Have you seen the new commercial for Gatorade called “What’s G?”

The spot features Serena Williams, Misty May Treanor & Kerri Walsh, Candace Parker,  the legendary Muhammad Ali, and a bevy of other celebrity-athletes. It’s pretty cool though you’d never know they were selling a sports drink.

This latest comes shortly after Gatorade scored with the amazing ball girl video, easily the best viral marketing campaign of 2008.

In other beverage news, Gatorade is expanding into action sports  and has announced the addition of 17-year-old snowboarder Ellery Hollingsworth to their elite team roster.

What do you think of the latest spot?

Filed under: Candace Parker, Entertainment, Fun Stuff, General, Serena Williams, Training by jane
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So you’ve resolved to eat right this year and get regular exercise, right? Slimming down and getting healthier are common New Year’s resolutions, but following through on the commitment is an uncommon accomplishment.

There are many pieces in the weight management puzzle. Emotions, appetite, will-power, self-image, and confidence all play a part. The road towards healthier eating usually starts with some simple lifestyle changes. Make healthy eating and regular exercise part of your everyday life. Sound easy? It’s not. You have to work at it.

In terms of exercise, the most important thing is to choose activities that are fun and that you can do on a regular basis. Instead of watching TV after dinner, go out for a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Recruit a friend or family member to keep you company.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Snow Fun!

PT Tips that can help lead to a healthier new year:

• Eat three meals a day that are low in saturated fat. Meals should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, grains, cereals and low-fat  dairy products.
• It’s okay to snack if you snack smart. Include fruits and veggies with fun dipping sauces. Fruits and veggies are low in fat, packed with nutrients. Smart Snacks
• Choose a variety of foods to get enough carbs, protein and other nutrients.  
• Eat only enough calories to maintain a healthy weight for your height and build. If you’re training, take into account the extra calories you’re burning.

Here’s to a healthy, happy 09!

Filed under: 101-Basics, Exercise, Health, Nutrition by jane
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December 18, 2008 - The S2 fitness bike explores an unusual route to get you fit - “virtual reality.” There is a display mounted at the top of the fitness bike which lets you experience different types of riding environments, as well as play some games. The pedal resistance even changes with the terrain on the screen.

If that doesn’t make things more challenging, you can also connect online with the S2 to compete with friends in a “side by side” competition. Of course the bike will also give you the usual real-time feedback that you would expect with a fitness bike - it will show you the distance, time, heart rate, calories burned. The S2 is available as a recumbent or a regular upright bike for around $8569 (steep anytime but especially in this economy).

Still pricey but less expensive at $1699, the X-Bike 1000 is an excercise bike that works your entire body. Its handlebars move from side to side, makeing you feel as if you’re actually riding a non-stationary bike. The bike also has seven levels of resistance that will help strenthen your arms. Though the price tag is steep, Lance Armstrong uses one of these, so it might be worth a look.

(thanks to ChipChick for the recommendations)

Filed under: Cycling, Electronics, Exercise, Training by jane
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December 9, 2008 -  Five of the most progressive female riders in the world will be at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire to launch “The Ladies Room” on January 10 and 11, 2009. Colleen Quigley, Hana Beaman, Jacqui Berg, Desiree Melancon, and Iris Lazzareschi make up the pro roster of coaches for the weekend camp.

The event is organized by Quigley, a well-respected all-around rider. She’s joined by X Games Silver Medalist Beaman who also has a Nippon Open slopestyle win in 07 and a third place slopestyle finish at the New Zealand Open on her list of accomplishments. Berg has been a pro for 14 years and is known for her film parts in Runway Films “La La Land” and “See What I See,” along with fellow coach Desiree Melancon. In addition to filming, Melancon also claimed second place in the 2008 Vans Cup Rail Jam in Lake Tahoe. Rounding out the team, Tahoe native Lazzareschi was honored last month as Snowboard Canada Women’s November rider of the month.

The Ladies Room will cater to all levels of female snowboarders, ages 8 and above, with a focus on progressive female riding in the terrain park. A two day Ladies Room costs $235 and includes all day coaching, breakfast, lunch, prize packs and giveaways from sponsors like Burton, Nikita, Oakley, Dakine, Red Bull, Air Blaster, Eastern Boarder and Zinka. A one-day Ladies Room option for either Saturday or Sunday will cost $150. Spots for the one-day camp will be limited. Discounted lift tickets will be available at registration for non-season pass holders.

Registrater now online at www.waterville.com.

Filed under: Events, Snowboard, Training by Pretty Tough
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December 4, 2008 - If you live in Vermont, chances are you’re healthier than most, particularly those living in the South. For the second year in a row Vermont has been ranked number one as the healthiest state according to America’s Health Rankings.

Vermont’s strengths include ranking in the top five states for a high rate of high school graduation, a low violent crime rate, a low percentage of children in poverty, high per capita public health funding, ready access to primary care, low geographic disparity of mortality rates within the state and a low premature death rate. In addition, Vermont had a smoking rate that was 17.6% less than the national average of 20%.

Vermont was followed by Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Utah, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Idaho and Maine.

At the bottom of the list at # 50 was Louisiana. It ranks in the bottom five states based on a high prevalence of obesity, a high percentage of children in poverty, a high rate of uninsured population, a high incidence of infectious disease, a low rate of high school graduation and many preventable hospitalizations.

The report also states that after a decade of robust gains, America’s health has leveled off and may be poised to take a plunge. Not great news - but as individuals you can do a lot to maintain your own health so start by eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking.

Where do you live? Check your state’s health ranking as well as others.  The entire report is available online.

Filed under: Charity/Cause, Health, Nutrition by jane
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Not everyone can make it home for the holidays, especially collegiate athletes.

Some may say that athletes get ripped off during holidays because when everybody else is relaxing, the athletes are in the gym, field, arena or natatorium getting ready for their next performance. Winter and fall sport athletes may end up training harder than ever just when other students are packing up to go home.

There may be no place like home for the holidays but you can create a holiday mood wherever you are. Get together with some teammates to cook a dinner and create your own extended family celebration. You have a unique camaraderie with your team that allows you to bond not just on holidays, but on any occasion. Having that second family helps many athletes get through the holiday and a weekend of competition.

And if you’re not an athlete in training during the holiday, and you find yourself sitting on your butt wishing you had a longer break, remember the athletes who are back at school practicing, training and competing. If they have a bad game for whatever reason, then don’t give them a hard time. Give them a break because they never get much of one.

Filed under: College Athletics, Student-Athlete, Training by admin
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November 24, 2008 - With the big turkey meal on tap this week (which can average more than 2,000 calories girls so watch out) we got to thinking about the first Thanksgiving dinner. Ever wonder what the pilgrims and their Native American guests ate at the first feast?

In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is now known as the first Thanksgiving. The truth about the first meal may surprise you. Contrary to popular belief, they didn’t sit down to a meal featuring turkey,corn, cranberries, and pumpkin pie (in fact, they didn’t even eat with forks!).

What Was Actually on the Menu?

Historians aren’t completely certain about the full bounty, but it’s safe to say the pilgrims weren’t gobbling up pumpkin pie or playing with their mashed potatoes. Following is a list of the foods that were available to the colonists  at the time of the 1621 feast. However, the only two items that historians know for sure were on the menu are venison and wild fowl.

Foods That May Have Been on the Menu:

Seafood: Cod, Eel, Clams, Lobster

Wild Fowl: Wild Turkey, Goose, Duck, Crane, Swan, Partridge, Eagles

Meat: Venison, Seal

Grain: Wheat Flour, Indian Corn

Vegetables: Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots

Fruit: Plums, Grapes

Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts, Acorns

Herbs and Seasonings: Olive Oil, Liverwort, Leeks, Dried Currants, Parsnips

What Was Not on the Menu

Surprisingly, the following foods, all considered staples of the modern Thanksgiving  meal, didn’t appear on the pilgrims’s first feast table:

Ham: There is no evidence that the colonists had butchered a pig by this time, though they had brought pigs with them from England.

Sweet Potatoes/Potatoes: These were not common.

Corn on the Cob: Corn was kept dried out at this time of year.

Cranberry Sauce: The colonists had cranberries but no sugar at this time.

Pumpkin Pie: Wasn’t a recipe that exists at this point, though the pilgrims had recipes for stewed pumpkin.

Chicken/Eggs: We know that the colonists brought hens with them from England, but it’s unknown how many they had left or whether the hens were still laying.

Milk: No cows had been aboard the Mayflower, though it’s possible that the colonists used goat milk to make cheese.

Talkin’ Turkey

Today, the holidays are a time to reflect on the bounty of nature and, more importantly, pig out with family and friends. How do you enjoy the great spread, especially the desserts, without giving up your game? [+]

Filed under: General, Health, Nutrition by maddy
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November 20, 2008 -

Cosmogirl RIP: It’s the very last issue of CosmoGirl (tear) which becomes the fourth major teen mag to suspend publication this year after YM, Ellegirl and Teen People. CG, which was published ten times a year and reached approximately eight million readers before folding, will continue with it’s website but I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that the print version of the teen mag will be universially missed.

The Dec 08/Jan 09 issue featuring the lovely Taylor Swift on cover, takes a cue from Barbara Walters by doing their own spin on the most intriguing people of 2008.  Included are gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson who are honored as girls who have the guts to follow their hearts rather than the crowd.

Uniqlo Try: To get the word out about their newly launched Bra Top, Japanese retailer Uniqlo recruited hundreds of women to participate in a video survey; questions ranged from “how comfortable is the top?” to “what’s your favorite magazine?” and the resulting videos were posted on a website called Uniqlo Try. Site visitors can opt to watch videos of women physically (age, height, size and build) similar to them. The website has gone viral, spreading to blogs and news sites, which apparently has contributed to a five-fold increase in sales of the Bra Top

Filed under: Beauty, Entertainment, Fashion, General, Gymnastics, Tips by jane
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The holidays are a time to reflect on the bounty of nature and, more importantly, pig out with family and friends. For many athletes, the holidays are also a time to compete in a special tournament or competition. Whether soccer, basketball, running or some other sport, you want to enjoy the great spread, especially the desserts, without giving up your game. What’s a player to do?

If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, don’t feel like you need to be deprived of your holiday favorites. Fitting all the yummies into a healthy eating plan is easy. Try to eat smaller portions, replace high calorie foods for lowfat options or slightly alter your recipes. For example, replace two egg whites for one egg or used dried fruits intead of nuts, or try evaporated  skim milk in place of cream or whipping cream. You can also snack on foods that are high in soluble fiber such as fruits, veggies, and legumes - they actually slow down food digestion and make you feel full longer.

Roast turkey, a holiday staple, gets high marks from most dietitians for overall nutrition. It’s low in fat and high in protein. It’s also a good source of iron,  zinc, selenium, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless turkey breast contains 26 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat. To keep it healthy, you may want to forgo the skin and choose white over dark meat. If you’ve got a holiday sports event you’ll be burning plenty of calories so for this one day, it’s probably okay to “have it your way.”

Side dishes can be traditional or creative but chances are there will be some potatoes on the table. You can add butter and sour cream, or you can make them lower in fat by using broth as a liquid or 2% milk instead of cream. Another way to add a lot of flavor without adding extra calories is to mash them with a few cloves of roasted garlic, which adds a mellow flavor. However you eat ‘em, they’re a great source of vitamin B6.

Stuffing can also get a holiday makeover and added nutrition by using whole-wheat  bread and adding ingredients such as:

• Chopped vegetables (onion, celery, mushrooms, and eggplant)
• Nuts (toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Fruits (fresh or dried cranberries, apples, apricots, or pears)
• Wild rice

Cranberry Sauce, always a staple, is rich in antioxidants which help protect your body from free radical damage. Cranberries also contain salicyclic acid, the same anti-inflammatory found in aspirin. Less inflammation means faster recovery so eat up!

Freshly picked pumpkins from the pumpkin patch are ideal for decoration, but the canned version wins for ease of preparation as well as for its nutrient score. In terms of both dietary fiber and beta-carotene, canned pumpkin’s nutritional profile far surpasses that of fresh. If you’re concerned about carbs and calories, consider:

• Pumpkin mousse or soufflé as an alternative to pumpkin pie.
• One-crust or no-crust pies rather than two-crust pies.
• Nonfat or reduced-fat whipped topping rather than full-fat whipped cream.  

Most experts say you shouldn’t view a holiday dinner as a meal of extreme excess or extreme restriction. To support the rigors of training, you need to eat well, but don’t forget a dose of good, sound common sense. The best game plan is to eat small portions of a variety of protein, fat, and carbohydrates throughout the day. And most important, take time to enjoy your friends, teammates and family.

Cheers, and happy, healthy holidays to all.

Filed under: General, Nutrition, Training by jane
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Have a soccer tournament coming up? Are you in 4 events at your next swim meet? Playing a double-header in softball this weekend? Will you be bolting to basketball practice after your early-morning cross-country race? Here’s how to keep up:

1. EAT. When? Within 30 minutes of finishing your practice or competition. Don’t wait to get home. Don’t wait to find a place to stop. Be prepared with a nutrition bar or shake in your bag that you can grab immediately. You want to get some good carbs and protein, so a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread works great and stays fresh. Or a nutrition bar with at least 200 calories, at least 10 grams of protein and between 15 and 20 grams of sugar. Any portable fruit, like apples or bananas, are easy to eat on the go–just bring a jar of peanut butter so you can get your protein. There are also lots of ready made protein shakes sold in grocery stores. Shakes like “Boost” and “Ensure” or other meal replacement drinks in the nutrition aisle or pharmacy section are healthy and well-balance with protein and carbs.

2. DRINK. When? Throughout practice or your competition, but also immediately after, when you’re eating (see #1). What? Water is great, but you also want to get some electrolytes in your system, so Gatorade, Propel, Powerade, or Vitamin Water will give you more of a boost. Don’t worry about the calories; you need them now!

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Filed under: General, Tips, Training by anngaff
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