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Michelle Obama Hula Hoops For Kids' Health

Celebs & Entertainment

Win McNamee, Getty Images

First Lady Michelle Obama has killer arms, is in the best shape of her life and loves living a healthy lifestyle. She is certainly leading by example as she encourages America's children to get fit, too. The First Lady recently held a Healthy Kids Fair on the South Lawn of the White House, where she gave some healthy advice to some very lucky kids. And she drew from her own experiences, not only as a mom, but as a child to her own mother. "When I was growing up, fast food was a treat," she said. "We had pizza ... once every semester when we got good grades." In very motherly fashion, she then told the kids to eat their veggies: "We don't want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it. Just eat it, right?"

Mrs. Obama isn't just taking on unhealthy eating habits though. She issued a challenge to kids to be more active every day. "Turn off the TV on your own. Get up and throw a ball. Run around the house. Don't break anything, but move," she says. It's pretty obvious advice, but advice that needs saying these days nonetheless. And, of course, she practiced what she preached by having a go with a hula hoop and jumping rope.

She's taken on a tough cause -- changing the diet and exercise habits that are the foundation of our country's obesity epidemic -- but the First Lady seems up for the job. What do you think? Can Mrs. Obama inspire America to change its unhealthy ways?

Click on the gallery below to learn about Michelle Obama's workout routine.



Michelle Obama might be known for her incredibly toned arms, but she isn't the only lady rocking gorgeous guns. Check out who has the best arms in Hollywood.

Use Your Kids as Fitness Accessories

Fitness

daily fit tipIt's tempting to use parenthood as an excuse not to exercise; after all, between work, school and family commitments, parents are pretty busy people. But with a little creativity, you can squeeze in some exercise every day ... even with kids in tow! Here's how:

  • Make good use of the bike trailer: Cycling is great exercise, but tow 30-75 pounds of kid on your next ride and you'll immediately give that workout a boost. Plus, your kids will get some fresh air too.
  • Rather than creep along beside kids who are old enough to ride on their own, ditch your wheels and jog next to them instead.
  • Monkey around. Your kid can cross the monkey bars; why can't you?
  • Have a new baby? Try sitting on your fitness ball while holding her. You'll strengthen your core muscles, and the bouncing motion might put her right to sleep.
  • Squeeze in strength training whenever you can: Do one squat for every push you give your tot on the swing, do tricep dips on a park bench or walk laps around the shallow end of the pool while your kids swim.
  • Never sit and watch at the playground. All that running, climbing and swinging is good for you too.
  • Start a new tradition -- the family walk or bike ride -- and stick to it every day, before or after dinner.

If you're a parent, share your favorite ideas with us for staying fit while spending time with your kids.

Leah Galione Stays Fit with 4 Kids Under 6

That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation, Success Stories

thats fit club

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! Adidas is giving gorgeous gym bags 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!

leah galioneName: Leah Galione

Age: 35

Occupation: Mommy of 4

How often do you exercise? About five times a week

What type of exercise do you do? Stretching class, water aerobics, running, cycling, walking and strength training

What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? I get up before the kids to work out, because I really need to do something just for ME before my day starts. It helps me to be more patient knowing that I've started the day doing something for myself.

Exercise Helps This Child-Taming Diva Sheriff Stay Sweet While Running Off Skittles

That's Fit Club, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

thats fit club

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.

courtney clasenBesides 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: Courtney Clasen

Age: 32

Occupation: Homemaker, Domestic Engineer, In-House Chef, Maid, Taxi, Motivator, Sheriff, Dog Walker, Cat Feeder, Snake Tamer, Playmate and Diva

How often do you exercise? About six days a week.

What type of exercise do you do? I am proud to say that for the first time in my life I can call myself a runner. I also do resistance exercises.

What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? My bad mood! I know exercise will snap me out of it and give me that hyper "I love everyone" feeling.

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Malia and Sasha Obama Found a Surprise in the White House

Fitness

Malia and Sasha Obama
Barack and Michelle Obama have been a bit busy lately, what with 10 inaugural balls and his being sworn in as President of the United States and everything. (And I think I'm busy ... ha!) The Obama's girls have been busy in their own right.

Recently, they had friends from their new school visit them at the White House. After watching movies, the girls participated in a scavenger hunt through the presidential halls (how cool is that?). The hunt was designed to help the girls become familiar with the White House and to feel more comfortable there. The final surprise of the hunt led them to the Jonas Brothers hiding behind a door. I think I could hear the pre-teen squeals from four states away. But what I'm really wondering is if the Jonas Brothers got a chance to bowl?

While your kids don't have anything as palatial as the White House to get used to and you can't rustle up a pop star as a final surprise, you can still set up a scavenger hunt in your own house for your kids. If, like me, you live in an area that's been suffering super-cold temps, you have to get a little creative to keep your kids active indoors. A scavenger hunt is a fun idea -- your kids might also enjoy a relay race throughout the house.

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Eating Disorders - Dad and Daughter on Opposite Sides

Nutrition & Supplements

apple and scaleLoving parents want the best for their children -- health, happiness, contentment and success. So this story of a family in the UK whose daughter is battling an eating disorder broke my heart. What makes the situation worse is that the teenager blames her problems on her father, who is obese.

So often, as parents, we worry about the external forces that influence our kids. From TV shows, to dolls, to ads in magazines ... everything is a potential force that can sway our kids away from the values we'd like them to have. But the influences within our homes are even stronger. The examples we set -- with our health, our actions, our morals -- are more powerful than any external source.

The dad whose daughter has an eating disorder and blames it on him was obviously heartbroken. He loves his daughter and he wants her healthy and well. I hope, while recognizing that his habits did influence her, he realizes that her eating disorder isn't his fault. I so respect the way he's handling it, though. As his daughter is receiving treatment for her eating disorder, he's also seeking help for his obesity. While they're on opposite sides of the issue, I wish them both the best of luck on resolving their issues with food and getting to a healthy weight.

Source

BMI Your Kids - Are They Overweight?

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

kids playingI know BMI isn't the best measure of obesity. But it's a guide. And it can definitely alert you if your kiddos are headed in a weighty direction.

Clearly, we parents need to be in the know about our kids' weight. In one study, only 13 percent of parents whose kids had already passed the 85th percentile for weight (the marker for being overweight) realized their kids were heavy.

Head over to familycircle.com/kidbmicalculator to find out if your youngsters need to drop a few. If so, pay your pediatrician a visit and determine the best path for healthy eating and exercise.

Source

Running in Sub Zero Temps and Cooking Quinoa - Why Does This Brit Do It?

That's Fit Club, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

thats fit club

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!matt dunn

Name: Matt Dunn

Age: 31

Occupation: Software Engineer

How often do you exercise? Five times a week.

What type of exercise do you do? Mostly running -- I'm currently training for my first and second marathons this spring.

Source

Fit Kids Get Better Grades

Fitness

student raising handIt only stands to reason that the more fit your child is, the more adept they will be at their sport of choice. But fitness affects more than your child's skill on the field ... fitness can affect academic performance as well. It might even promote brain cell growth.

In today's day and age where phys ed classes are practically a thing of the past and video games bogart our kids' attention spans, it's important to encourage physical activity. Signing your kids up for team sports is a great way to promote activity while helping them build confidence and social skills. But day to day activity is just as important, so get outside with your kids and get them moving.

Fun activities for your kids and you(click thumbnails to view gallery)

BikingSportsActive toysWinter sportsHiking

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Obesity Causes Infertility in Men - Another Reason to Shape Up

Diet & Weight Loss

Obese men have a lower chance of reproducing, and it's just not because they're less likely to score with chicks at the bar. No, obese men have an actual physical problem down there, with their sperm.

According to new studies, obesity impairs fertility by not only drastically reducing sperm count in men, but also by altering the quality of sperm. Additionally, a previous study found that obese men were more likely to battle impotence problems too.

Obviously, obese men who want to have kids should slim down but not just in the interest of improving their chances of conceiving. Obesity is one of the highest causes of premature death -- and you want to live to see those kids grow up, don't you? Well, then, now might be just the time to align yourself with America Takes It Off. Click here to learn more. And come back and see us on Monday -- we'll be issuing a challenge that might just help you on your way to slimmer days.

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Treat-Free Household - Throwing Out the Junk in 2009

Nutrition & Supplements

cut vegetables
My son likes many healthful snacks. Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, almost any variety of fruit, cheese sticks and sunflower seeds are his favorites. But if given the choice between any of his favorite healthful snacks and his least favorite type of junk food, he'll pick the junk food every time.

I adopted my son when he was 10 years old, so many of his eating habits were already formed. With time and determination, he's learned to enjoy home-cooked meals (he only liked frozen foods when he first moved in) and understands a lot more about nutrition. But the junk food addiction has remained a problem.

I've tried instituting other rules, such as having healthful "anytime foods" that he can snack on whenever he likes and in any quantity he desires. The treat foods were left for desserts and small treats each day. It's a good idea in theory, but it led to my son trying to sneak those foods up to his room. When they became hands-off foods, they were more desirable than ever.

15 healthy snacks(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Baby  carrotsCeleryBroccoliApplesOranges

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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Vending Machines - What if There Were None?

Nutrition & Supplements

Imagine a world where there were no vending machines lurking around every corner, tempting you and your family members with sugary, unwholesome junk. Imagine a world in which your kids ate the healthy fruits and veggies you packed in a brown paper bag with care, instead of chucking them in the nearest garbage bin and punching in some buttons on the nearest machine to score a bag of chips or candy bar.

Sounds like a world I'd like to live in -- what about you? But would it work out how we imagine, or would the kids just find other ways to satisfy their junky tastes?

A study from the Journal Of Nutrition shows that if vending machines weren't allowed in school, kids would eat more healthfully. I guess that's not really too surprising -- if kids are hungry enough, they'll eat what they're given -- but now that there are some official-sounding statistics on this, hopefully the vending machine will start to die a slow and painful death.

(via Calorie Lab.)

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Kids Who Play Ball Keep Bones Healthy for 40 Years

Fitness

Enrolling your kids in sports can improve their self esteem, get them in shape and help them develop a life-long habit of being active. These are some very good reasons to get them on some sort of team, yes? But there's another good reason they should get on the playing field -- playing ball as a teen can help keep their bones healthy for up to 40 years.

According to recent studies, sports like basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer can help keep kids' bones strong well into old age, even if they don't keep the activity up. That's not to say they should give activity up as they age, but it goes to show that what you do in your teenage years can have lasting effects on your health.

So come spring, get your teenager active -- if you can, that is.

Source

Kelly Ripa Works Out Every. Single. Day.

We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Celebs & Entertainment


I try to get some sort of exercise every day, but in reality, it's more like five times a week -- when it's not -20 out. So I'm pretty impressed with Kelly Ripa's recent admission that she never misses a workout. In a recent issue of OK magazine, Kelly told reporters, "I work out every day. I try never to take a day off. For me, one day leads to two days off, leads to five days off. I'm an all-or-nothing person."

As for finding time to work out? She says it's easier now that all her kids are in are in school but adds, "If you want something bad enough, you have to get up early and do it or wait until the kids go to bed. I go during lunch break."

Good for Kelly but if you're just starting a fitness regime for the first time come 2009, I would recommend giving yourself a day or two off. You can read more on Kelly's workout tips here, here and here.

Kelly Ripa shows us why exercise is worth it(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Kelly RipaKelly RipaKelly RipaKelly RipaKelly Ripa

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