January's Top 5 Posts

As January comes to an end I thought it would be fun for you to see which stories got the most clicks this month. Do you agree they were the best? Did readers miss something you liked more? Let's count them down now. Leave a comment if there's a story that you liked that didn't make the list.

 

Did you see something fun that you think readers would enjoy seeing here on this site? Drop me an email JoDeeKenney@gmail.com 

 

5.

 



It seems a lot of you got a kick out of this story. Reviews for the Haribo sugarless gummy bears had us rolling on the ground in laughter. Did any of you buy some for your lawmakers.  

 

4. 

Crockpot cooking is soooo easy and the benefits are endless. A lot of you wanted to get the recipe for this tasty dish and also find out what my favorite crockpot cookbook was. Did you buy it yet? It is more than worth the money! If you love easy recipes join me every week for Foodie Friday. We make delicious recipes- like this, this and this.

 

3.

Giving back to your community can make you feel so good. A lot of you liked learning about a program I truly enjoy supporting. The YMCA Black and Latino Achievers program not only benefits the teens in the program but also the adults. Each month leading up to the June awards ceremony I will highlight some of the people involved in the program. 

 

2.

 
 
 

Hannah Curlee, Me and Olivia Ward

Don't you love it when people on tv live up to your expectations... and sometimes exceed them? Well, that was the case when I met Biggest Loser Season 11 runner up Hannah Curlee and her sister and Winner Olivia Ward! They shared with us tips on how to get started, stay motivated and live the healthy life we're truly meant to live.  Check out the video once again to stay motivated and be sure to visit their social media sites for more inspiration.

1.

 

With new years resolutions on the line and gyms packed to capacity we all could relate to someone in this viral video making fun at gym stereotypes. I've come to learn that many of us not only know these gym offenders but ARE these gym offenders. Which one are you? Leave a comment below!

 

Don't forget to follow me on Vine. I just posted my first video and am learning the ropes- this should be fun! Also- get lifestyle updates from me on twitter @JoDeeKenney and news updates from @JoDeeOfTWCNews .

 

 



My Fitspiration From The Biggest Loser

Hannah Curlee, Me and Olivia Ward

These girls blew my mind! Meeting Biggest Loser Season 11 runner up Hannah Curlee and her sister and Winner Olivia Ward was amazing!

Every year when the State of the State address happens I have the honor of representing my station and company Time Warner Cable at the capitol. Each year the company brings in a celebrity from one of their hit shows and this year they brought in two..... Olivia and Hannah.

Here's the thing... I had no clue who they were bringing in and I'm not gonna lie... when I saw them across the room.... I squealed like a teenager and began frantically whispering to everyone around- "That's Olivia? Oh... oh my god Olivia and Hanna from the Biggest Loser?!?!" I've told you before how much I enjoy the show.

One of the organizers (a friend and colleague who shares my love of fitness) giggled and calmly said "I knew they'd be right up your alley." Heck YEAH!

I really have no filter when I meet a celeb I truly enjoy-- and as you can guess my filter was nonexistent with them when I blurted out "Ok- I'm going to be a little stalkerish right now but I LOVE YOU!" Sigh- Jeeze JoDee~! Haha Good thing is- we all laughed it off and I (somewhat) regained my composure.

I peppered them (mostly Olivia and her husband Ben) with questions the whole 2 hours we were there (in between meeting lawmakers and shaking hands of course). Meeting them came at the right time... because after the holidays you just need a boost to get back motivated!

They are the real deal- down to earth, knowledgeable and yet very humble that they work hard to keep their fitness level. They also don't beat themselves up when they're not where they want to be and instead set goals and hunker down and focus.

I asked them to offer advice to those of you who may be beginning your fitness journey and those of you who may need a little inspiration to get back on track after the holidays and here's what they had to say:



Yes- I actually gave a little squeal at the end of the interview! Yeah- I've been doing this for a long time but I still embrace the exciting moments! Haha But really- weren't they fabulous?!!?

More tips from Hannah and Olivia:

-If you travel a lot- pack healthy snacks
-If staying at a hotel- call ahead and be sure your room has a small refrigerator you can stock
-Drink lots of water
-Set a fitness goal
-Cut out the soda
-Work to be fit not skinny
-Incorporate weight training- muscle burns more fat


Olivia's husband Ben (pictured here to the right in the sweatshirt next to Time Warner Cable NY1 Anchor Lewis Doddley) was amazing to talk too. He actually lost more than 100 lbs at home- while she was on the show! He gave me some tips for the guys out there as well.


Ben's tips for the guys:

-Try CrossFit if you were a guy who enjoyed organized sports or were in the military
-Find something that you enjoy just for yourself
-Eventually incorporate your spouse, maybe you can teach her something
-Set a goal to get healthy for an event (say a vacation to a tropical destination)
-You gotta watch what you eat (exercise won't take it all off)
-Mastering your mind is the hardest part- once you do that you will make the right food and exercise choices

My mind is exploding with information right now and I wish I could have been able to record our whole conversation and play it back for you because it was so inspiring. I learned from Olivia, Ben and Hannah that they understand what it's like to struggle to make healthy decisions and sometimes they plan cheats- and THAT'S OK!

It's about putting in the work and when you fall down-- Get Right Back Up and Back On Track! This is about a healthy lifestyle- not a fad!

Looking for more Fitspiration? You're in luck! Hannah and Olivia have an amazing blog with all kinds of great information for you! Check it out! They also have a Youtube page with lots of videos and I know they are recording a whole bunch of new content today in NYC and that will be up on the internet real soon- so keep checking back in.

Also be sure to look for them on the season finale of the Biggest Loser on NBC February 4th.

Are you ready to take your fitness journey or are you ready to take your fitness to the next level? I know I am. If so- tell me about it. I'd love to hear!

Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser season 15 is set to debut today (Oct 15th) and I always get excited for this show. It never gets old to me. Yes, I can definitely do without the throw up shots. Why do they feel it necessary to show people throwing up in their first workout?

What I love is the transformation... both physical and mental. Anybody who has ever lost a significant amount of weight will tell you... weight loss is more mental than physical. There's that little person in your brain who tells you -you can't do it... but when you overcome it you feel so empowered.

This year American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard is on the ranch. He's the heaviest person on the ranch- clocking in at 462 lbs. I look forward to learning more about him and the other contestants this year.

And this just in- a New Yorker is among the competitors! In fact she's from the capital region. Looks like we have someone to root for!

Do you like the Biggest Loser?