WalletHub Study: 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation


With July being National Park and Recreation Month and America’s largest cities investing more than $6.4 billion on park and recreation in 2014, the leading personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation.To highlight the benefit of public spaces and recreational activities to consumers and the local economy, WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 27 key metrics. The data set ranges from parkland acreage to the number of attractions to average movie cost.
WalletHub Study: 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation

 

Best Cities for Recreation Worst Cities for Recreation
1 Cincinnati, OH 91 Anaheim, CA
2 Omaha, NE 92 Garland, TX
3 Scottsdale, AZ 93 Fremont, CA
4 Tampa, FL 94 North Las Vegas, NV
5 Boise City, ID 95 Chula Vista, CA
6 Orlando, FL 96 Hialeah, FL
7 Minneapolis, MN 97 Laredo, TX
8 St. Louis, MO 98 Irving, TX
9 Reno, NV 99 Newark, NJ
10 Denver, CO 100 Jersey City, NJ

Key Stats 

  • Madison, Wis., has 14 times as many park playgrounds per 100,000 residents as Hialeah, Fla.
  • The percentage of the population with walkable park access is 4 times higher in San Francisco than in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Washington spends 100 times more on parks per capita than Hialeah, Fla.
  • Seattle has 46 times as many coffee shops per 100,000 residents as Laredo, Texas.
  • The number of bike rental facilities per 100,000 residents is 28 times higher in San Francisco than in Tulsa, Okla.

For the full report and to see where your city ranks, please visit:
http://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-recreation/5144/



Top 3 Reasons Female Entrepreneurs Succeed


Top 3 Reasons Female Entrepreneurs Succeed
“We have seen a rise in female entrepreneurs, with over 15 million female entrepreneurs now in the United States,” says Carolin Soldo, Success Coach and Marketing Mentor. “As a coach to some of the country’s top business women, I have put together what I see as the top 3 reasons female entrepreneurs have all that it takes to be an entrepreneur.”

Businesses are Built on Solid Relationships 

“Women have the innate ability and drive to build relationships, which is critical when it comes to marketing, building teams, and working with their clients,” says Carolin. “Successful businesses thrive on healthy relationships and healthy relationships thrive on trust. Women naturally aim to cultivate trust and thereby organically grow their business through referrals and winning over potential clients.”

Gut Feeling Matters in Business

“Women are emotionally charged and often very in tune with their passions and purpose. They trust their intuition. While men focus on the structure and systems of a business, women have the ability to look inside themselves to find their true calling and purpose,” says Carolin. “This purpose and desire to follow their calling is what drives them to overcome challenges and struggles, which any entrepreneur faces in business. These experiences lead to greater persistence and the foundation of a ‘no matter what’ kind of attitude. Trusting their intuition also allows women to make decisions faster and take action.”

Selfless Attitude

“Women’s natural ability to assume the ‘caretaker’ role and give selflessly provides them with an edge. In today’s society, attracting clients to a business has more to do with giving than promoting and asking the client for money,” says Carolin. “Business success is now about showcasing what we have to offer, and providing freely without holding back, which will, in turn, cause our clients to be so much more willing and interested to work with us.”

Carolin Soldo is an Online Business and Marketing Coach with an MBA and a background of over 10 years in a high-powered corporate marketing career, Carolin’s Mission is to help passion based women entrepreneurs build their dream business and live a free and abundant lifestyle doing what they love, while making a difference in the world. Based on her own success story as an online health and fitness coach, she teaches business building, brand-identity, and online marketing strategy in her signature program From Passion to Profits™. Most importantly, she gives her clients the confidence they need to be fierce and visible in a really noisy online marketplace. With loving yet bottom-line focused advice, Carolin inspires the health and life coach community and women entrepreneurs around the world to take charge of their success and happiness by boosting their business skills, ridding themselves of limiting beliefs, and living free and abundant lives while making the impact they are here to make.



Joey Thurman’s Five Tips to Becoming A Celeb Trainer


Chicago’s top celeb trainer explains what you need to know:

There is no one more valuable on a celebrity’s trainer team than their fitness trainer. “When Chris Pratt went from ‘dad bod’ to ripped, his career skyrocketed,” explains Joey Thurman, model, celebrity fitness trainer, and nutrition expert, “He is starring in the most lucrative movie of all time, and it just couldn’t have happened without his trainer coaching him to physical perfection.”

But becoming a celeb trainer isn’t easy. It requires a unique set of skills and determination, explains Thurman. Here are his top five tips:

  1. First, you have to be willing to sweat with the best. “Listen,” says Thurman, ”It’s not enough for your body to be on point (although it definitely has to be). But you also have to be willing to sweat with your clients. Not only does this give them extra motivation, it helps them see the correct form and gives them something to work towards.”
  2. Second, you have to be able to keep secrets. “You are probably going to have to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to work with a celeb,” he says, “As a trainer, you are going to be in their home and working with them intimately. You learn about everything from their health conditions to their sex life. So you gotta be able to stay professional and keep secrets.”
  3. Third, you have to be able to speak truth to power. “It can be really hard to tell a beautiful and powerful actress that her abs need major work, but that is part of the job. I don’t believe in wasting time on tact or being phony. I tell my clients the truth, even when it could be painful to hear, and even when I could get fired because of it. At the end of the day, they respect my integrity.”
  4. Fourth, you have to stay current. “Celebs always want to know about the latest and the greatest thing. They want to be on the top of every trend, whether it’s something like SoulCycle, Bikram Yoga, Barre, juice cleanses, b-12 shots, you name it. All of those trends started in L.A.and N.Y.C. with celebs, and then they spread to the rest of the nation,” explains Thurman, “In today’s landscape, that means being on the holistic train as well. People are shying away from Western medicine a bit. They don’t want to turn to drugs for everything. As a trainer, you can be a fountain of knowledge for everything from vitamins to herbs to acupuncture to massage.”
  5. Fifth, you have to know celebrities! “You can’t work with celebrities if you don’t know any,” laughs Thurman, “So get yourself out there. Network. Go to events. Get a publicist. Have a strong media presence. Hustle, hustle, hustle!”

 

About Joey Thurman:

Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. Joey was named the best trainer in Chicago by the Chicago Sun Times in 2015 and NEWBEAUTY.com‘s top 3 favorite celebrity trainers. He has appeared on CBS, WGN, FOX, ABC and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer, published author and nutrition expert. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as U.S. News and World Report, NPR, People Magazine, Livestrong.com, BodyBuilding.com, Inspiyr, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, American Global Traveler, CaliDiet, Chicago Sun Times, and Brazen Women.   Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, Kohl’s, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), a Certified Corporate Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and a FITchef. Fitness Reel:  http://youtu.be/2ljeGMEhSME



GNC Shares Fall on Disappointing Results


PITTSBURGH — GNC, which has faced government scrutiny about the nutritional supplements it sells, said Thursday that its profit fell more than 9 percent during its first quarter as sales slipped. The company also lowered its earnings and revenue outlooks for the year.

Its shares fell more than 8 percent in midday trading.

The retailer reached a deal last month with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to test its herbal supplements to confirm their authenticity. The deal came after Schneiderman’s office sent letters to GNC and other retailers in February, alleging that store brand herbal supplement products weren’t what they said they were. Other attorneys general around the country have asked Congress to investigate the herbal supplements industry.

On Thursday, GNC reported first-quarter profit of $63.3 million, or 72 cents per share, down from $69.9 million, or 75 cents per share, a year ago.

Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 75 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 81 cents per share.

The Pittsburgh-based company said revenue fell less than 1 percent to $670.2 million in the period, also missing Street forecasts. Analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $695.4 million.

The company now expects full-year earnings in the range of $3 per share to $3.15 per share, compared with its previous forecast between $3.10 per share and $3.15 per share. Analysts expected earnings of $3.15 per share, according to FactSet.

It now expects full-year revenue growth in the low single digits. It previously expected a “mid single digit increase.” Analysts expected revenue to rise 4.4 percent to $2.73 billion, according to FactSet.

GNC Holdings Inc., based in Pittsburgh, operates more than 8,900 stores around the world.

Its shares fell $3.91, or 8.3 percent, to $43 in midday trading. They have fallen more than 4 percent over the past year.

Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GNC at http://www.zacks.com/ap/GNC

Via Associated Press



Nike Inspires Women to Get Active


nike mexico

For the first-time in Mexico, Nike offered a women’s-only 21K race for 5,000 women.

WOMEN TAKE TO THE STREETS OF MEXICO CITY EMPOWERED BY MOVEMENT AND COMMUNITY
Following the launch of Nike’s #betterforit initiative to inspire women to get active, Nike hosted two days of sweat-drenched activities in Mexico City just for her. More than 6,500 women hit their #betterforit milestones with a five-hour Nike+ Training Club (N+TC) experience and a 21K race.

The Mexico City N+TC Tour stop, at the iconic World Trade Center building, saw 1,500 women at six different workouts, which ranged from NTC to Adrenaline Hit.

The events are the latest step toward Nike’s long-standing commitment to help women achieve their personal goals. The participants in Mexico City added kilometers to their Nike+ Running App and achieved multiple training sessions with the N+TC App over the last three months of training.

At part of the Mexico City N+TC Tour stop, at the iconic World Trade Center building, 1,500 women raised their heart rates at six different breakout workouts, which ranged from NTC to Adrenaline Hit.

“The space buzzed with an amazing energy — there was never a lull. It was inspiring to see women of all fitness levels push and help one another to finish,” said Flor Beckmann, a Nike Master Trainer who has been leading the N+TC Tour across the globe.

Additionally, and for the first time in Mexico, Nike offered a women’s-only 21K race for 5,000 women. The starting line at Fuente de la Diana Cazadora (Fountain of Diana the Hunter) served as an immediate tribute to women. It is one of the few monuments in the city that celebrates women’s freedom, and one of the most relevant pieces of Mexican art near Paseo de la Reforma. The race route touched other symbols of the city such as the Angel de la Independencia statue, and then crossed over the Bosque de Chapultepec, the large forest in the heart of the city. The highest point of the circuit reached 2,383 meters above sea level. Road bicycle racer Ingrid Drexel and heptathlete Jessamyn Sauceda cheered on the field.

“As an athlete, I embrace the competitive mindset. It’s as much about the other athletes as it’s about competing with myself, pushing myself to really go for it,” said Sauceda. “Looking at that field of women, I felt that drive from them — the unrelenting mindset to go for it and be better because of it.”

Mexico Nike Women

The winner of the 21K race, Karina Pérez, broke her personal best after reaching the finish line in 1 hour and 24 minutes. “The best prize was to have conquered my mind. Nothing in life is easy. Life is full of challenges and this race was not easy, but I overcame my challenge, crossing the finish line winning the Nike Mexico 21K,” said Pérez, an elite runner from Tlaxcala who has been running professionally for the last nine years.

#BETTERFORIT JOURNEY

As part of the training journey that led up to the race, Nike offered two Run Clubs dedicated to women that attracted more than 2,500 participants. These run clubs also included special functional training sessions with N+TC. Athletes also found support through Nike’s digital community of nearly 70 million women. The Nike+ ecosystem, which includes the Nike+ Running App and N+TC App, provides customized running and training programs to help women reach their goals.

This weekend’s events help drive the women’s sport movement to grow and evolve, both as women bond with one another and as Nike expands the sport and fitness lifestyle in new places. Connecting to a global community of female athletes, #betterforit stands out as Nike’s largest initiative to support and motivate women’s athletic journeys. To learn more, visit nike.com/women.

If you’re brave enough to try, you’re strong enough to finish.

#betterforit

Story and Images Via Nike



Inner Strength: Manny’s Winning Mindset


Manny Pacquiao
INNER STRENGTH: MANNY PACQUIAO FIGHTING AND FOCUSED
Manny Pacquiao may have the biggest shoulders in all of sports. Every day he trains, and every time he steps into the ring, the 5-foot-7 boxer carries the weight of a nation.

In addition to the expectations of more than 100 million Filipinos, Pacquiao is perpetually surrounded by fans, training partners, business partners, media and entrepreneurs looking for something from him. So many people want a moment of his precious time that it has to be parceled out daily between training sessions, sparring, meals and precious sleep.

When you add up the mountain of potential distractions he faces in any given day, focus becomes the most important element of Pacquiao’s training and preparation. Never has this been truer than in the lead up to his much-anticipated fight in Las Vegas on May 2.

“I love to have people around me while I’m training. But you have to prepare your mind, train your mind,” said Pacquiao, the only boxer to have held world championship titles in eight different weight divisions. “When you focus, you don’t have to worry about, ‘Oh, what am I gonna do? Maybe I’m not ready,’ or anything like that. But you have peace of mind and you’re ready to fight.”

In the area around the gym where he trains in Los Angeles, Pacquiao has become a quasi spectator sport. Pacquiao’s relentless training regimen may not be solitary, but he has trained his mind to shut out the distractions surrounding him while running, side-stepping stadium steps, doing core workouts and heavy ball throws.

“When I was 16 years old, I worked hard. I trained, trained, trained, trained [the] whole day. When you’re getting older, you have to balance…balance your body. You have to give time for your body to rest.”

Pacquiao began his boxing career as an amateur in Manila when he was 14, turning pro before the age of 17.

Now 36, Pacquiao is training for the most publicized fight of his career. Over the past two decades he’s learned a lot about himself and about the best ways to prepare his mind and body.

“You have to survive,” said Pacquiao. “You have to go through the hard work before you get the crown.”

Via Nike, Inc.



Four New Events Added to 2015 GoPro Mountain Games


Go Pro Mtn Games

With close to 15 years behind it and a forward-looking approach to keep innovating year after year, the GoPro Mountain Games event organizers are pleased to announce four new events for participation and spectating this year: Coors Light S2 Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Cross, Coors Light Down River R2 Raft Sprint, The Tudor Ultimate River Challenge and Vibram Disc Golf.

The continued growth and success of the GoPro Mountain Games requires the event to expand into a new full day of competition and festival activity on Thursday, June 4.

“We experienced significantly larger crowds on Thursday last year which reflects a desire to start the weekend earlier and enjoy all that the event has to offer. In response to this growth and demand, we will open Gear Town, Adventure Village, and River Town on Thursday and hold a selection of events, demos, group rides and free activities. All the fun and excitement of GoPro Mountain Games now starts one day earlier,” said Mike Imhof, Senior Vice President of Sales & Development at the Vail Valley Foundation.

New events being added in 2015 include the S2 SUP Cross. Similar to the existing and popular SUP cross event, S2 SUP Cross will add a tandem component. Teams of two will battle it out head-to-head on C4 Waterman Raptor boards in this every-man/woman-for-themselves-format. The first team of two that survives the sprint through Vail Village and Vail’s Whitewater Park will take the top spot on the podium. Teams must cross the finish line together, and on their boards.

Identical in format to the Down River Kayak and SUP Sprints, the R2 Raft Sprint is a four mile raft race (two person rafts) on the Class II/III whitewater of Gore Creek from East Vail to the Covered Bridge in Vail Village. With a rally race format, rafters drop at timed intervals and teams will be racing against the clock.

To complement the new water events, this year for the first time GoPro Mountain Games organizers will name an Ultimate Riverman and Ultimate Riverwoman. To be crowned victor of the Ultimate River Challenge, competitors must compete, back-to-back-to-back, in the Down River Kayak Sprint, Down River SUP Sprint and Down River R2 Raft Sprint on Gore Creek. The Ultimate Riverman & Ultimate Riverwoman will be crowned based on the lowest combined time in all three events.

And finally, a sport that previously saw casual participation, as a demo or expo village activity, will be formerly instated into the event line up as Disc Golf becomes an official competition of the GoPro Mountain Games, complete with a prize purse. Disc Golf – described most simply as traditional golf with a Frisbee®, will be offered with a GoPro Mountain Games twist. Competitors will need to survive two qualifying rounds before actually playing a round of disc golf. Qualifiers will consist of various skills competitions in the heart of Vail Village. Players with the best skills in qualifying will step up and play a round of golf to be crowned champions at a to-be-determined course.

“Though the Mountain Games is a well-established event in Vail and throughout the mountain sports community, we are constantly looking at ways to incorporate new mountain events, activities and participants,” said Imhof. “These four new events will enhance an already dynamic weekend of competing and spectating for our athletes and guests.”

Registration and lodging for the 2015 GoPro Mountain Games are available at www.gopromountaingames.com. Participants are encouraged to register early to save on costs. Spectating at the GoPro Mountain Games and all concerts are free and open to the public.

About the GoPro Mountain Games/Vail Valley Foundation
The GoPro Mountain Games is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. The Vail Valley Foundation is a Colorado 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to enriching the Vail Valley and sustaining its unique spirit through the delivery of unparalleled arts, world class athletics and inspiring education programs throughout the community. For additional information on the GoPro Mountain Games, please visit http://www.mountaingames.com. For the Vail Valley Foundation, please visit www.vvf.org.

Connect with the Mountain Games on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRO)
GoPro, Inc. is transforming the way people capture and share their lives. What began as an idea to help athletes self-document themselves engaged in their sport has become a widely adopted solution for people to capture themselves engaged in their interests, whatever they may be. From extreme to mainstream, professional to consumer, GoPro enables the world to capture and share its passion. And in turn, the world has helped GoPro become one of the most exciting and aspirational companies of our time.

For more information, visit www.gopro.com or connect with GoPro on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or LinkedIn.

GOPRO® and HERO® are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro Inc. in the United States and other countries.



NBCSN Presents Live Coverage of USA Track & Field


NBCSN PRESENTS LIVE COVERAGE OF THE USA TRACK & FIELD PENN RELAYS AND DRAKE RELAYS THIS SAT., APRIL 25, BEGINNING AT 12:30 PM ET
4.5 Hours of Live Track & Field Coverage Coverage Available on NBC Sports Live Extra

STAMFORD, Conn. –  NBCSN presents live coverage of “USA vs. the World” at the Penn Relays and the Drake Relays presented by HyVee this Sat Saturday, April 25, at 12:30 p.m. ET, immediately followed by the Drake Relays at 3 p.m. ET. The Penn Relays and Drake Relays are part of the USA Track & Field Championship Series.

Coverage from the Penn Relays at Franklin Field includes U.S. men’s and women’s 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and 4x400m relay. Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin leads Team USA in the men’s competition, with youth star Kaylin Whitney headlining the women’s team.

NBCSN’s coverage of the Drake relays include men’s and women’s 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay, highlighted by Olympic gold medalists LaShawn Merritt, Team USA, and Kirani James of Granada facing off during the men’s 4x400m relay. Additional events include:

  • Olympic gold medalist and World Record holder Aries Merritt facing 2013 World Champion David Oliver and Olympic gold medalist Ashton Eaton in the men’s 110 hurdles
  • 2013 World Champion Brianna Rollins facing off against 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson in the women’s 100 meter hurdles
  • Olympic medalist Sanya Richards-Roll headlining the women’s 400m
  • Olympic champion Christrain Taylor battling two-time Olympic silver medalist Will Claye in the Men’s triple jump

Paul Bumeister hosts coverage of the Penn Relays, joined by Olympic gold medalist Dan O’Brien, two-time Olympic medalist Lauryn Williams and Carolyn Manno at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Penn.

Todd Harris handles the call for the Drake Relays from Des Moines, Iowa, joined by four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon, Lewis Johnson, and Paul Swangard.

NBC Sports Live Extra
NBCSN’s coverage of the USA Track and Field Penn Relays and Drake Relays will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Windows Store.

SOURCE NBC SPORTS GROUP



2015 Drake Relays Includes Women’s Masters Invitational


DES MOINES, Iowa, April 23, 2015  – The world-renowned Drake Relays will include a Masters Invitational Women’s 800m (Final), at Drake Stadium, 11:17 AM this Saturday, April 25.  The stadium is at 2719 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50311.  The star-studded field includes several age-group World and American record holders in the 400-800 and Olympic Trials qualifiers.

Mark Cleary, USATF Masters Invitational Chair, said, “We are hoping for a new meet record to come out of this field. It’s our largest field yet. Great weather is forecasted, 62 to 64 degrees.”

Drake Relays Facts:

  • 327,429 Athletes have competed within the 102 year history.
  • Overall attendance for Drake Relays has reached 2,541,417 people.
  • Saturday Sessions at Drake have sold out for 46 Consecutive Years.
  • Between Drake Relays Staff, Volunteers, Track Officials, and Support Staff, over 1,144 people put in a collective total of approximately 224,220 hours yearly.

Masters 800 Women’s Invitational Names  (Age) Affiliation, Hometown  Notes

Felicia Bishop, (Age 47) Ronald McDonald House of Providence Running Club, Barrington, Rhode Island

Chris Gentile, (Age 45) The Janes Elite Racing, Castle Rock, Colorado, defending champion.  Chris’s winning time last year was 2:24.9. Chris ran for Villanova University.  She qualified for the 800, and the 1500 Meter Olympic trials in 2000, at Sacramento, CA.

Alisa Harvey , (Age 49) RIADHA, Manassas, Virginia, Event Record Holder, with a time of 2:17.78.  She ran at the Olympic trials in New Orleans in ’91 (1500 Meter Run, sixth place), and is the Current Masters World Record holder for the Indoor 800 (W45-49), and the Indoor American Record holder in the 800 (W40-44). She also holds the Outdoor American Record in the 800 (W40-44), and (W45-49) with a time of 2:13.67.

Kate Maurer, (Age 43) Ankeny, Iowa, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Donna Mills, (Age 50) Orange City, IA, unattached.

Kara Parker, (Age 45) St.Paul, Minnesota, former track star for the University of Minnesota.

Christine Price, (Age 46) Runablaze Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, second place last year in this race.

Charmaine Roberts, (Age 47) Athena, Washington, District of Columbia. Current Masters World Indoor Champion in the (W45-49) 400/800 with a Pending American Record for the Indoor 400 Meter Run.

Jill Vollweiler, (Age 46) So Cal Track Club, Purchase, NY, this is her third year running the event.

Laurie Wisotsky, (Age 44) So Cal Track Club, Largo, Florida

Cleary added, “Drake Relays Meet Director Brian Brown and Assistant Meet Director Carolyn  Hill have been fantastic to work with. They deliver a great meet for the athletes every year and have made all the Masters athletes with the Invitational program feel valued and supported.  We appreciate Brian including us in this amazing Meet.”

SOURCE: Robert Weiner Associates and USATF Masters Media Committee



Tips on Eating for You – And for Two


It’s no surprise it’s important to eat right, but good nutrition is especially important for women looking to conceive and during pregnancy. Nutrient needs change to make way for baby, and mom needs to alter her diet to help her baby grow healthy from day 1. From folic acid and fiber to prenatal vitamins, what are the best nutritional choices you can make when you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant?

Foods high in fiber
Keep your body moving with high fiber foods including beans, whole-grain breads, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and high fiber cereals. The USDA recommends pregnant women eat 6-11 servings of grains and 4+ servings of vegetables a day.

Dairy (or non-dairy alternatives)
Drink your calcium! Whether you choose cow’s milk or non-dairy drinks like rice milk, soy milk, or almond milk, make sure you drink at least four servings a day so that you reach the necessary 1000-1300 mg of calcium that your body needs during this time. Yogurt and cheese are other excellent sources of calcium, but be aware that some yogurt is loaded with sugar.

Iron-rich foods
Enjoy iron rich foods that are also high in protein including meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, but make sure they are fully cooked or pasteurized (see Foods to Avoid, below). You should be getting 27 mg of iron each day. Take your iron with vitamin C rich foods to ensure good absorption.

Foods high in vitamin C and vitamin A
Did you know that a green pepper has more vitamin C than an orange? To get the daily recommended 70 mg of vitamin C, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Orange vegetables and green vegetables will help you meet your vitamin A requirements.

Folic acid
Many cereals are fortified with folic acid, but you can find it naturally in beans and dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach. It is vital to start taking folic acid before you conceive to decrease the risk of birth defects.

Prenatal Vitamins
Even if you do eat a healthy diet, the USDA and doctors recommend taking a prenatal multivitamin every day. A prenatal vitamin like Rainbow Light’s Prenatal One™ Multivitamin or Complete Prenatal System™ Multivitamin provides the extra folic acid, iron and other nutrients that support the important nutritional needs that your growing baby requires.

Tips on Eating for You – And for Two
By Marci Clow, MS, RDN of Rainbow Light



5 Ways to Kick Cravings


Kick Cravings With Healthy Alternatives
Nutrition Expert Explains How To Tame Your Junk Food Urges

Now that 2015 is well under way, millions of people have all but abandoned their New Year’s resolutions to eat healthy and lose weight. However, with recent statistics showing that the obesity rate in the United States has reached 27.7% (the highest obesity rate ever), now is not the time to give into your cheese fry cravings.

Luckily, it is possible to eat healthy and drop pounds without suffering. Celebrity fitness/nutrition expert and creator of The Lifestyle Renovation Joey Thurman explains how:

5 Ways to Kick Cravings

1.  Start Smart. People say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. “That may be true,” says Thurman, “But all too often I see people use this mantra as an excuse to load up on Sausage McMuffins or donuts in the office break room. That’s not doing your waist (or your heart) any favors. Instead, get up 15 minutes earlier and make yourself a warm breakfast at home, be that steel-cut oats with fresh fruit or an omelet with sweet potato hash.”

2.  Eat for the Body You Want, Not The Body You Have. “People have a defeatist attitude when it comes to their body. They think ‘I am already fat, why not have another slice of pizza? But this type of thinking is what keeps people stuck in unhealthy lifestyles,” says Thurman, “Ask yourself: ‘If I was 10 pounds lighter, what would I eat for lunch today? Would I have the burger or the salad?’ Think with your thin self in mind.”

3.  Think Clean. Counting calories can be overwhelming and boring. “Instead of reading labels and counting points, just start focusing on eating clean, whole foods,” says Thurman. “Stop buying processed foods and eating out. Make your own dinner and bring your lunch. You will save money and look better as a result.”

4.  Stop Giving Up. “If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up,” says Thurman. “It’s time to stop thinking about this as a temporary diet. It’s a lifestyle change, a total and complete renovation.”

5. Harness the Power of Juicing. “I love fresh fruits and veggies, especially when they are juiced (or blended,) and easy for me to take on the go. For example, I blend my veggies in a Nutribullet or blender to make sure I get all of the nutrients AND fiber! I often blend pineapple, lemon, spinach, cucumber, and cayenne pepper whenever I want energy…best of all, it boosts the metabolism as well!”

About Joey Thurman:
Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, and nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. He has appeared on CBS, FOX, ABC, and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer and published author. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as BodyBuilding.com, Racked, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, and American Global Traveler. Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) with the American Council on Exercise, a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS) and a FITchef. For more information, please visit www.thelifestylerenovation.com and follow Joey on Instagram and Twitter at @JoeyThurmanFit.



Pro Surfer Lakey Peterson Joins First Descents


lakey-peterson

DENVER, Colo. (January 12, 2015) – First Descents, a non-profit that provides life-changing outdoor adventure programming for young adults impacted by cancer, expands its Ambassador Team with the addition of pro surfer Lakey Peterson.

Peterson, who was already surfing competitively by age 11, has proven herself as one of the most progressive and talented females in the sport. At the age of 17, in her “rookie” year on the ASP Women’s Pro Tour, she won the prestigious U.S. Open of Surfing. In 2013, she starred in the critically acclaimed “Zero to 100,” a thrilling documentary about her rise to the top of the sport. Peterson is currently ranked fifth in the world.

“Lakey was introduced to us through our longstanding partnership with Smith Optics and through her personal connection to cancer,” states Sarah Hubbard, director of marketing for First Descents. “Her commitment to giving back, paired with her incredible zest for living life to its fullest is the perfect combination for a First Descents ambassador. We are honored to welcome her into the FD family.”

Peterson has proven that she takes the hands-on type of approach to philanthropy that is ideal for an experiential organization like First Descents. She has helped implement clean water initiatives in 3rd world countries, she supports ocean conservation and education groups and is deeply passionate about raising awareness for cancer through connections to several children’s hospitals in Southern California.

“First Descents uses surfing as a catalyst to help young adults with cancer learn to live again,” says Peterson. “This sport teaches me something about life every time I paddle out. If I can help someone learn to surf as a way to move past this terrible disease and feel strong and capable again, it doesn’t get better than that.”

By joining the First Descents Ambassador team, Peterson will be a spokesperson for the non-profit as well as participate in surfing programs slotted for 2015. Peterson joins an impressive team of athlete ambassadors which includes: pro kayaker, Adrienne Levnecht; renowned climber and yogi, Olivia Hsu; World Cup skier and founder of Soul Poles, Bryon Friedman; AMGA/IFMGA mountain guide, Joey Thompson – as well as community and celebrity ambassadors Ethan Zohn, Ryan and Trista Sutter, and Travis Stork. To learn more about the FD Ambassador Team, please visit www.firstdescents.org.

To learn more about Lakey Peterson or follow her progress on this year’s tour, go to www.lakeypeterson.com.

About First Descents
First Descents is a non-profit organization offering young adults (ages 18-39) with cancer a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same. For more information on First Descents programming, or how to get involved, head to www.firstdescents.org.

Follow First Descents on Facebook.



Gabby Reece Partners with Pivotal 5 for HIGHX Launch


high-x

“I look forward to using HIGHX as a platform to inspire men and women worldwide to embrace healthy living.” – Gabrielle Reece

Pivotal 5, LLC, a proven leader in commercial fitness and wellness solutions, announced that in partnership with Gabrielle Reece, the global launch of HIGHX, powered by Lifeline functional training products. An innovative group fitness program, HIGHX is a high intensity explosive training and conditioning program designed to maximize the body’s ability to burn fat, build muscle, optimize the body’s hormone and physiological response to exercise while improving overall daily and athletic performance. HIGHX is a functional, systematic training format structured into multiple circuits to engage, coach and retain participants and members.

Reece has been a dominant force on and off the pro beach volleyball circuit. As a result of years of personal experience and experimentation for her relentless pursuit to elevate her own fitness led her to create the HIGHX program.

“I look forward to using HIGHX as a platform to inspire men and women worldwide to embrace healthy living” said Reece. “I started training the local community of Kauai, Hawaii a few years ago in a humble converted warehouse. With the goal of providing friends as well as myself the optimal functional training workout, but yet still accommodate a busy schedule, HIGHX training was born. I am thrilled to be partnering with LifeLine to make HIGHX available worldwide.

Lifeline, a fitness leader for over 40 years, continuously develops revolutionary training tools that set the benchmark in professional grade product used for bodyweight, progressive variable resistance and functional training.

“We are very excited to work with such an authentic, contagious, and high profile person as Gabby on the commercial launch of the HIGHX programming,” stated Pivotal 5 President and CEO Adam Schumacher. “The innovation of Lifeline equipment, coupled with the explosive and revolutionary programming of HIGHX is a perfect solution to bridge the gap in functional training.”

For more information on Lifeline and HIGHX visit LifelineUSA.com and HIGHXTraining.com. Lifeline is currently distributed in 24 countries and in over 2000 fitness facilities. HIGHX will launch worldwide in 2015.

About Gabrielle Reece
Dubbed one of the world’s sexiest athletes, former Women’s Beach Volleyball League star and fitness icon Gabrielle Reece, also known as Gabby, possesses a look that conveys both athleticism and feminine beauty. At 6’3”, Gabby is a dominant force on and off the pro beach volleyball circuit. Her commanding presence, passion for healthy living, and fitness expertise makes her a popular public speaker on the subjects of health and wellness. She routinely provides advice and guidance on fitness, nutrition, and active living, via gabbyandlaird.com. An avid proponent of empowering people to take responsibility for their own health, plus truly authentic example of healthy living, Gabby has become a role model to women worldwide regarding how to achieve peak fitness, good health, and overall well-being for themselves and their entire family

About Lifeline
Lifeline, a fitness leader for over 40 years, continuously develops revolutionary training tools that define the benchmark in professional grade products used for bodyweight, progressive variable resistance and functional training. Founded in 1973 by fitness hall of fame icon Bobby “Sugar” Hinds, creator of legendary products such as the first beaded jump rope and the Lifeline Portable Gym, Lifeline continues to be dedicated to defining and developing exclusive exercise tools powered by Innovation.

About Pivotal 5
Pivotal 5 is an industry leader and trendsetter in wellness and handheld fitness products. The company has a dynamic portfolio of products in yoga, prevention & rehabilitation, general fitness, athletic training and specialty fitness categories. Its brands include Natural Fitness, Rejuvenation | Prevent + Perform + Recover, KettleWorX, PER4M and Lifeline. In addition, Pivotal 5 has developed a product line under licensed brand Iron Gym. Pivotal 5 has built a talented, competitive infrastructure focusing on innovative brand/product development, direct to consumer product supply and retail distribution through retail, infomercials and fitness facilities worldwide. More information is available at http://www.Pivotal5.com.

News via gabriellereece.com



Going Far With Agar in Your Diet


Going Far With Agar in Your Diet
Registered Dietitian Discusses the Benefits of Agar

Agar, the dietary supplement originally derived from seaweed, is the latest craze in the health and wellness community. Although it is virtually flavorless and odorless, agar offers a plethora of health benefits. According to Keren Gilbert MS, RD, a registered dietitian and certified nutritionist, everyone could benefit from adding more of this Asian supplement into their daily diet.

“In addition to being high in fiber, loaded with minerals, and low in calories, agar acts as an appetite suppressant by expanding and absorbing water in the stomach, leaving you with a greater feeling of fullness,” notes Gilbert, Founder and President of Decision Nutrition™, a nutrition consulting firm. “A diet rich in agar certainly provides the body with the tools it needs for healthy weight loss, or maintaining optimal health.”

When cooking with agar, it is important to note that it exists in several forms, including powder, flakes, and blocks. “The substance is commonly used as a gelatinous thickener for soups, jelly and ice cream, to create a more wholesome and filling option,” Gilbert continues.

“Being that agar is free from nearly all allergens (soy, gluten, corn, lactose, starch, eggs, etc.) it makes for an incredible culinary ingredient. In the near future, I believe we will see it as a staple element for healthy diets.”

About Keren Gilbert MS, RD:
Keren Gilbert is a nutritionist and the Founder and President of Decision Nutritionâ„¢, a nutrition consultant firm in Great Neck, NY and Roslyn, NY. Keren has years of experience in both clinical and private settings and has counseled patients with a variety of nutrition related issues including obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, pre natal, pregnancy and digestive issues. Keren is a registered dietitian and certified nutritionist in the state of New York. Keren completed her Masters degree in nutrition and food studies from New York University (NYU) and completed her dietetic residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She is an accredited member of the American Diabetic Association and the Greater New York Dietetic Association. She is a member of Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Business, The Diabetes Care and Education Diabetic Practice Group and Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN). For more information visit www.decisionnutrition.com or visit Keren on Facebook at Decision Nutrition.



Don’t Call it A Comeback… She’s Been Here Before


Krissy Chin has graciously agreed to share her journey back to competition here on HARDBODY. Krissy brings us up to speed on what she’s been doing and what’s ahead for her. She’s a champion on and off the stage.

krissy chin
KRISSY’S CORNER – HARDBODY JOURNAL
By Krissy Chin

Hello Hardbody Peeps:)!

First, I just want to say that I am SO #EXCITED to be blogging here on Hardbody! I have been a BIG TIME fan of Hardbody from day 1!

I hope everyone’s year is off to a great start! My name is Krissy Chin & I am an IFBB Figure Pro, Team Gaspari Athlete, new MOM-Yeah!!!! and you can also find me emceeing NPC/IFBB shows throughout the year. My education is in physical therapy and health sciences where I hold a dual degree-Masters of Science in Physical Therapy & a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences. I was propelled into health & fitness when I lost both my parents to cancer in the 1990’s. I then decided that I wanted to get a better grasp on my own health and well-being and I wanted to live a healthy lifestyle after seeing how fragile life could be. Well that was about 20 years ago and I can proudly say that I am still, if not more extremely passionate about health, wellness, fitness and helping & inspiring others whenever & however I can.

My incredible journey in the NPC began in 2003 and I earned my IFBB Pro card in 2007 at the Figure Nationals/Team U in New York by winning my class. I feel blessed to have qualified for the Figure Olympia 4X and have competed at the Figure International (Arnold) twice thus far in my career. My last show was the 2012 IFBB Pro Governor’s Cup where I placed 2nd while being 6-weeks pregnant. You are probably wondering, “Why did she compete while she was pregnant?!” Well, I had no idea I was even pregnant and here is how the story goes. I was 4-weeks out from competing in the 2012 California Pro when I knew something was just not right. My body was not responding how it typically did for prep and I felt bloated and constipated. Coach Kim Oddo even asked me if I ate something that I wasn’t supposed to because I had this lil “pooch” at the base of my 6-pack, which I never had! Well, after 3 home pregnancy tests and a visit to my OB/GYN, it was confirmed that I was 12 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Shocker to say the least especially since I was on birth control pills & we were not planning on getting pregnant just quite yet.

I went from full on prep mode to full on BABY MODE! Since my pregnancy was not planned and I missed my 1st trimester, I quickly researched, read and learned as much as I could about pregnancy and about having a baby. I have to say that I did enjoy my whole pregnancy and I loved being pregnant. I was glad that I didn’t experience any nausea or morning sickness, any swelling, back pain or any other symptoms that other expecting moms have experienced. Throughout my pregnancy, I made sure that I kept myself properly nourished, hydrated, rested and I kept myself in a really good, calm & peaceful place both spiritually and mentally. I also got regular prenatal massages & continued training up until 40-weeks without any difficulty. However, I must point out that my training did change during the pregnancy since my goal had changed once I became pregnant. My goal for training during my pregnancy was to stay healthy & strong for my baby and for myself, which I successfully accomplished. At 41-weeks, I had to be induced since my Dr. said that Baby London was quite cozy in the womb and I was at complete ZERO dilation. After 33 hrs of labor, I was able to successfully have a vaginal birth. Beautiful Baby London MeiLan was born a healthy 7 lbs. 13 oz. on Nov. 26th, 2012.

Fast forward to today, London is now 17.5 months (almost 1 1/2 yrs. old) and I am less than 4-weeks away from making my return to the IFBB Pro stage!! I debated for a bit about whether or not to compete again. Truth be told, I am a true competitor at heart and I truly missed competing so much! There were other factors which also influenced my final decision to compete which were, I really love being in tip top shape conditioning wise so I wanted to see what my body was capable of doing post-baby and if I knew I had the adequate time to prep without taking away from baby London. London is my number one. For me it was so important to give 200% to London that first year of her life and just nurture and love her as best as I could. I was with her 24/7 until only recently when I started her in daycare twice a week at 16 months of age. I did not even contact Coach Kim to initiate prep until London was 14 months of age. I just didn’t want to take anything away from London. In addition, Rich Gaspari and Gaspari Nutrition recently re-signed me to a 2-yr athlete contract (Wohooo!!), which also solidified my decision to compete. I am #EXCITED to announce that my 1st show of the 2014 season will be the IFBB Northern California Pro Bikini!

I would say that life has significantly changed since becoming a mom. I’ve had to become even more organized, learn to REALLY multi-task, do things at a much quicker pace and I’ve learned to be creative when things change or something comes up in order to accommodate London and her needs. The biggest challenge for me when first getting back into training was leaving London for the 30 min or for the hour. I must admit, I still have a hard time being away from her. Yes, I am that in love with our precious daughter. In the beginning, it was also a challenge to find the time to fit everything in that I needed to get done while caring for London. Since Troy and I don’t have family here in California, it has been the two of us working together as a team to manage our schedules, care for our precious baby and for our 2 fur babies. It was also a bit of a challenge for me the first few months since I was a first time mom alone at home and I was, “learning the ropes.” Now that London is almost 1 1/2 yrs of age & is in daycare 2-3X/week, everything has gotten a lot more manageable & has allowed me to get all my training in, cardio done, food prepped and all my work done- Gaspari appearances, online clients, posing clients and all my other responsibilities completed. With all that said and done, I must admit that I absolutely LOVE being a mom and that London has just been the biggest, most beautiful blessing!

Until next time, train hard, be happy and live each day to its fullest!

With Love,

Krissyxo

Follow Krissy on..
Twitter – KRISSYCHIN
Instagram – krissychin
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PROKRISSYCHIN
Gaspari – http://www.gasparinutrition.com/teamgaspari/krissychin/



Dina Al Sabah Healthy & Fit Pregnancy Update


Checking in from the 3rd Trimester at 28 weeks !!

Lots to catch up on since I last touched base. I visited DC, celebrated my 40th birthday, took the gestational diabetes screening test (gag!), had my maternity shoot and started working on the baby room.

dina al sabah fitness

At the start of February, I decided that I needed to make more of an effort to walk more. Even with cardio, I felt that I could be more active, so I bought a Fitbit Flex. It was surprising to find out that on an average day, I did not meet the 10,000 steps that are recommended. Most of us have jobs where we sit all day, and unless we make conscious decisions to move, we end up not doing much. I have been incorporating a daily walk along with my gym workouts which has helped keep my step count above 10,000. My husband thinks I have lost my mind as I have started marching about during TV commercials, but I think it is a great way of adding additional activity to your day. I truly believe that staying active is one of the factors in allowing me to have an easier pregnancy with minimal swelling up till now.

My trip to DC was wonderful as I got to catch up with my best friends, eat Baked & Wired cupcakes (hands down the best cupcakes ever!) and walk all over to burn off the calories! I managed to log 22,000 steps one of the days we walked to the Capitol. I thought that my DC cupcake escapade would be the last time I ate cupcakes as I usually do not eat that sort of thing. However, my dear friends decided to surprise me for my birthday, and I ended up with cupcakes, mini cupcakes and cake pops. Of course, I had to sample a little bit of  all the treats which extended my sugar coma for a few more days. Once the sugar coma wore off it was time to take the dreaded glucose screening test for gestational diabetes. The glucose solution was one of the most disgusting things I have had to drink. The sweetness was so cloying that I felt nauseated. Now if only they could give you cupcakes instead!  The little munchkin, on the other hand, loved the sugar and proceeded to dance about for the next few hours. Thankfully I passed!

As far as working out, I have tried to maintain my original schedule, but I have been feeling more tired these last few weeks. I am making it to the gym about 3 to 4 times a week instead of my usual 5. When I am down to 3 days, I usually have a leg day, and then split arms, back and shoulders into 2 separate days. The days that I do treadmill cardio, I set the incline to around 5% so that the booty and hamstrings are activated. I  am listening to my body and am doing only what I feel I am up to. I have to admit that it has been a bit hard to get over the guilt of not making it to the gym, but I know that this is not the time to have a competitor’s outlook on things.I have also been a lot hungrier than usual. The 3rd trimester is when you require the most calories, so I am sure that the hunger is from the drain of growing another human albeit a rather small one (2.5lb at the last check up).  To manage the increase in hunger, I have gone from  4 meals a day to 5 so that I have a mid morning snack and a mid afternoon snack.

I have attached a collage of what I looked like prior to getting pregnancy, and what I look like now. It is pretty amazing how the human body can adapt to growing and expanding to accommodate a baby! I marvel at it daily.

dina preggo

New Finds:
Storq http://storq.com/  – non fussy maternity basics that fit for the entire pregnancy

Isabella Oliver http://www.isabellaoliver.com/us – stylish higher end maternity wear that can also be worn after pregnancy

Tieks http://tieks.com/ – hands down the best and cutest  ballet flats I own.  I wear them to walk around everywhere and they keep my feet happy

Keep up with Dina on her Facebook fan page.



Oksana Grishina’s Road to The Fitness International


Hi Hardbody fans and friends! I’m always happy to share my thoughts with you before the Arnold Classic, so here’s another blog for you!

There are only three weeks to go before the show, and I can’t wait to get on the Arnold stage! My performance is just about ready. Now I’m working on my stamina, to put both parts of my routine together, and be sure I have energy to jump to the pole!

Fitness champion Oksana Grishina - Hardbody Road to the Arnold

Thanks to all of you for your interest in my routine, and your many supportive comments and shared videos. I really hope you like this new performance but, of course, this is still Fitness, so my focus is on completing strong and clean Fitness elements in my routine. I am very thankful to X-Pole for making this performance possible. I am grateful, also, to SAN Nutrition and Six Pack Bags for their constant support over the year. SAN supplements and my Six Pack bag both help me keep my energy up, while staying on my diet, day in and day out.

Fitness is a tough sport. Even as we work hard to perfect our routines, we must stay on a strict diet that challenges our energy reserves, and train hard in the gym to maintain muscle mass, tone, and definition to present a great shape on stage. We fight through pain and small injuries all the time, but sometimes it’s more than a body can take. Injuries are always a risk, and I am sad to see great athletes like Myriam Capes unable to make it to the stage. I know she’s a fierce competitor, so I expect to see her again at the Olympia. For the next three weeks, my goal is to keep my body as safe as possible, while finishing my prep.

Working with the pole has been a completely new workout and set of movements for me. I started from scratch, never having used a pole before, and it’s been really cool to experience the learning process from the beginning. It’s such a great workout for the whole body—arms, abs, back, legs! I am always working with my body weight, and I can see gains in size and strength in my arms from just the last few months. It’s hard work, but great fun, so give it a try. Of course, be ready for some bumps and bruises at the beginning, lol. But with experience, you’ll find your way more gently :).

As some of you may know, I’ve had a documentary film team following me around for a few months. Fall Guy Productions will continue to follow my prep and the competition at the Arnold, and I’m really excited to share some behind-the-scenes views of Fitness! I’ve never had to go through my prep in front of a film crew before, so this will mean some extra work for me, but it’s a new experience and I want to share my Fitness prep with fans. It’s a great opportunity to see what Fitness competition and the life of a Fitness athlete is like. I hope this gives fans, people in other parts of our business, and the broader public, a better understanding of what a Fitness competition is.

Thanks, again, for all the support you’ve been giving me online, through Facebook and Twitter. I will continue to post my pole workout videos, leading up to the Arnold. I hope some of you will give pole fitness a try. To all my sister competitors: stay safe, stay strong, keep motivating others, and good luck on the Arnold stage!!

With love,

Oksana
www.oksanagrishina.com



Celebrate the Season with Adidas


There are so many great deals at adidas right now, not to mention free shipping and returns during this crazy holiday season which is such a bonus! The 30% Off Winter Jackets sale is live, Climalite tops are reduced to $15+ and accessories are 30% off! Use these text links below to checkout whatever sale catches your eye!

adidas sale
These sales are timed perfectly for you to find the best gifts this holiday season.

adidas Climalite Top’s Start at $15!
adidas 30% Off Winter Jackets!
30% Off Accessories 11/24-12/9 
30% Off Warm ups / Tracksuits from 11/27-12/8

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Five Tips for Juicing


Thinking about Juicing? What You Should Know Before You Start
It’s no longer just celebrities, world-class athletes and alternative-lifestyle hippies turning to green smoothies and freshly juiced vegetable and fruits for improved health, says nutritionist and juicing pioneer Cherie Calbom, MS. (“The Juice Lady”).

juicing

“People from all walks of life are looking for proven ways to lose weight, energize, sleep better, strengthen their immune systems, and have brighter skin and a younger appearance. They’re also juicing to help their bodies heal from a variety of ailments,” says Calbom, author of a new book full of juicing tips, tricks and recipes, “The Juice Lady’s Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies,” (www.juiceladycherie.com).

“No matter your diet, juicing offers a shot of goodness – nutrition, minerals, phytonutrients and more – that you might not otherwise get,” Calbom says.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been juicing awhile and want to optimize the experience, Calbom shares some important pointers that will help.

• Fruits & veggies happiness studies: Plenty of new research shows that adding more produce to your daily diet can benefit your mental health and sense of well-being. In one analysis of the eating habits and moods of 80,000 British adults, researchers at Dartmouth and the University of Warwick found that those who consumed the most fruit and vegetables every day rated themselves as significantly happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who ate lesser amounts. Research shows that the well-being score for people who ate seven to eight servings of vegetables and fruits per day was consistently three points higher than for those who ate little or none.

• More studies … Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded from a study of 982 Americans that those who exhibited the most optimistic outlooks on life also had the highest blood levels of carotene, a key antioxidant that’s delivered by a colorful array of produce: dark green spinach and kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes, and vibrant yellow or orange fruits like peaches, papayas and cantaloupe, among others. And “juicers” should consider starting at a young age. A study of 281 adults with a mean age of 20, conducted at the University of Otago, New Zealand, showed that those who reported the highest daily intake of fruits and veggies also declared they were happier, calmer and more energetic than those who ate less.

• “Do I need to juice; can’t I just eat produce?”: This is a common response, but the reality is that most people in today’s society – especially those who are booked from morning to evening with a busy lifestyle – rarely get an optimal amount of produce throughout the day. A half-cup of veggies is a serving and ¾ of a cup of juice equals one serving; chewing seven to eight servings of produce every day requires much more effort and time than drinking fresh juice for some of the servings. That makes people much more likely to benefit from juice, she says.

• Flavor diversification: Some people soon fall into creative ruts because they stick to the same basic ingredients, and that can be a disincentive for sticking with juicing. Diversify! Try gourmet and exotic juice blends, or even plant-based ingredients you simply haven’t yet considered, some of which may include: butternut squash, one-inch ginger chunks, beets with leaves and stems, Brussels sprouts, and fennel bulbs with fronds. “Juicing is not about just using common fruit ingredients – spice it up and experiment with healthy vegetables; it works!” Calbom says.

• An exotic example: A fennel-watercress-cucumber blend juice is an excellent way to mix up your typical cocktail. It includes: 1 handful of watercress; 1 dark green lettuce leaf; 1 cucumber, peeled if not organic; ½ fennel bulb and fronds; 1 lemon, peeled if not organic. Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Wrap watercress in lettuce leaf and push through the juicer slowly. Juice all remaining ingredients. Drink immediately; this portion serves one.

About Cherie Calbom, MS
Cherie Calbom, MS is the author of 21 books, including the best-seller “Juicing for Life,” with 2 million copies sold in the United States and published in 23 countries. Known as “The Juice Lady” for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has practiced as a clinical nutritionist at St. Luke Medical Center, Bellevue, Wash., and as a celebrity nutritionist for George Foreman and Richard Simmons.



Can Dieting Make You Fat? A Look at Metabolic Burnout


There’s been numerous discussions online and we’ve heard the chatter offline about “Metabolic Burnout”. The blame game continues to be played with few players stepping up to take responsibility. We decided to consult with professionals to get their take on the matter and help shed some light on this hot topic.

What is Metabolic Burnout? Are you suffering from it? What causes it? The answers to those questions and more.

metabolic-burnout

Can Dieting Make You Fat?
Metabolic Burnout is a recently popular term used by many women in the competition world.  It is known to occur due to the result of many years of abuse (stress, lack of sleep, prescription and over-the-counter medications, poor diet and exercise patterns) that cause your organ(s), most specifically the adrenal glands, pancreas or thyroid, to work less efficiently. Your internal balance is thrown off and the body struggles to bring itself back into equilibrium.  A few of the most common symptoms include: fatigue or inability to fall asleep, hunger and difficulty losing weight.

This controversial topic embodies the notion that if an individual drops below an intake of about 1400 calories/day (or perhaps 1200), the metabolism will “shut down” and he or she will “hold on to fat” and will not lose weight.  In addition, the extreme low calorie dieting then predisposes them to acquire even more body fat.  This debate underscores the large gap that exists in our understanding of basic physiological laws that govern the regulation of human body composition.  A striking example is the key role attributed to adipose (fat) cells as feedback signals between adipose tissue depletion as a consequence of dieting followed by increases in food intake.  A feedback loop between fat depletion and food intake cannot explain why individuals after dieting begin to overeat well after body fat has been restored to a normal level, and then continue to eat and cause “fat overshooting”. In order to address the credibility of dieting causing predisposition for increased fatness, this paper will examine both the physiological and psychological relationship between dieting and re-feeding.

The Metabolic Effects of Low Calorie Diets
A low calorie diet is a diet that contains between 900 and 1,300 calories a day, while a very low calorie diet has no more than 800 calories per day. Typically a very low calorie diet is for obese individuals on a short-term basis and monitored by a physician.  This type of chronic restrictive dieting may tend to decrease a person’s basal metabolic rate overtime. A study published in the 1987 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was conducted over a six-month period to determine the effects of a low calorie diet, energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. The 15 women who participated in the study had a reduction in basal metabolic rate in the last three months as well as a decrease in energy expenditure. Another study published in the 1991 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the participants had a significant decrease in resting metabolic rate in the last two weeks of the three-week study.

As the results of these studies indicate, a low calorie diet may lead to an initial weight loss but could also cause a lowered metabolism that may not necessarily recover to its original levels even after increasing your calories back to a normal amount. So while you may drop a ton of weight fast by minimal calories a day, over time, your body will go into “starvation mode”, decreasing the amount of calories you burn at rest so as to conserve your body’s energy stores and prevent death. It may sound dramatic, but remember, our genes haven’t changed all that much since pre-historic times when death from starvation was commonplace.

Post Low Calorie Dieting and Fat Overshooting
It’s not that dieting makes you fat, but that being fat makes you more likely to diet!  Most competitors fall into this “Post Dieting – Fat Overshooting” category.  This is basically the process of losing body fat and then increasing food intake and decreasing energy expenditure to such an extreme that the person regains far more body weight than needed resulting in body fat overshooting.

The weight rebound that comes after the period of dieting apparently includes an overshoot in both increased appetite and fat gain. People seem driven to eat more than necessary to restore their normal weight, and they gain more body fat than they had prior to the beginning of the diet.

Psychological Causes for Post Dieting – Fat Overshooting
There have been countless psychological research studies concerning the most effective ways to maintain weight loss.  This research has proven that weight loss maintenance has not only a physiological component, but a psychological one as well.  Of course you do not want to attempt to maintain your contest weight and conditioning year round.  However, there is no need to find yourself in a weight loss and gain cycle due to behaviors, which cause you to re-gain all of the weight you worked so hard to lose.

As human beings, we are naturally goal oriented.  A research article published in the 2013 edition of Psychological Review outlines a common internal conflict in those concerned with their weight. This conflict exists between the desire to lose the weight and keep it off, versus the desire to enjoy food. Sports psychology research shows us that staying committed to a task-oriented goal is much easier than staying committed to an outcome based goal.  The goal to obtain a particular physique for a competition is task oriented in nature, and this task- oriented desire to obtain a stage-ready physique can often overrule the goal of food enjoyment and lead to weight loss success.  After a competition has ended, competitors no longer have the short-term, task oriented goal of obtaining a stage-ready physique to drive them to continue with their lifestyle modifications.  The goal associated with their food intake behavior then becomes outcome oriented in that it is not based on a specific event, rather it is based upon the broad outcome of not re-gaining the weight.  The less effective outcome specific goal mixed with an immediate short-term goal of food enjoyment can lead to a behavioral shift.  This shift can cause the individual to completely abandon all lifestyle modifications that led to their weight loss.  Without a task oriented physique goal in sight, this shift in goals can lead to weight gain, which often exceeds that in which they lost.

Research demonstrates that those who regain weight after losing weight during a period of dietary restraint, displays several common behavioral factors and personality traits.  In clinical trials cited in the 1997 and 1998 Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology concerning individuals who experienced successful weight loss and then suffered subsequent gain, the following behaviors were observed; lack of attempt to restrain their eating, marked decrease in physical activity, an increase in television viewing, reports of marked hunger and eating due to depression.  Another very interesting and well-documented behavior found in those who regain weight, is that they often stop weighing themselves once they have reached their weight loss goal.  This statement is not advocating that obsession with the scale is healthy.  However, according to researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, those who were able to keep their weight loss over time found the ability to utilize the scale as a measure of behavioral restraint. These individuals found themselves able to modify their dietary behavior if they observed themselves regaining an abundance of the weight in which they had lost.  Those who were not able to maintain their weight loss were more likely to have either abandoned the scale all together or did not attempt to modify their behavior when observing an increase in bodyweight.

Researchers at Brown Medical School found that there are many baseline personality traits (personality traits observed before the dietary restraint began) to be associated with the regaining of weight after weight loss goal completion.  These factors included a higher baseline level of disinhibition in relation to desirable food, higher baseline levels of binge eating behavior, a self-reported inability to maintain unrelated lifestyle and behavior modifications and a history of yo-yo weight gain and loss.  This does not mean that individuals who possess these personality factors cannot be successful in maintaining weight loss.  Rather, it serves as an alert to these individuals that they must be conscious of their predisposed triggers, which may cause them to have difficulty in maintaining their weight once their weight loss goal has been achieved.

Following a diet that contains too few calories can have some very negative (and possibly permanent) effects on your metabolism and overall health. Not only is it impossible to meet your nutrient goals for the day, but chronic crash dieters or contest dieters are also shooting themselves in the foot in terms of weight loss by slowing their metabolism and thereby making it even more difficult to shed excess pounds in the long-term. In addition, you’ll be setting yourself up for nutritional deficiencies, which can have long-term complications (i.e. anemia, osteoporosis, etc.)

It seems as if those people who are claiming damage from dieting and competing most often “cheat” on their nutrition plans and then attempt to make up for it by increasing exercise duration and cutting back calories even further.  The even bigger issue is that many of these same people will gain 20-30 pounds (or more!) after their competitions by completely ceasing exercising and becoming a stranger to the gym for weeks or months! So when its contest time again they have even more weight to lose!

Competing in a sport based on obtaining a lean, tight, sculpted physique requires dietary restriction.  However, starving one’s self or resorting to extremely low calorie diets is not necessary to obtain a stage-ready physique.  By taking your time to lose the initial weight correctly, the final stages of your competition prep will not be as difficult.  In addition, having a strategy for success after you have left the stage is equally as important.  Honestly assess your personality traits in relation to the research demonstrated concerning those who have difficulty in maintaining weight loss success, and take the steps necessary to assist yourself in modifying your behavior.  Additionally, prepare for how you are going to maintain a majority of your weight loss after your task oriented competition goal has been completed.

This type of “yo-yo” weight loss makes losing weight more and more difficult over time.  In order to be successful and healthy throughout years of this sport, you MUST make this a lifestyle and live it 365 days a year.  Then it won’t be so difficult or dangerous when its time to prepare for a competition.  The intelligent choice is to remain within 5-7lbs (no more than 10lbs) of your contest weight year round.  This lifestyle choice makes competition training and nutrition easier and more enjoyable.  If you chose to be involved in this sport then you aspired to be fit and healthy so why would anyone allow herself to gain 20+ pounds of fat?  LIVE THE LIFESTYLE and be happy, healthy and fit forever!

AUTHORS:
Tracey C. Greenwood, PhD
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Eastern University
IFBB Fitness Pro

Shannon Dey
M.S. Heath Education
Doctoral Candidate Sports Psychology
IFBB Fitness Pro

Sources:
Bacon, L. & Aphramor, L.  (2011).  Weight science:  evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift.  Nutrition Journal, 10:  9-15.
Dulloo, Ag., Jacquet, J. & Montani, JP.  (2012).  How dieting makes some fatter: from a perspective of human body composition autoregulation.  Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 71: 379-389.
Dosil, J. (2010).  The Sports Psychologist Handbook, Wiley and Sons, NJ.
Fletcher, B. (2011).  FIT – Do something different:  A new behavioral program for sustained weight loss.  Swiss Journal of Psychology 70(1), 25-34.
Friedman, M. (1998).  Differential relation of psychological functioning  with the history and experience of weight cycling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 645-650.
Hermen, P. (2008)  Undereating or eliminating overeating?  American Psychologist, 63(10), 202-204.
Kruger, J. et al.  (2004).  Attempting to lose weight: specific practices among U.S. adults.  Am. Jour. Prev . Med., 26: 402-406.
Lahti-Koski, M. et al.  (2005).  Prevalence of weight cycling and its relation to health indicators.  Obesity Research, 13: 333-341.
McGuire, R. (1999) What predicts weight regain in a group of successful weight losers?  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 177-185.
O’Neill, PM. & Jarrell, MP. (1992).  Psychological aspects of obesity and very-low-calorie diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56(1): 185-189.
Stroebe, W. (2013).  Why most dieters fail but some succeed:  A goal conflict model of eating behavior.  Psychological Review, 120(1).  110-138
Wing, R. (2008).  Maintaining large weight losses:  The role of behavioral and psychological factors.  Journal of consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 1-15-1021.
Zorbas, YG., Merkov, AB. & Nobahar, AV.  (2001).  Effect of low-calorie diets on metabolism of man.  J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol., 9(5-6):457-65

 



Nathalia Melo’s 8 Essential Tips for Traveling to Rio de Janeiro


Our resident Hardbody Brazilian, Bikini Olympia Champ and fitness cover model, Nathalia Melo shares some insight on what to expect when heading to Rio de Janeiro. She hits on what to eat, what not to drink, what to expect when tipping and more. We’re stoked that Nat will be there along with us. It will make communicating in Portuguese much easier. HA!

natbrazil

Hello Hardbodies,

I am all packed and ready to head to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 Arnold Classic Brasil! Are you?? Woot woot!

Here are 8 Essential Tips for the ones heading to Rio this weekend:
1. Do NOT drink the tap water! I am not sure what the results from it would be, but I am sure you don’t want to risk your weekend with…aham… some tummy problems!
2. The safest and best way to get around is by Taxi or Subway (It doesn’t go everywhere).
3. To exchange money you will need your passport.
4. Leave your nice jewelry at home, better safe than sorry.
5. Tipping in Brazil is 10% and it is normally included in the check, but you can always give a little extra if you had good service – the extra can’t be on the card, it has to be cash.
6. Restaurants there are normally family style, which means that one dish will feed a couple people. Make sure you ask your server how big the dish is.
7. You can find wifi connection in many places there
8. Make sure you check out a Brazilian Steak House, which is an all you can eat restaurant where you can eat Brazilian bbq till you drop.

Hope these tips were helpful!

Safe travel guys and see ya in Rio!!

Nathalia Melo



Confessions Of An Insecure Competitor


Jessica Paxson has been on a number of magazine covers and has consistently been a top IFBB Pro. Many would assume a beautiful woman like Jessica is always confident and never experiences self-doubt. She opens up to share her own insecurities and shares a friendly reminder to not only competitors but all women.

jessica-paxson

Confessions Of An Insecure Competitor
By Jessica Paxson

I was recently asked by a client, “How do you keep from comparing yourself to other competitors backstage at a show/how do you keep yourself calm before going on stage?”

The first part of the question reminded me of being back stage at the 2005 Jr Nationals. I remember looking around at all of the amazing competitors with tears welling up in my eyes, I felt I didn’t measure up at all! I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. How did I think I could step on stage with these amazing competitors?! The negative self talk kept coming.

I called my coach (Mike Davies) very upset. He said to me “Jessie, nobody ever won a show sitting backstage”. Isn’t that the truth?! I got myself together, and I went on to win my class and my pro card at that show! I don’t say that to sound arrogant, but only to illustrate that we can be our own worst enemy at times, and get worked up over nothing!

I have never been the most muscular, lean/hard competitor. I have to confess… I would struggle with insecurities that people would look at me off the stage and say “how is she even a pro?”. I would look at other competitors or even women in the gym and covet their more muscular arms. I would get so down on myself! As a competitor and as women we need to stop comparing ourselves to others! God has blessed us each with qualities both physically and otherwise that make us beautiful and unique in our own ways! Know that and own that! It has taken me YEARS to come to this realization and I have such a peace about it! I just wish I could have taught my younger self this lesson!

Take the time backstage at a show to pray and thank Him for the blessing of health and being able to compete, visualize yourself calmly presenting your hard work on that stage with confidence! Take a deep breath and take your time presenting your physique that you have worked so hard on and ENJOY yourself! Your time on stage will be over in the blink of an eye! Stay present and in the moment. Take in the crowd, the judges, the feeling of being on that stage, smile (and mean it! 🙂 ).

Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! So, shine! Whether it be on stage or in life in general!

Stay fit and God bless!
Jess

Follow Jess on Twitter @Jessfit and like her facebook page.



2010 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Results


2010 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Figure Pro Results

1. Kristal Richardson – USA – 7
2. Ava Cowan – USA – 10
3. Candice Keene – USA – 15
4. Alicia Harris – USA – 19
5. Gennifer Strobo – USA – 27
6. Emily Nicholson – USA – 33
7. Petra Mertl – Czech – 37
8. Elizabeth Earhart – USA – 39
9. Candice John – Trinidad – 40
10. Lenay Hernandez – USA – 52
11. Ginette Delhaes – Canada – 54
12. Natalie Revajova-Lenartova – Slovakia – 57
13. Ann Titone – USA – 68
14. Tina White – USA – 73
15. Teresa Gillian – USA – 76
16. Tessa Wood – USA – 77
17. Aleisha Hart – Canada – 78
17. Ann Pratt – USA – 78
19. Tinamarie Bloomfield – USA – 80
19. Viviana Casarubbia – Argentina – 80
19. Raechelle Chase – New Zealand – 80
19. Caroline Hernandez – USA – 80
19. Charmayne Jackson – USA – 80
19. CeaAnna Kerr – Canada – 80
19. Georgina Lona – Mexico – 80
19. Amanda Marinelli – USA – 80
19. Teresita Morales – USA – 80
19. Elvimar Sanchez – Venezuela – 80
19. Susan Salazar – USA – 80
19. Mavis Tozzi – USA – 80

2010 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Bikini Pro Results

1. Nicole Nagrani – USA – 6
2. Justine Munro – Canada – 9
3. Nathalie Mur – France – 15
4. Jennifer Andrews – USA – 21
5. Missy Coles – USA – 24
6. Nicole Guerrero-Moneer – USA – 30
7. Lindsey Morrison – USA – 38
8. Zara Pineda-Boorder – Canada – 39
9. Khanh Nguyen – USA – 47
10. Nicole Coleman – USA – 51
11. Desha Rodriguez – USA – 55
12. Samantha Morris – USA – 57
13. Gemma Williams – United Kingdom – 63

2010 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Fitness Pro Results

1. Kizzy Vaines – United Kingdom – 11 – 20 – 31
2. Nicole Duncan – USA – 20 – 12 – 32
3. Tina Durkin – USA – 9 – 38 – 47
4. Ryall Graber-Vasani – Canada – 10 – 46 – 56
5. Allison Ethier – Canada – 32 – 42 – 74
6. Deana Martinez – USA – 45 – 74 – 119
7. Tamee Marie – USA – 25 – 102 – 127
8. Michelle Craven – USA – 37 – 92 – 129
9. Michele Mayberry – USA – 37 – 118 – 155
10. Sylvia Tremblay – Canada – 59 – 104 – 163
11. Venus Nguyen – USA – 70 – 100 – 170
12. Kary Odiatu – Canada – 74 – 98 – 172
13. Debbie Fowler – USA – 58 – 122 – 180
14. Minna Pajulahti – Finland – 52 – 134 – 186
15. Donna Jones – Australia – 72 – 122 – 194
16. Peggy Sue Barber – USA – 75 – 136 – 211



2010 IFBB Kentucky Muscle Pro Figure Results


Here are the complete results with the scores next to them name. Congratulations.

1. Cheryl Brown – 3
2. Chelsey Morgenstern – 6
3. Candice Keene – 9
4. Ava Cowan – 12
5. Emily Nicholson – 15
6. Gennifer Strobo – 19
7. Stephanie McDonald – 21
8. Teresa Gillian – 24
9. Ella Horton – 27
10. Jaquelline Hoppe – 30
11. Ann Pratt – 35
12. Mavis Tozzi – 36
13. Tiffany Procopio – 38
14. Shalmieno Paper – 42
15. Elisha Archibold – 45
16. Tina Marie Bloomfield – 48
16. Jennifer DeJoya – 48
16. Valerie Haines – 48
16. Charmayne Jackson – 48
16. Cea Anna Kerr – 48
16. Amy Lee Martin – 48
16. Danielle Reutter – 48
16. Natalia Lenartova Revajova – 48
16. Shala Singer – 48
16. Mikaila Soto – 48
16. Natalie Waples – 48
16. Sandie Ward – 48
16. Tina White – 48



2010 NPC Jr. USA Figure Results


Overall
Solevi Hernandez

Class A
1. Jordan Meyer
2. Aketa Thomas
3. Alicia Bell
4. Alicia Gifford
5. Christine Anderson
6. Anne Strauch
7. Krissy Richard
8. Kawana McCough
9. Betzabe Arnaiz
10. Alicia Meza
11. Jo Burleson
12. Cheri Nguyen

Class B
1. Solevi Hernandez**
2. Tatiana Koshman
3. Cindy Martinez
4. Megan Wyble
5. Leslie Hasselbach
6. Monique Anreson
7. Sandi Gravatt

Class C
1. Rose Ronquillo
2. Carla Sizemore
3. Tara Hollingsworth
4. Kalani Barber
5. Allison Frahn
6. Adriana Sanchez
7. Abby Busby
8. Tiffany Ryan
9. Kisha Nicole Wilson
10. Lauren Stogner
11. Bonnie Bundy

Class D
1. Lacy Taylor
2. Tennille Ray
3. Christina Larson
4. Christine Mouser
5. Ginger Haas
6. Jessica Bourcier
7. Jennifer Winters
8. Joni Neilson
9. Stephanie Flores
10. Elena Erickson
11. Tamara Remmers
12. Desha Hout

Class E
1. Kimberly Sheppard**
2. Christy Hill
3. Summer Rogers
4. Kimberly Renee
5. Elizabeth Pollison
6. Jessica Vetter

Class F
1. Sara Polston
2. Amy Palmquest
3. Michelle Beck
4. Shonte Turner
5. Stephanie Toomy
6. Anissa Payne
7. Wanda Gil

**New IFBB Pros



2010 NPC Jr. USA Bikini Results


Overall
Vanessa Prebyl

Class A
1. Alexis Weiner
2. Tara Granberry
3. Elena White
4. Kierstin Flores

Class B
1. Priscilla Barrera
2. Jennifer Chapman
3. Jennifer Pimental
4. Mercedes Perez
5. Gidget Migliaccio
6. Ella DeLallo
7. Mandie Taketa
8. Stephanie Jones

Class C
1. Vanessa Prebyl**
2. Charish Hammond
3. Cheryl Foster
4. Stacy Miller
5. Venus Ramos
6. Ashley Rich

Class D
1. Christy Merritt**
2. Ashley Gay
3. Tawna Eubanks
4. Shauna Hudrall
5. Heather Burman
6. Stacey Naito
7. Judy Replogle
8. Shauna Smith
9. Kara Esades
10. Audrina Torres
11. Shannon Rockweiler
12. Jennifer Childs
13. Sarah Brooks
14. Amy Campbell
15. Sherry Hasty
16. Dixie Reynolds
16. Karin Traber
16. Jessica Esposito

Class E
1. Michelle Maxwell
2. Crystal King
3. Michelle Hanson
4. Keridon Davis
5. Shannon Griffee
6. Hillary Jones
7. Brittney Touchton
8. Emily Carey
9. Christy Johns
10. Janaee Adams

Class F
1. Jennifer Rankin
2. Crystal Mathews
3. Kendra Warren
4. Tiffany Gilley
5. Stephanie Bentley
6. Tianna Flores
7. Monica Perez

** Qualified for IFBB Pro Status



2010 NPC Jr. USA Fitness / Women’s BB Results


Fitness Results

Overall
Rachel Johnson**

Short
1. Babette Mulford
2. Skye Fisher

Medium
1. Rachel Johnson
2. Michelle Gales
3. Viko Newman

Tall
1. Lena Mishin
2. Alissa Carpio
3. Dawnice Beckley

Women’s Bodybuilding Results
Overall
Olivia Terry

Heavyweight
1. Olivia Terry

Light Heavyweight
1. Emanuela Silvagni
2. Dominique Durand
3. Lisa Guameiri
4. LaQuita Sanders

Middleweight
1. Marie Samperio
2. Martha Ibarra

Lightweight
1. Brenda Boyd
2. Emily Berryman

**Qualified for IFBB PRO STATUS



2010 IFBB Jacksonville Results


Here are the results from the IFBB Pro Contests held in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, August 7th, 2010.

2010 IFBB Jacksonville Pro Bikini

1. Alison Rosen
2. Jessica Paxson-Putnam
3. Jaime Baird
4. Jessica Jessie
5. Dina Al-Sabah
6. Alea Suarez
7. Vanessa Campbell
8. Diana Fields
9. Juliana Daniell
10. Kat Holmes
11. Bianca Binno
12. Khanh Nguyen
13. Michelle Adams
14. Janet Harding
15. Safiya Johnson
16. Dayna Maleton
17. Sonya Vecchiarelli
18. Amanda Marinelli

2010 IFBB Jacksonville Pro Figure

1. Candice Keene
2. Alicia Harris
3. Gennifer Strobo
4. Ava Cowan
5. Stacey Thompson
6. Josie Zamora
7. Katherynne Ramirez
8. Candice John
9. Ann Pratt
10. LaVonda Ezell
11. Teresa Anthony
12. Holly Beck
13. Kathleen Tesori
14. Elisha Archibald
15. Susanne Bock
16. Sue Upson
16. Tivisay Briceno
18. Kimberle Trowbridge
18. Taylor Condren
20. Viviana Casarubbia
20. Michelle Craven
20. Nicole Coleman
20. Brandie Gardner
20. Jennifer Hernandez
20. Catherine Holland
20. Sara Hurrle
20. Ines Jimenez
20. Danielle Kifer
20. Petra Mertl
20. Jennifer Migliacci
20. Joanne Murphy
20. Emily Nicholson
20. Mikaila Soto
20. Rosalind Vanterpool
20. Christina Vargas



2010 NPC Los Angeles winners heading to the NPC USA’s


Congratulations to Megan Reynolds (Figure) and Taylor Matheny (Bikini) for winning the overall titles at the NPC Los Angeles championships. Both of them are planning to compete at the NPC USA’s this upcoming weekend in Las Vegas, which is already a record breaking contest with over 530 competitors.

la1504



2010 IFBB Europa Battle of Champions competitor lists


The IFBB Tampa Pro show brought quite a few surprises in terms of competitors and placings, but on the heels of Tampa, comes another 5 IFBB Pro Contests (2 for the men). Here is the tentative pro lineup (not final lists) for the 2010 Europa Battle of Champions, set for July 23-24, in Hartford, Connecticut.

 
2010 Europa Battle of Champions Figure

1 – Tivisay Briceno (USA)
2 – Rachel Cammon (USA)
3 – Melody Clere (USA)
4 – Jennifer DeJoya (USA)
5 – Ginette Delhaes (Canada)
6 – LaVonda Ezell (USA)
7 – Mia Finnegan (USA)
8 – Aleisha Hart (Canada)
9 – Caroline Hernandez (USA)
10 – Jennifer Hernandez (USA)
11 – Candice Keene (USA)
12 – Julie Ann Kulla (USA)
13 – Michele Mayberry (USA)
14 – Petra Mertl (Czech)
15 – Jennifer Migliacci (USA)
16 – Hazal Nelson (USA)
17 – Vicki Nixon (USA)
18 – Kristin Nunn (USA)
19 – Marcy Porter (USA)
20 – Katherynne Ramirez (USA)
21 – Mikaila Soto (USA)
22 – Laura Sutter (USA)
23 – Gina Trochiana (USA)
24 – Terri Turner (USA)

2010 Europa Battle of Champions Bikini

1 – Dianna Dahlgreen (USA)
2 – Kelly Gonzalez (USA)
3 – Janet Harding (USA)
4 – Kat Holmes (USA)
5 – Jessica Jessie (USA)
6 – Tabitha Klausen-Leandri (USA)
7 – Davana Medina (USA)
8 – Natalie Waples (Canada)

 
2010 Europa Battle of Champions Women’s Bodybuilding

1 – Lisette Acevedo (USA)
2 – Irene Anderson (Sweden)
3 – Helen Bouchard (Canada)
4 – Brigita Brezovac (Slovenia)
5 – Sarah Bridges (United Kingdom)
6 – Maria Calo (USA)
7 – Tazzie Columb (USA)
8 – Cassandra Floyd (USA)
9 – Skadi Seifert-Frei (Germany)
10 – Elizabeth Gomez (Mexico)
11 – Aurelia Grozajova (Slovakia)
12 – Mary Ellen Jerumbo (USA)
13 – Cathy LeFrancois (Canada)
14 – Wendy McCready (United Kingdom)
15 – Elizabeth Meza (Mexico)
16 – Tammy Patnode (USA)
17 – Rita Rae (USA)
18 – Daniela Sell (Switzerland)



Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.