That's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gifThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comen-usCopyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Gabourey Sidibe's Weight Overshadows Her Talenthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/howard-stern-slams-gabourey-sidibes-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/howard-stern-slams-gabourey-sidibes-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/howard-stern-slams-gabourey-sidibes-weight/#commentsFiled under:

That's Fit writer Ashley Neglia weighs in on body image overshadowing talent in Hollywood.

For those who didn't hear it, Howard Stern's rant on Gabourey Sidibe's weight were a brutally honest -- or just brutal, depending on where you stand -- assumption on how far Sidibe's post-"Precious" career can go based on her size.

"There's the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen. She is enormous," he said. "Everyone's pretending she's a part of show business, and she's never going to be in another movie. She should have gotten the Best Actress award because she's never going to have another shot. What movie is she gonna be in?"
It's been two weeks since then, and instead of focusing on her talent or accomplishment -- and yes, it's true that she's been picked up to appear on the new Showtime series "The C Word," starring Laura Linney, and has already lined up her next silver screen role opposite Zoe Kravitz in "Yelling to the Sky" -- we're still talking about Sidibe's BMI. Now we've got Jesse James to muck up Sandra Bullock's Academy Award win for "The Blind Side," and before that, we were focusing on Mo'Nique's aversion to shaving her legs during The Golden Globes. What else can we come up with to dim these ladies' achievements and turn up the spotlight on their personal lives?

Stern's blunt outburst has been hailed as a "vicious attack" and "tirade of verbal abuse," and in response, he backtracked by saying he intended to draw attention to the actress's health -- or lack thereof -- by comparing Sidibe's obesity to comedian Artie Lange's suicide attempt.

"Like, I kind of don't see a difference between what our Artie did -- Artie tried to kill himself. And I feel this girl, in a slower way...she's gonna kill herself," he said.

Sidibe's already been defended by the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) and Jessica Simpson and also been declared unhealthy by weight loss company AcaiSupply.com and, now, her own mother. Sidibe, for her part, has stayed out of it and seems to maintain what she's said in previous interviews: she's happy with the way she looks. I applaud her for that.

Sidibe's weight was like the pink elephant in the room. Everyone knew it, but no one said anything about it -- that is, until Stern, in his typical no-holds-barred fashion, opened his mouth. Regardless of Stern's self-described altruistic motives, the fact of the matter was that it just didn't need to be said, and what I find most disturbing is that the 26-year-old's recent Oscar nomination has now been marred by a fixation on her weight.

As a member of the media and, especially, as a That's Fit writer, it's hypocritical for me to say that I don't have a place in all this. I won't be as crude as Stern, but I'm not going to mince words either. Sidibe is obese. I don't know what she eats or what her exercise regimen looks like, if she has one, but if the girl is comfortable in her own skin, then let her be. She didn't enter Hollywood with a Julia Roberts or Cameron Diaz-esque role, and maybe that's not what she's going for. She's already proven that she's talented enough to get work outside of "Precious," so why not let her career unfold on its own before preemptively damning her to obscurity?


Kirstie Alley has been criticized for her size, too. Now she's trying to lose the weight for good.

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]]>gabourey sidibehoward sternjesse jamesmoniqueprecioussandra bullockthe blind sideAshley NegliaFri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESTEllen Pompeo's Post-Pregnancy Diethttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/ellen-pompeos-post-pregnancy-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/ellen-pompeos-post-pregnancy-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/19/ellen-pompeos-post-pregnancy-diet/#commentsFiled under:

ellen pompeo self magazineIt feels like only yesterday that we were all tuning in watch the first season of TV drama Grey's Anatomy. Six seasons into the show, star Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey, is facing a new set of challenges outside the OR, which include juggling her career, marriage, and sixth-month-old baby girl Stella. During a recent cover shoot and interview with Self magazine, she opened up about her pregnancy weight gain, her "energy diet," and why she brown bags it.

For the majority of celebs, dropping their baby weight is a high priority, but Pompeo doesn't seem as concerned. "I went up a pants size during my pregnancy," Pompeo told Self. "I was in size 25 jeans and went to 26. I gained 26 pounds. Now, after the baby, I weigh 10 pounds more than I ever have. I love it, because everyone always told me I was too skinny before, and I thought, Oh, God, what if there are 14-year-olds who think I'm not eating, and then they don't eat? Do I have a responsibility? But really, I don't care if people think I'm too skinny. This is my body. If they don't like it, screw it. [My weight] doesn't matter to me. I have a healthy baby."

One tip she offers to new moms looking to stay slim? Brown bag it. "Take a few hours and prepare lunch for the week," she said. "On Sundays, I pre-make everything for salads. I boil a dozen eggs and parboil beets. I chop lettuce, cilantro, scallions and parsley and put it all in ziplock bags. During the week, I just grab handfuls, add dressing, dump in a can of beans, some goat cheese, and I'm ready to go."

To keep her body revved up, Pompeo relies on six key foods as part of her "Energy Diet." She reaches for bananas (super-filling and a great source of fiber) and mangoes (75 percent of your daily vitamin C needs in one cup) when she's craving a fruit fix, as well as protein-rich garbanzo beans and eggs. Sardines and almonds provide heart-helping nutrients and vitamins to keep her running strong.

She also relies on a few quick -- but very intense -- abs moves. Her trainer, Gregg Miele, whose other famous-mom clients include Gisele Bündchen and Nicole Richie, shared with the magazine three of Pompeo's ab moves. The first is a bird dog move, another is around-the-world abs that are worked by stability ball exercises, and the final one is plank ups, a fusion of the plank and sit-ups.

Want to know how another star, Vanessa Williams, maintains her stellar body after four children? Check out this fit after 40 celeb's fitness tips.

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]]>baby weightcelebrity weight lossdietellen pompeoexercisefitnessgreys anatomylose weightmeredith greypost-pregnancy weightVanessa VoltolinaFri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:00 ESTKirstie Alley's Diet Linked to Scientology?http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alleys-diet-linked-to-scientology/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alleys-diet-linked-to-scientology/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alleys-diet-linked-to-scientology/#commentsFiled under:

Kirstie Alley has denied there is a link between her diet plan Organic Liaison and the Church of Scientology, the religion created by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard and followed by Alley and several other celebrities including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and John Travolta.

The former Jenny Craig spokesperson appeared on the "TODAY" show yesterday, and when a video clip that attempted to link her diet plan to her religion, she called it "bullshit." However, critics have found enough links to raise questions.

"No one asks 'what religion is Jenny Craig?'" she quipped. "No one knows and no one cares! That I would need to clarify or defend the intentions or affiliations of my LLC business corporation in the year 2010 is indicative of the intolerances that we as a country still need to overcome."

Critics say the weight-loss plan has aspects that are similar to a detox plan that is part of the introduction to Scientology. Hubbard's plan combines exercise, dietary supplements and long stays in a sauna to help participants eliminate drugs or other toxins from their bodies.

Championing the use of supplements, the Organic Liaison line includes Rescue Me (a detox and appetite suppressant), Release Me (a relaxant) and Nightingale (a sleep aid). Despite the catchy titles, each are essentially multi-vitamins. Alley also encourages exercise and eating organic foods.

Others claim the pricing structure that Alley uses is largely based on the spend-money-to-achieve-success method employed by Scientology. Those who begin the diet will pay $10 per month, or $89 for a year with the price for supplements, $139, being tacked on to your bill. However, many diet plans, including Jenny Craig, have payment plans.

Alley's company is based in Clearwater, Fla., the spiritual base for the World Institute of Scientology. She has told the press it is located there because that is where her accountant is located. Of the 25 people in the company, only four are Scientologists. However, one of those Scientologists -- Michelle Seward -- is on Organic Liaison's advisory board. Alley was quick to explain that Thomas Lovejoy, another member of the advisory board, is not a Scientologist, despite rumor that he was.

Alley strongly denies a connection, telling reporters, "Organic Liaison LLC is not affiliated with the Church of Scientology or the world institute of Scientology. Here's the deal: if I wanted this to be a Scientology company exclusively, I would have made it that way. And I would have told the world 'This is the first-ever Scientology whatever!' I have nothing against doing that."

Learn about Kirstie Alley's new reality show, A&E's "Kirstie Alley's Big Life."

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]]>kirstie alleyKirstie Alley scientologistkirstie alleys big lifeorganic liasionScientologistscientologyAmber GreviskesThu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:00 ESTFit Links: Breakup Guide, Dating Etiquette and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/fit-links-breakup-guide-dating-etiquette-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/fit-links-breakup-guide-dating-etiquette-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/fit-links-breakup-guide-dating-etiquette-and-more/#commentsFiled under:

Our friends at Lemondrop have the best women's lifestyle news on the Web. They're informed, irreverent and always funny. We'll bring you our favorites stories from them once a week.

She Got the Breakup Every Girl Deserves
We've all had guys breakup with us. Unlike the guys that stop calling, don't return e-mails and ignore you, this one gave our blogger the breakup speech she needed to hear. Read more...

What Makes A Guy Undateable?
What makes us decide there will be no date two? Ellen Rakieten has 311 answers. Read more...

Do Teens Need More Sleep?
Who would have thought the solution to angry and aloof teenagers was to give them a reasonable bedtime? One Scottish charity did, and now they're offering classes on how to sleep. Read more...

Dating Etiquette: Should He Walk on The Outside of the Curb?
Like moisturizer with built-in sunblock, having your date take his place on the street side of the sidewalk as the two of you are strolling along isn't exactly essential but, you know, it can be nice. Unless, of course you find it offensive. Read more...

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]]>break upbreakupdating etiquettefit-linkssleepundatebleAmber GreviskesThu, 18 Mar 2010 14:30:00 ESTKirstie Alley: Big Life, Big Weight Loss Planshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alley-big-life-big-weight-loss-plans/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alley-big-life-big-weight-loss-plans/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/18/kirstie-alley-big-life-big-weight-loss-plans/#commentsFiled under:

Kirstie Alley is out to kill two birds with one stone. Actually, it's more like four birds. The actress and tabloid magnet is launching her own A&E reality show, "Kirstie Alley's Big Life" while attempting to lose the weight she regained after her stint as a Jenny Craig spokesperson. She's also out to prove that reality TV can be entertaining without being catty and filled with dysfunction.

Oh, and she's launching her own weight loss line, Organic Liaison.

Both moves were carefully calculated together. Alley said she started working on the show as the line went into production, and ads for the diet plan will air during "Big Life." Alley, 59, has lost about 20 pounds so far, and with cameras following her around, it's clear she's doing it the hard way.

Alley works out about an hour a day with her trainer, J.R., and from the pool to the home gym, her sweat sessions are definitely featured on the show. But this is no "Biggest Loser." The first episode of "Kirstie Alley's Big Life," which premieres on A&E this Sunday at 10 p.m., centers around her children, True and Lillie, planning a surprise birthday party for their mother. The family, compared to other reality TV shows, without the fighting and bickering that usually make for hallmark reality programming.

But it's not all sugar and spice -- Alley certainly has a mouth on her. You might want to cover the kids' ears whenever she speaks, as she's likely to drop a curse word, or two or three.

Alley doesn't dwell on her weight issues in the show, but you can certainly tell that she's working on them. She turns away cake at her own birthday party and tacks salsa lessons onto her daily workouts. When That's Fit asked Alley about learning to love exercise again (she used to be an avid swimmer when she was younger), her face doesn't light up until she talks about dance lessons.

"I love Bollywood dancing," she told That's Fit. "I love anything dancing!" But she admits her love of dance isn't enough. She has also started hiking. She said her tall, strong frame is adept at exercise so she finds she needs to really push herself to see results. "I'm having to work at working harder," she explained.

On "Big Life," Alley can also be seen planning her weight loss program, which is touted as the first organic weight loss product. Organic Liaisons is honest about the fact that it is a diet, noting that any plan of eating is a diet. "I didn't want it to feel fraught with deprivation," she said of her diet.

The line includes organic weight loss supplements, including the cornerstone product, Rescue Me. This liquid supplement claims to help "curb appetite, reduce cravings, boost energy, support the metabolism of fat, and gently cleanse the body, taking the "toxic" out and putting the healthy in."

It is essentially a multi-vitamin with antioxidants and fiber, to help you feel full. Alley points out that a lot of people lose out on vitamins and minerals while they're dieting because they're eating too few calories. Ironically, since her plan calls for eating mostly whole, organic foods, this is probably one where the dieter would be getting enough essentials through foods.

There is also an optional cleanse product, a green tea extract and a product to help you sleep, since it has been shown the sleeping is key for hormone regulation and is thought to help with weight loss.

The supplements cost $89 for a one-year supply, and a membership also gets users access to a journal, calorie counter, recipes and a community to help you lose weight. Probably the coolest features are resources for organic restaurants and markets and something called a "chubby buddy." Essentially you get a partner to challenge you (and you challenge them) to push each other towards your goal weights.

Alley is insistent that she wants people to think about eating healthier, and not just losing weight. So for that, the plan offers a $139 per month weight loss program, which includes customized meal planning.

Alley is passionate about organics, and thinks other people should be too. "I decided I wanted what is best for me and will help people the most," she said. All the products are USDA-certified organic, and she is quick to fight any allegations that they are not. She points out that ingredients such as magnesium in the sleep product cannot be certified organic by the USDA, which is why they are not listed as organic.

As for the rumors it's a front for Scientology, Alley dismissed the accusation after a recent private screening of "Big Life," especially after the issue was recently raised on the "TODAY" show.

Click on the video below to Kirstie's reaction on "TODAY." Story continues below the video.

PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.


"No one asks 'what religion is Jenny Craig,'" she quipped. But she was also methodical in denying the claim. "That I would need to clarify or defend the intentions or affiliations of my LLC business corporation in the year 2010 is indicative of the intolerances that we as a country still need to overcome."

Alley went on to give the breakdown of everyone involved in the company, from the web team to her advisory board. Of some 25 people, four are Scientologists. "Organic Liaison LLC is not affiliated with the Church of Scientology or the world institute of Scientology," she said. She also went on to point out if she had wanted to make it a Scientology diet, she would have done just that.

Click here for more information on the possible link between Organic Liaison and Scientology.

At the end of the day Alley seems sincere about her love of organics and wanting to share that with the world, as well as her intentions to lose the weight. Her goal on the show? "To let the camera shoot me from all angles!"

Kirstie Alley isn't the only celebrity who tried to lose weight on Jenny Craig. Click on the gallery below to see which stars succeeded on the diet plan, which gained back what they lost.




Are you ready to lose weight? Check out our diet reviews and find out which weight loss plan is right for you.

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]]>big lifekirstie alleyorganicorganic liasonscientologyweight lossThat's Fit EditorsThu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:00 ESTThe Biggest Loser - Curtis Stone Cooking Challengehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/17/the-biggest-loser-curtis-stone-weighs-in/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/17/the-biggest-loser-curtis-stone-weighs-in/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/17/the-biggest-loser-curtis-stone-weighs-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

biggest loser blue team saladWeek 9 at "The Biggest Loser" ignited kitchen burners and lit up the weight loss thanks to Aussie chef Curtis Stone. This time around contestants had a chance to cook for the master chef himself. But there were only 10 roaming around the kitchen; Michael had a family emergency back home. Tricky nutrition trivia delivered a memorable reward, while commando crawls rubbed the skin off Daris's elbows. With many approaching 100 pounds lost to date, the gym is hopping, and Sam is busting up the boxing equipment.

Food Trivia Time. The first team to answer three questions correctly won a day away at the Four Seasons hotel complete with luxury spa treatments and a healthy dinner. Let's see how you do. Here are some of the questions, answers follow. How many calories does a one ounce serving of avocado have (50, 60 or 70)? Which of the following is a source of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, peanuts or blueberries)? Which grain promotes blood pressure control (brown rice, flax seed, whole wheat pasta, none of the above). Answers are 50, salmon and none of the above. Check out the poll for the last question.

Blue Spa Day. Blue team barely beat Black for a day at the Four Seasons. Luckily the menu had a healthy section, so no 15,000-calorie binge, tequila shots or smokes away from the ranch like Season 7. Black stayed back to clean the kitchen and mop up the gym. Let's see if Blue eating calories versus Black shedding them makes a difference at the weigh-in.

Curtis StoneCurtis Stone Cooking Challenge. After Blue and Black switched off picks for 12 ingredients, they had 30 minutes to prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert to fulfill Curtis's judging criteria for great taste and outstanding nutrition. How many Americans just toss in a Lean Cuisine instead? Blue's spinach/feta/pomegranate salad had too many calories compared to Black's shrimp with red bell peppers, onion, lemon and chives. But Blue fought back and won the entree tasting with a 297-calorie seared pork tenderloin and cauliflower, less than Black's 557-calorie salmon with wild rice and broccoli. Black's big mistake? They left the salmon skin on. Luckily Black's caramelized pears with goat cheese and strawberry drizzle swept the dessert and the match. They won a major prize -- a five-pound advantage at the weigh-in.

Bob HarperDon't Miss Trainer Gems
If you sit at a desk job five days a week, Bob said you're not burning enough calories. Bring a resistance band to work for bicep curls or tricep extensions. Then engage your core by ditching your office chair for a stability ball chair instead.
Black may have walked into the weigh-in with a five-pound advantage, but Sherry and Stephanie's three and two pound losses seriously hurt their chance to beat the big guys and Sunshine. Nobody dropped less than eight pounds for Blue, and even though Michael was away visiting his sick grandmother, he fit in two workouts a day, lost 11 pounds and has broken into the 300s weighing 397. Michael showed us all that fitness and healthy eating work during sad and stressful times in life, too. A dejected Black faced the elimination room once again. The youth alliance stood strong -- this time Mama Sherry headed home. But you should see her now, paddling a kayak in a hot pink and black outfit at a healthy 138 pounds. She looks absolutely fantastic, bubbling with energy and looking years younger. Perhaps she'll surprise everyone and rake in that $100,000 like 64-year-old Jerry from Season 7. He won after losing 47.97 percent. At that rate, Sherry would have to weigh about 113 pounds at the finale since she started at 218.

See you next week as contestants return home for a week with family What's your magic bullet for weight-loss -- diet or exercise?

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]]>biggest loserBob HarperCurtis Stoneellagic acidSeason 9the-biggest-loserBev SklarWed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 ESTVanessa Williams Shares Her Fitness Tipshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/vanessa-williams-shares-her-fitness-tips/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/vanessa-williams-shares-her-fitness-tips/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/vanessa-williams-shares-her-fitness-tips/#commentsFiled under: ,

Vanessa Williams, 47, has a body that women half her age envy. As if that wasn't enough, she's smart, sexy, confident and talented.

How does the mother of four manage? By setting priorities and multitasking well, she told Prevention, which features Williams on its April cover that hits newsstands today.

One key to her ageless look is her glowing, wrinkle-free skin, which has become healthier as she learned to stop stressing out about the future.

"The older I get, the more I realize that there's less to stress about," Williams told the magazine. "I'm happy to be alive and surrounded by my family. I'm grateful for everything that I've achieved in life and everything that I have been given. When you approach each day with gratitude, it's a lot easier to not be stressed."

For those of us who are continually stressed about our appearance, Williams' top six diet and fitness tips will leave you with one less concern.

1. Cut down on portions. The mom knows she's in trouble when her kids ask her to make their favorite dishes like waffles, pancakes and French toast. Instead of gorging on the goodies, she pushes her plate away when she starts to feel full.

2. Choose new fitness classes. Williams trained with (Pilates guru) Mari Winsor "before people even knew how to spell Pilates." Her strong core has helped her balance her entire body, improve her posture and gives Wilhelmina Slater, her "Ugly Betty" character, the confident walk that makes Betty, Mark and even Daniel tremble.

3. Lift weights. When Williams turned 40, she realized that her cardio, yoga and Pilates workouts weren't going to help her maintain her muscle tone. She added strength training to her regular routine and noticed a difference. "It's one thing to be in shape and thin," she said, "but it's also great to have definition."

4. Take advantage of the seasons. Walking outside in the summer can easily get you out of a workout rut. Williams hikes in the wooded, hilly area where she lives and knows that bringing along a pet can turn a calm stroll into an intense interval workout when your four-legged friends take off after squirrels and other creatures.

5. Enjoy it. Williams sticks to her three-day-a-week treadmill routine, but also mixes it up when she can by adding salsa, which she first learned in 1997 while working on "Dance With Me."

6. Be realistic. After having four kids, Williams has kissed thoughts of her once-dreamed-of washboard abs goodbye. Instead, she's happy with her health and knowing her body will be at its best for years to come.

If you're looking for more celebrity inspiration, check out how Kelly Osbourne dropped 42 pounds.

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]]>preventionugly bettyvanessa williamsAmber GreviskesMon, 15 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESTOlympian Evan Lysacek Dishes on "Dancing with the Stars"http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/olympic-champion-evan-lysacek-talks-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/olympic-champion-evan-lysacek-talks-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/15/olympic-champion-evan-lysacek-talks-dancing-with-the-stars/#commentsFiled under: ,

evan lysacek olympic figureskaterOlympic champion Evan Lysacek's life has been moving at a whirlwind pace ever since he won gold in men's figuring skating at Vancouver. Besides training for the Stars on Ice tour, he is among the favorites to win this season's "Dancing with the Stars," which premieres March 22 on ABC. That's Fit caught up with the skater before next week's season premiere.

That's Fit: Can you describe the moment you won the gold in Vancouver?
Evan Lysacek: Going into the competition, my thought processes was pretty simple. I focused on the technical aspects of skating and doing my job the best I could. I knew thinking about the results was a bad idea because my finish was out of my control. I could skate my best and still not win.

TF: How are you approaching your appearance on DWTS? In the past, Olympians have won the show.
EL: Right off the bat I could tell that this wasn't going to come easily. On the ice we rotate counter-clockwise and on the dance floor we rotate clockwise. Everything that I'm doing on the dance floor, I'm doing in reverse. When I get tired, I start falling into my skating habits and crash into my partner, who's not happy when I knee her in the chest. My body has moved one way for 16 years and doing it differently is hard.

TF: Your critics say that you are not an incredibly graceful skater. Will your performance on DWTS prove them wrong?
EL: I have never been musical, lyrical, graceful or had great rhythm. I had to work hard to overcome that in my skating, but I had seven or eight months to train those moves. In the show, I only have a week to train, and I want to prove I'm not a robot.

TF: How did your skating scores improve when the new scoring system was implemented?
EL: The new scoring system is very technical and forces the skaters to become better athletes. You're not only being graded on jumps, but on every step from start to finish. A lot of skaters used to be able to skate a program with non-straining movements between the jumps, but now we have to go and go and go the entire time.

TF: How does your DWTS training compare to your Olympic training?
EL: I'm skating everyday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 4 to 10 p.m., I'm dancing. When I was training for the Olympics, I spent 8 to 10 a.m. doing different floor training like warm ups, stretching, jumping rope, jumping hurdles and using bands. I was the ice from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4:20 p.m. From 5 p.m. until whenever I would finish, I'd do heavy workouts with strenuous cardio, weight training and plyometrics. By the time I finished, I could barely stay awake for dinner. Every day for the last four years has been like that, but I loved it.

TF: How has your diet changed since the Olympics?
EL: My training diet was easy. I'd start the day with five servings of different fruits and two poached eggs. Throughout the day, I'd drink protein shakes because there wasn't enough time to sit down and digest a meal. I would always drink a Vitamin Water or diluted PowerAde to get a little sugar. As soon as I finished my workout, I'd eat a protein and five servings of vegetables. Now, I'm eating whatever I want -- I love burgers, sushi and steak. I look at a menu now, and think "What am I going to eat? I can have anything on here."

TF: Did your DWTS partner Russian Anna Trebunskaya mention the controversy over your gold medal?
EL: We banter back and forth about her being Russian and me being American; but I really respect her and her authority. She's the professional, the teacher and the coach. It's nice to have her holding my hand. She's tough, but I can take it.

TF: Who is the biggest competition?
EL: Everyone. It's such a great cast. Everyone I've seen is either naturally graceful or has some experience with dancing. Nicole Scherzinger (from the Pussycat Dolls) is a professional dancer already.

TF: You must be getting nervous. How do you block those nerves to focus on your goals?
EL: On competition days, I'm very ritualistic. I'll light the same candle so that there's the same smell while I'm getting ready. I always use the same hair gel, which is different than the regular gel I use. Usually I'll drink a vanilla or strawberry protein shake; but on competition days, I'll drink a chocolate one. I listen to the same playlist. They're little signs to get the adrenaline flowing.

Check out how "Dancing with the Stars" Julianne Hough stays lean.

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]]>dancing with the starsevan lysacekfigure skatingolympic championsolympicsAmber GreviskesMon, 15 Mar 2010 11:00:00 ESTLose That Slouch!http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/12/lose-that-slouch/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/12/lose-that-slouch/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/12/lose-that-slouch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Miley CyrusI love watching the Red Carpet for the Oscars. As a Pilates instructor I'm not just checking out the fashion, but I'm also looking at the bodies. How important are sculpted arms? Very! How many people are wearing fitted dresses versus forgiving A-line skirts? Yet there is one secret ingredient to making a statement for any special occasion that often gets left on the cutting room floor: Posture.

I was dismayed at Miley Cyrus' rounded shoulders. Her Mom accompanied her to the Oscars and I kept thinking she should be poking her to stand up straight. A lot of the younger stars had very poor posture, especially when compared with the grace of Penelope Cruz or the presence of Kate Winslet.

Good posture gives you presence. It lets you command a room. It lends you instant respect. Square shoulders and a lifted chin will help you with everything from negotiating a raise to attracting that guy's attention across the room at a big party. Your clothes look better and yes, you really do look thinner. Here's how to add some posture moves into your overall fitness plan.

Do Pilates. Pilates always relates back to the spine. Every exercise you do the instructor watches for proper posture. A lot of my clients actually "grow," adding a half-inch or so of height over the period of a year as their vertebrae loosen up and posture improves. Add a mat class or two into your weekly mix and you'll see results right away.

Do Yoga. Yoga focuses on balance. You have to have good posture to do those moves! Also downward dog helps to stretch out the back and shoulders which can frequently cause tightness and rounding of the shoulders. Even one class a week can offer results.

Work Your Back. As I walk through the health club where my Pilates studio is located, I see a lot of people concentrating on their chest, arms, abs and legs, but not as much on their backs. If you only train your chest and neglect your back you're actually training yourself into bad posture. Try adding three or four exercises (mixing it up to focus on your lats, deltoids and lower back) to your routine and you'll improve immediately.

Extend Yourself. Grab a foam roller at your gym, lay on your stomach with your legs slightly turned out and apart. Place your wrists on the roller, palms face the floor, hover your face away from the floor. On the inhale, slide your shoulder blades down towards your bum and arch away from the floor. Open up your chest and shoulders and you should feel a great stretch through your whole spine. Exhale to return to the start position and do 5 or 6 reps. (Check with a doctor or physical therapist if you have a history of back issues). Add this stretch as the last thing you do anytime you workout. You will loosen up significantly, improve strength in the back and see changes after the first week. It only takes a minute!

Your body wants to have good posture, so it only takes a little bit of work to get a fast response. Try the exercises above and see which ones works best for you. Then get ready to enjoy your next frock knowing you look Oscar-worthy.

To really enjoy your workout, take along a friend!

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]]>Kate Winsletmiley cyrusOscars2010Penelope CruzPilatesposturered carpetred carpet styleLisa JohnsonFri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESTFit Links: Oscar Style Tips; Johnny Weir Dramahttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/fit-links-oscar-style-tips-johnny-weir-drama/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/fit-links-oscar-style-tips-johnny-weir-drama/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/fit-links-oscar-style-tips-johnny-weir-drama/#commentsFiled under:

Our friends at Lemondrop have the best women's lifestyle news on the Web. They're informed, irreverent and always funny. We'll bring you our favorites stories from them once a week.

Your Star Crush Decoded
You watched the Oscars, but did you know that the celeb you're crushing on may reveal something about your personality? Read more...

Johnny Weir: Still in the Olympic Light
The Olympics are over, but that doesn't mean they aren't leaving drama in their wake. Some people are worried that Johnny Weir is making figure skating too gay. We don't get it. We love you Johnny -- gay, straight or wrapped in rhinestones. Read more...

Look Like a Red-Carpet Bound Star
Despite the blinding glamour on Oscar night, stars are just like us. Under all that Dior, their stylists have used adhesive, spanx and other tricks to keep them smooth, matte and put together. Want to steal those tips? Read more...

The One-Night Stand that Paid Off
When you're 39, you assume pregnancy will involve a trip to the fertility doctor. It wasn't smart, but one woman got her wish for a beautiful little boy after a one-night stand with a guy she met at a bar. Read more...

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]]>fertility doctorfit-linksjohnny weirone night standsoscarsTerri OrbuchAmber GreviskesThu, 11 Mar 2010 14:30:00 ESTNicole Eggert Weighs In On "Celebrity Fit Club"http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/nicole-eggert-weighs-in-on-celebrity-fit-club/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/nicole-eggert-weighs-in-on-celebrity-fit-club/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/nicole-eggert-weighs-in-on-celebrity-fit-club/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nicle EggertRed bathing suits have a way of keeping actress Nicole Eggert in the spotlight. After tabloids starting attacking her weight gain, she headed to the beach -- in a red bikini that made her "Baywatch" one-piece look modest. "I was like, my being overweight is not my worst quality so how do we laugh at this?" said Eggert, who released a video on FunnyOrDie.com about her added pounds.

The video is humorous, but relays her message: "I'm a real women and real women gain weight." She's equally open on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, where she appears with other familiar faces like Kevin Federline, his ex Shar Jackson, as well as musicians Sebastian Bach and Bobby Brown. Here's what she told That's Fit about the experience.

That's Fit: Why did you decide to do Celebrity Fit Club?
Nicole Eggert: I was featured in some of the tabloid magazines as having gained weight and it was sort of an eye opening, horrid experience for me. When the offer came through I felt like: A -- It put a lot of pressure on me and, B -- It would get me out of the house and get me working. A lot of my weight gain was being depressed and being home.

TF: At 130 pounds and at 5 feet, 2 inches tall, you weren't "overweight." Why go on a weight-loss show?
NE: When you experience something like depression, you fall apart in a lot of ways. I threw myself in a therapist's chair and we worked on all the mental issues i had going on and really got my spirit back. I felt like the outside needed to match the inside. I didn't look in the mirror and feel great.

TF: So what would you say to a young girl who saw your video, or you on the show, and said, she looks good to me?
NE: I would say that they were right, and to maintain this Hollywood figure is really, really unrealistic. Is your heart healthy? Is your mind healthy? Do you feel good? That's it. Period. This skinny-minnie-waify look that has taken over is unrealistic.

TF: What do you tell your daughter about weight?
NE: Being a good or a bad person is something that takes a lot of work. But gaining or losing weight is something that is exterior. Hopefully I've been a good influence on her. She's watched me go from really, really thin to gaining weight and to now finding a happy medium.

TF: What was the actual program like?
NE: It really tested your heart more than anything. I expected to go and put on some boxing gloves and throw a bunch of punches and do 10 million jumping jacks and it was really about teamwork and doing actual Navy Seals training, which is nothing anyone in my age group needs to be doing!

TF: What are you doing now in terms of maintenance?
NE: I've actually hooked up with the Kardashian girls who are friends of mine, who introduced me to a thing called Quick Trim [to help lose the last five to seven pounds]. We're doing a boot-camp workout. I'm really trying to stay away from any carbs and any bread, and trying to do the protein, vegetable, and small, small portions. [My body] is still a work in progress. Right now I think I look like a healthy average slim women. I want get back ... to looking incredibly hot again and feeling incredibly hot again. I'm going to continue to use a trainer because I think it's great motivation and a great distraction in the middle of a hard workout. I believe in [therapy] forever and always have, always will. The day you don't think you need to work on yourself is the day you should work on yourself harder.

TF: Who did you click with on the show? Anyone that got on your nerves?
NE: I immediately clicked with Shar. We have a lot in common. I felt bad for her situation [getting surprised by Kevin Federline appearing on the show]. She was put in a very awkward position. Being single moms and doing it all on our own and being little petite girls we related very well to each other. I found Tanisha [Thomas] completely draining, although she is funny. And then you have people like Jay McCarroll who are in it to be manipulative and to play a game and their heart isn't there, their agenda is there. I guess that's their introduction to TV, is being on reality. [Editor's note: Thomas was on Oxygen's Bad Girls Club and Jay McCarroll starred on Bravo's Project Runway.] They know that game and they play that game very, very well.

TF: How do you think weight is blown out of proportion?
NE: It's so sad that I've worked so hard to be a good person and yet that's all that is being recognized now. I lost my dad. We had this really long battle with cancer and then I was being tested for cancer. It was a horrible thing our family went through for over a year. At the end of the day, if all I did was gain a little weight out of it, I came out of it pretty shiny.

Eggert and the Kardashians are touting Quick Trim, but is it a healthy way to lose weight?

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]]>celebrity fit clubinterviewNicole Eggertquick trimAmy Levin-EpsteinThu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 ESTHoward Stern Attacks "Precious" Star's Weighthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/howard-stern-attacks-precious-stars-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/howard-stern-attacks-precious-stars-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/11/howard-stern-attacks-precious-stars-weight/#commentsFiled under:

That's Fit writer Pooja Mottl weighs in on Howard Sterns recent comments regarding actress Gabourey Sibide's weight.

Howard Stern was blazingly cruel in his recent tirade against "Precious" star and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe. "There's the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen," said Stern. "She is enormous. Everyone's pretending she's a part of show business and she's never going to be in another movie."

Sidibe is, without a doubt, a wildly gifted talent. And to anyone who saw her working it on the red carpet Sunday night, clearly comfortable in her own skin. But in calling Gabourey out on her size -- however scathing -- Stern may have actually done something positive.

The young actress is clearly carrying an unhealthy amount of weight, and by making her the target of his tirade, Stern opened up the floodgates to a subject that desperately needs to be addressed more openly in America. We can no longer afford to be politically correct or afraid of hurt feelings when it comes to talking about obesity. Our country is in the midst of a grave obesity epidemic that is compromising our lives. Americans are fatter than ever, with approximately 127 million overweight and 69 million obese adults in the country. Being obese raises the risk of cancer (with over 75 percent of cases reported to be directly attributed to obesity), cardiovascular disease, heart disorders, stroke, infertility and hypertension.

The fat crisis isn't only hurting us physically, it's hurting us financially. Obesity related health care is costing us $117 billion each year.

Stern made a point during his critique of Sibide when he said, "You just want to say to her, listen, honey, now that you've got a little money in the bank go get yourself thin, because you're going to die in three years." Stern is implying that money buys good health, since people who have the means to purchase more nutritious and fresh food, educate themselves on fitness, nutrition and health, and have safe places to exercise, will undoubtedly find it easier to combat overweight and obesity. But these options are not available to every American. Where Stern is wrong, however, is that she shouldn't feel the need to buy herself a thin frame. Sibide, along with millions of men and women, needs to get back years of her life that are being robbed by obesity.

Researchers have been studying overweight and obesity as it relates to factors such as education, income level, location and ethnicity, and have found all of these factors weigh on an individuals risk for obesity.

And while economic and genetic factors do play a role, at the end of the day it's individual lifestyle choices that have the biggest impact on the scale. Making a concerted effort to eat healthier, whole foods, prioritizing exercise and incorporating cooking in your daily life are imperative. After all, only you have control over what and how much goes in your mouth and how often you want your body to be active each day. Often obese individuals have other factors at play, including hormone imbalances and sometimes depression, but by understanding the underlying factors and addressing them, most people can gain their health back even with limited means.

Even though Howard Stern was by no means thoughtful or kind when he spoke of Sidibe, she is indeed dangerously overweight. Stern's radio show might not have been the polite venue to bring up such a sensitive topic, but we can only hope that those close to her are also concerned about her health and have spoken out in a more private setting.

Now that Stern's cruel comments have hit the airwaves, we will have to wait and see if she will embrace her stardom as a chance to get her weight in check. I'm also hoping that with her new found fame, she can also address some of these complex issues surrounding why so many people and minorities in particular are battling overweight and obesity and perhaps become a role model for much needed change in America today.

As rude and insensitive as it is to point out someone's weight in public, many That's Fit Success Stories say that comments about their weight was the turning point to get healthy.

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]]>gabourey sidibehoward sternobesityopinionpreciousPooja MottlThu, 11 Mar 2010 10:30:00 ESTThe Biggest Loser: Work Week Two-A-Dayshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/10/the-biggest-loser-work-week-two-a-days/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/10/the-biggest-loser-work-week-two-a-days/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/10/the-biggest-loser-work-week-two-a-days/#commentsFiled under: ,

biggest loser
Full-time weight loss was slashed to a part-time position on Week 8 at "The Biggest Loser." Adding a dose of reality, work week surprised Blue and Black teams with an eight-hour job, a bus commute and restricted gym hours. Push-ups weren't allowed in the bus aisle, but two-a-day workouts after a long day at the office burned off pounds. In a pep talk to America, contestants revealed how to get yourself to the gym before and after that exhausting day at the office.

It Can Be Done. Among other concerns, critics complain this show doesn't speak to the average working American. No one can lose weight that rapidly with a full-time job and modern-day pressures. That theory received a serious challenge this week as contestants had a nine-to-five volunteering job at the LA Regional Food Bank for a week. They packed their lunch and fit in the sweat before and after at the ranch gym that opened at 6:00 am and closed by 7:30 pm.

Find Your Jumpstart. In an emotionally honest moment, Steve, the Food Bank Inventory Clerk, met with contestants and shared his frustrating battle with obesity. At one point he found his weight reached a defeating point of no return -- he feels stuck in obesity. But contestants have shown you can turn back those pounds. They encouraged Steve to get up and walk around the block every morning, then as his stamina increases, go two blocks. Instead of the movies, go to a park. Those little changes can ignite your weight loss story. Find those sparks and begin today.

33,000-Pound Pull. In the tradition of Nascar Tara's historic winning pull, Blue team hauled a 33,000-pound semi faster than Black to score enough extra time to load up their semi with plastic crates, then stack them to spell out the winning puzzle phrase -- groceries for one year. Possibly the second best prize to winning immunity.

Gym Imagination. For added motivation, Sam imagined himself a lion in the gym, donned boxing gloves and made Jillian his prey. O'Neal never imagined he'd complete an entire hour on the treadmill at a decent speed and an incline, but he did. Start visualizing the gym work ethic and body you want, then find a training partner or hire a trainer to help you direct your energies. As work week revealed, short, intense workouts and healthy eating can deliver sizable weight loss.

Parental Responsibility. O'Neal used to be extremely fit. He was even strict with his sons when it came to soda and sweets. But for some reason, he never parented his daughter and teammate on the show, Sunshine, with the same principles. With significantly less restrictions, O'Neal joined Sunshine in overeating and didn't notice the damage until they were both seriously obese. If you're a parent, are you setting equal nutrition and fitness standards for your children? Don't feel O'Neal's regret -- be consistent.

Don't Miss Trainer Gems
Jillian Michaels"Combine strength training with your cardio workout," said Jillian. Muscle burns more energy than resting body fat, so focus on adding lean muscle to up your calorie burn. four more ways to major muscles.

Work week did not slow down Blue's weight loss as Koli and Lance's double-digit drop catapulted the team to a 2.71 percent overall weight loss. Most telling, this was better than the team's previous week's weight loss without a full-time job. Black lost slightly less than last week, but losing 32 team pounds put them well over a 2 percent combined weight loss. Looks like a youth alliance on Black sent Cheryl packing, minus the disappointment and drama typical of a diminishing cast. Cheryl's big voice is motivating her at-home workouts and she's lost another 23 pounds. "My life's not going to be cut short because of my health and because of my weight," said Cheryl. Her road to the finale includes a 5K, then 135 pounds on the scale. She's got a shot at the $100,000 at-home prize.

Blue's big men appear unstoppable, let's see if producers shake up their advantage. See you next week.

It's not just Biggest Loser couples losing weight, this mother and daughter lost 100 pounds together.

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]]>biggest loserexercisegymjillian michaelswork weekBev SklarWed, 10 Mar 2010 10:00:00 ESTDon't Hate Jessica Simpson Because She's Beautiful -- and Thin!http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/05/dont-hate-jessica-simpson-because-shes-beautiful-and-thin/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/05/dont-hate-jessica-simpson-because-shes-beautiful-and-thin/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/05/dont-hate-jessica-simpson-because-shes-beautiful-and-thin/#commentsFiled under: ,

jessica simpsonThat's Fit writer Nicole Dorsey-Straff weighs in on Jessica Simpson's recent appearance on "Oprah" where the actress discussed the media reaction to her weight gain last year.

Must be tough to be rich, famous, and talented. Jessica Simpson, 29, hit Oprah's couch to this week to discuss how her every move is fodder for the tabloids, especially her weight ups-and-downs. Jessica's self-proclaimed low-point came last year, she said, when she made an appearance at a Chili Cook-off in Florida, wearing those infamous high-waisted "mom jeans" and an unflattering, thick leopard belt. On Oprah, Simpson admitted that she'd eaten a big-ol' corn dog right before she climbed on stage that day, and said that the jeans were only a size four.

"But," said the now healthy-looking songstress, "the fact I was famous last year for gaining 10 pounds is ridiculous and really sad." In fact, the Texas-born beauty remembers this as an agonizing time in her career. "I love my curves; I'm not ever going to be a size zero. I'm never going to be 90 pounds, and I don't want to," she told Oprah.

Really? You could have fooled me and the rest of the world when you ran around posing in your teeny-weeny "Daisy Duke" shorts back when you were filming the "Dukes of Hazzard" flick in 2005. As I recall, you appeared wearing skin tight clothes over a very lean frame to promote the movie. Don't believe me? Check out her video for "These Boots are Made for Walking" to see Jessica proudly displaying her fab abs and lean legs in an orange string bikini with cowboy boots. She certainly wasn't unhappy with all the media attention then! She also seemed happy to tout losing 20 pounds in two months to Us Weekly in 2007.

jessica simpson Simpson's music, movies, and fashion-designer collection have kept the gorgeous gal in America's eye, all while being scrutinized since she released her first hit single at the age of 19. Of course, the actress was on "Oprah" to promote her new travel VH-1 docu-series called "The Price of Beauty," which debuts March 15. On it, she treks across the globe with close friends and a film crew to examine what other countries and cultures view as truly "beautiful," including local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes.

Jess, you can't have it both ways. When a celeb appears regularly in the public eye -- whether you're Valerie Bertinelli representing Jenny Craig or you're a beautiful star like Jessica Simpson promoting a body-baring role in a movie -- you do have a certain responsibility to your public to be honest about how you look and feel. And you have to be ready to take the heat for slip-ups if you chase the praise for weight-loss.

What do you think? Feel free to weigh in.

Simpson isn't the only one going on Oprah to let it all hang out. Kirstie Alley confessed to the daytime queen after gaining back all the weight she lost with Jenny Craig -- and now she has a show of her own where she'll shed the pounds (again).

Fitness expert Nicole Dorsey Straff is a Los Angeles-based exercise physiologist and author, and frequently writes about diet, health and wellness.

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]]>celebrity dietscelebrity fashionjessica simpsonoprahNicole Dorsey-StraffFri, 05 Mar 2010 16:15:00 ESTFit Links: Waif Look Out, Date a Hottie and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/04/fit-links-waif-look-out-date-a-hottie-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/04/fit-links-waif-look-out-date-a-hottie-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/04/fit-links-waif-look-out-date-a-hottie-and-more/#commentsFiled under:

Our friends at Lemondrop have the best women's lifestyle news on the Web. They're informed, irreverent and always funny. We'll bring you our favorites stories from them once a week.

Men: The Waif Look is Out
A new study showed that Beyoncé-like women with tiny waists and curvy hips lit up men's brains, but all of the women had gone under the knife. Read more...

Dating Someone Hot Makes You More Attractive
Researchers recently discovered that dating someone more attractive than you could raise your rating on the attractiveness scale. Read more...

What is Your Type?
Are you looking for Mr. Right? A new poll reports that women may not fall for tall, dark and handsome me anymore. Instead, they're after the geeky guy with a little stubble. Read more...

10 Things We Can't Live Without
Cheryl Maday, can't live without scarves, skinny jeans and ankle boots. Let the former men's magazine editor and fashion blogger walk you though her must-haves and learn how to make them work for you. Read more...

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]]>attractivenessbody typebody typesdatingfashionfit linksAmber GreviskesThu, 04 Mar 2010 15:30:00 ESTThe Biggest Loser - Temptation Makes Everyone Sickhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/the-biggest-loser-temptation-makes-everyone-sick/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/the-biggest-loser-temptation-makes-everyone-sick/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/03/the-biggest-loser-temptation-makes-everyone-sick/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Olympic torch and nightly medal counts are over, but the road to fit and trim remains ignited over at "The Biggest Loser." Like U.S. alpine skier Bode Miller through the starting gate, Biggest Loser producers let all their creative juices flow in Week 7. Check out all the returning fun as 13 remaining players split into Blue versus Black teams, players battled junk food and two headed home.

Cliffhanger Elimination. At the end of Week 6, Cheryl and Darrell were left in a squat trying to hold a torch on top of their heads for the right to remain at the ranch. After the nine-minute mark, Darrell's knees gave out and he headed straight home. Besides being a gracious loser, Darrell has his self-confidence back.

A 3,630-Calorie Temptation. Only Michael and Andrea raised their hand for this junk food temptation to try and win the power to assign 12 players their Blue or Black team t-shirt. An unassigned 13th player would have immunity, then slide into the team that eliminated a player at the end of the week. The temptation was a matching memory game in search of two golden tickets interspersed among slots of mostly junk food. Miss a match and eat from a pile of 100-calorie cookies. Get a junk food match and the loser not only had to eat the junk food, but the matchmaker could choose again. Andrea's sharper memory had Michael downing 2,310 calories to Andrea's 1,320 before Michael ultimately found the golden tickets. Let the drama begin.

Blue Versus Black. Michael ended up stacking Blue with the big guys (Lance, himself, Koli, Daris, as well as Sunshine and Miggy). O'Neal was handed immunity. Nearly every family unit was split up, except Sherry and Ashley. Jillian was furious with the teams, but wisely zipped it and acknowledged her experience as an overweight child was feeding her anger. Jillian loves a good fight and is especially good at peeling weight off underdogs. Did Michael call it right? In a challenge to win letters from home, Blue showed their strength and nailed the high rise challenge to pull a team banner to the top of the Sheraton first.

Don't Miss Trainer Gems
Bob HarperBump up the treadmill incline and you'll burn more calories in the same amount of time. Bob says you'll score more muscle activity and greater range of motion at an incline. When's the last time you had the treadmill over 10 percent incline? Remember, no hands, unless falling.




Gain Years in Weeks. Contestants have lost so much weight this season, it's only fitting Dr. Huizenga reviewed Ashley and Koli's Know Your Number Health Score. Ashley's biological age is eight years younger, and Sam shaved off five years. His risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes has been cut in half thanks to solid weight loss and zero smoking and drinking. Check out contestant opinions on this test -- Michael's risk has dropped from 100 percent to 67 percent. You can order a kit for yourself at home.

Blue ended up losing 48 pounds or 2.7 percent of their total weight, with Michael shattering the 100 pound loss record held by Season 8's Rudy. Only makes sense for the heaviest contestant to date -- Michael dropped 15 pounds to lose 109 pounds in just seven weeks to land at 417. Don't ever count Jillian out, however. In a shocker, Black team's Ashley sealed the win by losing 10 pounds for a total team loss of 2.82 percent (41 pounds). Big guys can lose the weight, but Jillian says big hearts and fight lose more. With the highest percentage lost on Blue, Michael was safe from elimination.

In a 4-2 loss, Miggy is back at home with a fiance 30 pounds lighter on the Biggest Loser diet. "Losing weight is not only recovering a nice body shape," said Miggy. "It's about finding that lost self that you have inside you." She's also discovered meditation to relieve high stress levels and lose even more weight. Full of positive energy and training sessions with Season 7's Nicole Brewer, she now weighs 179 pounds and is hoping to fit into a size 5 by the finale.

Remember Darrell? He's down to 293 pounds and fits into a jacket he wore the day he met his wife 27 years ago. Hoping for 200 by the finale, Darrell and his wife are faithful workout partners fed by his new view on healthy living.

See you next week for Week 8's noticeably thinner contestants. Time for Bob and Jillian to pull out their fitness tricks -- maybe some moves from Jillian's new yoga DVD?

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]]>biggest loserbob harperjillian michaelsBev SklarWed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:00 ESTJillian Michaels Dishes on "Losing It With Jillian" and Her New Yoga DVDhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/02/jillian-michaels-on-new-yoga-dvd-and-losing-it-with-jillian/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/02/jillian-michaels-on-new-yoga-dvd-and-losing-it-with-jillian/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/03/02/jillian-michaels-on-new-yoga-dvd-and-losing-it-with-jillian/#commentsFiled under: ,

jillian michaelsThat's Fit's number one hottest TV trainer and co-host of Biggest Loser Jillian Michaels has an exciting few months ahead of her. Besides the release of her new yoga DVD, "Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown," available today (March 2), the Biggest Loser coach is also ramping up to begin shooting her newest NBC reality show. "Losing It With Jillian." The reality show will be taped in between BL Season 9 and Season 10. Phew! We're tired even thinking about it all.

Before filming the last episode of Biggest Loser Season 9, Michaels took a few minutes to speak with That's Fit about her new DVD and reality show.

With a background in martial arts, Michaels wanted to keep a focus on weight training when creating a new workout for "30 Day Shred" and "No More Trouble Zones" devotees. "I find [body weight training] is the most effective way to get lean quickly, bottom line," she said. "It's also cost-effective -- you don't need any equipment -- and you can do it anywhere. I've also found that body weight training for getting ripped quick is where it's at." However, she says weights aren't necessarily the most functional, since they can make you bulky and you're more prone to injury.

"Yoga power poses are rooted in body weight training," she said of her new DVD. "The whole foundation is utilizing yoga, so I love that platform. What I wanted to do [with this DVD] was take the platform and use the poses but create a fat-burning workout with them, so I am building kind of a hybrid in that you're repping out traditional poses with movement in a circuit training fashion. It's taking my approach to fat-burning and cardio in conjunction with resistance and utilizing the power poses so you're getting the best of both worlds."

But if you're not a yoga pro, where does that leave you? "This DVD is absolutely for all of the people that have done any of my workouts," she said. "It's the same concept, principles and methodology -- I'm still doing intervals and circuits and combining cardio and resistance, but using different moves that are yoga-based. I've even fashioned this after "30 Day Shred," so there's a level 1 and a level 2." Level 1 focuses on quick-flowing yoga sequences to burn calories, progressing to a more advanced level 2, which adds twists and balance poses for an even greater burn. "We decided against a level 3 since that would be dangerous," said Michaels. "We can't have people doing handstands in their living room -- it was just too much!"

Similar to "30 Day Shred," Michaels said "Yoga Meltdown" is a good workout for those with busy schedules, since both levels are 30 minutes or less. "The idea was let's take everything people love about Shred and give them a different workout, since we all need some variety in our routines," she said. "Plus, yoga has the added benefits of core strength and flexibility -- and the way that I worked it all together made sure that it was calorie-burning, too."

Biggest Loser fans can testify that Michaels' specialty is accelerated weight loss -- evidenced by her ability to push show contestants to shed serious pounds (such as dropping 100 pounds in seven weeks). But what they may not know is that behind the scenes at BL, Michaels is able to "test and try different [yoga] techniques" that helped shape her new yoga DVD. "Bob and I both do a lot of yoga with the contestants," she said, "only they don't really show me doing it because they like Bob to be the yogi and me to be the martial artist."

When asked about her new reality show, "Losing It With Jillian," Michaels said that the eight episodes will start shooting at the end of March. So far, she's only shot the pilot episode, but not without some huge revelations. "We discovered after shooting the pilot that this is not a weight-loss show!" said Michaels. "We started working with families, and realized it's really a show about rebooting your life. I go in and give this family the tools to essentially change their lives inside and out, so when we come back in two months they are a fixed family physically, emotionally and psychologically. It's a life makeover for families as individuals and a group."

You may know about Jillian's DVDs and role on Biggest Loser, but what about her detox? Find out how one That's Fit blogger fared on Jillian Michaels Cleanse and Burn!

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]]>biggest loserJillian michaelsJillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdownlosing it with jillianreality tvyoga dvdVanessa VoltolinaTue, 02 Mar 2010 11:00:00 ESTDr. Oz Helps a Neighborhood Get Healthyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/dr-oz-helps-a-neighborhood-get-healthy/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/dr-oz-helps-a-neighborhood-get-healthy/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/dr-oz-helps-a-neighborhood-get-healthy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Five months ago, a meat-loving cowboy named Rocco Wachman appeared on the Dr. Oz Show and ditched his high-fat diet in favor of a 28-day vegan detox. Since then, Rocco -- now known as "The Vegan Cowboy" -- has lost nearly 50 pounds, and credits Dr. Oz with changing his life. Now he's returning the favor and trying to make other people's lives healthier. On today's episode, Rocco travels to Riverside, Calif. and challenges an unsuspecting neighborhood to a 60-day road to wellness.

"Rocco's been one of our biggest success stories, so it's great to have him come back and share his experience," Dr. Oz told That's Fit. "When you're trying to lose weight, there are few things as important as the support of those around you. Our Riverside neighbors will be able to lean on each other, help each other, and learn from each other, as well as Rocco. They will also be able to hold each other accountable. And with that accountability, it's harder to fail." For show times, check your local listings.

Click on the video below to see a preview of the episode.



Dr. Oz can help you get healthy, too. Get started with his 12 Best Diet Tips.

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]]>dr. ozDr.Ozvegan cowboyVeganCowboyKimberly PapaFri, 26 Feb 2010 14:00:00 ESTHow Kelly Osbourne Dropped 42 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/kelly-osbourne-lost-weight-with-pilates-bar-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/kelly-osbourne-lost-weight-with-pilates-bar-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/kelly-osbourne-lost-weight-with-pilates-bar-dancing-with-the-stars/#commentsFiled under:


Kelly Osbourne hasn't always been the role model for healthy living. The once potty-mouthed singer and "The Osbournes" reality TV star has not only struggled with her weight, but also checked herself into rehab for drug and alcohol addiction three times. But now, according to an exclusive interview with "Us Weekly," it looks as if Osbourne has embraced a healthier lifestyle, which helped her lose a whopping 42 pounds.

The 25-year-old Osbourne recently dropped weight through a healthy, low-carb diet, training and competing on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (in which she won third place), and the fat-blasting ballet-meets-yoga-meets-Pilates Bar Method, she told "Us Weekly." Her new lifestyle has shrunk the 5'2" singer from a size 14 to a size 2 (from 160 pounds to 118 pounds)!

"I have seen her when she is heavier," Melanie Bromley, West Coast Bureau Chief for "Us Weekly" told That's Fit. "At the shoot [Osbourne's February 21 "Us Weekly" photo shoot in Bel Air], she had more energy and seemed excited about her new body. She had a new confidence. We had so many outfits and she was really enjoying trying them on. She looked incredible and so slim; she was in the kind of clothes that you've never seen her wear -- they were tight-fitting and cinched at the waist. We haven't seen her in that role before."

Tight-fitting, cinched-waist clothing? It certainly does seem like a different side to Osbourne. Even from a young age, the reality star has struggled with her weight, and admitted to "Us Weekly" that she's suffered from bouts of depression and was an emotional eater. "I'd order a pizza and eat my emotions away," she said.

This isn't the first time Osbourne has lost a considerable amount of weight. She shed nearly 40 pounds on the Blood Type Diet. However, she gained it back before the 2009 season of "Dancing With The Stars." To keep her weight in check, she's even been known to try a few extreme dieting tactics. "A friend told me to take Adderall [an ADHD drug that suppresses appetite] a couple years ago," she told "Us Weekly." "Or I'd take diet pills. I starved myself until I was shaking and felt sick. I tried the Atkins Diet, but you had to eat so much meat and cheese, I hated it. No vegetables. I felt dirty when I ate like that."

It was during DWTS, though, that she shed some serious weight, attributing her success to partner Louis van Amstel. Van Amstel made her work out and practice six hours a day to get fit, she said. As soon as DWTS ended, Osbourne began the Bar Method. "DWTS taught her that she can change her body shape," said Bromley. "You really have to be committed to DWTS -- and many people lose a lot of weight while on the show. But after the show ends, they generally gain it all back. For Kelly to have kept it off is an accomplishment, and I think she has a better figure now than when she finished the show."

While she may not be a fan of exercise in general, Osbourne swears by the Bar Method, a class she takes for 60-minutes three days a week. "Not every day," she told "Us Weekly" of the Bar Method. "I don't have that kind of dedication! Working out sucks. It's miserable. You sweat and you stink, but then you're done -- and you see that just taking an hour three times a week can change you so much. It becomes addictive." When she can't make class, Osbourne hits the hiking trails near her parents' California home with mom Sharon and a trainer. "We'll stop and do pushups and situps then keep walking," she said. "There are so many hills that, by the end, we're gasping for breath."

An average day eating-wise for Osbourne consists of an egg-white omelet with turkey bacon for breakfast, a chopped salad with tomatoes, salami, mozzarella and garbanzo beans for lunch, and a turkey burger with a salad or a side of steamed vegetables for dinner. Sugar-free Jell-O is her go-to snack.

Osbourne isn't the only celeb who has struggled with her weight in the spotlight. Find out how another singer, Fergie, lost 17 pounds after the making of her movie "Nine."

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]]>atkinsbar methodblood type dietcalorie-countingdietexercisekelly osbournelouis van amstellow-carbthe osbournesweight-losswork outVanessa VoltolinaFri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTJamie Oliver's New Show: Theater or Public Health Campaign?http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/jamie-oliver-puts-american-city-on-a-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/jamie-oliver-puts-american-city-on-a-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/26/jamie-oliver-puts-american-city-on-a-diet/#commentsFiled under:

He's tried to clean up the eating habits of children and adults in his home country of England, and now celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is going to take on the eating habits of Americans. First stop? Huntington, W. Va., also known as the unhealthiest city in America. The first clips of the show are being promoted and it looks like Oliver has his work cut out for him. Before taking on the task, Oliver admitted that he was scared; "They are not stupid, they are not ignorant -- it's just they have never had food from scratch in their life," he said of the city's 50,000 residents.

And he certainly has high aspirations for both Huntington and himself. "I'm here to start the biggest food revolution this country's ever seen," he said in the show. But what do the residents of his first project think of the plan? They're not exactly convinced. "We don't want to sit around an eat lettuce all day," a local radio host told Oliver matter-of-factly. "He can try all he wants, but I don't think he's got it."

All the same, the town seems to need it. If the video clips are to be believed, Huntington is a place where some kids don't know the names of common produce items and French fries are considered a serving of vegetables.

Check out the clip from "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." Story continues below.




But public health nutrition expert Marion Nestle brought up a very good question. "Is his campaign about theater or is this real public health?" A tearful Oliver seems genuinely interested in the well-being of Huntington, particularly when he urges parents to consider the health of their children. "This is the first generation of kids expected to live a shorter life than their parents," he said. "if you think that's not important, then shame on you."

Still, the fact remains that Oliver is benefiting big time from the bad habits of this infamous city, and locals are worried that this latest reality series will do little more than portray their hometown in a really negative light. Mayor Kim Wolf admitted to the Huntington News that the obesity problem "was taken a little out of context [and] sensationalized a bit by the British media." All the same, the local media labeled him as "sincere" after an early press conference.

We'll just have to wait and see if he was sincere enough to change the city for good. The show premieres Friday, March 26 at 9pm ET on ABC -- will you be watching?

Jamie Oliver isn't the only one looking at America's school lunches. It is a focus of Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign, but are her efforts enough?

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]]>englandhuntingtonjamie olivernaked chefnaked chef jamie oliverunhealthiest town in americawest virginiaMartha EdwardsFri, 26 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST