That's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gifThat's Fithttp://www.thatsfit.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The Pursuit of Happiness: Breaking Out of An Exercise Ruthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/25/happy-from-exercise-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/25/happy-from-exercise-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/25/happy-from-exercise-diet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Karla Carrington
Photo: Solomon Jazz


Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm happy about my transformation from 386 to 181 pounds. It's not that I have to remind myself because I'm completely unhappy. I remind myself in order to stay focused. It's easy to get complacent, but recalling how far I've come and where I used to be can be just the shot in the arm to lift my head when it's lowered, for whatever reason.

Even before I got here, every attempt I ever made to get fit or lose weight always brought a smile. I was always happiest when I at least tried. Of course I'd feel awful when I failed but it never took away from my euphoria from having made an honest effort. Now that I live every day in this body and my struggle has become somewhat easier, I miss that feeling.

What this tells me is that I'm not trying hard enough, at something. Time for me to up my game and once again experience the joy of doing something good for me. It's not that dieting or working out has become a bore but being happy at my current weight requires far less effort to maintain than it took to achieve. I say all of this to say, I need a new challenge in my life.

Continue reading The Pursuit of Happiness: Breaking Out of An Exercise Rut

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>boxinggastric bypassGastricBypasssalsa dancingSalsaDancingthe-good-the-fat-and-the-hungryweight lossWeightLossKarla CarringtonWed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTHas Your Hard Work Paid Off? Show Us The Results!http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/24/has-your-hard-work-paid-off-show-us-the-results/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/24/has-your-hard-work-paid-off-show-us-the-results/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/24/has-your-hard-work-paid-off-show-us-the-results/#commentsFiled under:

Getty Images

Are you proud of your recent weight loss success? Or have the hours you've logged in at the gym paid off with toned tummy? Whether you've lost 50 pounds or five pounds, we want you to share the results of your commitment to being healthier. Upload your photos yourself feeling fit and happy, and you could be featured in our new daily gallery.

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like to be featured on That's Fit, upload photos of yourself into the That'sFit Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>exercisefitnessflickrflickr poolFlickrPoolphotossharesuccessuploadweightweight lossWeightLossworkoutKimberly Papa WolfsonTue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTMan Loses 260 Pounds: Now He's an Ironman!http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/man-loses-260-pounds-now-hes-an-ironman/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/man-loses-260-pounds-now-hes-an-ironman/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/man-loses-260-pounds-now-hes-an-ironman/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

before and after Chad Soileau

Photo: Chad Soileau

Imagine being so overweight that when you tried and failed with a diet, you would gain back between 75 and 120 pounds. Imagine being so encumbered by your own body weight that you suffered from everything imaginable, from hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease to high blood pressure, depression and sleep apnea. Finally, imagine being so helpless in your own skin that it cost you your career in the military.

That 'was' the life of Chad Soileau, who in March 2006 weighed in at 464 pounds. But after his obesity prevented him from accepting a promotion to 1st Lieutenant in the Army and drastically threatened his health, Soileau underwent the procedure of RNY gastric bypass surgery to initially shed some pounds. Afterwards, he vowed to change his eating habits and exercise regularly to eventually hit his target weight of 205 pounds.

Along the way, his mini-goals were simple, realistic ones, including driving his truck without having his belly touch the steering wheel, riding a roller coaster again, to fly in an airplane without having to wear an extender belt, and, eventually be able to walk one mile.

Continue reading Man Loses 260 Pounds: Now He's an Ironman!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Armyfat lossFatLossguys-guideiron manIronManmilitarymotivationtriathlonweight lossWeightLossMyatt MurphyMon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTAli Lost 100 Pounds and Kept it Off for Five Yearshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/ali-lost-100-pounds-and-kept-it-off-for-five-years/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/ali-lost-100-pounds-and-kept-it-off-for-five-years/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/ali-lost-100-pounds-and-kept-it-off-for-five-years/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Ali Shipp

Ali, before
Photo: Ali Shipp

Name: Ali Shipp

Age: 29

Height: 5 feet, 6 inches

Before weight: 245

How I gained it: My mom was a single mother when I was young. She worked a lot, so it was up to my sisters and me to make our meals. There was no structure, so I never learned about portion control or how to make a balanced meal. I ate tons of pasta, potatoes and bread -- huge portions of them at almost every meal.

During the summer when I was out of school, I had the whole day to myself, and I would cook so I'd have something to do. I'd make huge breakfasts -- with potatoes and pancakes -- and then big lunches and dinners, too. I ate out of boredom and for comfort.

I rarely dieted, but I did try exercising when I got a little older. I would workout to Jane Fonda videotapes, and I'd lose maybe nine or 10 pounds. My clothes would fit a little better, but there was never lasting change. I just never had the determination to really get to it and transform myself.

Breaking Point: I became a flight flight attendant in 2004 and had the opportunity to observe a lot of different people. I began to notice differences in the way people interacted with each other. Thin people seemed like they were heard more and acknowledged. Heavier people, I noticed, had to talk louder or be very animated or boisterous to be heard. I didn't want to have to try that hard to be heard or overcompensate just because I was overweight, so I decided to make some real changes in my life.

Continue reading Ali Lost 100 Pounds and Kept it Off for Five Years

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dietexerciseinterval trainingIntervalTrainingrebounderrunningtrampolinetreadmillweight lossWeightLossMelissa JoulwanMon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTShare Your Proudest Fitness Momentshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/personal-fitness-accomplishments/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/personal-fitness-accomplishments/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/personal-fitness-accomplishments/#commentsFiled under: ,

woman in big pants
Photo: Getty Images
Did you just train for -- and compete in -- your first 5K, 10K, marathon, triathlon or other fitness feat? We want to share your story with the world! Let us know why you decided to train, how you did it and what it felt like to cross that (mental or physical) finish line. Send us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>10k5kmarathonracerunrunningswimswimmingtriathlonThat's Fit EditorsThu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTRelax to Lose Weighthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/17/relax-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/17/relax-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/17/relax-to-lose-weight/#commentsFiled under:

Want to slim down? It's important to address your stress.

Continue reading Relax to Lose Weight

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>daily-fit-tipstressyogaMartha EdwardsTue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTKara Combined Exercise Time and Family Time to Lose 107 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/16/exercise-with-family-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/16/exercise-with-family-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/16/exercise-with-family-to-lose-weight/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Kara, before
Photo: Kara Masucci

Name: Kara Masucci

Age: 33

Height: 4 feet, 11 inches

Before weight: 222

How I gained it: When I was younger, I ate all the time. Food was always around, and it was yummy. I was active, and I burned it off. But I remember my mom and grandma slapping my hand when I went for the second cupcake and saying things like, "Don't eat that, you're already too big."

As an adult, I enjoyed going out to eat, and I was apathetic because I was already overweight. I just thought, "I'm already big, I might as well have the cheese fondue!" As a Nurse Practitioner, you would think I would know better, but book smarts and street smarts are different. So I resolved myself to just be happy, and I thought I was.

Breaking point: When my daughter was one year old, I started to have some health issues. When I look back at my pictures now, I see how much weight I was carrying, but at the time, I thought I looked the same as when I was a freshman in college. I was overweight, but not "obese."

Continue reading Kara Combined Exercise Time and Family Time to Lose 107 Pounds

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dietjenny craigJennyCraigsuccess-storiesweight lossWeightLossMelissa JoulwanMon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTCatherine Lost 30 Pounds with CrossFit and Home Cookinghttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/09/catherine-lost-30-pounds-with-crossfit/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/09/catherine-lost-30-pounds-with-crossfit/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/09/catherine-lost-30-pounds-with-crossfit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Catherine Walker Hart, before
Photo: Catherine Walker Hart


Name: Catherine Walker Hart

Age: 30

Height: 5 feet, 7 inches

Before weight: 168

How I gained it: Food addiction and overeating runs on one side of my family -- fast eating runs on the other side. I got both! I've always loved to eat and have always been a fast eater. Eating way past my full point was a daily occurrence in my life.

Growing up, I was very active and had a pretty decent metabolism, so I used to get away with eating too much. After I got married in 2006, I was no longer as active as I had been and my overeating started to catch up with me. My husband and I also became the "king and queen of takeout." When you eat most of your meals from restaurants, you don't have control of what goes into them, and the portions are larger than one person needs. I also was a bit of a carb addict, easily eating four to five times the appropriate amount of carbs in my meals. My husband and I also developed an ice cream habit. We could go through an entire pint on a nightly basis.

The more weight I put on, the more uncomfortable I felt, which only led to more overeating. And I was not burning off any of it! I tried several attempts at the gym, but I always felt lethargic and unmotivated. Eventually, I gave up.

Breaking Point: I started to notice that I could no longer cleverly hide my weight gain with baggier clothes. I have a small frame, so there was a window of time when I could hide extra pounds, but I was gaining weight beyond that window. The depression about my weight really kicked in when I had to buy a new pair of jeans in a larger size for the third time.

I became incredibly self-conscious about my weight and felt very uncomfortable in my own skin. I liked to think of myself as a strong, active person, and there I was carrying around an extra 35 pounds. I felt like I wasn't myself.

My weight was increasing, and I wasn't having any success changing to a healthier diet. In fact, I don't think I even understood what it meant to eat healthier. My grandfather had been a lean, strong, active athlete his entire life, but his addictive eating cut his life short. I knew in my heart that I had his genes and that if I didn't change my lifestyle now, I could be on the road to obesity with serious health consequences. I needed to kick it in the butt! I decided right then and there that "being heavy" was just a phase: I would not be a heavy person for the rest of my life.

Continue reading Catherine Lost 30 Pounds with CrossFit and Home Cooking

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Crossfitdietsuccess-storiesThe zone dietTheZoneDietweight lossWeightLosszoneMelissa JoulwanMon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTFalling Off the Fitness Wagonhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/04/workout-routine-getting-started/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/04/workout-routine-getting-started/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/04/workout-routine-getting-started/#commentsFiled under: ,


Fell off the wagon. Slipped off the wagon. Jumped off the wagon. Which one sounds more innocent? Then that's the one I am. No matter which one you picked, they all end off the wagon, which is right where I am. Running is something I used to do. P90X is something else I used to do. I haven't done either in nearly a month.

It started with the ending of Jake, the trainer. Our sessions began later and later and at some point, he just got too comfortable. Maybe it was just being in my home but either way, it wasn't working out for me anymore, literally. Jake was the glue that held my fitness together. If I didn't do anything on my own in between, I was guaranteed three days with him which would more than make up for anything I missed. But even after I let Jake go, I continued to work out and run. For a little while.

I guess not having anyone's eyes on me and my scale made way for complacency. I have been quite comfortable -- actually, way TOO comfortable. Oh, the creative ways I've justified this spell of laziness would both astound and amaze! I've sat on my couch with my feet up and come up with a new reason almost every day: My body deserves a break to my body needs to rest. I'm on a streak but this is certainly not a winning one.

Continue reading Falling Off the Fitness Wagon

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>fitnessmotivationrunningthe-good-the-fat-and-the-hungryKarla CarringtonWed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTNYC Marathon Results Are In!http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/nyc-marathon-results-are-in/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/nyc-marathon-results-are-in/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/nyc-marathon-results-are-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

In a sport where the average winner is in their mid-twenties, the thrill of victory belonged to two unlikely candidates at yesterday's ING New York City Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi, 34, became the first American man to win what others refer to as one of the world's greatest races since 1982, when Alberto Salazar had three consecutive victories. Keflezighi crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 2:09:15. It was both Keflezighi's first marathon win, and his personal-best record.

Among those who Keflezighi defeated were up-and-coming favorite, Ryan Hall, and four-time Boston Marathon champ, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot. "A lot of people were writing him off, saying he was too old," Ryan Hall said about Keflezighi in a press conference after the race. "But if there was one other guy who I wanted to see win this race, it was Meb. He's like an older brother to me."

Continue reading NYC Marathon Results Are In!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>derartu tuluDerartuTuluMeb KeflezighiMebKeflezighinew york city marathonnew york marathonNewYorkCityMarathonNewYorkMarathonpaula radcliffePaulaRadclifferyan hallRyanHallDeborah DunhamMon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTCaroline Freed Herself of Fast Food and Lost 145 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/fast-food-restaurants-eliminated-for-weight-loss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/fast-food-restaurants-eliminated-for-weight-loss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/fast-food-restaurants-eliminated-for-weight-loss/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.
Caroline Nittolo, before

Caroline Nittolo, Before
Photo: Caroline Nittolo



Name: Caroline Nittolo

Age: 35

Height: 5 feet, 2 inches

Before weight: 271

How I gained it: I have been overweight my entire life, but I gained the majority of the weight over the past five years. My dad was very sick and in the hospital for a long time, and I used food as an escape. I ate fast food three or four times a week; I was a fast food drive-thru queen! My favorite was McDonald's, but I would also go to Wendy's and Burger King. I always felt happy while I was eating the food, but I would feel guilty when I finished.

I never got out of the car, thinking that no one would see how big I was if I used the drive-thru. I ordered super-sized meals, but drank a Diet Coke with them, kidding myself that would make a difference. I do miss Ronald, Wendy, and the King, but they were no friends of mine. They were my worst enemy.

Breaking point: After my father passed away from complications from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, I hit rock bottom, and I was still using food as comfort. I went to see the doctor, and my blood pressure was very high. For the first time, I had health issues, and it scared me. Right around that time, I had to travel for a month on business/pleasure and had to take 14 different flights. I was so mortified that the seat belts didn't fit me! The worst part of the whole experience was that most of the flight attendants automatically brought the seat belt extender to me. They knew just looking at me that I would need it. It was horrible! I knew I was big, but I tried to block out the fact that most people could see how big I really was.

Continue reading Caroline Freed Herself of Fast Food and Lost 145 Pounds

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>diabetesheart diseaseHeartDiseasesuccesssuccess-storieswalkingweightweight lossweight watchersWeightLossWeightWatchersMelissa JoulwanMon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTRachel Weisz's Trainer Tips to Drop 5 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/lose-five-pounds-fast/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/lose-five-pounds-fast/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/02/lose-five-pounds-fast/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gregory Joujon-Roche

Photo: Holistic Fitness, Hollywood

When a Hollywood celeb has to get slim and sculpted in a jiffy, she hires a slew of professionals to whip her into shape. The rest of us, unfortunately, don't have that luxury -- until now. We asked celebrity trainer Gregory Joujon-Roche, and his Los Angeles-based Holistic Fitness team of nutritionists and chefs to come up with a fast program that's guaranteed to help you drop 5 pounds, blast fat and firm up everywhere. The team's methods have worked for such clients as Demi Moore, Rachel Weisz, and singer Avril Lavigne, who have all called on Holistic Fitness to help them reach their better-body goals.

Joujon-Roche and his experts walk you through their exclusive, results-guaranteed program:

  • High-intensity cardio training five days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. They advise full-body cardio activities where you use both upper- and lower-body sculpting, such as kickboxing, flowing power yoga and rowing.
  • High-intensity weight lifting with free weights or machines three days a week. Lift on non-consecutive days, so your muscles (chest, back, arms, legs, abs) can recover in between. This also means at least 15 minutes of targeted ab training three days per week.
  • A lower-fat diet of 1,500 calories per day [for women], and health-promoting habits from the start. "From day one, we encourage you to maintain an exercise-diet journal, take a multi-vitamin, and drink 10 glasses of water and green tea daily," says Joujon-Roche. "Plus, start eating a high-fiber, protein-packed diet that fuels your body, sustains willpower and revs up your metabolism."

Continue reading Rachel Weisz's Trainer Tips to Drop 5 Pounds

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>celebrity fitnesscelebrity trainerCelebrityFitnessCelebrityTrainerdiet tipsdiet tips dieting tipsDietTipsDietTipsDietingTipsHollywod TrainerHollywodTrainerhollywoodlose fat fastLoseFatFastNicole Dorsey-StraffMon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTNew York City Moms Balance Work, Kids and Marathonhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/new-york-city-moms-balance-work-kids-and-marathon/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/new-york-city-moms-balance-work-kids-and-marathon/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/new-york-city-moms-balance-work-kids-and-marathon/#commentsFiled under: ,

marthon moms NYC marathon 2009

From left: Jessica Lebron, Bronx; Angela Gonzalez, Queens; Lisa Stavros DeFillipo, Staten Island; Magdalena Lewy Boulet, Olympian; Beth Segaloff, honorary member; Allyson Hentel-Koplin, Manhattan; Dorothy McPhee, Brooklyn.
Photo: Katherine Tweed


More than 40,000 people will run the ING New York City Marathon this Sunday. Among them will be working mothers chosen to represent all five of New York City's boroughs in the 2009 Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Team. The women, some running the marathon for the first time, all have unique stories, but share the bonds of being fit, working mothers balancing all the demands that come with those roles. The team of five was also joined recently by another woman, Beth Segaloff, who recently lost her fiancé, Captain Ben Sklarver, just three weeks ago when he was deployed in Afghanistan. The women will run together for the first 13 miles, and then anyone can break away for the second half. The woman with the best time will win a trophy, and bragging rights. But none of these women are part of this team to brag. Instead, they find peace, motivation and solace in their commitment to running. That's Fit recently met the team, along with mom and marathon Olympian, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, to find out how, and why, they have made running such a critical part of their lives.

Continue reading New York City Moms Balance Work, Kids and Marathon

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>energyfoot locker five borough challengeFootLockerFiveBoroughChallengegeo:40.720409+-73.994637marathonmothersnew york city marathonNewYorkCityMarathonolympianrunrunningstress-relieftherapytreadmillWhere:new-york-cityworking mothersKatherine TweedFri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 ESTTricks to Avoid Halloween Candyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-and-tricks-to-avoid-them/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-and-tricks-to-avoid-them/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-and-tricks-to-avoid-them/#commentsFiled under: ,

This just in: Candy will still be available after Halloween! Here are tips to help you avoid being "tricked" by candy and to let you indulge in a treat that won't wreak havoc on your good habits.

1. Give the treat of healthier snacks.
The grocery shelves are crammed with 100-calorie snack packs that are healthier options than candy. Snacks like pretzels, roasted nuts and baked chips and crackers are better options than some candies, and if you indulge in a pack, too, you can do it guilt-free.

2. Recognize your intent.
"Sometimes it's not the candy we want at all; we are just craving a particular feeling, like comfort or excitement," said Pam Wood, a Weight Watchers meeting leader in Austin, Texas. "We need to ask ourselves, 'What is it that I really want to satisfy: the craving for the candy or the craving to feel fabulous?'" If it's the latter, she advises that you say "no" to the candy and determine the best way to satisfy your true desires. If it is candy, go ahead and have a small piece to satisfy the craving.

Continue reading Tricks to Avoid Halloween Candy

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>100-calorie snacks100-calorieSnackscandycandybardiethalloweennutritionweight watchersWeightWatchersMelissa JoulwanFri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST84-Year-Old Bikes 150 Miles for MShttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/84-year-old-bikes-150-miles-for-ms/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/84-year-old-bikes-150-miles-for-ms/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/84-year-old-bikes-150-miles-for-ms/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photodisc


Lan Yin Tsai is not your typical long-distance cyclist. At New Jersey's recent City to Shore 150-mile ride for MS, the 84-year-old Tsai completed the distance with a style all her own. Forget the Lance Armstrong-style spandex, clip-on bike shoes and fancy road bike with multiple gears. Tsai prefers simplicity, riding her one-speed bike in a dress and high heels.

Just as she has done for the last 26 years, Tsai rode her purple bike with a wire basket in front earlier this month to help raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. She sat tall and proud in a green turtleneck dress, embroidered jacket and high-heeled pumps. "I went to church, so I always dressed up and would ride my bicycle," she told CNN. "So that's why I do it that way -- I do it that way naturally. That's the way I ride my bike."

Continue reading 84-Year-Old Bikes 150 Miles for MS

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>150-mile bike ride150-mileBikeRideLan Yin TsaiLanYinTsaiMSMS 150 RideMs150RideMultiple SclerosisMultipleSclerosisDeborah DunhamThu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 ESTStretching Exercises for Sore Muscleshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/stretching-exercises-for-sore-muscles/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/stretching-exercises-for-sore-muscles/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/29/stretching-exercises-for-sore-muscles/#commentsFiled under: ,


I like to call flexibility training -- or stretching -- the ugly stepsister of the exercise world because everyone seems to overlook it until it's too late. Eventually you strain or sprain something or you're so stiff from step class that you want to cry. I teach yoga and Pilates, and my favorite party trick is stretching my left heel over my head and feeding myself a little snack between my toes. I know, I know, it grosses out my husband, too. For many people, however, stretching does not come easily. But being limber is not just about impressing (or horrifying) people at cocktail parties, is an essential part of being truly fit.

Three general things make up your flexibility potential:
  • Age (younger folks are more flexible)
  • Gender (women are typically more supple)
  • Climate (Muscles are far more pliant in warmer temperatures)
Below are the five stretches everybody can practice a few times a week. Stretching after any other workout will soothe all of your major muscle groups in less than 10 minutes. I'd also like to give a shout-out to the practice of yoga. Since 15 million or so people began practicing yoga in the last decade, flexibility training has finally become as important to fitness as cardiovascular training and strength training. Yoga is the ultimate, full-body stretch, for sure, and some studies show that stretching makes your body much stronger, too.

Continue reading Stretching Exercises for Sore Muscles

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>exerciseexercisesflexibilityflexibility for athletesFlexibilityForAthleteshow to stretchHowToStretchstretchstretchingthats a stretchThatsAStretchyogaNicole Dorsey-StraffThu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:00 ESTThe Biggest Loser: Abby Rike is Amazinghttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/the-biggest-loser-abby-rike-is-amazing/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/the-biggest-loser-abby-rike-is-amazing/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/the-biggest-loser-abby-rike-is-amazing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Biggest Loser

Photo: NBC

Week 7 at "The Biggest Loser" centered on emotions and left us with Abby and Rudy's amazing feats. It may sound like a diet-pill hoax, but Rudy really did break a towering BL-record by dropping more than 100 pounds in an unheard-of seven weeks. No pills, no starvation, no liquid diet, just buckets of sweat and healthy eating equity. Read on for the rundown on Jillian's gym psychotherapy, a Derek Jeter surprise and a face-off weigh-in that left one team miserably inspired at elimination.

Jillian's Emotional Core Workout. Whether you've forgiven her for those early-season f-bombs or not, Jillian has an uncanny way of slicing to the core of contestant weight gain. She had her own face-off counseling sessions to address Amanda's fear of failure, Shay's battle to finally fight for herself and Abby's discovery that she truly wants to live again. What can you ask Abby Rike, the mother who lost her husband, daughter and newborn son in a tragic car crash two-and-a-half years ago? In a powerful moment, Jillian found Abby is ready to live and not just exist anymore. Abby continues to leave us speechless with a collective lump in our throat, which is why her picture sits on my treadmill. Who doesn't have the strength to walk or run faster and farther in her honor -- are you on the couch during this show or burning calories?

Halfway Point Pop Challenge. Short contestants loved this one -- shuttle back and forth under a bar to tag a swinging marker 500 times to win the right to pick the face-off match-ups at final weigh-in. Each team member was required to take a turn, and in a tight finish, Blue beat Black 500 to 496. Within a corny boxing ring, Blue picked Rebecca vs. Amanda, Tracy vs. Abby, Allen vs. Danny, Rudy vs. Shay and Liz vs. Daniel. Win three face-offs, and no one goes home. In return for Blue's win, Bob beat 'em up good with a creative pool workout -- try holding the pool wall and kicking furiously straight-legged for-Bob-ever. Grueling. Anyone else notice Rudy's sweet crawl stroke?

Derek Jeter Surprise. At this week's challenge, players were greeted by life-size photos of their first-day selves positioned on a gorgeous baseball field. Everyone wore jerseys with numbers representing weight loss to date. Then the Yankees' Derek Jeter pops up on the big screen to explain the 2,535 balls scattered in the outfield (his career hits) needed to be scooped up and tossed at opponents' photos. Once a contestant's photo was beaned 316 times (Jeter's career batting average), they're out. Last team with a member standing won lunch with our favorite Aussie chef, Curtis Stone, and a two-pound advantage at the weigh-in. A solid team strategy buffeted by Danny's smooth arm gave Black the win.


Continue reading The Biggest Loser: Abby Rike is Amazing

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Abby RikeAbbyRikebiggest loserbiggest loser season 8BiggestLoserBiggestLoserSeason8Curtis StoneCurtisStoneJerek Jeter on Biggest LoserJerekJeterOnBiggestLoserthe-biggest-loserBev SklarWed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 ESTTrain Harder, Blast More Body Fathttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/train-harder-blast-more-body-fat/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/train-harder-blast-more-body-fat/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/28/train-harder-blast-more-body-fat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association jointly updated physical activity recommendations based on the most relevant science that links exercise to improved health and wellness. Both organizations' suggestions now focus on 30 minutes of moderate-intensity daily physical activity, five days a week. How do you know if you're pushing along at a moderate, versus a slightly, intensity? The easiest way is to monitor your personal Rate of Perceived Exertion, or RPE. Your RPE during any sort of exercise - from walking and biking to skating and even karate class -- can mean the difference between blasting hundreds of calories or cheating yourself out of results.

RPE corresponds directly to your heart rate during exercise, so ask yourself several times per workout which number from 1 to 10 below corresponds with how you're feeling. After you monitor your own RPE for two weeks or so, RPE comes naturally, no matter where or how you're exercising. For example:

RPE Scale: How to Start Tuning In

  1. Sit still, quiet reading
  2. Light effort, strolling
  3. Moderate walking, warm-up and cool-down levels
  4. Moderate plus, like walking 4 mph on a flat track or hiking a gentle hill
  5. Moderately intense; walking fast enough to almost jog 5 mph
  6. Intense, hiking up a steeply vertical hill and feeling breathless
  7. More intense, running about 7 mph or taking an indoor cycling class
  8. Fast work, like running in deep sand or power jumps over cones, or hurdling at top speeds
  9. Nearly too high, definitely uncomfortable and gasping for breath
  10. Exertion is way too high, heart is thumping and muscles are on fire; decrease intensity

Continue reading Train Harder, Blast More Body Fat

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>American HEartamerican heart associationAmericanHeartAmericanHeartAssociationexerexercise intensityExerciseIntensityexercisingrate of perceived exertionRateOfPerceivedExertionRPE ScaleRpeScaleTune into Exercise IntentisyTuneIntoExerciseIntentisyWork out hard enoughWorkOutHardEnoughNicole Dorsey-StraffWed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESTTed Trashed Junk Food to Lose 60 Poundshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/26/ted-quit-eating-junk-to-lose-60-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/26/ted-quit-eating-junk-to-lose-60-pounds/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/26/ted-quit-eating-junk-to-lose-60-pounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Ted Hebert, Before

Ted Hebert, Before
Photo: Ted Hebert

Name: Ted Hebert

Age: 35

Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Before weight: 211

How I gained it: I was always skinny growing up, even in my teens when I began to eat junk all the time. A normal lunch was two double cheeseburgers, six chicken nuggets, a large shake and a pie. Dinner was usually more of the same or canned spaghetti and meatballs. I also ate candy bars, chips and ice cream all the time. I never put on a pound because I was young and active. In 1995, I weighed 140 pounds, and was actually a little underweight. Then, I got engaged, settled down and became very sedentary. My day consisted of sitting at a desk with a bag of chips and a couple of candy bars. Then, I would eat drive-through junk for lunch. My wife is a fabulous cook, and would make wonderful lasagna, stuffed shells, etc. for dinner every night. In between all of that, I would down about two liters of soda every day. Exercise was something other people did, not me. Sit on the couch watching TV is what I did.

My sedentary, lazy lifestyle, combined with just awful eating habits, packed the pounds on pretty quick. Even though I knew I had gained weight, I was in denial. I kept telling myself everyone gets heavier as they get older. I told myself that for 13 years!

Breaking point: The breaking point for me was being sick all the time. Before I got heavy, I rarely even caught a cold, but during the last few years, I caught nasty colds all the time, and the flu would whack me at least a couple of times a year. In February of 2008, I had a terrible flu that I couldn't shake, so I went to see a doctor. On the way into the doctor's office, the nurse weighed me on the super-accurate medical scale. I could not believe what I weighed: 211 pounds! I stand 5 feet 10 inches tall, so that was way too heavy.

At that moment, it clicked. The thought of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, clogged arteries and possibly leaving my kids with no father ran through my head. Even though I knew for years I was overweight, I finally decided to do something about it. I also felt that if my body was in better shape I wouldn't get sick so often.

I realized I needed to change my attitude about food and exercise. I looked at the wrapper after eating a greasy burger, and saw all that fatty grease. It's pretty disgusting. Would you lick the grease off a burger wrapper? Heck no. So, why eat all the fat and grease in the burger?

Continue reading Ted Trashed Junk Food to Lose 60 Pounds

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>junkfoodsubwaysuccess-storiested hebertTedHebertJacki DonaldsonMon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST400-Pound Woman Blogs to Lose Weighthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/20/400-pound-woman-blogs-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/20/400-pound-woman-blogs-to-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/10/20/400-pound-woman-blogs-to-lose-weight/#commentsFiled under: ,

"I felt like I was out-running the fat." That's how 30-year-old Stacy Woltmann described a recent workout. In her quest to lose 100 pounds in one year, Woltmann is not only making her goal top priority -- she's making it public. Woltmann told Good Morning America today that she was inspired by the recent movie, "Julie and Julia" and is now blogging her way through weight loss.

"I am racing to fit into my skinny jeans," she states on her blog. "This is not going to be a sprint. It's going to be a marathon, and I am going to need as many cheerleaders as I can get!" Woltmann reportedly tried all of the fad diets with little success. This time she's taking a different approach: A weight loss journey that is wide open for the world to see.

Click on the video below to see Stacey talk about her weight-loss journey. Story continues below.

PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.




Although her initial motivation for starting the blog was to gain accountability, it has turned into something much bigger. "The outpouring of encouragement and support has been overwhelming," she told GMA. Woltmann now wants to inspire more people to get fit and healthy.


Continue reading 400-Pound Woman Blogs to Lose Weight

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>blogging for weight lossBloggingForWeightLossStacy WoltmannStacyWoltmannweight lossweight loss blogWeightLossWeightLossBlogDeborah DunhamTue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST