52 Fitness Changes – Part 4

Continuing on with the blog series, “52 Fitness Changes,” we are going to tackle fitness changes for weeks 31 through 49. By this time we have made some significant changes that will help our overall health. Remember that fitness is more than just exercise; it is changing the way you eat. It is not dieting; it is creating a new lifestyle. Week 31 – don’t skip meals (helps to avoid you becoming too hungry and the risk of overeating) Week 32 – implement circuit training into your workout routine Week 33 – switch to a whole grain diet (with your … Continue reading

Burning Calories with Dancing

So apparently I am behind on the times. I recently blogged about how Zumba (the latest dance fitness craze) is finally coming to the video game world. In February, 2012, “Zumba Fitness Rush” is coming to Xbox 360. However, I should have done my homework. Apparently Zumba has already hit the video game world. In fact, I was complaining that nothing was available for my particular video game system, Nintendo Wii. But apparently last year “Zumba Fitness” had already been available for not only the Wii but Xbox 360 and PS3. Well I might be a bit behind on the … Continue reading

Bhangra Aerobics: Bollywood-Style Fitness Routine

I have always had a love for East Indian culture. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit but when I was a kid, I used to take pictures of East Indian people. My parents were so embarrassed one time on a trip to the zoo because I kept following this family around, snapping photographs of them. When I was a teenager I received a pen-pal in my French class. It was a boy from Calcutta, India. That pen-pal relationship lasted several years, even into young adulthood. We not only exchanged letters but we talked on the phone a few times and … Continue reading

Fitness and Your Bones

Men and women looking to avoid suffering the painful and often debilitating disease osteoporosis should be exercising more, according to leading scientists. Researchers at top medical universities around the nation are urging people to look after their bones by living well and getting fit. They say by doing so you can reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis, a disease where the inner honeycomb structure inside each bone becomes thinner and more fragile. Osteoporosis can affect any part of a person’s body but the wrist, hip and spine are the most common areas. Experts say the best way to strengthen your … Continue reading

Dancing Your Pounds Off

An excellent way to lose weight, tone up and have fun all at the same time is through dancing. Dancing requires so many movements depending on which type of dance you are partaking in. It also takes good balance so make sure that you are steady on your feet. Are you a social butterfly? If you are this very well may be just the thing that you are looking to do for a routine exercise program. Get out on the dance floor and burn it up with your friends. Enjoy yourself and feel good that you are getting your exercise … Continue reading

“Dancing with the Stars” Dropouts

They’re dropping like flies and the show hasn’t even started. ABC just announced that singer Jewel and Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell are withdrawing from Dancing with the Stars due to knee injuries. Execs at the alphabet network say both women suffered “significant injuries” during rehearsals in recent weeks. Jewel was diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs while O’Dell has a torn meniscus that will require surgery. DWTS’ executive producer says the injuries came from overtraining, though interestingly the exec noted that as happened last season with pro volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, Jewel and O’Dell “threw themselves into … Continue reading

Controversial School Fitness Option—Pole Dancing, Anyone?

I realize that many college co-eds resort to uh, shall we say, creative means to pay for their educations, but I must admit I was a bit stunned when I heard that a European high school was actually making it easier for students to learn the ropes of pole dancing, in case they needed to put their skills to use in the future. Am I the only one who equates pole dancing with strip clubs? Apparently administrators at South Devon College in the United Kingdom don’t see the relation. In their eyes pole dancing is merely a source of fitness. … Continue reading

Fitness Fanatics Visit Oprah

Not just any group of fitness fanatics… we’re talking about the best of the best. The world’s most decorated elite athletes are heading to Chicago this week to meet up with someone who knows a thing or two about working out and losing weight—-Oprah Winfrey. The winningest athlete in Olympic history, Michael Phelps, along with 150 other U.S. Olympic team members, including gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin and basketball super star Kobe Bryant, who was a member of the gold medal winning “Redeem Team,” will be in the Windy City on Wednesday to tape the season premiere of “The Oprah … Continue reading

An Interview with Beth Terrell about Her Dancing Puppy, Luca

People who are active with their pets intrigue me. And when I say active, I mean doing things like doing agility training or enrolling in therapy dog programs. Back in February, I participated on a panel with some fellow Middle Tennessee Sister in Crime authors, one of whom was Beth Terrell. We got to talking about things outside of writing, and she told me about how much fun she’d been having with her little puppy that she got about a year ago. Specifically, she was raving about the puppy dancing classes they’d been taking. I thought that’d make a fun … Continue reading

The Fitness Week in Review for Week Ending June 6

What a week! Can you believe that it’s the first week of June and that we’re at the halfway point in the year? Intellectually I know time has passed, but it feels like yesterday that my daughter entered 1st grade and all of a sudden she was officially passing the 1st grade and is now a 2nd grader. It’s more than enough to make a mom weep, but more on that at another time. Right now, let’s take a look at our fitness week in review. Focus on the Olympics In our continuing series that focuses on the Olympic athletes … Continue reading