SparkPeople Editor and Health Educator
Melinda has a bachelor’s degree in health promotion and education and is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer. Before working as an editor for SparkPeople, she developed and taught health programs for several non-profit organizations. She enjoys writing, interval training, yoga, and cooking with friends. 
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Product Review: Zumba Fitness Exhilarate DVD Set
I remember the first Zumba class I ever set foot in at my university's recreation center. The instructor was so full of energy that it made me a little uncomfortable, and the room was jam-packed with girls (and a few guys!) shaking their hips and laughing over pulsing Latin and hip-hop beats. When the first song started, I anxiously wondered what I had gotten myself into and thought about planning an exit strategy. But when the class ended, I was drenched in sweat and grinning like an idiot, in disbelief that an hour had just flown by. After years of being a slave to the elliptical machine, I walked out of that class feeling like I had just had a major fitness revelation: Working out could be both productive and fun! Some people feel this way about running, or lifting weights, or yoga. For me, at that time, Zumba was my thing. It was the spark that made me start to view exercise as a hobby rather than a chore, and I credit it for helping me to see the fun in other forms of fitness over time.
Since that class five years ago, I've taken Zumba more times than I can count, with about a dozen different instructors. I've taken some amazing classes, some sub-par classes, and some downright miserable classes (FYI: if you try Zumba for the first time and hate it, take it again with another instructor. It makes all the difference!). I thought I had experienced all of the possible facets of Zumba—until Zumba sent us a free Zumba Fitness Exhilarate DVD set to review and Coach Nicole let me do the honors.
The Zumba DVD experience is definitely a different animal. I was a little hesitant at first, unsure of how a live class would translate into a home DVD format. So did Zumba's at-home DVDs deliver the same fun and intensity as my classes? Did I really burn 1,000 calories per hour like their commercials claimed I could?
Posted 4/13/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 46 comments 149,413 views
Food Showdown: Battle of the Chocolate Eggs
With Easter morning just on the horizon and the accompanying pastel treats showing up on grocery store shelves, we've all had sweets on the brain lately. Candy takes on many cute and cuddly forms during this time of year, whether it's in the shape of a bunny, a chick, or an egg. Personally, we're crazy about those creamy, candy-filled chocolate eggs. Between two of the most popular egg-shaped candies, the Cadbury Crème Egg and the Reese's Peanut Butter Egg, which one will set you back the least amount of calories this Easter (and in the following days of leftover Easter candy)?
Posted 4/7/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 54 comments 33,156 views
Food Showdown: Which Fish Sandwich is the Best Catch?
We're in the home stretch of the Lenten season, and the fish sandwich offerings are still swimming around in fast food restaurants across the country. Fish can be a great alternative to meat, but when it's breaded, fried, and slapped on a white bun, this once-healthy protein turns into a less than ideal choice when you're watching your weight. But if you absolutely must have a flaky fish sandwich, which one should you reel in: McDonald's Filet-O-Fish® or Wendy's Premium Cod Fillet sandwich?
Posted 3/24/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 73 comments 50,515 views
Spread the Spark on Race Day!
Spring is just around the corner, and that means racing season is almost here! What better way to spread the Spark than to show off some SparkPeople gear when you run in your next 5K? Check out these fun offerings from the SparkPeople Store to wear all season long!
Posted 3/17/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 4 comments 11,761 views
Get 40% Off Our Favorite Performance Shirts
If you're anything like us here at SparkPeople, you may find that you get ridiculously motivated by new workout clothes. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: switching up your workout wardrobe every once in awhile might give you that kick in the (stretchy) pants you need to rev up your exercise routine. Luckily for you, we're having a motivational sale all month long at the SparkPeople Store-- 40% off on SparkPeople performance shirts!
Posted 3/10/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 14 comments 12,235 views
Celebrity Chef Ellie Krieger Talks Breakfast
Editor's note: Is breakfast the most important meal of the day for you? It should be! We had the opportunity to chat with Ellie Krieger about how to fit this crucial meal into your daily routine.
dailySpark: Everyone always says that breakfast is the ''most important meal of the day." In your words, what are the benefits of eating a good breakfast in the morning?
Ellie Krieger: The reason why breakfast is so important is because it sets you up to eat well and perform well for the rest of the day. It helps you stay focused; in fact, kids who eat breakfast do better in school and on cognitive tests. Eating breakfast is also one of the key habits of people who have lost weight and kept it off. Lots of people skip breakfast to save calories, but it backfires because you'll end up eating more later on in the day to compensate. Breakfast is also a great opportunity to get in some key nutrients that a lot of people are lacking in: potassium, vitamin D, fiber, and calcium. If you eat a breakfast with milk and a whole grain, you'll be getting these nutrients and more, which is a great way to start your day.
Posted 3/7/2012 6:00:00 PM By: : 37 comments 27,571 views
Dress for Success: Your Guide to Plus-Size Workout Clothes
If you've ever embarked on a weight loss journey, you'll probably agree that the process can be overwhelming. Not only do you have to change the way you think, eat, and move, but you also have to set yourself up to succeed at those changes. One of the most underrated ways to keep up a steady stream of motivation and positive results is by buying proper workout clothes.
Think about it: trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle without quality, functional workout gear is like stocking your pantry full of junk food and then wondering why you can't find anything healthy to eat in the house. Just as you have to set yourself up to succeed with your diet, there are certain things you have to do to help you meet your fitness goals. Chances are, if you're working out in clothes that aren't made for exercise, you're not going to be comfortable or confident, and will ultimately end up hindering your results. It's amazing what workout clothes can do to elevate your motivation, performance, and outlook on fitness.
~INDYGIRL, a SparkPeople member who has lost over 160 pounds, agrees:
''Before I started my journey to weight loss and better health, I thought that ''active wear'' was only reserved for people who want to show off how gorgeous they already look. Well, my mindset has finally changed. Losing 166 pounds with SparkPeople has taught me that workout clothes are a must for getting fitter. Without them, it is harder to be motivated to work out. Workout clothes help get you in the mindset that you are a person getting better, getting fitter, and fulfilling your own dreams."
Posted 3/6/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 89 comments 120,745 views
Food Showdown: McDonald's 6-piece Chicken McNuggets® vs. Chicken McBites Snack Size™
You're strapped for time and decide to hit the McDonald's drive-thru for a quick afternoon snack. How about some Chicken McNuggets®? They're small, portable, and surely fewer calories than a sandwich. You could go with the tried-and-true 6-piece chicken nugget box, or… wait a minute! There's a new item on the menu: the Chicken McBites Snack Size™. It's only 3 ounces, whereas the 6-piece box of nuggets weighs in at 3.4 ounces. The bites may weigh less than the nuggets, but does a lower weight indicate a lower calorie count?
Quick, you're almost to the drive-thru window-- which chicken snack is better for your waistline?
Posted 2/18/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 83 comments 73,768 views
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