Samantha Shelton

Fit Links: Thanksgiving Treats and Fit Ways to Still Help Sandy Victims

November 16, 2012 at 4:18 pm
By Samantha Shelton

This week’s fit links from around the web:

• Still smoking occasionally? Join the Great American Smokeout and quit today. -The American Cancer Society
  
• Breaking Dawn: Part 2 has already raked in around $30.4 million. Will you see the final film in the Twilight series? -Wall Street Journal
• Sign up for this virtual run to support Sandy victims and possibly win over $2,500 of your favorite fitness gear. -NYC Running Mama
• It’s about that time: holiday shopping for loved ones. Buy from this Awareness Line and support one of your favorite charities. Cue the feel-good warm fuzzies. -Erica Sara Designs
• Looking for a portioned Thanksgiving treat? These apple crisp shooters might be the perfect pick. -The Boys Club

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Fit Blogger We Love: Live Run Love Yoga

November 15, 2012 at 1:02 pm
By Samantha Shelton

While some of us discover our passions later in life, Whitney from Live Run Love Yoga found hers early: running and yoga. The fitness enthusiast has been active since she was a young girl and hasn’t stopped since! Now an accomplished marathoner who loves flowing through sun salutations just as much as she enjoys lacing up her sneaks, Whitney’s page is one we often turn to when in need of a good stretch (we admit, we don’t always practice as much as we should!). Keep reading to find out which races she has her eye on and what beauty product might need to make its way into your gym bag.

My favorite way to work out: I love to hit the pavement for a run and then find my way to the yoga mat to stretch out my tight muscles. Not to mention it works my abs and upper body!

On my fit life list: Complete the World Marathon Majors! I’ve run the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. Next up, London and Berlin! I also really want to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco!

I’m happiest when I’m: Doing anything that involves running or yoga! Whether it’s running or working a race, talking or blogging about those subjects, or being in the studio practicing, teaching or learning. I’m fortunate that my jobs are my passions!

My gym bag must-have: Yes To Cucumber or Yes to Blueberry Facial Towelettes. They’re so refreshing; I love them!

My motivation comes from: Myself! It’s my own love of running and yoga that gets me out of bed at 5am or through a 20-mile long run. I love the satisfaction and sense of confidence that my runs and practice provide; it’s what keeps me coming back for more each day!

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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Hot Topic Tuesday: Would You Drink A Fat-Blocking Soda?

November 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm
By Samantha Shelton

When it’s time to slim down and ditch unnecessary calories, one of the first things to go is soda. After all, nixing the sugary beverage can help you drop pounds and lower your diabetes risk. Turns out the cola industry is trying harder to stay on your healthy-living radar, though. Hitting shelves today in Japan is Pepsi Special, a new drink that contains dextrin, a fiber that reportedly contributes to fat loss.

We were curious what our Twitter followers would think of the new drink, and whether or not they would guzzle it down if it ever makes its way to the States. Here’s what you have to say:

@LynetteNicole07: Never been into any “help” and haven’t had soda in years. No need to have it now!

@FITNESSlauren: I’m skeptical…something seems fishy about soda and weight loss! I think I’ll stick to my seltzer with lemon.

@fitterafter50: Confessions from a carbonation addict: Maybe. I just need to kick the habit!

@LockLaces: This might be unpopular, but YES! I have a secret addiction and have to keep it out of the house at all times.

@NicolettaOnline: Are you kidding me?! No! It does too many other bad things to the body!

@KGGarner: Absolutely not! I’d rather eat REAL food that would help me lose fat!

Now you tell us: would you drink soda if it helped lower fat levels?

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Top Chef All-Star Winner Richard Blais Trims Down Thanksgiving Dinner

November 12, 2012 at 9:40 am
By Samantha Shelton

While Thanksgiving is one of the most delicious meals of the year, it’s also usually the heaviest. Instead of chowing down on foods filled with oil, butter and mayonnaise, we searched for lighter fare that was still super tasty. What (or who) did we find? Bravo’s Top Chef All-Star winner, Richard Blais. We met the cooking extraordinaire at a recent Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt event, where he wined and dined us with dishes that left us feeling full and satisfied, without the “oh my gosh I need to go run 10 miles” feeling.

So what’s Blais’ big secret? Aside from the fact that he’s a top-notch chef who blows our aprons out of the water, he subbed the aforementioned ingredients with Dannon’s Oikos Greek nonfat yogurt. We didn’t miss any of the heavy-calorie items, and got to keep all the flavor. Win-win for us!

It wouldn’t be right to brag about the decadent meal this marathoner whipped up without nabbing some recipes, though. Check out the appetizer and dessert dishes below, then use them to start and end a perfect Thanksgiving meal in your own home.

Malted Panna Cotta

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 5 fl. oz. heavy cream
• 2/3 cup Dannon Oikos vanilla Greek nonfat yogurt (or use a 5.3 oz. single-serve container)
• 1 oz. sugar
• 1 oz. malted barley
• 1 gelatin sheet
• Clementine slices for garnish
• Candied ginger for garnish
• Chocolate dusted almonds for garnish

Directions

• Heat the heavy cream and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Remove liquid from the heat and add malted barley. Let steep for 1 hour.
• Strain mixture into a clean pot and stir in Greek yogurt.
• Bloom gelatin in an ice bath. Meanwhile, bring strained mixture to a simmer.
• Remove strained mixture from heat and add gelatin.
• Pour liquid into four small containers. Let chill for 2 hour or until panna cottas have set.
• Garnish each with a few slices of clementine, a scattering of candied ginger and chocolate dusted almonds.

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Music Monday: Make Your (Running) Dreams Come True

November 5, 2012 at 9:40 am
By Samantha Shelton

We may be adults now (whether we like it or not), but our favorite Disney characters will always hold a special place in our hearts. Whether it was waking up to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings, singing along to The Lion King soundtrack or re-watching Toy Story until we’d memorized every line, our animated childhood friends always gave us an extra boost of excitement, and we’re not ashamed to say they still tug at our heart strings.

I’m headed off to the land where dreams come true this weekend to race my fifth half-marathon, the Disney Wine and Dine through Disney World! To channel that childhood energy, I’ve added these top Disney tunes to my race-day playlist. Download them yourself and enjoy a blast of nostalgia – and maybe a little fairy dust.

Now you tell us: What are some of your favorite Disney songs?

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Fit Blogger We Love: with a Side of Sneakers

November 1, 2012 at 4:11 pm
By Samantha Shelton

When we first discovered Heather over at with a Side of Sneakers, one word popped into our mind: perseverance. Seriously, this girl is tough. Even though she’s been battling chronic foot and hand pain that doctors still haven’t been able to properly diagnose, she found the strength and determination to finish a triathlon, along with other various races. And mind you, this was no ordinary pain – it reached a point of barely being able to walk, sign notes or hold a pen. Yet Heather never let it become an excuse, saying “somebody else has it worse.”

We took some lessons from this athlete, and want you to as well. Keep reading to find out which sport she loves to practice, and what other goals she’s getting ready to tackle.

My favorite way to work out: Swimming. It’s not always easy to get to the pool, but I love the full body workout and cardio it provides. There’s nothing like feeling totally exhausted in a matter of minutes!

5 things I can’t live without:

• My family. Cliche, but oh so completely true.
• My camera. I love capturing all of my 9-month-old’s first moments on “film.”
• My foam roller. I’m so injury prone and this helps keep them at bay.
• My porch. I love being outside and my porch lets me be out in the sunshine even when I’m doing boring things like working or folding laundry.
• Coffee. Enough said.

On my fit life list: Finish an Ironman. Run a marathon. Climb Mt. Everest. I’m not too sure about that last one, but it sounds good, right?

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: “White Houses,” by Vanessa Carlton. I have no idea how it ended up on my iPod, but it’s there and I definitely kick it up a notch and rock out when it comes on. Lucky for the people on the treadmills next to me, I sing to myself…mostly.

My fitness mantra: Persistence is far more important than perfection.

My “I Did It” moment: A couple of years ago I came down with a mysterious condition that causes severe chronic pain in my hands and feet. I was devastated that I could no longer run. After a couple months of throwing the world’s biggest pity party, I dusted off my running shoes and signed up for a triathlon. I needed the motivation of the other two sports to fight through the pain and hit the pavement again. Crossing the finish line was one of my proudest moments because it’s something I fought so hard for. That day I vowed to never let another obstacle stand in the way of my dreams, no matter how big or small.

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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Shaq Raises $25,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Spills Shooting Secrets

November 1, 2012 at 10:01 am
By Samantha Shelton

What would you do if two minutes from now, you raised $25,000 for your favorite charity? We’d be pretty impressed! And that’s exactly how we felt earlier this month when former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal did just that for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Shaq teamed up with Tupperware’s CEO Rick Goings and the two sparred in a “kitchen faceoff” to find out who could nail a better shot. But Shaq wasn’t the one shooting hoops! A self-claimed “expert at making cereal and turkey sandwiches,” the super tall basketball star was in the kitchen using  Tupperware’s latest cooking gadgets to expand his skills and whip up fresh-fruit smoothies, while Goings shot free throws. At the end of two minutes, their numbers were tallied (smoothies and baskets made), three zeroes were tacked on and a check was written to Boys & Girls Club, a charity that Shaq was a part of himself while growing up in a rough area of New Jersey.

Before Goings started draining free throws though, Shaq gave him a few lessons on how to shoot that perfect shot (despite Shaq’s own troubles at the line, we’d say he’s got more insider knowledge than us!). Here’s the tips we nabbed so you can be a superstar next time you hit the courts, too:

• Toe the line. Step up to the free throw line and place your lead foot directly in line with the center of the rim, which will make it easier to nail a straight shot.
• Hand position is key. If you’re a righty, place your left hand on the side of the ball, and center your right directly in the middle. Keep your palms flat and wrists relaxed.
• Bend your knees. As you prep to let the ball fly, make sure there’s a good bend in your knee and keep your body centered toward the hoop. Tuck your elbow in so that it’s directly above your knee.
• Put a spin on it. Every shot needs some backspin to help it accurately get over to the net and through the hoop. When you shoot, let the ball roll off your hand all the way through your fingertips. As it’s leaving the fingertips, snap your wrist forward (toward the hoop) to give it that much-needed push.

And a bonus tip from us: visualize the ball. Before you let go, imagine that ball floating smoothly through the air and effortlessly sinking into the net. Positive thinking never hurts, and you never know what could happen! Happy shooting!

More from FITNESS:

•  Queen of the Court: Tamika Catchings
• Upgrade Your Workout: The Best Extreme Sports to Try
• 6 Gym Alternatives and Local Co-Rec Sports Leagues

 

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Carb Up and Help the Hungry on World Pasta Day

October 25, 2012 at 3:47 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Yes, you read that title correctly – we love our carbs! FITNESS fully believes in “everything in moderation,” and pasta is no exception. After all, it’s great fuel on the night before our long runs, and it’s also a super simple meal to whip up for dinner.

A new study from Barilla found that nearly 58 percent of parents say their life is more hectic than it was a year ago, and nearly 2 in 5 families find it difficult to find time to prep dinner! To celebrate World Pasta Day (yep, that’s today!) and make dinnertime just a smidge easier on all our busy readers, Barilla shared a simple pasta dish that won’t leave you feeling lethargic, but energized and properly fueled.

Click on the link below for a delicious recipe, and to find out how you can help feed the hungry!

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Fit Blogger We Love: It All Changes

October 25, 2012 at 2:42 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Change is  a big part of life, whether or not we like it, don’t you think? Sometimes, though, change can be a great thing. That’s what Cynthia decided back in 2006, when she decided that life at over 270 pounds was unacceptable and she deserved to be happy. So she made little changes and day by day, she dropped the weight. In fact, she’s lost 115 pounds and now lives a happy, healthy life! Sure, there are still every day struggles, but Cynthia openly blogs about them on It All Changes. And that’s why we love her -  without the struggles, there wouldn’t be triumph! Keep reading to found out more about her successes and why we love cheering her on.

My biggest indulgence: An allergy-free treat from Sweet Freedom Bakery in Philadelphia. My mom lives near there and it’s one place I know I can get a dessert and not worry about my allergies.

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: I have a lot of 80′s music that I work out to. The most embarrassing is “Get Down On It,” by Kool and the Gang. I always rock out to it when I’m doing squats and lunges.

My “I Did It” moment: Running a 5K after major back surgery. My doctors said I probably wouldn’t be able to do it, but I worked hard in physical therapy and was given the OK to go for it. I ran even better than I did in my first 5K!

Olympic sport I’d love to try: Skeleton. It combines my love for insanity by jumping head first down an ice course, and I’d need to work my core to steer and prevent a crash. Sounds like a thrill, plus you get a fun helmet.

My fitness mantra: “You can either throw in the towel, or use it to wipe the sweat off your face.” A friend told me this several years back and it has kept me moving and working through many ups and downs.

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave us a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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Fit Blogger We Love: Amy’s Quest

October 11, 2012 at 9:43 am
By Samantha Shelton

When we hop over to Amy’s Quest, one word comes to mind: real. Amy has maintained a 100-pound weight loss for nearly seven years, but that doesn’t mean every day is full of sunshine and butterflies. And she never tries to make us believe it’s always easy, which is what we love about her. Some posts may be short and loaded with emotional impact; others might be fun and full of zest and energy, giving us the boost we needed to lace up our sneaks for a quick run or clip in our shoes for a Spin class. Either way, popping over to her blog isn’t a bad idea if you’re in need of some inspiration from someone who’s gone through a major lifestyle change. We thought she seemed friendly enough, so we reached out to hear a bit more about the blogger behind the screen. Here’s what she had to say:

My favorite way to work out: Spinning! Ever since I strained my shoulder in a bike accident last summer, I’ve decided to keep things safe and bike indoors instead. I love the intensity!

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: I have a pretty eclectic mix of music on my workout playlists, but one song that always makes me smile is “Night Moves,” by Bob Seger.

My fitness mantra: You are stronger than you think.

My fave fit snack: Turkey breast and Laughing Cow cheese wrapped around pickled asparagus spears.

My biggest indulgence: After a night of playing baseball, the thing I look forward to most is post-game chicken wings with the team.

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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