Justin Timberlake is not the only one bringing sexy back. Often the back is overlooked when exercising and that is just a darn shame. Below are some exercises to tone and sculpt to create a sexy back...

A. Balance on forearms and toes keeping head and neck in a straight line with back. Contract abs so belly doesn't sag toward floor, and tuck pelvis so butt doesn't stick up.

 

B. Raise right leg 6 to 12 inches, squeezing glutes. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Lower and repeat with left leg. Do 8 to 10 reps with each leg, maintaining plank position the entire time. 

Bonus benefit: For a flatter belly, tighten your abs while performing each exercise.

Kneel with hands positioned directly beneath shoulders and knees beneath hips. Keep head and neck in line with spine and abs tight. Simultaneously raise right arm straight out in front and left leg behind you.

 

Keeping arm and leg parallel to floor, press arm out to side as you pull leg forward, as shown. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then move arm and leg back and lower them. Repeat with opposite arm and leg. Do 8 to 10 reps on each side.

Prolonged sitting can cause stiffness in your lower back. Counteract it by practicing this stretch daily. Hug both knees to chest and raise head and shoulders off floor. Hold for 15 seconds, breathing deeply. Release and repeat.

Here is a gift for the Ultimate exercise procratomator:

A book called Every Excuse In The Book: HOw to Benefit from Exercising by Overcoming Your Excuses by Jeanne Murdock.

If you have an excuse, she has a rebuttle that is sure to blast it!

What should you get that fitness freak in your life? Its a fine line between supporting someone and insulting them so be careful!

Here are a few ideas:

Complete Health Mega Pack

http://exercise.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=exercise&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walkerswarehouse.com%2Fstore%2Fproduct.asp%3Fbt%3DBEQ%26Product_Code%3DWW-6090%26amp%3BCategory_Code%3DAE05

Gaiam Balance Ball Resistance Workout Kit

http://www.naturalmarket.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/LB832/rfr/PRG

Yoga Mats and bags. There are tons of places but I really like some of the bag designs here!

http://www.yogabound.com/shopping/yoga_mat_bags.htm

Make someone the envy of their class. Or hell, treat yourself!

Books are always a great gift. Try

You, the Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger

by Mehmet Oz, Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz, Lisa Oz, Ted Spiker

OR

NETFLICKS: A subscription to Netflicks would allow your someone to rent fitness dvds (and maybe even some romantic comedies you can watch together!)

Heart Rate Montitor will allow them to get the most out of their workout by keeping track of their heart beat as it rises during a workout.

http://www.fitbuy.com/pd/phfs1.html

More to come!!!

So you are at work, busy as a bee, buried beneath papers and files, juggling calls, etc. You need a break. You really do. Sitting at a computer is torture on your neck and back. Plus staring at a computer screen all day is crap on the eyes. So, what should you do - take up smoking?? Ah, no. I just read about this website called stretchbreak.com. You can download software to your computer and it will send you reminders to take a stretch break throughout the day and give you stretches to do.

Hey, its almost like having your own little fitness fairy right there at your desk. Let me know if you try it!

Living in NYC you see some interesting things. Some are really cool and some...well some are pretty darn nasty. However, last night I saw someone finding yet another way to use its resources. A man set down his bag, put on some weight lifting type gloves and grabbed ahold of scaffolding above him. He began doing pull ups! It was great.

I asked him how many he was going to do and he replied,"5 sets of 20." Impressive, I thought seeing as most of us can barely do 1.

It gave me a new appreciation for my surroundings and the fact that there really are no valid excuses. There are opportunities all around you ~ you just need to motivate yourself to use them!
I was going to take a video of him for the blog but I didn't think he would be cool with it. Anyhow, get up and get moving!

So I actually got up this Sat morning and went for a run. This is a major accomplishment for me since I dislike running and being cold. I hate that pain in your throat from breathing heavy in the cold caused by the low-temperature air hitting the lungs.. So here are some tips I found that may be helpful to you as well:

*It is just as important to stay hydrated in cold weather as it is in warm weather. You should drink water and/or your sports drinks before, during and after your workouts.

*Wear layers. You should try and wear moisture wicking material (i.e. - Under Armour’s Cold Gear).

*Try breathing through your nose.By breathing through your mouth during your run, the air you intake has no time to warm up before getting in your lungs.

Ever since I was a wee tot I have eaten cereal. And not just for breakfast. There have been days where I have eaten it for a 3 meals! I LOVE cereal. I love a wide variety of brands and even mix them sometimes. And now, there seems to be more reason to consume such tasty goodness.

In a six-month study of 180 overweight adults, researchers found that whole-grain cereals helped people lose weight while boosting their consumption of fiber, magnesium and vitamin B-6.

Of course you must eat fiber rich cereals and not your frosted flakes or coco puffs. And, a bowl of cereal makes a great snack!