Sugar Plum Scary

Okay, first of all I want to be applauded for my punny title.  I know, right?

Now, seriously. . .

Bad Ass Black Swan

I watched the movie "Black Swan" this weekend, and although it was an amazing movie and I couldn't wait to recommend it to everyone, I knew that my client's at the gym were going to start coming in asking for Natalie Portman's sleek physique.  I find ballet dancers to have beautiful bodies and I respect the hours of training it takes to appear like it is so easy, when I know from my limited ballet training in college it most certainly isn't.

Eating disorders and body dismorphia are common problems in the dance world, so it is no wonder there has been such a public outcry when a New York Times critic called Jennifer Ringer, the dancer playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, fat.

Jennifer Ringer

When you watch her interview and see her dance, you are going to think this guy is out of his f-ing mind.  I would have wanted an apology, but that's me.  If anything, Ringer is getting the last laugh.

I'm ALL for healthy eating. . .

. . .but this child star takes it to the next level. Reed Alexander is on iCarly and also fancies himself a chef.

Don't you remember sitting around the pool eating homemade ices out of a hollowed out lemon with fresh mint sprigs after slaving over a grill making homemade flat bread pizzettes as a 15-year-old? I sure do.

Make sure to watch the WHOLE thing- Hoda and Kathie Lee might make you wet your pants.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

And check out Reed's website. It is also sufficiently. . .odd.

Are You Skinny Fat?

Oh, you know the type. Lean and tall, croissant in one hand while the other hand is pulling up the skinny low rise jeans that are barely being held up by a non existent pot belly. Let's give her a cigarette, just to villainize her a little bit. Okay, take away the cigg. I'm just being jealous. A girl that slender must be healthy. Right?

Wee woo. Sorry, skinny. Turns out you can be fat on the inside, too.

This week's Today Show featured a segment called "Take it off Today!" (catchy, I know) that did a follow up story on an attractive middle aged woman named Nancy. Thin, blond, and tan and seemingly athletic, you would think by her appearance that she was 100% the picture of health. At 5'7", 140 lbs, and a BMI of 22, Nancy's body fat percentage was 27%. A normal body fat percentage should be at or below 25%. Nancy is considered obese by these standards.

Today show contributor Joy Bauer tested Nancy with body fat calipers, which you can find at your local gym or you can purchase yourself (you'll need some assistance to squeeze 'em), but she also recommends using hydrostatic weighing like you see on The Biggest Loser or buying a scale that tests body fat percentage. Testing yourself is important because having a high body fat percentage causes inflammation of your internal organs and can lead to such serious problems as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease.

In 8 weeks, Nancy was put on a program of cardio for 30 minutes, 5 times a week that consisted of walking and Zumba classes that helped to burn body fat. She also did manageable, at-home weight training sessions for 15-20 minutes, 2 times a week that increased her lean muscle mass and helped burn more fat and tone her body. Joy also looked at Nancy's diet and helped her in making more mindful choices: More veggies, less pasta, smaller portions, and a little less dessert.
At the end of the 8 weeks, Nancy didn't just get to 25% body fat. She blew through to 22%! All by making simple, sustainable changes that cost little to nothing. Nancy says she feels stronger, more energetic, and more healthy.

Don't assume your weight is an end all indicator of your health! Healthful eating and exercise is the start to being healthy inside and out!

Day 7 and 8: intenSati Insanity Challenge

Day 7 was my first rest day, and my body NEEDED that rest! When you are pushing your body to the extreme, having that rest day is what will help push you to the next level. It allows your muscles and joints a chance to repair and a chance to grow and strengthen. And who doesn't want stronger muscles?

I even gave my blog a break. But we are all rested up. :)

Today is the beginning of week 2! It was time for Cardio Power and Resistance again, and this time I didn't yell and scream as much. In fact, I pushed myself much harder on the triceps push ups and the globe squats and felt a little stronger this time around. A week from today I do another fit test and I'll post more progress pictures. Will I see a difference in 2 weeks time? FINGERS CROSSED.

On the intenSati side of the challenge, I have been drinking 8 plus glasses of water a day, and I got to see the very radiant Patricia Moreno on the Today Show this morning. AND I WAS THERE! Of course, due to editing, I saw bits and pieces of myself during the package, but it was still super cool. And I hope that you all got to see her too! She was talking about her new book, The IntenSati Method: The 7 Secret Principles to Thinner Peace that was just released this month. As soon as NBC has the clip up, I'll post it if you missed it.

Wanna try out Insanity? Click here. I sell it! Wanna try out intenSati? Click here.