Your Fitness: 5 Tips for Getting Your Rear in Gear (and Stop Procrastinating Exercise!)

Gals, how's your motivation on the fitness front lately? Are you keeping up with your exercise goals? Nixing the inner naysayer ("it's too cold," "I'm too tired," etc, etc.)? Need a little inspiration? I have two fitness experts here today to help us rally...

Today we hear from the fabulous Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, fitness experts and authors of the terrific new book Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity (a terrific read even if you're not a mother). Take it away, ladies!

"Exercise motivation: You can't buy it online or order it from QVC. You can't borrow it from your downstairs neighbor," write Dimity and Sarah. "You can't inherit it from an aunt. Nope, motivation is a DIY thing. To get you started, here are five tools to craft your own workout inspiration."

Your Feelings on Age: Do You Think Jennifer Aniston Is Old?

I turned 31 this week, so naturally I'm thinking about age (and, yes, looking in the mirror for wrinkles!). But when I read about how one star called Jennifer Aniston "old" this week, I began to wonder what you all thought. In your mind, is 30 old? Is 40? Please say no.

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I did a double take when I read what Danica Patrick said about Jen Aniston recently. When asked who she would want to play her in a movie, here's what Danica said, according to Us Magazine:

"I've always said Angelina Jolie would be great because she's an action star," Patrick, 26, told a group of Canadian bloggers.

"Although I don't quite look like her," Patrick goes on.

Your Fave Furry Boots: Are They a Health Risk?

I love my UGGs--seriously, a fashion faux pas or not, I think they're the comfiest thing to wear in the winter, which is why I bought a second pair this month. But those warm and toasty boots we all love (or maybe you're in the love-to-hate category?) may be a health risk to your feet, warn experts. Here's what they say...

They're like wearing slippers, huh? That's why I'm addicted. But, the sheep-skin lined boots, and their generic counterparts, may not be that great for the health of your feet, legs and hips, say experts--not the mention the fact that wearing them too often, and without socks, can create a breeding ground for foot fungus (eeww!).

Your Body After Babies: One Celeb Says She's More "Sexual" After Becoming a Mom

Many women report that the experience of having a baby and chasing after a toddler (and the general stress of parenting) does little for your sex drive. So it's refreshing to hear that one big-name celeb has experienced the opposite effect ...

I laughed a little when I asked a friend of mine whether she was going to stop at two kids or consider having three. She looked at me with a totally straight face and said, "God, more kids? That would actually mean I'd have to have sex! Are you kidding?"

Of course, she wasn't 100 percent serious--just maybe 35 percent. :) Truth is, lots of women say their sex drive takes a hit after motherhood. There are plenty of biological issues at play (breastfeeding, hormone changes, you name it), but I have to wonder if a good chunk of it is attitude. It's easier to put your desires aside when focusing on children. And let's face it, dirty diapers aren't very sexy.

Yoga + Ballet = Yollet (I So Want to Try This!)

Love ballet? I do. (Alright, I was about 8 the last time I donned tutu and did a demi plie, but I have fond memories.) Plus, you gotta love the long, lean bodies of ballerinas! And, so many of us love yoga, so put the two together and you've got a new fitness trend people are raving about...

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Erin Kurdyla, a blogger over at SELF, is raving about her new fitness find: Yollet (pronounced yo-lay). You guessed it, ballet-infused yoga. Here's what she had to say about it:

"Yollet is a fusion of Classical Ballet and Yoga and it was an awesome workout. The first thirty minutes of class were filled with ballet moves that challenged both my balance and flexibility and really worked my legs at the bar. Then we chasse'ed (all new terms to me) across the dance floor and performed a mini-ballet routine. After ballet we grabbed the mats for a relaxing half hour of yoga poses and stretching which felt great."

Yikes: Women Gain an Average of 2.2 lbs a Year in Their 20's--Here's What You Can Do About It

I dread stats like this one that hint that despite our best efforts, our bodies are prone to gaining weight and softening up as we move through our twenties. I don't know about you, but this type of news makes me a.) aware, and b.) proactive. Here's what to do to combat the weight gain in your twenties, and beyond ...

Health reports that women gain 2.2 pounds per year between ages 18 and 30. That's a whopping 26.4 pounds--a lot of weight!

It's not hard to see how it naturally happens, says Penny Gordon-Larsen, Ph.D., an associate professor of nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "When you're making that transition to young adulthood, you shift to a more sedentary lifestyle," she said to Health.

Yikes! This Woman Visited the Dentist and Went Home Toothless

Oh boy. This one's going to take fear of dentists to new heights. A woman in South Carolina went in to have three teeth pulled and went home with 13 missing teeth. The crazy story...

Poor Elizabeth Smith. The 38-year-old South Carolina woman went to the dentist to have three teeth removed, but somehow her dentist mistakenly removed all 16 of her top teeth. Every. Single. One.

Then, according to reports, the dental clinic employees allegedly tried to cover up the mistake in her charts. She sued and was recently awarded $2 million.

Obviously this is a totally random and rare case of dentistry gone bad, but it doesn't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy about having my teeth examined. Then again, if my dentist finally broke down and hired an in-office massage therapist, I think my anxieties would pretty much vanish!

Yes, There Is Such a Thing As Evil Doctors: Let's Talk About Anna Nicole

Remember all the drama surrounding Anna Nicole Smith's death a few years ago? To this day, the circumstances surrounding the end of her life just seem fishy to me--and sad. Now, authorities have charged her ex, Howard K. Stern, and two of her former docs with conspiracy to provide thousands of prescription pills to her. Let's talk about evil docs...

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Thousands of pills? My jaw dropped. The big question: Did Howard and the docs want to keep her medicated so they could control her (and her money)? As nuts as Anna Nicole seemed to be at times, I think she was vulnerable and childlike, which makes this whole thing even more sad.

Yawning At Your Desk? The Easy Little Thing You Can Do With Your Fingers to Perk Up

No--get your mind out of the gutter! I'm talking about "super brain" yoga! Have you heard of it? The concept, similar to acupressure, is that by apply pressure to certain points on your head you can energize your brain and regain focus. Hey, it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

VitalJuice had the scoop on an easy exercise to try when you're in a slump at work:

1. Remove any jewelry. Stand.

2. Hold right earlobe with left thumb and left index finger. Place thumb on outside (front of the ear); index finger on inside (back of the ear).

3. Hold left earlobe with right thumb and right index finger. Place thumb on outside (front of the ear); index finger on inside (back of the ear). Make sure right arm is crossed on top of left arm.

Yawning? 3 Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Energy (No Coffee Required)

I don't know about you, but when I reach a certain point of tiredness, coffee doesn't do a darn thing. In fact, it can actually make me feel worse. So, when the afternoon sleepies set in, do one or all of these smart, and easy, things to get some quick energy ...

1. Drink two glasses of water (ice-cold is best). I learned this tip in calculus class (snooze) when I was a sophomore in high school. Our teacher told us that she always drank two glasses of ice water after lunch to help combat the post-lunch yawns. I've been doing it for years, and it works!

2. Put on some music. Music stimulates almost every region of the brain, says Daniel Levitin, Ph.D., author of This Is Your Brain on Music, who was interviewed by Women's Health. Music, he says, can help you focus. And, several health experts I've interviewed over the years say that it can have the same effect on your brain as a stimulant!

Types of Pain - Neck Pain

What is Neck Pain‭?

Neck pain can be defined as an aching or soreness that is location on the neck or where the neck meets‭ ‬the shoulders.‭ ‬While the majority of neck pain is caused by strain on the muscles,‭ ‬it can also be a result of damage or diseases which have affected the bones and ligaments in the area.‭ ‬Most neck pain fades within a week if the proper steps are taken to‭ ‬relieve the stress on the muscles.

What are some of the Specific Causes of Neck Pain‭?

Neck pain can be caused by sitting in a‭ ‬way where the muscles and bones of the neck are in a position where they are misaligned.‭ ‬It can also be caused by injuries‭ ‬to the area‭ ‬from a fall,‭ ‬an accident or some other type of event.‭ ‬Mental stress can also take a toll on the muscles of the neck and cause severe pain.‭ ‬In rare instances,‭ ‬even tumors or other diseases may be responsible.‭ ‬Whatever the cause,‭ ‬some symptoms include a limited range of motion and‭ ‬painful‭ ‬stiffness.

Wowza! This Woman Is on Track to Complete 26 Marathons in 26 Days

Oh. My. Goodness. The thought of running a single marathon makes most of us feel anxious, but 26--in 26 days?! That's what one woman is doing right now!

We've talked about extreme running before, but gals, I'm totally blown away by the news of Rosie Swale Pope, a 63-year-old UK woman, who is on track to run her 26th marathon in 26 days. Her mission? To raise money for two hospices that she cares deeply about. The woman clearly has determination, if not a bit of superhuman strength, (she also completed a five-year run around the world to raise money for a prostate cancer charity after her husband, Clive, died of the disease).

Would You Wear This (Dare I Say, Cute) Fitness Fanny Pack?

You probably haven't thought about fanny packs since 1989, right? Well, I recently wrote an article about ergonomic purses and bags, and guess what health experts say is the best bag ever for your bod? Yep, the humble fanny pack. Turns out, it's making a year 2009 comeback. Would you wear one?

I've never been wild about fanny packs. You? So, I'll be honest, when I heard that they were making a stylish comeback, I thought yeah right. But I'm starting to come around. I recently wrote about the strain bags and purses can have on your bod in an article for WomansDay.com and learned that the fanny pack may be the healthiest bag you can carry. Fortunately, the puffy packs of the 1980s are being replaced by sleeker, low-profile bags.

Why Is a Pre Diabetic Diet So Important

One of the most commonly asked questions is why a pre diabetic diet is so important, especially when compared to other popular diet trends. The answer is a bit more difficult to answer since diet affects people in different ways.

However, one of the biggest differences between a pre diabetic diet and many of the diet trends that you see advertised is that a pre-diabetic diet is designed to control blood sugar and keep it as level as possible. There are numerous diets that do not address this problem and can even make the problem of maintaining blood sugar much more difficult. For example, diets that allow for a high amount of simple carbohydrates such as white rice can lead to wild blood sugar spikes that are more of a setback than anything else.