Slim-related stories
Power Yoga
Postures in power yoga are typically linked together by a sequence called a vinyasa, which includes downward dog and upward dog. The purpose of a vinyasa is to create heat and energy in the body and to "refresh" the muscles after the previous pose. Power yoga sessions often also focus on a style of breathing called Ujjayi breath, a strong breathing technique that forces air through the back of the throat.
Unlike most traditional yoga practices, which focus on the spiritual and meditative aspects of the poses, power yoga is more focused on the physical aspect of the session, and it is most often used as a means to get fit or lose weight rather than achieve enlightenment.
More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Lose Your Gut (Biggest Loser Trainers' Tips) - This Week on AOL Health
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Miss Piggy - Has the Diva Slimmed Down?
We know that human celebs are somewhat obsessed with slimming down. It's part of the Hollywood scene, they say. Now, it seems the trim-down trend is catching on with Muppet celebs too. The one and only Miss Piggy was spotted on "The View" on Thursday looking, well, less piggish. I guess Muppets are not immune to the pressures of fame and it was only a matter of time before the Diva herself caved and went all skinny on us. Well, she's not exactly skeletal. She's just leaner than she once was.
Sources are not naming the star's secret diet weapon, but Miss Piggy has been caught on video working out. Well, sort of. And "People" magazine has some before and after shots for your viewing pleasure. Tell us what you think -- is the pig less plump or what?
6 Habits Of Successful Losers
Want to know the secret to losing weight and keeping it off? Yeah, I'm guessing you do -- just like the rest of us. That's why Consumer Reports recently did a survey of its more than 20,000 readers, asking them not only about their weight, but their dieting and exercise habits. They found that 31 percent of respondents were of a healthy weight -- either they were always thin or had lost weight and maintained this loss in the long run. Interestingly, whether they were always thin or had lost weight and kept it off, those of a healthy weight shared six habits:
- They control their portions.
- They limit their fat intake.
- They eat fruit and veggies every day.
- They chose while grain over white.
- They eat at home more often than not.
- They exercise regularly.
Notice this list doesn't include any fad diets or magic pills -- just plain old boring, sensible, healthy habits. The good news? These things are totally doable. So what are you waiting for?
(via A Better Life)
Emma Watson Thinks Thin is Ugly
In a world where so many Hollywood starlets cave in to the insurmountable pressure to be thin, it's nice when someone young, impressionable and promising goes against the grain. Take Harry Potter's Emma Watson, for instance. The pretty and talented actress recently admitted that she doesn't think thin is beautiful, saying "I don't think it's very pretty to be really, really skinny. It's not inspirational at all for me."Still, it's easy for her to say -- she's 18 and naturally slim, after all. "I'm lucky and I'm this size naturally," she concedes, adding, "I don't diet and I don't aspire to be super skinny. I just don't think it's very pretty. Even if I wanted to be that skinny, I love food and I love cooking and I love sitting down and having nice meals, so it just wouldn't be possible for me."
Good for her -- now let's hope that a slowing metabolism in 10 years time doesn't change her healthy body image.
Lily Allen - Proof that Hypno-Dieting Works?
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
It was with a fair amount of skepticism that we told you about Lily Allen adopting a bizarre-sounding weight loss scheme known as Hypno-Dieting, but according to reports, it was not only successful in helping her drop two dress sizes over the past year, but it also helped her give up her hard-partying, alcohol-swilling ways. Impressive, no?
So what's the deal with this 'hypno-dieting' anyway? We imagined a Freud lookalike swinging a stopwatch and chanting 'you are getting sleeeeeeeeeeepy,' ala some bad TV movie -- let's hope it's a bit more sophisticated than that. But while Lily's Hypnotist Susan Hepburn wasn't giving away any tricks of the trade, she did say this on the process: "During sessions, I taught Lily to favour healthy, low-fat meals instead of junk food. And to see that alcohol isn't a confidence booster, it's just extra calories that sabotage your efforts to get a good body."
Wow. It sounds so simple. And it obviously works. But at over $450 a session, you might want to stick to Weight Watchers. Or America Takes It Off. Click on the badge below for the skinny on this program.
How Did Julie Rigby Drop 50 Pounds?
That's Fit Club, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman are giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: Julie Rigby
Age: 40
Occupation: Wife and Mom
How often do you exercise? Six times a week
What type of exercise do you do? Cardio mixed with yoga and strength training
What gets you to workout, even when you're feeling lazy? Looking at my "before" pictures
Keep reading to find out how Julie lost 50 pounds!
Slivers vs. Slices
Eva Cuts Out Meat to Lose Weight
Eva Longoria-Parker is fat. Actually, make that was fat. The Desperate Housewives star recently is looking slimmer and trimmer after gaining weight for her role on the hit series. How did she do it? The vegetarian way. Longoria-Parker recently revealed that she cut out meat in an effort to slim down. Was it a big adjustment? Nope -- "I love it... It really has affected my body," says the star. So why meat? "It takes a lot for the body to process red meat and I've never been a fan of chickens," she told reporters. But she still relies on control-top panties to tone her tummy and tush.
I sure wish I could just cut out meat and be a size zero. You too?
(via Calorie Lab)
Cindy Crawford - Make Time to Exercise
Cindy Crawford always looks stunning, whether she's toting around her kids, going out with her superstar friends or glamming it up on the red carpet with her husband. What's her secret? She recently spoke to Time Online about her healthy habits and how she manages to look so darn good all the time. "There is no secret, not like finding the perfect jeans," she says. "It's genetics - I was born with a good envelope - and lifestyle ... when I was 20, I was not super-skinny, so I got into exercise and it has become part of my life. You do not find time to exercise, you make time, otherwise you will find millions of other things to do."
And boy does she exercise. Crawford admits that before her kids, her workouts were so exhausting she had to rest afterwards, adding, "I found after I had my first kid I could not come home after my workouts and have a nap, so I had to adapt them to make them softer - so they would energize me, rather than wear me out."
To read more about how Crawford stays fit, click here.
Eva Longoria-Parker Relies on Control-Top Panties Too
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria-Parker made headlines a couple of months ago when she gained weight for her role on the TV show and famously admitted she was 'not pregnant, just fat.' These days, the weight's gone, but Longoria-Parker recently fessed up about her slimmer figure by revealing that she relies on those magic weapons that all modern women have in their closets -- Spanx. The revelation came after the actress was spotted looking fab at a party hosted by Allure magazine.
I, for one, feel better knowing that even tiny, gorgeous women like Eva don the Spanx to trim their tummies. What about you?
Jessica Szohr - it's all about balance for this Gossip Girl
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Jessica Szohr is pretty, petite and one of the hottest stars around these days, thanks to a starring role in TV's Gossip Girl. Recently, our friends over at the Fitsugar were lucky enough to get to talk to Szohr about a number of things, including, of course, how she stays slim and fit. Szohr must work out a lot because she had this to say about her eating habits: "For me it's just about balance because I'm not the greatest eater ever. I like my pizza and french fries with ranch sauce." She adds, "I'm going to eat a ton of cookies."
She goes on to reveal what her regular fitness routine is, including how long it takes her to run a mile -- just head over to Fitsugar to read more.
Wanna-be moms too worried about their figure to give birth?
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
Recently, TV star Katherine Heigl raised a few eyebrows when she said, "I'm finished with the whole idea of having children of my own. It doesn't seem like any fun. I don't think it's necessary to go through all that." Isn't pregnancy supposed to be a gift? A miracle? More meaningful than just some tedious inconvenience? But Heigel is not alone -- according to The Daily Mail, many women are choosing adoption over pregnancy. The reasons are many but a couple are especially common: To keep their career on track and maintain their figure. Says one adoptive mother: "I am quite slim, so yes, a lot of it is pure vanity. I don't like the thought of changing my body for a child. Giving birth and the idea of all that pain filled me with dread."
Is not giving birth because of vanity a selfish move? Or a practical one? In the end, it all comes down to personal choice, but I'm curious -- what do you think?
Slim your hips with these 3 moves
Hips are one of those weird body areas where you want a little curve, but not too much. With the right exercises, you can keep your hips toned and dead sexy. Shape magazine has three moves that target your hips. The moves all use some special equipment, so you might not be able to do them at home. But keep them in mind for your next visit to the gym.- Side-lying leg lift. This move that works your outer hips uses an ankle cuff and a low-cable pulley.
- Machine squat. This variation on a squat, using a hip abductor machine, works your outer thighs.
- Standing side leg lift. A cuff and a low cable pulley are also used in this move that works your inner thighs and outer hips.
5 more tips to slim your stomach
Last week, I told you five food tweaks that can make your Buddha belly less ... um .... Buddha-ish. But if changing what you eat isn't your thing, Prevention Magazine recently revealed another five tips -- no diet changes necessary. Here they are:- Stand -- and sit -- up straight. Good posture instantly slims your whole body, but especially your ab area.
- Imagine there's a magnet behind your belly button drawing it to your spine. It's an old Pilates trick that works wonders. Do this often.
- Sit like royalty. Allow your spine to curve naturally and hold your shoulders back.
- Become a cardio queen ... or king. It's effective in burning stubborn fat.
- Clean your house. Seriously. Vacuuming, sweeping and scrubbing uses your core muscles.
