Brown fat – everybody’s talking about it. You’ve probably seen it floating around in the headlines, because it’s been a major part of a lot of the latest health research. But what exactly is it?

Simply put, brown fat is fat that is, well, brown. And it does things that sound almost too good to be true – it actually burns calories. And a new study shows that exercise can convert regular white fat into calorie-burning brown fat. Which means that the more you exercise, the more calories your body will be able to burn at all times. Brown fat is also triggered by cold temperatures. When your body is cold, brown fat starts burning calories to warm you up. And it actually uses white fat from other parts of the body to fuel itself. Read More »

Spandex. Estimates suggest that it is found in 80% of the clothing sold in America. Which means that almost every single American owns at least one piece of clothing that has at some amount of Spandex in it. And apparently, some people think that it’s making us fat.

The stretchy fabric emerged in 1959, and was first used in underwear and workout gear. It rose to popularity during disco mania in the 1970s, and from then on began to be used in more and more clothing. Spandex is unique because it can stretch up to twice its original size, and then snap back into shape. And it’s in everything – check the tags on your clothes and you are sure to find at least some amount of Spandex in the majority of them.

A recent NPR story, part of a series about obesity in America, traces the history of Spandex. The story completely assumes that the rise in popularity of spandex is due to the rise of obesity in America, and repeatedly suggests that spandex may be some kind of an enabler. Back in the 1960s, “fabrics were rigid and people were thin,” but Americans now are looking for clothes to accommodate their expanding waistlines. People who are overweight are able to find clothes that fit them (gasp!), so they are encouraged to remain overweight instead of dieting out of shame. Read More »

It’s getting to that time of the year again. The stress over New Year’s plans, the mad hunt for sparkly dresses and the awkward conversation when you have to ask your aunt for a gift receipt. . In between singing the lyrics to Christmas songs you’ve heard too many times and deciding which sparkly dress is sparklier, it’s quite difficult to squeeze in any workout time. Well, you are just in luck. For the past year and some months, I’ve been bringing you my favorite moves to do in home and on the go.

As you begin to scribble down “go to the gym everyday” on your New Year’s Resolutions list, let me help you with my list of favorite Body Blog workouts of all time – ease into the program and let’s get ready for that summer time bikini body! What? Too early for summer? Okay fine… Read More »

Is coffee good for you? Should you be eating gluten-free? And are your late-night snacks making you gain weight? Check out my interview with JJ Virgin, fitness and nutrition expert and co-star of TLC’s Freaky Eaters, for the answers to all your nutrition questions.

Lots of college students, myself included, depend on coffee to get us through the day. Is coffee good or bad for you?

Here’s the thing: coffee is actually good for you. However, it’s the amount that matters. For example, I’m having a Venti Half-Decaf Americano now, which is fine, but five of them would not be. I remember a day when I was just drinking lattes all day, and that was way too much. Coffee can actually keep stress hormones around, which helps with focus and concentration. But too much can make you anxious and wired, and actually burn out the adrenal gland. Coffee is also one of the richest sources of antioxidants around, which is another reason why I tell people it’s good for them.

I’m always telling my Body Blog readers to eat breakfast! Am I right? Is breakfast really important? And how much should we be eating for breakfast?

The research is very clear on this. People who eat a substantial, balanced breakfast actually lose more weight and keep it off. For breakfast, you should eat 400 calories or more, and include clean, lean protein, healthy fat, and a high-fiber carbohydrate. If you don’t eat, your body eats itself. And unfortunately it’s not going to snack on your belly fat and butt, it’s going to snack on your muscles. I always tell people that breakfast really sets the metabolic tone for the day. Read More »

Over the past few decades, obesity – especially childhood obesity – has come to be regarded as one of the biggest health problems facing America. Obesity negatively affects every organ system in the body, and can lead to major health issues. It’s also one reason why life expectancy in America is thought to lag so far behind that of other developed countries. Ending this epidemic has recently become First Lady Michelle Obama’s pet project, with her initiative Let’s Move!

The Let’s Move! program focuses on teaching families how to raise their children in a healthy way, and encourages parents to set good examples for their kids. It also seeks to make nutritious food available in schools, and turn the battle against obesity into a community and family effort. Read More »

It’s getting to that time of the year. The pounds of turkey. The heaps of stuffing. The mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy. Mmmm. You get the picture.

Let me just tell you that it’s not going to be a big deal. Sure, Thanksgiving is a food-heavy holiday, but I can assure you that one day of splurging isn’t going to hurt you! If you’re going to eat a lot, then at least be sure that you’re going to make up for it on the other days of the year. Seriously. Oh, and throw in this awesome cardio burst & ab move into the rest of your routine and I can guarantee you won’t feel as guilty in your turkey hangover.

1. Plank Jacks – CARDIO

Begin in a plank position. Remember to keep your hands directly under your shoulders, have a straight line from head to toe and squeeze your ab muscles. You’re going to hop both feet out so that they’re about 2-3 feet away from each other and back in to complete one plank jack. You’ll repeat this movement for one minute.

What’s a plank? Click here. Read More »

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Why? Because it’s a holiday that is essentially dedicated to food. And I love food. Yes, I know, we’re supposed to be giving thanks and thinking about Pilgrims, but I’m really just looking forward to the meal. And the best news of all is that the great eats don’t stop after Thanksgiving – in my family, at least, Christmas and New Year’s Day also bring big feasts.

There are just a few problems with all this. The holiday season tempts us to go way overboard when it comes to eating, which can be rough on our bodies in a lot of ways. Not to mention that one too many pieces of pumpkin pie can leave you feeling a little queasy. So read on for a few tips to stay happy and healthy during the holiday season.

1. Work small amounts of exercise into your daily routine.

Several studies have found that regular exercise can help counteract the consequences of overindulging in unhealthy foods. The more rigorous the exercise, the better. Study participants have seen benefits from exercises as simple as walking. Because running or walking outside may be unpleasant or impossible in colder temperatures, the gym is your best bet. But almost no one’s in the mood to run out to the gym on a holiday. So work exercise in wherever you can. Hanging out with family? Your little cousins, maybe? Run around inside with them a little bit – you get a free pass to do that if you’re hanging out with little kids. Or volunteer to help set the table and take dishes to and from the kitchen. Not only will you score extra points with your grandparents, but you’ll also be keeping your body moving.

Read More »

I’ve written before about why I don’t tan, and unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you know that tanning carries with it some pretty serious risks. Still, up to 80 percent of people under 25 are convinced that they look better with a tan, and every single day, more than one million Americans visit tanning salons. As dangerous as natural sun exposure can be, it seems that tanning beds may be even worse. People who have used indoor tanning beds are at a 75% higher risk for melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer.

So why do people take the risk? Because they want to look good. And, according to a new study, they may be addicted. In 2005, scientists showed that many sunbathers met the medical definition of substance abuse disorder. This inspired researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to dig a little deeper. Their results, which were published over the summer, found that brain scans of frequent tanners showed activity that was similar to the patterns of drug addiction. Read More »

I have a million favorite moves, but the ULTIMATE ab move has to be the “teaser” or “V-sit”. I feel like you can graduate from 6-pack university if you can successfully complete this move. I mean, after all that partying studying this weekend, there’s really nothing better to do!

Here’s the teaser move, with an extra twist to it. Try it out while waiting for How I Met Your Mother commercials to pass (if you’re not partying studying tonight, the slutty pumpkin character is revealed)!

1. Teaser

Begin laying flat on your back, with your hands extended behind your head. Using your core muscles to pull yourself up, bring yourself into a seated “V” position. Keep your back straight, legs extended all the way and arms straight in front of your chest. Read More »

Do you ever wonder how much you’re really improving every time you head out for a run or go to the gym? Or maybe you’re trying to make fitness a bigger priority, but have trouble designing workouts and keeping track of your progress? Luckily, in our time of internet and smartphones, there’s an app for that.

Check out this list of fitness websites and apps that will help you keep track of workouts and nutrition, and inject a little social media flavor into your exercise routine.

1. Fitocracy

The idea behind this brand new website is to turn fitness into a game. Using Fitocracy, you can record workouts, including everything from running to weightlifting to classes like yoga and Pilates. You earn points for each workout, and advance through different levels. Every so often, reaching a new level unlocks a challenge, which could earn you major bonus points. And it’s a competition – you’ll be able to see how you measure up to all Fitocracy users, or people of your gender, age or area. You can also connect with friends, to compete against them and form groups. Visit the Fitocracy website to request an invite. Read More »