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.
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Spark Spotlight: Dawn (PENNYLANE15)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 4/2/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 67 comments 18,092 views
7 Ways to Slim Down Your Waistline
Love handles, muffin top, spare tire—whatever you call it, extra weight around the waistline is one of the most common trouble zones for those who are overweight or obese. And even people who are already at a healthy weight may tend to carry more fat in the abdominal area.
While most are primarily concerned with the physical appearance of their midsections, there are also some serious health concerns linked to excess belly fat.
Posted 3/29/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 92 comments 161,223 views
30 Meals You Can Prep in 30 Minutes or Less
If you had to describe meal prep with one word, it might be “healthy” or “delicious” or—if you’re one of the lucky ones who enjoys cooking—maybe even “fun.” However, you probably wouldn’t choose the words “fast” or “easy.” To the contrary, the idea of meal prep might conjure images of tedious list-making, endless grocery trips and hours chained to the stove (figuratively, we hope).
You already know that planning and preparing your own meals is the most important ingredient in the recipe for success. Meal preppers are less likely to fall into the takeout trap, succumb to unhealthy cravings or eat supersized portions—all of which means they’re more likely to lose weight. And here’s a secret that might surprise you: They actually end up saving more time in the long run.
It’s time to bust the myth that meal prep is only for diehard chefs who have plenty of hours to spend shopping, chopping, seasoning and slicing. There are plenty of healthy, satisfying meals that can be thrown together in small, stolen pockets of time between the office, the gym and the countless tasks on your to-do list.
Posted 3/27/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 130 comments 102,339 views
Spark Spotlight: Monty (MIRAGE727)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 3/26/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 37 comments 18,092 views
The Ultimate Country Music Workout Playlist
You might not initially think of country music as the ideal workout soundtrack. And while it’s true that there are some slower, sadder tunes of the "lost my truck, lost my love, lost my dog" variety, the genre has plenty of up-tempo, high-energy, downright rockin’ medleys to put some calorie-burning pep in your step.
You don’t have to visit a Nashville honky-tonk or learn a complicated line dance to get your boot-scootin' boogie on—simply create your own country music playlist, plug in your earbuds and then run, walk, spin or shuffle along to the Americana-inspired tunes. Heck, you can even do the two-step through your living room, as long as you’re moving. (Boots and hat are optional.)
Posted 3/23/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 77 comments 62,488 views
6 Ways to Maximize a Short Workout
You only have 45 minutes to spare for a workout. By the time you change your clothes, get outside or to the gym, and get moving, it’s really more like half an hour of sweat equity, though. Is it really worth the effort and energy if you can’t invest a full hour?
The short answer: absolutely! It’s a myth that there’s some magic at the 60-minute mark when benefits start kicking in. In fact, many experts believe that the one-hour workout is dead. Even just 10 minutes of movement can go a long way toward burning calories, strengthening muscle and improving cardiovascular health.
Posted 3/19/2018 11:00:00 AM By: : 129 comments 85,221 views
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Spark Spotlight: Candy (CANDYL41)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 3/19/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 33 comments 9,059 views
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How to Transition from Dieting to Healthy Living
You’ve stayed the course, diligently counting your calories and sticking to an exercise plan for weeks, months or maybe even years. Your goal weight is in the rearview mirror and the jeans you had previously been saving as motivation now slide easily over your hips.
In short, your plan has worked.
Now what?
When you started your weight-loss journey, you might have approached it as a means to an end—a temporary situation, with a specific goal in sight. You might not have thought too much about what would happen when you reached that goal, though.
After an extended period of healthy (perhaps some would say strict) eating and exercising, it can be tough to make the transition from weight-loss mode to all-around healthy living. But bridging the gap between rigorous dieting and healthy living is essential to making your results “stick” for sustained, long-term success.
Posted 3/12/2018 6:00:00 PM By: : 268 comments 64,755 views
Spark Spotlight: Trista (CTMOM)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 3/12/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 47 comments 10,805 views
Spark Spotlight: Lori (LORI_LIFTS)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 3/5/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 31 comments 13,081 views
30 Days of Quick & Healthy Lunch Ideas
Remember the days when lunchtime meant standing in a cafeteria line and getting served whatever happened to be on the school menu? (Cardboard pizza, anyone?) Fortunately, you’re an adult now, and you have more control over your mid-day meals. On the other hand, you’re an adult now—and, well, adulting is busy.
Whether you’re working in an office, caring for kids or grandkids, tending to your garden or recuperating after an illness or injury, it can be tough to find the time, energy and inclination to prepare three healthy meals each day. Lunch is often the toughest one to squeeze in, as it rolls around right in the middle of everything you're trying to juggle.
As with any healthy living goal, the key to making it work is advance preparation. If you’re eating the same old thing day in and day out—or, worse, if you’re skipping your middle meal altogether—use this handy lunch planning graphic to get inspired and break out of your lunchtime rut. Simply click on the graphic to open and print it (and don't forget to share!). Links to the recipes can be found below.
Posted 3/5/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 97 comments 60,209 views
10 of the Best Leggings for Every Shape and Workout
Whoever coined the phrase “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” clearly didn’t understand her relationship with leggings. Quite possibly the world’s most perfect pants, leggings are flattering, forgiving and pajama-level comfortable. And they’re pretty much the definition of versatility—there aren’t many garments that can go seamlessly from lounging on the couch to kicking butt in the gym to walking laps around the parking lot during the kids’ soccer practice. Oh, and most can even be dressed up with a tunic and flats for a day at the office or a casual dinner out.
Just as there are no two identical pair of legs, one pair of leggings do not fit all. Depending on the route of your curves, which assets you prefer to showcase or suppress or what activity you’re engaging in, your definition of the perfect pair might be very different from your BFF’s, co-worker’s or gym partner’s. That said, there are some common criteria that most of us want out of our body-hugging bottoms. Before you go on your next quest for leggings, take a spin through this handy cheat sheet. You just might stumble upon your next favorite pair.
Posted 2/27/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 74 comments 79,237 views
Spark Spotlight: Celia (LAWLI56)
At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
Posted 2/26/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 22 comments 7,697 views
Spark Class of 2008 Celebrates 10 Years!
At SparkPeople, we know that all of our members have the ability to change their own lives—but we also believe in the undeniable power of having a strong support system. That’s why SparkGuy created our community in the first place: To provide people with a safe and supportive space to nurture their health, fitness, nutrition and weight-loss goals—and to have fun along the way.
Posted 2/23/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 57 comments 13,412 views
The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Expensive Running Shoes
When your activity of choice involves running, walking, hiking or otherwise propelling yourself forward, choosing the right shoes could be the single most important factor in making sure your exercise program starts off on the right foot. In choosing the perfect shoes, you may have visited a specialty store, consulted with an expert and shelled out more money than you’ve ever spent on footwear before, all of which adds up to a sizable time and cost investment in your health and fitness goals.
Posted 2/22/2018 12:00:00 AM By: : 94 comments 37,840 views
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