Fitness

Q.Michelle, what’s the best part about your life as a professional athlete? Worst?
A.
The best part is that it’s so much fun. I’m meeting lots of great people and traveling around the world. I’m constantly challenging my mind and body physically. This video here sums it all up!

The bad thing is being away from my friends and family...and missing weddings and Christmas parties.

Q.What are you training for right now?
A.
Right now I’m training for the ITU world championship in France. But my main goal for the season is the Hawaiian Ironman.

Q.You've been running in the ECCO BIOM Racer Lite shoe. Is it your secret weapon?
A.
The ECCO BIOM Racer is really light and makes you fly when you’re out there…compared to a heavy training shoe. I use it for speed sessions and races.

Q.I notice you wear them with flexy elastic laces...
A.
There are good things and bad things about elastic laces. They help you get into your shoes really quickly....

- This is a guest post by Ellen Meyer -

Since I lost weight over 10 years ago I’ve been looking for fun and creative ways to maintain my ideal weight. It was hard work to lose that weight and I certainly don’t want to backslide. I’m always optimistic that the next new thing will be the secret to a perfectly toned body with minimal effort. I’m a sucker for gadgets and I’ve tried just about every one that came along - with definitely mixed results. Here are my top 5 flops:

1. The Shake Weight

Most middle-aged women seem to have “bingo wings”, those unsightly flaps under the upper arms that keep on waving 5 minutes after you stop. Some refer to them more kindly as angel wings. Either way, we all hate them. Even though I’m basically slim, I still have those jiggling flaps of flesh. When I saw the Shake Weight advertised on TV, I knew I had to have it. Immediately. So I headed for my computer and ordered it, paying almost $30 (including shipping costs). You...

What do football players and one of your favorite barre studios have in common? Pink on the feet for a healthy cause!

Remember when the NFL sported pink cleats? It was colorful, memorable, meaningful and downright adorable to see grown men running around in pink. And now, we can do the same, because on Monday, June 10th of 2013, Exhale Spa and Core Fusion announced they're selling PINK SOCKS in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (starting mid-September).

I have to admit, I was getting tired of my black grippy socks (and revolted by my brown ones, eww!) for barre fitness and yes--like pretty much every girl on earth--I love pink. I've gotta get a pair! My only gripe is that I wish they were available sooner because summer's the perfect time to bust out in pink. But there's a designated time for Breast Cancer Awareness fitness fashion, so wait we must.

If by the end of the summer you're in the market for new grippy socks (which you're totally...

Kenya Gets The Boot-y!

If I have to pick a favorite housewife from the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast, Kenya Moore has my vote! I recently interviewed her by phone. We laughed and groveled about gym hair. I'm either a diva too or Kenya Moore is more down to earth than she lets on.

At 40+ she carries a lot of experience and wisdom with her. She may have a spring chicken tushy but Kenya Moore has undoubtedly lived and learned. My interview with her on Celebrity Sweat tips captures her tips and insights on fitness & fulfillment

CLICK HERE TO READ MY INTERVIEW WITH KENYA MOORE!

TMZ reports that Kenya has signed on for another season of Real Housewives, so you better get used to this damsel speaking her mind and twirling fabulously. All gossip aside, Kenya really cares about women's health and I think it's pretty awesome that she's willing to share her booty-shaping moves. If I had an ass like that...not sure I'd talk. I'd keep it top secret. Luckily, Kenya...

Q.I'm dying to know, who is the REAL Kenya that we don't get to see enough of on The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
A.
I think that you don’t really get to see enough of my goofy side. I'm really a fun loving person. I think you can see it with my Gone With The Wind Fabulous video. I like to make fun of myself. So I think that’s probably what people can see in my everyday life that they don’t necessarily see on the show.

Q.You've gone from beauty queen to TV star and you just released your own fitness DVD. What led you to fitness?
A.
When I first started the show I got so many fans tweeting me or emailing me asking me what I do to stay fit and maintain the body that I have. I kept saying, okay I’m going to write a blog. I tried and I’m like, oh this isn’t coming across right!

Then the opportunity came with my distributor Acacia (Acacialifestyle.com) and I knew I should pursue it because fitness has been apart of my brand all along....

- This is a guest post by Pam Wilson -

I am a glass-half-filled kind of girl.

No matter the situation I can find the silver lining. It’s not that I spin the facts-I just prefer to emphasize the positive if I can. Recently I had a crushing disappointment that I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t a health crisis and everyone was okay. I say that because if it was a health crisis or something was seriously wrong I would have handled it differently.

Here's what got me down.

I had written a piece for a locally produced show and had made it through the initial round of cuts. I then had to audition the piece in front of the four women producing the show. When I first found out about the show, I was wary. I had a history with two of the women and I wondered how impartial they could be. However, as time went on, I got excited about the project and was looking forward to my callback for the audition.

My sister, nephew, daughter and friend Jenny helped me...