weekend-related stories
Stick to Your Diet This Weekend - This Week on AOL Health
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Worst Frozen Treats, Drink Shockers and Post-Party Dieting - Links We Love
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
It's nearing summer and that means ice cream and milkshakes, among other things. But what's a diet-conscious person to do? Well, one thing's for sure: Avoid these worst frozen treats (just one serving of some of these go overboard on your daily sugar intake) and these unhealthy drinks and shakes.
One more piece of fat-fighting advice on this Monday morning -- if you've had a on "off" weekend and need to get your diet back on track, check out our post-weekend diet.
Fit Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Fitness can be fun, and it's a great way to spend time together. So think about the different activities you enjoy and find a way you can do them together. Check out the gallery for some ideas.
The Secret Behind Cameron Mathison's Amazing Abs
Celebrity Fitzness Report, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
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.
Cameron Mathison introduced his amazing abdominals to prime time TV viewers last year on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Those abs are a gift daytime soap addicts have enjoyed for a long time, as Cameron has starred on All My Children for many years. Last week, Cameron sat down to chat with me (I'm the squeaky voice you'll hear over a weird connection in the background) about how he stays in amazing shape. His advice is golden and if you do what he says, you may be worthy of some shirtless scenes too.
If you're interested in getting one of those warm and fuzzy hugs Cameron may be handing out this weekend ...
Cameron Mathison handing out hugs?
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Cameron Mathison just might be handing out hugs in a couple of weeks, and you might be able to score one ... if you're in the right place. The gorgeous All My Children and former Dancing with the Stars star took some time this week to chat with me for a future Celebrity Fitzness Report feature.
Cameron is not only totally buff, he's totally sweet too. Loves to talk fitness and boy, does he ever do it right! On to the hugging part, though. On November 15th, Cameron will be in Orlando, Florida to headline ABC SoapNet Super Soap Star weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. This event truly allows fans to get up close and personal with their favorite soap stars ... and Cameron will be one of them.
Since I'm always looking out for you (who loves you baby?), I asked Cameron (on your behalf of course) if we could expect him to be handing out hugs and kisses to his fans. After reassuring me that he always acts "appropriately" in order to respect his wife ... sure! He definitely gives his finest fans deserving hugs when possible.
Celebrity Fitzness Report: Heisman Trophy Winner & Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard
Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Sustainable Community, Work/Home Balance, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Healthy Recipes, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Kids, Cellulite, Celebrity Fitzness Report, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
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.
My guest this week is one of those people who really puts me in awe. Desmond Howard has scooped up two of the most impressive and revered awards in the entire sport of football, a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP. As I sat with Desmond on a sunny and breezy day in the University of Florida football stadium, The Swamp, I wondered what if felt like to achieve such greatness. Most boys feel lucky to make their high school JV football team. To play in college is an honor. To do what Desmond's done ... indescribable.
I love talking to professional athletes because they have had access to the best of the best opportunities in fitness. They have been trained for perfection and have proven to have mastered the art of discipline. Surely, they have something to share!
ince retiring from playing football, Desmond now works as a color analyst for ESPN's College GameDay. He doesn't have the luxury of an aggressive coach barking at him each day to maximize his potential. He trains because he loves being fit, and just like you and me, he has had to find creative ways to work it into his schedule.
On a personal note ... for someone with so much success in one of the most testosterone-driven sports in the world, Desmond was one of the most down-to-earth non-egotistical men I've ever met. He maintained a gigantic smile (with ridiculously perfect white teeth) throughout our entire conversation and was just a pleasure to spend time with. He's smart, funny, and everything I would want my son to become if he followed in a similar athletic path. Plus he praised his Mom, and of course, I want my baby to do that too. If you haven't been able to keep up with Desmond's success in sports, but would like to achieve great fitness as an adult ... read on.
Fitz: You've retired as one of the most successful football players in both the NFL and NCAA. What do you do now to stay fit?
Desmond: I usually try to work out four-five times a week, but it's kind of difficult when I travel a lot. When we do a lot of college football games, I'll ask the Sports Information Director of the university where we'll be if we can use their weight room. Sometimes the hotels we stay in have pretty nice weight rooms too. We really don't need a lot. I try to do cardio. I like the elliptical machine a lot, because it's low impact on my knees. If they don't have that I'll do the stationary bike. I always get in at least 35-40 minutes of hard cardio, work my core, and then work some other muscle group.
Memorial Day round-up: No weight gained
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
I'm just back from a Memorial Day beach getaway that featured time on the sand, time at the pool, time with family, and time with ... food. For two nights straight, my family of four dined with cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends, and the home-cooked meals we were served were simply scrumptious. They were no doubt loaded with ingredients we rarely consume too. This had me worried.I scarfed down plenty of healthy goods this weekend -- like right-from-the-ocean King Mackerel, fresh-from-the-garden lettuce, freshly-made salsa, broccoli, and fruit salad. The iffy, and downright yummy dishes, were cheesey scallop potatoes one night, once baked-once fried potatoes the other, clam chowder, and all sorts of chips for the fresh salsa. These items were bound to add a few numbers to my scale, and when I returned home yesterday, I hopped on that thing to see just what I'd done.
Nothing. No change. My weight is the same. I'm shocked. Well, maybe I'm not. It just goes to prove that I don't have to be hard-core all the time. I can take a break. I can indulge for a day. I can go for broke occasionally without actually breaking the bank. And now that the holiday weekend is over, I can get back on track and pick right up where I left off, without have to whittle away at a few extra pounds.
Daily Fit Tip: Don't let Friday undo your progress
It's normal to let down your hair a little on the weekend. The work week is over and free time has begun. But weight loss experts warn that letting your guard down against high-calorie foods for the weekend can add up to a big calorie surplus.Many of us go out to eat on the weekend or attend social events. We're also more likely to drink alcohol, which -- calorie-wise -- can add up fast. Instead of cheating a little here and a little there, the nutritionists at MSNBC recommend not restricting yourself so severely during the work week. If you haven't felt deprived Monday through Friday, you're less likely to go wild on the weekend.
Instead, they say, use the weekends to try new foods and new physical activities and to plan healthy meals for the week ahead.
Learn more about healthy weekend splurges at AOL Body's What's Your Diet Doing This Weekend?
The biggest baddest VEGAN around: Tony Gonzalez
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I just returned from ESPN the Weekend, at Disney World's Hollywood Studios. One of the highlights for me was when I stumbled across an interesting conversation between football all-stars Donovan McNabb, Chris Carter, Tony Gonzalez and a few others. The men were on an open stage being interviewed my Mike Greenberg of the Mike and Mike Show. What caught my attention was the taunting of Tony Gonzalez with strange veggie jokes. Why were they poking fun at this "lettuce man"? Little Miss Fitzness had to stop and listen.
The taunting was followed by Kansas City Chief tight-end Tony defending his vegan lifestyle. I was both surprised and impressed. Tony was bragging about his ability to jump rope and hit the weight room while his teammates were stuck in the mud the day after a game. He's beaten lethargy, increased his energy, and found many more fascinating benefits since he changed his eating habits. The nearly 250 pound tight end is not someone anyone would guess to be a vegan, but I think that's why he's so neat.
Drinking alcohol? Make sure to drink more water
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Hi, I'm Kat, a health editor on AOL Body. This past weekend a few friends of mine had birthday parties. And hey, I didn't mind having a few drinks to celebrate, but I would have preferred not to deliver myself bloated and heavier as a birthday present.
I talked to a few friends about how my diet got completely derailed this weekend and I got a good piece of advice -- Drink more water. Sounds simple, but it's all in the application. Next time I'm at a party, I plan on drinking a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage. Having water in between will keep you from downing more calories than you want by slowing you down and keep you hydrated, and free of the hangover you would have otherwise fed with a biscuit.
Yay or nay: Working out on a Friday night?
I read this post over on Fitsugar about working out on a Friday night and how it can get you going for a great weekend and it got me to thinking, is there any truth in that? I think, like most things in the health and fitness arena, it depends on personal preferences. Exercise is relaxing, and if you have the energy working out at the end of a long week could really start your weekend off right. Plus I would think that even if you have plans to go out and have fun squeezing a workout in beforehand would certainly help boost your confidence and buffer some of the guilt from the beer and chicken wings.But then maybe that time after you get home from that long stressful week is about no plans, no demands, just relaxing and kicking your feet up.
What do you think? Friday night workout session a good idea or not?
Summer weekend workouts
Summer can be a busy time for vacations and fun, and now might be the time to start planning to make sure you don't forget to squeeze some fun fitness in there too -- there's no reason the two can't go together! But sometimes it's takes some planning ahead, so booking a few weekends this summer for your health is really an excellent idea. Kayaking, for instance, gets you out there in the water while burning up to 340 calories per hour. And hiking will burn even more at up to 400 cals/hour. Neither of those tripping your trigger? How about cycling, or even speedminton?
The really are no limits, even if you have to start out as a beginner taking lessons in your favorite sport. The important thing is that you get out there, and having fun will make that so much easier.
