Fitness PR Division

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued seven letters to companies warning them that they are selling illegal "homeopathic" HCG weight-loss drugs that have not been approved by FDA, and that make unsupported claims.  

FDA is advising consumers to steer clear of these illegal HCG weight-loss products that direct users to follow a severely restrictive—and potentially dangerous—diet.

Melia Hotels International's luxurious, all-inclusive Paradisus resort brand expands its portfolio with two new Mexican properties, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, opening today. Located in the prestigious Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico's eastern Caribbean shore, the magnificent resorts are poised to become the area's finest all-inclusive properties.  The impressive facilities and signature amenities at both Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla include dramatic free-form pools, breathtaking artful landscapes, a YHI Spa, twelve restaurants and ten bars providing guests with pure freedom to escape and indulge in all the properties have to offer. Paradisus Resorts are sophisticated all-inclusive properties owned and operated by Melia Hotels International, one of the most successful hotel companies in the world.

Paradisus debuts the brand's first adults-only resort with Paradisus La Perla.  The exclusive resort offers 394 elegantly appointed suites including 120 Royal Service Suites, two of which are Royal Service Presidential Suites.  Guests of the Royal Service area will enjoy adult oriented amenities including a private pool, bar and exclusive restaurant surrounded by palapas and Bali Beds in addition to a private beach.  Discreet but efficient butlers offer preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa treatments, activities and excursions.  The resort's 60 swim-up suites further privacy allowing guests to access the free-form pool directly from their terrace. 

It seems whenever we try to solve a problem we end up creating another problem in order to solve the original one. Now that problem “A” is solved what are we going to do about problem “B” that was created in the wake of problem “A”? It is frustrating and somewhat depressing always having to choose between the lesser of two evils. We are facing this paradox in the unlikeliest of markets today: seafood.

Seafood is in growing demand so going out and catching a lot of fish puts burden on the wild stocks of fish. To solve this problem fish farming methods were created to help ease the burden on these stocks. Here is the problem: In order to raise fish on a farm you have to catch smaller fish to feed the fish that will be served to seafood lovers. The cycle of lesser evils begins. Or does it?

Researchers at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology have developed a plant-based diet for three kinds of popular fish. Basically they have put these fish on a vegetarian diet. Our first thought? What is this going to make the fish taste like? According to the institute taste-testers have not been able to taste the difference between the plant-eating vegan fish and their flesh-eating brothers. Although we are on the right track to solving two problems they have only taste-tested fish that were on a partial plant and fish oil diet, not on a completely plant-eating fish.

There is a good plan set for the future to protect our beloved seafood demands. This is actually solving a lot of problems. It is putting less stress on wild fish stocks. Secondly, ecosystems are fragile and when you start taking species out of this delicate balance something sooner or later is going to get thrown off. Finally (and probably most important to us), we get to enjoy our healthy and sought after seafood.

Tweet us your thoughts @PierceMattiePR.

*Photo source: delish.com

Weight loss is a common goal, and as Americans seem to only be expanding on average, it's clear that most weight loss programs are not successful. For many people, trying another program feels like another hassle that will result in money spent and no weight loss. There are so many programs out there that claim they produce great results that are based on gimmicks, requiring to eat unsatisfying food and resist eating the good stuff, or involve a huge time commitment.

That is where Fat Loss Ignition is different - in every category. The most exciting thing about Fat Loss Ignition is the basic principle: a body can process fat rather than store it, but the hormones that control fat storage are acting erratically.

"Our diet today is based on cravings, addictive foods that are overly processed, and convenience, all things that produce the wrong reaction in the body," Arnel Ricafranca, very fit, claims confidently, "I realized that what people need is a new recipe for weight loss. Or maybe a bunch of recipes!"

Ricafranca knows what he's talking about. With a gruff laugh he describes the way we are meant to eat and compares it to how we eat today, "The body is an amazing machine. We eat food and it is turned into energy. Or fat, depending on what, when, and how often we eat."

The Fat Loss Ignition weight loss program is how Ricafranca plans to change the weight of Americans as well as people all around the world who have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. The program gives users an incredible array of recipes, shopping lists, and tools for combining foods properly and eating when hungry so that one can lose weight in a healthy, comfortable way, and get energy in return.

"Once people watch the video all the way to the end, they see that this is not a gimmick, it's a sound piece of well-researched knowledge that can help." Ricafranca has a lot of reasons to be confident, and at this rate 2012 may turn out to be his year.

Along with keeping up with the resolutions of the new year, not only comes staying physically fit through exercise, but by way of healthy eating as well.  Not to say that either of these practices are obligatory, yet combining both actions is the most efficient way to a healthier and better looking body. For a while here in NY, we've had FreshDirect and now Amazon has answered the call for the West coast

AmazonFresh offers many of the same online grocery shopping abilities like ordering fresh produce, the use of mobile apps for iPhone, Android and Windows 7, as well as delivery. However, AmazonFresh has the one thing FreshDirect and their competitors don't have...AmazonNow, which basically is a tab tapping into Amazon.com that you can add to your order. AmazonFresh offers fresh fruits and vegetables and about 15,000 nonperishable choices of groceries as well.  And how can you beat a free delivery offer?

Each customer has the delivery option of either the Pre-Dawn Delivery Process (which is before 6 a.m.) or sometime throughout the day at Doorstep Delivery option.  Right now specific zip codes do apply for the mentioned services in Seattle. 

Do you think we'll begin to see more online grocers like AmazonFresh? Have you tried it yourself?  Let us know at @PierceMattiePR.  

Pierce Mattie PR Client John Masters Organics was featured in Whole Living Magazine. If you’re working on a beauty story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie beauty PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

Looking to lose pounds or unwanted fat in the new year, but not interested in a restrictive starvation diet? The Diet Guru website and program, online at http://www.dietguru.com/, provides a customized path to weight loss success and improved health that allows participants to enjoy many of their favorite foods.

Developed by John Spencer Ellis, a fitness and personal development guru with decades of health and nutrition expertise, Diet Guru combines technology and research to get results. The easy-to-use program takes into account personal preferences (no one has to eat kale or broccoli), food allergies, caloric balances, macro- and micronutrients, and more to create a customized diet and meal plan designed to spur both weight and fat loss. The Diet Guru personalized plan costs only 33 cents per day.

“We know that crash diets and unrealistic diets are never the answer, so Diet Guru does what’s right for each person’s body, lifestyle and goals, creating a surefire path to success,” said Ellis, who is also the founder of John Spencer Ellis Enterprises, a fitness and personal development solutions company. “This secret weapon for lean bodies in the new year offers positive reinforcement, the ability to track progress, free fitness guides and more to help you on your journey to transformation. Even more, you can eat the foods you love, so you don’t feel deprived, or like you might ‘die’ on your diet – this is all about creating a life you love.”

The Diet Guru site offers an easy-to-use and personalized meal planning tool, healthy eating plans for both men and women of all shapes and sizes, nutritional supplements and more. The brand-new site combines the latest research on effective weight loss with top technology tools.

People interested in losing weight in the new year can view a Diet Guru demo and sign up for the program online at http://www.dietguru.com/.

Catering to the overweight, Downsize Fitness of Las Vegas and Chicago, is designed to not only drop those lbs, but to drop those insecurities as well.

It’s never been heard of…a place where skinny people aren’t welcome.  Well, that’s a fact for Downsize Fitness, where in order to be eligible for membership, one must be at least 50 lbs overweight.  In striving toward their weight loss goal of 50 lbs plus, once reached, a member of the gym is considered a graduate and can then begin working out elsewhere. 

The gym’s main purpose is to create a comfortable atmosphere where a client doesn’t feel judged or sized-up…literally.  It is exceedingly common for an overweight gym member to walk into a gym feeling intimidated and even more unmotivated when they are being out-jogged by a bunch of Jillian Michaels and Brock Lesnars.    Downsize Fitness rids one of all those anxious feelings, along with a complementary consultation offered as motivation to get started immediately.  

Do you think this is a clever marketing approach?  Could this be considered discrimination, although it is intended to address a true issue for those looking to lose weight and regain a healthy lifestyle?  Let us know @PierceMattiePR.

It is now a few weeks into January – have you started up on those New Year's resolutions yet? If you haven’t, why not? If you have, how’s it going for you? Every year we make the same resolutions we did the last year: to eat healthier, work out more, relax, lose weight, quit smoking, etc. The reason we have to make the same resolutions over and over is because the healthy food starts to taste boring, the gym becomes monotonous, we overwhelm ourselves at work, and we can’t curb those cravings. THE SOLUTION: TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR 2012. Take a new route with your resolutions that you haven’t tried before.

Those first few days back at the gym can be exhilarating. You feel powerful and strong, and you think to yourself “this is the year I’m going to like working out.” And then it gets boring. The same workout routine day after day grows tiring and finding the motivation to get yourself to the gym becomes impossible. So as 2012 is beginning, the way to change this problem is to get a personal trainer.

With a personal trainer your workouts are different every single time so they don’t become boring and your trainer is holding you accountable, and you wouldn’t want to let your trainer down, would you? You are also paying for a personal trainer so why not get your monies worth? A personal trainer will push you in a way you have never been pushed; you will grow to hate your trainer, but love him or her at the same time. You will roll out of bed and groan in pain, but a smile will crawl across your face because that pain is a pain we all crave.

If you’re in the Manhattan area you should check out Method Fitness. They have every type of training one could want including personal training at the gym, personal training in the comfort of your own home, and 1 on 2 training sessions (in case you need a little more motivation from a good friend.)

Method Fitness has training programs that include a full lifestyle, health and fitness assessment, training programs you can take on vacation with you, and a personal fitness regimen made especially for your body type and needs. 

Take advantage of a new start and become the best you possible. Do something different this 2012. Don’t make your New Year's resolution to get in shape or lose weight again in 2013. What other methods do you use to boost your motivation to get to the gym? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

It's a new year, and many Americans are dieting with new resolve. To help them, U.S. News & World Report has released its second annual Best Diets rankings. The centerpiece of Best Diets 2012 is U.S. News's first-ever ranking of Easiest Diets to Follow. Dieters who choose a diet at or near the top of this list are more likely to succeed in staying on their diet for the long haul. Any diet can promise weight loss, but it's those that dieters can stick with all year -- and year after year -- that prove successful.

Of the 25 diets evaluated, the five Easiest Diets to Follow are: (#1) Weight Watchers, (#2) Jenny Craig, (#3) Mediterranean Diet, and (tied at #4) Slim-Fast and Volumetrics.

Best Diets 2012 features six other rankings: Best Diets Overall, Best Commercial Diet Plans, Best Weight-Loss Diets, Best Diets for Healthy Eating, Best Diabetes Diets, and Best Heart-Healthy Diets. All six rankings were first published in 2011, when U.S. News evaluated a total of 20 diets.

The five new diets added for 2012 are the Abs Diet, Biggest Loser Diet, Dukan Diet, Flat Belly Diet, and Macrobiotic Diet.

Big winners across the rankings included:

Health, job stability and housing costs are significant causes of stress for residents of the New York metropolitan area, and stress in New York is still higher than considered healthy, according to a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA) and conducted online by Harris Interactive among 243 New York residents and 1,226 U.S. adults in August and September.

Although reported stress levels have dipped in New York since last year, New York residents still experience high stress levels, reporting an average stress level of 5.3 on a 10-point scale. This stress level is higher than what they considered healthy (3.7 on a 10-point scale). Even with lower reported stress levels, almost one third (32 percent) of New Yorkers report that their stress has increased since 2010.  Six in 10 New York residents say that job stability is a source of stress, well above the national average of 49 percent.  Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) say that personal health concerns cause them stress and the high cost of living in New York has an impact too – a full two-thirds of New Yorkers (66 percent) cite housing costs as a significant stressor.

Being healthy is a major player in today’s pop culture. You don’t have to spend very long watching television, reading a magazine waiting for an appointment or surfing your favorite internet sites before you come across someone selling something to help you get in shape. Unless you are a fitness guru, the rest of us probably have a similar thought. Yeah, it would be nice to get in shape, but I just don’t have the time. After all, who doesn’t want to look good? It’s time to put the same excuse we have been using for years to bed. TRX Suspension Training to the rescue.

Created in the NAVY Seals, TRX Suspension Training is the premier workout for home gyms. TRX uses the formula gravity + users body weight = results. TRX suspends the users body weight as resistance to build muscle. The package comes with exercise DVDs to walk you through the process with beginner, intermediate or advanced workouts. It builds the body’s core by allowing for free range of motion. Simultaneously you will develop strength, balance and flexibility. TRX is quickly changing the way athletes and soldiers train as well as becoming a popular resource for injury rehabilitation.

You might be asking yourself, why is this any better or different than anything else out there? Here is the cool thing about TRX: You can take it anywhere. You don’t have to drive to the gym in the morning or after work when you are tired, just set it up at home. On the road? No problem, take it with you and set it up in your hotel. Maybe you are tired of being stuck inside after being in the office all day, go set it up in the park. The best part is that its simple in design but it gets the results that you want.

TRX provides the means to reach your fitness goals this year, now all you need to find is the desire to be your best self. Join the TRX community at www.trxtraining.com.Have you tried it? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

*Photo Source: Harmony Body

As we pass through each year, workout programs seem to come and go. We are watching for the newest workout to keep our bodies healthy. One claims to have the newest “technology” to help us get the lean, firm body that we have been trying to achieve for years (at least that is what we tell ourselves). They become the latest fad, everyone buys into it and then it dies out. Why?

The biggest factor in succeeding with fitness goals is if you have someone to support you, to do it with you or at least motivate you so you don’t give up. CrossFit is the latest trend for people who are trying to get in shape and it has the makings to stick around for a long time.

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program. Police academies, military operations and professional athletes around the world use the program. It is not a specialty program but provides broad and general strength training to the individual. You might be thinking that sounds hard, and you won’t be the only one. Many people are afraid of CrossFit because it sounds hard. The makers of the program figured out whether you are an athlete or an elderly person trying to stay in shape, you don’t need a different workout you just need different degrees.

The CrossFit program is scalable to the individual so that each person can come in at any level and they will meet you where you are. The thing that makes many users successful is they can sign up for classes (all over the country) and become part of a group who are all striving for the same goal. CrossFit uses many everyday movements and no exercises are the same so it never gets boring and you aren’t putting too much stress on your joints. It is a great way to finally reach your fitness goals and make some new friends along the way.

Just because it is scalable to you, it is still a workout routine. You aren’t going to get in shape without work. To ensure that you are ready to take on the program check out CrossFit’s getting started guide. Have you tried CrossFit? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

“Working out Sucks!” is probably the last thing you’d expect the CEO of the world’s largest fitness franchise to say in the midst of a national obesity crisis, and yet it’s the self-proclaimed title of a new book co-written by Anytime Fitness CEO and co-founder Chuck Runyon.

Working Out Sucks! (And Why It Doesn’t Have To): The Only 21-Day Kick-Start Plan for Total Health and Fitness You’ll Ever Need (published by Da Capo Lifelong Books) hits bookstores nationwide on Jan 3, 2012 with 100 percent of the book’s proceeds going to Limbs for Life -- a nonprofit organization that provides fully functional prosthetic care to individuals who can’t afford it.

“This is more than a book, this is a deprogramming effort,” said Runyon. “For too long we’ve been brainwashed by unhealthy habits, destructive attitudes, and misinformation about health. I’m here to offer a no-b.s. way to get back on track.”

Check out the book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckp47vIYJrY

Job Description

• Plan and execute client activities in a timely, efficient and high quality manner under the direction of an Account Director
• Keep client programs on track and ensure all deadlines are met
• Develop and edit written materials including press releases, online materials and general client correspondence
• Execute media relations efforts including media list development, pitching and developing strong ongoing relationships with the media

• Minimum four years of professional experience required, agency experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills, confident style in communicating with clients, and a proven ability to effectively organize and manage multiple tasks
• Solid client relationship and critical thinking skills
• Strong understanding of public relations concepts, tactics and media relations.
• Independence and autonomy with respect to their responsibilities and exhibit a deep understanding of the clients, accounts and industry
• Strong editorial relationships in the beauty arena
• Ability to work well with others in both team and independent environments, as well as motivate junior staff
• Positive, professional, and flexible attitude that lends itself to quality client service

Pierce Mattie PR Client John Masters Organics was featured in Prevention Magazine. If you’re working on a beauty story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie beauty PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

A new study by University of Scranton Chemistry Professor Joe Vinson, Ph.D., published in The Royal Society of Chemistry's journal Food and Function online on Dec. 21, 2011, shows nuts pack a healthy punch and ranks walnuts at the top for having both more healthful antioxidants, called polyphenols, and a higher antioxidant potency than the other nuts analyzed.

Dr. Vinson's study evaluated nine types of raw and roasted nuts and two types of peanut butter to assess the total amount of polyphenols found in each, as well as the polyphenols' expected ability to inhibit oxidation of lower density lipoproteins, often referred to as "bad cholesterol." His study found that walnuts had the highest levels of antioxidants and that the quality, or potency, of antioxidants present in walnuts was highest among the nuts.

"Walnuts rank above Brazil nuts, pistachios, pecans, peanuts, almonds, macadamias, cashews and hazelnuts," said Dr. Vinson. His study also found that total polyphenols in peanut butter were considerably lower than roasted peanuts, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Dr. Vinson's study also analyzed the daily consumption of nuts in both the United States and European diets. His research shows that nuts account for barely eight percent of the daily antioxidants in the average person's diet.

There are a multitude of diets for people that are looking to get in shape. Many try to find the one that is going to be easiest or will produce results the fastest. A diet is a hard thing to do because a lot of us lack the motivation to do it because it is easier to remain idle. Besides, we aren’t that out of shape anyway right? The hardest diet isn’t probably what you are imagining. Some people actually need to gain weight to get in shape.

For a few people that are genetically "cursed" gaining weight can be nearly impossible. You might think it is as easy as just eating a lot and that may be true, but there is more to it than that. Nutrition is a major part of any diet, but for hard gainers it is even more essential. The Hard Gainers Guide have dedicated themselves to helping those not blessed with the ability to gain mass fast.

As a hard gainer eating is the most important thing you can do. You need to be taking in more calories than you are burning. More importantly however, is what you are eating. If you are serious about gaining weight and getting healthy you must intake the building blocks of muscle: Protein, carbohydrates and fats. For details check out the basic and advanced nutrition guides. The Hard Gainers Guide also provides a complete meal plan to get you on your way to achieving results.

Of course having a good workout plan is also a part of gaining weight and converting food into muscle. Hit the gym with a workout plan or maybe a home gym is right for you. For specific questions visit www.hardgainersguide.com.

Ganache, pralines, and truffles. Éclairs, macaroons, and tarts. Is your mouth watering yet?

Making mouths water for the last 35 years, La Maison Du Chocolat originated in Paris and now has boutiques in Cannes, London, New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and an online boutique that delivers in Canada, the United States, all over Europe and Japan.

When taking pleasure in a delicacy from La Maison Du Chocolat trying the Chocolate Éclair is a must. What can be better than chocolate and a pastry? And don’t forget the Ganache with Orange Liquor Mousse – the dark chocolate melts in your mouth.

The online boutique has chocolates for everyone from $8 pieces, truffle assortments for $96, to extravagant boxes, like their Concorde Hatbox, for $290.

Not that anyone ever needs an excuse to buy chocolate but if you do, Valentine’s Day is coming up and that is definitely a holiday to celebrate the love of chocolate. Give someone you care about a box of chocolate that they will never want to finish.

What is your favorite chocolate? Let us know @PierceMattiePR