Carrie Underwood has always come across as a fit and healthy gal — even before making it big. She works hard with trainer Tony Greco and maintains a really healthy diet — she even resists the temptation to dine out! Keeping all of this in mind, it's no wonder that Women's Health would choose Carrie as its October cover model. She's celebrating life as a newlywed while prepping for her new tour yet somehow manages to look amazing through it all! Here are the highlights:
- Why she loves working out: "There's just something sexy about feeling strong."
- On keeping fit while on tour: "A lot of stuff happens in the afternoon, so I can get up and have a workout, which makes me feel awesome for the rest of my day."
- On using kettlebells: "They don't take up much space and work out a lot of different muscles."
- On maintaining healthy diet: "Once you get into a routine of eating healthy, it hurts twice as much when you fall off the wagon, but it's nice to have a few bites of something you like . . . If I’m on the road, I'll get oatmeal. There are low-sugar kinds that are easy to fix. At home, I'll have an English muffin with some I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spray — my favorite!"
- Her food vices: "I'm not a sweets person, but I love pasta and pizza — oh, buddy!"
- Her food rules: "Figure out a way to take foods I like and make them healthy . . . I try to stay away from carb-y things at dinner."
The Give It Up challenge is officially under way in the Get Fit For 2010 community group! Give It Up is a community challenge asking readers to give up any vice or bad habit for two weeks. The hope is that we'll all be healthier, more informed, and conscious individuals when this challenge is over. I've given up meat, and even though it's been tough, I already feel like a smarter eater and a better cook. It also makes it a lot easier that I am not alone in this endeavor — here's a sample of the things our community members are giving up:
It's never to late to join the challenge with us. Head on over to the Get Fit For 2010 community group and let us know what bad habit, vice, or guilty pleasure you'll be giving up.
The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball. When competing, she travels a bunch, so she shares her know-how of keeping fit on the road.
Here's my favorite hotel room workout:
- Hindu squats (2 sets of 30 with 10 slow then pick up speed — body control is more important than speed)
Start with feet slightly more than shoulder width apart. Squat all the way down with your heels up off the ground, reach your hands behind your heels, tap the ground then stand up. Put your heels down immediately as you stand up. As you stand up raise your arms out to the side, and make an arc over your head. As your arms cross in front of you, repeat the squatting motion.
- Straight into incline push-ups (2 sets of 20)
Against the wall or using the bed/couch.
- Elbow plank (2 to 3, hold for 45 to 90 seconds)
Start in push-up position. Instead of hands on the floor, clasp your hands together and lay your forearms on the ground. Keep your core tight, your butt neutral.
Learn the rest of the hotel room workout when you read more.
Besides freezing fruit and making smoothies, another way to use up all that farmers market bounty in your kitchen is to dry it. Dried fruit is a great healthy snack that's easy to tote around, and it also doubles well as a salad topping, cocktail garnish, or trail mix ingredient. Drying your own fruit is easy though a bit time consuming, but it's totally worth it! Say goodbye to high prices, added sugar, and sulfur, and hello to an all-natural fruity goodness that's sure to make Martha Stewart weep from joy, or whip around a stripper pole in total glee.
See the recipe when you read more