Cyber Monday Sale Alert: Athleta

For Cyber Monday, Athleta.com is offering 20% off plus free shipping. Use promo code MONDAY to receive discount. Valid only on 11.30.09.

Perfect for stocking up on fitness attire!

I'm Back!

So I haven't really been keeping up with this blog or with my weight loss goals, but now I'm back! I realize that it's been almost a year that I've started this fitness odyssey, and to be honest, I haven't really lost anything. But on the positive side, I haven't gained anything either. It's time to kick it into full gear. I just bought a treadmill, so no more excuses....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

September = Free Yoga!

September is National Yoga Month. What does that mean? It means free yoga baby! To celebrate National Yoga Month, over 750 yoga studios around the world are offering one week of free yoga. So if you're new to yoga, it's a great time to give it a try. Or perhaps you just want to check out a new studio. Here's a list of the participating studios.

De-Bloating Tips from Britney Spears

Britney Spears has been seen out in a bikini a lot more lately. It's probably because the singer has been working hard to get her pre-baby (pre-crazy) shape back and wants to show off her new toned look. Here are some of Brit Brit's de-bloating tips:

1. Cut out soda - carbonated stuff makes you bloat
2. Cut out gum - chewing gum increases air consumption, which causes bloating
3. Limit intake of salty foods - salt increases water retention

Rachel Nichols’s G.I. Joe Workout

For her role as Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Rachel Nichols enlisted Valerie Waters to help her get in shape. Four months prior to filming, Waters replaced Nichols’s regular routine with her “Action Hero Babe” routine. The “Action Hero Babe” routine consist of circuits that are made up of four to five exercises that work the arms, core, legs, and back muscles.

The Workout:

“Action Hero Babe” Circuit #1

• Warm up with leg swings and squats


• 12 step ups on each leg to a high step


• 6-8 chin ups


• 10 star push ups (5 on each arm): at the height of the push-up, rotate to one side and raise opposite arm so that it’s perpendicular to your body. Return to starting position and repeat.


• 12 “Valside pushaways”: start in a push up position with Valslides under your hands. Separate hands as much as possible and return


• Repeat three times, resting one to two minutes in between

Equipment Needed:

• Valside $30


• Valband $5

[Source: InStyle]

20% off at Bliss

Get 20% off fuzz fighting and body toning bestsellers at blissworld.com. Enter code HAIRY! Offer valid 8.5.09 through 8.9.09.

MythBuster: Strength Training Bulks Women Up

Myth: Strength training will cause a women’s muscle to bulk up.

Fact: For muscles to become large, they require certain hormones, namely, testosterone. Women fear that they will develop an overly masculine, muscular physique if they lift weights. But the truth is that since women’s testosterone levels are much lower than men’s, they don’t have the necessary amount of hormones needed to develop bulky muscles. In fact, even men struggle to gain huge muscles (and for that reason, some turn to steroids or other drugs to help build muscles).

The truth is that there are numerous benefits to strength training:

• Increases metabolism, so you’ll be burning more calories


• Increases strength


• Decreases risk of osteoporosis


• Muscles take up less room than fat, so you’ll lose inches, slim down, and tone up

Conclusion: MYTH BUSTED!

How Scarlett Johansson Shaped Up for Iron Man 2

For the upcoming sequel to Iron Man, aptly named Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson had to don a revealing Lycra catsuit for her role as the Black Widow. Scarlett had to endure rigorous stunt training and strength training to look good in unforgiving Lycra.

Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau credits Scarlett’s willpower and determination in making the Black Widow suite look good. “She didn’t eat much, that’s for sure. She likes food, as do I, and she was definitely on a low-card diet and training very hard. It was amazing.”

Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010.

[Source: People]