February 2008 Blog Posts (122)

Woman loses 180 pounds, gains celebrity status

What an inspiring story. From CNN:

DOUGLASVILLE, Georgia (CNN) -- Like many young girls, Jennifer Marnell always dreamed that one day she'd become famous.

Jennifer Marnell once maxed out at 300 pounds. She lost 180 pounds and is now a fitness instructor.

Bubbling with personality and quite the ham -- she was no stranger to performing. Marnell… Continue

Added by David on February 29, 2008 at 1:26pm — 1 Comment

Sharing a Healthy Lifestyle

Members and non-members alike have highlighted or written about Iowa Avenue in their blogs. So in the spirit sharing a healthy lifestyle, I’d like to reciprocate and highlight others who share the same passion.

At AlmostFit, motivation was the topic of yesterday’s blog post, and…

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Added by Lisa Newton on February 29, 2008 at 4:27am — 2 Comments

13 Ideas for Weight Loss Accountability

Being responsible for your actions is the cornerstone of life. Starting at an early age, we are held to certain standards to “grow up.” How many of you remember a childhood incident that you will never forget because you did or didn’t do something that your parents, teacher, or friend may have been disappointed in you?

Common negative traits, albeit frequently unwarranted, are feelings of shame, humiliation, or…

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Added by Lisa Newton on February 28, 2008 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

Lets just say I'm in Saturday mode.

WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM - hilarious!

This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week

of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my… Continue

Added by Amelia on February 27, 2008 at 5:04pm — 5 Comments

Diet Overkill: 25 Of the Most Ridiculous (and Ineffective) Popular Diets

By Jessica Hupp

Some people will do anything to lose weight, even if it means defying common sense and nutrition. But just because your best friend's cousin lost 20 pounds by drinking hot-peppered lemonade doesn't mean you should do the same. These 25 diets are not only ridiculous, they're ineffective and even dangerous.

1. Atkins: Although wildly… Continue

Added by David on February 27, 2008 at 3:53pm — 6 Comments

Welcome Wednesday

So far today has been a pretty good day. I got up feeling energetic and ready to go. I worked out with Rita Moreno first thing, then got my shower. I had Kashi whole grain cereal for breakfast with a bit of organic milk. Looking forward to a walk later.

Added by Eve on February 27, 2008 at 10:55am — 1 Comment

Warning: Rant!

OK, I CANNOT deal with it anymore!

I used to be a perfectionist. Tightly wound, neurotic as the day is long, quick to take offense, a snob, and convinced I had all the answers.

Then I grew up, finally, in my early 30's.

I'm not going to get into the details of all the reasons I was the way I was, because it's a long (and not particularly interesting) story. Suffice to say, it stemmed from my upbringing (surprise!). But I TRULY believed that if I wasn't perfect,… Continue

Added by Alyssa on February 27, 2008 at 7:45am — 5 Comments

What Food do you Crave?

Photo courtesy of yusheng

First, what is a food craving? Defined by Wikipedia, a food craving is “ an intense desire to consume a particular food, as opposed to food in general. Food cravings are especially common in people following structured diet plans, and…

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Added by Lisa Newton on February 27, 2008 at 5:30am — 8 Comments

Tight Ass Tuesday - Top Six Fitness Myths

For today’s Tight Ass Tuesday feature I want to do an expose, entitled Top Six Fitness Myths, from the American Council on Exercise. What better way to get a tighter ass than to do those things that work and know which ones don’t!

My comments are in italics:

“With…

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Added by Lisa Newton on February 26, 2008 at 5:51am — No Comments

Tying the knot with time

Most of us spend a significant portion of our time seeking out relationships or improving our current ones. However, few of us think about our relationship with time itself. Fortunately, there’s a new dating website that can help us chose our best match with time. Here’s a random sample of the exciting time profiles that are available and just waiting for you to give them a call.

The Past: Version 1:

My past was amazing. I’m convinced that my present and future will never… Continue

Added by ben goldarb on February 26, 2008 at 2:01am — 1 Comment

Blast The Fat: Work Hard, Work Smart and Eat Right

There is a flood of information about weight loss out there in the marketplace. Some of it is just garbage. A general rule for you to follow with regards to weight loss is this: Don’t waste your money if the program offers a quick solution to your weight problem! Why? Because what you need is the permanent solution to your weight problem. A permanent solution takes hard, smart work and sacrifice on your part. Human nature always seeks the path of least resistance. So, you can see why… Continue

Added by Mark on February 25, 2008 at 12:30pm — 6 Comments

Blood Pressure Woes

I've been having problems with high blood pressure lately. This weekend it nearly wiped me out. My average for the last couple weeks is 149/84. Today it is 167/92, yesterday 134/84, and on the 20th 169/93. I have, thankfully, stopped having the horrendous headache that was plaguing me. Most days I just feel totally wiped out and fragile. I've had elevated blood pressure for 15 years - but never this high. Before I got my pacemaker I was having a lot of… Continue

Added by Eve on February 25, 2008 at 11:00am — No Comments

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?

National Nutrition Month started in 1973 as a weekly program. Its mission is to create “ an opportunity to promote the profession as well as to serve as a vehicle for delivering nutrition education messages to the public.”

Over the years, National Nutrition Month has had many topical and interesting themes. From the inaugural “Invest in…

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Added by Lisa Newton on February 25, 2008 at 6:00am — 7 Comments

Childhood obesity leads to higher rate of problems during surgery

Add this to the growing list of health challenges faced by obese children: A new study from the University of Michigan Health System finds that obese children are much more likely than normal-weight children to have problems with airway obstruction and other breathing-related functions during surgery.

Obese children were found to have a higher rate of difficult mask ventilation, airway obstruction, major oxygen desaturation (a decrease in oxygen in the patient’s blood), and other… Continue

Added by David on February 24, 2008 at 6:43pm — 1 Comment

Where are you from?

You have to admit, no matter where you're from, this is really funny.

Added by David on February 24, 2008 at 3:20pm — 7 Comments

I appreciate my Iowa Avenue Family

Today has been a good day. I went to church this morning. It is not quite the right church for me but it felt good to go. I will keep on checking out churches till I find the right one for me.

I spoke with David (the Life Coach from TX) the other night and it helped tremendously. He was just what I needed at the time. He was very insightful and he really helped me look at the big picture. I felt so much better after our conversation. Actually, all of you on Iowa Avenue have been a… Continue

Added by Lori on February 24, 2008 at 2:00pm — 3 Comments

Butt of steel

This is what we hear at least 5 times during our BodyFlex class routine, specifically when doing this exercise (it might seem easy coz you're lying on the floor, but sure it's not!):

1.Lie on the floor and turn on the left-hand side. Stretch your left arm or - if you don't have any problem with your shoulders - rest on your left elbow. Put your right hand on your waist.

2. Make your body a straight line.

3. Bend your knees and glue you feet together.

4. Raise… Continue

Added by lana on February 24, 2008 at 12:51pm — 4 Comments

I'm not anti-Ritalin, I'm pro-ADD

Imagine going through life with a mind like a 32-theater multiplex, but without walls separating the auditoriums. This can lead to concentration issues, general chaos, and bad haircuts. When nurtured properly, however, this mental configuration can be a gift.

A few years ago, my wife was waiting patiently for me to get ready for our weekly night out while I was busy looking through my 15 white shirts. I was unable to choose that special garment that would bring out my very best. The… Continue

Added by ben goldarb on February 24, 2008 at 8:56am — 1 Comment

Words of Inspiration

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only this that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

“People are, if anything, more touchy about being thought silly than they are about being thought unjust.”

E. B. White

“Selling to people who actually want to hear from you is more effective than interrupting strangers who don't.”

Seth Godin

“Take away my people, but leave my factories,… Continue

Added by David on February 24, 2008 at 8:41am — No Comments