Fitness PR Division

Many people not only struggle to lose weight but also have trouble when trying to quit smoking. Fortunately, a single drug called Acomplia could solve both problems.

There’s a long list of foods that bodybuilders and other athletes try to avoid. Among these are fast foods, fattening snacks, and sugary drinks as long-term or excessive consumption of these kinds of foods can leave a person overweight and forced to deal with multiple health problems. But eating stuff like this is often a nasty habit that some athletes just can’t seem to shake no matter how hard they try.

An even nastier habit that athletes can fall into is smoking which might be even more detrimental to one’s physical goals. Smoking leads to increased blood pressure and heart rate as well as various lung diseases and none of this adds up to bettering one’s body. Obviously, the combination of fatty foods and smoking equals a decrease in one’s athletic performance.

So athletes and people alike often need to turn to various drugs to curb the disastrous effects that such habits can create. Unfortunately, this usually means that they have to take both a dieting drug and a smoking cessation drug separately in order to fulfill both needs. But imagine if there was a drug that could satisfy the two demands. No longer would people be required to take multiple medications in order to keep their weight down and their nicotine cravings in check.

Participating in a charitable event always makes your heart feel good, but when the charitable event is fitness related it could be beneficial to your heart in more ways than one. Charitable fitness events can be as simple as walking or as involved as a triathlon.

Many of us want to commit to a fitness routine and have goals we wish to achieve, but for the majority we often fall behind and eventually give up. When you make the decision to participate in a charitable fitness event, it helps achieve the following:

+ It makes exercise a commitment
+ It makes exercise easier
+ It makes exercise feel less selfish
+ It makes exercise a reunion

When you commit to an event, such as The Relay For Life, exercise is no longer just about you. This helps takes that focus and pressure off of what your personal goals are and help you to focus on what your exercise habits will be achieving in the long run. Knowing in January that you need to get ready for the big race in June, helps to keep you on task with an exercise schedule in mind. Making your fitness schedule about the people benefiting from this charitable event will contribute to making you feel good about that very time consuming and exhaustive workout, making it feel like much less of a chore and more of a good deed. If it is an event you have participated in the past, then there is also that sense of community and meeting up with other participants that you have met at previous years events.

In the process of all of this training and working out, you become more physically fit and able to meet your weight loss goals. Keeping to your fitness routine for the event helps you to develop healthy habits, whether it be regarding food or exercise or both. Even if you only train 3 months before the event, chances are that you will continue to keep in shape out of habit once the event has taken place.

I had never heard of Pilates until I was up late one night several years ago unable to sleep and began watching infomercials. On came the famous Daisy Fuentes endorsed Winsor Pilates. It looked easy enough and was much different from the exercise routines I was following at the time that were rendering little results, so I hopped online and ordered the complete Winsor Pilates set of DVD’s.

Much to my surprise, Pilates was not as easy as it seemed on the infomercial at 2am, in fact it was pretty challenging. However the thing I noticed most was that it worked my entire body and left me energized afterwards (and a little sore). After two weeks I noticed that each move was easier to do and soon enough I dropped 10 pounds and the tone to my muscles had a leaner appearance.

Some of the great benefits of Pilates are:

* Gives more support to your spine and creates more mobility.
* It puts no stress on your joints, doesn’t wear down the ligaments and cartilage around your    joints and never overstresses your muscles.
* You only need to do Pilates 3x a week consistently to see results.
* Promotes better balance and better coordination.
* Improves your mental outlook and creates a feeling of calmness, balance and rejuvenation.
* Builds strength without bulking up.

Dieting is something all of us have done at one point or another in our lives, or at least something we have thought about doing. However, many diets fail and for a variety of reasons. Many times it is the human factor, which includes eating to satiate a need, a love and overabundance of certain foods, or the inability to understand portion control. Other times it is the diet program we choose, which might alienate a specific food group, have super strict guidelines or just don’t fit into our lifestyle.

Some of the top reasons that diets, especially “trend” diets fail are:

* Diets deprive us creating a battle of “will power.” Many diets involve eliminating certain foods or even whole food groups. This is not only unhealthy but also unrealistic for the long term.
* Diets often don't fit into our day-to-day lives. Weighing, measuring food and counting points may help you lose weight, but aren't practical as long-term strategies for most people.
* Diets can be costly. Buying special foods or into special diet programs can rack up a big bill quickly. When the money runs out, it may lead you to quitting the program.
* Diets can actually lower your metabolism. When you drastically cut back on calories, your metabolism tends to slow down and goes into “starvation mode.” If your body feels it is at risk for starving, it will burn calories slower and store fat as a way to protect itself.
* Diet only plays a small part in weight loss. Long term weight loss and management is not just about what you eat, it requires incorporating exercise into your daily life, as well. Experts recommend 60-90 minutes a day most days of the week.

Many times we gain weight for one reason or another and feel that dieting is a quick fix. Many times we do lose the weight, but often gain back the pounds within the next few years because we did not utilize dieting as a lifestyle change or even look deeper into why we were overeating in the first place. If you eat when you are depressed, stressed or for comfort, those issues will still arise—dieting or not. It’s best to deal with those issues head on so that you use different healthy coping skills when the need to fill a void arises, otherwise you will continue to fall back on what is most comfortable and easy for you.

Creating a lifestyle modification that leads to permanent changes in eating habits and exercise are what will make your ability to lose weight and keep it off a success. Diets are simply a temporary fix to a long-term problem. Some of the ways you can be successful at losing weight are:

When you are willing to commit to a lifestyle change with diet and exercise to avoid a “diet failure,” the one thing you don’t want to compromise on is eating tasty food. My biggest weakness is my sweet tooth and snacking. Since I know it is not entirely possible to completely eliminate snacking from my life, I have chosen to replace what it is I am snacking on. Enter Kashi. I discovered their cereal a while ago, but had no idea all of the delicious (and nutritious) treats they have added to their GOLEAN product line until recently.

Kashi is a company that prides itself on creating all natural foods with minimal processing that are healthy, good for your diet, but never compromise on taste. For me, that’s important because if “good for you food” doesn’t taste good, then I tend to retreat to my old ways of fat laden chocolate sweets and meals that are lacking the “health and wellness” aspect. It’s been easier than I expected it to be replacing a chocolate treat with a Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bar (Peanut Peanut Butter is my favorite) or TLC Crackers.

Before making the commitment to lose weight and eat right, I used to skip eating lunch. I never really considered eating 3 meals a day that important. However, to have a healthy metabolism, you need to eat 3 meals a day; there’s no way around it. Kashi’s delicious frozen meals are perfect because they are high in protein and fiber and very low in fat. They are the right portion size and incredibly delicious. I especially love the Rosemary Chicken, but all of their frozen dinners are really the best “frozen” meals I have ever eaten.

Kashi really makes it easy to get back on the right track to incorporate healthy eating back into your lifestyle. Kashi is available online, at specialty markets such as Whole Foods, and your local supermarket.

Elliptical machines offer dually an upper and lower body workout, which really saves those who choose home fitness (vs. the gym) both time, space and money. Elliptical trainers provide a great cardiovascular workout that burns just as much fat and calories as an aerobic workout with its high-energy, low-impact quality.

Time and again I have heard that the Precor EFX 5.33 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer (SRP $3899) is one of the best home fitness machines out there. It is designed with a 20 degree fixed ramp that allows for a forward or reverse elliptical stride, working a wide range of lower body muscles while the handlebars provide resistance to the arms and upper body.

The Precor EFX 5.33 offers:

* Natural Motion: Fluid human motion, equaled by machine. Engineered to move the way you move.

* Total-body workout: Ergonomic handlebars let you tone and condition your entire body while maintaining a comfortable posture and good technique.

* Workout variety: With 14 programs and 20 resistance levels, plus synchronized handlebars, keep routines fresh, varied and challenging for faster results and sustained motivation.

* SmartRate: Instant display of your actual heart rate keeps you in your target zone for improved cardio-training and weight-loss results.

Have you used the Precor EFX 5.33 or do you have a different Elliptical machine that you are fond of? Let us know in the comments.

I sat amazed today watching a story on Good Morning America about Brooke Bates, who at 12 years old had liposuction and a tummy tuck, then at 13 had gastric lap-band surgery. According to her mother, she had been overweight "all her life." I questioned, as did the GMA host, how young is too young for weight loss surgery?

Brooke's mother spoke about how her daughter had been on a diet since she was 3. The family gave their consent for Brooke to have liposuction and a tummy tuck at age 12, which Brooke subsequently lost 40 pounds and gained 35 of it back. As I have mentioned in a previous post, diet needs to be a lifestyle change. If Ms. Bates had been on a diet from age 3-12, then there was a component missing to ensure her success of this lifestyle change. Also, I believe it is very difficult for children to understand and adhere to such a lifestyle change. When challenged about this weight gain, Ms. Bates mother argued that Brooke's overeating was not due to an emotional issue, but "more of a hereditary characteristic in our family."

At 13 the family traveled to Mexico, against their doctor's advice, to allow Brooke to have gastric lap-band surgery done. Brooke has lost 15 pounds since having the surgery a few weeks ago and is aiming for a goal weight of 125 pounds.

While I am not against cosmetic surgery, I have to wonder if Brooke's parents allowing her to have two surgeries at such a young age is merely an easier way to achieve weight loss than to deal with the possible real issues of her overeating to begin with. Since the lap-band is a new weight loss surgical treatment, it is not yet known how long the band lasts and if there are any potential side affects or complications down the road. The surgeries also do not address the emotional side as to why Brooke overeats in the first place, which means she is likely to continue eating poorly until the issue is addressed.

What are your thoughts on Brooke Bates story? How young is too young for weight loss surgery and do you feel there are any exceptions regardless of age?

If there are things we all complain about when trying to lose weight, it's that diets are restrictive, we run out of creative ideas on how to prepare low fat meals that actually taste good or honestly, we are just plain lazy trying to figure out how to work a diet plan into our lifestyle. ediets new Deliciously Yours is trying to change the way you diet and it sounds very enticing to me!

The new Deliciously Yours diet plan involves freshly prepared meals that are not powdered, dried or canned, have no added preservatives, yet can stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to 14 days. It's a well balanced meal suited for your weight loss needs, calories counted and all. The ediets Deliciously Yours Meal menu contains 50 meals you can choose from for your weekly 4 meal a day plan. And that 4th meal? Dessert! I love that you don't have to give up eating dessert because certainly if you deprived yourself of a sweet each day you may just find yourself gorging yourself when the temptation cracks.

Being part of the plan you are given free access to ediets.com where you can work with a nutritionist and personal trainer to develop a plan that will fit your lifestyle. The Deliciously Yours plan allows you to choose two ways in which you want to tackle the program to lose weight--either utilizing the freshly prepared food menu 7 days a week or by doing the "weekends free" plan. If you are just beginning your weight loss, you'll want to go with 7 days until you feel confident enough with portion control and getting into the habit of healthy eating. That way when you switch to the weekends free version, you'll be able to confidently cook weekend meals that won't sabotage your weight loss goal.

Have you seen or tried Deliciously Yours? I'd love to hear your opinion on it.

With spring and summer comes the season most people dread – bathing suit season! It is during the New Year that most make the resolution to staying fit. Before you know it, you have stopped going to the gym and have even ordered a few pizzas along the way.

Come mid-March it starts to click in our mind that it might be time to start actually getting in shape. April rolls around and your gym shoes have yet to be worn. Finally, May – the most frantic fitness time of the year, where you have exactly 31 days to look fabulous in your bathing suit. This is when you find yourself up at the crack of dawn on the elliptical machine every morning to get that killer figure you just saw in SHAPE magazine.

Word to the wise: incorporate fitness into your everyday routine. Sign up for fun, new fitness classes or programs online to help you tone up and get ready to sit poolside - you’ll feel and look great the whole year round!

Gone are the days of monotonous exercise. Running on the treadmill not your idea of an exciting fitness routine? Nintendo has got the cure for those of us who need something more to get us motivated to work out--the Wii Fit. Wii's interactive games have been captivating people from all age groups for a while now, but with the Wii Fit specifically focused on toning and strengthening your body, as well as weight loss through aerobic exercise, it is a craze that is selling out Wii Fit packages everywhere.

The Wii Fit system has you create a profile so that you can track your progress and create your onscreen self. You can chart your progress towards your goals through your BMI, weight, Wii age and Fit credits. It comes with a balance board which tracks your movements to coordinate them with what is happening onscreen. The games are fun and interactive such as snowboarding, hula hooping, dancing and balance games. Yoga helps with your core strength and stress relief.

After my girlfriend relayed to me that she lost 20 lbs using a combination of Wii Fit and Weight Watchers, I've decided this will be my next "paycheck purchase."

Have you tried Wii Fit? If you've seen results, I'd love to hear about them.

Getting motivated to lose weight is the easy part but remaining inspired to stay the course is tough. We're inundated with opportunities to go on a diet vs. a lifestyle change, try this fad weight loss plan or this fad workout and it's no wonder most of us fail. Two and half weeks ago I began working out everyday, something I've never done before. I know that in order to keep myself mentally motivated I needed to find a source of inspiration when that little voice fills me with doubt that I can't meet my weight loss goal. Then, out of the blue, Mark Salinas began following me on Twitter and I became inspired.

Mark's story is one you may be familiar with, as he at one time was at a healthy weight, but ate whatever he wanted and as time went on, his weight increased. He kept putting off exercise and making excuses until one day he just made the commitment to tackle a healthy lifestyle head on and joined Lifetime Fitness. Mark weighed in at 250 lbs but now, a year after starting his fitness quest, he is a healthy and trim 190 lbs. Wanting to know more about his success, I asked him a few questions...

Numbered are the weekends of barbeques and pool parties with summer quickly coming to an end. Even though hot dogs and hamburgers will be put to bed until next summer, partying certainly doesn’t end with the warm weather. It’s called football season—and people gather to watch the games on their HD Plasmas nearly every weekend. Our football favorites have been hard at work on the off-season to make sure you get your Direct TV NFL Ticket’s worth.

I had the opportunity to sit down with James Ihedigbo, safety of the New York Jets, to talk about just what kind of work he's been doing to get ready for this season and what we as non-athletes can take from his regiment to be more physically fit. Obviously none of us are aspiring to have biceps the size of Ihedigo, but we can learn a thing or two from someone whose job it is to exercise and play a sport demanding the greatest in agility and strength. And if you are after the physique of an NFL player, good luck. His mammoth muscles are from some extremely hard work.

The super talented football player comes out of UMass and is in his second year playing in the NFL. James lives by the motto, "To whom much is given, much is expected.” He has never let natural talent stop him from working as hard as humanly possible. He was injured in training camp last summer and was out the remainder of the season so this year is big. That's where the hard work comes into play. Check out James in action in a typical off-season work out:

Now, I'm sure you won't be running to the nearest open field with a 75lb medicine ball and hoisting it over your head, backwards I might add, as James so effortlessly displayed above. So here are some tips from pro-athlete to Joe and Jane Average:

With the U.S. Open underway this week, I thought it would be an appropriate time to discover the benefits of a tennis-based workout. I searched the web for some tips on incorporating this fun, fast-paced sport into your fitness routine so you can rock Federer calves, Williams biceps, and Nadal Abs.

And as for us females, wouldn't we all like to have the physique of Miss Maria Sharapova? Check out this clip to see a on court great tennis workout that will get you closer to the well defined limbs of the tennis star beauty.

If you aren't a tennis player then don't fret. You needn't hit the courts or even the gym to get your upper body in tennis shape. My personal experience with tennis only comes via Nintendo Wii and let me tell you- I've gotten rather sore in the aftermath of a long Wii tennis session. Who would have ever thought I'd work muscles I never knew I had by whacking a virtual tennis ball around my living room?

So now you have tennis workout options in the gym, on the court, and (thanks to modern technology) in your living room. Since going to U.S. open is a stretch for me, (you know it's the hottest ticket in town when Anna Wintour actually leaves her perch at Vogue to attend) I am going to host a U.S. open party instead. I'll serve the official cocktail the Honey Duece, watch the matches, and challenge my guests to a Wii Tennis Tournament. I encourage you to find some way of incorporating this age old sport into your lives whether it be for fitness or fun.

The Subliminal Workout: Footwear that Improves Muscle Tone

Recently someone asked me what I did to keep my legs in shape.  Since I couldn’t recall the last time I’ve really done an exercise to target my legs in that place I vaguely remember being called a gym,  I responded with three simple words- “commute in heels.”  I know that stacking up my soles forces me to stand straighter, engage my core and ignite my leg muscles all to a greater extent.

For those of you not brave (or crazy) enough to trade your “walking shoes” for four inches of an escalator hazard, there’s a safer alternative. I found three fitness shoes that will help burn more calories and improve muscle tone by simply walking around:

The Subliminal Workout: Footwear that Improves Muscle Tone

Recently someone asked me what I did to keep my legs in shape.  Since I couldn’t recall the last time I’ve really done an exercise to target my legs in that place I vaguely remember being called a gym,  I responded with three simple words- “commute in heels.”  I know that stacking up my soles forces me to stand straighter, engage my core and ignite my leg muscles all to a greater extent.

For those of you not brave (or crazy) enough to trade your “walking shoes” for four inches of an escalator hazard, there’s a safer alternative. I found three fitness shoes that will help burn more calories and improve muscle tone by simply walking around:

Gyrotonic is a low-impact expansion system that can be practiced by everyone regardless of age or fitness capability. Whether you are an advanced athlete, a beginner student or recovering from an injury, Gyrotonic increases flexibility and range of motion dramatically while at the same time toning and strengthening the body. A difference is felt immediately as one begins the low-impact Gyrotonic warm-up starting with gentle undulation of the spine.

Gyrotonic exercise is not linear, but is in fact multi-dimensional, as it smoothly reverts back and forth from contraction to expansion. This procedure releases joints and ligaments from muscular constriction while strengthening surrounding tissue. In conjunction with the exercise procedure, a special method of harmonized breathing aligned with fluid movement takes the body through a complete and full range of motion.

The words 'wedding day' are almost translated as 'lose weight' to many women taking the plunge. Many brides-to-be seek out wedding prep specific workout plans to lose weight and tone up for the infinite amount of pictures that will be taken on that special day.

Toned arms are obviously key to pulling off the insanely popular strapless gown and overall weight-loss is a main goal many brides hope to achieve.  Tailored programs and diets multiply each day to satisfy this growing need and can be found online, on TV or in person at your gym.

Besides the desire to make sure your photos feature the slimmest possible version of oneself, brides are also turning to fitness as a way to de-stress.  Working out can help alleviate the craziness that planning a wedding can create in the typical bride's life.  If a future bride takes up kickboxing, maybe it's her mother-in-law's face she envisions as the target?

Why can't we apply this same motivation to physical fitness in general?

Sue Fleming, the author of the book-turned-T.V. series 'Buff Brides', wants to change the quick fix nature of most diets/fitness programs.  Her approach includes starting early and setting specific and realistic goals.  She also hopes that by giving advice to women getting ready for their big day, she can also show them the advantages to a healthy lifestyle post-wedding. 

Many of us, present party included, are guilty of losing weight only in preparation for a specific event.  Be it vacation, a reunion, the summer season...it is always easier to stick to a fitness regime with that tangible goal looming over us.

How many of us often resume bad health habits after an event we lost weight for?

photo credit: buffbrides.com

Snacking is a delightful habit, but like all habits, it can quickly become an addiction. Here are some low calorie snacks (usually 200 calories and under), that you can "bag." Feel free to comment your suggestions, for additional healthy, low-calorie snacks that I might have missed.

Sun-Maid Mini-Snacks Raisins: Good source of iron, potassium and selenium. Contains vitamin A and some vitamin B. Rich in fiber. (an essential ingredient in my yummy yogurt/almond snack)

It's the New Year again. What are your new year’s resolutions? What will you be doing different in 2009? If you’re like many Americans, losing weight is somewhere on your list of goals.

The truth is, not everyone knows how to do it and do it safely. There are so many diet options out there that it is hard to come up with one safe, productive way to lose weight.

Then there are the WRONG ways to diet and lose weight. These are the ways I don’t recommend:

The Juice Fast: Lemon, Orange, Carrot, Grape, whatever it is, its not enough. The basics of losing weight apply, to lose weight effectively you need to burn more calories than you intake. This does NOT mean you eliminate calories altogether and going on a liquid-based diet. Originally based on cleansing, this diet method is a no-go.

In Buddhism, the number two encompass the virtues of resplendence (to be attractive and impressive) through patience and gentleness. Virtue leading to the cessation of suffering through mental tranquility and spiritual insight are also rightly attributed to this popular, even number. And, the definition of “even” is “flat,” “smooth.” Equally balanced.

Use these attributes, these virtues, to carve an impressive and beautifully balanced body for your inner self. This simple-to-follow “2-Rule” will help you lose 20 pounds in 2 months.

Now, before you go on, you must be ready. I don’t mean, “ready to lose weight, cause I’ve been wanting to and I read this blog everyday, so maybe this will work” ready. I am referring to “mentally” ready. You must be motivated to make the time. As I have said before, nothing will ever get accomplished, unless you are ready and willing. The intention and the desire must be there. Then the time will come -- naturally.

If you are really ready then read on...

Lets face it, we all at one point or another try a certain diet or try to motivate ourselves to go to the gym everyday. When trying to lose weight or stay fit why not have some fun? Below are some fun fitness trends that combine rhythmic music that aims to increase cardiovascular fitness and will actually make you enjoy losing weight.

Ever since I had my daughter two years ago, I have been preoccupied with getting back to my pre-baby weight. As such, I enlisted the help of a personal trainer, joined a gym, reduced calories, reduced portion sizes, dieted and tried to starve myself skinny – relax … the starvation only lasted four hours. So when I heard Glamour Magazine was putting the “sleep diet” into effect, I gladly signed up.

Who stole a cookie from the cookie jar? I stole a cookie from the cookie jar, but it was no ordinary cookie. This cookie was made to help you and I curb appetite and lose weight. The new Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet® brand cookie store in Beverly Hills which opened earlier this year is based upon a recipe that has been around for the last thirty years. Dr. Sanford Siegal published his first book in 1975 about his famous cookie-based diet, but can a cookie really help you shed pounds?

Going to the gym and exercising every day sounds appealing… but we all know sometimes going to the gym every day doesn’t happen. It would be wonderful eating foods that just burn everything off, but those foods just don’t exist...or do they? Low Glycemic Index (GI) foods are known to burn fat and maybe you've seen this idea marketed with NutriSystem. The basic premise is simple: foods that have a low GI are best for dieters because they promote a slow, moderate rise in blood sugar and insulin after a meal. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates according to how quickly they tend to raise blood sugar levels after eating, and eating a lot of low glycemic index in your diet, can result in greater reduction of body fat over time.

Here is a list of great low GI foods that will get your body in shape and your hunger in check just in time for bathing suit season:

Millions of Americans take diet pills every year and I can understand the appeal. It seems like an easy way to lose weight. Commercials and advertisements for weight-loss supplements claim that with their products, you don't even have to diet or exercise. Why wouldn't everyone do it if it were that simple? These "natural" pills have taken the market in recent years due to the increasing trend toward healthy lifestyles and organics. So if you can lose weight naturally, why not, right?

Wrong. According to the New York Times, the Food and Drug Administration discovered that some pills claiming to be "natural" actually contain pharmaceutical drugs. This is dangerous for a number of reasons. The drugs can have serious side effects such as allergic reactions, heart palpitations, and even seizures. If they're mixed with other drugs, the effects can be fatal. So, will consumers care? Or will they continue to take the pills no matter what's inside?

Due to their eating habits, the Japanese are known to be one the healthiest people in the world. Not only are they expected to live longer, they enjoy being the number one lowest obesity rate on earth. The Japanese also have lower rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, breast and prostate cancer than us in the United States. So what is different in the Japanese diet?

The benefits of the Japanese-style eating is that you eat more filling lower calorie foods served in pretty little dishes and plates. One of the benefits they stress is eating with your eyes by enjoying the looks of your food. In Japan they serve their food on separate small plates and bowls instead of one large plate like we are used to. Serving smaller portions are one of the reasons why it is so much easier to maintain a healthier weight. To try this, try replacing salad or dessert plates instead of a big serving plate, and you might notice that you will eat less. Eating slowly results in eating less giving your brain more time to realize you are full…plus you get to savor your foods for longer. The Japanese claim that when consuming your meal, you should eat until you are about 80% full.

Here are some foods that are included in the Japanese diet:

In a sea of books proclaiming to make you skinnier with thirty-day detox diet’s, Bethenny Frankel’s Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting is a refreshing and answer to your weight issues. The book, available in bookstores now, provides satisfying meals and guidance to banish those extra pounds and create a healthier lifestyle. The book does not suggest starvation or manic exercise routines, but instead, to simply adapt a more healthful outlook toward meals.

I’m not quite sure if it’s the factor of weighing in at group meetings, the lack of desire to talk about food failures with a dietitian or the annoyance of personal trainers, but recent trends show people today have turned to cyberspace to diet. E-dieting has vastly become popular for health conscious individuals and why not? It’s convenient, private and a less expensive alternative to weight loss which allows you to customize your fitness and nutrition plans to fit your needs.

Here are a few great websites to help you shed those pounds:

If you’re looking to spice up your workout and slim down, nothing works better than Yoga Booty Ballet. The unique program fuses dance and yoga and promises to help you burn off those extra, unwanted pounds. The three workouts will sculpt your mind and body.

Start with the Quickstart video which is under 10 minutes, then move your way up to the more intense Total Toning Basics and Advanced Abs & Booty videos to get your abs and booty in shape before you hit the beach!

If you’ve been struggling with diets all year, trying to stick to your resolutions then maybe it’s time to try a new fitness routine. Nothing will work better and get your body in better shape than intense boot camp sessions. Boot Camp Fitness NYC in Brooklyn may be the best place to start. The facility offers indoor and outdoor sessions that are both challenging, fun and will get you in shape! Classes are relatively inexpensive, at only $18 for over an hour’s workout, so you don’t have to feel guilty about loosening your wallet and your waistline. The instructors are there to provide encouragement, so don’t be intimidated by their yelling – you’ll both motivated and “the burn” during these sessions.

I recently became hooked on kickboxing. Its upbeat and physically demanding workout routine really gets the blood pumping. Not to mention the weight loss involved and definition of my muscle's with each class I take. Kickboxing is a great way to reduce body fat, tone and condition your body, increase strength, cardiovascular endurance, and self-esteem, teaches self defense, and relieves stress.

This type of workout also works to improve your strength and endurance, muscle tone, coordination, balance and flexibility, plus it constantly challenges the body. The estimated calorie burn depending on your body weight and intensity is between 350-500 calories for a 60-minute class. If you are a local New Yorker, Crunch offers classes for both kickboxing and cardio kickboxing. (Check their class finder for a Crunch gym in other cities.)

Here are some beginner tips I found to be quite helpful (and avoid those bad aches):

Have we finally learned how the supermodels over at Wilhelmina stay so thin? The announcement that Wilhelmina Models, the talent management firm founded by the late Wilhelmina Cooper, has inked a deal to partner with TrimWater, a four-calorie diet drink has us thinking about this co-branding partnership.

With the success of Nintendo's Wii Fit program, more and more interactive fitness games are coming to market. We've seen it with EA Sports Active, The Biggest Loser Fitness Game and Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum. With the success of being the brand spokesperson for Mari Windsor's Pilates series of DVD's, Daisy Fuentes recently launched her own interactive Pilates game for Wii. The branding alone seems like a natural fit for Fuentes, but is it enough to drive its target audience (women) online and to the stores to purchase it?

Weight Watchers is holding its second annual Lose For Good Campaign and has brought on Jenny McCarthy as celebrity spokesperson. You may remember McCarthy became the Weight Watchers spokesperson back in 2007 when she lost weight after the birth of her son with the diet plan. The tagline then had been to "Stay an After" which McCarthy has obviously been able to do. The name alone, "Lose For Good" aligns well with McCarthy's image as an activist and weight loss advocate.

As I mentioned in my post on HIIT, now is the time that more people, especially women, will be focusing on pre-holiday diet and exercise to lose at least 10 pounds prior to holiday festivities (which still subsequently results in that that post-holiday resolution of hitting the gym.) And chances are that while we won't see an increase in pre-holiday gym memberships simply due to cost and time, we will definitely see diet books flying off the shelves and an increase in diet program memberships such as Jenny Craig.

Some of the weight loss books that will prove popular are:

In the last week GlaxoSmithKline has had a PR crisis on their hands as the story broke that counterfeit alli, the over the counter weight loss drug, was being sold on eBay. While many times counterfeit anything is made to be similar to the real thing, there is one major difference with the counterfeit diet pill: it contains sibutramine. Sibutramine is something that is typically the ingredient in Dr. prescribed weight loss medications, therefore it can be dangerous to the health of those who unknowingly take it.

GSK has already begun to take steps to warn the public by the alert posted on their main website. They are working closely with eBay to deal with this issue and news outlets are beginning to spread the story.

Here are some PR suggestions to what other things they need to do during this time:

It’s as easy as riding a bike. Or that’s what Selene Yeager, author of the upcoming book “Ride Your Way Lean: The Ultimate Plan for Burning Fat and Getting on a Bike” is banking on. The fitness book brings readers a weight-loss plan that centers around biking.

Yeager, nicknamed the Fit Chick, is no stranger to bikes. She’s the author of “Every Woman's Guide to Cycling: Everything You Need to Know, From Buying Your First Bike to Winning Your First Race,” as well as a columnist for “Bicycle” magazine. The fitness program, which includes eating reasonably (good-bye mini cupcakes), could help readers lose up to 100 pounds just by pedaling.

In 1985 Harvey and Marilyn Diamond wrote a diet and lifestyle book. Today, 25 years later, “Fit For Life” continues to remain popular. Promising to change not just your diet but also your lifestyle, the book helps readers lose weight and create a new healthy lifestyle. The revolutionary New York Times best seller changed the way people saw diets; no longer were they just short lived, but rather they promoted a new way of living.

In 1985 Harvey and Marilyn Diamond wrote a diet and lifestyle book. Today, 25 years later, “Fit For Life” continues to remain popular. Promising to change not just your diet but also your lifestyle, the book helps readers lose weight and create a new healthy lifestyle. The revolutionary New York Times best seller changed the way people saw diets; no longer were they just short lived, but rather they promoted a new way of living.

In 1985 Harvey and Marilyn Diamond wrote a diet and lifestyle book. Today, 25 years later, “Fit For Life” continues to remain popular. Promising to change not just your diet but also your lifestyle, the book helps readers lose weight and create a new healthy lifestyle. The revolutionary New York Times best seller changed the way people saw diets; no longer were they just short lived, but rather they promoted a new way of living.

In 1985 Harvey and Marilyn Diamond wrote a diet and lifestyle book. Today, 25 years later, “Fit For Life” continues to remain popular. Promising to change not just your diet but also your lifestyle, the book helps readers lose weight and create a new healthy lifestyle. The revolutionary New York Times best seller changed the way people saw diets; no longer were they just short lived, but rather they promoted a new way of living.

The economic windfall of 2009 has made us all more fiscally responsible and while many predicted doom and gloom for the fitness industry, fearing that financial woes would keep consumers from the gym, instead we have found that they are holding onto those gym memberships. Not only are they maintaining their commitment to their health but they are seeking more for their money by enlisting the help of a personal trainer.

While most health clubs and gyms offer personal trainer services, there is one that has caught our eye: TW Training NYC. The TW stands for Terri Walsh, whose fitness studio offers private 1:1 personal training services unlike at a gym where your sessions are being conducted while others are there for their workout. And in an age where everyone looks to have products and services tailored to their needs, securing a personal trainer who knows and understands your abilities and limitations, is just another way to customize your work out.

Who would have thought you could eat cookies to lose weight? Ever since the original cookie diet by Dr. Siegal popped up on the fad-diet scene in 2007, thousands have tried the sweet approach to dieting.

These cookies aren’t your grandma’s chocolate chip. They serve as a meal replacement and are enriched with amino acids that act as hunger suppressants. So instead of eating breakfast or lunch, dieters eat six cookies throughout the day, whenever they get the urge to munch. The cookies are available in a variety of flavors, including oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, coconut, blueberry and banana. For dinner, the diet includes six ounces of chicken, turkey, fish or seafood, as well as a cup of vegetable. The diet claims users can lost up to 15 pounds in a month.

We all know the 411 about the Atkins Diet. Low-carbs, fast weight loss, it’s the one diet that someone we each know has tried. And though the diet has been out of the limelight the past few years, there’s a new Atkins springing up. The book, “New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great,” by Dr. Eric C. Westerman, Stephen D. Phinney and Jeff S. Volek debuted in early March.

Essentially it’s still the same low-carb diet, the new book revamps Atkins once again. This time around, the authors are calling the diet a lifestyle change and promises readers this form of Atkins can help keep the weight off... forever. We like the revamped references in this book, with over 50 nutritional studies supporting their diet. The number of success stories are also prime motivation that dropping the carbs can mean real results.

At Pierce Mattie we know there's no such thing as a perfect diet. But the Perfect 10 Diet comes pretty close. Created by Dr. Michael Aziz, the diet focuses on balancing 10 key hormones that directly relate to health and weight. The three stages, which include foods that are typically banned in most diets, cater to a lifestyle change.

Carbs are okay and as Dr. Aziz points out, low carb diets can wreck critical hormones that assist weight loss. This diet rewrites the food pyramid. Dr. Aziz believes in the 40-20-40 approach; 40% of your calories should come from carbohydrates, 20% from protein and 40% from fat. It encourages whole grains and eating minimal dairy products. It also recommends eating red meat sparingly, as it has been reportedly linked to cancer.

Typically when you attach a celebrity name to a product it helps move sales. In the diet industry, celebrity makeover stories are big news. No pun intended of course. But the most recent addition to the Weight Watchers spokesperson lineup is Jennifer Hudson, who I personally think is more of a "real person" type celebrity than say Sarah Ferguson or Jenny McCarthy. Will it help keep Weight Watchers relevant with the celebrity weight loss competition of Jenny Craig with Valerie Bertinelli, Sara Rue, Jason Alexander and now Nicole Sullivan?

Paul McKenna, Ph.D., who has been described as "Dr. Phil” in the UK, is heading to the US with his new book: I Can Make You Thin: The Revolutionary System Used by More Than 3 Million People. He has already helped millions of people battling with weight issue, insomnia, smoking, and self esteem issues through his other best selling self-help books and TV appearance. Within the last three years, Paul McKenna has sold over three million books.

Highly regarded in his self- help expertise, Paul McKenna’s book: I Can Make You Thin: The Revolutionary System Used by More Than 3 Million People is set to change the way you think and rationalize about food by reprogramming your unconscious mind. In it he teaches his readers how to use these psychological techniques and exercises to overcome food cravings and re-program their mind within minutes. By changing how you view food at the subconscious level, you would be able to unlock the secrets to leading a healthier eating lifestyle by channeling out food cravings and the emotional ties to food.

If there are two things I love, it is going to the spa and skiing. My all-time favorite place to ski is Killington. Now New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Vermont has launched a new weight loss spa vacation package designed to be a combination of hiking, healthy foods and creating healthy eating habits that are targeted to help you lose weight. While this weight loss spa has vacation packages with as few as 2-4 days for stay time, it is their 11-day package that is the most popular.

The 11-day weight loss retreat outlines and enlists realistic solid changes in your eating habits and lifestyle to promote a life-long change to the way you eat and maintain a healthy weight. Since we all know that diets are only a short term solution to a long term goal, this may be why staying at New Life for a longer duration provides a better success rate for weight loss. Rates start as low as $209 per night, but price is determined by the package you choose and occupancy.

While skiing is not on the agenda at this weight loss spa (they are only open May-October), I definitely suggest driving by the slopes and planning an adventure in the winter months. What better way to continue your weight loss goal and stay in shape?

Are you tired of the same old workout routine? Are you looking for a change in your workout? Perhaps even find a workout that is quick, effective and can fit into your busy schedule?

Human performance trainer and competitive athlete Michael Gonzalez Wallace has written a book called Super Body, Super Brain: The Breakthrough Ten Minute Workout (debuting in December 2010). Super Body, Super Brain describes a step by step revolutionary exercise program combining balance, coordination, and strength training along with challenging multi-tasking movements to improve both your muscles and your brain for just 10 minutes a day.

Exercising for merely 10 minutes, according to a health study done by New York Times, has proven that even the least fit athlete showed evidence that their bodies were indeed burning fat. The program is said to deliver maximum results in minimal time to build upon both body and brain efficiency. More importantly, the more difficult the movement, the more activity in the brain, and the more you’ll benefit from it.

Strength training exercises help to promote weight loss, reduce body fat, enhance immune system, sharpen the mind, and build on muscular strength. The book also includes a nutrition program detailing the 'power brain foods' and easy-to-follow recipes. Pre-order is available at Amazon.com.

If you are serious about body building, then IDS (Innovative Delivery Systems) is for you. Designed with you in mind, IDS offers a line of fat burning, weight loss and protein delivery supplements for men and women body builders. Their products do not contain any ephedra or ephedrine and are formulated with whey protein instead.

The IDS products come in three different options: New Whey Liquid Protein, Multi Pro Whey, and Oatmeal & Whey. The New Whey liquid protein comes in a convenient package and ideal for people looking for protein supplement on the go! New Whey delivers 25 grams of pure protein with no carbs or fat in their 2.9 ounce package (retail at $37.99). There is no need of messy mixing with this product. Plus, the New Whey liquid protein comes in these flavors: Acai Berry, Fruit Punch, Grape, Orange, and Blueberry raspberry.

While, we know that there are many contributing factors making us fat such as our genetic disposition, we do not have to be “trapped” forever with that notion. Even though, studies have shown that some are at a higher predisposition of having “fat genes,” Felicia Stoler, a registered dietitian, a nutrition consultant and author of the upcoming book titled Living Skinny in Fat Genes can help ease readers into losing weight efficiently and effectively. Living Skinny in Fat Genes (set to be released Jan 15th, 2011) proves that having a better education on health issues could lead to healthier, happier and fit lives.

Dr. Felicia Stoller, R.D., is a registered dietitian, nutrition and exercise physiologist, journalist, and the host of TLC’s show "Honey, We’re Killing the Kids" has decided to write a book to show readers on how to take control of their own health through her easy and simple to follow health plan. In this book, she discusses the best new dietary foods, new healthy oils, (palm coconut and canola), and seasonal produce to include into your diet.

She outlines in her book how to:

ProCaps Laboratories has been committed to the safest and most effective nutritional supplements since 1979. They were one of the first wellness brands to begin trailblazing in the “early days” of vitamin supplements. The founder, Andrew Lessman, wanted to help educate the medical profession to enhance the quality of life by understanding the need for vitamins. Throughout his journey in cultivating essential vitamins for the consumers, he used his background in biochemistry to create vitamins that not only fit his health needs, but met the needs of athletes and other health professionals, as well.

If you ever had trouble losing weight or desire to trim down on certain areas of your body- then Revolution is ideal for you. Revolution, a new dietary supplement, uses the highest ingredients in their most pure form to help improve your overall health and physique. Revolution Lifestyle is about creating high quality nutritional supplements in correlation to a healthy diet. The concept behind Revolution is defined as a “sudden, complete or marked change in something.”

Revolution offers four very unique supplements to amplify metabolism, suppress appetite, and increase exercise intensity. As a result, these supplements will help with trimming down the abdominal fat and creating a leaner physique when paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Tennis of yesteryear had such high profile players like Venus and Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf and Anna Kournikova. Sure Venus is still very much in the press (more so for her endorsements than tennis) and Roger Federer has begun to bring an interest back to the sport. But it appears that the game of tennis is making a comeback not as an instructional sport, but instead a fitness class with a focus on cardio.

Playing tennis has always been about form while the new cardio tennis classes focus on keeping the heart rate up, burning calories and hitting the ball (without having to go after the ones you missed!) The cardio tennis classes are taught as a group fitness class, as interval training and mimic all other fitness programs with a warm up and cool down. While there is no doubt you are bound to improve your tennis skills taking this class, you are bound to lose weight and get fitter faster than taking up traditional tennis.

Are you currently taking a cardio tennis class? 

Do you secretly dream of having a body like your favorite celebrity? If you want to have a figure that screams "I belong in Hollywood!" then your best bet is to try the Hollywood Diet. The Hollywood Diet is a detox system that defies all odds. Dubbed the "miracle diet," this system can help you lose as many as five pounds in as little as twenty-four hours. Although proven to not be a permanent fix, it is the best solution for shredding those stubborn pounds just in time for your big event.

The Hollywood Diet is not your typical meal system. Instead, you have two options: cookies or detox body cleanse. In order to restrict you from taking in unnecessary calories, eating four cookies replaces your usual breakfast and lunch. The cookies provide enough vitamins, minerals and fiber to leave you feeling satisfied for a longer period of time. The detox drinks, however, are what The Hollywood Diet is most known for. The detox substances are concentrated and after adding it to a bottle of water, simply sip the beverage over a period of four hours. Combined with the cookies, you expect to achieve optimum results, which could be up to ten pounds during a 48-hour period.

Although most consider the product to be quite pricey, The Hollywood Diet has proven to live up to expectations. Would you be willing to try it? Learn more at www.HollywoodDiet.com.

Low carb diets seem to be the fast track to losing weight and with the popularity of Atkins and South Beach, it's no wonder the diet industry is loving the craze. As recently as last week one of my friends tweeted the praises of a low carb diet contributing to her weight loss. And while for the short term low carb may provide quicker results, thinner doesn't always mean healthier when you follow this diet track. Due to the way low carb foods and diet products are marketed, many times consumers are misguided to believe that what you "read" on the front of the package is what you get...and that's not always true.

Think about it, how many times are we rushed in the market only glancing at the front of the package to deliver us the information we need to make a quick, and what we believe to be, informed decision? How often have you taken the time to not only read the front of the label, but the nutrition facts panel on the back as well? If you are anything like me, not as often as you should. And due to a recent study by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, we're not alone.

Just because it says low carb doesn't mean nutrition and caloric-wise that it is beneficial. So take the time to look beyond the front label, or low carb marketing hype, directly to the nutrition facts when shopping for products to manage your weight.

To read more about the study, visit www.jneb.org.

One of the most traditional weight loss and dieting tools used has been none other than meal replacements such as food and weight loss shakes from Slim Fast. Started in 1977, Slim Fast is now sold across the world, including countries in Latin America and Europe. The Slim Fast plan initially began with one option, the shake, but it has eventually expanded to fit the goals and lifestyle of anyone looking to lose weight.

Remaining loyal to its humble beginnings, Slim Fast has not ventured far beyond their classic shakes. Today, you can buy the shakes in several different flavors, some of which are Strawberries N' Cream, French Vanilla and Cappuccino Delight. Not only can you buy them already made, but you can whip up a fresh shake at any time with the shake mixes. In an effort to satisfy their customers with more healthy alternatives, Slim Fast has also extended snack bars and meal bars to their line.

Can adding a side salad to a cheeseburger help one lose weight? New research from the Kellogg School of Management suggests that people, particularly those who characterize themselves as weight conscious, tend to believe that adding a healthy option to an otherwise indulgent meal will lower the total calorie count.

"Despite the growing availability of healthier, diet-friendly foods, the proliferation of diets, and the increasing number of public policy initiatives aimed at obesity, the proportion of overweight individuals in the United States continues to increase," says Alexander Chernev, study author and associate professor of marketing at the Kellogg School Management at Northwestern University. "An important factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is the misguided belief about the relationship between a meal's healthiness and its impact on weight gain. People erroneously believe that eating healthy foods in addition to unhealthy ones can decrease a meal's calorie count."

In earlier research, Chernev identified consumers' tendency to underestimate their calorie intake. In his new study, Chernev builds on this concept, documenting a striking outcome: this propensity to misestimate calories is stronger among weight-conscious people, who would seem most likely to closely monitor their diets.

Many know that losing weight is no easy feat. It takes hard work and dedication to get your body how you want it. Some resort to diet pills and stimulants which often cause harmful side effects. But losing weight has been made easy. Would you believe that it can be as simple as sprinkling a seasoning on your food before you eat? This is exactly what SENSA Weight-loss System offers.

Counting calories, diet restrictions, dietary pills and side effects are a thing of the past when it comes to weight loss. Produced by certified neurologist Dr. Alan Hirsch, SENSA is based on 25 years of research and testing. Clinical trials show that people lose an average of 30.5lbs in six months and this product makes it as easy as sprinkling salt on your food.

Many know that losing weight is no easy feat. It takes hard work and dedication to get your body how you want it. Some resort to diet pills and stimulants which often cause harmful side effects. But losing weight has been made easy. Would you believe that it can be as simple as sprinkling a seasoning on your food before you eat? This is exactly what SENSA Weight-loss System offers.

Counting calories, diet restrictions, dietary pills and side effects are a thing of the past when it comes to weight loss. Produced by certified neurologist Dr. Alan Hirsch, SENSA is based on 25 years of research and testing. Clinical trials show that people lose an average of 30.5lbs in six months and this product makes it as easy as sprinkling salt on your food.

Have you noticed the surge in popularity over the years of diets and exercise trends? From South Beach to the Cookie Diet to even "lifestyle diets" dubbed The Caveman Lifestyle and Evolutionary Fitness, it seems that as diet pills took a nose dive in the U.S. since Fen-Phen, but it certainly has helped diet books, programs and foods keep a steady hold on weight loss!

While the OTC weight loss pill, Alli continues to remain popular, prescription diet pills continue to get a bad rap. Legitimately so, as sometimes the side effects don't hardly balance out the benefits of taking the diet pill in the first place. Recently Meridia was taken off the market for this very reason, and the FDA has rejected new diet pills submitted for approval (Acomplia, and most recently Qnexa, Vivus and Lorquess.)

So will the diet pill ever make a comeback in the U.S. weight loss market? Until the pharmaceuticals can create a safe AND effective weight loss pill, then I believe we will continue to see diet books, programs and weight loss systems continue to flourish. What do you think?

Meet Cellucor, the “Most remarkable sports nutrition in the world”. Cellucor was voted the Best New Brand by Bodybuilding.com. The brand is extremely customer-driven, relying primarily on word of mouth to lead their product campaigns. This marketing agenda combined with the science that drives product research has resulted in highly effective formulas.

Cellucor has vowed their attentiveness to quality over quantity, and as a result the brand has grown through the praise of their supplements. Simply put, people talk about Cellucor products because they work. With such a solid foundation, it’s no wonder why Cellucor’s Thermal Shock is one of the leading weight-loss supplements on the market.

D4 Thermal Shock is a weight-loss breakthrough and the supplemental sequel to D4 Extreme.

When I heard about the Orange County dietitian who lost almost 30 pounds on a so called "Twinkie diet," I couldn't help but think about the movie Zombieland and Woody Harrelson's character who was completely obsessed with the spongy, yellow, delicious cream filled cakes. And while the junk food junkies may be rejoicing at the idea that you can lose weight by stock piling Twinkies, and I'm sure Hostess is enjoying the public relations blitz, we all know that such a diet is too good to be true.

While Mark Haub consumed Twinkies for two months to lose the weight, he also demonstrated two key components to losing weight regardless of the method: portion control and consuming small meals several times per day. Haub also stayed under 1800 calories and while it's not noted how many calories he was consuming prior to the Twinkie Diet, I'm sure his caloric intake was much higher, therefore a cut in calories would contribute to his weight loss as well.

Losing weight AND maintaining it, is about lifestyle. Healthy eating habits and good exercise are the only way to go.

Will the Twinkie Diet catch on? If it does, I'm sure dentists around the country will certainly see an uptick in business. 

Texas-based USP Labs has been a purveyor of sports supplements since the mid-1990s. Their products have been hailed by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts for years, and the company prides themselves on consistently cranking out cutting-edge, revolutionary fitness supplements. Their latest breakthrough product, OxyElite Pro, is a super-charged supplement that promises to do what all other thermogenics have failed to do.

Thermogenics are meant to burn fat, but most products are made from ingredients like green tea and synephrine that yield weak results. USPlabs recognizes that green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, but the brand knows that it won’t produce the results most health nuts are looking for. That’s why they’ve developed OxyElite Pro, a Super Thermogenic™ made from specially-formulated compounds that are designed to show results – fast.

Body wraps were all the rage a while back promising inches lost without any special dieting, all within the course of an hour. They slowly slipped off the radar, but never completely vanished. In fact there were wraps sold for home use such as that from Slimmer Silhouette. We're in the season that everyone wants to look their best for the holidays and subsequently kick off the new year with a new body, and for those who cannot afford the pricey membership to the gym, this may be the short-term solution that is bringing it back the body wrap.

Most health professionals agree that body wraps typically show a loss of inches as an effect of water loss. You wear the wrap from just about head to toe and sweat like there is no tomorrow flushing out toxins and losing inches in the process. Although, I'm pretty sure an intensive workout can do the same without being wrapped like a mummy. The only difference being that while working out you are also toning and shaping the body. 

The aforementioned Slimmer Silhouette says its targeted for inch loss, not through water loss or losing weight, although it uses the same method as other wraps--heat and minerals. 

So why the comeback? Are our wallets opening up again and we have the ability to splurge on a quick fix? Or are more people simply interested in the detoxifying effects?

You’ve seen her fitness DVDs. You’ve seen her TV show, Thintervention. But have you read her latest book? Fitness guru Jackie Warner’s latest book, This is Why You’re Fat is an honest, no-nonsense approach to weight loss. The title may seem a bit coarse, but it’s in an attempt to get people more motivated about fitness.

The book was designed for the everyday person – somebody who doesn’t necessarily have access to expensive personal trainers, exclusive weight-loss herbs, or hard-to-find exercise tools. The book’s strong background in research that revolves around proven results targets people who want to decrease their weight, increase their energy and ultimately achieve overall happiness and body satisfaction.

According to Jackie, “Being fat isn’t your fault; staying fat is.” In her latest book, she shares her formula for how to stay thin forever. It’s a comprehensive look at fitness and nutrition, and each chapter covers a different aspect of the program. It begins with This is Why You’re Fat, followed by chapters discussing how to eat and exercise to stay hot and healthy. It wraps up with a chapter on how to stay hot and healthy, so all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

Are you one of the many people who launches into a diet and exercise plan just before (and during) the holidays in order to shed a few pounds for those parties and family gatherings? Besides the always popular January 1st resolution of getting back in shape and swimsuit season, this is the time of year when diet plans and gyms are beginning to see a surge of activity. But as with most lifestyle changes, if you don't plan in advance for the bumps in the road (i.e. delicious food staring you down at the office party; holiday shopping for hours after work) then just like with any other diet, you may feel like a failure when you skip a workout or cheat a day or two.

Here are some holiday fitness tips to help you stay on track:

1. Have a game plan when it comes to fitness; look at your schedule a week in advance and schedule the days you will work out. Morning workouts are best and actual promote better weight loss.

2. Decide in advance which gatherings you give yourself permission to feast at and by how much.

3. Partner up to keep yourself accountable. 

4. Be flexible in what you consider exercise; ice skating and skiing with friends and family sound much better than running on the treadmill (and fun makes it not seem like "work" at all.)

5. Allow for a clean slate. So you overindulged on that chocolate torte? Don't let the guilt and disappointment make you simply give up. Start with a clean slate the next day and pat yourself on the back for not being a quitter.

Have any other tips? Be sure to share them with us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR.

If you grew up watching Alison Sweeney on Days of Our Lives like I did, I'm sure you will agree that you feel a sort of kinship with her. And I can relate to her now, more than ever, in this season of my life. Just like her, I am a mom (although take her kids times 2 for me) and juggling a fast paced career. And just like her, and most other women who have had children, I struggled (and still do) with my weight post-pregnancy. Much like the website/blog in her namesake is friendly and most of all, real, so is her new book The Mommy Diet.

As host of The Biggest Loser, I'm sure Ali learned a thing or two about diet and exercise. I'm equally as sure that she listened to feedback from the public on what they like about Biggest Loser and what they don't. And as most of us know, we are more likely to be encouraged and motivated by diet tips that we can easily assimilate into our own individual lifestyles than by military style regimens. 

Sure to be a hit, The Mommy Diet, will guide you step by step through pregnancy and thereafter so that you can be healthy and not have to worry about carrying around that "baby weight"...even when your youngest is now in preschool. (Not speaking from experience or anything!)

Check out The Mommy Diet on Amazon.com and see all of Alison Sweeney's health, fitness and lifestyle tips on her website www.AlisonSweeney.com.

Perfect 10 Lifestyle, Dashama's Yoga & Lifestyle Company, has co-created Yoga Awareness Week at Sony Studios to boost company-wide health, happiness and productivity. In addition to Dashama's yoga information seminar, multiple yoga classes will be offered throughout the week to expose the employees to the benefits of a regular yoga practice.

"With over 13 million Americans of all ages currently practicing this ancient form of exercise and stress relief, companies like Sony are beginning to open their doors to include yoga classes for their employees. And with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Simmons and Madonna practicing yoga openly, it further validates its power to help tone the physique while delivering the abundant health benefits commonly touted by known health experts like Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Oz and Dr. Dean Ornish. By reducing the stress levels of employees, a company will improve their overall productivity. This can result in lower sick leave and increased profitability on all levels. That's just smart business sense," says Dashama, CEO of Perfect 10 Lifestyle.  

Janet Jackson has always publicly talked about her struggle with her weight, no thanks in part to the tabloids who blast her each time she gains or loses a dress size. Even today, as I stood at the convenience store there was a tabloid where they had her on the front page with claims that she gained weight. As we've watched her ups and downs over the years, we have always rooted for her, because despite being in the public eye for all of her life as part of the Jackson family, she remains a very down to earth and beautiful person.

In conjunction with the launch of her new tour, she has also launched a wellness book. "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself" focuses on Jackson's story of her struggle with body image from her pre-teen years until today. With constant reinforcement from those around her and the media that her body was not right, her self esteem dwindled leading to ups and downs in her weight well into adulthood. 

Her story is honest and raw, and revealing of who she really is. For those of us who have battled the rollercoaster ride of self worth as seen through our body image, this is one book you will want to read. Find it at Amazon.com.  Let us know your thoughts via on our Twitter page at @PierceMattiePR.com

Janet Jackson has always publicly talked about her struggle with her weight, no thanks in part to the tabloids who blast her each time she gains or loses a dress size. Even today, as I stood at the convenience store there was a tabloid where they had her on the front page with claims that she gained weight. As we've watched her ups and downs over the years, we have always rooted for her, because despite being in the public eye for all of her life as part of the Jackson family, she remains a very down to earth and beautiful person.

In conjunction with the launch of her new tour, she has also launched a wellness book. "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself" focuses on Jackson's story of her struggle with body image from her pre-teen years until today. With constant reinforcement from those around her and the media that her body was not right, her self esteem dwindled leading to ups and downs in her weight well into adulthood. 

Her story is honest and raw, and revealing of who she really is. For those of us who have battled the rollercoaster ride of self worth as seen through our body image, this is one book you will want to read. Find it at Amazon.com.  Let us know your thoughts via on our Twitter page at @PierceMattiePR.com

Janet Jackson has always publicly talked about her struggle with her weight, no thanks in part to the tabloids who blast her each time she gains or loses a dress size. Even today, as I stood at the convenience store there was a tabloid where they had her on the front page with claims that she gained weight. As we've watched her ups and downs over the years, we have always rooted for her, because despite being in the public eye for all of her life as part of the Jackson family, she remains a very down to earth and beautiful person.

In conjunction with the launch of her new tour, she has also launched a wellness book. "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself" focuses on Jackson's story of her struggle with body image from her pre-teen years until today. With constant reinforcement from those around her and the media that her body was not right, her self esteem dwindled leading to ups and downs in her weight well into adulthood. 

Her story is honest and raw, and revealing of who she really is. For those of us who have battled the rollercoaster ride of self worth as seen through our body image, this is one book you will want to read. Find it at Amazon.com.  Let us know your thoughts via on our Twitter page at @PierceMattiePR.com

Janet Jackson has always publicly talked about her struggle with her weight, no thanks in part to the tabloids who blast her each time she gains or loses a dress size. Even today, as I stood at the convenience store there was a tabloid where they had her on the front page with claims that she gained weight. As we've watched her ups and downs over the years, we have always rooted for her, because despite being in the public eye for all of her life as part of the Jackson family, she remains a very down to earth and beautiful person.

In conjunction with the launch of her new tour, she has also launched a wellness book. "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself" focuses on Jackson's story of her struggle with body image from her pre-teen years until today. With constant reinforcement from those around her and the media that her body was not right, her self esteem dwindled leading to ups and downs in her weight well into adulthood. 

Her story is honest and raw, and revealing of who she really is. For those of us who have battled the rollercoaster ride of self worth as seen through our body image, this is one book you will want to read. Find it at Amazon.com.  Let us know your thoughts via on our Twitter page at @PierceMattiePR.com

Fitness is a lifestyle. At least that’s the philosophy of Synergy Fitness, a chain of health clubs hailed by Club Industry magazine as one of the top health club organizations in North America. It takes a healthy mind and body to achieve the ultimate results, and Synergy Fitness is committed to bringing change to those who want to work for it.

While Synergy’s basic structure was formed about 15 years ago, all coaches are required to attend continuing education classes on a regular basis, to keep up with the latest fitness trends and techniques. Whether you’re looking for a cardio kick, a relaxing yoga session, or a powerful self-defense class, you’ll find your niche in one of Synergy’s first-rate classes and programs.

No matter what your goals are, Synergy has a lifestyle coach who is specially trained to meet your needs. Coaches view fitness as a science and are fully prepared to help members with body conditioning, muscle tone, and weight loss using Synergy’s 10 steps to fitness.

Thanks to Mason Goldberg and Timothy Cruz, the Lower East Side now has a dynamic, full service fitness center that offers outstanding rates, service, and equipment. Ludlow Fitness is a friendly, neighborhood gym that residents can’t seem to get enough of.

After 8 years in the fashion world and 6 years running a fitness club, owner Mason Goldberg has not only a keen business sense, but a positive attitude that has helped build Ludlow’s membership. Manager Timothy Cruz also aided in the success of Ludlow, balancing staff, schedules, and ensuring members are comfortable and satisfied. The power of this dual work ethic is obvious – Ludlow has been raved about by members, bloggers, and fitness writers alike.

We're in full workout mode at Pierce Mattie as spring is almost here! Is your body swimsuit ready? Well in case it isn't, ExerciseTV has an amazing video designed to help you shed the weight you managed to gain during the winter season.

Paul Vincent, the owner of Training Adventure, has an awesome workout series called “Lose Weight in 8.” It's an 8 week program consisting of 5 workouts a week: 3 30 minute cardio/strength and 2 15 minute active recovery. I think the great thing about his videos is not only does it feature hardcore workout designed to sculpt your body, it also has two sessions allowing your body to recuperate. How many times have you decided to quit on your workout because it's “too hard?” More often than you would like to admit I'm sure.

We're in full workout mode at Pierce Mattie as spring is almost here! Is your body swimsuit ready? Well in case it isn't, ExerciseTV has an amazing video designed to help you shed the weight you managed to gain during the winter season.

Paul Vincent, the owner of Training Adventure, has an awesome workout series called “Lose Weight in 8.” It's an 8 week program consisting of 5 workouts a week: 3 30 minute cardio/strength and 2 15 minute active recovery. I think the great thing about his videos is not only does it feature hardcore workout designed to sculpt your body, it also has two sessions allowing your body to recuperate. How many times have you decided to quit on your workout because it's “too hard?” More often than you would like to admit I'm sure.

We're in full workout mode at Pierce Mattie as spring is almost here! Is your body swimsuit ready? Well in case it isn't, ExerciseTV has an amazing video designed to help you shed the weight you managed to gain during the winter season.

Paul Vincent, the owner of Training Adventure, has an awesome workout series called “Lose Weight in 8.” It's an 8 week program consisting of 5 workouts a week: 3 30 minute cardio/strength and 2 15 minute active recovery. I think the great thing about his videos is not only does it feature hardcore workout designed to sculpt your body, it also has two sessions allowing your body to recuperate. How many times have you decided to quit on your workout because it's “too hard?” More often than you would like to admit I'm sure.

It’s no secret that Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian are superstars. From magazine covers to TV shows, it’s almost impossible to ignore their media presence. Over the past few years, our population has become consumed with the glam Kardashian lifestyle, and QuickTrim saw this national obsession as a fabulous business opportunity.

QuickTrim Diet System promises bikini-body results by aiding in calorie burn and boosting energy levels for supercharged daily workouts. The diet supplement brand has been working with the jet-setting sisters since 2009, and the girls have consistently praised QuickTrim for their hot bods. While the Karadshian trio was certainly never overweight, they’ve slimmed down and toned up, saying they owe it all to the Fast Cleanse program.

Just recently, The Kardashians and QuickTrim partnered with GNC for a Lose To Win contest. After purchasing any Kardashian-sponsored QuickTrim supplement, contestants can submit a letter or video of their own “Inspiring QuickTrim Success Story”. Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe will select 10 lucky winners who will receive trips and cash prizes. The grand prizewinner will receive $50,000 cash, hotel & air fair to meet the celebrity sisters, a $2,000 shopping spree and the chance to appear on national television as a QuickTrim spokesperson.

For people who suffer from obesity, waking up everyday can be a challenge. The new hit show on A&E, captures the lives of two separate individuals who want to shed their weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The show is in its first season and has already captivated the hearts of anyone who watches.

Unlike some of the other familiar weight loss shows (hello, Biggest Loser), Heavy delves deeper into the issues that people face when it comes to their weight. Not only that, it illustrates some of the health conditions and consequences that the show's contestants have accumulated over the course of their weight gain. Some of the conditions they face are sleep apnea, high blood pressure and the inability to have children.

Heavy is not a show about obesity, it is a show about tranformational change. The people on this show want to change what they look like and what they have become. It's inspiring to witness at the end how hard work, determination and self control play a huge part in adjusting your weight. Tune in every Monday on A&E to witness this encouraging show about the everyday struggle of weight gain...and loss.

When the vegan diet book Skinny Bitch hit the shelves in 2005, it caused quite a buzz. The no-nonsense approach to weight loss had an unmistakable bite to it -- but the sarcastic and honest humor kept readers eyes’ glued to the pages. Now, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin (the brains behind the books and former models) are bringing their tough love approach to another platform: fitness.

Skinny Bitch Fitness has all the sharp wit and brutal honesty of the books, and the DVDS make viewers work for that body. It’s tough, but the workouts have been created for a life-altering, total-body change. As the Skinny Bitches put it, it’s time to transform yourself from a lazy lump into a Skinny Bitch! Harsh? Maybe a little…but these fighting words are enough to motivate any girl to get moving.

Bob Harper, America's TV inspirational trainer and best-selling author from NBC's hit show The Biggest Loser, is proud to announce the launch of his newest endeavor, Bob Harper's Smart Success.  The launch of this line of supplements will initially include Bob Harper's Smart Weight Loss, Bob Harper's Smart Weight Loss Starter Kit and Bob Harper's Smart 7-Day Cleanse.

"When I first started thinking about this project it was important to me that my ongoing promotion of a healthy diet and active lifestyle remained at the forefront," says Harper.  "But I also know that, when taken as directed and in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, supplements can help give people that extra boost to succeed. I also had a long list of requirements that needed to be met, including using clinically proven key ingredients for my weight-loss formula, as well as the entire line being gluten-free and dairy-free, just to name a few. I'm proud to say that my supplement line does meet all of my terms and fits with my philosophy on health."

It seems that there’s a new diet fad every day. We’ve tried the low-carb diet, the low-sugar diet, the cabbage soup diet…heck, even that wacky lemonade juice diet. Faced with so many fads, how is the average person supposed to choose a diet plan that’s not only effective, but healthy too?

The truth is, losing weight doesn’t come down to dieting. It comes down to making a healthy life change in terms of our eating that will fuel both mind and body. Cherie Calbom, better known as the Juice Lady, has found through research that a live food lifestyle is one of the most beneficial diet changes we can make for ourselves. Her new book, Living Foods Revolution explains the benefits of “live” foods backed by scientific research.

“Live” food, or more simply, raw food has been proven to enhance cell communication, resulting in a healthier, energetic, and more vibrant you. Aside from increased happiness, raw foods are also linked to disease prevention and better skin. The Juice Lady isn’t suggesting you switch to an all-raw diet, but by incorporating more raw foods into meals daily, she promises you will see results and feel more energetic almost instantly.

Desserts: the sweet temptations that propel dieters into a chocolatey downward spiral. For me, it’s always been the deal breaker with diets: one teensy little taste of dessert turns into a spoonful, then a second spoonful, and in no time flat that tiramisu has gone mysteriously missing. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Thanks to Marisa Churchill, there is a way to have your cake, eat it, and still be skinny at the end of the day! Her new cookbook, Sweet & Skinny, is chock-full of dessert recipes that won’t leave you feeling guilty. A longtime food lover and San Fran-area chef, Churchill combines years of experience as a pastry chef with her passion for fitness to create delicious desserts in under 30 minutes.

Churchill takes American baked goods classics and swaps out ingredients to cut some serious calories. The baking technique itself remains the same, resulting in decadent flavors that taste like they should be high-fat. It’s time to give in to your sweet-stuff cravings – thanks to Marisa Churchill, there’s finally a way to avoid the guilt factor.

Being able to exercise in the comfort of your own home is a complete luxury. As fantastic as some of the fitness centers are, nothing beats being able to call the elliptical machine your own. With the summer being just around the corner, getting in shape is on the minds of women across the country. Bikini season anyone?

Introducing Pro-Form exercise equipment. With a plethora of butt firming and ab crunching machines, you'll be guaranteed to be able to get in the best shape of your life.

One of their most famous machines? The Ab Glider ($150). This machine enables the user to glide in numerous positions and at the very same time, strengthen your entire core. With two specific motions, a circular burn and arc crunch, you'll be able to work efficiently and burn up to two times the amount of calories than other ab machines.

Jenny Craig, Inc., one of the nation's leading authorities on weight management, announced celebrity spokesperson Carrie Fisher achieved the "miracle" of accomplishing her initial weight loss goal of losing 30 pounds in 18 weeks* on the Jenny Craig Program, and has challenged herself to lose even more. The actress, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy and her award-winning Wishful Drinking show, started Jenny Craig in November 2010, and told the world, "If I lose 10 pounds, it'll be a miracle. If I lose 30, my outside would match my inside."  

Now 30 pounds lighter* thanks to Jenny Craig's clinically proven weight management program and her personal consultant Kathy, Fisher said she has a new outlook on life, and is excited to show off her new physique during her summer tour of her award-winning Wishful Drinking show, which starts in Toronto on July 21, 2011. Fisher has reset her goal for even more weight loss.

The newest craze in the fitness world, Urban Rebounder brings out the kid in you and makes working out fun. Exercise should be something you look forward to in your day and thanks to Urban Rebounder you have an alternative to those dreary gym days.

Inspiration for the alternative exercise stems from the gymnastic world, gymnasts often train on trampolines but only recently did experts begin to learn of the benefits. Even the people of NASA have labeled this exercise as one of the best.

The cardiovascular exercise is easier on your joints than jogging on a treadmill or using an elliptical resulting in a significant decrease in injuries. It can also be almost 70% more effective in burning fat. The aerobic exercise helps strengthen the heart muscle and has been reported to help lower blood pressure. Not too mention it builds muscle strength in your legs, hips, stomach and even arms to help fight flab. The unstable platform also works your balance and posture.

The Slim & Beautiful Diet was created by Dr. Aaron Tabor to help his mother lose weight. This diet has been proven to be more effective than simply taking a diet pill and it helps you lose overall body weight. Dr. Tabor doesn't believe that anyone should allow their body to starve (because in the long run, who can maintain that?) and therefore designed a diet that is low in calories, but high in nutrition.

The protein shakes and bars are low-glycemic, gluten-free, trans-fat free, rich in calcium and Kosher. There are also soy-based options for those who are lactose intolerant. The Slim & Beautiful Diet has not only been found to help in weight loss, but also in making your skin, nails and hair look younger. In addition, the diet has been tested and gives guaranteed results.

Many people find it hard to know what or how much to eat to lose weight. Now you don’t have to worry about that. The diet comes with reference booklets of eating plans. Staying on track with this diet is easy, it even allows for you to eat some of your favorites like chocolate and pasta during your diet! In addition, you can get free nutrition counseling to help you maintain your diet and reach your desired goals.

Doctor William Davis, author of the upcoming book Wheat Belly: Lose the Weight, and Find your Path Back to Health is an outstanding cardiologist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Davis’s new book is about the effects of eating wheat and carb’s and how they negatively impact your health.

Some may say Davis is a bit unconventional, as he has a different view on the heart health industry that he discusses in depth in his book. Davis believes the key to a healthy heart is very easy, cutting out carbohydrates and wheat from your diet. He thinks the whole fuss around heart health is a scam of the medical industry. This idea isn’t too far out there, cardiac care reportedly is worth almost sixty billion dollars, and as a cardiac doctor himself, Davis believed he was completely on top of the new medicines and treatments when his mother died from a heart attack. This began his journey to finding a cure for keeping cholesterol down and arteries unclogged.

This book gives the reader all the correct information on the harm wheat has on our body as well as nutritional tips and recommendations for staying healthy and happy.

This book is available on August 30th, but you can pre-order on Amazon.com.

Until now, there has been no scientifically proven way to eliminate fat that was resistant to diet and exercise.

"Impact of a mechano stimulation LPG on gene expression profile and lipid mobilisation in female gluteofemoral adipose tissue*"

*Study published in the journal Obesity Facts (April 2011, vol. 4, pp. 121-129)

Bad dietary habits and modern sedentary lifestyles have converged to create a worldwide epidemic that is constantly increasing: obesity (BMI > 30).

One billion adults around the world and twenty-two million children under the age of 5 are overweight.

Faced with this problem, LPG wanted to study the effect of LPG mechano stimulation on fat cells to obtain proven results of the impact of Cellu M6 on localised areas of fat.

Overview of the Study:

Report: Excess fatty volume is particularly resistant to diet and exercise because fat cells are less able to eliminate fat (they have reduced lipolytic capabilities). This is due to the fact that their surface contains more alpha (anti-lipolysis) receptors than beta (pro-lipolysis) receptors, which do not respond well to hormone stimulation.

Until now, there has been no scientifically proven way to eliminate fat that was resistant to diet and exercise.

"Impact of a mechano stimulation LPG on gene expression profile and lipid mobilisation in female gluteofemoral adipose tissue*"

*Study published in the journal Obesity Facts (April 2011, vol. 4, pp. 121-129)

Bad dietary habits and modern sedentary lifestyles have converged to create a worldwide epidemic that is constantly increasing: obesity (BMI > 30).

One billion adults around the world and twenty-two million children under the age of 5 are overweight.

Faced with this problem, LPG wanted to study the effect of LPG mechano stimulation on fat cells to obtain proven results of the impact of Cellu M6 on localised areas of fat.

Overview of the Study:

Report: Excess fatty volume is particularly resistant to diet and exercise because fat cells are less able to eliminate fat (they have reduced lipolytic capabilities). This is due to the fact that their surface contains more alpha (anti-lipolysis) receptors than beta (pro-lipolysis) receptors, which do not respond well to hormone stimulation.

The Physique 57 Solution: The Groundbreaking 2-Week Plan for a Lean, Beautifully Body written by Tanya Becker is an extremely effective workout and diet plan where you will be seeing astonishing results within two weeks. This book will give you whatever result you desire, weight loss, body sculpting; it covers all the bases with exercise sequences that work every muscle in your body to give you the beautiful body you have always desired.

Physique 57 started as a fitness studio featuring the modern version of the Lotte Berk method, which began in the 1950’s as a very intense but safe strength-training, mind-body workout combined with a sensual fitness system that created a truly transitional exercise called the Lotte Berk Method. Today the Physique 57 Solution continues this idea of health. These fitness studios have begun to spread to Los Angelos and the Hamptons as clients are seeing these tremendous workout and diet results. Used by many models and actresses, everyone says the same thing, that it is a fun and effective workout!

The co-host of TLC’s hit show Freaky Eaters, Mike Dow, has an up and coming diet book that gives you a step-by-step plan for quitting your addiction to junk food in less than a month. The plan in Diet Rehab: 28 Days to Finally Stop Craving the Foods That Make You Fat is based on a study published in 2010 by the Scripps Research Institute. The study found that rats addicted to junk food had just as difficult of a time coming off junk food as rats addicted to cocaine. Similar to humans as we begin our diet and stop eating junk foods, there is a significant drop in our serotonin and dopamine levels. And although we may not think we are addicted to sugary and greasy foods, when we cut them out of our diet, our brain chemistry changes, just as of someone going through withdrawal of cocaine, it affects our moods and emotions.

This book helps you slowly and safely break the addiction, you will slowly integrate more nutritional foods and eliminate junk foods while doing so in such a manner that you don’t have painful withdrawals from the junk food that so many other diets leave out. What makes the transition so easy? Find out in January 2012 when Diet Rehab will be released.

We've discussed pediatric obesity many times at Pierce Mattie PR on this blog; from Jamie Oliver and his Food Revolution to my take on school vending machines to the popularity of video games for child fitness. But now there is a diet book said to target teens by author Paul Kramer that is making waves with parents, not because it is supposed to explain about making "healthy food choices" in a story line, but because it discusses an unhappy, obese child getting bullied then going on a diet, losing weight and living happily ever after as the school's soccer star.

Maggie Goes on a Diet will be released in October, but some parents are already calling a boycott on the book. First of all, its target demographic are girls as young as 6 up to 12. As an aunt of nieces ages 6-9, I can honestly say that I would never choose to teach them about healthy eating habits by getting them a book about dieting. I also wouldn't dare to give them the example of, if you are overwight then you are unhappy and unliked, but if you are thin, you are loved and adored. Sure, most of the time in grade school this is what life boils down to, but do we honestly need to set a precedent as young as 6 that we need to be thin to achieve things in life? Isn't that why we have an epidemic of eating disorders?

We'd like to hear what you think. Tweet us @PierceMattiePR and let us know what you think of a diet book for young girls.

Men Only Weight Loss has been preaching weight loss in San Antonio for quite some time now, and they are seeing the powerful effects of their unique program on the local population. Now, founder and CEO of the company, Wendy Meyers, wants to conquer weight loss around the world and she has an intense passion for the cause. “There are so many people who need help, but lack easy tools and education to achieve long-term, sustainable weight loss and wellness. We can help them, but we had to find a creative way to reach more people.” Meyers says.

To reach clients beyond the brick and mortar limitations of their Texas weight loss centers, Men Only Weight Loss recently launched its new Virtual Weight Loss program. Nearly identical to their regular weight loss program, which consists of nutritional education, supplementation and weekly coaching sessions, Virtual Weight Loss™ is designed for individuals seeking a highly effective weight loss plan, but from the comfort, privacy and convenience of their home or office. “Weight loss is a highly personal matter,” Meyers explains. “There are people out there who would rather suffer uncomfortable weight gain and chronic illness, than endure the embarrassment of a waiting room. This kind of program is perfect for these individuals.”

Clients can now get the full benefits of a customized, one-on-one weight loss program from their home or even their desk at work on their lunch hour. Using the powerful video-conferencing capabilities of Skype™ (a free download), plus an internet connection, clients can enjoy the ease and flexibility of “virtual chat” combined with Men Only Weight Loss’s highly effective weight loss plan. The launch of this new program has been met with substantial enthusiasm by clients across the US, and even Northern Europe. Meyers claims that over 25% of their current business is “virtual, and growing.”

Clients can be literally anywhere in the world and have “virtual” weekly meetings that are customized to promote maximum weight loss, improve wellness and even address issues like Low-T (low testosterone). There is no other commercial diet program on the market that offers the same privacy, convenience and long-term results, according to Meyers. “We have over a 95% success rate with clients who complete our program, and not a single negative review. No other weight loss company in the market can claim that.”

With the alarming trend of growing obesity and obesity-related illnesses, creating a highly effective weight loss program that is easily accessed by anyone around the world, regardless of location, is one way that Men Only Weight Loss is changing the weight loss game.

Men Only Weight Loss has been preaching weight loss in San Antonio for quite some time now, and they are seeing the powerful effects of their unique program on the local population. Now, founder and CEO of the company, Wendy Meyers, wants to conquer weight loss around the world and she has an intense passion for the cause. “There are so many people who need help, but lack easy tools and education to achieve long-term, sustainable weight loss and wellness. We can help them, but we had to find a creative way to reach more people.” Meyers says.

To reach clients beyond the brick and mortar limitations of their Texas weight loss centers, Men Only Weight Loss recently launched its new Virtual Weight Loss program. Nearly identical to their regular weight loss program, which consists of nutritional education, supplementation and weekly coaching sessions, Virtual Weight Loss™ is designed for individuals seeking a highly effective weight loss plan, but from the comfort, privacy and convenience of their home or office. “Weight loss is a highly personal matter,” Meyers explains. “There are people out there who would rather suffer uncomfortable weight gain and chronic illness, than endure the embarrassment of a waiting room. This kind of program is perfect for these individuals.”

Clients can now get the full benefits of a customized, one-on-one weight loss program from their home or even their desk at work on their lunch hour. Using the powerful video-conferencing capabilities of Skype™ (a free download), plus an internet connection, clients can enjoy the ease and flexibility of “virtual chat” combined with Men Only Weight Loss’s highly effective weight loss plan. The launch of this new program has been met with substantial enthusiasm by clients across the US, and even Northern Europe. Meyers claims that over 25% of their current business is “virtual, and growing.”

Clients can be literally anywhere in the world and have “virtual” weekly meetings that are customized to promote maximum weight loss, improve wellness and even address issues like Low-T (low testosterone). There is no other commercial diet program on the market that offers the same privacy, convenience and long-term results, according to Meyers. “We have over a 95% success rate with clients who complete our program, and not a single negative review. No other weight loss company in the market can claim that.”

With the alarming trend of growing obesity and obesity-related illnesses, creating a highly effective weight loss program that is easily accessed by anyone around the world, regardless of location, is one way that Men Only Weight Loss is changing the weight loss game.

Whether you are looking to experience a lavish health spa endeavor or perhaps want to indulge in a basic spa routine, you will find that the 2 offer an effective way to shed the weight in the long term. Joining a fitness spa in Milwaukee, offers a fabulous, thorough path for gaining greater overall health and fitness. You'll learn the right tools for burning off weight and building health for a lifetime.

Doing exercises and keeping a diet program all on your own may easily develop into a disheartening chore, especially if you do not have the support or advice of others. While using guidance associated with a fitness spa in Milwaukee, no one has to beat the task exclusively on your own. An elite personal trainer will instruct you on the most beneficial knowledge for living a well-balanced way of living that makes for life long wellness and fitness.

One thing that marketing has taught us over the years is that bigger than life spokespeople (aka celebrities), at least when it comes to weight loss and fitness (and no pun intended), don't work when trying to sell a product or lifestyle. The consumer seems to be sold on the real, everyday person who tried everything, struggled with their weight for years (as most of us have) and then, one day found the solution to their problem. Consumers like testimonials that aren't "all I took was this pill and lost 20lbs overnight!" Despite being a make it happen now society, they like to hear that the solution isn't a magic pill.

That's why diet and fitness expert, Gabi Rose, is so successful. She struggled with her weight, at one time wearing a size 26 and with a dedicated plan to lose the weight in a healthy way, now wears a size 2. While her story of losing 130 pounds may be amazing, as we all know the proof is in the pudding (the low-fat kind...) and losing is only half the battle. The true testiment is when you are able to keep it off. That's when consumers are sold on a lifestyle brand such as Rose's--because it is proven to work.

Women's Entertainment saw this and will now feature Rose in a new series on WE called, "Absolute Beauty." Rose will host the show and spotlight her scientific weight regimen. She'll be traveling to different locations, since obesity is a global epidemic. I'm sure the show will hit a tone with all women looking to figure out not only how to lose the weight, but how to keep it off as well.

Absolute Beauty will begin airing in January 2012.

If you’re looking to get into great shape and want to maintain your perfect bod through the upcoming winter months - I would suggest checking out Fitness RX Magazine For Women. It offers an abundance of tips on health, nutrition, diet, exercise and even fashion! What I love about this magazine is that it offers many different viewpoints so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Fitness RX offers scientific viewpoints, as well as the traditional body, beauty and health approach.

Fitness RX Magazine offers nutrition facts and diets to follow, as well as exercises and instructions on how to achieve your ideal weight and body type. It provides great motivation, and success stories that keep your mind set on your goal.

You may have heard of Fitness RX through the competitions they host. They host many competitions, focused on the fitness level and achievement of selected women. These are really interesting and motivating stories too!

It is not just their magazine that is extremely helpful, but their website as well. They have many workout videos and exercise tips to guide you as well as a radio show on Mondays @ 8PM EST with Ms. Bikini Olympia Sonia Gonzalez and Adela Garcia, a five-time fitness olympia!

This is truly a great magazine for someone who wants to achieve or maintain his or her ideal weight and body shape! It gives you the keys and tips in order to lose weight and gain muscle.

The October issue features a five-day total body makeover. If you’re looking to get fit and in the best shape of your life - I would highly suggest getting a subscription to Fitness RX for Women! Do you read this magazine? Let us know by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR!

Blink Fitness is a fairly new fitness chain brought to us by the luxury fitness and wellness club, Equinox. They have opened up three well-organized complexes across New York in Yonkers, New York City, and Paramus, New Jersey. Blink clubs offer over 160 cardio machines and a variety of weight training instruments to help us stay fit and healthy.

One of the best aspects about Blink Fitness isn’t just their clever tag-line, “Everybody Blinks”, but their amazing monthly membership of only $20. For a fresh, welcoming, and inspiring gym complex their monthly fee is minimal, whereas your experience and outcome will be substantial. Another great piece about Blink, that I am certainly a fan of, is that they are reported to have diligent supervising staff as opposed to personal trainers. I much prefer this, because whenever I go to the gym the trainers are always walking around and I often feel intimidated when doing my workout -- resulting in me getting pushed out of my workout-focus and mind-set.

If you’re looking for an affordable fitness membership that offers access to a great gym complex Blink is a definite way to go. Their website contains location information as well membership sign up - so registering is fast and easy.

Be sure to check out Blink Fitness to stay in shape during the colder months ahead. Are you a member there? Tweet us your thoughts @PierceMattiePR!

Most of us here at Pierce Mattie are feeling that tug on our waistbands after our Thanksgiving (over)indulgence. Are you? As we head into holiday party season, we know we don't want to put on any more weight...and wouldn't mind losing a few pounds in the process.

Here's a few easy tips to do just that:

Hide the candy: OK, this is a no brainer, but it is entirely possible that you still have that bag of candy hanging out from Halloween or those delicious marshmallow trees you can only find during the holidays hiding in your closet. Forget them. Sugar converts to fat. There is truth to the saying a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.

When Holiday shopping, park far out in the lot. Get in some extra exercise by avoiding the chaos of trying to obtain that coveted front space at the mall or department store and park further out in the lot. This also gives you the opportunity to work those arms when carrying the bags back when you're done shopping.

Pack small healthy snacks to munch on throughout your work day. You know it and we here at Pierce Mattie know it, you cannot avoid the daily holiday treats that make their way into the break room. If you pack small amounts of carrots sticks, celery, peppers, etc. you'll be less likely to dive into that Harry and David gourmet basket...or at least consume less of it.

Dieting during the holidays really isn't feasible, especially when every commercial and invitation you get makes food the main feature. Try things that are easy for you and that will make losing the weight for that holiday dress that much more attainable.

Have some tips? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Most of us here at Pierce Mattie are feeling that tug on our waistbands after our Thanksgiving (over)indulgence. Are you? As we head into holiday party season, we know we don't want to put on any more weight...and wouldn't mind losing a few pounds in the process.

Here's a few easy tips to do just that:

Hide the candy: OK, this is a no brainer, but it is entirely possible that you still have that bag of candy hanging out from Halloween or those delicious marshmallow trees you can only find during the holidays hiding in your closet. Forget them. Sugar converts to fat. There is truth to the saying a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.

When Holiday shopping, park far out in the lot. Get in some extra exercise by avoiding the chaos of trying to obtain that coveted front space at the mall or department store and park further out in the lot. This also gives you the opportunity to work those arms when carrying the bags back when you're done shopping.

Pack small healthy snacks to munch on throughout your work day. You know it and we here at Pierce Mattie know it, you cannot avoid the daily holiday treats that make their way into the break room. If you pack small amounts of carrots sticks, celery, peppers, etc. you'll be less likely to dive into that Harry and David gourmet basket...or at least consume less of it.

Dieting during the holidays really isn't feasible, especially when every commercial and invitation you get makes food the main feature. Try things that are easy for you and that will make losing the weight for that holiday dress that much more attainable.

Have some tips? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

We've long known the benefits of omega-3's for heart health, and in recent years if you've had a child, you may have seen "DHA" on formula as important to brain health. Now, a new study, confirms just how important omega-3 fatty acids are for brain health, as baby boomers and their parents begin to fight memory loss and Alzheimer's (my grandmother included.)

Stefan Pinto had written previously about the benefits of Omega-3s for fat loss and encouraged taking daily fish oil supplements. I took Stefan's advice, but had a different benefit--it helped reduce inflammation in my joints. Diets rich in Omega-3s, as well as Vitamins B, C, D and E, have been shown to have an effect on brain shrinkage, which is associated with memory loss and Alzheimer's. Since my grandmother's recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's, I'm hoping an additional benefit of taking my 1000mg of fish oil along with my multi-vitamin daily helps me to avoid memory loss, as well. 

It's better to be proactive and begin incorporating these into your diet now rather than when you begin to show symptoms. Remember, there's so much we can reap from a healthy diet, but when there are times when that is not possible (like an overindulgent client dinner), be sure to take supplments and your vitamins.

Do you incorporate Omega-3s and vitamins into your daily eating habits? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

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

Working out can always be a drag.  You dread waking up in the morning because you know you should work out at some point in the day, but you can think of a million other things you have to do or should do. Maybe it's time to switch up your fitness routine and get in on the new fitness craze and start having fun while you’re working out with Zumba. It is taking over the fitness world!

Zumba began in 1986 in Colombia when aerobics instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez forgot to bring his music to his class and decided to use the Latin Salsa and Merengue music tapes from his car as a substitute. It caught on quickly in Colombia so Beto and two friends moved to the United States in 2001 and launched a line of Zumba home videos in 2002. It has since taken off and classes are now offered all over the country in gyms and private Zumba studios.

Zumba offers great benefits for your mind and body.  Zumba engages you in a full-body workout, it can improve your coordination, and it provides resistance training, as there are fast and slow intervals throughout the workout. Not to mention, you can burn 500 calories or more in an hour!

With the fast paced and upbeat tempo you will never get bored; and don’t fret if you are not a professional dancer because the moves are easy to pick up and you will be a pro in no time. Most Zumba studios also offer beginners classes where the moves are slowed down a bit and more repetitive.

Find a Zumba studio in your area or check with your gym and inquire if they offer Zumba group exercise classes. Classes at private studios can range anywhere from $10 to $20 per class and most Zumba studios offer monthly passes or class packages.

Interested in giving Zumba a shot? Check out these Zumba studios and work with the best instructors:

Misty Clark of M Dance & Fitness in New York City: Misty has great taste in music, is very knowledgeable, and her classes are easy to catch onto as she breaks down the steps. She does her best to accommodate her students, as her classes fill up quickly. So get there early!

Sandy Campanella of SC Fitness in Los Angeles: Sandy is energetic and encouraging, and dedicated to fitness. She is also very friendly and gets to know all of her students and their names.

Lisa Simply of Fit Astoria in New York City (Astoria): Lisa’s classes are a hardcode dance workout and will definitely get you moving and sweating. You will leave feeling pounds lighter.

Have you given Zumba a try? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

There are plenty of options if you are looking for the perfect diet. Many of us might have even tried a few of them and not found the results we were looking for. There is a new place to look with researchers and fitness gurus searching in the unlikeliest of places: hunter-gatherer ancestors. It might seem odd at first, but the Paleo Diet is quickly becoming a popular diet option for those who are trying to get healthy and it has the research to back it up.

It has been difficult to define exactly what the Paleo Diet is because it is always changing with time as more research is being done. However, there are a few ideas that stay the same. The idea of the Paleo Diet is based off the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. They were free of many of the diseases that plague us today including obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. For a quick understanding all you need to know is what was available for these ancient people to eat. The answer: Meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, tubers and nuts. That’s basically all you need to know. If you question whether you should eat something just think if it falls in that list and if it doesn’t then you don’t eat it. Along with what you eat other things to consider are adequate sleep, stress, vitamin D levels and physical activity.

Best known for her hit reality series, ‘Bethenny Ever After,’ Bethenny Frankel has branded not only a name for herself, but an image.  Prior to expanding on her multifaceted tangents of fitness tycoon, author, reality star, and beverage entrepreneur, Frankel was faintly recognized as a natural food chef.  It is to no surprise Bethenny has provided a few beneficial, yet simple fitness tips we can incorporate into our daily lives…aside from sweating to her very own fitness DVDs, ‘Body By Bethenny’ and 'Skinnygirl Workout.'

1.  Keep it within the realm of reality: Bethenny is a believer in keeping diet and exercise realistic.  Many people set extreme goals for themselves containing strict dieting and rigorous exercise routines. "They are not realistic. They aren’t sustainable, and they lead to binge eating (beating ourselves up emotionally and physically by gorging on food) and erratic workout schedules.”

2. Consistency and companionship: Frankel feels that being consistent with your workouts is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  She also supports the thought of fitness as a friendship. 

3. Exercise and meal mantra: "Food is not your best friend or your enemy. You are not good when you don’t eat nor bad when you do. The same goes for exercise. Always be good to yourself and love yourself. You will get to exactly where you need to be."

You may not be an avid fan of reality TV, but who better to coach and sculpt our bodies than the fantastically fit Bethenny Frankel?

What do you think of Bethenny Frankel's fitness tips?  Tweeet us @PierceMattiePR.

Best known for her hit reality series, ‘Bethenny Ever After,’ Bethenny Frankel has branded not only a name for herself, but an image.  Prior to expanding on her multifaceted tangents of fitness tycoon, author, reality star, and beverage entrepreneur, Frankel was faintly recognized as a natural food chef.  It is to no surprise Bethenny has provided a few beneficial, yet simple fitness tips we can incorporate into our daily lives…aside from sweating to her very own fitness DVDs, ‘Body By Bethenny’ and 'Skinnygirl Workout.'

1.  Keep it within the realm of reality: Bethenny is a believer in keeping diet and exercise realistic.  Many people set extreme goals for themselves containing strict dieting and rigorous exercise routines. "They are not realistic. They aren’t sustainable, and they lead to binge eating (beating ourselves up emotionally and physically by gorging on food) and erratic workout schedules.”

2. Consistency and companionship: Frankel feels that being consistent with your workouts is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  She also supports the thought of fitness as a friendship. 

3. Exercise and meal mantra: "Food is not your best friend or your enemy. You are not good when you don’t eat nor bad when you do. The same goes for exercise. Always be good to yourself and love yourself. You will get to exactly where you need to be."

You may not be an avid fan of reality TV, but who better to coach and sculpt our bodies than the fantastically fit Bethenny Frankel?

What do you think of Bethenny Frankel's fitness tips?  Tweeet us @PierceMattiePR.

Best known for her hit reality series, ‘Bethenny Ever After,’ Bethenny Frankel has branded not only a name for herself, but an image.  Prior to expanding on her multifaceted tangents of fitness tycoon, author, reality star, and beverage entrepreneur, Frankel was faintly recognized as a natural food chef.  It is to no surprise Bethenny has provided a few beneficial, yet simple fitness tips we can incorporate into our daily lives…aside from sweating to her very own fitness DVDs, ‘Body By Bethenny’ and 'Skinnygirl Workout.'

1.  Keep it within the realm of reality: Bethenny is a believer in keeping diet and exercise realistic.  Many people set extreme goals for themselves containing strict dieting and rigorous exercise routines. "They are not realistic. They aren’t sustainable, and they lead to binge eating (beating ourselves up emotionally and physically by gorging on food) and erratic workout schedules.”

2. Consistency and companionship: Frankel feels that being consistent with your workouts is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  She also supports the thought of fitness as a friendship. 

3. Exercise and meal mantra: "Food is not your best friend or your enemy. You are not good when you don’t eat nor bad when you do. The same goes for exercise. Always be good to yourself and love yourself. You will get to exactly where you need to be."

You may not be an avid fan of reality TV, but who better to coach and sculpt our bodies than the fantastically fit Bethenny Frankel?

What do you think of Bethenny Frankel's fitness tips?  Tweeet us @PierceMattiePR.

The weather is beautiful and I want to be outside.  The mild winter we had didn’t keep me indoors for too long, but as soon as the sun starts to shine I begin to go a bit stir crazy no matter how active I have been.  Being locked up inside whether in an office or at home is a tease and makes me crave the weekends and my summer vacations. 

Beautiful weather activities usually include a nice bike ride, a picnic, or a sunset run but don’t you ever want to do something different to make that weekend just a little bit more adventurous? I don’t know about you, but waking up the next day with sore muscles from a fun activity seems so much more worth it than waking up sore from an hour spent at the gym. So here are a few fun and new ways to get outdoors and enjoy the weather:

1. Kayaking. This is definitely a great way to enjoy being outdoors and get a good workout. A lot of lakes (and even rivers but if you are new to this sport I would suggest the calmer waters of a lake) have classes to teach you how to kayak and even have equipment for you to rent.  Be sure to check out L.L.Bean for all of your kayaking essentials.

2. Jet Skiing. I personally love jet skiing and do it as often as I can. It is a great way to get on the water on a beautiful day and just have a blast. Make sure you wear a lot of sunscreen and don’t forget the life jacket. Check with your closest lake or sporting goods store for jet skiing rentals and equipment. While not necessarily fitness...jet skiing does get your outdoors and active!

3. Golfing. Summer mornings and summer nights are my absolute favorite, so why not get out and play a round of golf as the sun is coming up or setting?  Most golf courses have specials for night golf, which can be a lot of fun as long as the mosquitos have gone to bed for the night. Check out PING for all of your golf needs.

4. Hiking. This is the ultimate outdoor adventure for a beautiful day.  Pick a day that isn’t going to be unbearably hot and find a hike with a beautiful view or a lake to jump into to make it that much more enjoyable. Check out Keen Footwear for the best hiking shoes for your adventure. The Keen Voyageur is the best hiking shoe for summer!                                                                 

5. Zip-Lining. Have you ever wondered how your favorite or local ski resorts make any money during the summer? Well they have these huge mountains with beautiful scenery that are perfect for zip-lining. I went for my first time last summer and fell in love. Make a weekend out of it and get some outdoor time in while experiencing a beautiful view as you’re gliding down a mountain.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your beautiful days, if you are outdoors don’t forget the sunscreen!

How are you going to spend your free time this summer to squeeze in some outdoor fitness? Let us know @PierceMattiePR.