This past year, Jillian Michaels’ released her own Fitness Ultimatum for the Wii to lack-luster reviews, and there are rumors that the Biggest Loser will release its own game. But before that, the show’s host Alison Sweeney is giving EA Sports Active Personal Trainer a try.

“When do I have time to go to the gym? It really is like a personal trainer in a box. It’s perfect. I recommend it to all mothers!”, raves the new mom about the game that releases May 19. Alison is also joining 11 others in a 30-Day Challenge, to be the first to try the new game and report their progress. The challenge begins with a spa retreat hosted by Bob Greene, and it’s no surprise that his involvement earned the product a Best Life seal of approval. Other participants include web celebs, mommy bloggers, gamers and daddy bloggers.

EA Sports Active works with the Wii to give you a stimulating workout in the privacy of your own home. With 25 exercises and activities that burn calories and tone muscles, you’ll be able to get gym-like results from your living room, den or game room. Virtual personal trainers will guide you through your Bob Greene-approved workouts, and daily progress reports will keep you motivated to stay on track. Other features you’ll enjoy:

• Multi-player mode lets you workout with a friend, spouse or even the kids!
• Includes a resistance band for more intense workouts.
• Use the included leg strap to have your movements replicated on-screen, and receive feedback to improve your technique.
• Use in conjunction with Wii Balance Board.
• Virtual trainer offers instruction, feedback, motivation and tips.
• Activities includes tennis, dancing, inline skating, boxing, volleyball and 20 others.
• Log foods you eat and activity outside of EA Sports Active.

Pre-order your EA Sports Active Personal Trainer for the Wii now.

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EA Sports Active Personal Trainer for the Wii

Dr. Oz and Oprah introduce the Ultimate Health Checklist (Oprah.com)

As Oprah’s Best Life week continues, she welcomed Dr. Oz, a.k.a. America’s doctor, to the show once again. In the second day of her campaign to get healthy alongside the rest of us, she asked Dr. Oz to share the most important things about our health that we need to be aware of and proactive in doing. He calls it the Ultimate Health Checklist, and says that as long as we’re able to keep to the list, which really isn’t that overwhelming, we can live long, happy lives.

Here are the 10 things on Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Health Checklist that all men and women should make a point of following.

1. Schedule a Check-Up. Dr. Oz told Oprah’s audience that people who have a family doctor are healthier, and pointed out that while many do not have health insurance, you can find free and government-funded access to quality health care providers.

2. Know the Five Ingredients to Avoid. Check food labels for this simple list of ingredients, and pass on foods that include them in the first five ingredients listed (meaning they are highest in concentration).

• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Sugar
• “Enriched“
• Trans-fat (may be indicated by the word “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated”)
• Saturated Fat

3. Add Healthy Foods to your Diet. Make an effort to meet these nutritional goals each day and week.

• 3 grams Omega-3 daily. Sources for this healthy fat are fish, soybeans, nuts, flaxseed and others.
• 5-7 servings of Antioxidants daily. Sources for this cancer-fighting agent are blueberries, red beans, pomegranates and pecans.
• 25 grams Fiber daily. You’ll want to chose whole-grain options, like brown rice and whole grain cereals and pastas.
• 1 Tbs. Olive Oil daily. Extra-virgin or regular olive oil both work. Dr. Oz suggests this is why the Mediterranean Diet is praised for working so well.

4. Take a Multi-Vitamin. This should be part of your daily routine. Here are Dr. Oz’s vitamin tips.

Oprah checks Dr. Oz's resting heart rate. (Oprah.com)

5. Know Your Numbers. At your check-up, learn these numbers, and make it a goal to optimize them.

• Waist size – measure at belly button, total inches should be less than half your height.
• Blood pressure – optimal is 115/75
• Cholesterol – LDL (bad) should be <100; HDL (good) should be >40
• Resting heart rate – <83 beats per minute (athletes average about 40)
• Blood sugar
• Vitamin D – find out if you have a deficiency. Darker skinned people are more susceptible.
• C-reactive protein
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

6. Find a Health Advocate. Always bring a relative or a friend with you to the doctor to better understand your treatment.

7. Get Organized with Your Health Information. Keep updated copies of insurance, medical records, allergies, etc. so that you can play a more active role in your care and treatment.

8. Know the Medical Tests You Should Have. These will vary for men, women and by age, but talk with your doctor to learn if you need:

• Mammogram
• Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam
• Dental check-up (2x/year)
• Vision check-up (1x/2 years)
• Bone Density
• Hearing
  

  Dr. Oz gives four attainable exercise tips. (Oprah.com)

9. Exercise. Dr. Oz wants us to keep our bodies actively moving, and recommends the following:

• Start walking. Aim for 10,000 steps per day, start with 30 minutes/day (about 3k steps)
• Elevate your heart rate for 60 minutes every week
• Flexibility 5 minutes/day
• Strength training 30 minutes/week

10. Sleep! Your body requires the rest that comes from a good night’s sleep. Practice these tips to catch your Zs:

• Get 7-8 hours sleep each night
• Keep the room dark and cool
• Create a routine
• Make the bedroom for sleep and sex only
• No caffeine four hours prior to bed
• Do not keep a TV in your bedroom
• Take a calcium and magnesium supplement

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Health Checklist from Oprah’s Best Life Week

Oprah reluctantly sings "Proud Mary" with Cher and Tina. (Oprah.com)

Oprah really connected with her viewers by discussing in detail the personal anguish and feelings she’s experienced during the past two years, and said she “feels like anybody else – when you wake up and your clothes don’t fit.” One of the first real turning points for her was the episode last year with Cher and Tina Turner. She was worried about standing on stage with 61- and 68-year-old women and at 53 she’d be the older woman, because of her health and size. She explained she did not want to go on stage and perform “Proud Mary” with her friends, instead she wanted to hide herself.

And hide herself she did. She showed all of her O Magazine covers from 2008 and explained that the year of head-shot covers was intentional as she didn’t want to show her body. Not being one for excuses, Oprah says when the weight started sneaking back on, she was also experiencing a bout with severe insomnia. Four doctors misdiagnosed what she credits her viewing audience with identifying – a thyroid condition. She says it’s cured now, but the condition that slowed her metabolism and caused her doctor to tell her to “embrace hunger” was something Oprah and Bob Greene both admit she used as a crutch and a target for blame. She now accepts that she didn’t have the healthiest relationship with food, using it to patch an emotional void.

“I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching, and that was a great disappointment,” admitted Oprah. So to make it right, she decided to start with herself. She discovered that she’d removed herself from her to-do list, and to start living the healthy life she desired again, it had to go back. A meeting with her personal assistant meant she now includes more personal time for Oprah – for eating healthy meals, hitting the gym, or even a manicure.

Oprah shares her meal plan in the Harpo kitchen. (Oprah.com)

She also advises that you plan meals. Oprah showed a calendar with the meals for each day outlined. It keeps her organized, and less likely to chow through an entire bag of her food vice, organic blue corn tortilla chips. Oprah’s meals might include her Green Drink, Turkey Meatballs that she makes every Sunday, egg whites, tuna, grilled chicken, or steel-cut oatmeal. She also says as much as she dislikes exercise, she now knows for sure it’s a must. She’s found a balance of moderate cardio (work until you can talk, but don’t want to) and resistance training (which she actually enjoys).

Oprah admits that part of her falling off the wagon this time was that she thought she had it, had figured out the key to losing weight and keeping it off. Bob reminded that it requires daily effort. For all her weight ups and downs, Oprah is nearly brought to tears when she declares that she’s grateful for her body, and that the journey is never ending.

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Oprah’s Best Life Week Kicks off with Bob Greene

One of the most recognizable doctors, Dr. Mehmet Oz will be sharing practical and effective tips and information for you to improve your health. He’ll tell you how to take the best care of your body in 2009 whether it’s eating the right foods or reducing your risk of heart disease.

Oprah’s spiritual experts like Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of the Omega Institute, will be on hand with other spiritual counselors to help you find more enrichment in your life. Whether you have low self-esteem, work in a dead-end job or covet a creative outlet, you’ll get the guidance and support you need to deepen the meaning in your life this year and beyond.

Financial coach Suze Orman will help you sort through your financial woes and incorporate money-saving values so that you can be on your way to discovering financial freedom this year, despite the dismal economy.

Each day of Oprah’s Best Life Series will feature one of these topics so be sure you catch the ones that you have a real interest in.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Oprah Launches Her Best Life Week