SparkPeople Community Director and Fitness Coach
Jen Mueller left her first career in corporate finance to earn a master's degree in health education. She is a busy mom of four and holds a number of fitness certifications (including ACE's Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Medical Exercise Specialist and Behavior Change Specialist). She is passionate about helping people reach their health and fitness goals. In her spare time, Jen loves running, kickboxing and spending time with her family. Jen enjoys blogging about raising healthy children and how small behavior changes can impact health and quality of life.
Read More of 's Blogs:
Can Weight Affect Your Ability to Taste Fat?
Have you ever noticed whether or not you can easily taste the fat in foods? New research is exploring the relationship between your taste buds and your waistline. The surprising results could add a sixth taste to the current five: salty, bitter, sweet, sour and umami--the ability to taste fat. It could also shed some light on the differences between overweight and normal weight individuals.
Posted 4/2/2010 6:27:12 AM By: : 199 comments 30,149 views
Do You Follow Good Running And Walking Etiquette?
I've been a runner for a number of years now. Sometimes I train on my own, sometimes with a small group, and other times with very large groups depending on the race. No matter how big or small, I always seem to notice things other runners do that get on my nerves. I think there's a basic code of etiquette all runners (and walkers) should follow. I try not to focus on the negative things in life, and I don't think my expectations are too unreasonable. But take a look and see what you think.
Posted 3/31/2010 10:12:33 AM By: : 236 comments 45,344 views
Do Vacations Really Make You Happier?
I remember the first time we went on vacation as a family with my (then) 9-month old daughter. As a tired new mom, I was looking forward to a relaxing week at the beach with my family. But the week didn't go exactly as I'd planned. We had great weather, good food and lively conversation, but it was stressful. For some reason I thought "vacation" meant that my daughter would require less work and I could relax. But she still needed to be fed, changed, played with, etc. And that was even more challenging in a new place when she wasn't sleeping in her own bed and I had to constantly watch her in a condo that was far from baby-proofed. I ended up coming back from the trip more tired than when we left. Ever since then, I've revised my expectations about vacations. Now new research is measuring how vacations affect overall happiness and how long it lasts.
Posted 3/26/2010 7:21:49 AM By: : 206 comments 25,426 views
How I Found My Passion
I was never one of those kids who knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Even in college when it was time to pick a major, I picked business because it seemed like I could do a lot with it. I really didn't like business more or less than anything else. But my parents encouraged me to finish college and then I could figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
Posted 3/23/2010 2:19:10 PM By: : 210 comments 42,494 views
Industry Takes On Childhood Obesity, But Will It Help?
Childhood obesity has become a hot topic in the news these days. Rising obesity rates and questions about the health and well-being of our children have forced parents, teachers, the government and others to start taking action to combat this problem. New changes are coming, including the world's second-largest soft drink producer who is making it more difficult for school-age children to access their products worldwide.
Posted 3/19/2010 6:56:36 AM By: : 114 comments 21,329 views
Are Parents Just Not Getting The Hint?
Food marketers will do just about anything to get our attention- or rather, the attention of our children. That's why it's important for parents to be aware of the tactics used to promote unhealthy foods to their kids. With all of the recent talk about childhood obesity rates and improving kids' health, you'd think that parents would be smarter and learn to make better choices for their kids. But according to new research, that's not the case.
Posted 3/16/2010 6:10:56 AM By: : 107 comments 19,672 views
SparkPeople Members Celebrate Together At The Finish Line
SparkPeople members are in the news once again! Seven members (who met on our site) recently completed various distances of the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, California. When their story was featured on CNN.com, we asked if they wanted to share more details about the experience. They were more than happy to talk about what it meant to meet their online buddies in-person for the first time!
Posted 3/12/2010 1:09:02 PM By: : 51 comments 17,210 views
Senior Playgrounds Offer New Exercise Options
Who says that playgrounds should be just for kids? London's Hyde Park area is set to open a new outdoor playground specifically geared toward older adults. The equipment will be designed to improve balance, flexibility and strength through low impact activities. Could you see a demand for something like this in your area?
Posted 3/5/2010 10:00:00 AM By: : 115 comments 25,050 views
Confession: I'm A Napper
It's true- I LOVE to take naps. I think it comes from my dad, who has always been a napper. My mom used to joke that he could sleep anywhere- on a bus, at a party, etc. The naps never had to be long, but they were (and still are) always a crucial part of his day. These days I'm just like him. That's why I was interested to read a new study that claims and afternoon nap might refresh the brain's capacity to learn, making you smarter.
Posted 3/2/2010 2:03:46 PM By: : 216 comments 25,667 views
Is A Thin Body Celebrated More Than A Fit One?
I'll admit it. I'm an Olympics junkie. I love watching almost any event- luge, snowboarding, aerials- even if I don't understand what's happening. I just enjoy the spirit of the Games and how young men and women are celebrated for their athletic accomplishments. I also admire the bodies of the athletes, so fit and strong. But I notice that many of them (especially women) do not have a body type that would typically be celebrated in the media. Most female Olympic athletes wouldn't grace the cover of a women's magazine or walk the runway at a fashion show. Why? Because even though they have the talent to win a gold medal, they aren't skinny.
Posted 2/23/2010 2:17:39 PM By: : 265 comments 36,661 views
Are Genes To Blame For Your Battle With Weight?
I've never thought I was a lot like my mother. We don't have the same features, and our personalities are very different. But as I've gotten older, I see more of her in me. I've noticed (or many times my husband has noticed) me using some of her funny phrases or doing things she would normally do. Although those similarities are more recent, one thing that's always been similar is how we carry weight. Can you look at your mother (or father) and see yourself in 20 or 30 years? New research is analyzing genes and how much they determine your body shape and weight.
Posted 2/19/2010 9:55:37 AM By: : 121 comments 23,991 views
6 Weeks In, How Are Your Resolutions Going?
It's easy to start the New Year with lots of momentum and enthusiasm for the coming year. You probably set some goals related to improving your health or becoming a better person. It's been about 6 weeks since the New Year started, and now is the time when motivation can start to wane. Before the excitement of 2010 begins to wear off, let's revisit those goals. Are you staying focused? Do you need to make some changes to your game plan? Do you even remember what your New Year's Resolutions were?
Posted 2/16/2010 2:00:00 PM By: : 158 comments 21,298 views
Your Genes May Determine Your Fitness Level
I've always been amazed at the runners who can complete a marathon with minimal training, or get significantly faster just by doing a little bit of speed work. I've never been one of those people. I believe that I'm genetically destined to run about the same pace I always have, and I know that I can't skimp on training runs if I'm going to successfully complete a marathon. I've come to accept that no matter how fit I am or how much I train, I'll never comfortably run at the front of the pack. When I've discussed my theory with others, some tell me it's not true and I'm just giving up. But new research shows there might be reason to believe that I'm right.
Posted 2/12/2010 11:56:38 AM By: : 99 comments 28,718 views
Recess Before Lunch Improves Child Behavior
When I was young, there was a traditional order to the school day: classes, lunch, recess, then more classes. I couldn't imagine mixing up the day, but now some schools are experimenting to see if it improves children's eating habits, physical activity and behavior. So what are they doing?
Posted 2/9/2010 6:00:50 PM By: : 153 comments 24,075 views
Employee Benefits: The Less You Weigh, The Less You Pay?
With health care costs rising more each day, employers are constantly looking for ways to lower their expenses and give employees incentives for healthy behaviors. Whole Foods has launched a new program for their employees called the Team Member Healthy Discount Incentive Program. All team members currently get a 20% discount on Whole Foods products. But now they will have the opportunity to get higher discounts (up to 30%) based on health measures like blood pressure and BMI. So the healthier you are, the more of a discount you'd be eligible to receive.
Posted 2/5/2010 7:16:58 AM By: : 272 comments 25,464 views
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