FitSugar

Ali Larter Is In, and On, Shape

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:45:00 -0800

Ali Larter has always been one of those celebrities that I find to be inspiring, fitness wise. She always seems to have a realistic view of working out and her own body image. Her interview in the latest issue of Shape magazine provided a little more insight on what she does to stay so darn fit.

Here are highlights:

"Working out has always been part of my life," says Ali, who grew up playing sports like softball and soccer. "Now that I'm in my 30s, it's become even more important to take care of myself." A dedicated runner, Ali takes advantage of the near-perfect Los Angeles weather with 25-minute jogs three or four times a week through the Hollywood Hills. "This is nonnegotiable," she says of her two- to three-mile run. "I don't think about it, I just do it. I never, ever miss my workout. Never!"

Amen sister!

Maria Sharapova is in Shape

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I'm following Maria Sharapova religiously right now for the US Open, so I was thrilled to see her on the cover of Shape.

The debate's still up on whether or not we're loving Maria's bright red tennis dress, but here's what she had to say on dieting and working out:

Banish the word “diet” from your vocabulary: To say Maria enjoys eating is like saying she’s a pretty good tennis player. “Nothing makes me happier than having an amazing meal,” she says. “But I never diet because I need to be strong.” Maria eats three big meals a day, always making sure to have a balance of both carbs and proteins, and she snacks on fresh fruit along with a slice of ham or some other protein. And she never denies herself a sweet if she wants it. “The moment someone says I can’t have something, forget it. I want it even more,” she says. “If I crave a cookie, I eat it.”
Shake up your exercise routine: Playing tennis nearly every day can get boring, so Maria makes it a point to switch up her activities whenever she can. “I bike and do yoga. But my new favorite thing is a salsa dance class called Video-sync,” she says. The program, developed by J. Marcos at Sports Club/LA in Miami, combines dance and fitness with a focus on core work to build strong abs. The classes aren’t highly choreographed, so Maria can let loose without stressing about getting the steps right. “I love it,” she says. “It’s so energetic and fun!”

And does Maria ever give her body an exercise break? To find out, just read more

Know when to give your body a break: “I’m usually go-go-go, but when I hit the wall, that’s it - I’m done,” says Maria. Earlier this year, she injured her shoulder, which forced her to take 10 weeks off from competing. “I try to be smart about it,” she says.

“If my body is tired or injured, I’ll let it rest.” Her favorite ways to de-stress include going to spas (she loves massages) and relaxing on the beach. Shopping also helps her unwind: “I love to shop for clothes and jewelry, especially vintage stuff,” she says.

There is a lot more in the interview, so check out the September 2007 issue of Shape on newsstands now.

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Get the Bod: Rachael Ray

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:15:00 -0800

Rachael Ray's got a great outlook on working out, eating and life.

Shape Magazine asks Rachael the questions that explain how she stays looking fab while maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

Shape: So what kind of workouts do you do to burn off all that EVOO [extra-virgin olive oil]?
RR: My favorite home morning routine is 100 crunches, 100 butt lifts and at least 20 push-ups. I live in New York City but have a cabin in the mountains, so I do a lot of hiking and walking, especially with my dog, Isaboo. I do belong to a gym, but I can't get there as often as I'd like. I think a lot of women struggle to fit in exercise. That's why my new talk show is going to feature a Better Than Nothing workout segment. The idea behind it is to do the absolute minimum to maintain your weight and health -- and to make the routine simple, no special equipment required.

Shape: What's your definition of healthy eating?
RR: I don't believe in counting calories; eat in moderation and you won't have to worry about the numbers. I eat pretty much everything. Flavor is really important. If you peeked into my fridge and pantry today, you'd find almonds, cashews, goat cheese, Pecorino, salami, bacon from upstate New York, olive oil, pasta, tuna, an open bottle of white wine, tomatoes and beans. Truly relaxing during meals and enjoying the foods on your plate also matters. I make it a point to sit down, have a glass of red wine and savor my supper every night.

Shape: Workwise, you certainly have a full plate. how do you stay energized?
RR: I really love what I do. In fact, even after a full day of taping cooking shows, I'll come home and head straight for the kitchen. Cooking helps me unwind because it's so meditative. I focus on what I'm doing, not my worries or my to-do list. While I'm making dinner, I'll listen to music: anything from the Foo Fighters or Tom Jones to my husband John Cusimano's band, The Cringe. And I'm a Law & Order addict, so I'll often listen to it while I'm cooking.

Check out this and other great articles on Shape.com.

Source

Heidi Klum's Got a Good Take on Her Post-Baby Bod

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:38 -0800

Thanks to a healthy attitude - and a little encouragement from hubby Seal - Heidi Klum is working to get her body back in shape after baby number four. Still, if you're expecting the supermodel to take a turn in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, you might be surprised to learn that she won't be walking the runway this year, but playing hostess duty instead.

In an interview with US Weekly, it seems this mom is a little more realistic when it comes to shaping up her body after giving birth. Heidi told the magazine:

"I wouldn't say I'm back in the shape yet. But I don't know. Everything changes when you get older. It was different when I was 31 with the first one. Now, being 36 with the fourth one, it's different."

It seems to me the mom is setting a realistic expectation for getting back in shape and going about it the right way. She knows that it takes some work to get the bod you want, saying that, "For me, it always works to get back into it immediately. I think that if you wait too long, it kind of sticks on and it stays there forever. I have to be motivated." Still, she's not gym-crazed or diet-obsessed, adding that she's not exercising too much for now: "I walk on the treadmill a little bit. I walk on the driveway. I'm very active with the children." Sure, she's blessed with some supermodel genes (and possibly a very long driveway), but even still, Heidi's take on weight loss seems surprisingly down-to-earth to me - do you agree?

Jenna Fischer Is the Office Hottie

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of The Office, mostly because I've loved following the romance between the adorable receptionist Pam and her co-worker, now husband, Jim Halpert. Check out the cover of the November issue of Shape to see that Jenna Fischer, who plays the down-to-earth Pam, is smokin' hot once she takes off her cardigan and pearls. This wasn't always the case though.

After a horrible accident two years ago, falling down a flight of stairs and breaking her back in four places, Jenna became depressed and felt a little sorry for herself. So she drowned her sorrows with cheeseburgers and doughnuts, which led to some weight gain - 10 pounds. But once she fully recovered, Jenna started hiking with friends, cutting back on the high fat indulgences, and lost a few pounds this way. Although her life was growing hectic and she wanted to lose a few more pounds, she ditched her trainer and worked out on her own at home or hit the gym five days a week. This busy actress continues this routine to stay in shape. Jenna says, "I’m lucky because my fiancé will work out with me, and we keep each other motivated." Now she's thrilled to be back in size 26 jeans.

Proving that she is as down to earth as the character she portrays weekly, Jenna offers some simple wisdom on body image: "If I could tell women one thing, it would be that everyone worries about their bodies and what they look like in their clothes . . . But rather than complain about it, we should be laughing at our imperfections to make ourselves feel better."

Glee's Amber Riley Weighs In on the Hollywood Skinny

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:30:24 -0700

If you watch Glee, then you probably know Amber Riley as Mercedes - the gal that brought the house down on last week's episode singing Jill Scott's "Hate on Me." Like the feisty character she portrays, Amber told Life and Style magazine that as a full-figured actress, it's important to be happy with yourself. She says,

“You’re not your dress size, you’re not your shoe size, you’re not your pants size. If I’m going to wear a name tag, it’s going to say ‘Amber Riley,’ not ‘Fat Girl’!”

The self-admitted shoeaholic, Amber likes formfitting clothes rather than "plus-size clothes that look like tents." She has a shape and she wants to show it. This young actress rocks a size 16, looks up to Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson, and is brimming with confidence. In Hollywood, a land where it is rare for women to be satisfied with their looks, body, and weight, I find her positive body image refreshing. How about you?

If you're a big fan of the show, be sure to enter Buzz's Glee giveaway for a chance to hang out with one of the cast members!

What's Your Favorite Health Magazine?

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I love reading health magazines. They're perfect for long car rides, flights, or just when I'm sitting on the couch on a Sunday. They've got great tips on new exercises and recipes, and I love the motivational stories that inspire me to keep working out. Everyone has their favorite health mag, so what's yours?

Healthy Tips Straight From the White House

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:00:23 -0700

It's no secret that Michelle and President Obama are one fit couple. If you're wondering how they stay in shape with such a demanding lifestyle and with a personal pastry chef living under the same roof, the first lady has offered some tips in a recent issue of Prevention magazine.

Include exercises in your routine that offer immediate results. Michelle says, "I enjoy arm exercises because you can see what it's hitting." So make sure your workouts target a specific area every time you work out, and the consistency will pay off. Now we have more information on her famous arms.
Don't skip out on workouts. If the wife of the president of the United States can make time to work out, so can you. She wakes up at 4:30 every morning so she has time to fit it in.
Cross train and mix up your routine. Doing the same types of workouts over and over again is boring and a great way to injure yourself. So Mrs. Obama varies her workouts with Pilates, cardio, stretching, and weights.

To see the rest of Michelle's advice read more.

Have no absolute "nos." The first lady admits, "I love French fries, I like a good burger, and I like pie. And that's okay. I would be depressed if I felt I could never eat the things that I love."
Practice moderation. The presidential couple encourages their daughters to make healthy choices when it comes to not-so-healthy foods, and to not be obsessed. So if one asks, "Can I have pie?" Michelle will answer, "Did you have pie last night?" It's all about making healthy choices and finding the balance between indulging in what you love and not overdoing it.

At my house, the girls are always asking for ice cream; I'm going to try the first lady's answer.

Jennifer Love Hewitt on the Shape of Things

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:30:46 -0700

Gracing October's cover of Shape magazine, Jennifer Love Hewitt looks amazingly toned and smiley in her frilly white bikini, but she has the same insecurities all women have about their bodies. She shares:

"For the most part, yeah, I'm happy with my body, but there are days when I'm like, 'Ugh! Really? Why is it so hard to fit into my jeans?' That's when I say to myself, 'I look this way because I'm supposed to. If we all looked the same, we'd be boring.'"

I think she looks fantastic, and she's shared her tips on how she keeps her body looking healthy and fit. To hear them read more.

When it comes to her diet, Jennifer grocery shops every two days. She says, "Instead of piling up food in my fridge that says 'Come eat me!' I keep enough for only a couple of days." She rarely keeps fattening treats around to avoid temptations from her late night cravings. She says, "What am I going to do? Drive out at 11 at night just to satisfy a craving? No, that's crazy." She also eats lunch. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but in her business, many women skip out in order to stay super skinny. She opts for healthy choices like a salad with every meal, and lots of fruits and veggies.

Exercise is also top on Jennifer's list. We know she plays tennis (even in heels!), and she also enjoys running, even when she's traveling. While visiting Monaco with boyfriend Jamie Kennedy, they ran 40 minutes every morning through the streets of Monte Carlo. It's a great way to explore new places and burn calories too.

Jennifer takes care of her inner self too. At night, she says five things she finds sexy about herself, and says, "I fall asleep feeling beautiful. Then in the morning, before I leave the house, I say five things I love about myself . . . That way I can go out into the world with that little bit of extra confidence."

Tell me in the comments section below one thing that you find sexy about yourself. Go ahead and share five things if you feel it!

Speak Up: What One Question Would You Ask Gabrielle Reece?

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:30:46 -0700

Gabrielle Reece has been spreading the word about the power of fitness and health for a good long while now.

She kicked ass playing pro beach volleyball. She models. She talks fitness in Shape magazine, and she even blogs! As a mother of two, Gabby has also helped us stay fit while pregnant and bounce back after babies arrive.

I will be talking with Gabrielle soon and would love to ask her your questions too. Tell me, what one question would you ask Gabby? If you have a few questions, that's OK too. Just leave them in the comment section below.