Before I became a Curves owner 10 years ago, I was a Curves member. My business partner and I joined a club together thinking we’d have fun while getting fit. Little did we know how much we would come to depend on each other for motivation, encouragement – and accountability? On the days when one of us didn’t feel like working out, the other would say, “Get your butt off the couch – we’re leaving in 10 minutes.” Having an exercise buddy keeps you focused on your goals and makes the workout feel less like work. In fact, researchers at the University of California found that people who had a …

Whoever said, “perception is reality” was right on the mark when it comes to fitness because, too often, what’s in our head makes or breaks our success. We’re often our own worst enemy when it comes to our long-term health goals because we spend too much time bemoaning our perceived failures instead of celebrating our actual successes. I see that all the time at Curves. A woman will lose six inches and 3 pounds and she will be upset that she “only” lost 3 pounds instead of being excited that she’s a “half a foot” smaller. She will then confess to me about the one cookie that she had that week…

You probably recall your mother’s emphatic warning to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before going into the water. In this particular case, mother doesn’t know best. According to the American Red Cross, there is no specific time you must wait before heading into the water. Your biggest danger related to eating and swimming is probably a minor cramp. The old adage, however, does pose an interesting question. Should you eat before and/or after you exercise and, if so, what and when?  Remember that food is fuel and your body needs that fuel to exercise effectively as well as the right …

Would it surprise you to know that, on average, one out of every three meals is eaten away from home? With our fast-paced lifestyles, eating out is more convenient now than ever. But most restaurants’ super-sized portions have had a definite impact on the obesity epidemic. Restaurant meals almost always have more calories than you realize and if you’re not careful, those calories can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. That’s not to say you can never eat out if you want to be healthy. You just have to be smart about it. Here are 10 simple tips that can help you make healthy choices when you do…

Research has shown that eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet reduces most health risks – and grocery stores are full of food packages promising to help do that. But it’s important to look past all the promises – and focus on the nutritional values, ingredients and calorie counts in the food you buy. The Nutrition Facts panel (or "food label") found on food packages lists the nutrients in a food or drink – vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D, and other components, such as calories, sugar, fat and protein. Food companies are required by law to give you the plain facts about …

The first step to a healthier lifestyle begins at the grocery store. With thousands of foods to choose from, navigating the supermarket can be challenging when trying to stay true to a healthy eating plan. However, with a little forethought, you will soon be on your way to making choices that will save you time, money and extra calories. Three things to remember before you go to the grocery store: 1) Make a List and Check it Twice. Think about what recipes you will prepare for the week and what food you will need. No matter how good your intentions, cooking healthy meals is a challenge if you…

Most people think of Memorial Day as the official start of summer, but I tend to think of Mother’s Day as the beginning of the end (i.e. the time when big, bulky sweaters are replaced by lighter – and less – spring clothing). The warmer weather also brings lots of outdoor celebrations, which means it’s time to fire up the grill. But oftentimes cookouts are nothing short of a feast, wrecking havoc on your waistline. When going to a BBQ, keep in mind the following tips so you can stay true to your health and fitness goals – before it’s time to pull the bathing suits out of the closet: • Eat …

In today’s uncertain economy, people are cutting back on any expense that seems like a luxury or even the slightest bit frivolous. One of the items under scrutiny in many households is the gym membership. But don’t cut that expense quite so fast – studies suggest that eliminating the gym membership may be exactly the wrong move for even the most cash-strapped family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, couch potatoes have significantly higher direct medical costs than active adults, and the costs associated with physical inactivity increase with age. More specifically…

Last week, we talked about the benefits of working out in a gym vs. going the at-home route. But there are many gyms out there and it can be very confusing trying to find the one right for you. If you’ve never been to a gym before, it’s quite possible you aren’t sure how to choose one that will “fit” you. Keep in mind the following things when gym-shopping and you should be able to find a place you can call home. Location, Location, Location – The most important way to ensure that you will stick with an exercise program is to find one close to your home or office. It’s harder to skip your …

OK, be honest. How many of you have a "treadmill closet" (i.e. a big piece of machinery in the middle of your bedroom sporting next week's wardrobe hanging from it)? We all have, at one time or another, decided to save the monthly gym membership fee and "do it" at home. When I ask new members if they are currently exercising, almost all say, "Well, I walk." But walking for exercise constitutes more than putting one foot in front of the other from the couch to the refrigerator during commercials. People have the best of intentions when they choose the home workout route. Unfortunately, keeping…