Dec 23, 2008

FDA Warns: Do Not Buy These Diet Pills!

Do not buy diet pills right now. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide not to purchase or consume more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers’ health at risk.

The tainted weight loss products are:

Fatloss Slimming

2 Day Diet

3x Slimming Power

Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet

5x Imelda Perfect Slimming

3 Day Diet

7 Day Herbal Slim

8 Factor Diet

7 Diet Day/Night Formula

999 Fitness Essence

Extrim Plus

GMP

Imelda Perfect Slim

Lida DaiDaihua

Miaozi Slim Capsules

Perfect Slim

Perfect Slim 5x

Phyto Shape

ProSlim Plus

Royal Slimming Formula

Slim 3 in 1

Slim Express 360

Slimtech

Somotrim

Superslim

TripleSlim

Zhen de Shou

Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

An FDA analysis found that the undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in some of these products include sibutramine (a controlled substance), rimonabant (a drug not approved for marketing in the United States), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), and phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent). Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels, putting consumers' health at risk.

These weight loss products, some of which are marketed as “dietary supplements,” are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain only “herbal” ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the product labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any of these products to stop taking them and consult their healthcare professional immediately. The FDA encourages consumers to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before purchasing weight loss products.

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that could cause serious health consequences. Therefore FDA is taking this action to protect the health of the American public.”

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products, and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The health risks posed by these products can be serious; for example, sibutramine, which was found in many of the products, can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack or stroke. This drug can also interact with other medications that patients may be taking and increase their risk of adverse drug events. The safety of sibutramine has also not been established in pregnant and lactating women, or in children younger than 16 years of age.

Rimonabant, another ingredient found in these products, was evaluated, but not approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States. The drug, which is approved in Europe, has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and has been linked to five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe over the last two years.

Health care professionals and consumers should report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.
-source

Dec 22, 2008

Quick 'n Easy Hotel Room Workout

On vacation? Traveling during the Holidays? Try out our fabulous quick and easy hotel room workout video! New and improves go check it out now :)

iBreath iPhone App, good idea?

There is a new device you put onto your iPhone called the iBreath. Guess what is does? It's a breathalyzer that you plug into your iPhone without batteries and it doubles as an FM transmitter for only $79. Do you think this will curb dui's or do you think it will encourage college kids to see how much more they can drink than their buddies?

The Worst Holiday Foods

You may not lose fat during the holidays but you can avoid gaining weight. Knowing the better choice between two options can save you up to 2000 calories in one day! Paired with your routine fitness regimen or a special hotel workout and you're almost home free. Here are the worst holiday foods according to Men's Health magazine editors and my two cents.

The Worst Mall Food:
The scent of cinnamon makes clinically is proven to make you happy and want to spend money but that scent of Cinnabon can also add 1100 calories to your daily calorie intake. Roughly have of your daily caloric recommendation, 56 grams of fat and 47 grams of sugar, this sweet smelling bun has the equivalent nutritional value as 8 burger king orders of onion rings. If you can't resist the smell, get the Cinnabon Sticks for only eat 346 calories.

The Worst Hors D'oeuvres
A crab cake has 400 calories and 30 grams of fat which is equivalent to six twinkies! Opt instead for bacon wrapped scallops. Have 3 for only 150 calories plus you'll get a healthy dose of omega 3's and protein.

The Worst Cocktail
Gin and Tonic has 210 calories and 22g of sugar. We all know that eggnog is bad (so avoid this too) but a gin and tonic has the same amount of sugar as 2 bowls of fruit loops! Opt for champagne because you can have a second glass for the same amount of calories but only have 5 grams of sugar!

The Worst Entree
Prime Rib is the worst entree with 750 calories and 45 grams of fat which happens to be the same amount as 22 strips of bacon! Instead have roasted beef tenderloin for only half the calories and a third of the fat.

The Worst Dessert
You should already know this one but Pecan Pie has 810 calories and 65 grams of fat. You could have have 7 cups of Breyer's butter pecan ice cream for the same amount of calories and or 5 ice cream sundaes for the same sugar content. Have an ice cream sundae instead for about 210 calories.

Dec 19, 2008

Top Fitness Trends 2008 - Year in Review

Think you know the latest fitness trends? Test your knowledge and see if your favorite new fitness activity made the cut as one of the top 5 fitness trends to try in 2009 .

Dec 18, 2008

Exercise suppresses appetite, study says

If you're on a diet and feel hungry before it's time to eat again, try working out! A new fitness study says that exercise suppresses your appetite. According to the the American Physiological Society, when doing aerobic activity like walking on a treadmill for 60 minutes, your body produces a surge in hunger squashing hormones! The effect lasts for about 2 hours including the duration of your exercise.
Build Muscle To Fire Up Your Metabolism

Even though the study produced promising results, it's still unknown if the suppression of the appetite hormones has any effect on the suppression of eating. Researchers are excited about furthering their research to find more effective ways to use exercise to help weight control.

While several hormones help regulate your appetite, the researchers only looked at the two major ones, ghrelin and peptide YY. Ghrelin is a hormone that is known to stimulate appetite while Peptide YY is an appetite suppressing hormone.

The study looked at the effects of the two hormones after a 60-minute walking based workout on a treadmill vs 90 minutes of weight lifting. The researchers concluded that walking or any aerobic activity is better at suppressing one's appetite than non-aerobic exercise based on the analysis of the levels of ghrelin and peptide YY the body produced.

Even though this study is early in the works, before your Christmas meal, go for a long walk to see if perhaps it helps you restrain from overeating! Better yet, fire up your metabolism in just 4 minutes with our Fastest Workout ever. Or check our the Number 1 Fat Burning Exercise! It may sound easier than it is, but give it a try and your waist will thank you!

For More Information check out the original article.

Dec 15, 2008

Holiday Gift Ideas

Need an idea for a gift suitable for the active individual, then you must check out Koie's Puddle Jumper Bag. Listed as one of Oprah's favorite things, you can use this bag for a weekend getaway or trip to the gym. Many swear its the perfect diaper bag too! From your ipod, glasses, pens, papers, clothing, bottles, cosmetics, etc., you can even throw your stinky sneakers in the back separated ventilated pocket! This bag represents functionality at its best while not compromising your sense of style! Priced at a reasonable $75, you can purchase this gift at Koieproducts.com.

For the lady on your list that likes to squeeze in her gym time before or during work, this gift is a time saver! The Hot Iron Cover allows you to pamper, straighten and jet back to work without allowing extra time for the straight iron to cool. Just slip the cover on top of the appliance immediately after unplugging and go. A must have for the straight hair obsessed.

And lastly, for the fashionably active, this leopard print is a must have. Show your inner animal in the studio with this quarter inch thick yoga mat. Starting at 19.99 this fashion statement can be purchased online at diet.com/store.

Dec 10, 2008

Cancer may be top killer by 2010 - The Boston Globe

Cancer may be top killer by 2010 - The Boston Globe

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Oprah's Fear of Working Out

Oprah admits she has developed a fear of working out and that she weighs 200 lbs in the January edition of "O" magazine.

Known for her yo yo diets, it's been apparent that the talk show queen had been slowly climbing the scale. She admits she's added 40 lbs to her frame since weighing 160 back in 2006 when she began her recent struggles with an out-of-balance thyroid. She says that the condition led her to develop "a fear of working out."

This past April, Oprah claims she hit rock bottom before a taping with Tina Turner and Cher in Las Vegas. "I felt like a fat cow," Winfrey writes. "I wanted to disappear." She says she's added 40 pounds to her frame since she weighed 60 pounds in 2006. As categorized by her BMI, she is obese.

I think Winfrey like most Americans is finally learning that diets don't work. She writes that she doesn't want to be skinny anymore. Her goal is to be "strong, healthy and fit." Welcome to the main stream O! That's what I've been saying for years now.

However, you may be wondering why Oprah is coming out and admitting her weight. Usually this sort of self driven attention only leads to one thing, self promotion of course. Starting the week of January 5th, Oprah will be talking candidly about her weight in the "Oprah's Best Life Series". Both personal trainer Bob Greene and Dr. Mehmet Oz (both gained frame Dr. Phil style, but actually practice what they preach), will appear on the show the first full week of January.

As a gym rat, I want to know how Oprah's thyroid condition lead to her fear of exercise? I have one friend who has a hyperactive thyroid and can eat an entire pizza without gaining a pound. Sure her heart rate soared when she would drink a frappaccino but that was due to the caffeine. She never worked out, nor did she need to in order to stay the same skinny weight. My mom has the other thyroid problem. She is 58 years old and just last year began running. She just completed her 10th 5K race and even finished the Falmouth Road Race this past fall (not the official one, but the one for the locals, same course). I couldn't be more proud of her, and it truly amazes me that after giving birth to three children having never been an athlete, she can pick up long distance running in less than a year. She's always struggled with her weight but you get the point. Exercise is embraced when your thyroid is laying low. I guess we'll have to wait until the issue comes out to find out why she is so afraid of working out, but my guess is that maybe she is also hypochondriac as well?

Sorry, should I be kissing Oprah's butt so that she invites me on her show? Probably, since everyone else does. So here goes;
Oprah,
If you are out there reading this right now or ever watch one of my videos on YouTube and find this after you've booked me on the show, I'm a young female trying to make a name for her self in the fitness and diet industry and boy does it stink in here. I mean, talk about all the BS. Diets don't work. It's a lifestyle change and with today's technology, we are moving our bodies less and less. We need to fit fitness, and not grueling painful fitness, into our daily lives. Do not be afraid to work out. Lets together create a fun way of fitness for you because god knows you have the money to create your own whatever you want. Let's Oprahsize together! It will be the new Zumba which was the new strip aerobics which was the new Pilates which was the new yoga which was the new Tae Bo. Get it? Ok yay! Chicago here I come :)
XOXO, Fit Girl

Dec 8, 2008

Healthy Creative Gift Ideas 2008 Under $20



Short on cash but need creative gift ideas for the green and healthy loved ones on your list?  Find the perfect gift without the stress this year.  Our 2008 Holiday gift guide was made for any budget or personality.  Best of all, it can be done all online.

This year's biggest trend was hands down, going green which is why quite a few of our top gift ideas are of course earth friendly.  Kicking off our list for 2009 are Yoga ToeSox made with Organic cotton for only $10.  The perfect gift for the new yogi in your family.  These are great for anyone who slides during yoga or may just sweat a little more than most.  Buy these online at Amazon.com.

For the domestic Suzy Homemaker or Anal Adam on your list, you've got to buy Nellie's Dryer Balls.  The eco friendly version of dryer sheets reduces lint, wrinkles and drying time (which means less energy is used by your dryer).  They soften fabrics naturally and last approx 1000 washes.  These balls can be purchased for $18 at various online retailers. 

One of the most shocking revelations this year proved that bpa was in fact a cancer causing chemical used in our water bottles.  Reduce your risk and those you love by purchasing  a non-Toxic Sigg Aluminum Water Bottle.  This bottle is stylish, ight weight, leakproof and no weird after taste here.  Prices start around $15.

Need an idea for a gift suitable for the active indidual, then you must check out Koie's Puddle Jumper Bag.  Listed as one of Oprah's favorite things, you can use this bag for a weekend getaway or trip to the gym. Many swear its the perfect diaper bag too! From your ipod, glasses, pens, papers, clothing, bottles, cosmetics, etc., you can even throw your stinky sneakers in the back separated ventilated pocket! This bag represents functionality at its best while not compromising your sense of style!  Priced at a reasonable $75, you can purchase this gift at Koieproducts.com.

For the lady on your list that likes to squeeze in her gym time before or during work, this gift is a time saver!  The Hot Iron Cover allows you to pamper, straighten and jet back to work without allowing extra time for the straight iron to cool.  Just slip the cover on top of the appliance immediately after unplugging and go.  A must have for the straight hair obsessed. 


And lastly, for the fashionably active, this leopard print yoga mat is a must have.  Show your inner animal in the studio with this quarter inch thick yoga mat.  Starting at $19.99 this fashion statement can be purchased online at http://diet.com/store.



For more info: Check out the video version of this blog here.  We found these gifts using the web site Kaboodle.com.  For more great gift ideas for health minded loved ones, visit diet.com/store.  If you would like Sarah to review your products in a video, please send contact her under the YouTube account!  Thanks :)

 

Going Green Holiday Gift Ideas Under $20

Finding the perfect gift can be stressful and take way more time that it should, which is why we have our gift guide for everyone on your list, on any budget.

This year's biggest trend was hands down, going green which is why quite a few of our top gift ideas are of course earth friendly. Kicking off our list for 2009 are Yoga ToeSox made with Organic cotton for only $10. The perfect gift for the new yogi in your family. These are great for anyone who slides during yoga or may just sweat a little more than most. Buy these online at Amazon.com.

For the domestic suzy homemaker or anal adam on your list, you've got to buy Nellie's Dryer Balls. The eco friendly version of dryer sheets reduces lint, wrinkles and drying time, (which means less energy is used by your dryer). They soften fabrics naturally and last approx 1000 washes. These balls can be purchased for $18 at various online retailers.

One of the most shocking revelations this year proved that bpa was in fact a cancer causing chemical used in our water bottles. Reduce your risk and those you love by purchasing a non-Toxic Sigg Aluminum Water Bottle. This bottle is stylish, ight weight, leakproof and no weird after taste here. Prices start around $15.

Dec 5, 2008

Get an hour's worth of fitness in 20 minutes

Get an hour's worth of fitness and calorie burning in just 20 minutes this holiday season. Now that you've read the first sentence, you no longer have the ability to use the excuse, "I don't have any time!" This Holiday season seems more stressful than past years. With the economy in a recession, constant pressure and uncertainty about the future has become a reality at many jobs. The best stress reliever is and always will be fitness and exercise.


"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't shoot their husbands. They just don't!"
Legally Blonde, 2001


It's difficult to find time for working out, especially during the holidays, but thankfully there are ways to increase productivity even when time seems crunched.

Want to know how to get six pack abs? It was recently announced that the best ab exercise is the bicycle crunch.


This fitness video tells why the bicycle crunch earned top honors. Don't waste your time doing ineffective ab exercises again.
If you have 10 minutes: Try this fat burning ab workout that will have your entire body burning while working your core.
If you have only one minute: Try this 1 minute ab workout that is sure to flatten your belly and tone your core.

There is no need to go for hour long runs to get cardio benefits. In fact, a recent study showed that 20 minute interval runs burned more fat than a 40 minute steady-paced run.
If you have 20 minutes: Warm up for 3 minutes. Sprint as fast as you can for 30 seconds followed by a 90 second recovery period of a slow jog or brisk walk. Repeat sprint burst, recovery 6 more times or 12 minutes and then cool down for 3 minutes.
If you have 4 minutes: Try "The World's Fastest Workout" shown here. It can burn as many as 400 calories! How? It basically lights your metabolism on fire for the rest of the day!

Instead of kicking your feet up on the weekends, stay active. Shopping actually burns the same number of calories as your weight per hour. If you weigh 140, one hour of perfect gift hunting can burn 147 calories. A 120 lb person will burn around 125 calories, get it? I live in Boston, and there is a beautiful outdoor skating rink that serves as a romantic daytime date as well as fit points. Leisure skating burns between 300-400 calories per hour depending on how much you weigh. Find out how many calories other winter activities burn by using this fitness tracker.

All the videos featured in this blog are from the diethealth channel on YouTube. You can get these videos delivered to you each week for free by becoming a subscriber. So what are you waiting for?

Dec 3, 2008

Steal Victoria's Secret To Staying Fit For Fashion Show

Get fit this holiday season with the tips from Victoria's Secret Runway models.

Before they strut their stuff down the catwalk for national television, the "angels" amped up their cardio this year and even cut out carbs this year. Shame on you for thinking they were just born like that!

This year's broadcast will feature newbies Marisa Miller, Doutzen Kroes and Miranda Kerr alongside Secret alumns Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Selita Ebanks. Last month the newest threesome went to Miami for the new runway show that airs on CBS December 3rd, 2008.

"I love feeling so sexy and I love to be on this runway, but you're nervous because it's lingerie and it's on TV," Kroes told the AP. "There are so many people seeing you live, it's not like a picture when there is Photoshop after." But we know all about the reassurance of Photoshop so we feel your pain hunny.

Kroes, a 23-year-old from from the Netherlands, claims she normally eats what she wants because she exercises frequently, but went on a strict sugar- and carb-free meal plan for the upcoming show. She adds that she also spends many extra minutes a day jumping rope in preparation. "For other fashion shows you can be skinny, but for Victoria's Secret, you need definition," says Kroes, 23.

A California native, Miller (who is a shocking 30 years old!) stays relaxed and tries not to psyche herself out too much.

"I'm a little shy and unassuming, which might be hard to believe with my job, so I don't have to quite become another person out there but I have to think about letting it all go. My last outfit was a black velvet one-piece with pink feathers on the back. I had to show the camera my tailfeathers so I did give a little spin," she says. "When you're on the runway, you're moving so it's all about toning up."

And just how do the ladies feel about being half naked in front of their family as well as millions of viewers at home?

"My mom didn't mind seeing me up there in my underwear ," Kerr says. "I am 25 and it's all very lovely and like a costume. It's beautiful and romantic ... it's not like standing up there in my everyday underwear. It's a theatrical show and everyone is there to have a good time."

Wanna re-vamp your workout routine? Check out the newest application from diet.com that let's you build your own workout video! Very cool and you must check it out. Since it is getting cold out and you may not be willing to venture out in the cold here are a couple of home workouts to tone your abs and lift your butt!

Dec 2, 2008

Home Workout 4 Lean Thighs

New fun home workout video is up! This is a super killer for toning your thighs and butt! Make sure the chair is stable though before you kill yourself.

Dec 1, 2008

1 Minute Abs Workout

This 1 minute abs workout was a killer! Stephen really kicked my core in this fitness and exercise video. It's quickly become a favorite routine of mine :) Enjoy!

Nov 25, 2008

More Thanksgiving Diet Tips and Fitness Ideas

Now that you know a typical Thanksgiving dinner has 4500 calories, do you know what it takes to burn that all off?

In order to burn all the calories, a 5'4 female weighing 130 lbs would need to go for a 6 hours and 40 minute long jog! Yuck. Got 4 minutes? Before you just in the shower, try our the "Worlds Fastest Workout," to get your metabolism going. You can burn up to 400 calories throughout the rest of the day.

Here are the rest of the best tips to surviving Thanksgiving without gaining weight:

* TIP #6: Pumpkin pie is your healthiest bet when it comes to dessert pies. Not an option? Use good judgement, drink lots of water to help fullness settle in and monitor potions.

This video talks more about shocking calorie counts for Thanksgiving dessert!

* TIP #7: Have a light breakfast with protein and whole grains like scrambled eggs, turkey bacon with a piece of Ezekial bread and some peanut butter (or jam if you're hungover. It will help you feel better I promise).

* TIP #8: Wear snug pants.

* TIP #9: Exercise in the morning, go for a walk before/after the main meal or play flag football with the guys. There are often

* TIP #10: Get moving by help cleaning up.

* TIP #11: Fill your plate first with the healthiest options. Add unhealthy side dishes like candied sweet potatoes last.

* TIP #12: Drink calorie free beverages.

* TIP #13: Plan ahead. Know what foods you never get to have and know you love, so you can splurge, eat lighter appetizers, and plan to have a light salad later if you're hungry again later.

A great way to use leftovers but stay healthy is to make this Thanksgiving left over Cobb Salad I've created:

Thanksgiving Leftover Cobb Salad


USE:

Leftover Turkey

Leftover Corn

Leftover Olives

BUY:

Bagged Lettuce

Hard Boiled (egg whites only)

Turkey Bacon

Tomatoes

Red Onion

Mix it all together and use a low fat dressing of your choice. The ingredients are obviously all subject to your own approval. Got an avocado? Throw some of that in there. Add some cheese if you want, a good addition is Roquefort. My pick for dressing is Ken's Honey Mustard spray salad dressing, but feel free to make your own or use a favorite.
For more info: Watch my video on YouTube to see the actual sizes of specific portions mentioned.

Nov 24, 2008

13 Thanksgiving Diet Tips & Calorie Shockers!



Did you know that this Thanksgiving, you're likely to consume over 4500 calories?!  Here are some Thanksgiving diet tips to help you stay slim this holiday season and a reality check on how many calories are on that single plate!



Calorie Shocker:  A 6 oz. serving of Roasted Turkey (Dark and White Meat, Untrimmed) has as much as 450 calories.  A 1/2 cup of gravy will also add flavor, but almost 178 calories. 



  • TIP #1:  Don't eat the Turkey skin, and stick to white meat.  

  • TIP #2: Use jarred gravy instead of the homemade kind.


Calorie Shocker: A half cup of cranberry sauce has 209 calories.  Mashed potatoes made with whole milk and butter will add 238 calories per cup and homemade stuffing can total as many as 355 calories per cup.



  • TIP #3:  Moderation, ladies and gents.  Use a smaller dinner plate and refuse to go up for seconds. 

  • TIP #4: Instead of heaping on piles of mashed and stuffing, put a single spoon full of each and keep moving.  For cranberry jelly, limit to about a 1-1.5 inch thick slice.


Calorie Shocker: Now add the candied sweet potatoes for an extra 355 calories for 3/4 of a cup.  Green Bean Casserole for 3/4 cup contains 165 calories, 3/4 cup of glazed carrots for 217 calories, one dinner roll with 1/2 pat of butter scores an additional 125 calories.


Calorie Shocker: Now add 2 glasses of wine, 240 calories.  A slice of Pecan Pie sadly has 456 calories.  Lastly if you like eggnog, you'll have to add 400 calories to cap it all off. Your grand total is 3401 Calories!   



  • TIP #5: Stick to wine if you must have alcohol.  Have it with dinner, not before while you are snacking on appetizers.  It will make impair your judgment for the main meal, and cause you to eat more than you would've liked.  

Nov 21, 2008

Music Helps Increase Weight Loss

Lose more weight when you work out by listening to Music!

Nov 14, 2008

Percent of Americans Dieting Slims Down

Americans are slimming down and not with the help of a diet! They are in fact turning to healthier lifestyles! Check out the article and videos below for more weight loss tips.

Interest in dieting slims down - The Boston Globe

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When it comes to dieting, Americans put on a good show, buying millions of diet books, watching TV programs about weight loss, obsessing over celebrities and their baby weight. But in the end, that may be all it is: a show. The number of people on a diet - 26 percent of all women in the United States and 16 percent of men for the year ending February 2008 - is the lowest it's been in more than two decades, according to a soon-to-be-released survey.

Nov 13, 2008

Hot New Exercise Trends: Fat Burning Exercise

We were the first to bring you Kettlebells and it had turned into a huge hit!

Nov 6, 2008

JP Licks Copies Pink Berry - Boston Beware!

JP Licks scammed me today. They have this new frozen yogurt flavor Yogurt X (yes, that's what it's called Yogurt X) and it's suppose to be like Pink Berry. Pink Berry is a frozen "yogurt" parlor with fresh health mix-ins including my favorite mango. It's sweet, tart and tangy and damn delicious. It's kinda like frozen greek yogurt but not. Anyway, I thought Pink Berry was expensive until J.P. licks. Pink Berry gives you a large serving with 3 toppings for less than J.P. lick's small with 2 toppings - the fruit was not even fresh for over $6! A small fro yo for 6 bucks?

Don't settle when you don't have to Boston! I've been told UGrill has UBerry Yogurt which is similar to Pink Berry. Also there's a yummy place in Harvard that has a very similar tasting and offering as Pink Berry called Berry Line. I have been to Berry Line and it was awesome! I love Pink Berry so much, I go out of my way even in NYC to get it. I blog about it regularly and take photos of it like a tourist. See? Perez Hilton actually stole this pic from me, but I'm totally fine with it.

Speaking of food... yummmmm.

At this point, I have leather skin. Yes. Skin made of leather. I have confidence that is sky high however, thanks to my amazing fans. For this reason alone, a little Halloween poundage will not result in a video mouth off - no it wont. It will probably just force me to run that extra mile that I should probably be running anyway. Damn Holiday season, pass me a beer.

Also, thanks to the YouTubers as well for helping me realize I never would want to be famous and in the public spotlight.

Here is our Killer Home Arm Workout that is your savior to toning up you guns without the gym.

Nov 5, 2008

Sarah From DietHealth: Video Your Vote

Hey Everyone! Here is my own video from Video Your Vote :)

Nov 3, 2008

Fat Burning Workout Plan - Week 6

Feeling fat after that Halloween binge? I know I could use a killer workout. Congratulations to all the amazing participants in the Fall Weight Loss Challenge. You've finally made it to Week 6!

This series has not been easy but all of you have made the fitness portion of the challenge a success. Thank you for all your supportive and kind feedback. We're glad you had fun and hope you keep looking to our channel for inspiration and workout ideas.


Week #6:
2-3 sets
Dumbbell Alternating Shoulder Presses x 30 reps (15 on each side)
Alternating Split Lunge Jumps x 20 reps (10 reps on each side)
Ball Pass Crunches x 12-20 Reps

Free Sample from Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts. Dunkin' keeps me blogging. Try Dunkin' Donuts Coffee For Free. Get a Sample

Oct 31, 2008

Happy Healthy Halloween

Happy Halloween! As the health and fitness guru from YouTube, I am publishing my list of Healthy Halloween treats!

Here is the video version above on YouTube. Here is the version on Diet.com Video.

Last weekend, i spent 2 hours in Target staring at the nutrition information of all the trick or treat candies trying to figure out which ones were the healthiest so you don't have to! I also have the cell phone images to prove it!

Holy Cow, Look at all the Candy!

But first, I want to know what your favorite Halloween candy is? Mine is and always will be the Caramello. I was disappointed to find that between the thousands of options target had to offer, none included the Caramello. The rare house that gives out these cadbury candies holds the key to my happiness on a cold fall evening in my princess costume.

Forget best, lets talk worst. My list for worst Halloween candy to be given out is as follows in no particular order: Tootsie rolls, Dots, Smartees, Dum Dums, Raisins, Necco Wafers and random unlabeled hard candies. Gross.

And now here is my list of top Halloween candy for diets...

Keep in mind this not about losing weight but choosing the lesser evil when it comes to nutritional values. It would be naive and stupid to think you'd eat an apple over a mini snickers, right?

My top 3 healthiest chocolate picks are Peanut m&m's, 3 Musketeers, and York Peppermint Patties or Junior Mints. Peanuts have protein, the peppermint sisters have dark chocolate for antioxidants and peppermint suppresses hunger, and 3 Musketeers have the least amount of calories and fat!

Beyond that, always choose dark chocolate over milk if available for additional antioxidants, be generous - share your candy, use it in recipes, freeze for "that time of the month". I leave you with these last words that my friends father would utter every time we jumped out of his car to our underage party - moderation girls, moderation.

Oct 30, 2008

The Best Butt & Thigh Exercise

What's the best butt and thigh exercise? http://tinyurl.com/6kcuag It is the squat. Learn how to perfect this classic fitness move. With correct form your butt and thighs will be tight and toned in no time w/ Stephen Cabral http://stephencabral.com as he demonstrates how to perform a squat Check Us Out All Over The Internet!Diet.com ...

read more | digg story

Oct 24, 2008

Food Fight: Fructose vs. Obesity

Finally it's been proven to cause obesity! High Fructose Corn Syrup that is... TOLD YOU SO! Booyah

Oct 20, 2008

Exercise Plan For Weight Loss IV

Free Exercise Plan Available on iTunes http://tinyurl.com/6kcuag

Weight Loss expert Stephen Cabral http://www.stephencabral.com shows you this exercise plan that promotes weight loss. This workout highlights week 4.

Join our weight loss challenge and watch your body get slim and sexy. Each week, the exercise routine will get increasingly difficult.
Perform this routine 2x a week on nonconsecutive days.

Oct 13, 2008

Exercise Plan For Weight Loss III

Exercise Plan for weight loss workout routine. Lose the weight for good without the hassle or spending too much money.

Britney Spears' Diet Doesn't Include Nutrition 53

Britney Spears' new music video "Womanizer" is the final culmination of the star's recent diet and fitness transformation. Britney is the all rage at the moment with a new documentary coming out on MTV and a hot body thanks to grueling weight loss program.

Photo Courtesy of Jive Records.

Britney diets
are one of the more popular celebrity weight loss plans sought after. Her abs workout is also a hot searched term on the web. So just how did she do it this time?

Known for sticking to what's tried and true, Britney has reportedly lost a total of 25 lbs. It's easy to see if you watch the video.

According to MSNBC, Spears is losing healthfully with about 2 pounds a week. "She’s never looked so good in her life,” says the source. I beg to differ. She looked pretty close to perfect at the VMA's when she performed "Oops I did it again" but hey, that's just MY opinion.

The source also tells MSNBC that her secret is Nutrition 53. “She’s taking Nutrition 53, she’s working out, she’s grounded.” (Nutrition 53, interestingly, is the supplement backed by Bill Romanowski, the former NFL linebacker).

Do I smell a fake celebrity endorsement for a diet supplement?! I chose to do my own research to find out!

Nutrition 53 is a supplement back by Bill Romanowski, a former NFL linebacker. There are 3 kinda of supplements from this company; Neuro 1, Sleep 1 and Lean 1. Assuming she's taking the lean, it delivers "30 g of premium protein for muscle definition, 14 organic fruit and vegetable extract, herbal extracts for hunger control and heart healthy Omega-3 & Physterolds!" It's actually a meal replacement and claims to be all natural. I think it's 200 calories and I say I think because the nutrition facts can only be seen as a pdf and it's so small that when I try to make it bigger, I can't make out really the last two integers.

Anyway - CelebTV contacted Bill and here is what is said, “I have to be very careful to protect the people that do take my product. Most of Hollywood is taking Lean 1 right now. And, it’s the best tasting meal replacement and a lot of really high profile people have had pheonomenal results with it…you can put two and two together.”

Spears recently told OK! Magazine that, “I’m the healthiest I’ve been all my life. My diet has a lot to do with my getting into shape. I have no sugar. I don’t eat fruit or even fruit juice because of the sugar. I eat chicken and salmon and rice. I eat avocados. I’ll have egg whites for breakfast and sometimes turkey burgers for lunch.” This is consistent with her other tellings regarding her regimen.

My gut feeling is that this is a ridiculous claim in order for this supplement to make money. I highly doubt Spears is using Lean 1. My final verdict is NO, she's not using Nutrition 53 but that Bill Romanowski is just another money hungry hot shot trying to make a dime off of the pop stars return to stardom.

Oct 9, 2008

Hot Health News To Help You Lose!

This week in the world of Health News...

As most of you all probably know, our economy is not doing so well. If you are one of the many who has lost money in the market, you may be interested in hearing about how you can earn money by participating in a clinical trial.

Requirements vary depending on subject matter as does compensation however, we found one clinical trial right here in Boston with benefits that include an individualized weight loss plan, meals for up to 8 months and cool cash up to $2,500.

Not bad if you ask me. To check out the options in your area visit http://centerwatch.com and click on Trial Listings (Or click here for the diet related stuff ).

If you were confused as to how much exercise you should be getting on a week to week basis, you can thank Uncle Sam for trying to clear it up. This week the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services released the "Physical activity guidelines for Americans" – the report recommends at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate aerobic activity and at least one hour a day for children.

The last time the government issued exercise advice was in 2005 when they suggested 30 minutes on most days of the week to reduce risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Don’t have much time during the week? Don't worry. You can still reap the benefits from physical activity since now they say it’s the level of effort and accumulative time spent that really counts. Visit HealthierUS.gov for more information and specifics.

And check this out! The New York City Health Department wants you to know that your calorie intake at lunch may be more than half of the calories you should consume for the entire day!

A new ad campaign reminding adults they should limit themselves to 2,000 calories a day can be seen in 20% of the Big Apple's subway cars. If you live in NYC what do you think of the newest healthy-eating campaign? Have you been making smarter decisions since the calorie counts were posted on chain menus?

And here is a quick rundown of health news that may help your dieting efforts:

An ingredient in olive oil has been found to ward off hunger pangs by keeping the body satisfied to prolong the time between meals. [US News & World Report]

Can reading help kids lose weight? According to Duke University, reading can lead to weight loss if you are a tween-age girl. I used to love reading at that age; how about you?... [Time Magazine]

And lastly, the New York Times reports that rough economic times may do your health good. Instead of dining out, families are buying whole foods and cooking from scratch which in turn means they are eating healthier.

To reduce economic related stress try doing yoga. Visit Diet.com to find out how you can lose weight stress free with Yoga. [NY Times]

Check out the video here on YouTube to support your favorite vlogger!

Oct 8, 2008

McDonald's 4 Year Old Cheeseburger Video

Hey Everyone,

We were featured by Hungry Girl in Monday's Newsletter. Pretty Cool!

Oct 6, 2008

Free Fitness Workout Plan: Lose Weight w/ Trainers Online

Get it now, your free fitness plan to losing weight! Keep it off for good this time and enjoy expert advice free :) We know you love us. We do too.

Oct 3, 2008

5 Friends Uncensored

Jonah Hill and Sarah Silverman are the only ones funny in this video, but I'm going to go check it out too! We're waiting....

Sep 29, 2008

I Won't Forget You Brady

I sure am going to miss Tom Brady :(

Sep 25, 2008

90210 Girls Too Skinny!?!

Breast cancer cases to climb in China, study says

Why are we still pretending that our diets are what cause Breast Cancer! It's the additives and toxins and preservatives and pesticides! We adopt the eastern diets to get healthy and lose weight. The typical Chinese diet did not used to see high fructose corn syrup, or calorie free sweetener. To protect yourself, eat a natural diet! Here is the evidence staring you in the face.By Tan Ee Lyn HONG KONG (Reuters) - Cases of breast cancer are expected to climb dramatically in China in the years ahead, researchers say, unless women avoid weight gain and limit their alcohol intake -- two leading risk factors for the...

read more | digg story

Sep 24, 2008

Celebrity Diet Gossip: New 90210 Stars Too Skinny?

Is that CW show 90210 90210 hurting the body acceptance movement? I think this show is the worst thing for girls' self esteem since Photoshop was first introduced.

It's reported that two of the main characters whose names you most likely don't know yet but are Shanea Grimes and Jessica Stroup are withering away. While supportive costars want you to believe their metabolisms are just really high, one insider told US weekly, "the two are chain smokers" and refrain from all food on set. Shenae weighs an estimated 90 lbs while Jessica who is 5 inches taller at 5'8'' weighs only 100 lbs. These are estimates made by looking at their bony frames but readers are outraged and demanding producers encourage the young stars to gain weight! Is the show setting a bad example at what a successful 18 year old is suppose to look like?

Friends and costars of the show stand by the girls claiming they naturally have high metabolisms - so now are we arguing cigarettes are natural because I'm pretty sure rat poison and natural have nothing in common.

Even Gossip Girl stud Penn Badgely said he hopes they eat a cheeseburger! A little overboard, DAN, but if asked for our opinion we would say, "Did the producers try putting them on that Caltene bar diet? If you don't know what a Caltene bar is, you should probably brush up on your Lindsey Lohan DVD collection. Conversely, The girls on Gossip Girl have received praise for their shapely figures - however, I guarantee they are pissed people are comparing the lead actresses figures. Some one said the almost unattainable skinny is normal in LA, where as in New York girls are known to be shapelier. Whoa New York - I think LA just called you fat!? What are you going to say to that?!

Weigh in below, do you think the girls on the set of 90210 should be required to put some more meat on their bones? Are the leads hurting the recent progress that's been made in helping woman accept their bodies?

Sep 18, 2008

The Best Calorie Burning Workout Routine!

Burn 500 Calories with this fat burning toning workout!

Sep 15, 2008

The No. 1 Health Food You've Never Heard About - Acai

Learn about the healthiest food you've never heard of - the acai berry. The benefits of acai berries classify this fruit as a superfood. Watch our taste test to find out which is the best tasting juice.

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No. 1 Health Food You've Never Heard Of

I want to know the best foods to eat. The more I know, the more I eat because I want to get my recommended daily value of all things keeping my body healthy. In order to prevent my waistline from expanding, I am on the hunt for the the most nutrient dense foods. It would seem logical to just pop a multivitamin, but I want something more natural. I need superfoods! However, is there any truth to the labeling of a superfood?

What is a Superfood?

Some people will argue that a superfood is just a marketing ploy to charge more money. Others will argue that they prevent cancer and heart disease. There is no standard for which foods are or are not allowed to be called superfoods. Generally speaking, the term is used to describe foods high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients suggesting magical like health benefits as a result of eating.

Health Enhancing, Memory Boosting, IQ Raising....

The most current trendy superfood is the acai berry which has powerful and potent levels of antioxidants unrivaled by other known fruits. Antioxidants are capable of slowing or preventing a chain reaction of events that damage cells. This damage is caused by free radicals and may be linked to heart disease and cancer. This is why you probably are aware that antioxidants fight free radicals. Acai berries contain Vitamin E, dietary fiber, Omega fatty acids, phytosterols and a reported 7 times the amount of antioxidants in blueberries. For this reason, they are considered to be the best known Superfood and have only been available for a few years here in the US!

Where did acai berries all of a sudden come from?

It turns out it's hard to get them here from their native land of Brazil. They are also pretty bitter so in order to get reap the benefits companies are creating yummy super healthy drinks by combining them with other natural flavors. Recently I conducted my own taste test to find out which juice tasted the best and found that I like the Acai Berry with Blueberries from Bolthouse Farms, Bom Dia.

Nutrition 101: Antioxidants vs Free Radicals

Antioxidants combat free radicals which may play a role in heart disease and cancer. I have no idea what that means so for a quick 101 keep reading. So first, free radicals are produced by your body when you are exposed to things like the sun, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, even oxygen! On a daily basis you are exposed to about 10,000 free radical a day. It's impossible to avoid them. The help aid your body in natural metabolic processes like digestion, but if you produce too many, they are capable of destroying cells and molecules which in turn will leave them vulnerable to further destruction. This process is called oxidation and the process is similar to what happens to a rusted nail. The also aid in the process of aging, such as the breakdown of collagen.

I like to see the benefits, I want visual results

If you want younger looking skin and a healthy body that takes preemptive measures against cancer, make sure you get your antioxidants. By eating "Superfoods" you take in less calories while getting more nutrients to keep you healthy.
To get your daily dose of antioxidants stick to fresh fruit, vegetables and juices that are dark in color especially purples like the acai berry, pomegranates and blueberries. If the acai berry is not in your budget, similar benefits can be consumed by eating blueberries or raspberries.

Sep 8, 2008

Back To School Workout - Prevent The Freshman 15

September is "Back To School" month. I don't care if you are 30 years old with no kids or a grandmother who hasn't seen a school bus since the move down south, September will always symbolize a new year in my opinion. During College, I would come home having put on 5-30 lbs at the end of the year. By September I usually lost the extra baggage, but would manage to eat enough pizza to gain it back. I called it the Freshman 10, Sophomore 5, Junior 10, and the superior Senior 30.

This September I wanted to help those that would be enduring the grueling months of parties, studies, pizza and parties by bringing you a Freshman 15 Prevention Workout. This workout routine can be done anywhere. From your dorm room, to even the library these three moves will help keep your weight under control. Of course there is a need to eat moderately and add cardio but it is a small step in preventing what was once considered inevitable college weight gain. Here is a quick breakdown of the routine but make sure you watch to get a good grasp on how to do each move properly.

Lose the Freshman 15"
- dorm room workout (tri-set of body weight exercise)
* Chair push-ups x 10-15 reps
* 1-leg squats to chair x 12 reps on each leg
* Chair dips x 10-15 reps
* Chair push-ups x 10-15 reps
* 1-leg squats to chair x 12 reps on each leg

Aug 28, 2008

The Best Pilates Arm Slimming Workout Video

http://www.diet.com/videoshttp://www.bpilatesstudio.comA free online exercise and fitness Pilates Arms workout. Trim, tighten and tone your arms with this classical Pilates method fitness video. Lose inches all over with Pilates.

read more | digg story

Aug 26, 2008

Fitness Model Secrets Revealed

Think of it as your exclusive inside look at what it takes to be a fitness model (on YouTube).

I may not be an official fitness model represented by some big agency, but there are plenty of Diet.com Video fans out there who want to know how Katrina and I stay fit! We felt this video was very necessary so here is the short version, but make sure you watch the video and subscribe on YouTube so you get notified when the videos are uploaded.

Katrina's Fitness Favorites

Katrina trains clients all day and since she has to count for all of them, she doesn't count for herself. She does as many reps as she can until failure. This means, when her form goes out the window she stops. She also is an avid runner but doesn't hype it up in the video. She recently ran a half marathon and is training for the Boston Marathon next year! To find out her favorite five moves watch the video!

The Hostess' Fit Tips


And as for me, I change it up depending on the weather and my personal energy level. If it's nice out I will go for a long run, always changing the pace based on what's playing on my iPod. I like to create playlists that alternate in tempo. A really high intense song really gets me running fast for about 3 minutes, then I'll take it down a notch and recover with a more mellow jam. Switching it up always keeps my body guessing, and I never get bored because I love my music and download new songs frequently. I also enjoy Pilates, the elliptical, or a walk/run if I'm tired but feel lazy.

How I Stay Motivated

The best thing for me to do when I am feeling unmotivated to go workout, is to just get out of the house. Whether it's getting in the gym or walking outside surrounded by fitness enthusiasts, my competitive personality usually kicks in and I manage to pull off a half decent calorie burn. Music is probably my number two. I am very influenced by the beat in my ears. If it's slow, I'll want to run slow. If it's super fast, I like to sprint.

The fact that I need to be in shape for work is also an advantage I have probably on most people. If I am out of shape, I cannot do my job very well. It's hard to do 20 reps of the same move on one leg for a camera! Also, if I gain a few pounds, the audience on YouTube lets me know asap.

The Best Advice I Have To Give

It's hard to enjoy exercise when it becomes your job so my advice to all of you is enjoy what you do! If you like the serenity of long walks, do that. If you like music, search the iTunes Store for some great pump up songs to minimize your hatred of the treadmill. Think of it as your exclusive inside look at what it takes to be a fitness model (on YouTube).

I may not be an official fitness model represented by some big agency, but there are plenty of Diet.com Video fans out there who want to know how Katrina and I stay fit! We felt this video was very necessary so here is the short version, but make sure you watch the video and subscribe on YouTube so you get notified when the videos are uploaded.

Katrina's Fitness Favorites

Katrina trains clients all day and since she has to count for all of them, she doesn't count for herself. She does as many reps as she can until failure. This means, when her form goes out the window she stops. She also is an avid runner but doesn't hype it up in the video. She recently ran a half marathon and is training for the Boston Marathon next year! To find out her favorite five moves watch the video!

The Hostess' Fit Tips


And as for me, I change it up depending on the weather and my personal energy level. If it's nice out I will go for a long run, always changing the pace based on what's playing on my iPod. I like to create playlists that alternate in tempo. A really high intense song really gets me running fast for about 3 minutes, then I'll take it down a notch and recover with a more mellow jam. Switching it up always keeps my body guessing, and I never get bored because I love my music and download new songs frequently. I also enjoy Pilates, the elliptical, or a walk/run if I'm tired but feel lazy.

How I Stay Motivated

The best thing for me to do when I am feeling unmotivated to go workout, is to just get out of the house. Whether it's getting in the gym or walking outside surrounded by fitness enthusiasts, my competitive personality usually kicks in and I manage to pull off a half decent calorie burn. Music is probably my number two. I am very influenced by the beat in my ears. If it's slow, I'll want to run slow. If it's super fast, I like to sprint.

The fact that I need to be in shape for work is also an advantage I have probably on most people. If I am out of shape, I cannot do my job very well. It's hard to do 20 reps of the same move on one leg for a camera! Also, if I gain a few pounds, the audience on YouTube lets me know asap.

The Best Advice I Have To Give

It's hard to enjoy exercise when it becomes your job so my advice to all of you is enjoy what you do! If you like the serenity of long walks, do that. If you like music, search the iTunes Store for some great pump up songs to minimize your hatred of the treadmill.

To watch my favorite 4-5 moves, watch the video! Please share your favorite moves and tips for the rest of us to enjoy! Think of it as your exclusive inside look at what it takes to be a fitness model (on YouTube).

Aug 25, 2008

'Meatnormous' Master Bogusky Pens Diet Book

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- From the guys who coined "Meatnormous," introduced the Quad Stacker and unveiled the Double Croissanwich filled with "meat and cheese and cheese and meat," now comes ... a diet book recommending smaller portions.

read more | digg story

Aug 21, 2008

Tight ASSets: Kim Kardashian Workout Video!

Kim Kardashian is most well known for her social life, sex tape scandals and her large butt. The 27 year old has a behind of gold. I embrace and applauding her self-confidence and womanly curves, proving once and for all, sexy does not mean stick skinny.

Kim Is Quite The Blogger

According to her personal blog, she first released her very own workout DVD in May 2008. In the end of June, she decided to kick up her fitness routine by going to the gym for 2 hours 3 times a week. She challenged her fans to workout more with her in losing 10 lbs but gaining 5 of muscle. In July, she was seen working out with boyfriend and NFL running back Reggie Bush in some sand dunes. She said it was “the hardest workout of her life” on her blog. The workout consisted of sprinting up sand dunes. If I dated an NFL player, you couldn’t pay me to join him (well maybe if real money was involved.)

By August 8th, she was down 5 pounds. She began going to the gym 4-5 times a week. Here is what she says;
”I start off with running on the treadmill for about 30 minutes! I definately run 2 miles per workout, then I lift weights for about 30 minutes. I alternate between arms and legs switching off every other workout. I then do a bunch of stomach exercises and then stretch! When I get home I always do leg lifts, lunges and squats!” And oh yeah – that was totally her typo that I left in there mainly because I would spell definetly wrong every time if it wasn’t for spell check. (That was a joke)

She admits she has changed her diet to eat more protein and less junk, as well as reducing sweets but not eliminating of course.

However, now Kim is sick of being thought of as a bootylicious babe. She recently declared that she is determined to lose some of the extra baggage. Most recently, she is sick of being upstaged by her bum! She told Radar magazine recently, “I love that I’m curvy, but I’m on this major kick to try and lose weight, especially in my butt… I’m just so over it! When you’re posing on the red carpet and the paparazzi shout, ‘Turn around! Turn around!’ - it gets a little offensive.”

After every media picked up her comments to Radar, Kim blogged about her favorite fast food chain – Wendy’s and posted pictures of her and her sisters “pigging out,” proving once and for all, not even celebrity eat healthy 24/7.

In honor of the reality star, we bring you 4 awesome butt exercises for a fantastic glute workout inspired by the one and only Kim Kardashian! These moves require no weights, and can be done anywhere. The names are also super cute! Here are the reps for you to jot down after you watch. Enjoy and remember that unless you’ve got the genes, your butt will never come close to Kim’s with this workout.


Workout:
1. Bird Dog x 24-30 reps alternating sides
2. Donkey Kicks x 15 reps on each side
3. Curtsy Lunge x 15 reps on each side
4. Airplane x 8-10 reps on each side

Aug 18, 2008

MTV The Hills Lauren Conrad Workout Video

http://www.diet.com/videos Lauren Conrad and the girls premiere in season 4 of MTV hit reality show The Hills. Find out how Lauren recently lost weight from her trainer.

read more | digg story

Aug 14, 2008

The Best Pilates Core Workout Video

http://www.diet.com/videoshttp://www.bpilatesstudio.comA free online exercise and fitness Pilates total abs workout video you can do in five minutes! The best Pilates Core Workout

read more | digg story

Aug 12, 2008

Olympic Fever: Who Wouldn't Want A Gold?

Do you find yourself getting Olympic fever every 2 years? Whether it's the winter or summer games, I watch in awe as world class athletes represent their country all in the name of sports. I get inspired to be a stronger, better athlete and then get depressed about quitting the coveted Olympic sports like Gymnastics and Swimming.

There have been many sports I excelled in as a child that could have led to Olympic stardom. First there was gymnastics. After quitting in 2nd grade I was re inspired by the 1996 "Magnificent 7." I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. Most of you probably know that by the tender age of 16, girls are already qualifying for this event. That left me with 3 years to master the trade. I was also a competitive figure skater, but stopped at the weathered age of 8 after my sister called it quits. I was pretty good actually at ice skating, minus the whining that came with putting on the skates in a freezing rink. I took swimming lessons in the summers and had "a beautiful stroke" but never continued once the weather got cold. It seems like most sports require beginning at an early age. How come there are none that you can begin training for in your mid-twenties?

Instead of lamenting over the reasons why I quit gymnastic or ice skating, this year I've decided to find a sport you can begin to train for at an older age like weight lifting. God knows, 6 year old's shouldn't lift a dumbbell. I researched various sports, and found that crew, rowing, shooting and perhaps power lifting were my best bets to get an Olympic invite.

In this weeks video, Stephen Cabral, body transformation expert and personal trainer, showed me how to do the clean and jerk. A power lifting Olympic event we both feel could be my calling. To see the weight that I successfully lifted and where I need to go, the weight that actually earns a gold, watch the video! It was fun but maybe not my forte after all...

Olympic Fever: You Want A Gold?

http://www.diet.com/videoshttp://www.stephencabral.comStephen Cabral helps Sarah train for the Olympics for a power lifting event! You are never too old to start training. Women can lift weight too!

read more | digg story

Aug 5, 2008

No. 1 Fat Burning Exercise

http://diet.com http://stephencabral.com Find out the Number 1 fat burning exercise. This "Hang Clean-Push Press-Front Squat" combo will get your heart rate pumping and burn calories to maximize results for the quick workout.

read more | digg story

Jul 31, 2008

The 13 Most Toxic Foods!

http://diet.com/videosHere is a list of the top 12 + 1 most toxic foods that you should be buying organic. If on a tight budget, use this guide to buy produce that has the most chemicals when grown conventionally.

read more | digg story

Jul 21, 2008

Organic Slimdown: New Weight Loss Discovery

http://diet.com/videos Eating organic may help prevent obesity. Lose weight with FDA approved organic food to minimize the amount of chemicals your body ingests to promote a healthier lifestyle. These studies are "inconclusive" but you decide for yourself.

read more | digg story

Be A Loser Like John

http://www.diet.com/dietblogs/read_blog_expert.php?uid=942680Diet.com Chief Editor John McGran is overweight and now it's time to lose. John steps on the scale for the first time since he began his diet 4 weeks ago. Track his progress daily on Diet.com.

read more | digg story

Jul 11, 2008

Thinfluence: Mean Girls vs The Media - Pressure Be Thin

Mean Girls is one of my favorite movies. I often think (and regret) the things I said or did but I remember the things my friends said even better. One day one of my closest friends came up to me and said, "Katie told me that I was thinner than you today." Katie was one of my friends' sister. I even have a picture from that very day tanning in sports bras and running shorts, still metal mouthed, and still I wonder how I thought for a split second that I was ...

bigger than my friend. Kidding, well, sort of. I didn't know what to think. Was I bigger? Did I care if I was bigger? I was more toned than she was but does that make me "fatter"? I had never compared myself to one of my good friends, but that was the end of my blissful existence in the world of Mean Girls.

In the final segment of our Photoshop video series, we ask if women compare themselves to their friends, celebrities or no one. We also asked what men preferred, the smaller the better or if a little meat on the bones is a good thing. Check out the video on YouTube to see what the 'tubers said. Post your answers below, on YouTube, on the video at http://diet.com/videos -or- ON ALL THREE!

Jul 7, 2008

Britney Spears' Comeback Ab Workout Revealed

She may be out of shape now but not for long!

Exercise like Britney Spears with this workout celebrity personal trainers have prescribed for the mother of two.

This quick and easy ab routine will have your core and stomach looking flat and toned in no time. Fit fitness into your daily routine for best results.

Jul 1, 2008

Katrina's 5-Minute Stretch Routine

Warm up with Katrina for this simple 5 minute stretch routine to help prevent injury and increase flexibility.
We had some trouble with the video, we apologize if you rated or commented on a previous version. We did not delete your comments.

Jun 30, 2008

Katrina's 5-Minute Stretch Routine

Check out Katrina's super quick warm up stretch routine.

Jun 24, 2008

Deception of Perfection - The Photoshop Effect Part 2

Did you know that 99.9% of images you see in the magazines have been altered in one way or another? Whether it’s the erasing of a blemish or the whittling down of the waist, most pictures are not published in their original state. If we are never exposed to the imperfections of models and celebrities how can they possibly serve as healthy responsible role models?

We blamed Britney Spears for corrupting teenage girls when she danced around in a schoolgirl uniform, but should we have blamed the photo editors for retouching the pictures of an already beautiful teenager? I, for one, looked at pictures of Brit Brit in magazines in high school and only wished my abs could look as toned as hers. Did I diet and exercise to get similar results? To be honest I don’t remember, but I did compare myself and I did in fact do some of her workout moves I saw on E! or Extra.

The truth about retouching photos is that no one knows when they are seeing a real picture or a digitally altered representation. America is not seeing an epidemic of eating disorders, but rather we are in the middle of an “obesity epidemic” (oh how I hate that term, but for a lack of better words and to get my point across).

The altered images go from the pages of a magazine to the new standard for perfection. Don’t we all want to be perfect? Well, most of us will never achieve perfection but we can strive for it! Some of us will diet for a week, maybe a month or two. Few will go to extremes and develop actual eating disorders and many will fail to even shed a pound resulting in the polar opposite. Trying to reach that target weight that is not possible with healthy means can result in frustration, self-loath, and extreme-dieting techniques that lead to binging and the net result is weight gain.

To prevent this deceit, I propose that we add a disclaimer to all retouched images in all magazines letting the reader know that the image has been altered and is not what the person would look like in person.

“According to a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the risk of developing eating disorders was reduced 61% among Body Project participants. And they continued to exhibit positive body-image attitudes as long as three years after completing the program, which consists of four one-hour sessions. Such lasting effects may be due to girls' realizing not only how they were being influenced but also who was benefiting from the societal pressure to be thin. "These people who promote the perfect body really don't care about you at all," says Kelsey Hertel, a high school junior and Body Project veteran in Eugene, Ore. "They purposefully make you feel like less of a person so you'll buy their stuff and they'll make money." Time.com

This sort of thing is now being called “body activism.” I guess that makes me a body activist? If you agree with my proposal check out our YouTube Video for a few samples of what the warning may look like. Also, add your comments and ideas for what’s next. Where should we take my new regulation idea?

Here is another article from March that suggests magazines in the UK may be one step ahead of the US. The Brits want magazine editor to implement guidelines on the amount of retouch that is allowed suggesting that they are acting irresponsibly and supporting a size-zero culture.

Jun 16, 2008

The Photoshop Effect

When did we become so obsessed with the idea of perfecting oneself? I have a great job. I enjoy the people I work with, and I enjoy the work that I do. I am lucky and I try not to forget it. However, whenever one of my videos begins to do well on YouTube, the commentators berate me over my weight. Instead of telling them off (again), I chose to investigate why people perceive me as fat. What does perfect look like and why do people believe I need to look it?

In the pursuit of perfection, I went on my very first Photoshop photo shoot but not before I pondered, what is perfection? After spending the past few weeks researching the photo-doctoring tactics used by most – if not ALL – magazine and TV types, the bigger question may be: have we created an unattainable image of perfection that is widely accepted as the standard for beauty?

According to Newsweek, the retouching of photos has become so mainstream it’s not only expected but also demanded from Hollywood publicists. Magazine editors believe their readers are not being deceived because they know the images have been altered. But do the readers really know this?

According to clinical nutritionist Alexis Beck, most girls do not know the extent to which the photos are retouched and, if they do, it does not really resonate inside their head. According to multiple Photoshop experts I spoke with, almost every photo you see in the mainstream media has been retouched in one way or another.

My photographer for the shoot was Tim Lynch. He has been in the business since digital photography was first introduced. We asked him to manipulate my face and body so that I would look is I was as perfect as a Hollywood celebrity on the cover of a magazine. After a quick bikini photo shoot, he began editing my picture.

The initial shock for me came when Tim took away my “age.” He softened the lines on my face and erased all signs of sun damage. I was shocked by how many changes he made. If anything, this photo shoot was a wake-up call to wear sunscreen.

After he made my skin look as smooth as a baby’s bottom, we moved onto the “liquefy” tool which pushes pixels closer together. So basically, you can make someone look emaciated if you really wanted. We just wanted to take off a few pounds so we slimmed my waist, thighs and arms out a bit. We also elongated my neck, whitened my teeth, brightened and sharpened my eyes and gave my body a “natural” tan.

I was surprised we didn’t liquefy more to be honest, but then the image would not look like me at all. Who is to say that advertisers care about preservation of their subjects though?


Tim made the comment that, “If I worked out 5 days a week and ate what I was supposed to eat, I would look like this.” He obviously doesn’t know that I am a fitness video producer who often stars as the model in the videos, which makes me work out about 5 days a week, every week. I admit some days I do nothing, while other days I eat pizza and dessert. Most of my workouts are over in an hour, but they are vigorous.

But here’s what sticks with me: should I believe I could look like this with a little more self-discipline? A new study on eating disorders suggests that prevention begins with getting girls to realize the images they see are not real. The excessive exposure to retouched images has had a profound effect on peoples’ perceptions. They believe what they see is healthy and attainable when in actuality it is neither. No longer is average acceptable. If you are not a size 2, you are subjected to being called fat or worse. Don’t believe me? Just look at some of the YouTube comments on our videos.

There was a recent article published in The New Yorker on a man named Pascal Dangin who "tweaked a hundred and forty-four images" in the March issue of Vogue magazine – 107 were for advertisements. According to a study performed by Dove, by the time a girl turns12 she will have been exposed to 77,000 advertisements – most of which will have been retouched to convey perfection. By the third grade, 42% of girls will want to be thinner, and by age 10 they will fear becoming fat.

In recent months, readers have become enraged at Photoshopped images, and as a result a backlash against digital retouching has emerged. Have photo editors indeed gone too far? Are we risking our own health in letting the idea of perfection reach unattainable levels? Young women are risking their lives to look like the girls they see in magazines. Could a disclaimer on retouched advertisements and magazine spreads restore reality?

Magazines aren’t the only ones guilty of selecting near-perfect images; you and I do it too. We naturally edit what photos people see of us by deleting, detagging, or cropping and then posting the best to represent our social profiles. As soon as Tim finished my photo, I went home and put it up as my Facebook picture. How quickly I went from critic to hypocrite? As individuals, we want to be seen in the best light possible. Putting a photo where a chin may appear double in size or a bad angle is likely to be deleted. With today’s technological advancements, retouching photographs is here to stay.

People are exposed to so many retouched images, perfection has become a reality we are exposed to every day. The advertisers use perfection so that we feel inferior without their products. Photographers use it to make their images more appealing, and boy do their models like the way they look afterwards. We edit our own photos so you won’t know we had a bad hair day.

All this results in one thing – societal pressure to look perfect because we all deserve nothing less than perfect. So in turn, who is to blame -- the photo editors or myself?