Stepfanie Romine is a writer, recipe developer, published author and certified yoga teacher who has lived--and cooked--on three continents. She currently calls Asheville, North Carolina home. 
Read More of 's Blogs:
7 Signs You'll Fail at Weight Loss
That headline got your attention, didn't it? Not to worry, SparkPeople hasn't changed our attitude about healthy living and weight loss. But what we have done, for the first time ever, is compile and publish the very best advice, tips and tricks from our "Success Stories"--more than 100 members who've lost weight and kept it off using SparkPeople.com to accomplish their goals. These members know that how you start to lose weight is the most important indicator of long-term weight loss. They shared their struggles and successes so that you can learn from their experiences and remove the guesswork from weight loss.
We compared their success against people who gave up on weight loss within the first two weeks. And you know what? We found quite a few red flags that determined--from Day 1--whether someone would succeed or fail.
Here are our top 7 signs that you'll give up on weight loss--and how to reverse your fate if you have any of these demotivating habits.
Posted 9/16/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 90 comments 108,926 views
.jpg)
Fad Diets Will Seem Even Crazier After You See This
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Do food addiction diets work?
Instead of moderation, some weight-loss and emotional-eating recovery plans involve banning certain foods, especially those that trigger binges. Would you/have banned certain foods to lose weight? Baltimore Sun
Heavy kids face health problems, have few options
According to a recent statement by the American Heart Association, up to 6% of youths in the US are severely obese, yet there are few treatment options for them. What do you think we need to do to help our kids get healthy? USA Today
Cooking Is Freedom
Three cheers for men who cook! Cooking isn't just for women, and it isn't something that had to be complicated or time-consuming. Feeding yourself is not a talent; it's an essential skill that can ensure better health for a lifetime. This essay about how one teen boy's act of civil disobedience led to a lifetime love of cooking is worth reading. NYT Op-Ed
Fad Diets Will Seem Even Crazier After You See This
SparkPeople doesn't do diets. We go for lifestyle changes instead. So we had to share this story. And now tell us: What's the craziest diet you ever tried? NPR's The Salt
Posted 9/14/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 5 comments 17,144 views
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Yoga
September is National Yoga Month! Time to unroll our mats, loosen up and chill out.
If you've never tried yoga, this is a great time to check out a class. Throughout the month, studios across the country are offering even more free classes than usual. (Many studios also offer at least one free or donation-based class a week on a regular basis.)
In honor of National Yoga Month, we've put together a list of Everything* You'll Ever Need to Know about Yoga. From easy at-home workouts for all levels to your most-asked questions about yoga and what to know before you step foot in your first class, this roundup of our best blogs, articles, and exercises is, well, everything you'll ever need to know about yoga!
Before You Begin: Answers to Your Most-Asked Questions about Yoga
.jpg)
.jpg)
Posted 9/12/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 62 comments 61,409 views
Don't Miss 'The Spark Solution' Cover Story!
Great news! If you're perusing the magazine covers in the checkout line this week, you might notice one that sounds familiar. The Spark Solution, the new book from the experts and members at SparkPeople.com, is featured in a cover story in First for Women magazine!
In addition to a four-page spread on the book, you also can read impressive weight-loss stories featuring Laura Ayd (SOCCERFAN82), Angela Mwiraria (HARMANEE), Christie Bales (62NVON) and Michelle Miller (JUSTCHELLE75). Angela and Christie are even pictured on the cover! Way to go, ladies!
We're honored that the book has been featured, and we can't wait for you all to read it. And if you've discovered SparkPeople thanks to that article, welcome!
Today we're sharing an entire day of The Spark Solution plan. From breakfast through dinner, plus snacks, you'll see a sample day of eating on the program, and you can take a peek at our fitness plan, too!
Posted 9/9/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 9 comments 28,408 views
How to Quit Being Negative and Get Happy
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Your Kitchen Spices Can Often Harbor Salmonella NPR's The Salt blog
About 7 percent of spices tested by the US Food and Drug Administration were found to contain salmonella. Yuck! Find out how to protect yourself.
Chobani Recalls Some Greek Yogurt Cups NYT via AP
Greek yogurt giant Chobani has pulled some products off store shelves due to reports of cups "swelling and bloating." If your yogurt tastes fizzy or like wine (two complaints the company received), toss it and contact the manufacturer to be safe.
UPDATE: Chobani says mold in yogurt does not carry disease (AP)
How I Quit Being Negative & Got Happy Mind Body Green
Forget your troubles, come on, get happy! It's possible, just like the song says. Find out how.
Posted 9/7/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 10 comments 18,371 views
.jpg)
Why a Gluten-Free 'Diet' Isn't the Secret to Weight Loss
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
BMI Not a Good Measure of Healthy Body Weight, Researchers Argue
Scientists are starting to join the argument against BMI, or body mass index, the commonly used metric to determine whether a person is overweight, obese, or of normal weight. Read why BMI is falling out of favor. Live Science
Is a gluten-free diet right for you? It depends on what ails you
For those with celiac, a wheat allergy, or sensitivity to the protein in certain grains, a gluten-free diet can improve health and quality of life--it's a life-saver for some people. But if you're just trying to lose weight, there are better ways, some experts say. Courier-Journal
Richard Simmons, Internet Star?
If you're a fan of the fitness icon best known for sweating to the oldies, check out this story. NYT
Why You Should Avoid Antibacterial Hand Soap
When it comes to staying healthy and keeping clean, any soap will do. Antibacterial soap is overkill--and worth avoiding, some say. Find out why. Mind Body Green
Posted 8/31/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 4 comments 20,478 views
The Secret to Getting Kids to Eat Right
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Adults whose moms were obese may die sooner, study says
If you're thinking about losing weight before trying to conceive, be sure to read this story, about a new study focusing on the lifelong connection between maternal weight and a child's health. USA Today
How Many Calories in That?
Do you really know how to "eyeball" calories and serving sizes in foods that lack nutrition labels? Prove it by testing yourself. Self
Want Kids to Eat Healthier? Don’t Tell Them, Show Them
Researchers found that kids are willing to eat more salad if you make it look cool--via a digital display that appeals to their love of video games. While a great idea for schools who can pay big bucks for fancy signs, what would be an affordable at-home alternative? Today's Dietitian
Posted 8/17/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 2 comments 16,078 views
VIDEO: Coach Nicole Answers Fitness Questions on Google+
UPDATE 8/13/13 5:00 p.m.: The live online hangout we first announced is now complete but you can access the video anytime by clicking the link above. We have also embedded a recorded video of this event in the blog post below. Questions discussed and answered by Coach Nicole and the panel of fitness experts included:
- Is Crossfit safe for the average person?
- What should you eat before a long run or race?
- Is water the best way to hydrate during a workout?
- What is best for weight loss: intermittent fasting or eating more frequent meals?
- Is long endurance exercise better for weight loss than shorter, high intensity exercise?
- Why is cross-training important and how should I do it?
- And so much more!
Posted 8/11/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 4 comments 20,219 views
Would You Eat Meat Grown in a Lab?
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Scientists Cook Up Lab-Grown Beef
The first laboratory-created hamburger was eaten in the UK earlier this week. Made from stem cells, the burger cost more than $40,000 a bite. Though it lacked fat (and thus flavor), tasters said it did resemble an all-beef patty. If lab-grown beef were available and affordable, would you eat it? Wall Street Journal
How Sleep Loss Adds to Weight Gain
Staying up late and skimping on sleep does more than cause under-eye circles and crankiness. It also can contribute to weight gain. Learn why. NYT Well blog
Some like it hot, but does it matter in yoga?
If you like hot yoga, stick with it, but experts say you're not burning any extra calories. You likely will feel more flexible, say the researchers behind the American Council on Exercise-sponsored study, but you're not working harder than those in cooler yoga studios. More sweat does not correlate to more calories burned. Reuters
Posted 8/10/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 20 comments 17,809 views
.jpg)
6 Bad Excuses for Overeating
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
6 Bad Excuses for Overeating
If you're one who likes to rationalize your bad eating habits, you'll want to read this story. "But it's the weekend," "but I have PMS," and "but I'm going to the gym tonight" are all on the list. Health
Doctors Increasingly Ignore Evidence In Treating Back Pain
Back-pain sufferers, listen up: A new study says that doctors are ignoring what works (ibuprofen and other OTC pain meds, and physical therapy) and are instead overprescribing opiates and pricey scans. How do you treat your back pain? What do you think should be the recommendations? NPR
What's Selling Where: Fitness DVDs
Coach Nicole's "SparkPeople: 28 Day Boot Camp" DVD is a best-seller in a certain Midwestern city. Any guesses where? Wall Street Journal
Posted 8/3/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 4 comments 18,572 views
Super Simple Snack Mix Recipes
Sports and snacks go hand in hand. So in addition to more substantial grub, we love having a fun and festive snack mix on hand for tailgating and game-day parties. A mix of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, even spicy and sugary, snack mixes are the perfect potluck contribution. When the big game turns into a nail biter, you'll be grateful for these crunchy, tasty nibbles.
We rounded up 15 tasty combos that will score big at your next party! (Each recipe serves 8 people.)
Posted 8/1/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 6 comments 53,196 views
Are You Worth Your Weight (Loss) in Gold?
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Dubai unveils golden reason to lose weight
For one month, the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates will reward residents who lose at least two kilograms (4.4 pounds) with one gram of gold per kilo shed. Would that incentivize you? CNN
Chow Down In Sync with Your Circadian Clock
A new study proposes that, to lose weight, we should eat our biggest meal earlier in the day. Would you be willing to eat a larger lunch? NPR's The Salt blog
Attempt to steer McDonald's diners toward smaller meals backfires
Even when confronted with the nutrition info of their beloved Big Macs and Quarter Pounders, most people aren't willing to downsize their orders, a new study found. Chicago Tribune
F.D.A. Closer to Decision About Menthol Cigarettes
The F.D.A. is taking steps toward banning menthol in cigarettes, saying the mint flavor makes it harder to quit and easier to start smoking. NYT
Posted 7/27/2013 12:00:00 AM By: : 7 comments 19,548 views
.jpg)
In the News: Common Food Ingredient Could be a Carcinogen
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Common Food Ingredient Could be a Carcinogen
An ingredient that's in everything from cheese to soymilk is coming under fire. Have you even heard of carrageenan? And should you be worried? Today's Dietitian
Your Veggie Burger: Is It Healthy?
Sure, veggie burgers are cholesterol-free and usually packed with fiber, but are they "healthy"? What exactly is in a processed veggie burger? Food Network blog
Blaming the Patient, Then Asking Forgiveness
Facing his own health crisis, a doctor apologizes for judging his unhealthy and overweight patients--and urges other physicians to do the same. NYT
Experts suggest modified activities for obese Boy Scouts
The Boy Scouts have banned anyone (kids included) with a BMI of 40 or above from participating in the group's quadrennial National Scout Jamboree. Should they have offered alternative activities, as some experts are suggesting? USA Today
In Health-Conscious Denver, Limits on Group Exercise
Denver is cracking down on commercial activity in public spaces--specifically group workouts in parks. Do you agree or disagree with the decision? Instructors say they permits the city is offering will drive them out of business. NYT
Posted 7/20/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 7 comments 19,644 views
Follow SparkPeople on Instagram
Are you looking for a new way to stay motivated and connect with SparkPeople? You're in luck! We're now on Instagram, the photo and video sharing app! We love how easy Instagram is to use and that it allows us to share fun, healthy tidbits from behind the scenes at SparkPeople every day. While we do love writing about healthy living, it's true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's proof:
Please share your Instagram username in the comments below, or follow us and we'll follow you back. Help us spread the word that #healthyliving is all about living! (Don't forget to give us a shoutout and use the hashtag #sparkpeople!)
If you don’t have an Instagram account, take a sneak peek at our feed here.
Are you on Instagram? What types of photos would you like us to share?
Posted 7/15/2013 6:00:00 PM By: : 35 comments 27,245 views
Do Diet Sodas Wreck Your Metabolism?
A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
Do Diet Drinks Mess Up Metabolisms? Put down the diet soda. A new study has found that not only will it not help you lose weight, but it's actually linked to all sorts of problems, from obesity to heart disease. NPR
Before & After Photoshop.
Most photos you see in the media are all smoke and mirrors, especially those of female celebrities. This roundup of beautiful people before and after Photoshop puts things into perspective. Elephant Journal
30 Things to Do Before You Die
Rather than focusing on acquiring stuff or spending money, this "bucket list" compiles ideas to help you live life to the fullest, with love and true happiness at the forefront. Mind Body Green
Posted 7/13/2013 6:00:00 AM By: : 7 comments 27,567 views
‹ Back Read More Entries ›
