People have been trying to make working out fun since before the 80s, when neon leotards and aerobicizing was the hot way to stay in shape.

There is now a less awkward, albeit less colorful, way to workout and it is actually fun to the point that you don't think you are working out.

Zumba surfaced a few years ago but just recently became the greatest thing since sliced bread. It is a combination of Latin dance, hip hop and aerobics. Even if you don't think you can dance, Zumba will change your mind.

I registered for my first 5k race today and I want to be in top shape for it so I laid out a rigours training schedule involving cross training, running and weight training. It has been one day into my training routine and I miss Zumba. Because the classes are at times that make it hard for me to attend, I am actually thinking about investing in a Zumba video tape. If I can find a tape, that will make my routine so much better.

It is great for de-stressing and it supposedly helps burn around 500 calories in one session. There goes lunch. Zumba also tricks you into thinking you're having fun. You'll be doing squats and lunges while you think you are dancing.

If you are staring at that bathing suit in the Victoria's Secret catalog but don't think that you'll be swimsuit ready in time for summer and don't want to run on the still snow-covered roads, then try Zumba.

Prices tend to be higher than gym memberships and it is geared toward women but I think that it is worth the extra bucks and I know guys who have wiggled their hips in a Zumba class or two.

Jump on the Zumba bandwagon before the this trend goes the way of aerobacizing.

Like many other snowbunnies, I have fought the battle of trying to look presentable while sporting winter boots and puffy coats to no avail. Let's face it - there are limited choices on how to stay fashionable during the winter months without freezing.


Recently, Jennifer Ribeiro, associate account executive for the clothing line Cuddl Dudds, contacted me about the product. The clothing line has been around for 40 years and I've never heard of it or anything like it.


Sure, I know the trick of wearing leggings under jeans to stay warm but I never knew that one layer that could do the trick.

"We have some major design detail changes like thumb holes in the active layer tops so if you want to layer them under sweaters it prevents them from bunching up," said Ribeiro.


They also offer a line with a lace edge "for that little extra touch if you're looking to dress up an outfit."


"Layering has been a big trend over the past few seasons because you don't want to walk around looking like the abominable snowman," said Ribeiro.

 Photos courtesy of Ribeiro.

A lot of the clothing, which is specifically cut for women, has a wicking feature to keep moisture away from the body. I personally consider that a serious benefit for people who are constantly freezing outside and instantly hot once I walk into a building.


It's too bad that I didn't hear about this earlier in life. Perhaps that way I wouldn't have felt like a marshmallow when I was 8-years-old and wandering around Macy's while I knocked down nearly every fragile ornament and decoration in the store with my winter garb.


There should be clothing lines like this for men too. (My brother has the same memory of nearly destroying the Macy's Christmas items with his bulky jacket and snow pants.)


Whether you opt to try this brand or look around for others like it, clothing like this is a no brainer in the winter. Just think of how many dresses you could wear in the snow with things like this.

For every chocolate, diamond and flower commercial that airs around Valentine's Day, there are probably around 100 people who want to throw their remote controls at their televisions. While society pushes the Hallmark holiday on everyone, it seems that fewer people are celebrating in the traditional doily heart valentine, red glitter, Marvin Gaye kinda way.

As much as I enjoy red glitter and the concept of a day dedicated to love, I have always been cynical about this holiday. I have had a valentine for the majority of my teen and adult years and still, this holiday never seemed to settle right with me.

But this year, I've come to the conclusion that this will not cease to be a holiday that fuels commerce and the Hallmark card industry - so why not embrace it? You don't have to buy into the shimmery heart stickers and teddy bears holding roses to enjoy the day. It's an excuse to eat sweets and spend time with people you care about.

Here are a few Valentine's Day activities inspired by friends and family that could turn your holiday around and make your heart beat faster:

1) Exchange gifts with your parents. It may seem sappy, but it will mean a lot to them, and what mother (or father) doesn't want chocolate?

2) Dress up and go out to a fancy dinner with your friends. Valentine's Day can be drama filled if your significant other doesn't live up to expectations, so why not spend time with people who won't have any?

3) Take some pressure off of the guy and plan something that you want to do. Treat him for a change and you'll feel good about it.

4) Watch the sappiest romantic comedy you can find. It may keep your eyes rolling, but it will also keep you smiling throughout the night.

5) Treat yourself: buy yourself some flowers or even a dress that you've been wanting. No one would judge you on any other day so doing that on the holiday shouldn't be any different. Some post-Christmas sales are still floating around out there.

The pressure-filled holiday could be as fun as you make it. So turn your anti-Valentine's Day pledge around and bake some cupcakes with pink frosting. If you aren't crafty in the kitchen, walk around a bakery this week and check out some sweets. Maybe you'll run into someone special and Cupid's arrow will stick you when you least expect it.

Americans are suckers for cuteness. Even you, grizzly football fans.

This year's Superbowl featured children dressed as Darth Vader, babies and puppies among the standard mid-football game car ads and those that feature leggy women like in the  GoDaddy.com ad. Oh wait, that was Joan Rivers. (Why, I have to ask...)

My top pick was the Darth Vader child mastering the Jedi mind trick on a car. It not only melted my heart, but made me want to watch Star Wars again.

Since this is the first year I've noticed this - I don't want to jump the gun and call adorable Superbowl commercials a trend ... But it should be one. 

I think that Coke, which has had some truly stellar commercials in the past, failed during this game advertising-wise. They didn't play the cute card when it usually works so well for them. See adorable Coca-Cola bears below:

I know you all went "Awwww" when you saw this. This ad not only makes me smile but it works as an ad - it makes me want a frosty Coca-Cola - and I don't usually drink soda. The Lord of the Rings-esq commercial that aired this year made me wish that the hit movie Lord of the Rings doesn't become a cartoon series (if it isn't already too late for that.) This year's ad made me think more about the odd commercial than the product.

New isn't always better when it comes to marketing, especially for big brands like Coke. When I see the phrase: Open Happiness, I want to see small bears drinking soda, not dragons destroying a city (or castle ... Whatever.)

Entertainment Weekly cites the cluster of violent commercials that aired during this year's game and while some may have been fierce, the majority had redeeming cuteness. Grizzly bears mauled a group of friends eating McDonalds in their car, a cuddly pug knocked a glass door on top of someone all in the name of one Dorito and a jealous girlfriend blasted a blonde in the face with a Pepsi Max. While all of them are violent, they are also adorable and charming. 

So there you have it, football fans. You may be under the impression that you love violent commercials because, let's face it, they can be comical, but you may be smiling because that soft spot in your heart melted a little bit more from the cuteness of the commercial. 

Let's hope for more commercials like this next year. Oh, and a better team - Let's go Patriots!