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:
Give Up the Fake Bake: Tanning Beds Cause Skin Cancer
I was young (which I'd like to think wasn’t THAT long ago), it was common practice to buy a package of visits at the local tanning salon before prom, summer vacation or any other upcoming event. I wouldn't say I did it all the time, but looking back, I did it more than I should have. A new report is classifying tanning beds as "carcinogenic to humans." So perhaps the "bronzed-beauty" look is no longer worth the risks to your health.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) is the group pushing for more stringent warnings and restrictions on tanning bed use. The first group they are targeting are those under 18.
Posted 8/7/2009 10:21:52 AM By: : 165 comments 28,921 views
Overcoming Self-Doubt: How Do You Do It?
We've all had those times when we set a goal, start working toward it, and then begin to wonder if we're going to be successful. Was my goal to aggressive? Is this the wrong time to pursue it? Do I have all of the tools I need? Whether your goal is to lose 5 pounds or 100, to run a 5K or run a marathon, it's easy to let self-doubt creep in. I've been experiencing a lot of that lately.
Posted 8/4/2009 2:16:13 PM By: : 130 comments 36,418 views
Children's T.V. Choices Could Affect How Much They Eat
I'll admit it: I'm a snacker. For as long as I can remember, I'm someone who doesn't go more than a few hours without eating. I can't imagine eating breakfast at 6 a.m., and then waiting until 11 or 12 to eat again. I think my body would go into shock or blow up or something. As my daughter gets older, she's becoming just like me. "Mama, let's have a snack," she'll say, right around the time I'm thinking "Geez, I'm hungry. I wonder what I could have to eat."
I try to make our snacks as healthy as possible (fruit, veggies, granola bars, yogurt, etc.) Although I don't have to worry because my daughter doesn't watch T.V. yet, a new study shows a link between what kids are seeing on T.V. and how much they eat. So if you've got a young snacker at home who likes to watch T.V., or a child who eats meals in front of the tube, you'll want to keep a close eye on just how much they are consuming.
Posted 7/31/2009 6:07:49 AM By: : 68 comments 16,887 views
Restaurants Offer Healthy Options, But Are You Eating Them?
Many restaurants these days are offering healthier menu choices in response to consumer feedback. Restaurant patrons want to enjoy their dining experience, knowing they aren't blowing their calorie budget for the day. Applebee's offers their Weight Watchers menu, Ruby Tuesdays has "Smart Eating Choices" and even Wendy's offers suggestions of how to make your meals more nutritious. But are people taking advantage of these options? A new study says maybe not.
Posted 7/24/2009 5:44:35 PM By: : 194 comments 27,399 views
Consider An Active Commute For Better Health
Although it's a great way to get some extra activity, only about 17% of Americans walk or bike to work each day. Why is that number so low? Would you consider this kind of commute if you knew it could improve your overall health--regardless of your regular exercise routine? A new study shows the health benefits of an active commute.
Posted 7/21/2009 2:49:45 PM By: : 140 comments 23,964 views
Confession: Size Really Matters To Me
Do you ever find yourself fixated on the size on clothing labels, even though you know it shouldn't be so important? There are certain stores where I know I can wear smaller sizes than others. Even though the clothes from two different stores might be exactly the same size, I'm more likely to wear the ones with the smaller number on them. Logic tells me it's ridiculous and size shouldn't matter, but for some silly reason, it does.
Posted 7/17/2009 9:43:39 AM By: : 150 comments 24,203 views
Overweight and Stressed? Watch Out!
Do you often feel like you're being pulled in a million different directions? You've got deadlines at work, it's your night for the kids soccer carpool, you need to squeeze in a workout and there's no food in the refrigerator for dinner. Whatever your responsibilities happen to be, it's enough to get completely stressed out. But did you know that if you're overweight and stressed, you're more likely to gain weight?
Posted 7/14/2009 5:56:55 AM By: : 77 comments 23,120 views
Is Exercise a Metabolism Booster? Maybe Not.
Does regular exercise help you burn more fat, even hours after your workout is over? Although a metabolism boost is touted as one of the benefits of physical activity, a new report says that exercisers won't burn more fat after a workout compared to days when they don't exercise.
Posted 7/10/2009 10:10:43 AM By: : 125 comments 23,989 views
5 Tips to Keep Kids Safe around Home Exercise Equipment
When I heard the story about Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter dying in a freak treadmill accident, I assumed this kind of thing was pretty rare. I was surprised to learn that thousands of young children are treated in hospitals for treadmill-related injuries each year. Although most injuries are minor, some are very serious. That got me to thinking about the safety of home workout equipment, especially in my own home where my young children could be at risk.
Posted 7/7/2009 6:00:00 AM By: : 42 comments 53,962 views
Should Mom of 555-Pound Boy be Charged with Neglect?
Most parents only want to do the right thing and give their children a happy life. But when a child becomes overweight, or even obese, are they no longer doing the right thing? If not, should something be done? A mother in South Carolina has been charged with neglect (and put in jail) for allowing her 14-year old son, Alexander, to reach a dangerous weight of 555 pounds.
Posted 7/3/2009 10:00:00 AM By: : 1196 comments 104,964 views
Is Moderate Drinking Really Good for Your Health?
Numerous studies have suggested that alcohol can be part of a healthy diet. In fact, many suggest that moderate amounts of alcohol can reduce your risk for heart disease and even diabetes. But not all researchers are convinced that alcohol- even in moderation- is good for you.
Critics say that no study has ever proved a causal relationship between moderate drinking and lower disease rates- only that the two tend to go together. Does moderate drinking make you healthier, or is it just that healthy people tend to drink moderately? If you're a moderate drinker, it's assumed that you probably take care of yourself (eating healthy, exercising regularly). So are those the lifestyle habits that most significantly contribute to good health, instead of how much you drink?
Posted 6/30/2009 5:24:40 PM By: : 88 comments 21,462 views
More TV Means Less Talking Among Kids and Parents
When should children be allowed to start watching TV? How much time should they be able to spend in front of the tube each day? These are hotly debated topics among parents everywhere. Some parents buy Baby Einstein DVD's and their children watch them from an early age. Other parents choose to wait until children are a little older before introducing TV. Some parents are very selective about what they let their kids watch; others are not. Although it's controversial, there are no "right" and "wrong" answers when it comes to this topic. But a new study might make some parents rethink the decision to allow TV from an early age.
Posted 6/26/2009 6:08:17 AM By: : 93 comments 12,806 views
Study: Parents' Diet Doesn't Influence Kids
I've always worked hard to set a good example for my kids when it comes to food choices. I try to make fruits and vegetables a staple in our diet and prepare meals that are generally healthy. But a new study says my hard work might not payoff, because kids aren't paying attention to the example their parents are setting.
Posted 6/19/2009 10:15:55 AM By: : 272 comments 19,037 views
Iowa's Quest To Improve Kids' Health
Recently, I blogged about the impact physical education has on the health of our children. Although there is debate (both in the study I referenced and reaction to the blog) regarding the effectiveness of P.E., a new program in Iowa is using P.E. and a variety of other methods to improve the health of young people across the state.
Posted 6/12/2009 6:00:00 AM By: : 81 comments 10,628 views
Another Reason to Drink Water: Prevent a Heart Attack
We all know that water is good for you. It can help you feel fuller, it's a good replacement for sugary drinks like soda or juice, improves the look of your skin- the list is long. But did you know that drinking water might also help reduce your risk of a heart attack?
Posted 6/9/2009 9:12:08 AM By: : 151 comments 67,197 views
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