There are many fashion icons of our time.

In fact, fashion magazines and the like are telling us that some of the key fashion influencers right now are people like: Michelle Obama, Kate Middelton, and Lady Gaga.

Well, two of the three aren’t so bad.

Moving on.

You know who’s inspiring me lately?

This cover girl…

I have no clue who she is but I like her style…and I’m not just talking about her clothes.

Look at those arms…

If you need a little fitness fashion or even just a little fitness inspiration, look no further than the Athleta catalog. The models are fierce and the clothes aren’t too shabby either.

Now I really must go try to strike this pose (and Vogue)…

10 Ways to Look and Feel Better Instantly

1. Smile.

2. Make someone else smile.

3. Repeat #1 and #2. But before you do, go brush your teeth.

4. Stand up straight…it will make you look at least 5 pounds lighter, I guarantee it.

5. Practice the 5 second rule–replace a negative thought or comment with a positive one within 5 seconds.

6. Workout. And if you already worked out today pat yourself on the back and go drink some water, you look thirsty.

7. Laugh out louder.

8. Say “thank you” and “I’m sorry” and mean it. Really mean it.

9. Breathe. Better yet, breathe some fresh air and soak up some Vitamin D.

10.  Get more sleep.

Now I really must go catch some zzz’s and get ready to celebrate my nephew Joey’s birthday tomorrow…now there’s a kid that can always make me smile!

You know the theme song for The Biggest Loser?

Well, if I could sing I’d sing it for you right now but I’ll spare you the pain and just remind you the chorus goes…

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

So, today I’m going to ask you just that. What have you done lately to make you feel proud of yourself?

I’ll go first.

Chad Waterbury launched a contest at the beginning of 2011 challenging participants to do push ups, chin ups, and body weight lunges everyday in addition to their normal workouts for the first 6 months of the year.

The reps for each exercise match the number of days that have passed since the beginning of the year. So, for example, after my workout yesterday, January 25th, I did 25 push ups, 25 chins (broken into several sets), and 25 lunges on each leg, today I’ll do 26, and I bet you can guess how many I’ll do on the 27th.

I did not officially enter the contest so I will not be eligible to see my name in lights or win the money up for grabs. I am doing it simply to challenge myself. And you know what? Just doing a little extra everyday has made a difference in my workouts and has made me a little more disciplined with what I’m eating. And that makes me feel proud. Ask me again on day 100 and I might be cursing instead of singing…but for now I’ll just keep my chin up.

Now it’s your turn to weigh in.

What have you done lately to make you feel proud?

Now I really must go get ready for my last chance workout!

It wasn’t until after I learned Jack LaLanne passed away this weekend that I understood the impact he made on fitness and spice, I mean, fitness and nutrition. For example…

Do you know who opened the first gym? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who was the first to have athletes workout with weights? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who was the first to have women workout with weights? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who had the first nationally syndicated exercise TV show? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who was credited for combining nutrition with weight training? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who created one of the first leg extension and cable/pulley machines? Jack LaLanne.

Do you know who attempted to do fingertip push ups like Jack LaLanne yesterday? Joanna Sutter.

Do you know who could not do these fingertip push ups like Jack LaLanne? Joanna Sutter.

Do you know who is probably working out with the angels as we speak? Jack LaLanne.

Now I really must go to the gym and lift some weights..thanks to Jack LaLanne.

I read a lot of fitness books, websites, magazines, blogs, and forums. If you do, too, you might recognize the majority if not all of the fitness professionals that are putting on a teleseminar this week to raise money for the troops. People like:

• Alwyn Cosgrove
• Jamie Eason
• Rachel  Cosgrove
• Dr. Mike Roussell
• Jason Ferruggia
• Dr. Cassandra Forsythe
• Holly Rigsby
• John Romaniello
• Dr. Kara  Mohr
• Tom Venuto
• Dr. Chris Mohr

These experts (authors, dietitians, fitness personalities, and personal trainers specializing in everything from fat loss to busy mom’s) will be sharing their strategies to help us get in the best shape in 2011.

The seminar started yesterday and will run through Thursday, January 20th. If you missed the call yesterday (like I did) or cannot make one or more of the sessions, do not panic, they are recording each session and for a donation of $10 or more to The Wounded Warrior Project they’ll send you a link to the recorded calls.

If you’d like more information or would like to register for this fitness fundraiser, please visit www.fitprossupportthetroops.org.

Now I really must go rest up so I’m not too fatigued for this event.

Keith Furman holds the record for having the most world records.

I know this because Keith was interviewed on The Early Show this weekend. After learning that he did not have any sponsors, the reporter asked him what was the point for going after all these records, Keith replied…

“The point is joy.”

As I watched the video clips of some of Keith’s record breaking moments like somersaulting further than anyone, racing a yak in sack, and completing the fastest mile while hula hooping, I have to admit while at times the man looked ridiculous, there was no doubt in my mind he was having a blast.

I am not training to set any world records that I will admit.

I typically train to stay in shape, stay healthy, drop a few pounds, or gain a little muscle. The majority of the time, I power through my workouts because it’s part of my daily agenda. I often forget to celebrate my personal records or just recognize the joy in the activities involved in reaching my goals because I’m too busy watching my heart rate monitor or counting my reps.

So this week I’m going to apply the lessons I learned from Keith Furman by not taking myself too seriously, recognizing my personal bests, and making a point to reconnect with the joy in my workouts.

Now I really must go to the gym, I’m doing a quick little workout today from my new book The Joy of Triceps.

Accidents happen all the time.

Like the time I ran into an orange construction barrel that jumped in front of my car.

No it didn’t.

But do not panic! I was fine and my car suffered minor damages easily repaired with duct tape.

And remember when Jack had that terrible incident where he took a nose dive down a hill and broke his crown? And while he was smart to use the buddy system on his little adventure, it didn’t do him a lot of good when Jill came tumbling after him.

And don’t even get me started about Humpty Dumpty.

While I pray you never break your crown (or have to repair your side view mirror with duct tape) I want to make sure you are armed with the proper 411 with you in the event of a 911.

Here are 4 things you should consider doing so you’re covered in case of emergency…

• Memorize phone numbers. How many phone numbers do you know by heart? I know two: My cell phone number and my brother’s home phone number that rarely gets answered even when his family of 5 are all home. These numbers will do me no good when in case of an emergency. Let’s say you were in an accident without your phone or access to your electronic address book would you be able to contact a friend or loved one easily? If not, here’s your homework assignment: Memorize at least 2 phone numbers of people you can call and tell them you’re OK.
• Wear a Road ID. Let’s just say you’re out for a run, a hike, or a bike ride and BOOM! you fall down and break your crown. I am not a doctor and I am not on the scene so I have no idea how severely your crown is broken or if the break has caused you to forget the phone numbers you just memorized, that is why I suggest wearing a personalized Road ID. A Road ID is a wrist or ankle band that contains your emergency contact information (like critical health information and phone numbers) that a good Samaritan can access in the event you need help. You can order your Road ID and one for the Jack or Jill in your life at www.roadid.com.
• Download the ICE App. If you are one of the cool kids with an iTouch, iPhone, or iPad, you should consider downloading the “In Case of Emergency” app I learned about on the Today Show this week. Simply download the file from the iTunes App store and enter information like who to call in the event of an emergency, blood type, allergies, and known health conditions. And, good news for BlackBerry users with App functionality, you can add this app to your device for free, just search for “In Case of Emergency” under the BlackBerry App World icon.
• Write it down. You can also go old school and write down your emergency contact information and store it by your home phone, in your wallet, your glove compartment, your gym bag, your man bag…you get the picture.

Now I really must go check on Jack, I hear the little dare devil is about to jump over a candle stick…not a smart move especially without that pail of water!

I happen to think there are one too many shows on TV today about:

• Families with multiples
• Cupcakes and/or cake decorating
• Women who didn’t know they were pregnant and teenagers who do
• “Real” spoiled women in major metropolitan cities (OK, I may or may not watch these shows regularly)
• Shows featuring D-list celebrities doing choreographed performances
• People who drink too much in New Jersey
• Hoarders

What are the networks trying to do? Kill us?!

Well, not exactly but I did just read in a Blue Cross Blue Shield newsletter about a study that found for each hour watching TV the risk for heart disease death increased up to 18%. And, the risk for people who watched TV 4 or more hours a day were 80% higher than those who watched less than two hours. According to the article, the study did take into account the participants differences in diet, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, waist size, and exercise.

So I guess the moral of this story is quite simple, turn off the TV (and go workout <—a subliminal message)…there’s nothing good on anyway.

Now I really must go turn off the tube and pull on my new tube socks! I don’t want to be Tardy for the Party.

We are just 7 days into 2011 and already I’ve learned a lot. In fact, here are…

7 Lessons I’ve learned This Year

• 1. Drinking too much water before doing 5 sets of 10 burpees and jumping jacks is a really, really bad idea.
• 2. Leaving a plastic heart rate monitor in the car overnight in the dead of winter and then strapping it to your chest is a great way to get your heart rate going. Fast.
• 3. Applying hand lotion before doing chin ups isn’t very bright.
• 4. Wearing workout pants inside out to the gym is embarrassing.
• 5. Drinking an Americano after 4:00 P.M. is not very smart-o.
• 6. Leaving an Americano on the roof of your car and then driving off is equally painful…anytime of day.
• 7. Sports bras go on sale at Target the day after you buy them.

Now I really must go recharge my batteries and brace myself for a very educational new year.

Twas two nights before Christmas and all through the Fitness & Spice Test Kitchen, a creature was stirring a cup of hot chocolate protein; a new family tradition.

The resistance bands were hung by the water bottle with care in hopes the gym snow plow cleared a path there.

The Zumba instructors were all snug in their beds while visions of Shake Weights and Jeggings danced in their heads.

Madonna on her yoga mat and Lance on his bike, just settled in for a Food Network food fight.

When out on the front porch arose such a commotion, so I sprang from my Snuggie to inspect The Situation.

And what did my wandering eyes did appear, but Matthew McConaughey the UPS man delivering The Protein Bakery-packed cheer!

Now I have protein-filled cookies, brownies and blondies in flavors like peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal, and cranberry…perfect for making Santa’s post-workout meal quite merry!

Now I really must go put on my Pajama Jeans and turn out the lights and wish you a Merry Christmas from Fitness & Spice!