I visited one of my favorite new spots, Circuit Works in Brentwood, for this week’s move. Here I am with the owner Raphael, whose favorite butt exercise takes the traditional squat and gives it a little extra leg. Do try this at home….

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There are some days you wish would never end…I experienced one of those last weekend when I was thrilled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 30th Anniversary for the Samata Yoga Center.

It was wonderful to spend some time with my friend Larry Payne, internationally renowned yoga instructor (who wrote Yoga For Dummies, Yoga RX, and more). He’s done so much to bring the benefits of yoga to the masses, inspiring millions with his programs and teacher trainings. It’s a humbling experience to be honored by one of your heroes.

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It’s been such a thrill to be part of the launch of NextFit’s new Keychain Trainer. And this summer, I’m joining forces with the NextFit team for a worldwide tour to Get America Moving! We’re kicking things off this Saturday in Salt Lake City with our first “test group” - a brave and lucky bunch of folks who have committed to a 12-week weight loss program in which I’ll help them every step of the way, with diet, exercise, motivation, and of course, using this cool and revolutionary gadget known as the Keychain Trainer.

For those of you who won’t be able to join us this weekend, here’s a little “nugget” of wisdom that I’ll share with the group on Saturday - and you heard it here first. It’s about consistency. It’s one of the oldest rules in the fitness book: To get results, consistency is key. But as we all know, “sticking with it” is easier said than done. So what’s the secret to staying consistent, so that you can stay on-track to success?

1) Do the things you enjoy doing, and
2) Do them with the people you enjoy.

It’s no coincidence that both of those points contain the word “enjoy.” Fun and fitness shouldn’t be mutually exclusive - they should mix and mingle, so that you can enjoy a consistent, healthy lifestyle for years to come!

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It’s hard to believe that only yesterday I was writing about the loss of another icon. And the one I’m talking about today, of course, needs no introduction.

Two weeks ago I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I want to share - not to exploit Michael’s tragic death or boast about meeting celebrities, but because it was such a magical moment that I knew I had to write it down.

I was visiting a friend at his office here in LA, and he said to me, “Oh, you know who’s in the next room? Do you wanna meet Michael Jackson?” I thought he was kidding, but moments later, the King of Pop entered the room with his children in tow. Our mutual friend, obviously un-phased by Michael’s stardom, introduced us: “Michael, Kathy is big in the fitness industry. And Kathy, Michael is the best dancer in the world!” I had to stifle a laugh at this description - as if this were just another guy!

Michael hugged me. As many people have observed in the news yesterday and today, he was small, childlike, fragile, and - like Farrah - soft-spoken and incredibly shy.

What happened next is the truly unforgettable part. Our friend said to Michael, “You should really show Kathy how you dance.” And he did! Without a moment’s hesitation, Michael showed me some of his signature moves - a style that has obviously influenced performers (not to mention fans) for decades, and will for years to come.

We talked for a while. He introduced me to his children - who were sweet, beautiful, and clearly adored their father - and he told me about canceling an upcoming concert in London. “The people were so mean,” he said, visibly upset. “Just so mean.”

While our country, and our world, mourns and celebrates this legendary artist, I’m still in disbelief - not just that he’s gone, but that I was actually lucky enough to receive a private dance performance by Michael Jackson. –>

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In the early days of my career, I had the pleasure of meeting Farrah Fawcett when we were both spokesmodels for Faberge products. I appeared in ads for their “Babe” perfume, while Farrah, of course, promoted shampoo.

We flew to Mexico for a Faberge conference, where we met with their Board (including none other than Cary Grant) and spoke to their salespeople. Even though I’d only released one workout album at the time, I had no problem jumping up on stage to get the crowd moving. Then it was Farrah’s turn to appear, and in spite of her stardom, there was no trace of a larger-than-life icon. She was soft-spoken, delicate, and surprisingly shy. Even when I’d run into her on occasion, years later, at Ryan O’Neal’s Pro Gym, she maintained a sweetness and a warmth that I’ve rarely seen in starlets of her caliber.

I was moved by her incredibly brave TV documentary “Farrah’s Story.” It not only showed us her excruciating battle, but her will to survive. And thanks to her courage, talent, and beauty, she’ll stay with us.

–>

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What a weekend!

Recently I was walking from the car to the hair salon, and as I passed the fitness studio next door, I heard a familiar voice rooting on his students. I realized it was my old friend Richard Simmons, who’s been teaching at the same spot in Beverly Hills for 31 years. If I weren’t late for my haircut, I would have jumped right in - but instead I hurried into the salon, and when I got home later, I emailed some friends about taking Richard’s class with me. I remembered that my friend Tara Igoe goes to it pretty regularly, so she helped organize our gang.

This past Saturday, I met up with Tara and a group of girlfriends - plus one brave fella - for an hour of sweatin’ to the oldies. Richard’s energy is more infectious than ever. We grapevined, kicked, danced, giggled, and sang our hearts out (from ‘The Sound of Music’ to ‘Phantom of the Opera’). It wasn’t just a blast from the past - it was, quite simply, a blast. One thing is for sure: there is only one Richard Simmons. –>

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I’m always surprised that even after living in LA for 30 years, how I can still be floored by the sight of a celebrity. Well, not just any celebrity.

I live in Los Angeles and while I don’t hang out with the Hollywood crowd, I see a lot of actors and actresses at the gym, when I’m out shopping or at charity fund raisers.

Sure, they’re stars… but they’re not Andrew Weil.

If the name doesn’t ring a bell… stop right here and Google him and then go on Amazon and buy one of his books.

In my mind, Andrew Weil is a real celebrity.

Last weekend I met Andrew Weil at a health symposium. We were the featured speakers at the event held at Mammoth Mountain California. I love his books, his articles, columns, and appearances on television and radio. In person, he was even better!

You can’t mistake Andrew in a crowd. He’s been compared to Santa Claus - but definitely a healthier, slimmer version of Santa. He is this gentle giant that preaches the benefits of integrative medicine with his main focus being how do you maintain optimum health through better food choices.

One of the main topics that Andrew covered in his presentation was the importance of vitamins in your overall health. He emphasized that supplements don’t replace wholesome food because they’re only a partial representation of what is in the food. However they’re extremely important because they do ensure against gaps in our diets.

After listening to Andrew’s inspirational and informational talk, I’m reminded of why I started in this business—to inspire the best in all people. More specifically to help people get in the best shape of their lives both inside and out.

Oh by the way, did I mention the Dr. Carlson was also at the Mammoth conference talking about his best selling book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff …And Everything is Small.” I’ll tell you more about him and a little trick I learned for coping with stress next time. –>

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I was out to dinner the other night with a few high-powered exec-types, and we started comparing notes on our sleeping habits. Most of them admitted that they average 5-6 hours a night. When I mentioned that I NEED a good 7-8, they looked at me in shock. It was as if the act of sleeping were a waste of time. How could I spend those precious hours unconscious, when I could be reading, working or playing? But I’ve always made it a priority. I love to sleep, and it really takes a toll on me when I have to forgo it for whatever reason.

My recommendation? Don’t underestimate the power of sleep. Adequate rest supports a healthy immune system, helps you stay energetic, and so much more. Plus, constant exhaustion can actually cause you to gain weight! Have you ever noticed that when you’re tired or stressed, you often reach for food to make you feel better? That’s because when your body is tired, your stress levels are elevated, which wreaks havoc on your blood sugar - so you look for sugar to give you that short-term energy rush. This cycle sets you up for gaining weight and lagging in energy. Of course, we all have a bad night’s sleep from time to time. So when you do, just take extra care of yourself the next day. Instead of reaching for sugar or fatty snacks, eat some strong sources or protein like fish, turkey, or eggs - something that will actually hold you over until your next meal. Then, take some time that evening to slow down and relax, so you can ensure a better night’s sleep.

Having said all that, I still look to those suit-and-tie friends of mine who manage to get by on less sleep and wonder: Why don’t they need the 7-8 hours that I do? Am I missing something? Or is it just genetic? Hmmm. Something to think about. Perhaps I’ll sleep on it.
–>

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Whenever I get anxious about upcoming shoots or deadlines, I tend to snack a lot at night. So even though it’s true that overall calories consumed during the day are what counts, those late night calories can be dangerous.

This one’s for all you late-night snackers out there: stop eating two hours before you go to sleep. Focus on getting your calories in the earlier part of your day. Even though a piece of toast is the same amount of calories at 10 a.m. as it is at 10 p.m., when you eat that toast in the morning, you get a boost in your metabolism, but at night, your metabolism slows down, so you don’t burn it off as easily. On top of that, when you sleep, your digestion almost stops completely - so it’s much healthier to go to bed without a full stomach.

One little trick I’ve tried is hard candy - just to be able to suck on something that takes awhile to dissolve in my mouth. I do find myself creeping to the refrigerator though…perhaps 8-10 times a night, wondering what I should be eating - knowing I’m not hungry and debating with myself in front of the refrigerator door.

Another idea: If you feel just a little hungry before bed, try having a cup of decaffeinated tea. I love chamomile or peppermint. You’ll wake up the next morning hungry for breakfast, and THAT’S the perfect time to eat!
–>

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As I write this, I’m on a plane, finishing this Sudoku puzzle and feeling really strong hunger pangs. Yeah, I had my egg white garden omelette with veggies, and one piece of whole wheat toast….and now it’s three hours later, and I’m sitting here on this coach seat, flying to Sun Valley, hungry…really, really hungry. So when the seatbelt sign finally went off, I immediately began anticipating the snack cart making its way down the aisle toward me. When the flight attendant finally arrived and handed me a Horizon Airines napkin and a tiny packet of goldfish crackers, I took a breath, and said “Thank you.” I sat there and watched other passengers rip open their cheesy treat - loaded with hydrogenated fat, salt, and added food coloring. So I took the plunge, opened the packet, and munched on a few neon orange goldfish crackers. Not bad - a little greasy, but tasty.

After a few more bites, the bag fell from my hand - probably slippery from all the oils - and I looked at this trail of fluorescent fish swimming up the aisle. I went back to my puzzle, and my Emergen-C drink, and felt grateful. Next year I’ll make sure I pack my normal on-flight snack of almonds and Mojo bars to keep me away from the goldfish. Because if I’m going to take in a bunch of empty calories, it had better be with chocolate.
–>

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