LeslieRae Newton

New year resolutions always get me thinking. Mainly because they are usually the same...rather it is to lose weight, keep better records or stay in touch, they are a dime a dozen and stick like Velcro on a potato. December is a month spent riding on the pretense that in January "things are changing." The justification for lavish eating, drinking, smoking, and spending all for the misconception that "this year things will be different." Things are not different. The year will repeat the last... Read Full Story

I shouldn't be surprised that there was another "blog worthy" incident this Christmas, and it is only the 19th. Late getting a Christmas tree in our little town in North Carolina, a good ole boy (well he had one foot in the grave, the other in a cast and apparently left his teeth by the sink) came out and sold us "any tree without a red tag" for $20. Well, none of the 5 tree's left had a red tag so it was buyers choice. I mean who in the bible belt waits til the week of Christmas to get a... Read Full Story

The hustle is on. It looks like people are training for American Gladiators in the malls, fighting holiday traffic and trying to score the perfect gift (even if it means wrestling Wolf). With the craze people generally grab what is easy to nourish between shopping, work, parties and Christmas plays. Then January comes and no one can figure out how the scale is tipping a little past pudge. I want to help you out with breakfast. Lunch and dinner is generally where I get the most resistance... Read Full Story

After posting on Facebook that I was so blessed to have such a great friends and pumpkin pancakes to get me through tough times, I had requests for the recipe...so here it is! These are great! They also travel well for a snack during class (or 4.5hr finals!), after workout, during Christmas shopping! So don't gain that weight this holiday season, have all the flavor without all the guilt!! Topped with a little sugar free syrup or honey if eating post workout, makes this holiday treat, one... Read Full Story

Everyone is looking for the secret to the perfect body. We all want to know the key. Sometimes that key (or one of them) is perpetrated by friends and loved ones, but we dismiss it because "what do they know". There are a few tips that we should all adhere to regardless of the method of delivery. Since we want info from professionals, here it is: Drink water Take a multi-vitamin Include a protein supplement Workout Personally speaking, when I was just getting into competing, I was told to... Read Full Story

I made a Face Book post the other day that went something like this: Do what I say or do as I do, either way you will improve. One of the comments referred to me as cocky...Really? I don't think so. I am not saying that I am better than you, or that I don't have room to improve. I merely noted that I walk the walk, and within that walk, is something undoubtedly you either don't know, haven't seen in a while or could reinforce and renew your goals. In a world filled with individuals who try... Read Full Story

There is a lot of confusion about nutrition out there. I am always asked if I've heard about this diet, or that supplement , or been to this website or read that book. The answer varies but one thing stays the same: at the end of the day, calories are calories and the body only needs so many of each calorie source. Some of you may be a bit confused, and it's ok. Nutrition is not something readily taught in today's society. If we knew, I mean really knew and understood nutrition, there would... Read Full Story

It has occurred to me, being in a new gym, that the misconception gains are made in the gym and lifting everyday is the most important part to making those gains. That is simply false. Gains are made out side of the gym in the food, supplements and sleep you get. Granted, without training you will not make the gains you want, but training should not be at the sacrifice of the other components. If I have a choice between getting sleep and a workout, I will choose sleep and make up the session... Read Full Story

I can remember, more times than I care, being labeled "healthy." I never took it in a flattering way and don't know one girl who would. Looking "healthy" is about like being told "you look like you've stopped dieting." This is reason enough to re-examine all the "healthy" labels on forbidden foods. Let's look at two big health claims: #1 Red Wine is Healthy because it Contains Antioxidants True, red wine does contain antioxidants. However, the antioxidants are a result of the red grapes... Read Full Story

W e have all done it at one point, or several points, in our lives. Sometimes we get a new workout program, met someone new, end a relationship, or get bad medical news we tend to go from 0-60mph with exercise. We work past failure and get up and do it again, sometimes training multiple times in a day. Justifying our actions by comparing our workouts with athletes who spend their days in the gym and on the field. What we don't take into consideration is the fact that athletes have been... Read Full Story