If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I'd be in Fort Myers, Florida watching the Twins in spring training. With baseball season around the corner, it's a great opportunity to follow the lead of MLB teams and get in shape! Get excited to work out with some fun exercises inspired by legendary baseball players!

In one of my recent blog posts, I mentioned the fact that the Olympic Games have renewed the debate over using exercise (or more specifically fitness level) as a fifth vital sign. And the Olympics certainly gets people excited for physical activity.

If you’re like me, you’ve been up late every single night watching event after event, cheering on TEAM USA at every turn.

But I think it’s about time we get in the spirit of the Olympic Games in a way that doesn’t involving lounging on the couch. How about creating your very own version of the Olympics right in your own backyard?

Many people are capitalizing on the Olympic Games as a way to encourage more physical activity and sports participation, but researchers are taking it one step further. A new paper in the Lancet, U.S. and Australian scientists argue that exercise, or more specifically physical activity, should be designated as the fifth vital sign, along with blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate. The idea has merit, especially given the fact that fitness level is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality. In fact, the World Health Organization freely acknowledges that physical inactivity kills more people worldwide than overweight and obesity. Shocking, but true…

Ever since I got my iPhone a year ago, I feel like I have suffered an amputation if I leave the thing at home for even a few minutes. I do use iMapMyRun to track my workouts, but the technology approaches a point of absurdity when I stop jogging to update my status.

I am from Indiana. Which is known for exactly three things: corn fields, the Indy 500 and basketball. Just like lots of other Indiana kids, I grew up tossing a basketball in a hoop in my driveway and still love the sport today. If you are anything like me, you’ll spend the next few weeks glued to your TV watching the Big Dance.
All that screen time can leave your workouts on the back burner. Instead of skipping your sweats, do them at the same time!

The Super Bowl is an excellent time to host friends and family for an afternoon filled with good football, good people, and good food. One of my favorite perks about being a party hostess, is having the ability to create the menu. Typical game-day food is notorious for being unhealthy, which is why, hosting the party gives you the perfect opportunity to create a healthy, delicious menu that even the avid football fan will enjoy. I have pulled together some of my favorite healthy, game day recipes for you and your guests!

Whether they are spending their days hiking the mountains or boarding down a black diamond, the outdoor enthusiast always rises to any challenge. And you can bet they spend hours researching the best gear for their adventure. If you want to impress that "outdoorsy" person on your list this year, check out these recommended gifts. You won’t disappoint!

Everyone is a dreamer.

We dream of accumulating wealth, improving our personal health, shooting a low golf score, planting a vegetable garden, or becoming more environmentally conscious.