A lifelong Cincinnatian, Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from University of Cincinnati before breaking into the online content field in 2000. As a Digital Journalist for SparkPeople, she enjoys helping others meet their wellness goals by writing about all aspects of healthy living. An avid runner and group fitness addict, Melissa lives in Loveland with her guitarist husband and three feisty daughters.
Read More of 's Blogs:
Piloxing: The Hot Hybrid Workout That's Got Us Throwing Punches
Can't decide between Pilates and boxing? Now you don't have to: Enter Piloxing™, the fusion fitness workout that's steadily gaining a following around the country. Is this hybrid of punching and precision just a passing trend, or is it here to stay? We talked to Viveca Jensen, the founder of Piloxing, to find out what has so many fitness enthusiasts filling up the studios.
Posted 5/19/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 48 comments 70,565 views
.png)
15 Spices You've Probably Never Tried (But Totally Should)
If you were to peek at random inside a few people's spice cabinets, you'd probably find the lineup of usual suspects: Salt, pepper, basil, paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, oregano and dozens of other common flavors.
Posted 5/18/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 49 comments 63,340 views
.png)
Busting the Myth of the 2-Week Bikini Bod
We've all seen those enticing promises that (usually) fail to deliver, like:
Get into a bikini by the weekend!
Lose 20 pounds in a month!
Reclaim your high school figure before the reunion!
It's easy to fall into these traps and then feel bad about yourself when you don't achieve the promised results. At SparkPeople, we're all about embracing the summer of self-acceptance and finding things to appreciate about our bodies just as they are. At the same time, it's great to set improvement goals and strive for a healthier, more confident self.
Posted 5/16/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 85 comments 102,314 views
Sleep & Diabetes: Does the Risk Rise at Night?
A new study published in Cell Metabolism shows that up to 30 percent of people could have a higher sensitivity to melatonin, the sleepiness-inducing hormone that reduces the production of insulin. This is caused by a change to a melatonin receptor gene—the MTNR1B gene—that reduces the amount of insulin released by the pancreas, which makes the person more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Posted 5/16/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 35 comments 36,023 views
Crush Your First CrossFit Class With Our Cheat Sheet
If your idea of CrossFit is a group of grunting, super-buff weightlifters who will laugh you out of the gym, it's time to send those stereotypes packing. Even the most accomplished CrossFitters started somewhere, and the majority are extremely welcoming to newcomers.
Posted 5/13/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 38 comments 79,169 views
'I'm Winning the Battle Against Depression & Obesity, One Day at a Time.'
Lots of kids struggle with low self-esteem, but it's especially difficult when obesity is a factor. According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years, raising the risks of heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. What's more, obese kids are more likely to grow into obese adults—and that's one statistic that Tammy McLeod is determined to avoid.
Posted 5/12/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 111 comments 125,147 views
.png)
Fitness Superstitions: Magic or Mind Games?
One of my running buddies has worn the same shirt to every race for the past decade. Regardless of weather or fashion, she's convinced that the old pink Nike tank is directly tied to her performance on the course. I have a weird compulsion that requires me to always end a run at an even time on my stopwatch: If I’m back home at 38 minutes, I’ll add another quarter-mile to get to 40.
Posted 5/11/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 12 comments 24,393 views
Mediterranean Diet Could Help to Slow Aging and Prevent Bone Loss, Study Says
As if there weren't already enough benefits to warrant trying the Mediterranean diet—like improved heart health, reduced inflammation and greater overall wellness—new research shows that this type of eating plan could slow down the aging process and prevent bone loss.
Posted 5/10/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 49 comments 61,229 views
.png)
Spark It or Scrap It: Does Melatonin Help with Jet Lag?
Jet lag is no joke! Also known as desynchronosis, it's a travel-induced condition that occurs when we travel long distances in a short amount of time (typically on a plane, hence the name). If you've ever flown into a different time zone and wound up feeling tired, irritable, achy or just a little off your game, you were most likely experiencing jet lag.
Posted 5/9/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 11 comments 45,291 views
Drink Beer, Eat Chocolate Because Science
The words "healthy eating," "beer" and "chocolate" don't typically coexist in the same sentence—but a couple of recent studies may have changed that. According to a little something called science, a tall cold one and a candy bar just might deserve a place in your diet plan.
Posted 5/4/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 5 comments 39,656 views
Spice up Cinco de Mayo with 7 Sexy Salsas
You don't have to live in any certain region or be of a specific ethnicity to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Sure, it's technically a Mexican holiday—commemorating the country's 1862 victory in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-American War—but here in the United States, it's become a cross-cultural celebration of the Mexican heritage. On the fifth of May, people of all races, creeds and backgrounds partake in fiestas complete with margaritas, burritos, sombreros and mariachi music.
Posted 5/3/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 89 comments 21,316 views
How to Master the Art of Self-Acceptance
In today's highly visual age, it's hard to turn a magazine page or watch a TV show without getting bombarded by the myriad of things that you must change about your body in order for it to be acceptable.
Posted 4/29/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 63 comments 60,378 views
How Marla Lost 100 Pounds & Found the True Meaning of 'Healthy'
Marla didn't learn much about nutrition growing up. Her family dinners consisted mainly of meatloaf, spaghetti, pot roast and usually some canned veggies on the side—and always chocolate cake. It wasn't until after she moved away from home that Marla became more conscious of what she didn't like about her body. That negative body image triggered a vicious cycle of fad diets, exercise binges and yo-yo dieting, which continued for several years.
Posted 4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 84 comments 160,908 views
25 Ways to Feel 10 Years Younger
There's an old catchphrase that says, "Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the heck happened." As I approach my 40th birthday, I couldn't agree more. I don't consider myself old, but my 20-year-old self probably would. In many ways, I still feel like a carefree college kid—unless I'm around actual twentysomethings, when I feel practically ancient. I guess what I'm trying to say is that age really is just a number, and it's all relative. There's no rule that says you have to look, act or feel your age.
Posted 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 42 comments 75,066 views
Mother Knows Best: What Cooking Lessons Did Your Mom Pass Along?
From bandaging skinned knees to doling out punishments for missed curfews, Mom always knew best. With Mother's Day approaching, there’s no better time to show our appreciation for all those pearls of wisdom she's passed along over the years--particularly the fundamentals of cooking, from scrambling an egg to marinating a steak to frosting a cake.
Posted 4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM By: : 61 comments 64,165 views
‹ Back Read More Entries ›
