Sports Training for Babies and Toddlers: Have We Gone too Far?

In an age where parents are looking to advantage their children in an ultra-competitive world, kids are being started earlier and earlier in academics, arts and yes, athletics.

And not even children anymore, but babies and toddlers are getting very early starts in sports-related training.

Enter entrepreneurs like Doreen Bolhuis, founder of "Gymtrix", a company that offers a library of videos starting with training for babies as young as 6 months. "With the babies in our family," she said, "I start working them out in the hospital."

Yikes...

Companies have jumped on the insecurities of parents, with outfits like Baby Goes Pro, and Athleticbaby.

Even fitness facilities are fully on the bandwagon, with The Little Gym boasting 20,000 children under the age of 2 enrolled in their programs, accounting for a quarter of total enrolment.

My Gym, based in Sherman Oaks, California, said 55 percent of those who attend classes at its 200 locations -- 157 in the United States -- were 2 ½ or younger.

Youth fitness experts aren't overly enthusiastic of the trend.

Dr. Lyle Micheli, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of the first pediatric sports medicine clinic in the United States, at Children's Hospital in Boston, says this of the phenomenon;

I don't know of any evidence that training at this infancy stage accelerates coordination.

Dr. Micheli also notes that there is a risk of overuse injury.

Dr. Kwame Brown, of the International Youth Conditioning Association, and proprietor of an excellent Youth Fitness blog called "Move Theory," had some very lucid thoughts on this topic;

Children need opportunities to create. Adults often don't realize how stifling encouragement can be. We think encouragement and direction are always positive. In the long term, for a child, these things can be the kiss of death to creativity, and they can actually kill enjoyment when misapplied... Even biomechanically for a child, if they are always being "taught" how to move, it stifles the development of skill.

Read Dr. Brown's entire blog entry here.

Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness went so far as to call the trend an "epic disgrace". He adds,

Play has become known, whether openly stated or not, as "unproductive" because it does not teach a toddler how to take the SATs effectively or drive a golf ball 400 yards.

Chessen's solution; Establishing healthy movement patterns, the opportunity to play, and reinforcing creative and social aspects of exercise... beneficial to ALL populations, and the basis for lifelong fitness, rather than the golden opportunity of a forty year-old obese guy talking about how he used to play high school football.

I agree wholeheartedly with the aforementioned Youth Fitness practitioners. An urgency has been created and people are lining up to cater to parent's fears that their children will somehow be left behind without them.

Play with your toddlers. Give them opportunities to explore their worlds with very little inhibition, and they'll be just fine.

Image Credit: Hygienematters

View the original article here

Antioxidants, Orange and Green Vegetables Linked to Longer Life

Unlike McDonald's, which is mostly shades of brown, new research claims colorful vegetables, specifically oranges and dark greens, maybe help extend lifespan and decrease mortality.

Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that among the 15,000 study participants (American adults, ages 20 and older) taking part in a national health survey, individuals with higher blood levels of alpha-carotene had lower overall health risks after 14 years, regardless of lifestyle habits.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables is a major risk factor for increased mortality worldwide. A 2003 WHO report claims as many as 2.7 million lives may have been saved each year, if more fruits and vegetables were consumed.

In the new study, experts report that both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, present in orange and dark green vegetables, provided health benefits, but the effect was most pronounced with alpha-carotene. Our bodies convert alpha-carotene and beta-carotene into vitamin A. Carrots and red, yellow, and orange colored vegetables are all good sources of carotenes.

Individuals with the highest blood levels of alpha-carotenes had a 27% lower risk of death, especially dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Beta-carotene and alpha-carotene are antioxidants and have been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation causes chain reactions that release free radicals into the body, which can damage cells; a risk factor for cancer. Antioxidants stop these chain reactions.

Conversely, consuming foods like red meat and bacon, high in saturated fat and carcinogens, especially when cooked/burnt at high temperatures, raise risk of stroke and disease likes cancer and heart disease.

The CDC suggests choosing leaner cuts of meat, eating white meat, like chicken and turkey, and low-fat dairy to lower saturated fat intake.

Image credit: edbermac

View the original article here

Poll: Atkins Diet vs. Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet has been gaining popularity since it's recent release in the USA and the folks at Atkins aren't happy.

They recently sent out a press release including the following statement.

"The Atkins Diet remains the only low-carbohydrate weight loss approach scientifically validated as safe and effective."

They go on to justify why Atkins is far superior to The Dukan Diet.

Atkins has been heavily marketing their New Atkins Diet this year which focuses more on nutrition and is less restrictive than their previous version.

The Dukan Diet was originally developed in France 10 years ago, but has recently been released in English for the UK market and just this month became available in the USA.

So why does The Dukan Diet have the folks at Atkins shaking in their boots? Will it really challenge the low carb king? Participate in the poll or comments below.

Which diet plan do you think is better?

View the original article here

Does Lunch At Your PC Make Your Eat More?

If you eat lunch parked in front of your computer every day, you need to know that this habit may be boosting your appetite.

Most of us know the advice to avoid eating in front of the TV or computer, but many completely ignore that message.

Well, a recent small study has shown that those who ate lunch while playing a computer game ended up eating more 30 minutes later, than those who had eaten their lunch with no distractions.

Previous studies have demonstrated that distractions at mealtimes lead to eating more, however this study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, went a little further, showing the effects of this distraction actually last beyond the meal.

44 volunteers were assigned to one of two groups. One group was asked to eat a set lunch while playing solitaire on a computer. The other group had the same meal, but with no distractions.Thirty minutes after their lunch, both groups took a cookie "taste test," where they could sample as much as they wanted. They were also asked to recall all nine items they'd eaten at lunch, and the order in which the foods were served.On average, the computer group ate roughly 250 calories worth of cookies, while the other group ate half as much.Also, the computer group had more difficulty remembering the order in which their lunch had been served, and reported feeling less full afterwards.

The researchers suggest computer users have a fuzzier memory of their lunch, and therefore felt less satisfied afterwards, in comparison to the control group.

Researcher Jeffrey Brunstrom, of the University of Bristol, UK, said:

We think that memory for recent meals influences the amount of food that we select and then consume at a subsequent meal... When our memory is poor, then at a subsequent meal we tend to select and consume a greater amount of food.

It's pretty obvious, but you can't possibly pay attention to what you eat and how much, when you are distracted so heavily. One of the keys to eating less at mealtimes is to eat mindfully -- you can't eat mindfully when you aren't paying attention to what your stomach is telling you.

If you are the master multi-tasker in your home, taking a break at mealtimes away from the TV and computer screen, is a new habit you should try to implement. Also, if you've got children, take note -- one U.S. study found that up to a quarter of children's calorie intake occurs in front of a TV.

So, is it time to set some new healthy goals for the incoming year, to improve your health and that of your whole family?

View the original article here

No Fruit in Ottawa, Illinois

Let me explain. And sorry for what I am about to say, and sorry if you call Ottawa, Illinois, "home".

I just drove across country; from New Jersey to Portland, Oregon. I needed a change. I'm almost thirty, all my friends are married, and like the Allman Brothers say, "Nobody left to run with anymore. Nobody left to do the crazy things we used to do before."

So I hit the road a few weeks ago. But the second day into my 2,500 mile drive, about 120 miles from Chicago, my car craps out in the middle of route 80, and I'm stranded for four days in "lovely" Ottawa, Illinois, with nothing to eat.

I'm stuck in a lousy hotel in the middle of no where, and while I'm waiting for my car repair bill of $2,000 to come to fruition, I obviously need to eat. But I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on take out.

So I go to the front desk and ask the girl if there's a supermarket around here. She gives me a hangdog look and says, "Oh you mean like Wal-Mart." Of course, I should have known she was going to say Wal-Mart, it's the Midwest after all.

Apparently a Wal-Mart superstore was just down the road. We don't have those in New Jersey, at least I have never seen one, so I trudge through sub-zero temperatures to the supermarket - err, Wal-mart.

I walk in to what looked like an underground colony. I have never seen a Wal-Mart this big. It was cavernous. But luckily I didn't have to spelunk the store that much, the grocery section was in plain sight. I figured I would buy some fruit and maybe a few bagels. I'm from the east coast, I love me some good Jewish bagels.

Well, there were no bagels in site. I'm guessing bagels are a metropolitan thing. And sorry, if you buy Thomas's Bagels in a bag, you're lying to yourself; those aren't real bagels, just stick with Wonder Bread.

So I skip the bagels and load up on fruit: apples, pears, bananas, and clementines. Here's where it gets sad.

I go to the register and Starla the cashier, who coincidently had a series of stars tattooed on her neck - no knock on tattoos, I have a bunch - rings up the apples and stuff, but pauses when she grabs the clementines. The expression on her face is what I imagine early man looked like when he discovered fire for the first time. "Ugh, what dis' be?"

Starla, bless her heart, picks up her cash register encyclopedia -- a fold out with pictures of various fruits and vegetables listing their names and product codes -- and after a minute of quandary, she asks, "What are these?"

"Clementines," I answer. Starla's initial response was vacant, like when your dog stares at you when you go to the bathroom with the door open.

But after another 30 seconds Starla says, "Are you sure these aren't apricots."

I'm a jerk, so I reply, "Not a chance." No offense, but I wasn't surprised. Starla didn't exactly look like she ate that much fruit.

Puzzled by my response, Starla, in an epiphany, says, "I'll just key them in as little oranges." Poor girl, it's the best she could do.

Now, I think I know why Starla had no idea what clementines were, and its not her fault. When I got back to my room, I started eating the fruit, and all of it, including the vaunted clementines, were terrible. Desperately unripe, totally bland, and "dried out" tasting.

So this made me think, no wonder the Midwest is very obese, their access to good quality produce may be lacking. They're certainly not as close to ideal growing temperatures as coastal areas.

Maybe, just like poorer urban areas back east, like New York City, we should pay close attention to the import of better quality fruits, vegetables, and fresh foods to the Midwest; especially since I saw a lot of morbidly obese customers wheeling around the Wal-Mart, instead of walking.

But fortunately for me, Portland has a bevy of farmers markets, Asian grocery stores, and most importantly, micro breweries.

Image credit: me

View the original article here

HCG Diet Slammed by Nutritionists During Holiday Promotion

HCG Diet Direct has tried to capitalise on Christmas diet anxiety by offering a holiday promotion - prompting nutritionists and health professionals to warn dieters away.

The HCG Diet uses human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone which women produce during pregnancy. By taking it, dieters trick their bodies into trying to provide food for a non-existent baby.

The HCG diet has been criticised both for the use of hormone injections, and for the very low calorie limit, just 500 calories per day (a quarter of what an average woman needs).

Normally, using HCG has involved injections, but HCG Diet Direct are promoting a homeopathic (very diluted) version of HCG that dieters take in the form of drops. Despite being highly diluted (and thus to conventional scientific thinking, highly ineffective), the HCG drops are expensive, costing $79.95 for a 15 day supply.

Dieticians and nutritionists have spoken out against the diet, with Jan Milne, Dietitians New Zealand's executive director, saying:

Very low calorie diets without strict medical and dietary supervision can be dangerous. They are only reserved for severely obese people, and even then must be closely monitored by a qualified medical professional.

And since 1975, the FDA has the full-strength HCG, used by clinics, labelled and advertised with this disclaimer:

HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or "normal" distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.

Our verdict? Stick to sensible, healthy eating and exercising instead. That means eating at least 1,000 calories per day (most dieters will need considerably more), and aim to meet the recommended minimum exercise guidelines.

Don't waste your money on drugs which are at best useless, and - if they do work - potentially hazardous to your health.

And don't keep looking for a quick fix, either. A safe, sustainable rate of weight loss is 1 to 2lbs per week. Any diet promising significantly more than this is probably a dangerous scam.

View the original article here

Link Time! Jane Fonda, Healthy Christmas Cookies, and More.

If you were around in the 80's you might remember the advent of the VCR which made The Jane Fonda Workout extremely popular.

Jane Fonda who turns 73 tomorrow, is back with the Jane Fonda Workout Revamped. While Fonda is still in great shape, she relies on a team of experts to actually instruct the workout series. The new DVD is available from Amazon.

If you're getting ready to bake your Christmas cookies, stop the press and check out these Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes. They are healthier versions of traditional favorites.

If you need some tools to help you keep track of your Calories and eating this holiday season and/or during the new year, check out MyNetDiary.com for great food tracking tools you can use on your home computer as well as your mobile device.

Finally this week, we wanted to give a shout out to Hood to Coast which is a new doco covering the popular 197 mile annual relay race that starts 6000 feet on Mt. Hood and finishes at sea level in Seaside, Oregon.

It will premiere in over 350 USA theaters on January 11, 2011 for one night only. If you can't make it out to the premiere, it will be available on DVD soon.

View the original article here

Lean, Strong and Healthy with Susan Powter [VHS]

This is Etta James's first full-length album, recorded for Chess Records' Argo subsidiary in 1960. It taps all aspects of her then-blossoming talent. There's the crooning rock ballad "My Dearest Darling" and the elegantly symphonic "Sunday Kind of Love." Her classic, brokenhearted "All I Could Do Was Cry" follows the sweet title track and the bawdy blues stomper "I Just Want to Make Love to You." And there's a version of Harold Arlen's "Stormy Weather," which Lena Horne made famous. James's fine way with such a wide embrace of material wouldn't again be this well displayed on a single album until she was united with producer Jerry Wexler for 1977's Deep in the Night. --Ted Drozdowski

Price: $19.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

PC Treasures 10-Inch Deluxe Netbook Accessory Kit

10" DeluxeNetbook accessory

Price: $99.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

70" x 28" Border Pattern Double Layer Woven Pashmina Shawl / Wrap / Stole ( 15 Cool Colors ) - New !

Saka's Pashmina is your one-stop for latest & unique design fashion shawls.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Simple Division At-A-Glance Closet Organizer

Sort, put away and find your clothes easily with Simple Division Garment Organizer Tags. 12 plastic garment organizer tags, 60 sorting labels in both English and Spanish plus great organizing tips. Organize your closets and laundry rooms, manage hand-me-downs and sort your clothes by type or season.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Raquel: Total Beauty and Fitness [VHS]

This is Etta James's first full-length album, recorded for Chess Records' Argo subsidiary in 1960. It taps all aspects of her then-blossoming talent. There's the crooning rock ballad "My Dearest Darling" and the elegantly symphonic "Sunday Kind of Love." Her classic, brokenhearted "All I Could Do Was Cry" follows the sweet title track and the bawdy blues stomper "I Just Want to Make Love to You." And there's a version of Harold Arlen's "Stormy Weather," which Lena Horne made famous. James's fine way with such a wide embrace of material wouldn't again be this well displayed on a single album until she was united with producer Jerry Wexler for 1977's Deep in the Night. --Ted Drozdowski

Price: $19.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale with 3.5" LCD and "Step-On" Technology

The EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale is the ideal way to track your weight loss. This user-friendly scale features "Step-On" technology to give you quick, easy-to-understand results. Four precision sensors provide an accurate measurement each time you step onto the scale's non-slip platform. Whether you're a personal trainer or just trying to get back in shape, this EatSmart scale is an affordable solution for keeping up with weight management goals.

Precision Premium At a Glance "Step-On" technology allows for instant measurements Four high-precision sensors provide consistent and accurate results up to 400 lbs. 3.5-inch backlit LCD makes results easy to read Runs on four AAA batteries Two-year warranty

Ultra thin design makes this scale a stylish addition to your bathroom.

Proprietary EatSmart "Step-On" technology allows you to activate and auto-calibrate the scale instantly. View larger.

The Precision Premium features a low-profile aluminum-and-plastic platform and a 3.5-inch cool blue LCD screen. View larger.

Four Precision Sensors Ensure Accuracy
Easy to use and extremely accurate, the EatSmart Precision Premium Scale is engineered to meet the highest accuracy standards. Its four high-gauge Precision G sensors provide accurate measurements up to 400 pounds/180 kilograms. This EatSmart scale is consistently reliable and provides the motivation you need to help keep yourself on track and meet your health goals.

"Step-On" Technology Weighs Instantly
The EatSmart Precision Premium Scale's proprietary "Step-On" technology features easy-to-use activation software that gives you an accurate readout of your weight to the nearest 0.2 pound. To operate, simply step on the scale and see your reading in seconds. With EatSmart "Step-On" technology, there's no need to tap and wait for the scale to calibrate. Just lay your scale on a hard, flat surface and step on. Within seconds, you'll see your weight displayed. Once you're done, the scale activates an auto power-off feature to preserve the battery.

Sleek and Stylish Design
Designed to accent any interior environment, this scale features a wide, lightweight aluminum base accented with a black, non-slip plastic cover for user safety. The EatSmart scale adds a modern look to any bathroom. Its large, 3.5-inch LCD screen is illuminated by a cool blue backlight for easy viewing--even in the most dimly lit areas.

Customer Testimonial
"I looked at a bunch of scales. All I wanted was a scale that was easy to use and accurate. Accuracy was my major criteria. This scale matched my doctor's scale. I weigh weekly and trust it. Plus it's easy to use. Step on it and the numbers appear in large, easy-to-read font. Glad I purchased it!" -- Norma Jean Phillipp (Parma, OH)

"Very stylish. It's very sleek, and I like the blue digital readout. Very accurate. Best on hard floors of course, but lightweight. The numbers are big enough to read without your glasses. Very good value for the price. Very satisfied." -- CincyGreg

The EastSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale is covered by a manufacturer's limited two-year warranty.

What's in the Box
EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale, instruction manual, and four AAA batteries.

	Precision Digital	Precision Premium	Precision Plus
Summary	EatSmart precision design and accuracy on a budget.	Thin profile and sophisticated look. Four EatSmart high- precision sensors for superior accuracy.	Wide, non-slip platform and 440-pound capacity lets the whole family safely use this scale.
Placement	Hard, level floor	Hard, level floor	Hard, level floor
Measurement Units	Pounds/Kilos/Stones	Pounds/Kilos	Pounds/Kilos
Max. Weight	400 pounds 180 kilograms	400 pounds 180 kilograms	440 pounds 200 kilograms
Graduation	0.2 pounds	0.2 pounds	0.2 pounds
Platform Width	12 inches (Tempered glass)	12 inches (Aluminum / Plastic)	15 inches (Tempered glass)
Display Size	3.5 inches (diagonally)	3.5 inches (diagonally)	4.3 inches (diagonally)
Backlight	Yes (Cool Blue)	Yes (Cool Blue)	Yes (Cool Blue)
Batteries	Four "AAA" (included)	Four "AAA" (included)	Two "AAA" (included)
Warranty	Two years	Two years	Two years

Price: $64.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software

100% Whey Protein - Gold Standard

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

New York City Ballet: The Complete Workout, Vol. 1 and 2

NEW YORK CITY BALLET:COMPLETE WORKOUT - DVD Movie

Price: $29.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program - 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner

Tired of ineffective workouts that sound great but produce less-than-optimal results? Turn to the P90X Extreme Home Fitness system, a bundle of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days. Hosted by personal trainer Tony Horton, the series of DVDs will help you get lean, bulk up, or grow stronger, with an endless variety of mix-and-match routines to keep you motivated. The secret behind the P90X system is an advanced training technique called "muscle confusion," which accelerates the fitness process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so that your body never plateaus and you never get bored. The more you confuse the muscle, the harder your body has to work to keep up. And the more variety you put into your workout, the better and faster your results will be. By breaking old routines and opening new doors, secondary and tertiary muscles are constantly being activated and developed.

In addition to the 12 DVD workouts, the P90X comes with a comprehensive three-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options, a detailed fitness guide packed with valuable information on how to get the most from your program, a How to Bring It DVD that provides a quick overview of the system, a calendar to track your progress, online peer support, and much more.

The DVD Workouts
Each of the 12 highly diverse and intense DVD workouts focuses on either a specific set of muscle groups or a unique training technique.

• Workout One: Chest & Back. This superset chest-and-back-blasting workout emphasizes two classic upper-body exercises--push-ups and pull-ups--to build strength and develop shape. The combination of these two push and pull movements will help you burn loads of calories while simultaneously attacking, strengthening, and developing multiple muscle groups.

• Workout Two: Plyometrics. Get ready to go airborne. Offering more 30 explosive jumping moves, this intense cardio routine will keep you in the air most of the time. Plyometrics, also known as jump training, has been proven to dramatically improve athletic performance. If your sport involves a ring, rink, field, court, or track, this training will give you the edge. Just be prepared to "bring it" for a full hour when you leap into this workout, because there is no letting up.

• Workout Three: Shoulders & Arms. Nothing rounds out the perfect physique like a pair of well-defined arms and shoulders, and with its potent combination of pressing, curling, and fly movements, this routine will leave you feeling stronger and looking sexier. Whether you want to build muscle mass or just slim and tighten what you've already got, these targeted shoulder and arm exercises will give you the results you want.

• Workout Four: Yoga X. Yoga is a vital part of any fitness regimen, and is an absolute must for an extreme program like P90X. This routine combines strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and breath work to enhance your physique and calm your mind. Yoga X will leave you feeling energized, invigorated, and maybe even a little enlightened.

• Workout Five: Legs & Back. Get ready to squat, lunge, and pull for a total-body workout like no other. While the main focus of this workout lies in strengthening and developing the leg muscles (quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves), there are also a handful of great pull-up exercises to give your legs a quick breather while you work the upper body.

• Workout Six: Kenpo X. Kenpo X was created to give P90X users a high-intensity cardiovascular workout packed with lots of punching and kicking combinations to improve balance, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. During this workout you'll learn some of the most effective ways to defend yourself, while at the same time getting your body in peak condition.

• Workout Seven: X Stretch. Stretching is the one thing that will help you achieve a higher level of athleticism over a longer period of time. The X Stretch routine is an integral part of the program, as it helps prevent injuries and avoid plateaus. The extensive full-body stretches that make up this routine use disciplines from Kenpo karate, hatha yoga, and various sports to ensure that your body is fully prepared to meet all P90X challenges head-on.

• Workout Eight: Core Synergistics. Each and every exercise in the Core Synergistics workout recruits multiple muscle groups to build and support the core (lumbar spine and trunk muscles), while at the same time conditioning your body from head to toe. Loaded with a variety of fun, unique, and challenging exercises, this routine will get you moving in all directions to maximize your P90X results.

• Workout Nine: Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps. Packed with an array of moves that target both large and small muscles, this workout will do wonders for your upper body. In just one full sequence you'll get a healthy dose of presses, flys, and extensions to push you to the brink. The results will be a stronger, leaner, and highly defined upper torso that will leave you looking awesome, with or without a shirt.

• Workout 10: Back & Biceps. With a host of curls and pull-ups, this routine will make it fun to flex those powerful biceps. But don't worry, ladies--by using lighter weight, you can focus on toning and tightening these showcase arm muscles without adding the size that most guys covet. Additionally, this workout also provides some great back definition that everyone can appreciate. Regardless of your goals, you will achieve them in dramatic fashion if you dig in and max out your reps.

• Workout 11: Cardio X. This low-impact cardio routine can be used in a variety of ways to meet your P90X goals. Use it in addition to your standard P90X workload when you want to burn some extra calories, or as a substitute if your body needs a break from the program's high-impact workouts. Whatever your reason for using Cardio X, you'll find it a fun, full-throttle, fat-burning workout that will leave you feeling lean and mean.

• Workout 12: Ab Ripper X. The combination and sequence of movements in this unique workout taps into not only abdominal strength, but true core strength as well. Master these 11 highly effective exercises and you will achieve vital abdominal muscle strength to benefit your overall health and physical performance. You'll also develop that highly coveted six-pack as you take Ab Ripper X to full throttle. It's extreme work that's better than any machine in any club.

P90X Fitness Guide
This is your road map and your plan of attack for using P90X. Learn guidelines for getting started and essential tips for how to make the most of the program. The fitness guide provides you tips to reduce your chance of injury; a fit test; recommended supplements and equipment; detailed instructions for stretching, warming up, and performing exercises; and guidelines to help you select which P90X phase to complete, whether Classic, Doubles, or Lean.

The Nutrition Plan
Following the P90X nutrition plan is just as vital to your overall success as any of the extreme workouts in this program. Specifically designed to work in tandem with the P90X workout routines, this three-phase eating plan recommends the perfect combination of foods to satisfy your body's energy needs every step of the way. P90X is not about quick fixes or miracle diets. It's about selecting the healthy foods that you want to eat, and determining the portion amounts that will provide your body with the right amount of fuel to excel during exercise. The P90X nutrition plan offers three phases. Phase 1 is the Fat Shredder, a high-protein-based diet designed to help you strengthen your muscles while simultaneously and rapidly shedding fat from your body. Phase 2 is the Energy Booster, a balanced mix of carbohydrates and proteins with a lower amount of fat to achieve additional energy for performance. And Phase 3 is the Endurance Maximizer, an athletic diet of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and lower fat, with the emphasis on more carbohydrates. You'll need this combination of foods as fuel to get the most out of your final few weeks and truly be in the best shape of your life.

Tools to Keep You Motivated

• P90X Calendar to set your workout goals, track your progress, and stay motivated.
• Free Online Support Tools for access to fitness experts, peer support, and motivation.

What's in the Box?
12 DVD workouts, nutrition plan, fitness guide How to Bring It DVD, a calendar to track your progress

Price: $150.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred

JILLIAN MICHAELS:30 DAY SHRED - DVD Movie

Price: $14.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

Conditions

2009 debut album from highly-acclaimed Australian rockers Temper Trap features very polished production, which gives the album a very big sound that compliments the band's pop sensibilities. Recorded on opposite sides of the world in Melbourne and London, Conditions was received very well by Australian critics upon its original release, and songs from the record have featured in numerous television programs. Precededby the single 'Science Of Fear'.

Price: $12.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

CherFitness: A New Attitude [VHS]

This is Etta James's first full-length album, recorded for Chess Records' Argo subsidiary in 1960. It taps all aspects of her then-blossoming talent. There's the crooning rock ballad "My Dearest Darling" and the elegantly symphonic "Sunday Kind of Love." Her classic, brokenhearted "All I Could Do Was Cry" follows the sweet title track and the bawdy blues stomper "I Just Want to Make Love to You." And there's a version of Harold Arlen's "Stormy Weather," which Lena Horne made famous. James's fine way with such a wide embrace of material wouldn't again be this well displayed on a single album until she was united with producer Jerry Wexler for 1977's Deep in the Night. --Ted Drozdowski

Price: $9.98

Click here to buy from Amazon

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard

100% Whey Protein - Gold Standard

Price: $74.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Oxo 1130800 Good Grips Food Scale with Pull-Out Display

1130800 OXO's user-friendly Food Scale with Pull-Out Display is perfect for weighing all ingredients. Weigh items directly on the platform, on a plate or in a bowl, and pull the display away from the base to prevent shadowing from large plates and bowls. Accurately measure ingredients when cooking and baking and stick to a diet by weighing portions. An optional backlight makes the display easier to read and a weight indicator shows the capacity left on the Scale before maximum capacity is reached. Features: -Food scale. -Material: Stainless steel. -11-lb capacity. -Display pulls away from base to prevent shadowing from large plates or bowls. -Convenient indicator displays how much capacity is left on the Scale. -Zero function allows for zeroing Scale before adding additional ingredients. -Optional backlight makes display easier to read. -Measures in 1/8-oz (imperial) and 1-g (metric) increments for greater accuracy. -Easy-to-read, large display numbers. -Stainless steel platform can be removed for cleaning. -Thin profile allows for easy storage. -4 AAA batteries included. -Not recommended for use in dishwasher. -Not microwave safe. -Weight: 2 lb. 9 oz.. -Dimensions: 11.25'' H x 8.6'' W x 2.125'' D.

Price: $55.50

Click here to buy from Amazon

EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale w/ Extra Large LCD and 11 Lb. Capacity

The EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale is a versatile multifunction home appliance. Designed to be highly accurate and aesthetically pleasing, the Precision Pro is manufactured to the highest quality specifications. Weigh items up to 11 lbs quickly and accurately, with results displayed in four different units: grams / ounces / pounds / kilograms.

For cooks - Weigh food items directly on the scale platform or utilize the scale's tare (zero) function, which eliminates the weight of a plate or bowl and makes cleanup a snap. The high resolution screen provides easy viewing angles on any kitchen counter and the five rubber feet eliminate sliding. Additionally the three minute auto-turnoff feature ensures that you will never again lose your measurement in the middle of your recipe prep!

For Weight Loss Goals / Disease Management - The Precision Pro is ultra accurate, precise to .05 ounce / 1 gram increments and perfect for calorie or carbohydrate counting. The scale now includes a FREE EatSmart Calorie Factors book for easy calorie counting (simply multiply the grams of food by the calorie factor in the book)! Stop guessing about portion sizes and start living a healthier lifestyle today.

Best of all, the Precision Pro's economical price makes it a phenomenal value as well. Get yours today!

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Sharp YOP20HII 1MB Electronic Organizer

Keep up to date on your hectic schedule with the affordable Sharp YOP20H electronic organizer with 1 MB of memory--which will store thousands of entries. This sleek, metallic, touch-screen organizer not only keeps track of important dates and phone numbers, it helps you count calories and has a built-in pedometer. Organizer functions include schedule, telephone/address, and memo modes. The included software enables you to connect to your Windows-based PC and synchronize calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes date with Microsoft Outlook (serial connection required). The enhanced English/Spanis word translator allows for approximately 20,000 English/Spanish word translations. The large backlit screen offers a 3 line by 12 digit display. Other features include two games, currency/unit conversion, spell checker, and calculator.

What's in the Box
Organizer, lithium CR2032 battery, serial PC link cable, PC software, case with belt clip, stylus, manual

Price: $24.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer

An advanced technology pedometer that can be carried in your pocket, bag or be attached t

Price: $34.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Southwest Specialty Products 51003C Dr Pepper Diversion Can Safe

The best place to hide anything is in plain sight. The Chicago Crime Commission states that a burglar spends an average of 8 minutes in the victim's home. Put the odds in your favor... hide your valuables in plain sight. The diversion safes are a unique home-security product. We offer a wide variety of personal care, household products and food containers with removable tops and bottoms. Valuables can be discreetly stored inside these look-a-like containers and kept in their seemingly rightful places. Each is undistinguishable from the genuine product and is even weighted to feel full.

Price: $19.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

My Weigh KD-7000 Digital Stainless-Steel Food Scale

The KD-7000 series are easy to clean and easy to use. Double-stopper protection, strong reinforced & removable Stainless Steel platform, Acrylic faceplate protector and modular construction make these scales extremely durable.

This scale includes a removable clear LCD cover that protects the buttons and LCD from damage (great for messy recipes, soapmaking or candlemaking) With a large 7 kg (15.4lb) capacity and precise 1 gram (0.1oz) readings this scale is an incredible value and is available at most scale retailers or through our online merchants.

The KD-7000 reads in Grams, Pound;Ounces, Ounces, Pounds, & Kilograms. This makes them perfect for Home, Office, Kitchen and thousands of other uses. These scales are extremely durable and versatile

Price: $89.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Hide Your Beer Covers (Set of 6)

Disguise Your Beer! Hide your Beer is a unique way to cover your beer can. It's a reusable cover that wraps around your can and looks like a normal soft drink. When the can is empty, take off your Stick on beer hider and put it on a full one. Perfect for the Golf Course, Beach, Pool, Sporting Events, Boating, you name it!! Just peel off back and slap on any cold can! Safety, Security, Convenience! 4 designs - Diet Cola, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, 7-UP Reusable over and over. Disguise your beer today! These are not magnets as cans are not magnetic, Uses a static technology.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Water Coolers Style: Cap. Vol.:10gal, Color:Orange

1610-01-11 Style: Cap. Vol.:10gal, Color:Orange This item features: -Drip-resistant spigots and leak-resistant screw-on lids. -Insulated to keep water or beverage cold. -White lid for best sun reflection. -Price is for 1 Each.

Price: $59.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Low Rise Shorts by KD dance, Stretch Knit Hot Parts Great For Yoga, Dance, Gym, Pilates, Figure Skating To Pool Parties, Fashionable & Durable, Made In New York USA

The KD dance Low Rise Stretch Knit Boy Short is designed for complete freedom of movement along with high-class style & comfort.

Perfect for dance, yoga, Pilates or aerobics, not to mention the perfect bikini cover by the pool, biking or hanging out. KD dance clothes are constructed to last & snap back after each wash.

Sizes are snug, form fitting & sexy. Order a size or two, smaller for an extra sexy look. If large boned order a size larger, but keep in mind the fabric stretches for a snug look that compliments your curves so ordering larger is not always necessary.

If you are discovering KD dance for the first time we have matching Tights, Tanks, Wraps, Tube Tops, Leg Warmers, Shrugs also available here on Amazon. When in New York City be sure to visit our store in Soho.

KD dance was created in 1980, same year the original movie Fame was released, by young dancers knitting clothing for fellow dancers on tour with the Oakland Ballet. In 1980 Michael Jackson had a #1 Hit with Rock with You.

2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of our timeless knit Ballet Tops, Shorts & Tights featured in Vogue, W, Allure, Harpers Bazaar, Glamour, Shape, Fitness & even Psychology Today. Our Gauze like knit makes our clothing completely versatile and customizable to create looks all your own. Which is why Dancing or Dinning in KD dance the beauty is you.

We manufacture all orders custom to order in our factory in New York City. Please call us if you have any questions or special requests. We are friendly New Yorkers. We manufacture custom to order outfits for dance schools to hip hop crews. Thanks for reading and best regards from New York City.

96% High End No Itch Acrylic / 2% Nylon / 2% Lycra

Seen here is Dancer Emma Lovewell

Photography by Garvey Rich

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set

Now you can shed the pounds and have a blast while you're doing it! It's easy with the Zumba® Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set.

Loaded with red-hot dance steps, pulsating Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow routines, this invigorating dance-fitness "party" will have you movin', groovin' and shakin' the weight off to the sexy, exotic rhythms of salsa, cumbia, samba, merengue and more! Work your body from head to toe with four DVDs and six exhilarating workouts that teach you all the basics and hit your favorite targets, like your core, thighs and abs. You also get maraca-like Toning Sticks to add some muscle to your body sculpting routines. Now's the time! Get ready to "Join the Party" and see a whole new side of yourself!

Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set includes:

* Zumba Fitness Basics Workout
* Zumba Fitness 20-Minute Express Workout
* Zumba Fitness Sculpt & Tone Workout
* Zumba Fitness Cardio Party Workout
* Zumba Fitness Live! Workout
* Zumba Fitness Flat Abs Workout
* 2 Zumba Fitness Toning Sticks

Price: $69.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Digital Kitchen Nutritional Scale -- Calculates The Nutritional Value of Your Food (Calories / Carbs Etc.) For a Healthy Diet

Track calories, fats, carbs, fiber and more with this easy-to-use Digital Kitchen Scale.

A scale and a calculator all in one, this essential dieting tool calculates portion weight, and displays all the information the way you're used to seeing it on food packaging labels: an at-a-glance breakdown of calories, fats, carbs, proteins, fiber, sodium, cholesterol and sugars. You can also total your daily nutritional intake, and store up to 99 of your own food entries into a database of nearly 1000 others. So the experience is always customized to you, your goals and your lifestyle. Ideal for: portion control, medical requirements, type A personalities.


* A scale and a calculator all in one - an essential tool for dieting, portion control, medical requirements or Type A personalities

* Calculates portion weight, and displays all the information the way youre used to seeing it on food packaging labels

* At-a-glance breakdown of calories, calories from fat, carbohydrates, protein, fat, saturated fat, fiber, sugars, cholesterol and sodium

* Simply enter a food code from the provided list of 999 common foods and place the food item on the scale platform and the nutritional facts for the weighed item will be displayed

* Enter and store up to 99 customizable food code entries

* Total your daily nutritional intake to help achieve health goals

* Weighs in grams and ounces

* Maximum weight: 72 oz/2 kg

* High precision: +/- .05 oz/1 g

* Automatic power off

* Requires 2 AA batteries, included

Bottom line:
Not just the weight, but the total breakdown. Calculates calories, carbs, fat and more.

Price: $59.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

PC Treasures 10-Inch Deluxe Netbook Accessory Kit

10" DeluxeNetbook accessory

Price: $99.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Mediterranean Diet Fights Off Age-Related Weight Gain

My people, the Italians, have known for centuries that the Mediterranean diet keeps you fit and trim. It's about time the rest of the world caught up. Fannulloni!

The Mediterranean diet includes foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and moderate amounts of fish and wine, but very little saturated fats, like eggs, red meat, dairy products, and poultry.

And a new study says people who follow a Mediterranean diet may avoid putting on extra weight as they age.

Published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers asked 10,000 university graduates in Spain, men and women, average age of 38, to fill out a food survey. The participants were then tracked for six years.

Individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet were 10% less likely to become overweight or obese, and were 24% less likely to gain more than 11 pounds over the first four years of the research.

Average weight-gain among participants during the study was a half pound. But, the people most closely following a Mediterranean diet gained less weight, compared to study participants who deviated from a Mediterranean diet.

The researchers insist sticking to a diet long term is an effective way to prevent weight gain, and called the Mediterranean diet "user friendly."

I have to agree. If you look at my family's holiday dinner table the only scary thing you'll find is big-freaking octopus tentacles in the salad. It's like the Adam's Family, except all the grandmothers look like Uncle Fester.

Image credit: Futurama Wiki

View the original article here

Detox Diet Plan

Many people are confused about a detox diet plan. Find out the truth from a professional with over 25 years in the health industry.

Check it out!

Ac Australian Diet

Healthy Australian Weight Loss Diet.

Check it out!

Stop Dieting and Live

Visit: http://www.stopdietingandlive.com/affiliates/ Excellent converting sales page and 75% commissions. Lose weight without dieting. Feel good about promoting a weight loss product that helps people.

Check it out!

The 100 Calorie Diet - Wow!

Brand New To The Market! 50% Commission! Ground Floor Opportunity! Take advantage of the booming 100 calorie business by promoting the Newest and Hottest diet book on the web. Eat in 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 + calorie units.

Check it out!

Diet Drama: Giveaway for Young Women

Diet Drama is a new book that addresses body issues and is aimed at young women. Rather than another weight loss book, Diet Drama aims to arm women with realistic information, photos, an facts about their figures.

...most diet books are written by a fitness expert who wants to show off their hot bod, and the intent is usually good but it tends to be tinged with an invitation for jealousy and a hierarchy of health based on looks, which isn't fair or healthy.

Author Nancy Redd has created 3 sections - starting first with body image ("Love your body"). She then moves on to Move your body, and then Feed your body. The intention is to pursue mental, emotional, and physical health as a primary goal.

We are pleased to be able to give away a copy of this new book.

To enter, tell us why you think this book would be good for you, or for someone you care about.

You may enter only once.Comments must be entered by 5pm ET Friday December 17, 2010.Winner must be resident of USA or Canada.Ensure your email is correct (on the comment, or in your profile for registered users).

Diet Drama is available at Amazon ($15).

View the original article here

Junk Food Companies Target Birthday Kids in Australia

In Australia, a disturbing new trend is emerging: fast-food companies like Taco Bell and Hungry Jack's are sending birthday vouchers direct to kids in the mail.

The Obesity Policy Coalition has been asking the Federal Government to ban direct mail to children, so far unsuccessfully.

The Obesity Policy Coalition includes organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Diabetes Australia, and campaigns on various diet-related issues. Their site explains:

The OPC was established with the aim of influencing change in policy and regulation to support obesity prevention, particularly in Australian children.

In appealing to the Senate, the Obesity Policy Coalition said that kids were particularly swayed by advertising messages, and should be protected:

Children's susceptibility to commercial influence means that use of their personal information for direct marketing unfairly manipulates them, and is likely to harm them in other ways.

I agree. But, I was also struck that the kids being targeted in this way, in the case of Hungry Jack's at least, were members of the "Kids Club". At some stage, parents have presumably agreed to signing their kids up to a fast-foot outlet's membership program.

What do you think? Should direct mail advertising to kids be banned? And if so, how much impact would it have in the battle against childhood obesity?

Image Credit: ferret111

View the original article here

Detox Diet Secrets

A step-by-step complete detox diet plan that helps to target your specific symptom or condition. Get meal plans and detox diet recipes.

Check it out!

Stress Only Slightly Impacts Weight Gain

I hate stress. And I'm a mental case, so I don't handle it very well. Lots of junk food, yelling at people, and watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles on loop.

Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Common symptoms of chronic stress include headache, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, irritability, and I've always thought weight-gain was a risk too.

But a new study says stress has only a minor impact on weight-gain.

For the study, published in the journal Obesity, scientists examined data from 32 previous studies on bodyweight and stress, and discovered the majority of research revealed no association between people's stress levels and their weight-gain several years later.

Researchers assessed studies conducted between the 1990s and 2000s that examined individuals stress levels in relationship to weight-gain.

Among the studies, 69% found no clear association between stress levels and weight gain, 25% linked high stress levels to increased weight-gain, and 6% showed stress was related to less weight gain over time.

After pooling all the studies together, only a modest relationship was found between overall stress and weight-gain. But the researchers say the effect of stress on weight could vary from person to person, especially when considering different types of stress; such as work stress, compared to life stress.

To me, it's a personality thing. Some people are just unflappable. I'm high-strung and jumpy, but my brother is cool as a cucumber. Although, he ate his boogers as a kid, so I'm still better!

Image credit: South Park Studios

View the original article here

Sesame Street Goes Healthy

The last few years have been a whirlwind for the Cookie Monster. From having to dispel tabloid rumors about his name being changed to the "Vegetable Monster," to his recent run in the limelight, which centered on an aggressive campaign to host Saturday Night Live.

Although the cookie monster will not be changing the name on his birth certificate, the Sesame Street executives are trying to do their part when it comes to promoting healthy eating, with a specific aim to nourish those who don't meet basic nutritional needs.

Jeanette Betancourt, vice president of content design for the education, research and outreach department of Sesame Workshop, said:

We found there were really very few resources engaging young children and helping them engage not only in healthy habits but also in knowing that as a family they're not alone in this.

The program provides families with an educational kit, including;

A video featuring four new Muppets, the "Super foods" - Banana, cheese, whole-grain roll and broccoli. Elmo and friends, including real families, as they try new foods, learn about healthy snacks and discover the importance of sharing a meal together.

The superfoods (although not official Sesame Street cast members) sing and dance, encouraging children to try new healthy foods. The 400,000 kits will be distributed to lower income families and segments will air on the show this month (December 2010). You can watch the video segments here.

While this latest campaign is more focal and extensive, Sesame Street and specifically the oft-criticized cookie glutton have actually been promoting healthier eating for a while. To wit, in 1987, the Cookie Monster rapped about healthy food.

More recently, "Hoots" the owl waxed poetic to the Cookie Monster about cookies being a "sometimes food".

The burning question remains, however, will campaigns like this have a noticeable impact on the foods children eat?

View the original article here

Scarsdale Low-Carb Diet

This Is The Last Diet Youll Ever Need! 100% Guaranteed! CB Only!

Check it out!

The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss

If you know how successful The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss was, you'll be excited about the release of his latest book, The 4-Hour Body.

It has been described as the result of an obsessive quest, spanning more than a decade, to hack the human body. And, it contains the collective wisdom of elite athletes, doctors, and thousands of hours of personal experimentation.

What I immediately like about The 4-Hour Body is that it promises to teach, in less than 30 minutes each, about habits most of us would like to improve. With so much going on in our lives, the idea of learning new skills in a short period of time appeals.

Tim makes a number of bold statements in his book, including how you can:

Lose those last 5-10 pounds (or 100+ pounds) with odd combinations of food and safe chemical cocktails.Prevent fat gain while bingeing.Increase fat-loss 300% with a few bags of ice. Sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested.Go from running 5 kilometers to 50 kilometers in 12 weeks.Add 150+ pounds to your lifts in 6 months.And, also how he gained 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, without steroids, and in four hours of total gym time.

Do any of these sound farfetched to you?

As I said earlier, the book contains data from Tim's own personal experimentation, and also data from several hundred men and women who used these techniques over a two year period.

Some of the things that intrigue me about the content:

Ferriss claims that if you normally spend two hours at the gym, several times each week, you can get the same, or better results, in a very focused 80 seconds per muscle group.He also talks about his simple diet called "The Slow-Carb Diet," for anyone needing a simple plan to improve their health, and one that will yield fast results. According to Tim, many of his participants lost over 20 pounds within the first month.

I know, that seems like a lot of weight to lose in one month. But then again, we just heard about new research published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, which suggests that fast weight loss has more short-term and long-term advantages, than slower weight loss.

Tim states,

Do not read this book from start to finish... Most people won't need more than 150 pages to reinvent themselves. Pick one appearance goal and one performance goal to start.

For most people, lifestyle change can be pretty daunting. So, the idea that you can change bad habits, one step at a time, makes this approach feel more doable.

Check out the 4-Hour Body - Official Movie Trailer:

The 4-Hour Body is available at Amazon for $15.

Does this book interest you?

View the original article here

Richardson Cancer Diet by Dr. Janet Hull

A natural effective cancer diet for people with cancer or for the prevention of cancer.

Check it out!