Sometimes, context is everything. My indoctrination into the world of Xtreme Cardio happened on a cold and rainy New York morning. Jaana Kunitz, the program's creator, was in town and had set up a special workout session to familiarize grumpy, desk-bound journalists like me with her own brand of "sexy, feminine" dance workout.

Kunitz, herself an award-winning dancer, has lately been making her mark behind the scenes training pros on FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." She co-created the Core Rhythms exercise program, but Xtreme Cardio Dance is her first solo exercise franchise. A boxed set of four fitness DVDs, each promises an experience geared around a dance style: Hip-Hop, Disco, Latin Cardio -- and the ominously titled "Sexy Sculpt."

It's tough to think of a less ready-to-be-sexy crowd than the bleary-eyed assortment of writers and editors assembled for this event. (I also think that a tactical error may have been made in putting the refreshment table in the same room as the class.) So I'm going to give Kunitz major points for effort here. Also above-and-beyond were the moves themselves. They were driven and targeted, for one thing. Even between dance interludes she had us moving our lower bodies forward and back to the music to keep our core working.

The Jonas Brothers are one of the hottest acts around, with a huge amount of influence on teens and tweens, which is why the fact that they're actively talking about diabetes is such a big deal. Nick Jonas was diagnosed a couple of years ago, and instead of letting him get down about it, the brothers have used it as a platform to help others. That rocks!

Kate Hudson tends to look fabulous in whatever she wears -- haute couture, jeans and a tee, or a bikini. She doesn't just rely on genetics to keep her looking hot, though -- she incorporates all kinds of workouts into her fitness routine to stay in shape.

Everyone needs a way to get rid of their stress, and Raven-Symone is no different. The actress relies on boxing to keep her self-proclaimed "anger issues" at bay.

If you watched last week's finale of So You Think You Can Dance, you were probably as impressed as I was with Mary Murphy when she got out from behind the judges' table and did a hot ballroom dance with Season Two's Dmitry Chaplin (who, as I had hoped/expected, opened his shirt at the end -- man I've missed him!).

At 39 years old, Mary showed that she not only still had the moves, but the lady's got a body! And, apparently, that body is courtesy of doing the Core Rhythms program (a dance workout incorporating lots of Latin movements) every day. Mary lost 30 pounds in three months, dropping from a size 14 to a size 8.



She's also following a healthful diet, eating lots of veggies, chicken, and Egg Beaters. She's thrilled with her new body, and with the fact that she can wear short dresses again.

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