Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN
Nutrition/Diet expert for the TODAY Show—leader of NBC’s popular series, The Joy Fit Club, and New York Times bestselling author of YOUR INNER SKINNY.

1. For someone who is looking to get healthy and fit what is the single most important thing they need to do to take that first step? Get your head in the game. You absolutely must have the right mentality when it comes to eating well and exercising. Once you do, the rest is a piece of cake.

2. How do you keep your clients motivated and inspired to reach their goals? I focus on triumphs and troubleshoot on their setbacks. And although long term goals are great, I’m also a big believer in short term goals. In fact, I try to make weekly, tangible goals with all of my clients so they can continuously feel a sense of accomplishment. Nothing is more motivating than prevailing week after week!

3. How did you get involved with the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre? Growing up as a kid, I was a competitive gymnast. So I’ve always been interested in sports nutrition and have been working with professional athletes and dancers for more than a decade. About 4 years ago, Peter Martin decided to put together a wellness team for the New York City Ballet. He asked a group of their star principal-dancers to interview several nutritionists and make the final selection. I feel very lucky to have been chosen! At the same time, I began consulting for American Ballet Theatre, as well as working one-on-one with professional dancers from around the world. I am a HUGE fan of the ballet and I’m in awe of their talent!

4. What do you believe to be the top five foods that, if added to a person’s diet, would improve their lives?
Wild Salmon
Berries
Spinach
Red Bell
Peppers
Lentils

5. My most unexpected moment in media _When Meredith Vieira nailed me in the face with a pumpkin pie on The View!

6. My favorite thing in my closet at the moment is _A super-oversized white bathrobe that my kids bought me for Mother’s Day. It’s the BEST—cuddly, warm and sexy (NOT)!

7. Something most people don’t know about me _ I was in a rock band in high school and college. Yup-I was the keyboard player

Joy and me at the TODAY show

Joy Bauer MS, RD, is America’s favorite and most trusted nutrition expert. Joy’s mission is to improve the health of our nation. She believes that smart food choices combined with an active lifestyle are the keys to healthy living. As the nutrition and health expert for The TODAY Show, Joy shares reliable, practical, and straightforward advice that helps millions of Americans eat better and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. She also hosts the program’s popular weekly series called the “Joy Fit Club,” which celebrates determined people who have lost and kept off 100 pounds or more through diet and exercise alone.

The author of multiple New York Times best sellers, Joy has two upcoming books that will help Americans eat and live better. Published just in time for the ever-popular New Year’s weight loss resolutions, Your Inner Skinny is filled with tips on how to achieve permanent weight loss—and ongoing fringe benefits—through combining delicious, healthy food with a manageable exercise program. Joy takes dieters who have tried everything—low-fat, carb-free, pure-protein, and gimmicks galore—from desperation to success in four completely spelled-out, mistake-proof steps. (Collins Living, December 29) Joy’s must-have new cookbook, Slim & Scrumptious, will hit shelves this spring. Packed with more than 75 easy-to-make and family-friendly recipes, the book helps adults and kids eat healthier from morning ‘til night. Plus, Joy offers tips, tools, and techniques that save you time and money in the kitchen, so you can put together quick, affordable meals without compromising on taste or nutrition. Whether you’re looking to lose weight or just need help planning a more balanced diet for your family, this is an essential addition to any cookbook library. (Collins Living, April 6) Joy’s other New York Times bestseller titles include Joy’s LIFE Diet (Harper Collins, December 2008) and Joy Bauer’s Food Cures (Rodale, April 2007). In addition to authoring several books, Joy is the nutrition expert and contributing editor to PARADE & PARADE HealthyStyle magazines, as well as a contributing editor and monthly columnist to SELF magazine. As Yahoo’s nutrition expert, Joy provides the latest nutrition, health, food and diet-related information to millions of their online subscribers. Joy is the founder of one of the largest nutrition centers in the country, with offices in both Manhattan and Westchester, and is also the nutritionist for the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, as well as an associate faculty member at Columbia University. Joy received her Bachelor degree in Kinesiological Sciences from the University of Maryland and a master of science in nutrition from New York University. At the beginning of her career, Joy completed a five-year post as Director of Nutrition and Fitness for the “Heart-Smart Kids Program” - a program that she developed for the Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Pediatric Cardiology in New York City. Joy also served as nutrition consultant for the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where she designed and supervised their ongoing research in eating disorders and weight management. Furthermore, Joy served as the clinical nutritionist with the neurosurgical team at Mount Sinai Medical Center and taught anatomy & physiology and sports nutrition at New York University’s School of Continuing Education. She was also the exclusive nutritionist for New York University’s faculty, students, and athletes. Joy lives in New York with her husband, Ian, her daughters Jesse and Ayden Jane, and her son Cole.

Joys Professional Affiliations:American Dietetic Association: Registered DietitianAssociate – Columbia UniversityNew York State Certified Dietitian–NutritionistAmerican Dietetic Association: Sports & Cardiovascular Nutritionist GroupAmerican Dietetic Association: Pediatric Practice Group

Motivator, Exercise Guru Extraordinaire, Inspiration to countless men and women, gracious guy and a little bit wacky, Richard Simmons is a must meet in Los Angeles.

I took Richards class after a friend and her husband took it on a whim. We all know him from the countless times we’ve seen him on TV, his books, his DVDs, but what I hadn’t known was that he was merely 15 minutes from my doorstep. And once I saw the photos they took with him, I knew I had to meet the icon and see what all the sweat was about. He wears the dazzling tanks and striped shorts and arrives to a packed class full of men and women of all sizes. And it appears there’s always visiting some Parisians. Richard is global.

After just a few classes, it’s easy to see why Richard draws such an adoring crowd. He makes you laugh, he makes you sweat and then he makes you laugh some more. And while you shake your ass and kick your legs for the 500th time while singing along to Michael Jackson or an old Broadway tune he motivates you to take better care of yourself. So friends, if you haven’t visited his studio, Slimmons in Beverly Hills, it’s time to put pedal to the metal. Here’s a snippet of some private time I got with Richard.

What brought you to LA to start up the exercise craze?
I moved from New Orleans in the 70’s. I worked as a waiter at night and during the day I took lots of classes like Pilates, yoga, tap and jazz. I never saw fat people. I had originally lost my weight through dieting so this was new to me, but I felt something was missing. One day I passed this building, Wilson’s House of Suede and it was up for sale. I had $25,000 saved and decided to go for it. I put up flyers in the neighborhood and soon people were coming for classes. And 38 years later, it’s still going strong.

Did you ever think you’d reach icon status?
This is my job, my crusade. I look forward not left and right. This is my fun and my hobby. Isn’t it great that I can combine my hobby and exercise?

You have such a strong following of all kinds of people—the rich dames of Beverly Hills, heavy and slender men and women, gay and straight, all kinds in such a welcoming environment. What keeps it going?
It’s friendly, good music and before you know it an hour has passed and you see yourself in the mirror and you look better.

Why records in class?
I’ve been collecting records for over 38 years. I started going to Tower Records and several other places and I’d sit on the floor of the studio and listen to them to find the right songs for class. A good mix. I now have a huge record room. I do go to iTunes and MasterBeat as well. It’s about anything that will put a spell on people so they don’t think about their credit card bills or any worries. Old and new music that will give people energy and forget about the 500 leg lifts. You just come in here and let the disco ball spin and have fun.

What do you love about living in LA?
I live a pretty recluse life. I don’t go out much, but I do sneak out to farmer’s markets once in awhile. I have my own garden as well. I do love movies and seeing them on a TV is not the same as the big screen so about four times a year I treat myself and go out to the movies.

I love, love dogs. I used to have eight Dalmations and now I’m down to one. My 14 yr old Dalmation, Hattie. Whenever I’m in town I take Hattie for a drive and let her put her face to the wind outside the window.

And I love to cook.

You’re deserted on an island, what five things could keep you satisfied?
1. My 14 yr old Dalmation, Hattie.

2. TV. I love my Nurse Jackie, Anderson Cooper and plenty more.

3. LA Times. I’ll live on the island, but I need my newspaper delivered everyday.

4. A garden I can tend to so I can eat healthy.

5. Harmonica—No, I’m kidding. But I would need my pillows. I’ve had the same pillows for 62 years ever since my mother put them in my crib as a baby. I don’t know what’s in those pillows now, but I sleep on them every night and take them on my travels. They are flat, but this afro of mine has slept on them every night.

What are your favorite talk shows to appear on?
I love Ellen. I knew her when she was starting out. She and I are both from New Orleans; same with Hoda Kotb. I love Fox, CNN, Neil Cavuto all for different reasons. Recently my TV appearances have been about getting people to vote for their congressman and making people aware of the Fit Kids Bill. It goes in front of the Senate for a vote soon. I want exercise back in school.

I love to go on shows particularly when they let me get the audience involved in exercising and dancing. I love Letterman’s humor, he and I have had a love/hate relationship for the last 20 years.

After a sweaty hour with Richard!