The Important Role of Metabolism in Weight Loss

Metabolism (or the metabolic rate) is the amount of calories your body uses to fuel all vital functions (breathing, blood pressure, and brain activity). These calories are obtained from macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein) housed…

Beware of the Grocery Store Tasting Station

Are you one of the many folks who love to frequent the grocery store for the sole purpose of getting free samples of meats and cheeses, cereals, snack foods, pre-packaged meals, and desserts? Be careful, as just a few "free" samples can cost…

Tip to Dieters: Beware of Empty Calorie Foods

These days, so many dieters and weight watchers alike have become completely obsessed with "low-fat" and "low-calorie" products, oftentimes to a point where good nutrition no longer matters. I can't tell you how many times I've seen folks…

Low-Sugar, Diabetes-Friendly Smoothie Recipes

Whether you're constantly on the go or just looking to spice up your diet, smoothies generally make great meal replacements. But, if you're trying to reduce your sugar intake for diabetes prevention or management, it's important to choose your…

Couch Potatoes Don’t Have A Long Shelf Life: Get Up and Do Something

In order to clock in extra steps, I typically park my vehicle far away from every destination. However, on one particular morning I didn't. This was the day I made a decision to never, ever do it again. It was about 10:00am during which…

Establishing a Weekly Workout Plan

People often ask me for advice and tips on starting a workout routine for weight loss, physical fitness or general good health. I always emphasize that such goals are best achieved through a program that combines cardiovascular (cardio) exercise…

How to Stay Fit with a Lung Condition

A while back one of my Google+ friends asked me an intriguing question: "I have lung problems and want to do exercise but I really can't. What can I do to stay fit?" Interestingly enough, this is not the first time I've got this question,…

What It Means to Have a Pear-Shaped Body

With so many women seeking to tame their apple shapes these days it's easy to forget about those struggling with the reverse body issue: The pear shape. Have you ever been told you have a pear-shaped body? Do you know what that actually means? What…

Why You Shouldn’t Abandon Traditional Strength Training Methods

These days, many gyms are doing away with traditional strength training machines and sometimes even free weights opting instead for trendier fitness techniques like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Tabata boot camp workouts. While…

A Deliciously Creamy Spinach and Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

High-protein smoothies are commonly touted as the best thing since sliced bread, especially among weight loss and fitness enthusiasts. Unfortunately, many people view a "high-protein smoothie" as one that's primarily comprised of protein powder,…

How to Make a Traditional Conch Salad from Scratch

If you've ever had the pleasure of visiting any one of the 30 or so inhabited islands of the Bahamas, you have likely either had or heard of conch salad, as it's indeed their signature dish. A good conch salad is one that's packed full of…

East-West Curried Seafood Stew

Are you a fan of bouillabaisse? Well, prior to meeting my husband, I'd actually never had bouillabaisse, which is surprising since I've always been quite the foodie. Now, I'm somewhat of a connoisseur. Bouillabaisse is essentially a type of…

Getting Off the Couch and Into a 5K

Whether for weight loss, sport, recreation, comradery, or charity, participating in 5K races has become the thing to do. This is a good thing, as training for such a race requires a great deal of cardiovascular (cardio) exercise training. Cardio…

What Free Radicals Really Do To Your Body

If you're one who regularly seeks out the latest and greatest in health, fitness and nutrition information, you've likely heard the phrase "free radicals" tossed around, oftentimes in conjunction with the term "antioxidants". In fact, many health…

A Simple Guide to Eating Sensibly

I always emphasize that eating sensibly is an absolute must for successful weight loss, long-term weight management, and overall good health. But, what does it actually mean to eat sensibly? Eating sensibly essentially involves incorporating…

Ground Chicken Pizza

Pizza will not be found on a list of healthy foods. But, believe it or not, when prepared at home using the right ingredients, it can actually be incorporated into a balanced diet. Here’s a wholesome, delicious and easy recipe for chicken…

Understanding the Process of Weight Management

Have you achieved a significant weight loss goal through dieting? If so, congratulations! Now, how do you intend on keeping the weight off? After working with hundreds of clients over the years and 2500+ pounds of fat lost, I've concluded that…

Deliciously Rich Spinach, Kiwi and Chia Seed Smoothie

Chia seeds house a variety of nutrients that support weight loss, long-term weight management, and general good health but many people just don't know how to eat them. Smoothies are an excellent way to get chia seeds in your diet. Add in some…

Super Savory Goat Cheese Croquettes

Years ago, I started dining at a cozy little restaurant in the heart of my hometown in Illinois. During my very first visit, I ordered their "Mesculyn Salad with Salmon", which is comprised of a delicious mix of fresh greens, berries, red…

How to Cardio Sculpt a Great Butt

I've been an avid exercise enthusiast for nearly 20 years yet I remain challenged when it comes to finding the most effective ways to control the size of one particular body part: My butt. As a lover of distance running it's quite difficult,…