Becki Newton plays the role of the quirky and devious Amanda Tanen in the series Ugly Betty and she’s on the current cover of the November issue of SELF magazine. Apart from a fabulous photo shoot and interview she also did a SELF seven-day challenge called, Why Not. The challenge took her through different activities that she had never done before, two of which were gymnastics and kayaking.

She took a gymnastics class at the NYC Chelsea Piers sports complex and after swallowing her pride and falling down a few times she learned that it’s a great workout even if you do have to wear a leotard. She said,

“I left feeling strong and capable-as if I’d conquered not only the world but the leotard too. So much fun and an incredible workout. Weekly class, here I come!”

Later in the challenge she tried kayaking with the Manhattan Kayak Company even though she’s not a ‘water-sports person.’ Focusing on not tipping over she forgot about her ‘hate’ for water sports and instead got a good look at New York City from all angles and gained a fresh new perspective.

Be it a sport or hobby never be afraid to try something new, it will keep both your body and mind sharp and active.

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Heather Tom says the new fitness trend on the West Coast is cycling. The daytime drama actress and star of the Bold and the Beautiful has decided to cycle the 26-mile return journey between her home in Glendale, California, and the film studio every day.

The 34-year-old two-time Emmy award winner says the trip not only keeps her fit, but it also benefits the environment. This environmentally-friendly way to travel cuts down on the carbon-fuel emissions blamed for pollution and global warming, and with the current state of the planet, small changes like these in your lifestyle can make a difference.

Cycling not only helps improve your balance and coordination, it’s also a great cardio workout that tones and strengthens your leg and abdominal muscles. The cardio gets your blood pumping and lungs working, reducing your risk of coronary heart disease, and if done over a period of time builds your stamina.

If you’re a bit heavy and are new to exercise, cycling is a good way to ease yourself into working out. You can control how fast you want to go and how hard you would like to push yourself simply by changing gears and route.

Getting a workout outdoors helps ease any anxiety or depression you may be suffering from after a stressful day or week and getting in touch with nature goes a long way to reconnecting with your soul.

The Victoria’s Secret Angel Boot Camp is in full swing. There are currently 10 aspiring models living in a swanky Manhattan penthouse competing in a series of challenges to become the next Victoria’s Secret Runway Angel. Becoming an Angel is what shot Miranda Kerr to international superstardom just a couple of years ago and now these new girls have high hopes of becoming the next Karolina Kurkova or Adriana Lima. Working out should be a breeze considering their penthouse has four pools on the rooftop as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center with indoor pool. But their latest challenge was a big surprise when celebrity trainer David Kirsch put them to the test. One contestant named Alicia even said,

“I’m ready to get Kirsched!”

Kirsch first gave each girl some tips on where they could improve their body in certain targeted areas. He wasn’t suggesting to lose weight but to firm up what’s already there. They did both strength and cardio training including work like frog jumps, push-ups and weight training. It was also interesting something he said about the supermodel body-type.

“I think that models aren’t always so healthy. I mean they are beautiful and they are thin but thin doesn’t always mean they’re always tone and healthy and sexy for me.”

The highly anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will be on CBS on December 1st.

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I’m sure everyone’s seen the commercial for the new Reebok Women’s EasyTone Rush SF Walking Shoe (above), but are the promises Reebok make reasonable? Likened to the FitFlop and NGR shoes, it is being claimed that EasyTones work and tone your muscles as you walk.

The balance pod system creates a “natural” instability when you walk, technically throwing your step off balance. Your leg and butt muscles then have to work extra hard to compensate for this movement, engaging your muscles more. Reebok have run tests that apparently verify the EasyTone works your butt 28% more and your hamstrings and calves 11% more than other sneakers. But do these kinds of exercise shoes really work?

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Actress and 80s fitness guru Jane Fonda is 71 and she’s still looking fit and fabulous. Recently she has credited her great physique to a good sex life and exercise. When asked how she still looks so good she replied,

“I owe 30 percent to genes, 30 percent to good sex, 30 percent because of sports and healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and for the remaining 10 percent I have to thank my plastic surgeon.”

Fonda now has plans to climb the Himalayas in October 2010 so she has recently had some surgery done in order to be prepared. She has a new knee, a hip made of titanium and she had work done on her spine. She told the German newspaper Bild that when she jogs she has to wear a corset because of the spinal surgery. Being that the Himalayas is 8,000 meters high Fonda wants all of her body parts working smoothly before she does the big climb. Considering that her Jane Fonda Workout video from 1982 is one of the biggest selling exercise videos of all time there is no doubt that she’ll conquer that mountain.

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Grammy Award Winner Amy Winehouse has slowly been putting her life back together after battling with drug addiction. Lately she has been the talk of the town thanks to her new breast implants but her father thinks that it’s more important to note that she has been putting on weight and exercising regularly. Previously she was feared to be anorexic as she was bone thin because of the drug consumption but she now has her appetite back. Her father said,

“And they say she’s anorexic? You can see with your own eyes that she’s put on a lot of weight and how well she’s doing.”

He also mentioned that the other day when they went out for lunch that she ate heaps of healthy food at a fish restaurant and he had never seen anyone eat so much before. There is however concern that Winehouse has swapped her drug addiction for an exercise addiction but her father sees it as something good for her. He explains,

“She’s in the gym three or four hours a day. I mean boy is she fit – really, really fit. So that’s a really positive addiction.”

Well, some of us would beg to differ but as long as she eats well and eats enough she can workout all she wants.

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Self magazine caught up with a few of the stars of the Twilight movie series and spoke to them about their fitness habits.

Rachelle Lefevre
Cast as Victoria in the first 2 movie of the series, Rachelle keeps fit by hitting a boot camp 4 to 5 times a week. She also does a little Pilates to lengthen and tone her limbs, but drinks about a gallon of water every day.

Kellan Lutz
This hottie who plays Emmett Cullen goes bouldering, which works not only his upper body but also his core because you have to use your fingertips. He also takes a dip with his dog and does a few laps in the pool. When it comes to his diet he eats a lot protein (steaks and hamburgers) but also keeps it balanced with veggies.

Ashley Green
The 22-year-old actress gets up really early to do Pilates because her day is so busy and she has no other time to fit it in. Ashley also drinks a gallon of water every day, but it’s a special kind of filtered water that the body absorbs quicker.

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Comedian and talk show host Chelsea Handler is on the cover of the December issue of Playboy Magazine.  The 34-year-old hasn’t said if she reveals all but the au-naturalle Chelsea is proud of her shapely body.  On her show Chelsea Lately she will often joke about her large breasts and the fact that she doesn’t need any surgical enhancements.  While on the Jay Leno Show this week she was asked how she got in shape for the photo shoot and she jokingly responded,

“I quit drinking for like a day and a half,” she explains. “And I worked out — but I always work out. So it wasn’t anything major.”

In a previous interview with Women’s Health Magazine she did explain what her usual workouts consist of. She exercises four to five times a week and she’ll do sprints, pilates and workout with her personal trainer.  She has also been seeing a nutritionist in order to eat healthy and have more energy. Her weaknesses include salty fried foods like doritos, pizza, burgers and fries so she is sure to be careful and not get stuck into them too often.  She said,

“I have to be careful because it’s a slippery slope, and the minute you start indulging, you want more. But it works in the opposite way, too. When you eat healthy, suddenly chips don’t sound so great.”

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Cougar Town star Courtney Cox Arquette is a big advocate of the Power Plate. She used the machine as she prepared for her role as a newly divorced mom who is getting back into dating after years of marriage. She said,

“Power Plate Training Machine has dramatically changed my workout. I know that every muscle in my body is being ignited in ways that you can’t do with traditional training. Its uses are limitless. I love this machine!”

The Power Plate is an efficient workout that can be done in less than 30 minutes thanks to the Advanced Vibration Technology that causes involuntary muscle reactions 25-50 times per second while exercising. Users have increased strength, improved muscle tone and balance. Other celebrities that use Power Plate include Dannii Minogue, Cher and Stevie Nicks. Courtney’s trainer, Michelle Lovitt said that it helps celebrities get red-carpet ready in less amount of time in comparison to traditional exercise. Lovitt said,

“If your schedule doesn’t always allow time for traditional exercise, Power Plate Acceleration Training is great because you get a full, targeted workout in as little as three 30-minute sessions a week, and still see amazing results.”

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Edward Norton, star of Fight Club and The Incredible Hulk has laced up his shoes and he’s ready to run the upcoming New York City Marathon.  He decided to train for the marathon in order to raise money for the Massai Wildnerness Conservation Trust, an organization he discovered 10 years ago while doing work in Kenya. He has even done some training with Maasai tribesmen who are the Kenyan long-distance superstars.  He now has a 30 person team (including David Blaine, Alanis Morrisette and Maasai warriors) ready for the marathon and they’ll all be raising money to support the cause.

Norton started training in June and he has slowly increased his weekly mileage in preparation for the event.  He has suffered from shin splints and IT band pain but overall he’s had great success.   He said there are,

“moments where it’s hard to believe you’re going to reach the next five-mile increment.  And when I ran 21 miles, I felt pretty good about that.”

Norton trained in Kenya with the tribesmen for three weeks and now his new buddies are in New York and he has taken them running through the park and they’ve also attended some yoga classes.

So far Norton has raised $140,942 and he’s being sponsored by Puma and Garmin.  For further updates check out his twitters and tweets as he is giving daily updates.

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