Womens Fitness

5 Fast and fun workouts for busy moms

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:01:00 -0700

Don’t you recall hearing the horror stories of your friends who had kids and reluctantly chucked their fitness out the window? You may have then thought that they were using motherhood as an excuse to not break a sweat and you may have even thought that you’d never let kids stand in the way of your workouts. But here you are with kids and you're seeing that finding time to exercise is an emotionally wrenching struggle. Good news: Instead of pining for those two-hour trips to the gym, simply put these five fast and fun workouts on your busy mom schedule.

How to shred calories all summer long

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:47:00 -0700

Spring seems to be the big push for slimming down for beach parties and poolside fun, but once summer arrives, the heat, countless cookouts and cross-country vacays can start getting in the way of workouts and cause the pounds to creep on. We talked to Jennifer Cohen, Muscle Milk Light trainer, for ways women can shred extra calories this summer to keep their svelte physique. We also talked with celebrity trainer Andrea Orbeck, the trainer credited for helping Heidi Klum get her pre-pregnancy body back, about the diet and fitness plans she designs for her celeb clients.

The best gluten-free fitness bag essentials

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:36:00 -0700

If you've got celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, the workout snacks and locker room items in your gym bag are going to look different than the fitness enthusiast who doesn't have gluten issues. Fortunately, the growing incidence of food allergies and dietary restrictions has prompted a growing selection of gluten-free foods and personal care products that you can safely pack in your fitness bag. Here are a few of our favorite gluten-free fitness items.

New moms! How to get a flat belly

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 -0700

As a new mom, along with losing the baby weight, it's no surprise that you are particularly conscious of your midsection. The rigors of pregnancy stretch the skin, separate the abdominal muscles, and can seem like the last place you see results from exercise. We talked to Dr. Danine Fruge, associate medical director at Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Miami, about the best exercises for a flat belly. Dr. Fruge is an athletic dynamo who is also pregnant with her third child.

Feel better about your body this summer

Jessica Padykula — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:20:00 -0700

It’s summertime and the living is easy. Or is it? For many of us, the thought of hitting the beach in a bikini or wearing skimpy shorts and flimsy sundresses can cause some serious stress. It’s not always easy to show more skin than you’re normally comfortable with, but unless you want to hide out in your air-conditioned house until Labor Day or opt for pants and long sleeves despite the soaring temperatures, you’re going to have to find a way to embrace your body. We’ve put together some simple strategies to help boost your body confidence, just in time for summer.

When a detox diet is really necessary

Carrie Kelly, RD — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 09:24:00 -0700

With the summer season right around the corner, more and more people are looking to get it in gear and get fit with intensified workout routines. But if you’re just working out, you may not be seeing the results that you want, and this could be because of your eating habits. Have you considered a detox diet to see if it makes a difference? If so, make sure you know whether or not you really need one, since detox diets should not be taken lightly. Here are some tips to determine when a detox is really necessary.

Think yourself thin: 5 Ways to use your brain to change your body

Kristen Fischer — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:19:00 -0700

Can you think yourself thin? More and more studies — and people who have done it — say it’s possible. There are a variety of visualization strategies that you can use. From seeing yourself eating healthier to foreseeing a new number on the scale, the power to shed pounds has a lot to do with your mind. They say that if you envision something, you make it a reality. So why not conjure up a glimpse of yourself a few pounds lighter and use it to lose them?

Lose weight in minutes with weight loss technology

Kristen Fischer — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:05:00 -0700

With so many people praising the power of visualization as a weight loss tool, it helps to be able to get a clear picture of what you would look like when you shed 10, 20, even 100 pounds. Being able to actually see an image – and not just imagine it in your head – could be a huge help if you’re battling the bulge. We found weight loss technology that helps you visualize yourself at your goal weight and increases your odds at weight loss success.

Workout tips to get fit for bikini season

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:30:00 -0700

Whether you plan to don the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny polka dot bikini or the modest one-piece, a tight waist and toned legs and arms aren’t, unfortunately, just a diet away. To slim down and sculpt sexy muscles, you’ve got to exercise – the right way. We talked with fitness professional Daniel Reynen, president of WeBeFit Personal Training in Key West, Florida, and author of The Diet Is Dead, to get the skinny on the best fitness tips and exercises to shape up for summer.

3 Common fitness mistakes women make

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:11:00 -0700

With bikini season just around the corner, women across the nation are jumping on the fad-diet exercise-crazed bandwagon, hoping for svelte figures by the first day of summer. Health and fitness expert Daniel Reynen, author of The Diet Is Dead, suggests we toss out the diet mentality and stop making those fitness mistakes that actually hinder weight loss efforts. Here he shares three common mistakes women make in their quest to slim down for summer.

Stand up! Sitting can be hazardous to your health

Linda Melone, CSCS — Sun, 22 May 2011 09:27:00 -0700

When did you last get up off your chair? If you spend more than 70 percent of your working day hunched over a desk, riding in a car, working at a computer or otherwise not standing up, you could be risking your health, experts say. Here’s how standing up can help you burn fat, lose weight and boost your overall health.

Simple strategies for getting in shape this summer

Jessica Padykula — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:13:00 -0700

Getting in shape is easier than you think. Spending hours at the gym and depriving yourself of all the foods you love isn’t the only path to success. You’ll be happy to know jumping on the fitness bandwagon has never been so simple and we’ve got the strategies to prove it.

10 Gym-bag essentials for summer

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:35:00 -0700

The warming weather means shorts and bikini season is upon us, making our visits to the gym ever more important. Whether you're just emerging from a winter workout slump or simply want to pack your gym bag with everything you need to go from sweaty fitness class to the office, here are 10 gym-bag essentials that will keep you fueled and hydrated while protecting and nourishing your skin.

Don't let excuses get in the way of your workout

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:11:00 -0700

We all know exercise is good for us. Eating less and moving more are the cornerstones of maintaining a healthy weight but it’s not always easy to get moving. You look at your running shoes, you know you should put them on and hit the gym or go for a walk ... but you come up with a myriad of excuses not to. If this sounds like you, don’t worry. We all have trouble getting motivated and the reasons are usually the same for everyone – not enough time, boredom and lack of motivation. But it’s time to ditch the excuses and we’re here to help.

5 Summer-ready abs exercises

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:16:00 -0700

If bathing suit shopping makes you wish for an icy, freezing snowstorm, it may be time to get those abs in summer shape. Keep in mind that all the crunches in the world won't help if your diet consists of fast-food and vending machine meals. But combining regular exercise with a healthy diet will have your abs beach-ready just in time for the fireworks display.

Moderation Nation: Balance is key for health

Karen Hawthorne — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:45:00 -0700

There’s no need to spend hours in the gym every week or put a lock on your refrigerator door to stop you from snacking after dinner. You can have chocolate, now and then, and take up an activity you enjoy to get yourself off the couch. A national initiative, in collaboration with the American Dietetic Association and the American Council on Exercise, wants you to achieve a healthy lifestyle through moderation.

Hot or Cold: Which treatment best for exercise injuries?

Linda Melone, CSCS — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:55:00 -0700

It's bad enough you tripped in front of that hot guy in aerobics class, but now you have a sore knee to show for it. What do you do? If you're lucky, Mr. Aerobic Guy is a paramedic who'll come to your rescue. But in reality, you'll likely have to choose between ice or heat. Which works best so you can save face--and feel better?

Tricks to turbocharge your metabolism

Karen Hawthorne — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:39:00 -0700

Conventional diet and exercise plans recommend exercising 60 to 90 minutes five days a week and the need to eat five small meals a day. But a new program breaks those rules to help people boost metabolism and get lean with lifestyle changes that work for hectic schedules. Here’s more on “turbocharging” your metabolism by not dieting nor exercising.

5 Kenpo karate moves for full-body fitness

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:05:00 -0700

If aerobic dance classes have you yawning, punch and kick your body into shape with Kenpo. Ellen Nalaboff, celebrity fitness guru, life coach, and owner of Ellen's Fitness Studio in New York, challenges you to try this five-move Kenpo karate workout – it not only shreds calories, it will strengthen and tone every muscle in your body.

Promoting an unhealthy ideal: Barbie and Hollywood vs. reality

Jessica Padykula — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:50:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered what Barbie would look like if she were real? Galia Slayen did and four years ago the then-university student decided to build a life-size version of the iconic children’s toy. Blond with an ample bust and impossibly tiny waist, Slayen’s mega-Barbie stands 6 feet tall with a 39" bust, 18" waist and 33" hips. She is made of wood, chicken wire and papier mache and was created to raise awareness about eating disorders.

Fun outdoor activities for kid-friendly fitness

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:58:00 -0700

Celebrate Earth Week, Screen Free Week, and the warmer weather by getting your kids outside to play – and get some exercise. These five kid-friendly activities will not only connect your kids to nature, they will also improve your kids’ strength, agility, and cardiovascular fitness while reducing their risk of childhood obesity and weight-related chronic diseases.