Fitness Tips

What's the best way to encourage your family to stay active during the summer?

FT trainers from across the country suggest ways for the whole family to get outside and enjoy summer together. Read More >

What are some foods that help with inflammation and arthritis?

FT trainers from across the country give suggestions on foods that can provide relief from inflammation and arthritis. Read More >

The Perfect Mother's Day Starts With a Healthy Breakfast

Five tips for making mom a delicious, heart-healthy breakfast this Mother's Day from nutritionist Dr. Janet Brill. Read More >

What's the most memorable Mother's Day gift you've ever gotten or given?

FT trainers from across the country share memories of their notable Mother's Day gift experiences -- some good, others not so much. Read More >

What are some good bone-building foods?

FT trainers from across the country share suggestions on important foods to incorporate into your diet in order to build strong bones. Read More >

Four Tips for Working Moms Trying to Stay Fit

By implementing the following tips and mental shifts, working out can become a permanent appointment in a working mom's busy schedule. Read More >

What's a good exercise to help avoid knee pain, shin splints and other ailments when starting to train for races?

FT trainers from across the country provide helpful tips on how to avoid pain in your knees and shins when you begin race training. Read More >

What's something you can do to stay in shape and help the environment at the same time?

FT trainers from across the country share suggestions on ways you can help your body and the environment at the same time. Read More >

Stay Green this Spring with an Active Fitness Routine

Take your workout routine to greener levels this spring by incorporating these few simple tips into your daily life and fitness regimen. Read More >

What are some things a working mom can do to stay in shape?

FT trainers from across the country share their insights on how working moms can squeeze fitness into their busy schedules. Read More >

What are some "power moves" for building more muscle and shedding those winter pounds?

FT trainers from across the country share their insights on exercises that will help you build muscle and lose weight simultaneously. Read More >

Road Warrior Exercise Plan: Three Ways to Work Out When Traveling

To help you battle the bulge on upcoming business or vacation trips, take the following workout exercises with you so your health and fitness goals aren’t left at the curb during your next trip.... Read More >

Four Ways to Keep Your Kids Active Over Spring Break

Although playing video games may exercise your child’s hands and fingers, it’s important to get kids off the couch, out of the house and engaged in total body physical activity during spring... Read More >

Why does stress make me crave sugar?

Don’t let stress derail your healthy eating habits. Try to include at least one healthy anti-stress strategy into your daily routine. Read More >

Five Tips to Avoid Skipping Your Workout

To help keep you focused on your ultimate fitness goals and ensure your workout commitments stay intact heading into spring, incorporate the following five techniques for continued health and fitness... Read More >

Top Five Red Foods to Eat for a Healthy Heart

It’s Heart Health Month, meaning this month is ablaze with the color red! The purpose of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement is to call attention to the fact that... Read More >

Three Personal Trainers' Resolutions to Inspire You

Do personal trainers think resolutions are worth making? What do they resolve to change in themselves? We asked three trainers how they seek continual self-improvement, which is always a priority even... Read More >

Top 10 Eating Strategies for Permanent Weight Loss

If you’ve ever worn (or chuckled at) one of those “I run so I can eat” T-shirts, this info is for you! How you eat goes hand in hand with your workout plans and is proven to bring... Read More >

Go Outside Your Comfort Zone

Convinced you “can’t” run a marathon, or sprint at level 10 on that treadmill? … Are you sure about that? Even if you have a physical challenge or condition that limits you... Read More >

3 Ways to Kick the Habit ... of Skipping Workouts

Trying to get into an exercise habit, but finding you’re more in the habit of making excuses? You can break out of that pattern with these tips from fitness experts on staying motivated and sticking... Read More >

Got CHOCOLATE Milk?

The perfect food for fitness . . . who knew? The best sports drink around for after exercise is not a high-tech scientific concoction like Gatorade or Powerade but instead . . . plain old chocolate... Read More >

How do I avoid the 5-8lbs the average person gains during the holiday season?

With the holiday season right around the corner, it is time to get a handle on your weight and your body fat level before the feasting starts! If you are having trouble with your weight then you are... Read More >

Is it okay to splurge on Thanksgiving?

Nobody gains weight from just that one Thanksgiving Day meal. We gain weight from the “holiday mentality” that continues on from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. Yet, the busiest and most... Read More >

Is a Liquid Diet (Such as “Juicing”) Safe?

A: I am not a big proponent of “juicing” or any other type of liquid diet. I especially object to the false or misleading claims that frequently accompany these unproven and potentially... Read More >

How Can I Gain Healthy Weight and Energy?

A: Gaining weight healthfully is actually trickier than you might think. The object is to make the weight gain mostly lean body mass (muscle) and not much body fat. You can accomplish this by taking... Read More >

What type of oatmeal is healthiest?

A: As you can see, there are different types of oat products out there on the market. The two kinds that you will most likely find on your supermarket shelf are “steel-cut” oats and different... Read More >

How do I start training for a marathon?

A: Having trained for and completed four marathons, I must say that the experience of crossing the finish line of a marathon is well worth the grueling training and personal sacrifice involved in preparing... Read More >

Fitness Goals Deliver Results

The definition of a goal is- what one intends to do or achieve. The hardest part of a fitness program is getting started, and the second is maintaining it. Unfortunately, most people do not have goals... Read More >

Eating and Stretching: Two Hot Topics for Runners

By Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D. Eating: There are three types of macronutrients that supply energy (calories) for the human body: carbohydrates, fat, and protein. When it comes to eating for good... Read More >

What exactly do antioxidants do and what are some great food sources?

A: Antioxidants counter the excessive production of small, highly reactive molecules in the body called reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are byproducts of normal human metabolism and include... Read More >

Does the time of day (morning vs. evening) impact burning more calories?

A: Whenever you can burn calories—morning, evening or mid-day—is the best time of day as long as you do it! If your question is addressing weight management, then the best way to lose weight... Read More >

How often should I workout?

A: The answer to your question really depends on your personal preference and the type of exercise. When patients ask me what’s the best kind of exercise, my answer is always: “Whatever... Read More >

How can I tone up "fatty" areas?

A: The bad news is that as we age, and with each passing decade, we lose more and more precious muscle mass and at the same time gain body fat. Where we gain fat tends to be genetically determined,... Read More >

I know too much sodium is bad for me, so are there any alternatives

A: You are absolutely right—we eat far too much sodium in this country, and cutting back on sodium intake is a wise nutrition move. In fact, the American Heart Association dietary and lifestyle... Read More >

When it comes to choosing a healthy bread, is whole grain white any different from regular whole wheat bread?

A: The definition of “whole grain white” bread or flour is nebulous at best. It is a fairly new product that can consist of virtually anything, but generally comprises a mixture of 100%... Read More >

Is there really any nutritional value in lettuce?

A: Lettuce is a leafy crunchy vegetable with substantial water content, some fiber and a negligible calorie count—all factors that are beneficial for filling up your plate and pairing down your... Read More >

How Should I Get Back Into a Running Routine?

A: I am the mother of three children, as well as an avid runner, so on a personal note . . . good for you! Kudos for having the desire to integrate this supremely beneficial habit back into your busy... Read More >

Why is stretching after working out important?

A: This is a great question because it addresses the importance not only of practicing stretching but also the best and safest technique for performing this valuable type of exercise. Why stretch?... Read More >

What is a good rule of thumb when purchasing healthy food? The fewer ingredients, the better?

A: Absolutely right! When it comes to making wise nutrition choices, the golden rule on the ingredient list is “less is better!” This is because the most nutritious foods are generally the... Read More >

Is coffee a good energy boost for a workout?

A: Let's clarify the question, is it smart to down a cup or two of coffee before you work out or is it better to refrain until after you get your exercise in? Caffeine is the most widely used... Read More >

It’s a Beautiful Day for a Strength Workout

As warmer temps invite you outside for summer activities, you may think it’s a given that you’ll get more active and stay slimmer. But as you add cardio activities like biking, hiking, running... Read More >

How to Choose the Right Personal Trainer for You

This is a big decision! Choosing the best personal trainer for you is ...well, personal. To get the most from your one-on-one or small group personal training sessions and the program your trainer creates... Read More >

Creating Your New Years Resolution Recipe for Success

It’s that time of year again when many of us make New Year’s Resolutions to improve our health and well-being. Unfortunately, we often have a tough time sticking to our goals, and by the... Read More >

Creating Real Change: How to form positive habits and a NEW YOU!

Ever wonder why some people get great results from their workouts or their normal eating routine? What makes them different? How do they do it? Usually it’s 1 or 2 simple habits. All of us face... Read More >

Flat Bellies: Tips That REALLY Work

Had a little too much comfort and joy this past holiday season? Maybe you’ve put on a few pounds around the middle? The summer bathing suit season is just around the corner, so now is the time... Read More >