down drinks on a hot summer day, but did you know ice can also boost metabolism, relieve pain and tighten your skin? If you've ever applied an ice pack to a sprained ankle and felt the relief, imagine cooling down your entire body the same way. Only instead of an ice pack, you're put into a chamber with nitrogen, which brings temps down to a chilly minus 270 degrees Fahrenheit. Who knew frozen water could do so much?

27 Sneaky ways to burn off 500 calories

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:10:00 -0700

It's not always easy to get to the gym every day, but if you're on the fast track to swimsuit shopping, you have no time to spare. The good news: Burning off 500 calories a day multiplied by seven days equals 3,500 calories burned, which brings you one pound closer to fitting into that little polka dot bikini. When time is of the essence, simply adding extra minutes to your everyday activities can help you reach your calorie-burning goals. Here are 27 sneaky ways to burn more calories.

Summer slimdown: 7 simple tips to lose weight

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:14:00 -0700

You may want to power up your abacus for this little weight-loss lesson. Here's the scoop: You need to create a 3,500-calorie deficit to lose one pound of unsightly fat. You can accomplish this by eating 500 fewer calories each day, burning 500 more calories each day or doing a combination of both. A little more walking and a bit less noshing does the trick. Losing weight is even easier when you try a combination of the following calorie-cutting tricks, which can get you on your way to a bikini body in time for your summer vacation.

How to pick the right serving accessories

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:24:00 -0700

Imagine attending a black tie affair in a floor-length gown… while wearing a pair of combat boots. It’s not a good move if you’re trying to impress. The same holds true for preparing a nice meal. The serving accessories you choose can either complement or work against all your hard work. Here’s how to make the right choices.

How to organize your kitchen

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:16:00 -0700

Whether you're preparing a dinner party or fixing lunch for your kids, an organized kitchen makes it all flow more easily. These tips can help.

How to dry dishes without water spots

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:09:00 -0700

The most beautiful glassware and plates look off-putting with cloudy, white or crusty spots. Drying dishes without spots requires a little know how. Follow these steps for shiny, spot-free dishes every time.

How to arrange your dishwasher efficiently

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:58:00 -0700

A dishwasher can save you tons of time, but not if you fail to load it properly. Try these tips to get the most out of yours.

Olympian Summer Sanders raises awareness for healthy legs

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:43:00 -0700

Warmer weather means short shorts, bathing suits and other fashions designed to make legs the center of attention. If you have varicose veins, you may be less than thrilled. And here's the thing: They're not just for Grandma anymore. They can occur in young, fit women, as Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders discovered. As a spokeswoman for RethinkVaricoseVeins.com, Summer, along with Dr. Mark Adelman, chief of vascular surgery at New York University Medical Center, shares her tips for vein-free, healthy legs.

The 500-calorie workout plan

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:08:00 -0700

To lose weight, energy going out must be more than energy coming in . Specifically, you need to create a 3,500 calorie deficit in order to lose a pound. Eat 500 fewer calories or burn 500 more calories. Either way, you'll slim down.

500-calorie walking workouts

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:02:00 -0700

We were built to walk, but just because a stroll across the room seems easy doesn't mean walking exercise. In fact, walking is one of the easiest ways to torch 500 calories per workout. Here's how.

Olympics star Kerri Walsh talks healthy living

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:51:00 -0700

Think you have what it takes to make it into the Olympics? Try on Kerri Walsh's routine for size. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and volleyball superstar trains on the beach , does Pilates, runs track and lifts weights two times a week. And that's just the beginning. Here's what Walsh tells SheKnows about living a healthy lifestyle and how she's preparing for this year's Olympics in London -- with tips on how you can ramp up your own healthy eating and exercise routines.

Why you should burn 500 calories this week

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:34:00 -0700

You're burning calories as you read this article. Whether or not you burn off all the calories in that giant cinnamon bun you ate for breakfast depends on a few factors, including what you do besides sitting at your computer. We're here to motivate you to get out of your easy chair and burn 500 calories this week. Your health depends on it!

The secrets to healthy home-cooked fast food

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:16:00 -0700

Forget taco Tuesdays. Inexpensive fast food doesn't always have to include greasy meals and sugar-laden soft drinks. In fact, if you know a few tricks, home-cooked fast food chock-full of nutrients and flavor can be almost as easy as ordering at a drive-through window. Plus, you can control the portions, calories and fat.