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Can Working Out Be Fun...Just Ask a Celebrity!

Posted on September 23, 2009 - 10:10:18 by

Beth Feldman

Beth Feldman

Since I spent the last six months indulging in one too many delicacies that added about 15 pounds to my hips and thighs, I'm more determined than ever to get in shape. Part of the reason is that I'm about to set off on a book tour for my new humor anthology See Mom Run and considering the operative word in the title is "Run," I guess it's time to get my posterior in gear. But honestly, who has time to go to the gym? I totally dread going and when I do, I find myself watching "Live with Regis & Kelly" or responding to emails on my blackberry and not breaking a sweat at all.

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In my quest to find a workout that'll work with my breakneck schedule, I turned to some of the busiest people on the planet...celebrities. Last week, while judging a recipe competition for Libby's GetBackToTheTable initiative which encourages families to spend mealtime together, I caught up with country music superstar and mom Sara Evans, who is drop dead gorgeous in person! As we sat on a panel sampling the five finalist's culinary creations, I asked Sara what she does to stay fit. And I was so happy to hear that she doesn't go to the gym! Instead, she plays tennis for 90 minutes several days a week. And according to Sara, playing tennis burns more than 600 calories in an hour! Now, of course, if you're like me and doubles is your game of choice, you'll have to cut that number in half and then subtract 200 calories for the iced cappuccino you enjoy with your best girlfriend after the game. If you're a beginner, then take cardio tennis - that'll definitely burn calories even if you're missing the ball most of the time.

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The next day, I bolted over to Chelsea Piers where once again, I did not workout but instead, got the chance to host an event with health and wellness guru Jillian Michaels - who many of you may know as the tough as nails fitness coach on "The Biggest Loser" or for her best-selling books and DVD's. Jillian treated more than 30 mom bloggers to a sneak peak of her latest video game - Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 (incidentally - the 2009 version sold over 600,000 copies).

Her latest fitness program will be available on Wii on October 6 and then on Nintendo DS on October 20 and it takes you through the paces of working out with Jillian. Trust me when I tell you, you will feel the burn! If you do the exercises wrong, virtual Jillian will motivate you to work harder and she even has devised a plan to get you to shed the exact weight you want to lose within a month. It was also great to find out that while she may seem scary on TV, Jillian is incredibly kind and down to earth.  I can't wait to have my butt kicked by her virtually! If only my butt were virtual.

I'll keep everyone posted on my efforts to shed the FreshMom 15. With the help of my Weight Watcher meetings (nothing keeps me honest like that woman behind the desk who weighs me every week), tennis matches and daily workouts with Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010, once I finally get into the groove, I'll be a lean, mean, mom machine!