TodayShow-related stories
The Flat Belly Diet - Could it work for you?
Today, on the Today Show, they're featuring the Flat Belly Diet, which sounds too good to be true. We know that burning more calories than we consume is the way to lose weight -- however, plenty of people will vouch for this diet and how flat it made their bellies without incorporating any sort of crunches or sit-ups. Don't believe that certain foods can help flatten your belly? Check out AOL Health's slideshow of Flat Belly Diet success stories.
The claims about this diet are pretty major -- it targets unhealthy belly fat first, allowing you to eat foods you love without making you hungry. You can lose up to seven pounds and five inches in 96 hours, and you don't have to exercise. Oh, and there's a 91 percent success rate. Seriously, why am I not doing this?
The Flat Belly Diet is based on a calorie controlled Mediterranean diet, combining monounsaturated (MUFA)-rich foods, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. That means you get to eat things with olive oil and nuts, and even dark chocolate, but you have to stay away from refined grains, trans fat, and artificial additives.
The claims about this diet are pretty major -- it targets unhealthy belly fat first, allowing you to eat foods you love without making you hungry. You can lose up to seven pounds and five inches in 96 hours, and you don't have to exercise. Oh, and there's a 91 percent success rate. Seriously, why am I not doing this?
The Flat Belly Diet is based on a calorie controlled Mediterranean diet, combining monounsaturated (MUFA)-rich foods, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. That means you get to eat things with olive oil and nuts, and even dark chocolate, but you have to stay away from refined grains, trans fat, and artificial additives.
No more excuses, now get walking
Enough with your I'm-too-busy-to-exercise excuse. Twenty minutes on most days of the week is all you need. You've got that, right? If you don't have it all in one chunk, surely you have a few minutes here and there. Use them when you find them and by the end of the day, you'll have 20 under your belt.
I'm not talking anything too taxing or strenuous here, just 20 minutes of walking. Yes, walking. Here, thanks to the Today Show, a few guiding principles for hitting the road and getting the most from the minutes you've got.
I'm not talking anything too taxing or strenuous here, just 20 minutes of walking. Yes, walking. Here, thanks to the Today Show, a few guiding principles for hitting the road and getting the most from the minutes you've got.
The New Kids on the Block are back, and I'm dancing. Are you?
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
My favorite group from my elementary school days, New Kids on the Block, performed on the Today Show. This was the first time in 15 years the boys were on stage together, and it wasn't under the greatest conditions (it was pouring rain and the acoustics were not good). However, as soon I heard Hangin' Tough, I was right back in fifth grade and busting out moves that haven't been seen in years (perhaps with good reason, but I had a great time anyway).
It got me thinking about music and motivation -- not that we haven't written about playlists and what songs pump you up before, but what music makes you get off the couch and dance alone in your living room? Or in the grocery store? Or wherever you happen to be?
We tend to save our most motivating music for workout playlists, but why not play it at home when you're cooking, or cleaning up, or playing with the kids? Busting a move will help you burn calories and lift your spirits, and I want to know -- will NKOTB get you grooving again?
Is crying good for you?
Healthy Relationships, Stress Reduction, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
Can crying be good for you? Over at Parent Dish, Sandy Maple recently blogged about her daughter's need to cry, and how he daughter always feels better when she's done. Sandy also pointed to research that found that emotional tears actually contain more protein and hormones than allergy or reflex tears, making researchers believe that emotional crying may actually help the body rid itself of waste and prevent depression.
I came across this clip from the Today Show that discusses crying, why we do it, and why it's beneficial. Turns out Sandy was right on target and that crying really does release pent up emotion. What stuck with me though, was that crying for many is really the second part of the flight or fight response. Crying, some experts believe, isn't actually in response to stress, but instead they believe it's a function of the body returning itself to normal following strong emotions.
Other benefits of crying? Better communication (you can't fake real tears, so loved ones know you're feelings are serious when they see you crying), a higher level of intimacy with others, and knowing you're in touch with your emotions. One statistic claims that women cry at least 5 times a month, so the next time you need a good cry...go ahead, and know that you aren't alone.
I came across this clip from the Today Show that discusses crying, why we do it, and why it's beneficial. Turns out Sandy was right on target and that crying really does release pent up emotion. What stuck with me though, was that crying for many is really the second part of the flight or fight response. Crying, some experts believe, isn't actually in response to stress, but instead they believe it's a function of the body returning itself to normal following strong emotions.
Other benefits of crying? Better communication (you can't fake real tears, so loved ones know you're feelings are serious when they see you crying), a higher level of intimacy with others, and knowing you're in touch with your emotions. One statistic claims that women cry at least 5 times a month, so the next time you need a good cry...go ahead, and know that you aren't alone.
Podfitness: The new fitness trend signs up new fit celebrities
Okay, so I'm not really up on technology, but I've recently heard about this thing called Podfitness, which apparently is a customized audio fitness training service. Podfitness employs 'celebrities' as their 'personal trainers' and they've just signed a few more: Danny Bonaduce (from the Partridge Family and Breaking Bonaduce), Kathy Kaehler (Fitness expert on the Today Show) and Jay Cutler (Mr. Olympia.)
I'll admit I've never heard of the latter two and am not a fan of Mr. Bonaduce so this isn't really incentive for me to sign up. What about you? Do you use Podfitness, or any sort of podcasts in your workout? How are they?
I'll admit I've never heard of the latter two and am not a fan of Mr. Bonaduce so this isn't really incentive for me to sign up. What about you? Do you use Podfitness, or any sort of podcasts in your workout? How are they?
