Michelle Spindler

There’s weight loss, and there’s fat loss. When people say they want to lose  weight, they mean they want to lose fat, because you certainly don’t want to  lose muscle. Muscle is metabolically active tissue – it’s the physical location  in your body where fat is burned. What’s more, muscle also creates the shape of  your body. So when women talk about toning, enhancing, or shaping certain areas  of their bodies, what they’re really talking about is muscle, as you can’t build  a perkier, rounder, or sexier anything without building muscle. And, anyone who  says otherwise either has no clue about basic human physiology, or is someone  making false promises in order to separate you from your money. To read more click here!

Do you want to try a new exercise? Here are 8 exercises you should master prior to starting a new one. Talk about a great work out! To read more click here!

Ever wondered where you are at with your fitness level? Try this challenge to see exactly where you stand based on your ability to completed x number of body weight squats. To read more click here!

Q: How is coconut butter different from coconut oil? Does it deliver the same nutritional benefits? A: Coconut oil is currently a very popular oil for cooking and arguably the go-to fat source for Paleo diet devotees. Coconut oil spinoffs have also gained popularity, with the most prominent being coconut butter. However, there are some differences, both nutritionally and culinary, between the butter and oil versions that you should know before digging in. To read more click here!

Completing a marathon takes determination and a commitment to months (and sometimes even years) of training. The sense of accomplishment, though, when crossing that finish line makes it all worthwhile, says Ewen North, head coach and director of Revolution Running in Boulder, Colo. “Not everyone in the world is capable of such a feat, and the dedication to training alone is an achievement in and of itself,” says North. “Twenty-six point two miles is a very long way, and getting through that can be a lifetime goal for many.” For those of you aspiring to run a marathon and those of you who are already accomplished marathoners, why not make your next race into the trip of a lifetime? Since marathons happen all around the world, it’s possible to run your race almost anywhere. Read on to see 16 of the world’s best marathons, and get tips to start training and planning!

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Slim, strengthen, and define your thighs with this power circuit! To read more click here!

Have you ever wondered how a Victoria’s Secret model keeps her legs perfectly sculpted? Well, wonder no more! Check out this video to see how it is done! To watch the video click here!

Tip #1: Many runners hold tension in their upper body, which can make your regular run feel twice as hard. Try this simple trick to check yourself: Roll up a sheet of paper and run with it for a few minutes (as if you were holding a baton in a 400-meter relay). If the paper comes back crunched, you are squeezing too hard! Allowing your hands to loosen up translates into reduced tension in the shoulders and less wasted energy. To read more click here!

10 fairly bizarre tips and tricks that will help you finish your marathon. Some of these suggestions are a tad far fetched for my taste, but to each their own! To read more click here!

If you haven’t done calisthenics since phys ed, it’s time you kick it old-school again. “Performing bodyweight moves at a quick pace improves your endurance while increasing your strength, range of motion, and balance,” says Jay Cardiello, Shape’s fitness editor-at-large, who designed this plan. To read more click here!

Have you tried any of these new fitness trends? These innovative workouts mix up traditional training methods to deliver sweat-inducing sessions, amazing results, and fitness that’s fun… To read more click here!

Looking for a great pre- or post work out snack? Check out this article which boasts many different snack ideas to quench your hunger and provide you with the fuel you need to complete/recover from your work outs! To read more click here!