Articles by

4 Fat-burning myths busted

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:43:00 -0800

When it comes to the best ways to burn body fat, misinformation abounds. Instead of being misled or downright discouraged about torching it, here are the facts on the most common fat-burning myths, along with tips for fitting into those skinny jeans in no time.

10 Quick ways to boost your heart health

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:33:00 -0800

Keeping your ticker tocking takes more than regular aerobic exercise. You also need a plan from the inside out, namely a healthy diet with an occasional treat . A healthy diet doesn’t mean a painful overhaul of your current eating habits. Here are 10 easy lifestyle tips to boost your heart health.

Heart-healthy family activities

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:11:00 -0800

What do going to a zoo, hiking up a mountain and going for a bike ride all have in common? They're fun, active and the entire family can get on board. Instead of leaving the kids behind while you get in your exercise, activities done together go beyond burning calories. The key: Don't call it exercise.

10 Fitness tips for winter workouts

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:22:00 -0800

A fresh, shiny New Year brings renewed motivation and a commitment to stick to an exercise program for good this time -- until you're forced to choose between a Snuggie and a cold blustery cold day, that is. Before you curl up on the couch, consider that exercising in the cold burns more calories. Isn't it worth sacrificing warmth for a little fat-burning? Here are 10 fitness tips to make your winter workouts work for you.

Get the most out of your gym membership

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:14:00 -0800

Plunking down a credit card and signing up for a gym membership makes you feel like you're practically in shape already. You can almost hear the shiny equipment and acres of treadmills calling to you, "I'm here to help!" If only it was that easy. After spending more than 30 years in gyms as both a trainer and member, I'd like to share a few of the things I've learned that may help you get results for real this time. Ready? Grab your towel and let's begin.

6 Stretches for better posture

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:46:00 -0800

Good posture goes beyond sitting up straight. Slouching over a computer keyboard all day creates a chain reaction throughout your body that can result in shoulder, neck and back pain. Not pretty. Here are six simple stretches you can do to improve your posture. Good posture means good health.

5 Steps to make your fitness resolutions stick

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:49:00 -0800

The only thing tougher than starting an exercise program is sticking with it. Case in point: Most new exercisers quit within three to six months, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Don’t worry, we’ve got five easy steps to your New Year’s fitness resolution success.

How to prevent jet lag

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:37:00 -0800

There's nothing like jet lag to take the fun out of a long-anticipated vacation. Falling asleep face-first into a plate of fettuccine Alfredo will do little to win favor with your Italian tour guide. But it's not your fault. Here’s what you need to know about jet lag and how to prevent it so you can enjoy your travels to their fullest.

Fitness gift guide for runners

Linda Melone, CSCS — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:36:00 -0800

The runner on your holiday gift list will appreciate anything that helps her run faster, go farther, and look good doing it.These fitness gifts fit the bill.

Bob Greene's fitness tips for holiday health

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:45:00 -0800

Between shopping for gifts, decorating the house and cooking for all 27 family members, clearly the holidays offer a legitimate reason to skip your workouts, right? Not a chance, says Bob Greene, exercise physiologist and Oprah's former coach. "It's really about your mindset," says Greene. "If you think it's appropriate to change the rules, then you're going to. Instead, look at each day as a way to better your life. A big part of that is taking care of yourself."

4 Ways to cope with holiday stress

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:26:00 -0800

Holiday festivities unfortunately involve more than unwrapping presents and drinking eggnog all day long. Traveling, waiting in the gift-wrapping line at Macy's and standing all day tending a 20-pound turkey can take their toll. Women, especially, often find themselves at the center of the storm, trying to make everything perfect. "Instead of striving for perfection, focus on being grateful for your life and the people in it," says Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, MS, author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness and founder of ControlHolidayStress.org. Here are four stress-less tips to show you how to have a truly happy holiday experience.

Strong Women Strong Girls: Mentoring program for girls

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:06:00 -0800

Texting, playing video games and sitting in front of a computer may be fun and games, but these activities don't burn many calories. These sedentary activities contribute to childhood obesity, which has tripled over the past 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Obese kids are more likely to develop high cholesterol, cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, for starters. Clearly, the dangers for overweight kids go beyond being able to fit into a pair of fashionable jeans. That’s why Strong Women, Strong Girls, a nationally recognized mentoring program, is on a mission to help young girls develop a healthy lifestyle.

Holiday diet tips to keep you trim

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:31:00 -0700

Holiday dietary overload begins with the first candy corn on Halloween and ends with the last glass of champagne on New Year's Eve. Between office parties and family entertaining, it's a wonder your bathrobe still fits by Jan. 2. But seriously, who can say no to Aunt Gertie's apple pie or Grandma Rosa's lasagna -- it's tradition, right? Tradition or not, you don’t have to plump up this holiday season. Here are some holiday diet tips to help you beat the holiday battle of the bulge.

Diabetes tips: Exercise to manage the disease

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:48:00 -0700

If the word "diabetes" conjures visions of nursing homes and out-of-shape people, you may be in for a surprise. About 215,000 people younger than 20 years old had diabetes in the U.S. in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Fame doesn't give you a free pass, either. Famous people with diabetes include rocker Bret Michaels, actress Halle Berry and pro golfer Michelle McGann. All must work to keep their blood sugar under control. Here's how exercise can help you manage diabetes.

3 Best exercises to beat breast cancer

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:14:00 -0700

Love it or hate it, you know exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart pumping and muscles toned, brings oxygen to your brain and even helps to keep your immune system fine-tuned. If that's not enough, studies also show it may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. That's right: Physically active women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than do inactive women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Here are the three best exercises you should be doing to protect yourself from getting breast cancer.

Calorie-burning sports drills for non-athletes

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:57:00 -0700

From tennis and soccer players to cyclists, did you ever notice how women athletes often have the best bodies? One reason: Sports training requires balanced training, working the entire body as a whole, not in separate units. These athletes worry less about how many crunches they can do and more about ways to get stronger and faster. You can do the same. Try these fun total-body moves that involve a bit of fancy footwork and agility for a bit of variety. Do them on their own on alternate days from your regular workout or pick a few to do as a fun warm-up.

DIY Massage for sore muscles

Linda Melone, CSCS — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 08:49:00 -0700

In a perfect world, chocolate would be calorie-free, high heels comfortable and we'd all have personal massage therapists to unkink our knots after a stressful day. But we live in the real world, so we limit indulgences, pretend we're comfortable wearing four-inch heels and treat ourselves to a massage when the budget allows. What’s a stressed-out, tight-muscle girl to do? Learn a DIY massage for sore muscles!

Core training with the medicine ball

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:27:00 -0700

You don't need dumbbells or a gym membership to get in shape. Colorful, weighted rubber balls called "medicine balls" can take the place of traditional dumbbells. They're a fun way to make exercise seem less like work and more like play! Best yet, the variety of medicine ball exercises requires you to engage your core muscles so your abs get a serious workout to boot!

Staying fit and trim after an injury

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:10:00 -0700

Alexandra "Ali" Fedotowsky, star of The Bachelorette Season 6 knew she'd have to make healthy exercise and eating choices after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured femur. Fedotowsky won the hearts of America as a contestant for Bachelor Jake Pavelka's affections on The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love. Here's how Fedotowsky kept weight gain at bay and how you can do it, too.

Abs exercises: 4 Surprising moves for a flat belly

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:01:00 -0700

If you're a fan of crunches, congratulations -- you're among the very few . Most women would rather get a Brazilian bikini wax every day of their life than do a single crunch. They're not only uncomfortable but boring . The good news: You can trade those crunches for other, more interesting moves.