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athletic-related stories

Paradise - Fitness, Fun and Sun at Sandals Resorts

Fitness, Reviews & Products

fitz skiingI'm writing to you from Jamaica, where I've been enjoying a week at several beautiful Sandals resorts. The sun is bright, the waves are warm, the healthy food is plentiful and the endless amount of free athletic activities mean I'm sure to leave this place at least a pound or more lighter than when I arrived. Am I trying to lose weight? No! Is it likely to happen, though? Probably!

Sandals is a chain of "couples only" resorts located in posh spots around the Caribbean. They're all inclusive too, which basically means you get to eat, drink and play as much as you want without shelling out extra dough. This all-inclusive thing removes lots of vacation-related stress, I assure you.

Most folks believe gaining at least five to 10 pounds per week of vacation is a rule, and my job is to convince you that it's not. Not if you come to a place like Sandals, anyway. As readers of this site, I know you're health conscious and eager to pursue and maintain your fitness levels wherever you go. Sandals allows you to do that.

Fit Vacation: Sandals Resorts(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Fit Fun in the SunIncredible Leg Workout!Tennis LessonsWho Doesn't Love Unlimited Golf?Mat Pilates

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Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Engaged - Expect Superbabies Soon

Celebs & Entertainment

Gisele Bundchen and Tom BradyNFL star Tom Brady and his leading lady, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, have made it official -- the unbelievably attractive couple is engaged to be married. Brady proposed aboard a private jet on Christmas Eve, accompanied by four dozen white roses, champagne and Bundchen's parents who were visiting from Brazil. Could they be any cuter?

Here at That's Fit, we're fans of both Tom and Gisele already -- they're both so fit and healthy (and dreamy, of course). While Brady's athletic prowess is well-documented -- he is one of the best quarterbacks playing professional football, after all -- Bundchen's should be noted as well. She originally wanted to become a professional volleyball player in Brazil, and with her height and work ethic, she might've had a shot. You know, if the whole "highest earning supermodel" thing hadn't gotten in the way.

Who Else Would Have Fit, Famous Babies?(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Kerri Walsh and Casey JenningsMia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Misty May-Treanor and Matt TreanorKendra Wilkinson and Hank BaskettMadonna and A-Rod

Now, I'm not normally one to push a couple to have babies -- not by a long shot. However, I cannot wait to see how athletic their kids are going to be. I bet Gatorade, Nike and Oakley are already setting aside funds to scoop up Baby Bundchen-Brady's endorsement!

Update: The couple's families are denying the engagement. However, a spokesperson for Tom's team, the Patriots, says that while he doesn't think the engagement rumors are true, "Tom keeps his private life private." I'm still holding out hope for their genetically gifted offspring debuting soon!

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MISSION Product - Skincare for Athletes, by Athletes

Fitness, Reviews & Products

MISSION ProductWhen's the last time you slathered on the sunscreen before going for a long run, only to end up with it dripping and stinging your eyes, or proving less effective in the areas that really sweat? How about anti-friction products -- it's one thing if you have to reapply on your thighs, or your feet, but what if you really need it for the boob chafing? What are you supposed to do then?

Athletes of all levels run into problems like these, which is exactly why MISSION Product came to be. The entire line was created to meet the needs of athletes in all sports as well as any other active folks, containing vital nutrients and antioxidants, so you can focus on your performance rather than what to use on your skin.

A number of pro athletes are already on board with MISSION, including Carmelo Anthony (who loves the anti-friction cream), Gretchen Bleiler (who digs the Sweet Vanilla Lip Balmer -- and so do I), Mia Hamm (who uses the Daily Offense SPF 30 Stick to keep from getting burned), and Steve Nash (who's a fan of my other favorite product, the Foot Synergy Gel).

Check out the gallery to see a variety of products -- which one can you not possibly live without?

Skin Care for Athletes on a MISSION(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Mission Daily Offense SPF 30Mission Foot SynergyRevive GelLip Protector SPF 20Mission Anti-Friction Cream

Celebrity Fitzness Report: Gold Medal Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson

Celebrity Fitzness Report, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly, our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Pound for pound, Shawn Johnson would probably be the strongest member of the U.S. Army ... if she were in it. This petite 16 year old can do an insane amount of pull-ups on her first set alone, and has more drive than any NASCAR vehicle on the road. Wouldn't you love to have the strength, stamina and flexibility she's earned? Take some of the advice she gives here, and you may do just that. Just like the brilliant medals she won in Bejing this summer, Shawn's advice is golden!

Fitz: How many hours a week do you train before a competition?

Shawn: Before the Olympics I was training about 26 hours in the gym a week and up to five hours out of the gym running and swimming... doing anything extra I could.

Fitz: Your upper-body strength is amazing. How many pushups and pullups can you do?

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Celebrity Fitzness Report: Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin

Womens Health, Celebrity Fitzness Report, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly, our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Nastia Liukin was the darling of the U.S. gymnastics team this year as she conquered Olympic Gold in the All Around competition and proudly added to her collection four more medals. That would be three silver and one bronze; I personally would kill to have just one in any color. She's Russian born, American bred and now working with the Secret Sport Challenge to help make other athletic dreams come true. I scored this interview this week while she was promoting the Challenge and bringing attention to the twenty $5,000 scholarships being given away to help others achieve their sporty goals. Nastia is ridiculously fit and has some great advice to help you look better, feel stronger and live longer.

Fitz: How many hours a week do you train before a competition?

Nastia: Before the Olympics I trained for about seven hours a day. It included about two hours of warming up and conditioning, and the rest of the time was spent practicing routines and skills on the events.

Fitz: If you weren't a professional athlete/gymnast how do you think you'd pursue fitness?

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Increase your athleticism with Olympians Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products

Join recent Olympic gold medal winning gymnasts, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, tonight (Monday, September 22, 2008) for an exciting webinar. Hosted by Secret, the two champs will be chatting LIVE about their recent experiences and will even offer a few of you the opportunity to ask them questions personally!

Both Nastia and Shawn have achieved their athletic goals, and are joining forces with the Secret Sport Challenge in efforts to give away twenty $5,000 athletic scholarships so others can follow their dreams as well. This event promotes sports, fitness and health, and that's why I thought it would be a perfect event to share with you!

To attend the Secret Sport Challenge Webinar with Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson tonight at 5pm EST click here!

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What room has the best sports bra info? HerRoom!

Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products

Bouncing boobs, while good for Baywatch, are not good for active ladies, which is why finding a good sports bra is so important, both for really busty gals and ladies with slightly smaller bosoms. And, while I hope you aren't embarrassed to jump around in the dressing room when trying on sports bras, there's another way to see how bounce-proof a particular sports bra is -- the HerRoom Bounce Test Videos.

HerRoom has exclusive videos of women jogging and jumping around in, oh, I don't know, maybe a million different sports bras. And, after viewing the bra, there's a link you can follow to buy it, right there!

The tagline of HerRoom is "Lingerie We Buy For Ourselves," and I believe it. They do a great job of providing lots of information on a variety of different high-impact sports bras in one location. And, while you're there, if you want some sexy lingerie or other undies to show off the fabulous figure you've worked so hard for, you have that option, too. Happy shopping!

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Ashton Kutcher is on the sidelines

Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

Ashton Kutcher has a new role, but it isn't in any movie. He's working as an assistant coach for a high school freshman football team. Kutcher played football when he was in high school, and he's decided to put that knowledge and love of sport to good use. Kutcher attends team practices five days a week as well as games.

If you've got kids, you may want to take a hint from Kutcher's playbook. Coaching is a great way to encourage your kids and show them your love of sport. If your kids aren't interested in joining your team -- no problem. Kutcher isn't letting that stop him! If you have knowledge to share and love a sport, consider coaching a youth or high school team. You're helping other kids develop their athletic skills and you're setting a good example for your own kids.


Ashton Kutcher(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Ashton's a sports fanThe Dad roleAshton KutcherAshton KutcherHappy in love

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Motivating sports movies

Motivation

I remember watching Ice Castles as a kid and wanting nothing more than to be an ice skater. (Preferably without a terrible accident that caused blindness, though.) So maybe the movie is a bit cheesy and admitting that I had a little crush on Robby Benson certainly dates me as a child of the '70s, but it motivated me into trying something I'd never tried before. And that's exactly what a great sports movie can do.

FitSugar recently asked readers what their favorite motivational sports movies were... and they came up with a great list. Some of the picks are:

  • Remember the Titans.
  • Million Dollar Baby
  • Miracle
  • Rudy
Click over to FitSugar for the full list. A couple of my favorites that didn't make the list are Hoosiers and The Rookie. What other sports movies have inspired you?

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Cheerleading yields most injuries for female athletes

Fitness

As a former cheerleader, I'm not even remotely surprised by the recently released statistics showing that cheerleading causes the highest percentage of injuries for female athletes. When you consider the stunts, and lifts, and jumps, and tumbling... it's just not a shocker at all.

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research based out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, cheerleading accounts for 65.1% of female athlete injuries at the high school level and 66.7% at college level.

The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators has safety rules for college, high school, and all star levels. While injuries can (and do) occur within these guidelines, adhering to the safety rules will minimize injury risk.

Still, knowing all the associated risk, if I were magically transported back to more youthful years, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Cheering was hard work and awesome fun, and I loved every minute of it.

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Uncoordinated kids have higher risk of obesity

Nutrition & Supplements

child jumping off swing
A recent study found that kids who were less physically coordinated or less athletic are at a greater risk of obesity.

The long-term study, published in the British Medical Journal, involved more than 11,000 people. Teachers and medical personnel conducted tests to assess coordination. When those students reached age 33, their body mass index was recorded. In the case of kids whose coordination was deemed poor at age 7, the risk of obesity was doubled.

While researchers didn't venture a guess as to why the results were as they found, other experts surmise it's because less coordinated kids aren't as likely to join in team sports or other active play. If your kids are the most coordinated on the block, there's no need to force them into team sports or programs they don't enjoy. Just make a regular habit of going for walks with your kids, visit the playground frequently, encourage them to ride bikes, kick a soccer ball around the backyard ... the list of activities goes on an on. Just find something your kids enjoys and foster that interest.

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We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs: Anna Kournikova's curves are back!

We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

A few months ago, Anna Kournikova participated in part of a triathlon, and there was a lot of press about her body. Well, okay, so there's always a lot of press about Anna's body, but this time, it was about the distinct lack of curves -- she looked leaner than we were used to seeing her, though I maintain that she still looked healthy and athletic.

Now, her body is once again (still?) making headlines, this time because she seems to have regained the curves that made her so famous. Come on, you know she didn't become this well-known through tennis alone!

She's spoken to the media several times regarding weight loss, and has always insisted that it fluctuates with her training. And, the thing is, a lot of the difference in her physique seems to have something to do with the bra she's wearing -- a sports bra can keep lots of women from looking their curviest.

Anna Kournikova: Guess when each pic was taken!(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Anna Kournikova: Skinny or sexy?Guess when!When was this shot?Too thin or just a bad outfit?Curvalicious?

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We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs Weekly Round-up: July 11, 2008

We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs Weekly Roundup, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

Jessica Biel is known for her sexy, athletic body, and as you can probably guess, she didn't get it by sitting around playing video games. Growing up, her family didn't play video games or watch movies -- instead, they played soccer, basketball, and gymnastics outside. And her mom always made her feel great about her body, which has helped Jessica remain confident as a Hollywood starlet. I'd be pretty confident with those rock hard abs, too.

Hilary Duff is looking healthy and gorgeous these days, and she owes part of that to her fitness routine, which includes Pilates. She's feeling good about her body and her health, and therefore, so am I -- her smile can cheer just about anybody up!

Country crooner Trisha Yearwood does more than just sing -- she's the author of a cookbook, and she recently shared some kitchen secrets with Health.com. Wonder how she gets her stepdaughters to eat fresh fruit? Find out here!


5 kid health myths debunked

Healthy Kids, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

Being overweight is not genetic. If you've heard otherwise, consider it a myth, says Scholastic Parent & Child magazine. There are very few inherited conditions that cause someone to be overweight. In fact, if everyone in a family is heavy and kids are following the same path, it's because lifestyle habits have been passed down through generations, not because weightiness is in the genes.

Ever hear yourself muttering these words to explain why your child is not exercising: "My kid's not athletic." Hey, guess what? You don't need to be athletic to be fit. One 30-minute walk every day -- a power walk, not a stroll -- is all one needs to achieve fitness. I'm not athletic. Still, I've found a way to be a pretty good runner.

Another kid myth: Talking about weight encourages eating disorders. Nope. But here's a fact: Talking about it in a positive light, focusing on exercise and not weight, and rewarding kids not with food but with activities and time together will help steer your kids in the right direction.

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Are curvy women more superficial when it comes to men?

Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

A recent issue of Men's Health suggests that guys who are consistently striking out at the bar may want to consider joining a running club.

This is because women with athletic builds tend to be less superficial than those with curvy figures, say researchers from Poland. Women were asked to complete a detailed survey, which revealed that the wider a woman's hips are relative to her waist, the greater the importance she placed on a man's physical appearance.

According to the study author, Dr. Boguslaw Pawloswki, "Curvier women have more estrogen and a greater material urge to find a partner who looks like he'll produce strong babies and provide for a family." However, since science is never an exact ... science, there is probably a great deal of variation when it comes to this supposed theme. Please feel free to weigh in with your own opinions in the comments section below.

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