Are You a Dirty, Smelly, Rude Gym Rat?

Be honest, do you have a habit of leaving gym cardio machines dripping with sweat? Are you guilty of stacking dozens of plates on pieces of gym equipment, then sashaying away without ever stripping down the machine and putting them away? Or, are you the type of gym member, who works out in the same sweat-stained, smelly rotten clothes day after day, and pretends no one else has a nose? A recent survey of fitness instructors reveals that there are more dirty, smelly, rude, gym members than ever before. But, why? Experts say the stress of the times could be … Continue reading →

Celebrities and (Lack of) Fitness

You know your fitness regime needs tweaking when people constantly ask you when your baby is due… and you’re not pregnant. Right, Kate Moss? The fashionista, who became famous for being super skinny, is… well… not super skinny anymore. But, she’s not pregnant either. People just think she is because she gained some weight (gasp!) and stopped exercising. For the first time ever the 35-year-old catwalk queen is wearing a bra because, as Moss puts it, she has recently “grown breasts.” The super model also reveals that the rest of her extra pounds “went to the right places.” Consequently, she … Continue reading →

Celebrity Moms’ Unique Ways to Get Fit and Inspire Kids

Supermodel Cindy Crawford doesn’t want her daughter to fall into society’s trap of being super skinny, so she employs a simple tactic to encourage 7-year-old Kaia to snack: She goes out of her way to eat ice cream and potato chips in front of her. Does anyone else see the humor in this? Grimaces aside, Crawford is serious about keeping her kids fit and encouraging them to establish healthy body images. The 42-year-old mom recently told reporters that she is determined to keep her daughter from sacrificing her health for her figure, so she goes out of her way to … Continue reading →

Study Shows Most Bullied Kids are Overweight

This fascinating new study reveals that overweight children are typically a bully’s prime targets. While you might not consider this “breaking news,” it is very revealing in that it shows that kids who are picked on avoid situations where they are bullied, such as gyms, playgrounds, and other sporting events. The very places children go to burn off calories. According to the study, roughly one out of every five children is chronically bullied, and in most cases repeated teasing and taunting leads to depression and loneliness. This finding coupled with the fact that bullies drive their victims away from physical … Continue reading →

More Ways to Get Fit After Giving Birth

You had your baby three months ago and now you are dying to get back into your old jeans, but your body is not cooperating. So what now? The last thing you want to do is go on a diet. It may sound strange, but experts maintain that going on an official “diet” could derail your post-pregnancy weight loss goals. The reason: Studies show that moms who feel deprived of their favorite foods while experiencing stress from a new baby actually pack on extra pounds. Rather than diet, experts recommend eating a healthy menu featuring a variety of fresh foods. … Continue reading →

Tips for Slimming Down Post-Baby

Just because it’s been a year since you gave birth doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve returned to your pre-baby body. After all, giving birth is only the beginning of life after baby. There are feedings to worry about, diapers, laundry, and new sleep schedules. So, when are you supposed to find time to workout? Experts suggest easing back into your fitness routine after giving birth. In fact, leading obstetricians advocate a gradual approach to weight loss as opposed to crash dieting and exercising like a fiend to shed unwanted baby weight. Doctors say, typically it should take between 9 to 12 … Continue reading →

Pilates Becoming Popular with Men

For years Pilates has been popular with women looking to improve their flexibility and strengthen their core. But, a new study out shows that the exercises designed for total body conditioning are now attracting a record number of men. Some 12.5 million people participated in Pilates in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available, up from 9.4 million in 2003, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. What’s more, of those 12.5 million more than a third are men. That’s up more than half from 2003. Experts theorize that the growing number of men who are supplementing their … Continue reading →

Exercise Helps Overweight Kids Manage Anger Better

My gym teacher may have been ahead of her time when she ordered quarreling students to “walk off” their anger. According to a new study, exercise appears to reduce anger in overweight but otherwise healthy children. I always thought it was a bit hokey when my high school P.E. teacher would get between my feuding classmates, and instead of lecturing them about their behavior, she had them run laps around the track. Apparently she knew what she was doing. In a study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, exercise was shown to have a “significant impact … Continue reading →

Barack Obama’s Fitness Routine

How does your fitness regime stack up against President-Elect Barack Obama’s? For starters, unless you are hitting the gym six days a week, then you might not be able to out run the soon-to-be “leader of the Free World” in an impromptu sprint or beat him in a pick-up game of hoops. Obama details his fitness routine in the November issue of Men’s Health magazine. According to the 47-year-old President-Elect, he plans to keep up his daily exercise regime even after he makes the move to Washington, D.C. next month. Currently the former high school basketball standout says he gets … Continue reading →

How Treadmills are Helping Babies with Down Syndrome

You may never look at your treadmill the same way again… According to new study, placing infants with Down syndrome on a treadmill for just a few minutes per day can help them walk up to four or five months earlier than with only traditional physical therapy. Researchers at the University of Michigan say the landmark study also suggests that infants who do high intensity treadmill training may walk even sooner. “The key is if we can get them to walk earlier and better then they can explore their environment earlier and when you start to explore, you learn about … Continue reading →