I am fully obsessed with the Olympics these days, but no one grabs my attention more than an athlete who's overcome great odds to compete in Beijing. Carrie Johnson, a California native, will represent Team USA in kayaking starting today. She's got her sights set on the gold, but also on staying healthy. Carrie was diagnosed with Crohns disease — an autoimmune condition in the digestive track Read more

If you've never tried kayaking, it's worth dipping your paddle into the water. Not only is kayaking an amazing upper body workout, but it's also great for increasing flexibility in your hamstrings and strengthening your core. Plus if you get hot, you can always slip into the water to cool off. If you live by or are visiting a lake or river, rent a kayak and take a lesson. Just drifting along can Read more

I am going kayaking in a few days and while I used to kayak a good amount a few years ago, I'm thinking it's time to brush up on my skills. I'm excited for the great upper body workout, but I am nervous that I'm going to forget how to maneuver and paddle. After scouring the net (do people still say "the net"?), I came across The Beginner's Guide to Canoe & Kayak Paddling from Read more

If you're like me, the summer weather draws you outside every chance you can get. When the powerful sun is blazing, you realize the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect your skin, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Sunglasses can be really expensive, but they're totally worth it, especially if the lenses are polarized (I love the crystal clear vision). Since they are so small and Read more

Summer is here and man is it hot out! The heat can dehydrate your body and drain your energy. This combined with feeling uncomfortably sticky and sweaty can make you want to skip the workout and head for your air-conditioned living room. There are plenty of things you can do to work your body without overheating. Here are some ideas: Swim! If you hit the pool for 30 minutes, you can burn up Read more

Ahh, it's finally flip flop season. You could definitely spend $12 on a cheap pair of foam ones, but chances are your feet and back won't be too happy with you. So you might want to spring for a more expensive, yet more supportive, long lasting pair of Chaco sandals. These shoes have a durable yet comfortable sole that was specially designed to support the arch of your foot and control Read more

Having an injury on your lower body can be a big bummer (no pun intended). A bad knee or twisted ankle can put a real damper in your cardio plans. Fortunately there are ways to go around it, so here are some ideas for still getting a workout without putting too much pressure on your lower body: Swimming: Swimming is a great low impact activity and you can put a buoy in between your legs to make Read more

Kirsten Dunst has recently been spotted in Maui relaxing and getting toned with some fun kayaking. If you're lucky enough to be vacationing some place warm enough to spend some time on the water like Kirsten, then you should definitely consider kayaking. Don't be intimidated by kayaking I know there is the roll over factor, but in reality kayaking can be a very relaxing and toning experience. To Read more