In this issue: December 2011 The Healthy Holiday Issue!

Written by Elyse Blechman and Jennifer Blechman-Turner Tuesday, 01 November 2011 16:14

The Healthy Holiday Issue!

The holiday season is upon is, which means there are more temptations to eat unhealthy foods, and skip out on exercising and head for the mall instead of the gym. How do you stick to a healthy eating and workout plan when you’re busy attending and planning those holiday parties? Those yummy-looking, festive desserts can be enticing, and with all that holiday shopping it can be easy to convince yourself that you’re too busy and tired to work out. But don’t worry— we’ve got plenty of motivation for you in the pages of FitnessRx this month.

What better inspiration is there to achieve your fitness goals than reading about the workout of a champion? Well, this month we’ve got two champions to help get you motivated—Talia Terese and Nicole Wilkins.

In “Feel the Burn: Dynamic, Total Body Workout with 2011 USA Champion Talia Terese” on page 52, Shoshana Pritzker talks with Talia, who demonstrates how hard work truly does pay off in the end. When Talia— named Miss Bikini USA this year— lost her grandfather three weeks prior to the competition, she decided the best way to honor him would be to follow through with her commitment to compete. Shoshana also talked with Talia’s trainer, Michelle Adams, who shares exactly how Talia got her championship body.

As Talia says, “Growth and personal improvement always drives me. The idea of failing because I didn’t try always keeps me going when I feel like I might want to quit.”

Does our cover model look familiar to you? Well, she should. Nicole Wilkins, who also graced the cover of our June issue, was recently named Ms. Figure Olympia at the 2011 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas (for full Olympia results, see “Pro Figure Fitness and Bikini Update” on page 82). Read about Nicole’s award-winning leg routine, her favorite supplements and secrets to her winning physique in an exclusive interview on page 78.

“I get to be a representative for a sport that I love and reach more individuals to spread my passion for health and fitness. It is also proof that hard work and consistency pay off,” says Nicole.

In “Flat Abs, Tight Butt Workout and Diet: A Scientific Approach/The Latest Research” on page 74, Tracey Greenwood discusses all you’ll need to know to achieve a flat tummy and tight butt. Many women focus on crunches or squats and don’t realize it’s better to focus on fat loss, especially for these two problem areas. Follow Tracey’s sample diet, cardio suggestions and exercises, and you’ll be on your way to that flat tummy and tight butt in no time.

Why is yoga beneficial, how can it help athletes improve their performance and what’s the best type of yoga for you? Many of the questions you’ve ever had about yoga are answered in “An Om Run For Fitness” By Kelly Prince on page 66. Experienced yogis and those new to the practice will enjoy reading about Kelly, who as a child performed in the circus, went on to be a stunt performer at Walt Disney World after high school, and tried out for Cirque Du Soleil. Kelly gave up her dream of performing for Cirque when she discovered yoga and decided to devote her life to sharing yoga’s benefits with others. She runs her studio, Body Heat, in Sarasota, Florida, and has trained many athletes in yoga.

Watch this exclusive video of Kelly Prince in action!  Hot Yoga with Kelly Prince Video

“I never knew what feeling good mentally, physically and emotionally was until I started practicing yoga. It changed my life in so many ways. My body was in BALANCE and I absolutely loved it! I loved how it transformed my inner world and completely changed the outside of my body,” Prince says.
Want to find out how to get the most out of your workout? Then read Shoshana Pritzker’s “14-Hour Metabolic Boost” on page 62. Here you’ll learn how exercise, including cardiovascular and regular resistance training, is the key to a high-speed metabolism and weight loss. To get started, try out the bicycle and elliptical workouts Shoshana provides. You’ll get that metabolism boosting in no time!

So don’t give in to those holiday temptations. And when you feel as though you are giving in, turn to any page in this month’s issue. It’s your ultimate prescription for the perfect body— and for getting through the holidays! From all of us a FitnessRx, have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!

You'll also find...

- Dr. Greenwood's Top 10 Supplements for Women pg. 48
- Best Fish for Optimal Health and Fat Loss pg. 90
- Extreme Makover Cardio Burn with StepMill Interval Training pg. 98
- Stress:  A Weighty Problem pg. 100
- Over 4 Fat Blasting Recipes
- IFBB Pro Justine Munro's Tips for Flat Abs
- and much more!