Christie Griffin

Your New Workout Buddy: FITNESS on Your iPad!

March 14, 2011 at 4:33 pm
By Christie Griffin

It’s a big day tomorrow!

What’s up: FITNESS Magazine’s very first monthly digital edition will hit the Apple iTunes store! And after toiling tirelessly to figure out how to make the magazine pop with a tap, all of the editors here couldn’t be more excited.

The coolest thing (IMHO) about the monthly digital editions is when our FITNESS workouts come to life. Not only are the designs simple and pretty, but following along to exercise instructions has never been easier or more convenient! Think about it: DVD workouts are great, gym classes are fab, iPhone apps are cool, and tearing out pages of the magazine is helpful…but being able to prop up your iPad and follow along to a routine, anytime, anywhere? Yes, please!

Just a few more of our digital issue highlights: Read more

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The Best Part of Your Day: Jay-Z-Ercise Video!

March 8, 2011 at 12:11 pm
By Christie Griffin

Yesss! Our Tuesday lunchtime just got a jolt of shut-the-front-door-this-is-awesome. Watch this:

And…replay.

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7 Common Workout Dreams–Decoded!

March 2, 2011 at 9:00 am
By Christie Griffin

Have you ever had a dream about your morning workout? Or maybe you dreamt you were back in middle school gym class? Regardless of what your slumber was about, there could be some helpful symbolism behind it. We asked DreamMoods.com, an awesome site with tons of dream info, for their help deciphering some of your most common fitness-related dreams.

1. Jumping Jacks
To dream of jumping jacks signifies your need for more balance in your life. Try to maintain order while you pursue your goals.

2. Sit Ups
Doing sit ups in your dreams suggests that you need to pay better attention to something…whether it’s a relationship, work, or project. Alternatively, doing sit ups could also indicate that you need to show more pride and confidence in your abilities. (MORE: Check out our Top 10 Ab Exercises!)

3. Lifting Weights
This dream is a simple metaphor. You’re flexing your muscles—you want others to know that you’re in charge.

4. Running
If you dream that you’re jogging, it suggests that you’re not looking for change—you’re just pacing yourself. But dreaming of being in a race is a little more complicated…it could symbolize that you’re comparing yourself to others, that you need to slow down, or that you’re feeling particularly empowered and mentally “rehearsing” for success.

5. Swimming
Water always has tons of symbolism behind it and often has to do with your emotions and unconscious mind. If you dream you’re swimming, it could be that you’re seeking emotional support—this is a common dream for people going through therapy. If you’re underwater while swimming, then it suggests that you’re completely submerged in your own feelings. Take note: You need so badly to deal with your emotions that your unconscious self is forcing you to do it while you sleep!

6. Pull Ups
To dream of doing pull ups symbolizes a situation in which you must—or will—rise above. It could be a difficult challenge you’re facing or it could be that you need to move on from the past and look toward the future. (MORE: Get sculpted arms with this workout from The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper!)

7. Pushups
Simply put, dreaming of pushups could mean that you need to be more assertive and take initiative.

Have you had a recent fitness-related dream, but don’t see it above? Check out dreammoods.com to see their complete dictionary of terms.

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Face of Fitness Weekly Winners (So Far!)

February 28, 2011 at 5:20 pm
By Christie Griffin

Want to be on the cover of FITNESS Magazine? Apparently, hundreds of you do! And with our Face of Fitness Cover Contest off to a smashing start, we’re so excited about the first two weekly winners, aka semi-finalists. Take a look at who you’ve chosen so far!

Week #1 Winner: Shonnery Pettit

Shonnery’s story is about “Something to Call My Own,” and for her, that thing is fitness-slash-dance. Despite being a married happy mother to two children, she wrote that she felt like “I’d lost my identity somewhere along the way.” So she got back into the gym, started dancing again, and even tried out to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, at age 35! Now, she’s training for her first half-marathon and just completed her first “mud run” with some of her gym friends.

FITNESS says: Heck yeah! You go girl!

What Shonnery says about winning Week 1: “The support my friends and family gave throughout the contest was something I will treasure.  Thank you so much for providing the platform that allowed for such wonderful things to come my way!”

Week #2 Winner: Liz Scott

When Liz’s mom was diagnosed with meningitis and encephalitis, she lost the ability to walk, talk, write, and other functions. Determined to help her mom get out of her wheelchair and have a healthy lifestyle, Liz started going on walks with her. Little by little, Liz and her mom built up from just a few steps to entire miles. Eventually, Liz’s mom was able to walk a half-marathon! Despite that Liz is a self-proclaimed “crazy-fit, exercise lover,” she says that inspiring her mom is actually her proudest fitness accomplishment.

FITNESS says: Awww! Warm fuzzies.

What Liz says about winning Week 2: “I am so excited about this contest!  I entered on a total whim and all my friends and family jumped on board, majorly.”

Congrats, Shonnery and Liz!

So, who will win Week #3? Don’t forget to vote for your favorite!

And most importantly, make sure to submit your photo and story to our Face of Fitness Cover Contest! Five finalists will be flown to NYC for photo shoots, with one Grand Prize Winner scoring the cover of an upcoming FITNESS issue—and a 5-night vacation for two to an amazing Hawaiian resort! What are you waiting for?

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Is Pole Dancing a Sport?

February 11, 2011 at 3:04 pm
By Christie Griffin

Turns out that some people feel “pole fitness” is not only a sport, but should also be in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. .…Pause for effect….

And the state leading the charge?  Utah. That’s where The Pole Fitness Association, International Pole Sports Federation and Pole Dance International Magazine are all located.

Huh. Who knew?!

Anyway, Salt Lake City’s ABC station did a short segment about it this morning. But as many of us already know, pole dancing workouts aren’t really brand new–the pic of me to the right is from more than two years ago, at a friend’s birthday party. It was a fun time and worked a few different muscles for me, but when I heard there’s a campaign to get pole fitness into the Olympics, I just had to ask what you ladies think.

Do you think pole dancing—even the extreme, athletic routines—is a sport? Should it be in the Olympics?

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Would You Try Hypnotherapy?

February 2, 2011 at 2:52 pm
By Christie Griffin

Several months ago, I was sitting in the auditorium of a cruise ship, watching and listening to a performer—a hypnotist—give instructions to some fellow passengers on stage. And even though I was only in the audience and not a participant, I was apparently in a trance myself, according to my boyfriend after the show. I agreed with my bf, noting how weird I had felt during the show. Tired…relaxed…and above all, unamused. While the audience had roared with laughter at what they were watching on stage, I had felt totally indifferent and spacey. So I began to wonder: Could be “sensitive” to hypnosis?

In the latest issue of FITNESS—the February issue, on stands now!–one of our writers explains how hypnosis can help athletes, women going into labor or surgery, and people with fears or phobias. She gives a few tips on self-hypnosis, and even shares her own weight-loss attempt. I was so psyched to see the article that I thought I’d jump in and share my experience about hypnotherapy. After that cruise ship experience and then doing some research online, I gave in to my curiosity and went to a few hypnotherapy sessions in the fall…

Click “Read More” to find out what I learned: Read more

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The Happy Light Review: Does Light Therapy Work?

January 14, 2011 at 1:09 pm
By Christie Griffin

Someone once told me that seasonal affective disorder (ie, seasonal depression) is all mental. That it’s my choice to decide how I feel for the day.

You know what? I think that’s phooey. I know my body and my mentality incredibly well…and if I happen to be grumpy and sluggish every single winter, I don’t think it should be dumbed down to as if I’m making a simple decision. Skinny jeans or leggings? That’s a decision. Happy or cranky? That’s a bit more complicated, thankyouverymuch.

So in my quest to combat me morphing into a seasonal sloth, I’ve started taking advantage of light therapy. The point of a light therapy device is that it mimics outdoor light…thought to then cause a chemical change in your brain to lift your mood and ease other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. The Mayo Clinic explains it pretty well, if you want more info.

Onto the good stuff: how it’s worked for me so far. The Happy Light 6000, an incredibly bright lamp device, now sits on my desk at work. A few rants and raves about it: Read more

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The Skinny Pins Contest – Official Rules

April 30, 2000 at 4:12 pm
By Christie Griffin

Void outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter if you are not at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia at the time of entry.  Internet access required to enter.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. 

The Skinny Pins Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. Central Time (“C.T.”) on 05/01/12 and ends at 11:59 p.m. C.T. on 05/31/12.  Sponsor: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa.

ENTRY:

Step 1:  If you are currently a member of Pinterest, please proceed to Step 3.

Step 2:  To become a Pinterest Member: Please send an email to fitnessmagdotcom@gmail.com and an invitation from Sponsor will be sent to the email address provided by you.  Only (1) email request per person permitted.  It may take up to 48 hours to receive your Pinterest invitation from Sponsor.  Pinterest membership is not guaranteed by Sponsor.

Step 3:  Once a Pinterest Member, create a board named The Skinny Pins Contest – Fitness Mag (hereinafter “Board”) on Pinterest and categorize the Board as Fitness.  Only one (1) Board entry per person permitted.

Step 4:  Go to fitnessmagazine.com or the Fitness Magazine Pinterest page at pinterest.com/fitnessmagazine and pin a minimum of five (5) FitnessMagazine.com images to your The Skinny Pins Contest – Fitness Mag Board.  Include a description with each image of how the pinned content keeps you in shape.

Step 5: To Enter the Contest: When you have completed your Board, go here and enter the URL to your Board in the entry form in the post.

All entries are final upon submission. Entry materials may not contain brand names or trademarks, other than those of Sponsor.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject and/or disqualify any entries, subjects, or related materials that Sponsor deems to be nude, obscene, defamatory, profane, offensive, lewd, pornographic, false, misleading, deceptive, or otherwise inconsistent with its editorial standards, audience expectations, or reputational interests or that Sponsor believes may violate any applicable law or regulation or the rights of any third party.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to verify any element of any entry or related materials, request additional information and to disqualify any entrant whose participation may subject the contest, Sponsor, or Sponsor’s advertisers, clients, or customers to controversy, negative publicity, scorn, or ridicule.

LIMIT:  One entry per person.  Any attempt by an entrant, or any other person, to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins, or any other methods may result in disqualification by Sponsor, in its sole discretion.

ELIGIBILITY: Legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, 21 years of age or older are eligible to enter, except employees of Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Contest and/or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries and members of their immediate families or household members. “Immediate family members” shall mean parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses.  “Household members” shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months a year.

WINNER SELECTION:

On or about June 15, 2012, qualified judges appointed by Sponsor will select five (5) Winners based on Overall Believablilty of the Board (33%), Creativity of the pins and descriptions (33%) and Representation of the Fitness magazine lifestyle and voice (34%).  In the event of a tie, the entry among the tied entries with the higher score in overall aesthetic will be the winner. Decisions of judges are final and binding in all respects.

PRIZING:  Five (5) Winners will each receive a $100 American Express gift card.

Potential winners will be notified by mail and/or email and prize will be delivered approximately thirty (30) days from date of winner verification. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize (or portions thereof) of equal or greater value if prize (or portions thereof) cannot be awarded as described. Sponsor will determine all elements of prizing in its sole discretion. Prize may not be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.   Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee express or implied by Sponsor. Sponsor disclaims all and any liability for the actual provision, quality or nature of any third party product or service accepted by the winner. The awarding of any prize is contingent upon full compliance with these Official Rules.

CONDITIONS/WARRANTIES:  Entrants agree to be bound by Official Rules and agree that if any winner fails to provide proof of identity, refuses to provide documentation, is found to have violated the Official Rules or otherwise does not meet eligibility criteria, prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner with the next highest score. Entrants understand that Sponsor is not liable for injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising from participation in this promotion and acceptance, possession and use of prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the contest or in the announcement of the prize. Decisions of Sponsor are final and binding in all respects.

Sponsor assumes no responsibility for entries it is unable to process due to network, hardware or other technical failures; or any other reason, or incomplete, damaged, misdirected, or lost entries.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this promotion if not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or integrity of the contest.  In the event of cancellation, Sponsor reserves the right to select winner(s) from among all eligible entries received prior to date of cancellation.  The use of automated entry systems or any other conduct that impedes the integrity of the contest is prohibited.  In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the holder of an established e-mail account associated with the entry.

RELEASES:  By participating in this contest and accepting any prize that they may win, entrants agree to release Sponsor, their parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, from participation in this contest and/or acceptance or use of the prize.

Entrants authorize Sponsor to use their name, voice, likeness, biographical data, city and state of residence and entry materials in all media now known or hereafter discovered, for any purpose, including without limitation, in connection with, and to promote, market or advertise, the contest, in whole or in part, without review, approval, credit or attribution, notification or payment from or to entrant or any person or entity, worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner’s list, if applicable, unless prohibited by law.  Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above-mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, without further obligation or compensation.

PRIVACY:  When you enter, you will become a registered member of Sponsor’s www.bhg.com website.  When you register, we collect personally identifying information about you, including your name, mailing address, and email address.  The information that you provide will be added to a centralized Sponsor database so that you will simultaneously be registered for Sponsor’s other websites as well.  By entering and providing the required registration information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may send you information, samples, or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods offered by Sponsor.  Sponsor may also include your name and postal address in postal address lists that Sponsor sells or rents to third parties for marketing purposes.  For more information about how Sponsor uses the information you provide, see Sponsor’s privacy policy at www.bhg.com.  IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS PROMOTION.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:  Except where prohibited, by participating Contest entrants agree that:  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant(s) and Sponsor and its agents shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law of any jurisdiction. Entrant agrees that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to this Contest, or awarding of the prize(s), shall be filed only in the state or federal courts located in the State of New York and entrant hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action. Except where prohibited, by participating in this Contest, entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or awarding of the prize(s), shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Contest but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any participant be permitted to obtain awards for and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above may not apply to you.

GENERAL:  Except where prohibited by law, potential winner(s) may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Ownership/Liability Release and Publicity Release within ten (10) days of notification or the entry with the next highest score may become an alternate winner. If winner notification is returned as undeliverable, the entry with the next highest score may become an alternate winner.  Subject to all U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Void where prohibited.  Taxes on prize are the sole responsibility of winner. Winners’ names will be posted on fitnessmagazine.com on or after June 15, 2012.

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