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Cheryl Burke: "You Don't Have to Be Anorexic to Be Beautiful!"

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Dancing With the Stars is in full swing right now, and I'm always impressed with how strong and toned everyone becomes over the course of the show. After the media pounced on her for potentially gaining a few pounds, Cheryl Burke is speaking out by reminding everyone that being confident is beautiful. The professional dancer recently told People:

I want kids or women out there to realize you don’t have to be anorexic to be beautiful. There’s a lot of pressure living this Hollywood life. People expect to see you at a certain weight and when you gain a few pounds then all of a sudden it’s the talk of the week.

People will always have an opinion about you, whether it’s good or it’s bad. But most important is to have a secure feeling about yourself and know that you’re beautiful regardless of what people think of you. When I was younger, I wasn’t stick thin. I wasn’t tall. I don’t have long legs. I wasn’t naturally skinny. As I grew older, I just became more comfortable in my own skin.

Cheryl is a strong woman and I'm pleased to see her standing up to the pressures to be super thin in Hollywood. Strong is beautiful, and there isn't a thing wrong with having a few womanly curves!

Pacific Coast News Online

ACTivism: Ryan Reynolds Runs For His Father's Life

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0700

One of the ways we motivate ourselves to get involved in races is by adding a bit of philanthropy to it. Apparently, celebrities need the same sort of motivation. Recently, Ryan Reynolds declared that he is going to run the New York City Marathon to raise money for Parkinson's disease (his father has been diagnosed with the disease). He wants it to be known that he is not a runner, but is willing to run for the greater good. Nonetheless, it's inspiring to everyone and anyone who has ever contemplated running a race for charity. Here are highlights:

By some tragic backwards prophecy, I find myself signed up to run in the New York City Marathon. Every other day I train. I run like a bastard all morning. Not since the discovery of Junior High School has a torture been so effective. Why on earth would I willfully do this? On behalf of my Father, Jim Reynolds, who's spent the last 15 years in a life or death struggle with Parkinson's disease.

To find out why he chose running and to see how you can help out Ryan just

Get the Bod: Jessica Alba Post-Pregnancy

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

OK, so I need to stop for a second here and say that Jessica Alba looks absolutely amazing for just having had a baby three and a half months ago. She only gained 25 pounds total and since she exercised during her pregnancy, it was easier for her body to bounce back.

In a recent issue of US Weekly, her trainer Ramona Braganza sums up how this celeb got her body back in shape. Here are the highlights:

Her diet: Each day, Jessica eats between 1,700 and 2,000 calories, and her workouts help burn 550 calories. Nursing also burns an additional 500 calories a day.

Her workouts: Jessica works out for an hour, five or six days a week. She was big into the 12-week 3-2-1 Baby Bulge Be Gone workout since it kept her moving with 10-minute sets of cardio, circuit training, and core training. She also enjoys swimming, weight lifting, and using her treadmill at home.

Now that Jessica's back to her pre-baby body, she feels proud and isn't shy about showing off her body. It's nice to hear that she wasn't working out crazy hours or excessively restricting her diet. An hour a day for a workout may seem like a lot for a new mom, but as you can see, it really made a difference to this new mom. I say good for her.

Flynet

Do a Tri With a Team

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:20:00 -0700

If you want to try your hands at a triathlon, but are worried about being able to do the whole thing on your own, then think about getting a team together. Recently Matt Damon completed the running portion of the Escape from Miami Triathlon as a member of a relay team along with his stepfather and family friend. Doing just one portion of the race is ideal because it enables you to get your feet wet (literally speaking if you're the swimmer) in the triathlon world, but takes away the fear of having to do something you're not ready to do or feel comfortable doing (or simply just don't want to do). My sister-in-law does a tri with her parents every year and I've always thought it was a fabulous idea, not to mention a great bonding experience. Maybe the saying should be that the family that tris together, stays together.

Bauer-Griffin Online

"Unfit Brit" in People Magazine: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

In a recent issue of People magazine, I came across an article titled "Britney Spears: Body Makeover." The write-up details Britney's weight-loss methods: returning to her gym-rat ways, giving up fast food, and healthy meals delivered to her door. For the past three months, she has been working with a trainer, doing a lot of cardio as well as lots of dancing. People declares that Brit is "back in the zone."While I think it is great to see press about Britney mending her ways and going healthy, but then there's the caption on the "before" photo? "An Unfit Brit." I wouldn't say she was unfit, just not as fit as before having two kids and a nervous breakdown; to me she this singer looks normal, healthy, and not underweight. Don't get me started about "Britney's New Body Checklist." It's like a grocery list, where they dissect her body into parts. Flat Tummy? Check. Toned Arms? Check. No Double Chin? Check. With articles like this, no wonder so many women have issues with their weight.What do you think? Is it cool to comment on how Britney's looking more fit and toned now? Or is it uncool to comment on how bad she looked before, when she looked normal?

"Unfit Brit" in People Magazine: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided — Please explain below.

Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

This actress has a naturally thin frame and is often judged for it. When asked if she's happy with her appearance she said:

"I'm fine with it. I can't really do much about it. It's what it is and that's all right. If I was younger I would be (self-conscious), but I've been dealing with (the criticism) for a while."

Reality Check: Eva Longoria Parker Is Not Pregnant — She's Just Fat?

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

You know and love Eva Longoria Parker from watching Desperate Housewives. Her character Gabrielle has always been notably petite and toned, so when an actress with that physique gains a few pounds, rumors start flying. The media continues to pry and ask Eva when her baby is due, and Longoria Parker has attempted to put the speculations to rest by saying, "I'm just fat." The actress only gained 10 pounds! She's gone from a size 00 to a size 0. Since when is size 0 considered too big? Um, I don't know which is worse — the media making a big deal about Eva getting slightly plumper or the fact that she called herself fat. At 5'2", she'd have to weigh over 136 pounds in order to be considered overweight when it comes to BMI. Gabby is still a twig, and personally, I can't even tell she's gained weight.

I think it is good for Eva's health that she's added a few pounds to her frame. Extreme thinness is not healthy and it's important for every woman, especially the young ones, to see actresses with curves.

Source

Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Guess which plus-size celeb said this:

"I don't know many women who think they're fabulous just the way they are. Women need to take responsibility for it. I do not blame it on actresses, I blame it on us. Until we wake up and say. 'I love myself,' we're going to continue to spiral out of control."

Gwyneth Doesn't Diet, Do You Believe Her?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I really love Gwyneth Paltrow. I love that she's gone from always being in the spotlight to focusing on being a mom. She's on The Oprah Winfrey Show talking about her diet today, and here's what she says . . .

Get Flash to see this player.

I was skeptical about her not dieting (didn't she follow a serious macrobiotic diet?), but back in 2006 she basically said the same thing. So it's not like she is flip-flopping her story too much. Regardless, what do you guys think? Are you buying into her saying that she doesn't diet at all, or do you think there is no way she gets her figure from working her butt off at the gym?

Gwyneth Doesn't Diet, Do You Believe Her?

Yes, why would she lie?

No, she's always talking about her strict diet.

Other — share below.

Tri It Like J Lo and Matthew

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

What do Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey have in common, besides their skintight matching outfits?

Both celebs participated in the Malibu Nautica Triathlon yesterday. The race benefits LA Children's Hospital and it make sense that two new parents would want to help a renowned pediatric hospital. This sprint distance triathlon is comprised of a half-mile swim, an 18-mile bike ride, and four mile run. The celebrity charity distances might be a little shorter, but J Lo and Matthew still jumped in the ocean, pedaled on a bike, and finished all that up with a run. A well rounded workout for a Sunday morning.

Having done a sprint triathlon recently, I guess I now have something in common with these celebs too. I must say, I think training for any kind of endurance race is a great motivator, but since triathlons are all about cross training, they're great for preventing overuse injuries. So I think you should try a tri if you haven't already. If you're looking for a race check out Active.com for race listings near you. And here's a training schedule you can follow.

For more shots of these celebs in action,

Marc Jacobs Addicted to . . . Exercise

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Fashion Week is full of surprises and 180 degree turns. Not just the fashion either. Marc Jacobs has gone from boozehound to gym hound. Yes, he admits that he is still an addict, but the addiction is the exercise, and he has a three-hour a day gym habit. Jacobs explains that he loves the happy vibe of the gym, all the bodies at work, and his hours at the gym is time spent not smoking. I guess you can't give up all your bad habits at once.

Even though his relationship to nicotine hasn't changed, his relationship to the mirror has. Marc actually likes how he looks and no longer avoids the mirror. Plus, he celebrates his new fit body with jewelry and has been seen sporting some serious bling. How about you, do you give yourself gifts of jewels for reaching your fitness goals? If not jewels, how about rewarding yourself with a Marc Jacobs bag?

Don't forget to check out Marc's Spring collection. Fab describes his new bags as "wackadoodle."

Source

Stand Up to Cancer With the Stars

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Most likely, cancer has affected everybody in one way or another, which is why it's so important that we bind together to find a cure. But it's not just your own efforts to stay healthy that will keep cancer out of your life. You should also think about the greater cause.

Tonight be sure to check out the Stand Up to Cancer telethon. This one-hour, commercial-free event will be broadcast on NBC, ABC, and CBS simultaneously to raise funds for the fight against cancer. Celebs such as Jennifer Aniston, Fergie, Jack Black, Jennifer Garner, Miley Cyrus, America Ferrera, and many more will be on hand to give their support, so it's bound to be just as entertaining as it is a good cause. If you're not going to be around for the event or even if you are, you can still donate now online.

Source

Brooke Shields on Shape, Talks About Being Out of Shape

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Brooke Shields, despite being a big star, still has her fair share of fitness issues. She knows the importance of staying healthy but understands that life can throw you curve balls. In the October issue of Shape, she opens up about how she overcomes such shake-ups. Here are highlights:

Sure, it’s easy — as Brooke knows — to stick to a healthy eating and regular exercise program when everything is going according to schedule. It’s when your day-to-day routine gets an unexpected shake-up that your skills are put to the test. "I was worried about getting out of shape and gaining weight after the [foot] surgery," says Brooke. "So just as I did with my pregnancies, I decided to go into it at my physical best." For her, that meant ramping up her exercise routine to preemptively drop a few pounds before her operation.

To see what her go-to workout is for dropping a few pounds, just

Get the Look: Lauren Conrad's Dog Walking Layering Look

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Lauren Conrad is not one to leave her dog, or her style, at home when she's working out. I love her dog walking gear and I'm always on the market for a good long tank to layer while working out so FabSugar did a little investigating for me to find LC's Daftbird Daft-Jersey Body tank. The top is super cute, but at $51 it's also a real splurge for most of us. So to get the look for less, just

Madonna's Tour Is Sticky and Sweaty

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Madonna, no stranger to sweating, has brought her high-fitness level to the stage of her tour Sticky and Sweet.

I have not seen the show myself, but it's pretty clear from the pictures that all her hard work at her gym is paying off. Madonna has a bit of pole dancing, jump roping, deep squats, and more during the show, all while she's singing, too — talk about the ultimate talk test. And you can bet this 50-year-old rock star is not letting a little world tour get in the way of staying healthy, People reports that:

"The harder Madonna works the happier she is," says Rosenberg, a longtime friend. "Because she was a dancer, that's why. It's practice, practice, practice."

On her opening night in Cardiff, Wales, "She had a massage and a facial – things are very quiet," says the rep.

Before each show, she spends an hour in hair and makeup then performs some vocal exercises. Next, she warms up with some form of exercise, "probably some free weights."

I've always been impressed with her dedication to fitness, but when she is on tour I am reminded of how fit she really is — not many women half her age could keep up with her on and off stage. Cheers Madonna, and happy touring.

Source

Britney Bounces Back, For the Most Part

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I honestly never thought I would write another post about Ms. Britney Spears. The girl was just not the picture of perfect health for a while, and while I am not saying she is now but she certainly seems a lot healthier than over the past few years.

Britney recently told OK magazine what she has been doing to get stage ready (perhaps for her second comeback on the VMAs?). Here are highlights on her new diet, which you'll notice does not include Starbucks:

"I'm the healthiest I've been all my life," Britney, 26, tells OK!. My diet has a lot to do with my getting into shape. I have no sugar. I don't eat fruit or even fruit juice because of the sugar. I eat chicken and salmon and rice. I eat avocados. I'll have egg whites for breakfast and sometimes turkey burgers for lunch. I try to do just 1,200 calories a day. It may sound like it's not much, but it's actually a lot of food if you eat the right things."

Of course, Brit also hits the gym on a regular basis, doing "lots of cardio and weights" five days a week.

I will say that 1,200 calories/day is the lowest most of us should ever really go when trying to lose weight, especially if you're doing lots of cardio and weights most days of the week. To find out the optimal amount of calories you should be eating per day in conjunction with the amount of working out you're doing, check out my Fit Calculator. While I may not be her biggest fan, I am definitely cheering her on to getting even healthier, so here's to hoping she adds quitting smoking to her to-do list.

Jessica Alba Bounces Back, in Record Time

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Just a little over two months since giving birth to her little girl, Jessica Alba is back on track fitness-wise. Her trainer Ramona Braganza shared a little bit of what Jessica's been doing to whip herself back into shape to People recently. Here are highlights:

She eats right. Jessica has been opting for a low-fat, low-carb diet as part of Braganza's 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone plan. Halle Berry followed the same plan after giving birth to Nahla.
She sweats. With an elliptical machine and treadmill at home (must be nice) Alba has resumed her routine of core exercises, cardio and circuit training.
She uses the buddy system. “She loves working out with a girlfriend,” says Braganza, whose client, actress Jaime King, frequently trains with Alba.

I guess her Wii workout is not cutting it these days, but I think she looks fabulous. She's fortunate to have a healthy beautiful baby, and her healthy beautiful post baby body is just icing on the low-fat cake.

Source

Jennifer Lopez Is Optimistic About Upcoming Tri

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I recently told you about how Jennifer Lopez, coming off of only six months since having twins, is training for a triathlon next month.

Now, Self has crowned her the Most Inspiring Woman of 2008. And for good reason too; she's not trying to win the race but it's become a goal of hers since she was eight months pregnant. Something else I did not know is that she is also racing to raise money for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles! No pressure or anything. Sept. 14 is the big day for Jennifer and I'll certainly be cheering her on. To see an interview of Jennifer talking about her upcoming event, just

Reality Check: Felicity Huffman Eats Muffins

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Her show, Desperate Housewives, may be full of melodrama, but Felicity Huffman is refreshingly down to earth. The 45-year-old star appears on the September cover of More magazine, looking fabulous and speaking frankly about her fitness habits and finding a healthy balance.

I particularly like what she had to say about finding a personal trainer with a realistic attitude:

"I've had a lot of trainers through the years, and they’re always like, 'Oh my god, you ate a muffin?' and 'What do you mean you weigh 125? You can’t shoot at that weight.' [Kirsten Holtgreen is] the first trainer who's said, 'You’re not eating enough.'"

To see what else Huffman had to say about maintaining a healthy weight and wearing Madonna's underwear,

The Hills Is Back, and They're Fit!

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

The Hills is back with another season tonight and while I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I am excited to watch it, I do know that many of you outwardly love it. I thought a little recap of the ways we've watched the girls get fit could inspire us to watch the show on the treadmill tonight . . . or maybe not, but don't say I didn't try.
Pacific Coast News Online

Christina Applegate Stands Up to Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Who would have thought that the ditsy and carefree character Kelly Bundy in the hit TV show Married . . . With Children would ever receive such shocking news. The actress, Christina Applegate, known also for her roles in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early enough through an MRI her doctor ordered, so the cancer isn't life-threatening and a full recovery is expected.

Christina is appearing on a one-hour TV special called “Stand Up To Cancer” to talk about her experience with breast cancer. It's airing on Sept. 5 to help raise funds for cancer research, and to increase awareness about this disease. Hopefully they'll talk about the importance of early detection and how necessary it is to have a doctor check you out if breast cancer is in your family, or if you've felt something you're concerned about.

Source

Jennifer Lopez Training for a Tri

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

New mother of twins, Jennifer Lopez has decided to do a triathlon this Fall. She is working with celebrity trainer, Gunnar Peterson to get ready for her bike, swim, and run against time. OK Magazine got the scoop from Gunnar — here are highlights:

“The workouts change daily, depending on the day, the time and the freedom,” he says. “She’s going to get it done because she wants to.”

But don't think the workout regime takes time away from her and Marc Anthony's new twins, Max and Emme, 5 months. Having juggled multiple careers and business ventures in her life, the actress has everything "in check," Gunnar says, and would never prioritize something else over her children.

"She may be the most efficient multitasker I know. She literally has every aspect of her life in check,” he says. “She doesn’t have a nanny, a chef or a nutritionist. She makes time for the kids. Family comes first.”

Having twins is an athletic event, not to mention a test of endurance, in its own right so I am thoroughly impressed that Jennifer has her sights on a tri. Go J Lo, go!

Source

Reality Check: Megan Fox Asked to Gain Weight?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I always assumed that celebrities were encouraged to lose weight and be thinner, but here's a surprising turnaround. In a recent issue of Us Weekly, it was reported that Megan Fox was "ordered by her director to pack on 10 or more pounds." She said "I'd lost a lot of weight and got really scrawny, but I was told I had to put on a size." Apparently in order to be in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, she needs to look more muscular.

So the actress has put herself on a diet of sweets (including red velvet cake), and she's also eating later at night to help her gain weight. To bulk her muscles up, her man Brian Austin Green is acting as her trainer, making her do "man workouts" including push-ups, dips, and pull-ups. Now she boasts that she's really strong. Good for her.

I am all for seeing a curvier, stronger woman on screen. I think it'll help send a more positive message to young women that super-skinny is out.

Source

Reality Check: Victoria Beckham Eats?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Posh is so often in the limelight for her fashion choices that her body is often the subject of discussion too. Uber slim Victoria Beckham defended her eating habits in the recent issue of Allure. Here's what she had to say about her diet:

"I'm very strict in the way I eat. I eat lots of fish, vegetables, fruit, Japanese food. I don't eat junk food. I'm really healthy; my kids are really healthy; David's really healthy. Of course I eat. I've been accused of not eating for ten years. If I hadn't eaten for ten years, I'd be [awfully] hungry."

I appreciate her dry British humor. She does exercise as well, and like most of us she feels guilty about not working out more.

" I try to make the best of what I got. I like to do Pilates, even though I should go more often . . . I'd like to go to the gym more often but with three children, I don't have the time. I'm 34 years old. I accept the way I look."

Whether she is naturally skinny or "starving," self-acceptance is an important lesson that seems to come along with being over thirty. What do you think?

Source

Reality Check: Charlize Would Love a Miracle Pill

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

It's hard to hear some celebrities say that they've never seen the inside of a gym and they dine at fast food joints (or that they look so good from drinking shots of vinegar) because in most cases, it's just not true. It's always dumbfounded me why folks in the public eye can't just be honest about the extensive measures they go to to stay red carpet ready.

That is why I love it when a star speaks out and reminds us that yes, she may have a bit more resources than the average Joe, but she's human. In the July 21 issue of Life & Style Charlize Theron shares what would happen if she skipped the workouts. She said:

"I have to work out. I'm just like everybody else. I get fat if I don't work out. If you hear of some miracle pill, please let me know — I'd love to know about it."

Amen, sister. Amen.

Source

Venus Williams Is in Shape

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

2008 Wimbledon champ, Venus Williams turned pro at age 14. She won her first grand slam title at 20. Now at 28, she is still winning and she shared some of her secrets of success with Shape and here are some highlights.

On Motivation: As far as motivation goes, Venus tells us who has inspired her the most. It's Serena, no question. "Without her, I couldn't have achieved anything. She's helped me believe in myself." Serena loves to give Venus little sayings to remember, such as, 'If you take your opportunities, more opportunities will come.' "That got me through one final at Wimbledon," recalls Venus. "It was a ridiculously difficult match and I was behind until the last three minutes. I kept saying that line over and over in my head: 'If I take the opportunities on the court, more will come.' I was also thinking, 'I want to be like Serena; I want to win like Serena.' And I did."

To see what Venus thinks is the key to confidence,

Lauren Conrad Hates Sit Ups, But Loves Kickboxing

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0700

After compiling over 20 million of your votes, the 2nd annual PopSugar 100 is finally here! To help celebrate tomorrow's announcement of the PopSugar 100, and her debut on the list, we're bringing you this exclusive interview with Lauren Conrad!

It's been a huge year for LC; between her friendships, fashion line, and hit TV show, this starlet is bigger and better than ever. We had a chance to catch up with her and talk about love, happiness, food, fitness and just about everything else. Check out our interview across the network and be sure to be back tomorrow to see where she lands and see the rest of the list!

We already know that LC is into healthy living, but thanks to this interview we learned her true feelings for both sit ups and push ups.

PopSugar: Pick a favorite: sit ups or push ups?
LC: I hate them both! But probably sit-ups.

PopSugar: So we see you going to the gym a lot . . .
LC: Yeah I started again, it's really hurting me!

PopSugar: What is your routine at the gym?
LC: I just started doing more kickboxing which is really fun, and the way [my trainer] does it it's like a full body workout. Like squat, lunge, squat, lunge, or lower punches. It’s really like a full body workout, but I do a half hour of kickboxing and then he has me just do weights. We also do running most days and Chloe (LC's pooch) likes it.

Flynet

Reality Check: Jennifer Aniston's Expensive Anti-cellulite Treatment

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Along with the fountain of youth, I'm sure many of us are looking for a way to erase cellulite from our bodies. Realistically speaking though, since 95 percent of women have cellulite, most of us have come to terms with those little dimples on our backsides since creams and lotions don't really work.

There are many expensive anti-cellulite treatments at spas though. According to Us Weekly, Jennifer Aniston recently headed to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa for a 110-minute lymphatic-draining massage and algae wrap. She paid $290 for this treatment that the spa says is designed to reduce "the dimpled, uneven appearance of cellulite." To find out if it works

Christina Aguilera Gets Down and Dirty About Exercise

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Christina Aguilera has definitely transformed before our eyes. This pop princess turned hardworking mom added losing post-pregnancy baby weight to her to do list and she looks fabulous. In a recent Glamour interview, Christina openly admits that she's not someone whose pounds just magically melted off days after baby was born and I appreciate her honesty (and hard work). Here are highlights:

On her current workout:
"I hate working out – I have to mentally push myself through it. I can get very whiny, saying things like, 'I can't do it!'"

On hard core trainers:
"No – I can't deal with having someone barking at me. Mean training is not motivating to me at all; I like to be comforted [through my workout]. All my trainer has to do is say nicely, 'I want you to do 200 bicycles; go right through it and don't stop.' Then I'll know she's serious and I'll do it. I started out not being able to do man push-ups; pull-ups were a big one too. Now I can do five in a row."

There's more including what she loved the most about her pregnant body so

Adam Levine: Songs About Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 has always made it clear that he's not only a rocker, but he's also a yogi. I've always found it a little hard to believe until I read a recent interview that Women's Health did with him on how this front man turned to yoga and never looked back. Here are highlights:

How'd you wind up at yoga?
A year and a half ago, my trainer recommended I try working with L.A. yoga instructor Alanna Zabel to help with my flexibility issues. I'm naturally very tight in lower back and my hips and hamstrings too. My first class felt like someone was ripping my body apart. It wasn't what you'd call peaceful. But I was excited by the idea that the more dedicated I became the more effortless it would become to relax and give in to that tightness. Yes, the torture subsided a bit over time.

How did your body change?
Physically I have always been on the slender side. When I started practicing I instantly felt more sculpted. Yoga carves you into a different person—and that is satisfying physically.

There's more, including his advice for yoga newbies so

Reality Check: Ali Larter Is Insecure, Just Like the Rest of Us

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

While reading a recent issue of Allure magazine I found myself confronted with the fact that when it all comes down to it, all women are plagued with insecurities, even if you're Ali Larter. Here are highlights:

"I’m an indulger, but then I have to be good," the actress says. "I’m also going to get my butt out and go for a run tomorrow."

Larter has no illusions about what is expected of her. She once had to have her thighs duct-taped before a photo shoot because, she says, “they were a little too round.” Another time, while she was shooting a movie on location, the filmmakers noticed that Larter had put on a few pounds.

To see how she handled such criticisms about her body just

Who Is the Sexiest Celebrity Vegetarian?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Even if you're a meat eater, you can probably appreciate PETA's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest. Voting is now open for this year's awards, which honor one male and one female celeb for their sexy meat avoidance. Past winners include Kristen Bell, Prince, Tobey Maguire, and Carrie Underwood.

This year's list of nominees includes about 100 men and 100 women who practice vegetarianism. It was actually really fun to scroll through the names to see which celebs are vegetarians. I knew about a lot of them, like Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone, but others were very surprising. To a see a list of celebs you might not know are vegetarian,

Christina Ricci Strong Arms Carson Daly

FitSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:30:00 -0700

It's no secret that Christina Ricci had to get super fit for her role in Speed Racer. But I am really impressed with how fit she actually got. Christina was on Last Call with Carson Daly and she demonstrates how she does a one-arm push-up — she sure puts Carson to shame and he doesn't stop complaining. Check it out.

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How cool is that? All while in heels! I've tried and failed, but what about you? Can you do a one-arm push-up?

Matthew Knows the Power of the Vest

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Matthew McConaughey is at it again running about town, but this time he is not bare chested and he is actually bearing extra weight.

Wearing a weighted vest like Matthew while running or walking is another way to increase your workload and by doing so you will burn more calories. Plus it is safer than carrying hand weights or strapping weights around your ankles, since the extra weight is distributed through your shoulders and torso. Wearing a weighted vest is also a speed training method; you train with the vest and when you run without it you are faster.

If you should decide to take on the weighted vest challenge, start out light and gradually add weight – no more than two percent a week. Eventually you want to max out at twenty percent of your body weight. So, if you weigh 135 pounds, you want to eventually wear a 27 pound vest.

Me? I find running challenging enough. What about you? Tell me in the comments section below if you run or walk with a weighted vest.

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Get the Bod: Halle Berry Postbaby

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Halle Berry, just two months after giving birth to her daughter, looks fabulous. Of course we're all curious what she is doing to look so great and People recently revealed that credit is due to her trainer Ramona Braganza's, who also trains Jessica Alba and Anne Hathaway, workout plans. Here are highlights from what a days workout would look like for Halle:

The Oscar winner, 41, works out with trainer Ramona Braganza for one hour, five days a week. Together they go through Braganza's 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone workout, comprised of three cardio segments, two circuit segments, and one core segment.

Cardio is accomplished either on the elliptical, a kickboxing segment, doing stairs, or a hill climb. The circuit is a daily strength-training segment that combines three body areas with some sort of leg workout. Core work includes abdominal, lower-back and pelvic-floor exercises. Stretching is also a vital part of every workout.

There's more about her diet so

Jennifer Garner on Self and Health

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Jennifer Garner's life has taken a turn since having her adorable daughter Violet. She's spending more time playing in the pool to have fun than she is doing laps to burn calories, and she couldn't be happier. Recently Jennifer sat down with Self to talk about her own life and health with a toddler, including what she does to prepare her body for swimsuit season. Here are highlights:

Self: [Summer] is relaxing. Do you also feel more motivated to work out?
JG: Of course! You're in a bikini! In the winter, you feel like, Who cares? I am in my husband's sweater. It doesn't matter. But in May, everybody kicks it into gear.

Self: What do you do to prepare your body for swimsuit season?
JG: I try to decrease the overall size of my butt!

There's more including what she eats to stay healthy and how she protects herself from the sun so

Ashlee Simpson's in L.O.V.E. with Working Out

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Lately when the name Ashlee Simpson comes to mind it's followed by engagement talk or pregnancy rumors, so I found it refreshing to read that Shape sat down with her and talked about her exercise regimen. Ashley fully credits her toned bod to her trainer, who also helped sister Jessica get ready for her Daisy Duke role. Here are highlights:

Over the past year, Ashlee's seen a real change in her body. "I started working out more, which really helped me tone up," she says. She ramped up her exercise routine with L.A. celebrity trainer Mike Alexander. With two or three one-hour sessions per week, Ashlee is achieving her goal of having a powerful yet feminine body. "Exercising makes me feel stronger and sexier," she says. "It just makes my whole day better. I have more energy to perform, my head is clearer — which helps me write my lyrics — and I sleep better. What more can you ask for?"

Her trainer gives us a sample of Ashlee's at home workout that you can modify to do at your home so

Mariah Carey Shakes It Off

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Mariah Carey is all over the place these days and she looks amazing. Recently in an interview on Oprah, she revealed that it took a lifestyle change (and a comment from a friend) to finally convince her to get healthy; but Mariah does admit that she's missin' her mac'n'cheese. Here are highlights:

Mariah says the most important part of her new, healthier lifestyle is her diet. Patricia (her nutrition and fitness coach) tries to cook Mariah's food without using oil and butter. She's also helped her stop snacking. When Patricia told Mariah to cut mac 'n' cheese out of her diet, Mariah says the news broke her heart. "That's the thing that I have difficulty letting go of because that's comfort food," she says.

Instead, Patricia incorporates lean protein and lots of veggies into Mariah's meals. On a typical night, she prepares foods like artichoke hearts with cherry tomatoes, steamed zucchini and chicken marinated with lemon and soy sauce. On occasion, Mariah allows herself to have one or two bites of her favorite foods — something she calls her "morsel diet."

She also talks about her workouts, so

LC on Healthy Living

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Somehow Lauren Conrad, aka LC, has gone from being a random girl on TV to a bit of an icon. We've seen her Hills co-stars working it out, but what does Lauren do to keep fit and healthy besides the occasional jog? Well she outlines it all in this quick little video. If you get past the blatant advertisement at the end, it's generally realistic advice with good tips.

OK, so remember how I said it's, "generally realistic advice?" Keep in mind that contrary to what LC tells us, strength training does not mean that you're going to get bulky, especially if you're a woman — in fact it's one of the healthiest and most efficient ways to lose weight and build strong bones.

Reality Check: What's the Deal With Fergie's Vinegar Shots?

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

In a recent Glamour interview, Fergie Ferg revealed that one of her diet tricks is shots of organic apple cider, unfiltered. She said:

"Two tablespoons. For some reason I've noticed a difference on my stomach. I just trusted [my trainer] on this one. I'm sharing. I'm all about sharing secrets."

Does anyone else smell a magic bullet? Now, I have read that drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help with many ailments, but never weight loss, so I decided to do a little investigation. To see what I found out just

Get the Bod: Kelly Ripa's Workout with Anderson Cooper

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Kelly Ripa is ripped (I never get sick of saying that). From her arms, to her legs, to her flat belly (after three kids, to boot) she's got it going on. I've always wanted to know what she does to keep so fit so I was thrilled to see that she led us all, including Anderson Cooper, through a sample workout. For the sake of keeping your pride intact, some of these moves may be the ones that you reserve to do in the comfort of your own home. You be the judge.

We did some similar moves at the Bar Method class I took recently and I've got to tell you, it's a lot tougher than it seems. Try it out — anything to get me close to being as ripped as Ripa is, is worth a shot in my book.

Christina Applegate's Thoughts on Self

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Christina Applegate has basically grown up on TV so she's seen her fair share of body image issues, which is why it's nice to hear her head screwed on straight when it comes to her own health. She recently sat down with Self to talk about how she stays healthy and confident in an unhealthy industry. Here are highlights:

On dealing with stress: I watch TV in bed. It's terrible, but it's the only way I can close off my mind and relax. If I just get into bed and turn the lights off, my brain talks to me way too much, so it's better if I can escape with something else for a minute. I try not to get stressed. When I do, I just get really tired. At those times, I'll go running. It's the best way of getting that energy out of your system so it's not festering.

There's more, including what her exercise routine looks like and how she keeps confident so

Speak Up: Do Mom's Body Image Comments Matter?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

Denise Richards recently told Shape Magazine that she'd never talk about weight around her two young daughters. Furthermore she said, "And they'll never hear me say, 'Mommy's feeling fat today.' That kind of attitude just makes young girls grow up to be dissatisfied with their bodies." And while I can't say I agree with Denise subjecting her daughters to be on her new reality show, it seems as if she's definitely got the body image thing right. I totally agree with her on keeping her, "Do I look fat?" comments to herself. Daughters will mimic their mother's actions right down to asking if they look fat in their pull-ups, which could lead to their own body image issues down the road.

As always I am curious about you guys. Did your mother talk about her own body image issues in front of you when you were growing up? Did it affect you at all? Further more, if you have kids, do you talk about your own body image issues in front of them and do you see it affecting them at all? So speak up and share your comments below.

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Get the Bod: Tips from Madonna's Trainer

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Madonna is one fit woman. From injecting vitamins to building a gym 20 yards from her home, she's got her eye on health. To be Madonna's personal trainer must not be an easy task since I am guessing it takes a lot to keep ahead of Madge in the gym. Her current trainer, Tracy Anderson (who also trains Madonna's pal Gwyneth Paltrow), has recently disclosed to the Daily Mail some of the tricks she has up her sleeve for keeping A-listers fit.

For highlights on what Tracy suggests her clients do in the gym then

Reality Check: Emma Thompson vs. Miramax

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:30:00 -0700

Weight/body issues and Hollywood unfortunately seem to go hand in hand. I heard that two time Oscar winning actor Emma Thompson threw some of her star weight around (pun intended) with producers at Miramax, where she is working on an upcoming version of Brideshead Revisited. It seems that Miramax was demanding her costar, Hayley Atwell, drop a few pounds. It happens all the time; a studio asks an already fit actress to slim down for a role, but Emma provided a little reality check to the situation and took matters into her own hands.

Hayley explained the situation to the First Post like this:

I went round to Emma's one night and she was getting very angry that I wasn't eating all the food she was giving me. I told her why and she hit the roof.

The next day, Emma called the producers and threatened to quit her role if they forced Haley to lose weight. The studio quickly relented. Look for the two actresses in the upcoming film version of Brideshead Revisited. As an Anglophile, I can't wait.

I echo my pal Leslie at the Weighting Game when I ask, "Emma Thompson, will you adopt me?"

To see a photo of the perfectly lovely Hayley on the red carpet in Venice then

All Sheryl Crow Wants to Do Is Get Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0700

Here's something that running moms like Sheryl Crow should give themselves a pat on the back for . . .

Research has found that running with a stroller provides a much more intense workout than running without a stroller. What's more? Your form is not compromised by pushing the stroller, as once previously thought. So Sheryl has the right idea, and it looks like she is getting in a killer workout while her adorable son just hangs out. If you're looking to get fit with your baby, then you may want to check out StrollerFit that just happens to be offering a free class on March 15.

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