That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gif That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Prescription for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gainhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/prescription-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/prescription-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/prescription-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain/#commentsFiled under: ,


My father used to have a saying about quitting cigarettes. "It's easy to stop smoking", he'd say, ruefully. "I've done it a million times."

If you've ever lost weight, you probably know exactly what he meant.

One of the biggest problems with weight loss isn't losing the weight in the first place, it's keeping it off. And while I've written in the past that exercise is not the most efficient way to lose weight, it may just be the magic bullet when it comes to keeping it off.

Dr. Paul McLean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine studies the metabolism of rats so that he can learn more about the metabolism of humans. In one study, he got his rats to be nice and fat and then put them on a "low-fat, low-calorie" diet causing weight loss. Then he put them through the rat version of our holiday season: He allowed them to gorge on unlimited amounts of food. Big surprise -- they got fat again.

Continue reading Prescription for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

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]]>holiday eatingholiday weight gainjonny-bowdenmetabolismweight lossJonny BowdenMon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTFoam Roller Exercises: Reduce Cellulite, Strengthen Your Core and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/foam-roller-exercises-reduce-cellulite-core-abdominal-strength/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/foam-roller-exercises-reduce-cellulite-core-abdominal-strength/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/foam-roller-exercises-reduce-cellulite-core-abdominal-strength/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Photo: Ryan Forbes Photography


Foam roller classes are appearing on health club schedules, and personal trainers are toting them to client's homes to use as an integral part of training and stretching. If you've ever rolled an achy back over a tennis ball, you're familiar with the intense feeling, but this exercise tool has a wider, more comfortable surface with give.

"Rolling your legs, back and other large muscle groups before biking or running is a great warm-up prior to cardio because you increase oxygen flow to working muscles," said Hollywood trainer Ashley Borden, who has trained Natasha Bedingfield and Mandy Moore, among other A-listers. Borden recommends all her clients roll out for 15 to 20 minutes three days a week in addition to performing consistent cardio and strength training. Here are three ways that using the foam roller boosts your body:

Anti-Cellulite Fix. The foam roller minimizes the appearance of cellulite because it works like endermologie, a very deep massage that breaks up interwoven fat fibers and rushes oxygenated blood to afflicted areas, said Borden. "Rolling out loosens and opens your muscle fascia and causes more nutrient-rich blood to move through those fibers, which breaks up fatty tissues," Borden said. "As connective tissues are stretched, circulation improves and the body expels toxins and abnormal fluid retention."
What to Roll: Lie sideways to roll inner and outer thighs, hips and buttocks.

Continue reading Foam Roller Exercises: Reduce Cellulite, Strengthen Your Core and More

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]]>celluliteexerciseexercise equipmentExerciseEquipmentexercisingfoam rollerfoam rollersFoamRollerFoamRollersNicole Dorsey-StraffMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST'Flat Belly Diet' Success, Mind-Body Pain Connection and More: Links We Lovehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/flat-belly-diet-success-mind-body-pain-connection-and-more-l/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/flat-belly-diet-success-mind-body-pain-connection-and-more-l/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/flat-belly-diet-success-mind-body-pain-connection-and-more-l/#commentsFiled under: ,

By now you've probably heard about belly-flattening foods, but have you seen what kind of results they can have on your waist and overall health? Check out AOL Health's "Flat-Belly Diet" success stories to see why this weight-loss program worked for these dieters. Plus, they've got 25 flat-belly recipes to get you started.

Is your pain all in your head? To find out, we asked Dr. James Gordon, founder and director of the Washington, DC-based Center for Mind-Body Medicine and author of "Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression," whether some common physical complaints are actually more mental than physical.

And now for something scary... Did you know you're probably decked out in 515 chemicals from cosmetics right now? Head to AOL Health to find out why, what you can do about it and which have the worst side effects.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

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]]>beauty productsBeautyProductschemicalflat belly dietFlatBellyDietinjurypainAOL Health EditorsMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:00 ESTIs Low-Carb Really Better to Keep Weight Off?http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/carbs-weight-loss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/carbs-weight-loss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/23/carbs-weight-loss/#commentsFiled under:

These days, it seems like we're living in a carbophobic society, where simple bread and pasta are considered as evil as butter, ice cream and Kentucky Fried Chicken. But when it comes to weight maintenance, researchers are claiming that you needn't be so wary of your wheat and potato intake. In fact, new studies show that a low-carb diet and a high-carb diet are equally effective when it comes to managing your weight a year after you've shed pounds.

Researchers at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in monitored 141 men and women who'd recently lost weight for year -- half were instructed to stick to a high-protein diet and the other half went on a high-carb diet. Both groups kept their fat intake below 30 percent of their total calories, and both were told to lower their saturated fat intake. The amount of weight regained over the year was the same for both groups, about four pounds, leading researchers to conclude that what matters in a weight maintenance program is overall calories, regardless of carbohydrate intake. They did notice one difference, though -- the average blood pressure went up in the high-carb group but not the high-protein group.

The moral of the story? It's not a sin to eat a plate of spaghetti every now and then as long as your diet is generally healthy. However, when it comes to carbs, try to stick to whole grains.

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]]>breadcaloriescarbsdietlow carbno carbpastaweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:00 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

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]]>dietexerciseinterval trainingIntervalTrainingrebounderrunningtrampolinetreadmillweight lossWeightLossMelissa JoulwanMon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTHeidi Klum Hits The Runway After Babyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/heidi-klum-hits-the-runway-after-baby/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/heidi-klum-hits-the-runway-after-baby/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/heidi-klum-hits-the-runway-after-baby/#commentsFiled under:

Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage

Just six weeks after giving birth, supermodel Heidi Klum strutted her hot-mama stuff at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City Thursday night.

The plan was for Klum to just host the show. "You definitely have less pressure hosting, when you don't shake your booty in front of millions of people around the world," she told People Magazine earlier this week. But those plans changed when the 36-year-old mother of four wowed the crowd in a surprise walk down the runway.

Looking sexier than ever, Klum was all smiles as she sported a low-cut corset and full skirt. "I'm definitely one of the heaviest of the bunch of the 30 girls in the show. And I still have 20 pounds to go," she said, but the screaming audience didn't seem to mind -- or even notice.

The former Victoria Secret's model and current "Project Runway" host reportedly gained 45 pounds with this pregnancy, but has been working with a trainer at her home in L.A. to regain her famous figure. Her workouts include walking and some moves with a medicine ball, yet she's careful not to overdo it and she's not stressing over her post-baby figure. "I embrace that I have more curves right now."

With a full schedule that includes cooking meals for a family of six including singer-husband, Seal, Klum admits she has little time to relax these days. But that doesn't seem to stop this supermodel turned supermom from looking hotter than ever!


Click on the gallery below to see how other famous moms got back into shape after pregnancy.

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]]>baby weightcelebrity momfashion showheidi klumklumpost babyrunwayvictorias secretDeborah DunhamFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTThanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebratehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/healthy-thanksgiving-dinner/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/healthy-thanksgiving-dinner/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/healthy-thanksgiving-dinner/#commentsFiled under: ,

Allison Fishman, chef, graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education and co-host of Lifetime's Cook Yourself Thin
Allison Fishman, chef
Photo: Allison Fishman
As we head into the holiday season chef Allison Fishman, owner of The Wooden Spoon, a cooking school in New York, shares the best ways to prepare your favorite holiday meals and desserts without adding to your waistline and without scrimping on taste.

First and foremost, "Prepare your favorites. It's not the time to skimp," Fishman explained. If you don't, she added, "As my dad would say, you're going to be sitting there with a 'broygis punim,' [that's sad face in Yiddish]. This is family, this is Thanksgiving. Let loose and enjoy." But there is room for a little diet-friendly compromise. "If pumpkin pie's your favorite thing in the world, I'm not going to tell you not to have it, but you could make crustless pumpkin pie. [The crust] contains a tremendous amount of calories, fat -- leave it off. The only food that should go into your mouth is food you absolutely love."

That's Fit: How do you go about changing your cooking style for health considerations?

Allison Fishman: I grew up with mashed potatoes that were made with a container of sour cream. Now I make mine with buttermilk. Buttermilk is naturally fat-free. I think they're a little bit gross and heavy now that I've got the other version.

Continue reading Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate

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]]>3-questions-withCooking MamaCookingMamadessertholidayLightweightlow fat cookiesLowFatCookiesmashed potatoesMashedPotatoesportion controlPortionControlpumpkin pie crustPumpkinPieCrustthanksgivingthanksgiving dinnerThanksgivingDinnerMary KearlFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTCheesy Workout Video Round-uphttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/cheesy-workout-video-round-up/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/cheesy-workout-video-round-up/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/cheesy-workout-video-round-up/#commentsFiled under:

Cheesy workout videos abound on the Internet. Aerobics instructors and jazzercise devotees back in the 80s had no idea how much joy their perfectly feathered hair, matching leotards and corny commentary would bring to us in the future! At That's Fit, we're rounding up a few of our favorite funny fitness videos. Some are the real deal, while others are purposely playful, but no matter what, they're sure to bring a smile to your face. If you have a favorite, be sure to share!

This week, our focus is on some amazing aerobics competitions. Seriously, where can we buy tickets?

San Francisco Bay Club on The Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship

The 1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship
This video hits all the marks of a cheesy workout video. Awesome costumes? Check. Overly-enthusiastic attitude? Check. Hysterical (but perfectly performed) choreography? Oh, honey, you know it. As an added bonus, there are even leg warmers. Also, who knew doing "The Robot" counted as exercise?

3rd Kamikaze Czech Aerobic Open

Czech Aerobic Open 2008
Great aerobic videos don't have to go retro -- this is from just last year, and proves that the aerobics is alive and well in other parts of the world. We're just hoping our step instructor doesn't get any ideas.

1995 Aerobic Competition

Mixed Pairs Aerobic Competition, 1995
This gem features a male/female pair doing some impressive (and, according to the commentators, "innovative") maneuvers. In fact, once you get past the matching outfits (is that a tiger print?) and slouch socks, listening to the commentators is almost as much fun as watching the clip!

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]]>aerobicscheesy fitness videosCheesyFitnessVideosfunny fitness videosFunnyFitnessVideosvideoKristen SeymourFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTKim Kardashian's Sexy Salad Commercialhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/kim-kardashians-sexy-salad-commercial/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/kim-kardashians-sexy-salad-commercial/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/kim-kardashians-sexy-salad-commercial/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kim Kardashian and her famous curves star in a new ad campaign for Carl's Jr. The reality star is promoting the fast food chain's salads, which she told People magazine "are healthy," which, she said, "fits what I'm about right now."

Well, we hate to break it to you, but that's only partially accurate. For starters, the reality TV star said she used diet pills to lose weight and even promotes Quick Trim. As for the salads, the Charbroiled Chicken Salad is not a terrible choice, weighing in with 250 calories, 9 g fat, 75 mg cholesterol and 590 mg sodium (before adding dressing), and the Side Salad barely counts with just 50 calories and 2.5 g fat. However, there's another option that's much, much worse: The Green Burrito Taco Salad.

Click on the video below to get a sneak peak of Kim Kardashian's sultry Carl's Jr. commercial. Story continues below the video.



This salad contains a whopping 970 calories, 58 g fat (19 of those being saturated), 75 mg cholesterol and 1850 mg sodium. And yes, most people probably know that, by its very nature, a taco salad is never the healthiest salad option. However, when Kim said, "The salads are healthy," you'd think there would be more than one diet-friendly meal option (one and a half, if you count the little side salad as a meal).

Continue reading Kim Kardashian's Sexy Salad Commercial

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]]>carls jr.charbroiled chicken saladfast foodgreen burrito taco saladhealthy saladKardashiankim kardashiansaladstaco saladKristen SeymourFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTSimple Thanksgiving Swapshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/low-fat-thanksgiving-recipes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/low-fat-thanksgiving-recipes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/low-fat-thanksgiving-recipes/#commentsFiled under: ,

thanksgiving turkey

Photo: Corbis


The holidays are a time to get together with family and friends. However, the focus of our holidays usually revolves mainly around the food we are serving. And, with the average Thanksgiving meal (turkey, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie) totaling more than 2,500 calories, it is no wonder why the average American will gain between 9-11 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years. This year, I have some easy Thanksgiving swaps that will save you hundreds of calories.

1. Easy Pan Gravy:

This pan gravy removes the fat from the pan juices, saving you over 100 calories per 1/4 cup traditional gravy. Combine in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 2 Tablespoons flour. Whisk constantly until the flour mixture turns golden brown, about two minutes. Next, add 1 cup of fat-free chicken stock and 1 cup pan juices (that have been skimmed of the fat). Continue stirring until gravy comes to a full boil and thickens.

2. Sweet Potato Souffle:

I save calories from the traditional sweet potato souffle by using egg beaters and a small tin of crushed pineapple for sweetness instead of sugar. I also top it with a high fiber cereal, such as Kellogg's All-Bran Buds mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a packet of Splenda for a crunchy topping.

3. Spruced Up Stuffing:

I give your regular stuffing recipe a boost by using Thomas' English Muffins Light Multigrain instead of bread. Each muffin has only 100 calories and provides you with 8g of fiber. I add egg beaters, low calorie butter spread and lots of vegetables for a crunch factor (water chestnuts, mushrooms, celery, shredded carrot).

4. Cranberry Sauce:

You are going to love this cranberry sauce, it is easy to prepare and so delicious! You save nearly 300 calories by using whole cranberries, Splenda and frozen berries. Once you try this recipe, you will never go back to canned cranberry sauce!

Continue reading Simple Thanksgiving Swaps

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]]>cranberriesgravyhealthystuffingsweet potatoesSweetPotatoestanya-zuckerbrotthanksgivingTanya ZuckerbrotFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTBook Review: Eat Your Way to Happinesshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/eat-your-way-to-happiness-review/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/eat-your-way-to-happiness-review/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/eat-your-way-to-happiness-review/#commentsFiled under: ,

Don't focus so hard on skinny jeans that you miss the one of the most powerful side effects of eating right and exercising -- being a happy person most of the time. You know, one of those spring-in-their-step types that genuinely loves their life, sleeps like a baby, smiles easily and is filled with boundless energy. Elizabeth Somer's new book, Eat Your Way to Happiness, reminds us the right foods coupled with exercise have a synergistic, immediate effect on your mood and cravings -- critical factors in the size of those jeans.

A registered dietitian and author of Food & Mood, Somer knows her stuff. The book includes 10 easy-to-understand diet secrets peppered with real-life success stories. If you're clueless about healthy eating, but feeling like you've got to do something to shed weight and lose your bad mood, this book is a terrific tool to educate and motivate. If you're a layman-genius in diet and fitness, Somer's assessment tools will help you identify your food and fitness areas that need tweaking.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of Somer's secrets and promises:

Continue reading Book Review: Eat Your Way to Happiness

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]]>dietdiet bookDietBookEat Your Way to HappinessEatYourWayToHappinessElizabeth SomerElizabethSomerweight lossWeightLossBev SklarFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTFattening Holiday Foods, Avoid Social Eating Sabbotage and More: Twitter Findshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/fattening-holiday-foods-avoid-social-eating-sabbotage-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/fattening-holiday-foods-avoid-social-eating-sabbotage-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/fattening-holiday-foods-avoid-social-eating-sabbotage-and-more/#commentsFiled under: ,




holidash
holidash
holidash Bacon pie and other fattening holiday foods! http://tr.im/EPlW #Thanksgiving


EatWhatYouLove
EatWhatYouLove
EatWhatYouLove #mindfulmoment Instead of just social eating, engage in interesting conversations, ask questions, and really listen to your companions.

[Editor's Plug: Check out our interview with "Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat" author Dr. Michell May]




paw_nation
paw_nation
paw_nation Obese dog is confiscated from owner! http://tr.im/EFPf #pawnation



DietBlogTalk
DietBlogTalk
DietBlogTalk Anyone see "New Moon" ? OK, we have to show our diet nerdiness & wonder: how many calories in human blood? U never see fat vampires!
Overwhelmed by all of the "Follow Friday" recommendations on Twitter? Each week AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit search the Twittersphere for the greatest diet and fitness Twitterers, and each week, we'll highlight the best-of their best tweets (no Twits here). Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

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]]>christmasdogfit-followholidaymindful eatingMindfulEatingmindfulnessobesethanksgivingtwilightMary KearlFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTMen's Over-40 Holiday Workouthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/mens-over-40-holiday-workout/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/mens-over-40-holiday-workout/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/20/mens-over-40-holiday-workout/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If nothing else, the holidays are fraught with stay-in-shape obstacles. All those days off, family dinners and work parties can make it close to impossible to maintain your post-40 battle against belly fat and man boobs. The solution: This quick, do anywhere, high-intensity circuit exclusively created for That's Fit by Mark Stallman, a personal trainer at Chelsea Sportscenter in New York City. "Do it at the gym, in your den, on the road in your hotel room - just do it," said Stallman. Aim for three times a week to help you maintain testosterone levels, build muscle and bone density, stay loose and keep your engine humming at high all season long.

You'll need: A pair of 10-25-pound dumbbells and a jump rope.

The goal is to complete the circuit with no rests in between. Except for the planks, do 12-15 reps of each move. If you need to take a breather, try to keep it to no more than 30 seconds so your heart rate stays elevated. Then do it two or three more times; whatever you can finish in 30 minutes. Take no more than one minute in between rounds.

Continue reading Men's Over-40 Holiday Workout

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]]>anti-agingcircuit trainingholiday weight lossMensFitnessworkoutHolly St. LiferFri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTGender Questioned Caster Semenya Gets to Keep Gold Medalhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/gender-questioned-caster-semenya-gets-to-keep-gold-medal/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/gender-questioned-caster-semenya-gets-to-keep-gold-medal/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/gender-questioned-caster-semenya-gets-to-keep-gold-medal/#commentsFiled under:

"Is she really a she?" We all remember how that question was widely debated after South African runner, Caster Semenya, won the gold in the women's 800-meters at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August. The rumors that started because some thought the athlete looked -- and ran, more like a man, subsequently put the gold medal in jeopardy. But Semenya's native sports ministry just announced that, yes indeed, she will be able to keep the medal.

In a statement on their web site, the South African Ministry of Sports and Recreation stated, "Because Caster has been found to be innocent of any wrong, she will retain her gold medal, retain her title of 800m World Champion and retain her prize money."

The ministry asked people to respect their decision. "We have also agreed with the IAAF that whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor. As such there will be no public announcement of what the panel of scientists has found. We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things."

Continue reading Gender Questioned Caster Semenya Gets to Keep Gold Medal

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]]>800 metersCaster Semenyagendergenetic testingrunningsemenyasouth africaworld championshipsDeborah DunhamThu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 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.

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]]>10k5kmarathonracerunrunningswimswimmingtriathlonThat's Fit EditorsThu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTMovie Popcorn: The Godzilla of Snackshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/calories-movie-theater-popcorn/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/calories-movie-theater-popcorn/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/calories-movie-theater-popcorn/#commentsFiled under:

movie popcorn

Photo: Getty Images


Popcorn during a movie is like leftover sandwiches after Thanksgiving. Sure, you don't really need to continue stuffing yourself, but doesn't it just feel right? Well, hold on to your hats -- you may never stop at the cinema snack counter again after this study from the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest.

According to CSPI's research, a medium popcorn and soda combo at Regal -- the country's biggest movie theater chain -- contains 1,610 calories and three days' worth of saturated fat. For that amount of fat and calories, you may as well scarf down three McDonald's Quarter Pounders (1,640 calories) or slam 16 pats of butter at 1,632 calories.

CSPI analyzed popcorn samples from three of the largest movie theater chains in America -- Regal, AMC and Cinemark. Out of the three, Regal and AMC fared the worst.

Continue reading Movie Popcorn: The Godzilla of Snacks

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]]>movie-snacksmovie-theater-popcornnutritional-informationpopcornregalsAshley NegliaThu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTXtreme Cardio Dancehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/xtreme-cardio-dance-review/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/xtreme-cardio-dance-review/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/xtreme-cardio-dance-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Xtreme Cardio Dance

Photo: XTreme Cardio Dance


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.

Continue reading Xtreme Cardio Dance

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]]>aerobicsballetdance workoutDanceWorkoutdancing with the starsDancingWithTheStarsJaana KunitzJaanaKunitzso you think you can danceSoYouThinkYouCanDancewe-tried-itSara Reistad-LongThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTPumpkin Piehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/low-fat-pumpkin-pie/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/low-fat-pumpkin-pie/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/low-fat-pumpkin-pie/#commentsFiled under: ,

Recipe may vary from photograph.
Photo: jupiterimages

After indulging during Thanksgiving dinner, a slice of pumpkin pie may seems out of the question if you're watching your waistline. Think again! Did you know that pumpkin pie can actually be good for you?

Pumpkins are rich in vitamins and minerals including fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium and vitamins C and E. Pumpkins also contain carotenoids, a phytochemical responsible for the orange-red color of certain fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids have been shown to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by preventing oxidation of cholesterol in the arteries. The two carotenoids found in pumpkins are alpha and beta-carotene, which convert vitamin A in the body and are essential for normal growth, immunity and development.

Who knew pumpkin pie could really be so sweet? I have created a delicious version with half the calories of the classic. I use Fiber One cereal to make a crunchy crust instead of a pie dough. I also use a fat-free egg substitute to give the filling a creamy texture and a slice with 200 fewer calories than a traditional recipe.

Try this delicious pumpkin pie!

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]]>diabetesfiber one cerealFiberOneCerealhealthpumkinrecipestanya-zuckerbrotthanksgivingTanya ZuckerbrotThu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTBurpees: The Perfect Exercise?http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/burpee-exercise-squat-push-up-vertical-jump/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/burpee-exercise-squat-push-up-vertical-jump/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/burpee-exercise-squat-push-up-vertical-jump/#commentsFiled under:


Burpees. The name's not pretty, but the results sure are!

A combination of squat, push-up, and vertical jump, the burpee has a somewhat nasty reputation for being the exercise of choice in prisons. But you should consider adding burpees to your routine for the same reasons inmates might: The burpee requires no equipment and can be done just about anywhere. Plus, it works your entire body, including those important core muscles, while increasing your cardio endurance.

So how do you do a burpee? The basic version is a six count move. Begin in the standing position, then:

  1. Sit into a squat.
  2. Kick your feet behind you so you're in a push-up position.
  3. Lower your chest to the ground.
  4. Press back up to complete the push up.
  5. Pull your feet back in so you're in squat position.
  6. Jump up in the air while clapping overhead.

Continue reading Burpees: The Perfect Exercise?

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]]>burpeecardiocore musclesCoreMusclesendurancepush-upsPushUpPushUpssquatsquatsMelissa JoulwanThu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTFat Burners: This Week on AOL Healthhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/fat-burners/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/fat-burners/http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/19/fat-burners/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: jupiterimages

We all could use a little metabolism boost from time to time, but did you know that certain foods can rev up your metabolism?

It's true, jalapeno, habanero and cayenne peppers speed up the heart rate with natural capsaicin, but you don't need to sacrifice your taste buds for some extra calorie-burn.

Some fat burners, such as milk, whole grain cereal and oats, won't leave you sweating. They even do double-duty by giving you the vitamins and nutrients you need while pumping up metabolism and keeping insulin levels down even after you eat -- insulin spikes send the body a message that it's time to start storing fat.

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]]>capsaicinfat-burnersfat-burning-foodsAshley NegliaThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST