If there are things we all complain about when trying to lose weight, it's that diets are restrictive, we run out of creative ideas on how to prepare low fat meals that actually taste good or honestly, we are just plain lazy trying to figure out how to work a diet plan into our lifestyle. ediets new Deliciously Yours is trying to change the way you diet and it sounds very enticing to me!

The new Deliciously Yours diet plan involves freshly prepared meals that are not powdered, dried or canned, have no added preservatives, yet can stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to 14 days. It's a well balanced meal suited for your weight loss needs, calories counted and all. The ediets Deliciously Yours Meal menu contains 50 meals you can choose from for your weekly 4 meal a day plan. And that 4th meal? Dessert! I love that you don't have to give up eating dessert because certainly if you deprived yourself of a sweet each day you may just find yourself gorging yourself when the temptation cracks.

Being part of the plan you are given free access to ediets.com where you can work with a nutritionist and personal trainer to develop a plan that will fit your lifestyle. The Deliciously Yours plan allows you to choose two ways in which you want to tackle the program to lose weight--either utilizing the freshly prepared food menu 7 days a week or by doing the "weekends free" plan. If you are just beginning your weight loss, you'll want to go with 7 days until you feel confident enough with portion control and getting into the habit of healthy eating. That way when you switch to the weekends free version, you'll be able to confidently cook weekend meals that won't sabotage your weight loss goal.

Have you seen or tried Deliciously Yours? I'd love to hear your opinion on it.

With the guilt of holiday over-indulgence, people are pledging weight loss and hitting the gyms. In that spirit I have compiled a list of what everyone in the fitness industry is talking about as the hottest fitness trends for this year:

1. Technology Based Workouts. I've talked a lot about this over the past year. Some posts you may want to review: Garmin's Edge, Expresso Fitness's S2, Star Trac Elite and Video Game Fitness.

2. Express Workouts: Everyone is busy these days, which is why we have been seeing the programs that focus on 30 minute workouts become so successful.

3. Functional Fitness: Fitness programs tailor made to you through everyday activity.

4. Social Networking: Fitness enthusiasts find that there is strength and accountability in numbers. Posts I've written that discuss it are: Fitfiend.com

5. Fusion fitness: Blends of pilates, yoga and tai chi will all be popular. I also think the ever growing franchise of LA Boxing with its kickboxing and mixed martial arts programs will do very well this year.

There are plenty more forecasts for fitness trends floating around, but I would love to hear you give your forecast for fitness trends in the comments.

Nautilus has found a way to combine the fitness benefits of stepping, walking and running into one innovative and integrative product. The TreadClimber TC916, found only in fitness clubs, helps the user burn twice as many calories than walking on a treadmill alone. Aside from burning more calories, the TreadClimber is also easier on the joints and is configured for novices, as well as experts, to use.

The revolutionary design of the Nautilus TreadClimber TC916 is what makes it so unique. A normal treadmill would have a track you would walk on, but the TreadClimber track is an treadmill whose track is an alternating stepper that combines walking with hill climbing. Typically you would walk or run on a treadmill, however the TreadClimber's stepper conforms to your steps with alternating motion while it is the falling treadles that absorbs the impact from your feet and not your joints. This makes for a low impact cardio workout that takes less effort to achieve greater results.

Have you had the opportunity to try this innovative fitness product?

The one thing I have noticed about fitness routines, is that you need to spice it up every now and again or else you'll find yourself simply going through the motions lacking motivation or the determination to continue forward to your goal. One such fitness regimen that just about guarantees you'll never proclaim boredom again is boot camp style fitness.

This unique fitness class draws its roots from military style strength training and cardiovascular techniques. It is designed to allow participants to get into the best shape of their lives without having to be in a traditional gym setting. The strategy combines strength training, cardiovascular exercises, balance, and coordination as well as modified Yoga and Pilates activities. Everyone begins with an acclamation period, so that everyone can work at their own pace and level.

Benefits of Boot Camp Fitness:

* Increased flexibility.
* Stronger core muscle to prevent back pain.
* A more sculpted butt, thighs, hips, and abs with lower body fat.
* Improved balance and coordination.
* Results usually seen quicker than gym workouts.

For Boot Camp style fitness in LA try Optimum Fitness or in NY try Pure Power Boot Camp.

Cycling enthusiasts everywhere are awaiting Garmin's newest line of fitness tracking computers, Edge. Catering uniquely to both recreational and competitive cyclists, these handy little GPS-enabled devices will quickly become your personal trainer, helping you to achieve optimum results from your cycling routine.

The Edge has four devices to choose from Edge 205 and 605 for recreational cyclists and Edge 305 and 705 for competitive cyclists. Regardless of the Edge device you choose, it is sure to bring you to the next level assisting you to achieve your personal best each time you head out on your bike.

Edge 205 ($269): Attaches to the handlebars of your bike, GPS-enabled, automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude, and records this data for your review.

Edge 605 ($430): Built in basemap and microSD card slot for adding map detail and storing workouts, courses and saved rides. Add preloaded street map data with MapSource City Navigator and get turn-by-turn directions on a sunlight-readable, color display. Edge 605 also automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned and altitude.

Edge 305 ($379): This GPS-enabled device automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent with barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation, and records this data for your review.

Edge 705 ($541-$709): This device comes in 3 versions: With heart rate; with heart rate, speed and cadence; and with heart rate, speed/cadence and data card with street maps. The built in receiver is strong enough to receive and hold a satelite signal under trees and near tall buildings. It also automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, pin-points a change in elevation and records this data for your review.

All four Garmin Edge devices mentioned above will be available in January 2008; see the Garmin website for further details on each product.

January 1st is the big day we all make that fitness pledge, "A new year, a new you." Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve we forgive ourselves from the over eating and over indulgence and promise ou bodies we'll make amends on the first day of the new year. So when I came across Fitness Journal's, "Reverse New Year's Challenge," I was intrigued.

What exactly is a reverse New Year's challenge? It's when you make your New Year's resolution to be in shape by January 1st not on it. That's a pretty tough challenge considering all of the holiday parties you'll be attending this month whose hostesses are most likely not thinking about your waistline. This is the time of year for fruit cakes, baklava, cookies and other fattening treats, not to mention the high carb alcohol that's likely to be making appearances at festivities everywhere.

However, I think the idea is genius. What a great way to really test your will power and be ahead of everyone else come New Year's Day. You'll no longer sound so cliche making the same promises as millions of other people, resolving to exercise more and eat healthier. In fact, I'm sure you'll raise a few eyebrows when complimented on how great you look as you proudly tell them it's due to your reverse New Year's resolution. Imagine having the figure you want now and not waiting to get started weeks from now?

I think it's a pretty interesting concept, but will it catch on? We'd love to here what you think in the comments.

Oftentimes when we are ready to take the plunge into a fitness program, we forget the basic do's and don'ts to working out. Below are some simple tips to keep in mind, as put together by Penn State University:

DO Start Off Moderately
Work your way into a routine. Going overboard after a long respite from exercise may result in injury, or at least disappointment. Your workout shouldn't do either, so build up from a moderate beginning.

DON'T Over-Exercise
For maximum benefit at minimum injury risk, the body needs to rest and recover. At least a 24-hour rest after heavy muscle strain is advised. Stagger workouts between heavy and light strain. For example, you can alternate a weight training routine with biking.

DO Warm Up and Cool Down
A low-impact warm-up before any exercise is essential. It warms the muscles, makes them more limber and easier to stretch, which results in a better workout. It also helps to prevent injury. Cooling down after exercising is also important as it relaxes the muscles, lowers the heart rate, and helps the body to recover from the stress of a workout. It'll make you feel better immediately after the workout, and the next morning.

DO Stretch
Flexibility is one of the most important factors of fitness. Stretching before, during and after a workout will result in better performance, good posture, fewer injuries, and overall better fitness.

DON'T Push an Injury
Listen to your body. If you feel pain, stop. Muscle and joint pain can mean many things -- pushing a small hurt can lead to big problems later on. If pain persists more than a few days, see a doctor.

DO Consult a Trainer
If you belong to a gym, you may have the opportunity to consult a certified trainer. He or she can help you craft a reasonable workout plan, tailored for your goals. A trainer can also teach proper form with exercise equipment. Even if you are experienced, bad habits can be developed.

DON'T Get Bored
Don't get bored with your workout. New exercises can break the monotony, and the excitement of perfecting new skills can help motivate. Since different exercises work different parts of the body, a diverse workout will aid overall fitness.

DO Find a Workout Partner
If motivation is your problem, a workout partner might be the solution. A partner can motivate you to workout when you normally might not, and can help improve your workout by watching form, encouraging extra effort, and pacing. Try to pick a partner with abilities equal to your own.

DON'T Lose Concentration
Preoccupation with outside situations can counteract the benefits of a workout. For example, you might decrease intensity as you lose concentration. And not paying attention to a workout can lead to sloppy style and potential injury. Instead, use the time to concentrate on proper form and control. It will lead to a better workout, greater benefits, and a more relaxing experience.

DO Watch What You Eat
Diet is just as much a part of fitness as exercise, and what you eat will affect every aspect of your workout. A proper diet also influences the results of you fitness plan, since it helps build muscle and decrease the percentage of fat in your overall body weight.

DON'T Dehydrate Yourself
When exercising, the body needs four to eight ounces of water every 20 minutes to replace water loss. If you become thirsty during a workout, you've already passed out of a "safe" stage of hydration. Take fluids immediately. If you are working out for more than an hour, you may want to consider sports drinks, as the extra carbohydrates help retain body water. But try them out first, as not all work, and some may cause unwanted reactions. Always avoid caffeine or alcohol when exercising, both of which further dehydrate your body.

DO Have Fun!
The benefits to working out don't pay off if you don't enjoy yourself. This isn't an excuse for not exercising, as it's still vital to your health. But finding a workout that you enjoy will make the difference when setting a workout schedule that will stick.

Dieting is something all of us have done at one point or another in our lives, or at least something we have thought about doing. However, many diets fail and for a variety of reasons. Many times it is the human factor, which includes eating to satiate a need, a love and overabundance of certain foods, or the inability to understand portion control. Other times it is the diet program we choose, which might alienate a specific food group, have super strict guidelines or just don’t fit into our lifestyle.

Some of the top reasons that diets, especially “trend” diets fail are:

* Diets deprive us creating a battle of “will power.” Many diets involve eliminating certain foods or even whole food groups. This is not only unhealthy but also unrealistic for the long term.
* Diets often don't fit into our day-to-day lives. Weighing, measuring food and counting points may help you lose weight, but aren't practical as long-term strategies for most people.
* Diets can be costly. Buying special foods or into special diet programs can rack up a big bill quickly. When the money runs out, it may lead you to quitting the program.
* Diets can actually lower your metabolism. When you drastically cut back on calories, your metabolism tends to slow down and goes into “starvation mode.” If your body feels it is at risk for starving, it will burn calories slower and store fat as a way to protect itself.
* Diet only plays a small part in weight loss. Long term weight loss and management is not just about what you eat, it requires incorporating exercise into your daily life, as well. Experts recommend 60-90 minutes a day most days of the week.

Many times we gain weight for one reason or another and feel that dieting is a quick fix. Many times we do lose the weight, but often gain back the pounds within the next few years because we did not utilize dieting as a lifestyle change or even look deeper into why we were overeating in the first place. If you eat when you are depressed, stressed or for comfort, those issues will still arise—dieting or not. It’s best to deal with those issues head on so that you use different healthy coping skills when the need to fill a void arises, otherwise you will continue to fall back on what is most comfortable and easy for you.

Creating a lifestyle modification that leads to permanent changes in eating habits and exercise are what will make your ability to lose weight and keep it off a success. Diets are simply a temporary fix to a long-term problem. Some of the ways you can be successful at losing weight are:

Continue reading "Why Diets Often Fail" »

I had never heard of Pilates until I was up late one night several years ago unable to sleep and began watching infomercials. On came the famous Daisy Fuentes endorsed Winsor Pilates. It looked easy enough and was much different from the exercise routines I was following at the time that were rendering little results, so I hopped online and ordered the complete Winsor Pilates set of DVD’s.

Much to my surprise, Pilates was not as easy as it seemed on the infomercial at 2am, in fact it was pretty challenging. However the thing I noticed most was that it worked my entire body and left me energized afterwards (and a little sore). After two weeks I noticed that each move was easier to do and soon enough I dropped 10 pounds and the tone to my muscles had a leaner appearance.

Some of the great benefits of Pilates are:

* Gives more support to your spine and creates more mobility.
* It puts no stress on your joints, doesn’t wear down the ligaments and cartilage around your    joints and never overstresses your muscles.
* You only need to do Pilates 3x a week consistently to see results.
* Promotes better balance and better coordination.
* Improves your mental outlook and creates a feeling of calmness, balance and rejuvenation.
* Builds strength without bulking up.

Continue reading "Pilates: Fitness For the Body and Mind" »

If you love the relaxation that a cruise can bring, but also love fitness, Carnival Cruise lines has another great annual cruise put together for this year's fitness Mind/Body Cruise.

Via PR Newswire MIAMI (April, 2007) - Carnival Cruise Lines, Shape and Men's Fitness magazine have partnered to sponsor the fourth annual "Mind/Body Cruise" to be held aboard the Carnival Conquest, December 2- 9, 2007. The seven-day cruise aboard the 2,974-passenger "Fun Ship" will operate round-trip from Galveston, Texas, and call at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and offer guests a rejuvenating experience through a variety of fitness, nutritional, and wellness classes and seminars.

In addition to fitness and relaxation classes that include an energetic aerobic workout to the sound of live drums or a daily sunset meditation session on the ship's Lido Deck, the "Mind/Body Cruise" offers interesting and informative cooking demonstrations and nutritional workshops, all hosted by renowned personal trainers, and nutrition and health experts.

"We are excited to team up with Shape and Men's Fitness magazine for the fourth 'Mind/Body Cruise' which provides guests the opportunity to experience creative fitness classes and learn about new and different ways to improve their fitness levels, all in a fun relaxing environment," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

"It's easy to understand why consumers today would want a vacation that allows them to feel good while having a good time," said John Balen, Promotion Director for Shape and Men's Fitness. "We are thrilled to partner with Carnival once again to continue to provide this unique health and wellness program that brings the magazine pages to life."

Classes and other programming for the "Mind/Body Cruise" will be conducted by leading experts who will also be on hand for personal, one-on-one consultations and Q&A sessions. Participating experts include:

Jacqui Stafford- Recognized as a leading authority on beauty, style and fashion, Stafford is an executive director at Shape magazine where she writes a monthly fashion column and has made countless TV appearances on such shows as NBC's "Today" show, ABC's "The View" and "The Tyra Banks Show."

Teri Hanson- a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for more than 20 years, Hanson is assistant fitness editor for Weider Publications, contributing to such magazines as "Shape," "Natural Health" and "Fit Pregnancy." She is also the star of Shape's soon-to-be released Yoga DVD "Long Lean and Strong."

Jon Giswold- is best known for his work in the country's most prominent fitness clubs. He currently teaches group exercise classes at Reebok/Sports Club New York and other locations.

Jeffrey Scott- A Reebok University global master trainer and an international fitness presenter, Scott is known for his creative choreography and a strong athletic influence. He has starred in more than 20 fitness videos and has made numerous television appearances including NBC's "Today" show.

Kent and Maria Burden- Authors of the award-winning book, "Yin Yang Fitness: The Whole Package of Health" and creators of a series of mind and body DVDs, the Burdens have made numerous appearances on television programs both in the U.S. and U.K.

Misty Tripoli- Tripoli is a Nike Elite Instructor and one of the world's most innovative and engaging fitness instructors, dance choreographers and personal trainers. She is known for her revolutionary and energetic fitness classes, and has been featured in several fitness magazines and television programs.

Jim Stoppani, Ph.D. - Stoppani received his doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Connecticut. He currently serves as senior science editor for Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers and Flex magazine.

Carnival is currently accepting reservations for the upcoming "Mind/Body Cruise" aboard Carnival Conquest. Prices begin at $659 per person based on double occupancy and include all "Mind/Body Cruise" activities.

Participants must reference fare code CSSH when making the reservation.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com