Ashley Greene, Women’s Health and Misinformed Vampires

Image Credit: katiewilliams94

Due to my pseudo-obsession with vampires (mainly their ability to live eternally), I couldn’t help but notice the dashing figure gracing the cover of the July/August issue of Women’s Health.  For those of you who missed it, the lovely lady is the esteemed Ashley Greene from the Twilight movie series.

While I cannot admit to having watched any of the films, I do know who she is, for some odd reason.  (Ashley, if you’re a reader of mine – call me?)

As an avid fitness enthusiast, reading is a part of my daily life.  My usual material rotates between online articles, training manuals, the occasional PubMed paper and even the good old magazine.  Oh yea, I have a confession to make – I am subscribed to both Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine.

My roommates poke fun every time a new issue hits our doorstep, but I brush it off.  I enjoy reading all kinds of material – even if it’s a women’s magazine (Oxygen is one of my favorites).  As a current student, I highly value information on all levels.  Any time you pick up a magazine, literature book, trade journal, or whatever, there’s always something you can take away from it.

I’ve gotten fitness article ideas when reading my favorite Copywriting blogs.  I even wrote a majority my ebook right after a marketing class a few semesters back because my brain seemed to be primed right after that class for some reason.

My point is this; our minds should always be open.  I know I rag on the magz every once in a while, but I wanted to point out a few ideas in the July/August issue I thought were rather interesting.

Now before we get into this craziness, my subheadings are going to come directly from the front page ad copy.  Another reason (aside from my comedy fix) I still read muscle and fitness magazines is for the copywriting.  I absolutely love catchy headlines and enjoy scouring seductive text intended to persuade.

Anyhow, onto the good stuff.

Get Hot Legs

Sculpt a miniskirt-worthy lower half.

This particular header was a bit smaller than the others but still caught my attention.

As I turned to this particular section, my hopes were high, but I knew better.  Anxiously flipping through the boring advertisements for hair color and reduced fat mayo made with olive oil (bleh), I finally landed on the esteemed article.  There were even illustrations.  My excitement was building – almost to climax. And then, I devoured the text.

Right before the exercise illustrations, it read:

FOUR MOVES FOR SLEEKER STEMS

Actually, the suggestions presented weren’t bad – they far exceeded my expectations.  Some were actual movements I’ve programmed into clients and my own programming before.

We had the step-up, side-to-side leg swings, 45-degree lunges, and glute-bridges.  Now all of these are pretty good movements when your goal is to tone (err, build) your lower half.  I would omit the leg swings from the actual training portion and put them at the beginning of a workout as a dynamic warm-up instead.

I suppose my only objection with the section is their failure to suggest the idea of adding resistance.  It merely suggestions doing anywhere of 10-20 reps per side, but for most, that’s going to become fairly easy after a while.

Step-ups are great for building hamstring and glute strength, as are glute bridges.  A good way to increase resistance for the step-ups is to grab some dumbbells or kettlebells.  As for building a nice backside, you can refer to m(A)ss Construction or check out some of Bret’s videos – he is after all known as The Glute Guy.

What I loved most about this section was the fact the author mentioned that many ladies have an underdeveloped backside due to most occupations being in a chair, and behind a desk.  Weak hamstrings and glutes are fairly common for those who sit most of the day.

They’re also non-mirror muscles.  Need I say more?

Eat, Drink & Still Shrink!

Light, satisfying meals & fun low-cal cocktails

This is yet another catchy headline which lured me in immediately.  You mean I can eat and drink like I always do and still lose weight!?  Who is your daddy and what does he do?

There were a few interesting recipes in there but I don’t think I’ll ever have a reason to buy ricotta cheese unless I’m making a fat pan of lasagna and that doesn’t happen very often.  So, I skipped right on to the cocktails.

Oh yea, if you ever watch the Food Network, the Italian beauty, Giada, was featured in this section.  Apparently, these light desserts were her creations.  Impressive.

As far as my interests go, the cocktails look pretty darn awesome.  All of them are less than 210 calories per serving, which to me is a little high if you’re on a diet, but it beats a thousand-calorie margarita I suppose.  The mango lassie seems fairly tasty as it’s made with rum, milk yogurt and blended mango.

But the most interesting one to date and I believe I’ll have to try, is the Green Mary (as opposed to the Bloody version).

Then we have the cover story.

Ashley Greene Reveals How She Stays Slim and Stylish All Summer Long

This is why I love vampires – well this one anyway.  She is honest, athletic and seems to have her head on straight when it comes to the lifestyle aspect of fitness.

She was quoted in the article by Monica Corcoran Harel a few times and I wanted to highlight and elaborate somewhat with my opinion.

“A lot of people like to be supertiny, but I don’t want a child’s body – I want a woman’s body that is extremely fit.”

Even if it’s only a small statement, it speaks volumes.  It’s true – many of the celebrities we see on TV, in the magazines and on the internet are tiny and (sigh) unhealthy.  It’s a damn shame we’ve created such a societal pressure for women to be so thin that if often cripples their health and self-esteem.  While she is not a plus-sized model, she is clearly not underweight.  I hope she continues her fitness pursuits as a result of her training for the series.

Here’s a woman after my own heart.

“But I don’t do the diet thing anymore.  I’m a big believer in feeding your body what it needs.  Deny yourself something and you’re going to end up shoving your face full of it.”  “Plus, being fit means not having to worry about enjoying a glass of wine or a brownie.”

What’s up with this?  Another few lines screaming SENSIBILITY and PRACTICALITY?  Seriously?

I loved this part of the article because most in this fitness game believe the opposite.  All this talk about clean and unclean food is about to wear me out – so much so I just might retire.  Why can’t we just enjoy our food, our exercise and active lifestyle?  In the end, we’re all going to die anyway, so why not eat your brownie when you want it and drink that glass of wine at dinner with your loved ones?

Of course, moderation is the key – but there’s never a need to be obsessive or preoccupied with these decisions.  It’s just food.  Or you could mail your brownies to me.  No special ones, though.

And here’s where I get semi-disappointed, but hey, I should’ve known not to get my hopes up.

Ashley was talking about her training routine for the movie:

“I did side planks for my obliques, which are one of my trouble areas.”  “And traditional planks tone your back so you don’t get that that little bit of fat hanging over your bra. Ugh!”

Yea, I laughed out loud at this one.  It’s definitely clear she hasn’t been getting her weekly dose of JCDFitness.  Maybe she got too busy and just missed my piece on spot reduction.

Now that you know I secretly read Women’s Health, what are you currently reading?  Where are you getting your latest fitness information?  What are you doing with it and where are you sharing it?

And for all the ladies here, what frustrates you the most about these magazines?  I have an idea but I’d love to have your thoughts.