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April 28, 2009

LES MILLS COMEDY (Do this to your friend as an April Fool's joke!)

(If you receive this blog post by email, you will not be able to see the video. Click TIME TO GET FIT at the bottom of the email to go to the video.)

Here's the latest in the Les Mills and Me You Tube videos -- just a few seconds long -- and very funny!





Visit my home page at http://www.videofitnesscoach.com!

April 25, 2009

BUY YOUR FAVORITES ONLINE AT AMAZON!

Did you know you can order your favorite diet and sports nutrition products online at Amazon? Don't spend your time and gas going from store to store, looking for your favorites, when you can have them shipped right to your door! And Amazon offers free shipping on selected purchases.



Click on the arrow below to scroll through some of my favorites. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on any product to go to AMAZON GROCERY, then type in the item you are searching for.


April 16, 2009

HOW TO REPAIR A DAMAGED METABOLISM

If you've caused metabolic damage as a result of following starvation diets or losing weight too rapidly in the past, it can be extremely difficult to achieve any further fat loss at all. The good news is, metabolic damage can be repaired. All it takes is the right combination of metabolism stimulating exercise and metabolism stimulating nutrition (NOT just a diet), all done consistently over time.

The big irony is that most of the diet programs that claim to help you get rid of excess weight, only end up making it harder for you in the long run because they use harsh metabolism-decreasing diets and not enough exercise (almost never any weight training).It may take a little longer if you have really messed things up with severe starvation dieting in the past, especially if you've lost a lot of lean body mass, but it is never hopeless.

Anyone can increase their metabolism.Most people get an almost immediate boost in metabolic rate when they start the Burn The Fat program. However, the results are not going to be "overnight." Give it a little time...

Within 3 weeks your metabolism will already be more efficient. Within 6-8 weeks, it's burning hot. Give me 12 weeks of consistent diligent effort, sticking with all the metabolism boosting strategies I teach, and your metabolism really will become like a turbo charged engine, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that.

What's most important for upping your metabolism is CONSISTENCY in applying the Burn The Fat nutrition and training principles every single day.

That includes:
Meal frequency: eat 5-6 small meals per day

Meal timing: eat approximately every 3 hours, with a substantial breakfast and a substantial post workout meal.

Sufficient Caloric Intake: maintain a small calorie deficit and avoid starvation-level diets (suggested safe levels for fat loss: 2100-2500 calories per day for men, 1400-1800 calories per day for women; adjust as needed)
Food choices: Select natural, unprocessed foods with high thermic effect (lean proteins like chicken, turkey, egg whites and fish are highly thermic, as are all green vegetables, salad vegetables and other fibrous carbs)

Cardio training: Push up the intensity a bit if you really want to get a metabolic boost. Walking and low intensity cardio is fine, but higher intensity is more metabolism-stimulating.

Weight training: The basic exercises that include the largest muscle groups or even call into play the entire body as a unit (squats, front squats, split squats, deadlifts, stiff legged deadlifts, overhead presses, all kinds of rows and core-activation exercises) will have a much greater metabolism stimulating effect than isolation exercises (concentration curls, calf raises, etc)

The weight training is extremely important in cases of "metabolic damage" because this is the stimulus to keep the muscle you have and begin rebuilding new muscle tissue, which is the engine that drives your metabolism. The men don't usually have a problem with the weight training, but I still hear women say they don't want to lift weights as part of their fat loss programs.

Well, people who wont lift weights can expect a very, very long metabolism "repair process" if they achieve it at all. Consistency is the key. Nothing will undermine the "re-building" of your metabolism like inconsistency. If you stop and start, or skip meals and workouts often, you will not even get off the ground. After your metabolism is back up where it should be, it takes continued "stoking" of the metabolic furnace to keep it there.
Once you get your metabolic engine running, you've got to keep feeding it fuel or the fire will die down. Picture an old fashioned wood burning stove... Imagine you're in a cabin up in the mountains in the winter. It's cold in there and you want to keep the cabin warm. Can you achieve this by feeding the fire once or twice per day? Nope. Not enough fuel to burn, so not much heat is generated. What if you just toss an entire pile of wood in the stove all at once? Will that work? Nope. Lots of fuel, but can't all be used at once... it just smothers the fire and the excess just sits there.

How about if you throw some tissue paper or crumpled newspaper in the stove, will that work? Nope - too quickly burning. You have to keep putting small amounts of wood (the right type of fuel) on the fire at regular intervals or the fire burns out. It's also difficult to get the fire lit again. In the case of metabolism, it's like going through that initial few weeks of overcoming inertia all over again. Your goal is to get your metabolism burning hot and keep it burning and this cannot be achieved by missing meals, missing workouts or with sporadic, infrequent training.

I have only seen a handful of cases where all these things were done properly and there was still a longer "repair" process. For example, one case was former ballet dancer. At 5' 5", she was previously 110 lbs and had increased to about 145 or so. She didn't want to reach her previous 110, but find a happy medium of about 125 lbs. I figured with 20 lbs to cut, this would be a simple and predictable process, but she had a challenging time (and I didn't know why at first).

I later found out that she had been anorexic and bulimic for many years. This had caused a lot of damage, and although she did reach her goal, it took about twice as long as we had anticipated. The good news is, even in this extreme case, the same nutrition and training principles worked! It just took a little longer.

And by the way her program included some serious training with free weights and she ate a lot more (clean) food than she had ever eaten before. No "starvation! "That's the power of burning the fat and feeding the muscles...

Trying to starve the fat with crash diets is what causes the metabolic damage in the first place! If you're interested in the healthy, sensible way to take off the fat, while keeping all your muscle and actually increasing your metabolism in the process, then my Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle program can teach you how. No gimmicks or false promises. Just the truth - you have to work at it and you have to be patient.

WRITTEN BY TOM VENUTO.
Tom Venuto is a lifetime natural bodybuilder, an NSCA-certified personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), and author of the #1 best selling diet e-book, Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle. Tom teaches you how to lose fat without drugs or supplements using the little-known secrets of the world's best bodybuilders and fitness models. Learn how to get rid of stubborn fat and turbo-charge your metabolism by visiting Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle.

VIDEOS: http://www.fitness.supersitesdirect.com/ (click videos at top)

April 10, 2009

PUT THE PAST BEHIND

I am watching Herbie Fully Loaded on TV tonight. Maggie has just graduated from high school and is planning to go to the "big city" for college. Her dad wants her to get out of the dead-end small town and make something of herself.


As they are driving home, he says to Maggie, "See that tree? Whenever you see it in your rear view mirror, you know you're on your way to a better life."



Is there something that's holding you back from your goals? Put it in your rear view mirror, and keep it there. Move forward. Move on. Don't look back. You CAN get past your past.


Your Video Fitness Coach,
Anita Stone
http://www.videofitnesscoach.com/



My new book is out!


http://www.videohealthcoach.com/bookannouncement.html

March 28, 2009

I'LL BE SPEAKING AT "PROJECT GREEN" TODAY!

Blog subscribers: You will not be able to view this video in email. Click here to see the video:
http://timetogetfit.blogspot.com/2009/03/ill-be-speaking-at-green-project-today.html




The City of North Richland Hills (Texas) invites the you to learn how to "conserve and preserve" at the second annual Discover: Project Green, a FREE family event focusing on sustainable landscaping, tree planting, water, energy, and natural resource conservation, native plants, and much more!

Discover: Project Green will provide live entertainment, educational experiences for the whole family, kid friendly activities, guest panelists (that's me), native plant gardening demonstrations, contests, electric/hybrid car displays, vendors and more.

There will be plenty of activities for the entire family. Join ME Saturday, March 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Green Valley Park, located at 7701 Smithfield Rd., North Richland Hills, Texas. Call 817-427-6620 for more information.

March 18, 2009

MY NEW BOOK IS ON BARNES AND NOBLE WEBSITE TODAY!

Barnes and Noble just posted my new book on their website! Yea!


CLICK HERE FOR BARNES AND NOBLE


They also have a section with some former bestsellers at 50-70% savings: BARNES AND NOBLE CLEARANCE


I also saw some Easter books, DVD's and games for kids: EASTER SPECIALS


HAVE FUN SHOPPING! HAVE A FIT DAY!

ANITA


P.S. I totally redesigned my website for my new book release --> here it is: www.videofitnesscoach.com. My new BEFORE & AFTER PICTURES are on there too!

March 11, 2009

Help! The High School Reunion Detective Squad found me!

(Darn Facebook!)

They are trying to say we all graduated 30 years ago... I wrote back, you guys might be 30 years older but I'm not! hee hee :)

In spite of that, I thought I'd do some digging to see if there are any helpful hints on the internet for preparing for your 30-Year Class Reunion! Read on....

Get Fit Quick For Your High School Reunion With 5 Training Secrets
by: Christine O'Kelly


Dreading your high school reunion? Afraid that you're not as slender or muscular as you were in your younger years? Whether you have months to go or only weeks before the big day, these five training secrets will help you lose weight, gain muscle, and get fit in time to look great in front of all your old classmates.

Treadmills and elliptical cardio
Never underestimate the power of aerobic training. Just adding thirty minutes of physical activity a day creates tremendous increases in endurance, speed, weight loss, and physical tone. Although most people believe that you can only gain muscle through weight training, treadmills are the key to toned calves, thighs, and buttocks.

Lose weight with your diet
Looking for a diet quick fix to get fit for the big day? Instead of drastically cutting calories, cut out the foods that tend to cause bloat. Avoid sugar, starches, and grains. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are easily digested and tend to decrease water retention. You might also want to consider getting a toning body wrap right before the big day: your skin cells naturally hold a significant amount of water, and a body wrap can pull that water out, deflating the skin cells and creating a temporary slimming effect. These wraps are particularly effective for large legs and arms, but will work on almost any part of the body.

Gain muscle with regular strength training
The best way to get fit for your reunion is with targeted, focused strength training. Careful research will reveal the exercises that target your problem areas, and a good selection of free weights will allow you to do almost any exercise you will encounter. Take advantage of the resources you have, and let them help you reach your fitness goals. Always be careful not to overstress yourself. As your body gains muscle, you want to nurture yourself, not pull a muscle. With proper care and a well-designed plan, you'll get fit quickly.

Do cardio in your own home
Many people underestimate the value of having cardio equipment right on hand. However, the number one factor that stops people from exercising isn't a lack of desire, but a lack of time. Few gyms are open really late, and even fewer are open long hours on weekends. Busy people just don't have the time to work out as they would like, and end up having to skip as often as they can make it. Even if you choose to hire an in-home personal trainer, an elliptical or treadmill is a good supplement for the days when your trainer isn't there.

Take your workout outside
When you move out of your home or gym and into the great outdoors, the conditions will present a whole new set of challenges. Regular outdoor workouts are a key component of any get fit plan. If you want to lose weight fast, go running in your local park. The changing terrain will help you burn away the pounds, and the scenery will be a fun and refreshing change.

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February 3, 2009

Nothing to do with Fitness, but INSPIRATIONAL and UPLIFTING!

I am sure you'll enjoy this!


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January 31, 2009

HOT STEP LEVEL 1 - Anita and Tina



CLICK ON THE BUTTON TO PLAY


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OPRAH SAYS 'THE BEAN IS YOUR FRIEND'

By Cindy Kleckner, R.D., L.D., Cooper Clinic at Craig Ranch NutritionDepartment

Is it a meat? Is it a vegetable?  Some would say all of the above. With names like Adzuki, Cannellini, Garbanzo, Navy, and Cranberry, the humble bean is a marvel of bio-engineering. Beans are nutritious, versatile, economical and come in a multitude of varieties.

Why should we increase our consumption of this the venerable plant protein? To enhance diet quality. Beans are a nutrient-rich food that provide good nutrition in fewer calories. They also provide protein and iron, which classifies them in the Meat and Bean Group. Unlike other high protein counterparts, beans are low-fat, free of saturated fats and cholesterol. Beans are plant-based food providing excellent fiber, folate and manganese and good source of copper, magnesium, iron and potassium. 

Beans are actually categorized as vegetables in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  MyPyramid categorizes beans in both the Vegetable Group and the Meat and Bean Group.  Beans and other legumes have more fiber and protein than any other vegetable.  Visit www.VegetableWithMore.com for more information.

For a 2,000 calorie diet, MyPyramid recommends 3 cups of legumes, such as beans, each week, or about ½ cup each day. That is much more than the average American is currently eating. The Cooper Clinic Nutrition Department recommends starting a new family tradition of eating beans on "Meatless Mondays," in an attempt to meet this guideline. From a robust soup, to a refreshing side dish, to topping a salad to a creamy dip, no healthy diet should be without! Try Crunchy Garbanzo Beans, an excellent snack from www.bushbeans.com. Or check out the Black Bean Slaw Burger recipe in this newsletter.

Beans are delicious, life-sustaining little packages of near-royalty in the world of nutrition. One of the oldest cultivated crops, beans have played a compelling role in regional and global food traditions. Most recently this versatile vegetable has taken the spotlight as one of today's biggest food trends, meeting culinary criteria for ethical eating, environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture. Beans are perfect choice for adding flavor, texture, satiety and nutrient value to everyday menu planning! They are quick and easy to prepare, available year round and adaptable to numerous cuisines. And did I say taste great?

Many people inquire if there is a difference between dry beans and canned beans. There is no difference. The term "dry beans" is an agricultural term for bean seeds that are allowed to dry in their pods until fully matured and harvested. Canned beans and unhydrated beans are both dry beans. The main difference is that canned beans are a quick, easy and recipe-ready. For people concerned about the sodium content of beans, studies show that rinsing canned beans can reduce the sodium content by 40 percent.

Beans contain complex sugars called oligosaccharides.  When the body lacks the necessary enzymes to digest them, so the stomach passes them along to the large intestine. There, they break down and from gases. Many solutions to this problem have been proposed such as soaking and boiling beans which leaches out most of the oligosaccharides; adding baking soda to the boiling water; and adding a Mexican Herb, Epazote during cooking. Commercial remedies like BEANO also work by adding the necessary enzyme to help digest the oligosaccharides into our system, which reduces or eliminates the gas.  More information can be found at www.beanogas.com.

A few of the latest trends on the horizon are heirloom beans providing unique textures and flavors available from specialty retailers. Organic whole bean powder technology enables dairy foods to be fortified with soy providing added health benefits without aftertaste. And an option in formulating foods that need a fat replacer is butter bean powder, made from large lima beans, known as butter beans. They are cooked, dried and screened into varying degrees of fineness to yield an opaque colored powder with a slight buttery flavor.

Enjoy the incredible versatile bean in your meal routine!


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January 21, 2009

20 BEST EXERCISE TIPS

Be consistent
Set a daily schedule and keep to it. In no time, you will feel so good you won't want to change it.

Check your pulse
Use a heart rate monitor, or count the pulse at your wrist for 15 sec. and multiply by 4. Aim for 50-75% of your maximal heart rate.

Consult your doctor
Before starting exercise, see your doctor if you are over 45, overweight, or have high blood pressure or other medical problems.

Exercise every day
It is easier to maintain an every day schedule of exercise, and you will get greater health benefits, compared with just 3 times per week.

Exercise in the morning
Morning exercise sets you up for a day of increased energy and mental focus, and its easier to stick to a regular schedule.

Exercise to lose weight
Regular exercise, of at least 60 minutes per day, is an essential component of any weight loss program.

Exercise to prevent weight gain
Many people need 60 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise to prevent weight gain.

Get a buddy!
A buddy will keep you on track, 'cause you won't want to let your buddy down. Get a dog!
Your pet can be your exercise buddy. Take her for a walk, jog, rollerblade, or swim. You will both feel better.

Get an instructor
If you are just starting a workout routine, a personal fitness instructor can help you create a program that is right for you.

Increase the intensity
Keep yourself challenged, and progress toward your goal by increasing the intensity of your workouts.

It's not too late to start
No matter your age, physical ability, or physical activity level, some form of physical activity is right for everyone.

Moderate exercise
Physical activity is MODERATE if you feel your heart beating faster, but you are not breathing hard.

Ramp it up!
The benefits of exercise increase as you increase from 30 - 90 minutes of exercise each day.

Schedule your exercise
Plan for and schedule a fitness break every day.

Start small!
Begin with 10-20 minutes of exercise, then build up in 10 minute increments as you gain stamina.

Strengthen your bones
By training with weights or resistance machines, you will increase or maintain the strength of your bones.

Take baby steps
Don't try to change your life overnight - start with small changes, and work up gradually.

Use your lunch hour
Spend half your lunch hour taking a fitness break.

Vigorous exercise
Physical activity is VIGOROUS if you feel your heart beating faster and you are breathing hard.

Warm up first
Before engaging in any vigorous physical activity, begin with a warm up exercise.

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January 20, 2009

IT'S JANUARY! HOW WILL YOU GET MOTIVATED TO EXERCISE?

Made a New Year's Fitness Resolution yet?

January is here and most of us have made our resolutions for the rest of the year. While our good intentions started us off in the right direction, as time goes on, many of us begin to lose that motivation that got us off the couch and on the treadmill. If you want to not only find your motivation, but also keep it for the long haul, here are three strategies that can make this the year you actually achieve your resolutions.

First, have you written your goals down on paper? It has been proven that individuals who write their goals down and re-visit them on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis tend to achieve more results than those who don't. The goals that you have written down should be realistic and obtainable. Getting back to your high school size and weight may not be realistic, but reducing your body fat percentage by three percent in six weeks is obtainable.

The second step is planning. With your goals written down and clearly defined you must now plan. Most of the time we fail to reach our goals is the result of lack of planning. As Harvey Mackey, an internationally-known public speaker, says, "Failures don't plan to fail; they fail to plan." Planning is by far the single most important aspect to achieving results. For example, if you had a desire to go on a trip you would need to decide where, how to get there, what to take, etc. This would be your trip plan. What makes exercise any different? Planning the amount of time each week, what days, and what exercises you will do is vital to achieving results. Make an exercise plan to keep you on your journey to good health.

The third strategy is implementation. In order to establish habits a routine must be followed for 45-60 days to help them become ingrained habits in your life. For instance, you walked several days, weeks, maybe years before you ran. The same is true with exercise. You must establish a foundation before you can reap great rewards. Allow your self 6-8 weeks before reassess and move on to another program.

If you are one of those individuals who loses motivation around the beginning of spring the simple strategies above can help you stay committed throughout the year. Just remember—Goals, Planning, and Implementation—and you can stay on track throughout the year.

By David McGarry, Assistant Fitness Director, Cooper Fitness Center.

FIND ME ON THE WEB:
"RING IN" THE
NEW YEAR!


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December 26, 2008

WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION? ~5 EASY TIPS~

The News sure is interesting today! There's a 36 year old woman missing off a cruise ship, the CIA is using Viagra to fight Afghanistan, and a crazy guy in a Santa suit shot his ex-wife and all of his in-laws on Christmas Eve then he shot himself (I guess he didn't watch "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve, like we did). Now that's a sad story. Too bad Clarence couldn't have talked some sense into him!

They are also saying on Fox News that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and that getting more sleep can help combat it (hmmm....they didn't mention exercise and eating right).

What's your New Year's Resolution? More sleep? More exercise? Eat right? All three?

Remember, you shape the course of your own life. Your choices determine your health, happiness, and also your HOPE!

What choices can you make to steer you toward success in 2009?

1. Join an exercise class and introduce yourself to the Instructor. Make sure she/he knows your name. Introduce yourself to some of the class members.

2. Don't go grocery shopping hungry. Always go when you are in a good mood too! Bad choices at the grocery store will follow you home and end up on your waistline!

3. Get involved in a group that does something positive. A ladies bible study group, a group that tutors children with reading problems after school, a homeless shelter, or orphanage. Even if you participate only 1 hour every month, it's better than nothing, and your participation will lift your spirits, which helps promote better health (and weight loss!)

4. Go to the doctor. Get a complete blood profile done and have the doctor go over the results with you. Make sure your cholesterol and triglycerides are normal.

5. Keep your fat grams below 20% of total calories. Saturated fat should be less than half of total fat. I haven't met any woman yet who can eat more than 40 grams of fat per day and still lose weight. You must keep your fat grams between 20 and 40 for weight loss. Your body NEEDS fat for proper functioning, so do not cut fat out altogether. Try to make sure most of your fat is healthy fat (olive oil, salmon, walnuts, for example).

Read this article on good fats: http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/good-fat-bad-fat-facts-about-omega-3

I HOPE THESE 5 TIPS HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEW YEAR'S FITNESS RESOLUTIONS!

YOUR FITNESS COACH,
Anita Stone

p.s. I hope you like my Christmas Bell below!


FIND ME ON THE WEB:
www.squidoo.com/donotdiet (Please visit and give Squidoo some stars!)
www.bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/seeme4fitness (Bodybuilding.com page)
http://www.yoursqueezepage.com/displayPage.php?id=10248 (Podcast page)
MERRY
CHRISTMAS



Click Here to Lose Weight with eDiets


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December 22, 2008

FDA WARNS ABOUT DIET PILLS

MEMBERS! Read this important notice from the FDA!

HealthwatchWASHINGTON (AP) ― If you're looking for a little help shedding extra pounds after the holidays, the government is warning you to stay away from nearly 30 weight-loss products that contain unlisted and possibly dangerous ingredients.

The pills are advertised as "natural" fat busters and have intriguing names like Imelda Perfect Slim and Zhen de Shou. Some are touted as new versions of "ancient remedies" from Asia. They may promise an easy fix to weight problems, but the Food and Drug Administration on Monday said the concoctions contain unlisted ingredients, including high doses of a powerful anti-obesity drug, as well as a suspected carcinogen.

"When consumers are buying these products online, we're telling them that if it sounds too good to be true, it is likely to be too good to be true," said Michael Levy, an FDA lawyer who works on enforcement issues.

FDA lab testing found 28 dietary supplements that could land unsuspecting users in the emergency room. Most of the diet pills appear to be coming from China. They are mainly sold on the Internet.

Nearly all of the pills contain sibutramine, a powerful appetite suppressant that's a chemical cousin of amphetamines. It can cause heart attacks, strokes and heart palpitations, especially in people with a history of high blood pressure or heart problems.

Sibutramine is also the chemical ingredient in the prescription drug Meridia, which is used to treat obesity. But FDA testing found that some of the diet pills contain nearly three times the recommended daily dose.

Several of the pills contain phenolphthalein, a chemical long used as a laxative, but which is now being withdrawn from the market because of cancer risks.

None of the supplements lists the dangerous ingredients on the label. "Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that can cause serious health consequences," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, head of the FDA's drug evaluation center.

The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies, because they have not responded to requests for recalls.

The products are:
Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hours Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, 7 Day Herbal Slim, 8 Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

Also: Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim 5x, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula, Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, TripleSlim, Zhen de Shou, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. http://cbs11tv.com/health/fda.diet.pills.2.893311.html


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December 9, 2008

New Hampshire Public Television's LiveFIT Program for Kids


By Rachel M. CollinsDecember 04, 2008


Playing with Frisbees, jump ropes, basketballs and hula hoops, New Hampshire students — like those in St. Mary Academy's third- and fourth-grades — are discovering how easy it is to get exercise.
"The kids had a chance to see that they don't need a lot of expensive equipment to get exercise," said Linda Leonard, a teacher at St. Mary Academy in Dover. "It was just a really fun day for us."
That's because as part of New Hampshire Public Television's LiveFIT NH's community engagement project, the station is hosting school workshops, like the one at St. Mary Academy, that promote a healthier lifestyle.
"They brought in a lot of equipment that the kids might already have at home, then they played with it," Leonard said. "The children absolutely loved it."
Not only did the young students talk for days about what they had learned, Leonard said they also told of teaching their siblings what they had discovered and they took many of the games out to recess in the subsequent days.
"Here was something they could do without being part of a team or without a lot of practice," she said. "They learned a lot of things they could do just for fun."
Certainly the push of NHPTV's LiveFIT initiative begun in 2006 is to help keep the state's residents fit.
After all, the N.H. Child Advocacy Network has estimated that 22 percent of boys and 17 percent of girls in the Granite State are overweight.
Therefore, through television segments, educational and outreach activities and online resources, LiveFIT NH has been encouraging healthy eating and physical activity in an effort to curb obesity and promote a healthier lifestyle.
"It is a long-term challenge," said Heather Mason Herod, educational program coordinator at NHPTV. "We are averaging 2,500 to 3,000 unique visitors a month on our Web site so that's really terrific."
Those who have taken advantage of the NHPTV's offerings agree.
"Each child received a challenge or pledge card and we are encouraging them to do these activities with their families outside of the school environment," Leonard said. "We want them to know that just getting up and doing something can be fun."
After all, LiveFIT NH is focused on doing what it can to increase awareness of, and help reduce the incidence of, childhood obesity, which has become an epidemic in the United States.
Health experts say that obesity causes serious health complications, shortens lifespans and strains the nation's health-care system.
With its partner organizations statewide, NHPTV's approach, therefore, is comprehensive.
In addition to the workshops and online resources, the station is demonstrating through television segments ways that individuals, families, schools and communities can combat obesity trends.
A 16-part series airing since 2006 on N.H. Outlook, NHPTV's award-winning public affairs program, has addressed everything from mindless eating and aging and exercise to heart disease and stroke prevention. And these segments can be viewed online anytime at www.nhptv.org/outlook/live-fit-nh/.
In addition, NHPTV offers the LiveFIT NH Challenge, which promotes six actions and activities known to improve health — such as exercising moderately or vigorously 30 minutes a day and eating plenty of fresh vegetables.
To promote the challenges, NHPTV even offers on-air "Fit Tip" health breaks.
Another part of the LiveFIT NH Challenge is the Family Health Nights.
Presented around the state by NHPTV's Ready to Learn staff, these nights offer fun activities, resources and theme-related children's books, as well as workshops on nutrition, exercise and healthy family lifestyles for parents, educators and caregivers.
"Kindergarten-age children are not going to be preparing their own meals," said Lynn Zuccarelli Austin, who oversees the LiveFIT NH project. "These family-focused events show the adults that their choices do impact a child's health and well-being."
Topics often include choosing healthy snacks and school lunches.
"We ask them, 'When you have down time, is it sitting at a computer or are you going outside to run around for half an hour?'" Austin said. "'When you reach for a snack do you reach for an orange or an apple or do you reach for a shake and some cookies?'"
Then there is the Web site — which offers information about the project, the LiveFIT NH Challenge and special events, as well as links to state and national resources and partner organizations.
And the good news is that the LiveFIT NH project, which had been due to end in January, now will be continued for another two-year cycle thanks to the project partners and an initial $25,000 grant, Austin said.
That's good news for teachers like Leonard, who already has talked with Herod about doing another workshop with the students next year.
"The whole idea is to let the children know that they don't need to be part of an organized team or a big group to have fun and to exercise," she said. "There are things you can do in the back yard with just one or two friends."

And, whether they know it or not, they'll still be exercising.


Think you or your group should be profiled in Get off the Couch? Contact Rachel Collins at Rcollinsme@aol.com. GO & DO: Visit the LiveFIT NH Web site at www.nhptv.org/livefitnh/ to learn more about the workshops, television segments and challenges.

November 21, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


May your stuffing be tasty.  May your turkey be plump.  
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.  
May your yams be delicious.  May your pies take the prize.  
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.  


HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

November 8, 2008

YMCA RECOGNIZES "GODFATHER OF FITNESS" JACK LaLANNE


By Kristin Bender

Oakland Tribune 11/08/2008


The godfather of fitness, Jack LaLanne, took a break from his daily ritual of lifting weights for two hours to talk to people in Berkeley about how it is that he can lift weights for two hours at the age of 94.


LaLanne, the man who opened the first modern health club more than 70 years ago and then spent 30 years on television prodding men and women to exercise, eat right and take responsibility for their own bodies, was back in Berkeley on Thursday night receiving an award from the Berkeley-Albany YMCA, the place where he got started nearly 80 years ago.


"I've got one thing on my mind,'' said LaLanne, who lives in Morro Bay. "To help people help themselves."


LaLanne, who sticks to a diet of fish, whole grains, vegetables, and doesn't eat flour or sugar, said exercise and nutrition go hand-in-hand.


"Exercise is king and nutrition is queen. Together you have a kingdom,'' he said.


LaLanne didn't arm wrestle the mayor or swim through the Berkeley Marina pulling a boat with his teeth, but he did impress the 200 or so folks who showed up at the Berkeley City Club to check out the 150-pound muscleman.


"I used to watch him and his wife in the 1960s on television and I never forgot that,'' said Ana Bertero, a 47-year-old Contra Costa County firefighter who works out regularly. "Seeing him reaffirmed the importance of physical fitness at all ages. He's still an inspiration."


LaLanne was there with his wife, Elaine, whom he met 55 years ago while she was working at KGO-TV in San Francisco as a television host.


At 27, she said she was smoking cigarettes and eating bear claws for breakfast. LaLanne began to flirt with her, extolling the virtues of healthy eating and exercise. She began exercising at a class that he taught and the two were soon an item, dining and dancing in San Francisco.
They married in 1958. They have three children.


Together, the two have written 15 books about fitness. They also lecture all over the world, promoting their books and inspiring people to live healthier. "But nowadays, every hotel has a gym,'' he said. "I never miss a workout."


LaLanne, who is known worldwide for his success as a bodybuilder, author and marketer of vitamins, looks more like he's in his 70s than his 90s. He's also remarkably spunky and positive. "He's always like that,'' said his wife. "He never looks to the past. He's always looking forward to the future, always, saying, 'I'm just getting started, I'm just getting started.''


In addition to his two hours of daily weightlifting, La-Lanne said he swims at least 30 minutes daily. He changes his workout every 30 days, sometimes running or doing other cardiovascular exercise. "When I do my running it's up hill or up stairs. Everything I do is vigorous,'' he said.


LaLanne's ties to the East Bay date back decades. In 1933, he built a body building gym in the backyard of his home on Spalding Street in Berkeley for would-be police and firefighters who were having trouble passing their physical fitness tests. "In less than two months, everyone passed,'' he said Thursday night.


At 22 in 1936, he opened a gym called Jack LaLanne's Physical Culture Studio in a building on 15th Street and Broadway in downtown Oakland.


The Berkeley-Albany YMCA recognized the couple with the YMCA Impact Award for their contributions in the "areas of family fitness and health and wellness,'' said YMCA spokeswoman Cynthia Peterson.

WHAT SHOULD DIABETICS EAT?

 

HERE'S THE VIDEO: http://healthcorner.walgreens.com/display/1709.htm

Aired on Lifetime Television Sunday, November 4 and December 23, 2007

An estimated 20 million people in the US have diabetes - and more than six million don't even know they have it. Another 54 million people are at risk. The good news is that diet is a controllable and important factor in managing diabetes. Kraft nutritionist Arlene Sanoy, RD, says, "The major thing to realize is that someone with diabetes does not need special food. The key is managing the amount of carbohydrate-containing foods that are eaten.

The second tip is to remember to try and eat meals and snacks around the same time every day." Also, remember healthy eating guidelines are the same for people with and without diabetes. Just start making smart choices by label reading. "On the label we have information about sugars and dietary fiber. In general, try to look for foods that contain three grams or more of dietary fiber," says Arlene.

For more information on the Kraft Good Eating, Good Living program, visit www.goodeatinggoodliving.com.

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