Maruchy Lachance is president of Running Ninja!, a lifestyle brand for runners by runners. Running Ninja! offers a wide variety of apparel and gifts for runners to keep you happy and inspired while you’re on the run.

One of the biggest challenges I have encountered is getting my friends and family to change the terminology they use when talking about their fitness. Whether we realize it or not, words not only communicate our thoughts to others but also send a message to ourselves. Those messages are powerful and can either motivate you or sabotage you. It’s for this reason that the words I choose are both realistic and encouraging.

Not Diet – Live it! I do not use the word “diet” in relation to weight loss. Fitness guru Richard Simmons said many years ago, “it’s not a diet, it’s a live it”  The word “diet” immediately evokes thoughts of deprivation – dry toast, bland tuna and lots of grapefruits.
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Being a famous country star has its perks and privileges, but the downside is that you can be scrutinized down to the very last detail. Musicians, just like Hollywood actors, are called out even for the slightest fluctuation in their weight.

It used to be that country troubadours looked were run-of-the-mill, working-class, salt of the earth, whatever-folksy-description-you-want-to-use. These days, image is just as important as talent.

Whether it’s for his image or a passion for staying in shape, Kenny Chesney is one of the fittest people in the music business. There is no denying his hard-fought trip to the top of the music business is exemplified in his dedication to fitness.

Chesney says that staying in top form is his way of making sure he gives his fans the best experience possible during his live shows. Since he’s grossed about $500 million in the last decade, his fans apparently approve.
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While summer is all about getting outdoors more and having fun, it’s also a great time to be more consistent with your workout routine. Why not enjoy the weather and burn a few calories at the same time?

Maybe most of us aren’t out of school with nothing to do for the next two months, but we can still take the time to combine a little of something we all love (great weather) with something most of us do because we really should (exercise). Here’s a list of songs that will make your next summer workout a little more enjoyable:
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What’s it like being the sister of a princess? While I’m not a Royal watcher, I did hear a little joking about the presumed jealousy that must be brewing in Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate and sister-in-law to one Prince William.

Yes, I’m sure it’s a royal pain to be considered Britain’s most eligible bachelorette and now to be rumored to be back dating an ex-flame George Percy, who just so happens to be the son of the Duke of Northumberland and one of the richest men in Great Britain (Percy’s inheritance will be worth a reported $350 million).

She also doesn’t seem to be short on self-esteem, as the 27-year-old is known for her athletic-level of dedication to exercise and diet.

One look at Pippa’s figure and you can see that she has the body of an athlete. That’s because she is an athlete. Pippa is known for taking part in triathlons and other events, not to mention she was a college athlete, winning scholarships for hockey and tennis to Marlborough College.
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Life isn’t fair and nowhere is that more evident than the findings from a new study. It appears that obese people who begin a diet with drastic changes will often do more harm than good.

“When obese persons reduce their food intake too drastically, their bodies appear to resist their weight loss efforts. They may have to work harder and go slower in order to outsmart their brain chemistry,” said Gregory G. Freund, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and a member of University’s Division of Nutritional Sciences.

Freund makes a point of telling people to not start their dieting with a cleansing day, since this seems to trigger changes in the immune system that counter weight loss efforts. The fast-start approach to dieting may also bring on brain chemistry changes that significantly alter mood and motivation levels.
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