If there is one man who knows fitness and health it’s Patrick Murphy.  We found him on Twitter, Tweeting away helpful advice snippets for the taking. And why should you do what this man says? Maybe because he is the man responsible for getting both Eva Longoria and Olivia Wilde their #1 spots on Maxim’s Hot 100. And did I mention that he was willing to sit down and talk to you?

Well not talk to you personally, but he did spend a long time on the phone with CollegeCandy telling us about the importance of switching up our workouts, why it’s crucial to stay hydrated and all the other tips and tricks he uses to get his clients into tip-top shape. Although be forewarned; this man is serious business when it comes to seeing results (i.e. opting for apples and green tea for dessert), so getting in shape his way is no easy task.

And there’s more! (I know!) His new website www.murphyfitness.com is launching today, July 1st, and members can download workouts, videos and keep a food diary where Patrick will give personal feedback to ensure success! And he’s giving away a FREE membership to one very lucky CollegeCandy reader. You (yes, YOU!) can look like Olivia Wilde for FREE. Get to know Patrick a bit and then find out how you can be one step closer to that banging bod…

5 Questions We Ask Everyone:

1.    What is your most ridiculous college memory/most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I disappeared with a bunch of friends to Mexico without telling my family for like, almost a week. I just disappeared for like five days, that was really bad. I was just starting college so I was just experimenting and partying my ass off.

2.   What are five things you can’t live without?

Exercise, my wife,  my eyesight, contacting my mother every week, and I can’t live without staying hydrated… You’re gonna find out in this phone call that I’m kind of a fitness fanatic. I live and breath my job. I love it.

3.    What’s your motto/advice you live by?
Well, I say many things, but one of the things I like to say is that the root of all evil is the lack of circulation. So, everything – every problem that we have, mentally and physically with our bodies – is a lack of circulation.  That is the cause and root of all evil. That’s why cancer happens, why we have eye problems, why we have skin problems, why we have all types of problems. So,we gotta keep moving. Read More »

While shopping at the mall with friends last weekend, my breakfast of Kashi Go Lean Crunch! came back to haunt me. And by “me,” I mean “everyone within a 10 foot radius.” Yeah, it’s true – I had a horrible case of the farts. So bad that I couldn’t even stand myself. I tried to hold it in – really, really hard – but they just kept coming and it was impossible for me to walk around a giant mall with my ass cheeks clenched together.

So I did what any normal woman would do: I walked away from my friends and left some smelly bombs in store corners and mall walkways. Poor shoppers didn’t know what was coming.

The entire ordeal was mortifying (especially when the guy bringing my shoes walked through an exceptionally offensive gas cloud and got a very sour look on his face) and could have been completely avoided had someone informed me about these special panties. Now, I am not one for granny panties (especially of the Hefty variety), but a pair of panties that could mask my gas?

Where do I sign up?

I’m not sure how they work, but as long as they don’t create a virtual dutch oven in my pants thus releasing the foul odor of a day’s worth of farts and knocking me out the moment I take them off, I don’t really care.  The mere thought of enjoying a fiberous breakfast and then flatulating all day without anyone knowing (I’m a master of the SBD) is enough to lure me in.

So you’re on your way to the beach to have the greatest spring break ever. You’ve worked hard to get that body bikini-ready all semester long, and now you’re ready to show it off.

You could pack chips, sandwiches and candy to get you through those grueling hours of sunbathing, but why not bring along some yummy nutrition bars that help your figure and make your taste buds happy?

Here are my recommended top 5:

Gnu Flavor and Fiber Bars

Does your mouth water every time you smell the cinnabons at the mall? Do you have a hard time not finishing the whole bag of raisins once you start? If either of those apply to you, then you’ll love the Cinnamon Raisin bar. It’s only 130 calories and gives you 12g of fiber, already half of what you need per day! It is definitely my favorite, with Chocolate Brownie coming in second. The Banana Walnut is good for all you nut-lovers out there, and the Peanut Butter is a great substitute for everyone’s favorite (and surprisingly high calorie) PB&J sandwich. Plus, your heart will be thanking you for the lack of added sugar and artificial ingredients. All-natural, all the way.

Pros: flavor, fiber, and filling!

Cons: The price. And the Orange Cranberry bar. It was very… citrusy. Read More »

Like most college kids, I’m a big fan of pizza. It’s great for a movie night with the girls or as a post-partying 2AM snack. While I love the stuff, I’m tired of feeling guilty about eating it. Good news: I don’t have to and neither do you!

Last year in my Intro to Nutrition Class I learned a little secret: pizza doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. Now, I am not telling you to go on an all pizza diet. But, like most things, if you make good pizza choices, it is totally fine to enjoy in moderation. And letting yourself have it means you won’t feel deprived and go crazy (read: eat 12 pieces) when it’s put in front of you.

Here’s what you need to know:

1) Thin crust is best- Always go with thin crust over deep dish or pan. It has fewer calories, less fat and is deliciously crunchy!

2) If possible, go whole grain- My dining hall always offers a whole grain crust option. Although I was initially scared of the darker, healthier crust, I actually really like it. Don’t have whole grain pizza in your d-hall? Order in! Pizza chains like Domino’s and Papa John’s are now offering this healthier option. Read More »

We warned you, and now it’s here: the first episode of CollegeCandy TV. We wanted to come out with a bang (pun intended), so we got down and dirty. So, listen up; it’s time to talk about farts.

You’ve been meaning to eat healthy for awhile now, but between the parties and the holidays and the study snacks during finals, it just hasn’t happened. And now your pants don’t fit and you feel like hell. You may not be one for resolutions, but January is a good excuse to reevaluate your eating habits and make necessary changes.

Need a little motivation? Well, if you improve the way you eat, you can cut calories, shed pounds, and create a whole new relationship with food for 2009 and beyond. Here is a great place to start:

- Make Little Changes: Instead of having your normal omelette every morning, switch to egg whites; they are the most nutritious and healthy parts of eggs. Individuals do not realize that an entire whole egg contains 210 milligrams of Cholesterol, 7 grams of fat, and 90 calories. Egg whites have only 17 calories and ZERO milligrams of Cholesterol. See the difference? Other healthy swaps include wheat bread instead of white, lower calorie dressings instead of the full fat ones, and less or no cheese on sandwiches and salads.

- Drink the Right Liquids: Switching to water or seltzer versus regular Coke can elimiate calories and sugar intake, which ultimately turns to fat – something we’re all trying to avoid!

- Snacking: If you’re going to snack, make conscious choices and do it in a healthy way. Opt for handfuls of almonds or sliced vegetables versus chips and French fries, which are full of fats and lacking in the nutrition department. Fruits, vegetables and proteins (peanut butter, beans) will fill you up longer and keep you healthier. Read More »

[Exercise, health and fitness are an important part of every woman’s life. But how do you know if you’re doing it right? And what new findings, tips and advice will help you reach your health fitness goals? Kelly, our fitness guru, will keep you updated every Monday with the latest and most beneficial news and advice for your health and body. Like the story with carbs..]

Carbs. Whether you realize it or not, everyone eats some type of carb. You hear about all these crazy diets that call for no carbs, when in reality, it’s the most unrealistic way to diet. Your body needs carbs; they are another fuel that keeps a body up and running at a healthy balance. Carbohydrates, by definition, are sugars that provide the body with energy. However, people often mistake the amounts and, more importantly, types of carbohydrates that are good for them.

I’m here to clear up the confusion. Read More »

[Welcome to my Weekly Love List. A list, on all things I love. Because if I love them - well then obviously you may (and should) love them too. As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes I am actually quoting them) "My Love is All I Have To Give." So with that throwback, here are this week's list-worthy things…]

1. My Dropbox – Does your friend have all the good pictures from last night on her camera? Did she just buy the new Britney album that you want but are too embarrassed to purchase? We all know how annoying it is to transfer files via email – that stuff takes forever – and now you don’t have to. My Dropbox is a program you and your friends download. Wanna share some pics with eachother? Just drag em into your box (that’s what she said) and – voila! – any friends who are linked up with you now have the files too. It’s technology at its finest.

2. Healthy Mac & Cheese? 18 grams of fiber in one serving, and it’s GOOD. My late night munching self is in LOVE with this idea.

3. Eco Friendly organization. We all know we are supposed to hold on to every exam all semester long, along with our bank statements, our shopping reciepts, and a plethora of other junk that just ends up splattered all over our desks, and floors, and cars… and the list goes on. So check out these great, eco friendly ways to divide up your important documents and tuck them away in a neat, safe place. I don’t really love these, but my roommates love seeing the kitchen table, so I guess that’s good enough.

4. Laura Mercier ‘Almond Coconut Milk’ Hand Crème - It fits in your purse, makes your hands baby soft, and makes you think you are sipping pina coladas on spring break instead of cramming for your econ final.

5. Frustration Free Packaging. How many times do you spend 25 mintues trying to open up your new phone/Bluetooth/Barbie Doll and you just end up with a missing tooth, a bloody lip and the urge to scream and stomp on the product? Whoever designed that hard plastic packaging should work for national security. But, thankfully, Amazon.com is ready to do away with “Wrap Rage”; they are introducing a line of “frustration free packaging,” in recyclable cardboard boxes. Perfect for those of us with a need for instant gratification. Easy to open AND eco-friendly? Now that I L-O-V-E.

When I stumbled over this recipe, I fell off my chair. No, really. I have the bruises to show for it.

I don’t know about any of you, but I LOVE sushi (hard to tell, huh?). And, if you’re put off by visions of raw fish, don’t be! This is one recipe that won’t have ANYONE feeling squeamish. Unless you’re scared of scrummy food. Seriously. This is that good. And as a bonus (or not!) it won’t send you into a sugar induced coma like some other dessert sushi’s out there.

And if you’re still not convinced why you should make/convince someone else (Mom!) to make this sushi for you, well, then, let me change your mind.

In my adapted version, the ‘rice’ is made up of cashew nuts, honey and butter. Cashew nuts provide a good source of protein and fiber, and is also a good source of nutrients and minerals. On top of that, they also help maintain good cholesterol levels, protecting your heart. Sound good so far? Well, it gets better. Honey is rich in antioxidants (here’s a tip: the darker the honey is, the richer in antioxidants) and obviously, because of the fruit on top, there’s more good stuff!

The wasabi on the sashimi? (God, that’s bad.) This is super easy, and looks like you spent hours slaving away, when really, all it takes is about ten minutes.

Fruit Sushi (A.K.A. Fruishi) Read More »

Dear Friend On A Diet,

I am so proud of you for making such a positive, health conscious change in your life. Also, you look hot. However, that does not mean that I want to know the calorie/fat/transfat content of the food I am CURRENTLY EATING.

I am trying to be very supportive of you, not asking you to share an order of nachos, not pushing you to match me beer for whatever low-carb crap you are drinking. This is what good friends do. And for this I am rewarded with a play by play of your diet and exercise habits, including handy tips for me! Ahem. There are several things I would like you to understand before I continue:

1. I understand. I have been a very successful dieter in the past, and I know how your every thought becomes consumed with what you will eat in the next meal, day, week. Been there, obsessed over that.

2. A follow up to #1: I KNOW all this. I have been a dieter. A good one. A well-researched one. What do I say when you tell me the fiber content of a cereal that I already know?! I don’t need to one up you, but if I express polite interest (“oh, really? Fascinating.”) it will only encourage you and make things worse for me, the disinterested yet diplomatic friend. Please, appreciate my situation, and help me avoid it. Read More »