Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year - best to all in 2011!!!!!!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined."

Happy holidays!

I know, I know...the last thing you feel like is heading to the gym, right? Or maybe not. By Christmas Eve I was raring to go and I just couldn't wait for the holidays - not only to spend time with friends and family, but also to get more time to work out! So, how about you? Are you going to relax and take time off from your workouts or mix it up a little - a little R & R and a little working out?

Amazing or what?

Science writer Gary Taubes cited some interesting statistics in his new book Why We Get Fat And What To Do About It that's soon to be released. Fascinating, actually. Here's what he reports: The first year the Boston Marathon had more than 300 entrants was in 1964; in 2009, more than 26,000 people ran it. So I'm curious: Have you noticed more of your friends and family getting active recently? Or do you find many need more than a nudge to get off the couch? Just wondering....

Let me know what you think!

Although our new Fat Loss special is on newsstands Jan 4, we're already at work on the next one and I need your help. What do you think about sports-specific training? Do you do any of it? And, if so, what's your fave?

Stay happy and healthy and we'll talk later this week. 

New Special Issue for New Year!

I was so impressed with Oxygen's fact checker Kirstyn Brown (check out her blog!) that I wanted her to share her story in our new Fat Loss Special that's coming out Jan 4. I hope you'll agree that she has come so far!!!!! It takes, as many of you know, such great courage to even begin to make such major changes in your life.....so kudos to Kirstyn! Let me know what you think about her story and your favorite part of it all (I know mine!). Talk soon!

Outdoor motivation?

Unless you're in Hawaii (lucky you!) as some of our readers are, most of us are grappling with a real winter this year! But, you know, I don't mind bundling up to go for a run or make extra time to get to the gym for a workout....at this time of year I feel it's as critical for my stress level as sleep and eating clean. But I'd love to know if you have any tips about making it easier - I saw in Cosco the other day grippers for shoes and I wondered if any of you have tried them out at all? Or do you simply take to the treadmill in the winter? Stay warm and I'll chat to you later this week!

"I feel like such a failure!"

This note came to me last week and I thought I'd ask you to (pardon the pun!) weigh in....Laura wants help and it would be great if all chipped in to lend her a hand... Word of mouth is so motivating!!!!!

Here's the question from Laura:

I have been trying for years (at least 7 years now) to reach my fitness goals. I really need a get fit and eat healthy for dummies guide. I have some of Tosco Rena's books, I have Oxygen magazine, I have a gym membership. I exercise and then I get sick or something comes up and then I have a hard time getting back on track. I feel like such a failure. My clothes are tighter again, I'm stressed at work at home and having a hard time sleeping. Ugh. Please help!

Looking good Fran!

Fitness model Fran Dennis gets made up by make and hair stylist pro Valeria Nova....on the beach no less!

I need your help!

If you've ever wanted to sound off, here's your moment! What would you like to see on Oxygen's website? More training? More videos? More behind the scenes interviews with your favorite fitness gals? Let me know - we're making a few tweaks and would love to know what you'd like to see on our site! All ideas welcome! Talk to you later in the week...

Boot camp blast!

I've chatted before about how much I like to break out of my comfort zone - be it trying a new place to travel or a new activity - and so I grabbed the opportunity to try a boot camp this week when in Vancouver....what a blast! We did two minute circuits of all kinds of resistance training and cardio - everything from back rows to pushups to mountain climbers to jump squats - yikes! Thanks to Josie in Vancouver who led the hour long class through all the circuits. I love to strength train and run as you know but the odd time it's great to shock your muscles (and your mind) by taking on another challenge. Have you ever tried a boot camp? Or anything else? (btw, my muscles felt it two days afterwards!)

Perspective is everything!

You shared your favorite quotes with me on this blog (thanks for all!) and I find, like you, that I go back to the same words/inspirational thoughts time and time again whenever I feel I need a little something new. (particularly when I'm injured and frustrated!). But I also think a good perspective is important too - so here is another one to share:

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

It makes me feel tremendously excited about the potential that lies in anything new - do you have any opportunity where you have to get out of your comfort zone and stretch a little? Scary, but exciting, yes?

holiday strategies????

Next week is Thanksgiving for many and I want to say a big Happy Thanksgiving to all! This is definitely a weekend to get lots of sleep, eat well and be good to yourself prior to the big feast!!!!! What are you doing to make it a healthy and happy one?Any tips to share?

Sometimes we need a little mojo!

My daughter and I had a great chat this weekend about motivation and she teased me mercilessly about my thoughts on what motivates others in health and fitness... I do think it's important to share stories. Here's a favorite quote I read somewhere that keeps me inspired!

"If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits!"

Send me your favorite quotes - would love to see them! Talk soon!

Gotta love Edison!

I don't know about you but I absolutely loved watching Chilean miner Edison Pena take on New York City (and David Letterman) last week with such exuberance! And he crossed the finish line of the NYC marathon with a painful knee no less! Such an inspiration to all of us! Quick kudos to the city of San Francisco for trying hard to tackle childhood obesity. They are trying to get the free toys out of kids calorie-laden fast food meals - a good start in the right direction! Can you see any other way we can try to get a handle on this growing problem? Or do you think the San Francisco initiative is wrestling control out of parents hands?

#1 person in your life?

In our latest Off the Couch Oxygen Special Issue, we ask you to tell us what you think. And, as usual, you did! Here is a story that I found particularly moving about a gal whose dad began a slow road to recovery - and that's who motivates her!

Here's her story:

About 10 years ago, I bought the house across the street from my parents. At that time, I started working out at a gym, hired a personal trainer, got in "tip top" shape, got certified myself and life went on. A few years later, my father had triple bi-pass heart surgery, and it put him out of commission for many months. The day I wallked into the hospital, I saw my father, hooked up to a breathing machine, with the body of a muscular and toned 30 year old. At the time he was almost 70. I watched him endure the pain of "not being able to workout" (it was his passion as it is mine) and have to start at the beginning to build himself back up. I watch my father every morning at 5:00 a.m. head out for his hour walk, I watch my father head off to the gym for his 3-4 days a week workout, and I know the pain he endures doing it (he has very bad back and leg problems) and to me...this man is my strength. So, it encourages me and drives me to get up, get at it and be the best that I can be. I"m lucky, it's in my blood.

Thanks for this bit, Amy! Is there anyone who motivates you? If so, why?

Yoga for dummy (yours truly!)

As one of the few beginners (let's admit it - the only one!) in a class full of veterans who make the tree pose look easy, I have to say yoga is humbling. I have new found respect for yoga practitioners, truly. With the growing realization that all my work running and lifting weights isn't quite enough when it comes to keeping limber I signed up for a Yoga for Runners course Monday nights. And so, tonight I'll be in the warrior pose (or half-heartedly at least) while the pros around me make it look easy. I have to admit to feeling frustrated by it, but am hoping it gets easier.....wonder when I'll feel like a pro? Do you think I ever will?

What do You Think?

I have to say thanks to all the gals who have replied with their own inspirational stories on this blog about my disappointment in missing the half-marathon. Like many of you, I at least was gratified to know my donation was going to a good cause - diabetes prevention. But all your own stories of much more profound disappointments were really touching, so I thank you! I went for a run this week with the gang here at work and it went well - so well I even went to the gym to do back and bis that evening! (have to admit I ache a bit!). How long did it take you to get back to exercise once you were out? If you have any post-injury tips, I'd love to know! Have a great weekend and we'll chat next week.

Free as a bird!

Model Natalia Muntean takes to the air in this, her first sky-diving experience. Have a look.

She makes it look easy!

Make-up and hair expert Nancy Jambazian (right) on set working her magic with model Melissa Pittman. Check out Melissa in our latest special Off the Couch! (she's in the Exhale photo, showing off her great form!).

Turning it around!

So you know when you get disappointed about something - or someone - and then you rebound by focusing on the positive? That's exactly what happened to me this weekend when I had to bail from the half-marathon: a bout of bronchitis kept me sidelined. Such a disappointment! And yet, after regrouping - and speaking to all the people I work with who are so inspiring - I've decided to try for it again this spring! Has that ever happened to you? Did you train hard for an event only to have illness get in the way? Let me know if you have a minute! I could use any tips you have!

We're on the road (literally) this weekend!

I tell you, my admiration for athletes of all kinds has grown exponentially in the past few months and here's why – the Eat Clean Diet Team here at RKPublishing, led by the New York Times best-selling author Tosca Reno, encouraged us to take on this half-marathon on Sunday (for diabetes) and the training has been fun, but challenging at times. And I have to say if you take on any kind of sport or challenge, kudos to you! It really does take tremendous focus to stick with it! So send all happy thoughts to our team for Sunday morning and let's hope the sun shines and the wind is at our back! I'll give you an update on Monday. In the meantime, let me know anything you've done that made you sit back and say "Wow! Now I get it!" Have you ever met a challenge head on and derived even more appreciation for those who do it all the time? Let me know! Talk soon.

Our Q&A with Jessica Putnam!

1. What is it about the fitness industry that you love and why?

I love the fitness industry because it is full of like minded passionate people that LOVE health and fitness just like I do!

2. Why did you decide to compete in bikini after being in figure for so long?

I always had a hard time building muscle (especially in my legs). I was never the most muscular, lean or hard figure competitor. When bikini came around it just seemed like it would be a natural fit for me and my body type. I love the look of bikini!

3. How does your husband support your fit lifestyle?

My husband is IFBB Pro bodybuilder Peter Putnam. It's great being married to someone in the industry because we really support each other – we are each other's biggest cheerleader and fan. It's nice because we both know what the other is going through when we prep for a show, we can train and do cardio together and we each pitch in on cooking the food.

4. What do you love most about Olympia?

The Olympia is amazing...its definitely not just another show. It is the Superbowl of the fitness industry! I love it because you get to see all of your friends in one place and it is an honor to compete on the Olympia stage.

5. How has your nutritional diet changed from preparation between figure and bikini?

I still eat six to eight small meals a day. I just add a little bit more good carbs and fats in my diet. I can also do a cheat almost every week, but it is a pretty clean cheat! (Usually it is sushi:)

Go ahead, indulge a little!

I have to tell you, we are getting a storm of controversy over a comment a reader made to our publisher Robert Kennedy in our recent Off the Couch! issue. She went so far as to say he was disgusting for giving in to a temptation and having the odd chocolate bar now and again. Well, here's what I think – so what? I agree that you don't want to make a habit of scarfing down huge boxes of chocolate...but now and again I think it's important to relax, indulge and treat yourself. Sure, stay active and eat well, but if you want a piece of chocolate, go ahead and have it. As an aside, thanks to reader Nanette Hoskins for this note: "I wanted to share an idea for clean Thanksgiving recipes. Instead of stuffing, this year we'll make a Waldorf salad with apples, celery and chestnuts. For dessert, we'll bake sweet potatoes with cinnamon and honey." Mmmmm! Sounds great! Thanks again Nanette!

Easing sore muscles!

We're counting down here at the office until our half-marathon and yesterday I tackled my first 12 km run! I'm not sure how you take on a new challenge, but I was determined – with only a couple of weeks to go, I knew I had to bump up the distance! I was lucky – nice and cool, no rain and quiet. A hot shower and cup of coffee afterwards and I was a new person! Plus, I bought myself a foam roller to ease my muscles – I highly recommend it! Any other tips I could use, please send my way! For instance, does anyone know a great tip for staying fueled for the race? Let me know! I'm all ears!

The inside scoop on Erin Stern

Oxygen cover girl Erin Stern placed first at the Olympia last weekend! We caught up with her this week...read on!


How does it feel to be the Olympia Figure champion?
It’s a dream come true. It’s something that when I first got my pro card I wanted to achieve...it’s been about two years in the making and it feels really good.

Where you surprised?
I was surprised, but on the other hand it was something that I had been visualizing that I wanted so badly so it was like things were happening just as I had envisioned they would. But then it’s always a surprise when it actually happens.

Did you have any of your family or friends there to support you?
Yes, actually I had some friends from Tampa who came out, and my little sister was there, and my cousins and father were there.

Leading up to the competition, what elements were critical to getting yourself ready?
Getting myself ready physically is always the easy part, but I have to get myself ready mentally. And I had four second-place pro finishes leading up to the Olympia and it was just because I didn’t want to win badly enough, and I didn’t present myself with confidence. And I really worked on being more confident on stage and it seemed to pay off.

What tactics did you use to make yourself more confident on stage?
Just telling myself that I deserve to be there, that I put in the hard work, to thinking of something that would make me smile onstage to have a genuine smile, to just working on my walk and having my shoulders back and something that would show off my physique without coming across as just being fit. So just the little things.

What did you envision to make you smile when you were on stage?
I was thinking, it was kind of funny...I usually think of stuff that my sister and I do because we always laugh...right before I went on stage this time I was thinking about trading my old truck in for a new Camaro and how nice that would be driving down Bayshore with the windows down...it made me smile. I probably won’t get the car, but it was a nice thought.

Now that you have the highly coveted Olympia Figure title under your belt, what’s next?
I have several goals and I’m actually sitting here writing some down. My next goal is to be the next Figure International at the Arnold classic, I’d like to find a high jump pit so I can train and finally clear six feet, and with practice I know I can do it and it’s been one of my goals since I was eighteen years old, so I want to do that this year. Also, I want to do something good with the title and it’s going to give me a platform to be able to reach out and talk to girls about moderation and training properly and building self-confidence and really making a positive impact on the sport.

Are you taking a week off?
I started lifting yesterday – I took a week off before the show when I was getting ready so I had my break and I think I ate my body weight in sushi on Sunday night...so I figured I probably should start working out.

When is your next competition?
It will be the Arnold Classic, and that’s usually the first week of March.

Felicia places fifth at the Olympia

We posted a Q&A with Felicia Romero when we were at the Olympia last week. Guess what? She finished fifth in figure!! We caught up with her again...

First of all, how do you feel? What does this placing mean to you?
I was on cloud nine and I'm definitely happy with my placing! I feel so happy that I set a goal of placing top five and I did it!! This placing makes me hungrier for the next shows and my goal for next year's Olympia is to be in the top three! Every year I have been able to improve and make changes to my physique allowing me to place better and better every year! It is such a great feeling to know that all my hard work in the gym is paying off!

Did you expect such a great result this year? What were your expectations and goals going into this event this weekend?
I don't expect anything from my shows as far as placing but I know that if I put full effort into my three months of training and keep a positive mindset that I can achieve anything. My goal going into the weekend was to be a first callout and place top five...and I did! Woo hoo!

Did you do anything different with your training and nutrition going into this event? If so, what did you switch up?
Going into the show, my training was a bit different with a major focus on my lower half. My biggest obstacle throughout my career has been my legs, so we really focused this past year on bringing them up to match my upper body. Also, I ate more carbs to fill me out as opposed to fats.

What were three things that led to your success this weekend?
1) NEVER GIVING UP
2) BEING CONSISTENT
3) POSITIVE MINDSET

What's next for you?
Next for me is Border States Pro Figure competition is San Diego...I won that show last year so I want to try to reclaim my title. If I do, this would be my fiffiveh Pro win of my career. Then after that, hopefully the Arnold...where I placed top 5 the last two years.

And the Winner Is...

Last night marked the final of the Olympia, crowning Jay Cutler the title of Mr. O while one of my favorites, July 2010 Oxygen cover model, Erin Stern ousted reigning champ Nicole Wilkins Lee to take the title of Ms. Figure Olympia. Way to go Erin!

The top 6 were:

1. Erin Stern

2. Nicole Wilkins Lee

3. Heather Mae French

4. Kristal Richardson

5. Felicia Romero

6. Alicia Harris

For photos of the girls in action click here!

Stern takes the Olympia gold in figure!

Erin Stern took the Olympia stage by storm and grabbed her first Olympia title! Top six were as follows – we'll be posting some photos soon...Stay tuned!

1. Erin Stern
2. Nicole Wilkins-Lee
3. Heather Mae French

4. Kristal Richardson
5. Felicia Romero
6. Alicia Harris

Out in the desert!

We set off on a real adventure at our latest photo shoot in Las Vegas! We left the strip to head out to film some awesome training exercises with photographer Paul Buceta and fitness models Melissa Pittman and Heather Clay in the desert. Watch out for more videos coming soon!

What a Day in Vegas!

We had a jam-packed day yesterday shooting cover tries and training exercises with one of my favorite photographers, Stewart Volland. We had Ava Cowan, Felicia Romero, Jessica Putnam and Natalie Waples on set with us for all the fun! Check out a few snippets of what we got up to yesterday and of course, MORE TO COME!

IFBB Pro Felicia Romero shares with Oxygen!

Felicia Romero joined us in Las Vegas for our cover tries only two days out from the big competition. We got the scoop on how she prepares for the event of the year...

What did you eat for breakfast two days out from the competition:
Today I ate 4 oz tilapia, 1/4 cup oats and 1 tbsp almond butter. I know it sounds yummy (haha!) but I don’t mix it all together!

For the day of the show I will eat a 4 oz piece of steak, 1/4 cup dry oats and 1 tbsp almond butter.

How do you prepare mentally for your events?
To prepare for the show I do a lot of visualization. I imagine myself on stage. I also listen to music that’s going to help me through my cardio – Kanye West’s “Stronger” for example!

Strangest thing you’ve seen backstage?
Strangest thing I’ve seen is girls taking shots of vodka before going up on stage. Wow I’m not a drinker and if I did that I would be stumbling on the stage, LOL!

Most embarrassing moment on stage?
Most embarrassing moment on stage is when I won my pro card at the NPC USA’s. I had a huge piece of hair sticking up from too much hairspray and it’s in all the pictures!

Proudest Moments:
My proudest moment was placing top 5 at the Arnold two years in a row.

What are you goals going into the 2010 Olympia this year?
My goal is to be as confident as I can and I know that I gave my 110% going in. The rest is out of my hands!!!

Ava's in Vegas!

Gaspari Nutrition's Ava Cowan was our last model of the day on Thursday and what an inspiration she was! She'll be at the Gaspari booth Friday and Saturday. We had the chance to ask her a few questions about her fit lifestyle.

How do you stay on track with fitness, especially when you’re not competing?
I think about just how easy it is to gain extra body fat and how hard it is to lose. That keeps me from going crazy with the treats.

Who inspires you the most?
Pauline Nordin – she is always in shape.

What is your most memorable moment on stage?
At my first show when I won the Overall at the 2005 Southern States. That was one of the best moments of my life.

What is your greatest strength in and out of the gym?
I never give up, no matter what.

This year, you’re not competing but you have commitments with your sponsor – what does that involve?
I go to local stores to educate others about Gasapri Nutrition. I shoot information content for the website. Along with video for GaspariTV. I make appearances at the large shows as well as photo shoots for Gaspari’s products and magazines.

You can find out more about Ava on her website here:
http://www.avacowan.com/

5 questions with Natalie Waples

We had an amazing day so far in Las Vegas. Our plan today was executed and we shot four models throughout the day, each of them giving their best during their cover tries. Canadian Natalie Waples is in town this weekend to work the Nutrabolics booth at the Olympia Expo and is five weeks out from her next competition. She took some time out during the shoot to answer these five quick questions:

Favorite thing about competing:
I love to compete against myself. Improving every show and evolving every show and evolving as an athlete is very fulfilling. I have met so many friends while competing and consider myself so fortunate to be in such an exciting, health-minded industry.



Proudest moment:
Winning my IFBB Pro Card in figure. As a Canadian there are only 2 shows a year where accomplishing this is possible and I love competing so much that turning pro was my next step/goal.

Who is your role model and why?
My mother. She is the editor of a newspaper and is raising my two adopted brothers at the same time. She is the hardest working and most supportive person I know.

What three things led to your success in fitness?
1. I really worked hard to promote myself as a fitness model, ambassador and athlete.
2. Not being afraid to approach industry people and sponsors and the like.
3. I love to work out, take care of myself, and spread the word that this is the best industry in the world! Enthusiasm is contagious!

Favorite thing to do when not training and why:
I love to hang out with my two adorable dogs – they have so much energy and so much love to give.

What are five things we may not know about you?
1. I can sneeze like Donald Duck
2. My new workout goal is perfecting handstand push-ups
3. I am a grammar fanatic…funner is a new word!
4. My day job is a team leader/senior advisor in HR
5. I can take down a large pizza all by myself.

You can find out more about Natalie Waples on her personal website here:
http://www.nataliewaplesfitness.com/

Laughing with Natalie...Natalie Waples that is!

We're working our butts off in Las Vegas – shooting four cover tries today. Canadian Natalie Waples is one of the models that has been working hard today with us but we still have time to laugh and have fun! In between takes she took the time to answer a few questions for us which we'll post a little later today...stay tuned for her answers and behind-the-scenes galleries from the shoot today.

Off to the Olympia!

We're off to the Olympia and have been busy getting ready for it! Hope to see you there!

How glam is this?

It's pretty funny when we're on set at any photo shoot – it always sounds way more glamorous than what actually occurs. But it's always fun and we have a great crew! At a recent photo shoot, photographer Stewart Volland encouraged model Pauline Nordin to ham it up a little – and she did!

Info isn't enough!

Just got off the air with Mike Schikman, radio host at WSVA in Harrisonburg, VA, who made a point about information overload when it comes to trying to eat well. He mentioned that years ago we didn't know nutritional content – no labels at all and yet now labels are everywhere. And I pointed out that, although he was correct about the proliferation of labels on food, a recent study revealed the majority of consumers don't bother to look at them. (I on the other hand, am an avid reader of labels – I look like a crazy lady in aisles, reading, comparing, constantly figuring out sodium, fats levels etc.) So I'm curious – do you read nutrition labels? Or are you too busy? Too stressed?
Let me know!

Have a great – and fit – weekend! We'll talk next week.

Hey, look at us!!!!!

So here we are, Stacy Kennedy and me taking a break during a photo shoot – sometimes you just have to lighten up!!!!! And research shows that the happier you are, the healthier you are! This weekend, the last real one of the summer, try to take a break now and then and have some fun! You deserve it, you really do! I'll chat to you after the long weekend....talk soon!

Under siege!

At a recent photo shoot, we went (literally) underneath the Santa Monica pier to get the shot! Here is photographer Stewart Volland and his crew taking the perfect shot of fitness model Melissa Pittman. Sometimes you have to get wet to make sure you get the perfect shot – and that's what we did in LA!

A barking frenzy!

Just finished a segment with Frankie Boyer of Boston's Frankie Boyer Show and what a blast! I was invited on her show to talk about my book Pick It Kick It and I have to say it was a unique experience! She was babysitting two dogs and they created such a ruckus that, at one point in the interview, she had to explain to her listeners about the challenges of babysitting a couple of dogs who were miffed about each other's presence. During commercial breaks, Frankie and I would chat back and forth, at times over the melee....hilarious! But tons of fun! Have a great weekend – summer's almost over so get outside and get moving!!!!!

Do you eat enough?

This may sound a little crazy but when it comes to active women like you and me, the idea of not eating enough may be a more common problem that you may think. In the September issue of Oxygen magazine, writer Jennifer Sygo tackled the issue and already we are hearing from readers like you...here is just a sample of what you have to say:

I never realized how few calories I consume on a daily until I started keeping a food diary. I was trying to lose weight and hitting the gym frequently, however the weight just would not come off! After looking at my daily caloric intake I was shocked. Some days I consumed as little as 600 calories, not intentionally but simply based on my busy schedule. My average caloric intake was around 900. Obviously NOT ENOUGH for someone working out and trying to lose weight! This is a major problem and one that I believe more women suffer from but are probably unaware of how severe a problem this is.
- Sarah D, oxygenmag.com/eatmore

So why not pick up the September issue and let me know what you think!p.s. and here's an unabashed plug for my book, Pick it Kick it as yet another tool you should be using in your get-fit/stay-fit Oxygen lifestyle. You can buy it at pickitkickit.com

All the gals!

Standing with me at our recent shoot at the beach (hey it's a tough job, no kidding!!!!!) is make-up and styling guru Nancy Jambazian, editor-in-chief of Oxygen Stacy Kennedy and model Melissa Pittman....what a great shoot!!! Look for Melissa's photo by Stewart Volland in our next Oxygen special issue Off the Couch! (when she splashed her leg she got me soaking wet!!!!!)

More behind-the-scenes!!!!!

Gotta tell you, I love working with photographers – Paul Buceta, Robert Reiff, Cory Sorensen and many more! LA-based Stewart Volland is also a fave of ours here at Oxygen and so I tried (not very successfully, I admit) to take his picture shooting model Melissa Pittman at our most recent shoot – here it is!!!!!

Talk about motivation!

Just back from the IDEA conference in LA and what an inspiration it was! Great to see Oxygen advisory board members presenting the latest research and exercise science - we all came back with tons of (gulp) ideas!!!!! I also wanted to thank you again for posting so many helpful ways you stay motivated - our next Oxygen special issue Off the Couch! Motivation for Real Women is on stands this fall and we've packed it with tons of motivating tips from real women like you! Stay tuned! p.s. here's a photo of model Melissa Pittman and me after working on the beach on our photo shoot following the conference! Pick up a copy - she's in it!

Pounding the pavement

Twice a week, some of us at Robert Kennedy Publishing take to the streets. Our new running group proves there's lots more you can do than eat on your lunch break! Talk about motivation for each other. We love it!

90210 goes glutes!

Anyone who's ever been on set for a photo or video shoot knows there is a lot of stand-around-and-wait-time for technicalities (mostly lighting) to be just so. To keep himself occupied on set, Beverly Hills 90210 alum (and most recently Mr. Megan Fox) Brian Austin Green enjoyed a peak at Oxygen's newest Glutes cover. Check out Green's reaction to cover girl Jamie Eason's tight and toned posterior.

How do you stay fit?

Getting fit is one thing – staying fit is another. We want to know what (or who) motivates you to stay fit? Please let me know here! You may your see comments in our upcoming issue of Off The Couch.

This just in – biceps are hot!

Diana Chaloux's biceps are newsworthy, and we couldn't agree more. After being spotted in a biceps training feature in the August 2010 issue of Oxygen, reporters at Fox 4 News in Kansas City tracked down the fitness model to find out just what it takes to get those arms.

What motivates you?

Getting your butt off the couch can definitely be a challenge, especially for hard-working, busy ladies like us. I want to know what (or who) motivates you to get off that couch and get fit! Please let me know here! You may your see comments in our upcoming issue of Off The Couch.

Butt seriously!

Oxygen's popular columnists Jamie Eason and Tosca Reno chat about their rumps. Watch this behind-the-scenes video, filmed at Tosca's house!

How do you get motivated?

Well, even though we're thrilled with our latest Oxygen special, we're already at work on the next one and we need your help! How do you keep your mind on track so you can reach all of your fitness goals? And what's worked for you in other areas of your life? Please let me know here!

Meet us at the wall!

Check out one of the ways we watch Oxygen and its Collector's Issues evolve every month – the mini-wall!

Study conundrum

In a recent New York Times Magazine article, blogger Gretchen Reynolds cited a fascinating study on female cyclists who, she admits, were added as participants almost as an "after thought" – no surprise here! Part of the role as an editor is to sift through the latest exercise science research, and truth be told, there is endless data on men and not so much on women. We are constantly looking at data and asking ourselves as editors: Were only men studied? After all, it's only recently that women know that heart attacks present themselves differently in females than they do in men; so too did researchers find differences in the way protein reacts in female and male cyclists. As Reynolds says in her blog, we need to demand more research on female athletes. What do you think?

Jamie trains on two wheels!

Oxygen columnist and fitness model Jamie Eason doesn't just spend her time in the gym – as you can see in this video, she loves to get outside and have fun! She reveals all about how she sculpts her own glutes in Oxygen's latest Glutes special issue that's on sale now!

Glutes goes on sale tomorrow!

The Glutes special goes on sale TOMORROW!! Everyone at the office is super excited. I can't wait to see it on newsstands!

Lift your glutes...with Lindsay

Take a look at our Glutes photo shoot with Lindsay Kaye. It was her first ever Oxygen shoot and she did such a fantastic job with "Give Your Glutes a Lift!" on page 50 and "Take Inches Off Your Hips" on page 90. I can't believe the issue goes on sale next week!! You can pre-order it here or get it on newsstands Tuesday July 6th. p.s. Watch the video to hear Lindsay talk about her top three glutes moves. What are yours?

What a photo shoot!!!!

Go behind the scenes with me as I chat with Tosca and Jamie about (what else?) their butts! Both gals were kept moving - you'll even get a peek of them on a trampoline!

Let's Talk About Our Behinds!

A sneak peek at our newest Special Collector's issue, Glutes!

It's on sale July 6th! Get it here!
And btw, when I was chatting to you about training with The Eat-Clean Diet® team for the half-marathon, I forgot to say that all proceeds go towards battling diabetes.

Yours truly in Central Park!

We took a break at "Alice" in Central Park last week. A bunch of us at the office have decided to do a half-marathon in the fall! (See what happens when you go for a run in the park?) We've put together an Eat-Clean Diet team and we're going to start training next week. Would you like to join our team? The more the merrier! Register here and make sure to enter Eat-Clean Diet as your employer. It's the 2010 Toronto Marathon on October 17 (not the corporate event). See you there!!!

Morning jumpstart!

Ok, I have to admit that when I first heard about steel cut oats, all I thought was "too much trouble." But now, I'm hooked into eating them  - every morning. In fact, I dropped off a bag of them to my mom the other day, selling her on them as a morning meal because they take only 4 minutes in the microwave. Here's what I do...pour some water into a glass bowl so the oats are covered and then nuke them for 4 minutes. Then, I add a tablespoon of almond butter, unsweetened apple sauce, berries and yogurt....mmmm! what a great way to start the day! How do you start your day? 

Running in Central Park

Back from a conference in NYC and what a blast! One of the best ways to start off an agenda-packed day was by joining other conference attendees for a fun 5 mile run through Central Park. How cool is that? Hosted by City Running Tours, these two affable fellas took us through Central Park, chatting about its history, its quirks and even gave us (hurrah!) a little gossip! Who knew, for instance,  the Dakotas turned down Madonna? Bet they wouldn't do that to Oprah! My little fun run has sparked another thought - maybe do a half marathon this fall? Tell me what you think....is it too ambitious? 

Hey, it's not all glamorous!

Ok, so you think being a fitness model is all glam? Think again. On our cover shoot for the next Oxygen Collector's Issue, Glutes fitness model Jamie Eason was captured behind the scenes readying for her big moment! Nice look Jamie!!!!!!!!!


I'm in New York next week, so I'll catch up with all of you when I get back....keep fit and eat clean!

Snow in Calgary!

Just got off the phone with Abs cover gal Miryah Scott who told me she was looking at snow on her car in Calgary, Alberta – wow! They aren't kidding about the Great White North! This weekend, vow to get outside – even in snow shoes!!!! Turn off the television and, instead, go for a walk, a run or a hike. You'll not only sleep better (trust me!), you'll have more energy – no matter if you live in sunny climates or (argh) in snowy ones. Talk to you soon...

Send me your tats!

Well, not the real tattoos of course! But all of you seem to have such diverse opinions regarding tattoos and their placement in this mag, I'd love to see 'em! Send me a pic of your tattoo (or two or three) and we'll consider publishing it, as long as it's not tooooo scandalous! Just had to throw that out there – can't wait to see your faves!!!! Write to me here: dhart@oxygenmag.com

It's grilling time!

Ok, so who does the grilling in your family? If it's you, good on you girl! All too often, the guys take ownership of the tongs and the cooking (which is fine by me, btw). But I just read an interesting study reported in Circulation that gives credence to the notion of making smarter choices when you eat, the simple but effective way to weight loss that I write about in Oxygen's latest book Pick it Kick it. In this study, an intriguing finding jumped out at me – the link between red meat like steak and heart disease and diabetes wasn't found, but guess what? The link between a risk of heart disease and diabetes was found in processed meats like hot dogs, sausages and luncheon meat – even just 1.8 ounces (or one hot dog) daily – was linked to a whopping 42% increase in the risk of heart disease. Wow! So the next time your guy reaches for the grilling meat or makes a sandwich for lunch, do him – and yourself – a favor by making sure it isn't a hot dog or any other kind of processed luncheon meat. Talk to you later in the week!

Tat storm!

We've been swamped with emails from many of you about tattoos after printing a comment from a reader in our June issue. Michelle took offense at our refusal to remove a tattoo from one of our fitness models, saying that "Tattoos detract from the beauty and effort of a weightlifter and are just plain ugly" and asked us to keep our standards higher. What do you think? (I myself like tats....but what about you?) Let me know what you think and we'll add them to our coverage of the "Tat storm of controversy" in an upcoming issue of Oxygen. Have a great weekend – stay active, eat clean and we'll chat next week.

Tell Me Your Story!

I want to hear from you! Have strength training and clean eating transformed your body – and your life? Whether it's fat loss, muscle building or newfound tone, I want all the juicy details! Tell me your story for a chance to share your fit success and inspire other readers!

Caboose, derriere or......what?

Around this time of year, we're all a little bit weary of trying to find new names for your posterior...yes, we're putting together our next Oxygen Collector's Special on Glutes and it's looking great! Wait until you see it – we think it's better than ever. I've even added my two new favorite workouts for glutes that I've been trying out near my home. And I don't know if you're at all like me in this regard, but the more I can do my workouts alongside other tasks, the more consistent I remain. This weekend, for instance, I ran stairs in between errands and it was great! So call it your caboose, butt, bottom, derriere or whatever, just get it moving, right?

Talk to you later this week....send me your tips for a great butt, ok?

cheers!

Inspiration at 88!!

Gotta love that Betty White – did you catch her on SNL over the weekend? I really couldn't believe the criticism she received from some naysayers – I mean, she's 88 years old for heaven's sake. I personally thought she was brilliant! (Plus, she garnered some of the best ratings in recent months, so who can argue with that?) Have a great and fit week and don't forget to drop into the new site for Oxygen's latest book Pick it Kick it....visit pickitkickit.com!

Talk to you later in the week!

"My mom is my motivation every single day!"

With Mother's Day coming up this weekend (hi Kate and Drew!) I have to share a story I got from a young woman whose mother should be very proud of her. It almost moved me to tears....in fact, here it is and thanks to Jessica for sending it!

I realize that you must constantly receive hundreds of messages on a day to day basis. Please just hear me out. I am 18 years old and currently live in Park City, Utah. My mom, Laurie, is a personal trainer out of her own gym. She took her class win and the overall win in her first figure competition around the age of 43. She is currently 46 years old, with 3 kids (27, 18 and 15) and still continues to strive for excellence in the fitness world. I understand that, because she is my mother, it's easy for me to talk highly of her achievements. However, I would be happy to e-mail pictures and information about her just to prove how much of an inspiration this woman is, not only as a mother, but also as an influence to be healthy and fit. She is my motivation every single day and I can't ask for anything more than having the editors of Oxygen read over my message and hopefully take an interest in getting to know her. She deserves this chance and I know she could motivate your readers as well.

Thank you for your time,
Jessica

A wacky world!

In a world that seemingly gets turned upside down at times (oil spills, tornadoes, celeb train wrecks), the one thing that keeps me grounded, other than family, is my commitment to fitness. After all, it's often the one thing that feels as though I can control. (I know, I know – for all you psychology experts, I realize there is no such thing as control.) But it does keep me sane in what increasingly feels like an insane world. The images of that oil spill and its relentless crawl across the ocean to those beleaguered people in Louisiana still resonate today. I just can't imagine an oil spill of such magnitude – I mean, the size of Jamaica???? In any case, it may seem like a small thing in today's madcap world but getting out for my Sunday stair-running coupled with a back/biceps/butt workout, followed by a facial to die for was just the ticket this weekend. I highly recommend taking some me-time on the weekends for fitness and for you! Stay in touch and let me know how you're doing! Talk soon.....

Om power!

Oxygen's assistant editor Sandy Braz is an urban gal who takes great inspiration from you – the Oxygen reader! Here, she strolls her downtown neighborhood, on her way to a workout. Says Sandy: "I'm so inspired by readers who live the Oxygen lifestyle every day by eating clean and sticking to their routines." (She loves yoga, btw!)

Cover model reveals all! (sort of)

Now I'm not saying on this early Monday morning that I am trying to be provocative; that our mag is one of those tell-all rags spilling secrets of the rich and famous (hello, Kitty Kelley!). In fact, we try very hard to get it right every month, including getting all kinds of personal information about our models. We know you like it (and so do we!). Take cover model Miryah Scott who tells her story in Oxygen's Abs Special issue and will be continuing the conversation in Oxygen later this summer (her first column starts in July, so keep an eye out for it). It may not be as fascinating as Oprah's unauthorized bio but you'll learn something new about this interesting gal, that I can promise you. What I've learned recently is this: the more you know, the better. Be it about training, nutrition or what makes somebody tick – soak it all up. You never know who or what will be your next source of inspiration. Have a great, active week!

She loves to manage us!

Meet Oxygen's managing editor Samantha Israel who, as it happens, took home the top prize in last year's fitness challenge here at the office. She's at it again, working out frenetically and trying to get those abs to pop! "My abs are my fitness benchmark. When I can see two to four of them, I know my routine is up to par. When I'm all belly, it's time for more weighted declines, reverse crunches and bicycles," says Sam, also Clean Eating's managing editor. Here she is kayaking in Westchester, NY.

Meet Oxygen's fitness editor!

Ever wonder about the faces behind the mag? Here's our fitness editor Rachel Crocker on her way (surprise, surprise) to an abs workout! "Between training my back, legs, arms, chest and the occasional cardio session, working my abs sometimes gets lost in the mix. Stability ball roll-ups and weighted crunches are high on my must-do exercise list!" says Rachel.

(Check out Oxygen's new Abs Special on newsstands now and let me know what you think!) Talk to you later this week!

Get outside!

I'm not sure how it is for you, but every Friday I make a plan in my head about my upcoming weekend workouts. And this one excites me because I'll be outdoors more than ever! The sun is supposed to shine all weekend and it's bike time for me! What's kind of neat is the camaraderie that occurs out on the road with other cyclists and somehow, in the spring, there are a ton of us on the road! (My big goal is to find a bike pump that does double duty on both my mountain bike and road bike...wish me luck!) Have fun this weekend and get outdoors! Talk to you Monday! (And may the wind be at your back!!!!!)

Are you a success story?

I need your help! We are already at work on our next Oxygen Collector's Issue slated for the fall and we are looking for great success stories. Send any and all to us here at Oxygen – I'd love to hear what you have to say about how your life has altered!

I've said this before but I truly believe women derive great inspiration from each other – especially when it comes to making major life changes. Take our Abs cover gal, Miryah Scott - in just a year she went from out of shape to getting a pro card! (Read her story in our new issue out this week!) So share your story! (who knows? you may read about yourself in an upcoming Oxygen Collector's Special!) Talk to you again later this week.

Behind-the-scenes cover shoot

So here we are – Miryah (centre), our new cover model for the new Abs issue, just out this week, Erin (right) our art director, and yours truly, getting in a few laughs after a long day on set. I have to say it was an inspiring day! After getting Miryah to try on – and shoot her in a half dozen bathing suits – Miryah tried on a pair of her own jeans (that fit her like a glove, btw) and suddenly it worked! She relaxed into the moment. And that moment was caught by photographer Paul Buceta and became our cover shot! Confidence is truly magical! And isn't that true for all of us? You don't have to be a cover model to realize that being comfortable and feeling good in your own skin translates into confidence. And, maybe, just maybe, we should gain confidence not in wearing what we think we should – but in what we're comfortable in; what's good for us! But tell me – Is that true for you? Do you feel more confident when you're in your own jeans?

Say what?

I have to tell you how happy I am with Oxygen's latest book, Pick it Kick it! Not only did I get to research all about nutrition and fat loss, but I learned all kinds of nifty facts pertinent to all of us struggling to find new ways to stay on the clean-eating and exercise track. For example, one of the facts in the book is this: Cutting down on fat and losing those pounds will save you money in the long run. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a 10% weight loss will reduce an overweight person's lifetime medical costs by $2,200–$5,300 . Yikes! If you don't need another reason to lose a few pounds, how about cheaper medical costs? Works for me!!!!!

p.s. There's tons of motivation and tips in the book. Buy it here!

p.p.s. The Abs special goes on sale tomorrow!!!!

5 minutes to great abs!

I know, I know...there are millions of people promising the world and all you want are flat abs, right? I hear you...but in our upcoming Oxygen Collector's special issue, Abs, we actually deliver! Here is a sneak preview of one of the articles in the mag, packed full of handy, easy tips to get you the abs you deserve. Pick it up on newsstands April 6 or order it online.

p.s. Have a great weekend. I think I'm going to have to adopt Carla's adaptation of workout this weekend – looking forward to my next outdoor "play" out!!!!! Have fun and we'll chat next week.

A heart-pumping workout!

As much as I love a good weights session in the gym, I do love this time of year when you can get outside. And this past weekend, I actually tested out a new way to mix up my cardio - instead of running along the water by my place, I tried something new....and I love it! Just a few blocks away from me is our local library. Because it's closed in the mornings on Sundays, it was the perfect time to test out my new routine - running up the stairs alongside the library. Fantastic! It's a pretty nifty way to mix up my cardio - fast, easy and (here's the best part)...cheap! All I did was run up the stairs and walk down. Repeat. Do as many repeats as you can and presto! A terrific interval workout that is a perfect way to end a cardio session! Try it out and let me know what you think! 

Our New Book!

Here's a sneak peek of Pick It Kick It, the new book that I wrote for Oxygen. We're all really excited about it! It goes on sale in May, so check your local newsstands or pre-order it now.

Amazing Abs!

So excited to let all of you know about our upcoming Oxygen Collector's issue, Abs - we think it's better than ever! Not only is it packed with the great information you've come to expect from our magazines, we introduce a new face to you....cover model Miryah Scott from Calgary, Alberta in Canada. You'll read all about her and find out insider's training tips just by picking it up next month. It's on newsstands April 6! It's inspired me to incorporate some new ways to do abs (and I have to admit that all too often I leave 'em to the end of my workout). Check it out and then let me know what you think....anytime!

Booth babes!

Here are two of our favorite booth workers, models Rachel Davis and Brooke Griffin, still perky after a long day at the Arnold. I can't tell you how much i enjoyed working with all the models and chatting to everyone about Oxygen and the Special issues - everyone has such a positive attitude! (must be all that exercise and clean eating!). I hope that you are still on track with whatever plan you have to exercise regularly and eat clean: it's easy to beat yourself up about it. My daughter, Kate, who I just had lunch with today spoke the truth when she said what impresses her most about the mag is its feeling of "sisterhood". So, sisters in iron, stay tough - hang in there and have a great - and active - weekend!

Recuperating from The Arnold!

Wow! What an amazing weekend - thanks to all of you for taking the time to stop by our booth this year and tell us what you think of our magazines. We had a blast! It's always so inspiring to hear your stories and insights into what will improve our magazines. As tired as I am today (yawn), I'm also pumped to stay on the fitness and clean eating track (and even get a spray tan now and again!). I'll post photos from the Arnold soon....stay tuned!

Stacy says hi!

So here is Stacy K, Oxygen mag's editor-in-chief. If you haven't met her yet, just come by our booth at the Arnold – the whole gang will be there. We'll have lots going on – see you then!

Come and visit us at the Arnold!

I absolutely love this time of year and one of the biggest reasons is (you guessed it!) the opportunity to get to the Arnold! We're all going to be there and would love to see you so please pop by our booth! You'll see Tosca Reno, Jamie Eason, Elaine Goodlad, Lindsay Messina, Kim Dolan-Leto and others demonstrating various moves and chatting up a storm! It's always a blast and this year proves to be even better! Btw, bring ideas to our booth about what you'd like to see in Oxygen magazine or the Oxygen specials – we'd love to know your thoughts!

It's Arnold Time!

Wow! We are all gearing up for The Arnold next weekend and I, for one, can't wait for it! I hope you can stop by our booth – we've got some of your favorite fitness gals doing demonstrations, signing autographs and chatting about the Oxygen lifestyle. It's going to be a terrific time! Drop by and see us – we'd love to chat! (And, btw, you'll get a sneak preview of our next Oxygen Collector's special issue on Abs!) See you there!

Off to the slopes!

I'm so revved up by the Olympics that I've convinced my kids to join me in an impromptu day skiing this weekend! My daughter Kate is worried her fancy snowboard goggles have gone missing and my son Drew is not looking forward to the early start! But I'm pumped – I simply can't wait to get out for some good runs and spend some time with my kids! Wish us luck! (I'll try and take some pics!) Talk to you next week!

Great abs are yours! (really)

Ok, so I admit it – we are having the best time putting together our next Oxygen Collector's Special Issue on Abs (out on newsstands April 6!). Keep your eye out for it! More on that next time we chat....

I love my gym time!

Wasn't the Super Bowl exciting? I'm so happy the Saints pulled it off! I love resiliency and determination – and they've spurred me on to new vigor in the gym! Today, for example, I'm heading in for my new total-body workout, the third part of it. And I know that the Captain's Chair will figure into it near the end. So, with trying to get my abs in tip-top shape, I'll be getting into the gym we have here at the office and doing my weights close to the Captain's Chair so I can hop on and finish my workout on the Chair. Hey, it's all about efficiency, right? As for stretching, I'm the absolute worst! If you have any ideas at all on how to fit stretching into a lunchtime workout, I'm all ears! Have a great week, stay as determined as the Saints to meet your goals, and we'll chat again on Friday!

"If I laugh, it hurts!"

Ok, I admit to the irony – we are in the midst of putting together our next Oxygen Collector's Issue devoted to abs and mine are so sore it honestly hurts to laugh (or cough)! What happened? I discovered the addition of a new piece of equipment here at our gym – the captain's chair! (Yes, we feel lucky to have an on-site gym for lunch hour workouts.) I couldn't resist – I had to try it out! Today, I'm paying the price for being overly enthusiastic – it honestly hurts to laugh (and I love to laugh!). In any case, I'll wait a while before doing my next abs workout. And if you have any stories to share about your own abs training, I'd love to know! (We can commiserate together!) Have a great weekend. We'll chat Monday.

Olympic fever!

With all the buzz about the Olympics, I felt I had to share a video that came across my desk this week. One of the members of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, Lindsey Vonn, did a short training demo for advertiser Under Armour as an Olympic promo. Here it is! Enjoy! (And, no, this isn't a blatant plug for them – just a shared pride in our Olympic athletes. Go Team!)

Beach bunnies (sort of!)

So I'm back from a few days in LA and it was (sigh) raining the entire time! How I long for some beach time! To get my sunshine fix vicariously, I'm sharing a video of model Fran Dennis at the beach shoot we did for the most recent Oxygen Collector's Issue, Fat Loss. As you'll see, it's a lot of fun – and a lot of work to get it right. So take a few seconds and watch fitness expert Andrea Lee McMillan, myself and photographer Paul Buceta put Fran through her paces at the shoot. And, hey, why not try her plyo routine out yourself and let me know what you think! (It starts on page 92 of the Fat Loss special.)

Training tips?

Texting in from the West Coast. I took a few days off work and I'm finding it challenging to take time to train while I'm out here. How do you exercise when you're off of your regular schedule? I need some pointers!

Back to the grind on Monday. See you then.

It's all about the shoes!

A friend of mine went away for the weekend and took (I kid you not!) eight pairs of shoes/boots – is that not insane? Not that I'm averse to great shoes – but that seems a little excessive, even to me! But shoes do matter – on the street, in the office and especially in the gym. A reader contacted me the other day asking about shoes worn by model Fran Dennis in our Oxygen Collector's Special, Off the Couch! She wondered what brand of shoes Fran was wearing for the outdoor stretch feature "Get Lean & Tall in Minutes." (p.s. we checked it out and they are actually Diesel shoes.) Thanks, by the way, for taking time in this crazy world to send me your comments about our new Oxygen special: Fat Loss...it's the perfect time of year to derive great inspiration and we give that (and more) to you! Keep those comments coming – I read each and every one! Let me know the best tip you received from Fat Loss (even if it is only about shoes). Talk to you Friday!

I need your help!

When it comes to hearing from you, I'm all ears! And this time, I'm hoping you'll help me out with one of those nagging questions no one seems to be able to answer. What, in your opinion, is the best abs exercise you can do at home or in the gym? In fact, take our poll (find it on the right side of this page)...we'd love your feedback for our next Oxygen special issue!

Tell Me Your Story!

I want to hear from you! Have strength training and clean eating transformed your body – and your life? Whether it's fat loss, muscle building or newfound tone, I want all the juicy details! Tell me your story for a chance to share your fit success and inspire other readers!

Hello from NYC!

Happy New Year! I had to share a pic of me in New York recently – baby, was it cold outside! In fact, I bought this hat just off Times Square just to keep the heat in (you know, of course, that about 30% of your body heat escapes through your head, so hats are a necessity, especially during the cold snaps all over the States this year)...So please remember to wear a hat during your outdoor training runs or walks – it's a brand new year and the time has come to work off all the holiday excess! Have you picked up our new Oxygen Collector's Special yet? It's on newsstands now and will jumpstart your new year's fitness resolutions (promise). Let me know what you think...just get in touch anytime!

Kim and I