Kimberly Garrison

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. This week personal trainer Kelli Calabrese, author of "Feminine, Firm and Fit," talks about how she got into fitness and some of the tips people can use this season to keep from packing on the holiday pounds. Also Kimberly answers the question of the week and provides her Tip of the Week. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

It's not all that easy being naturally svelte

SKINNY PEOPLE. Don't you hate them?

You know the type. They can eat whatever and whenever they want without a second thought. They don't count calories or monitor their weight - and they can get designer sample sizes at bargain prices.

Take my friend Aida Gonzalez, a financial planner, exercise enthusiast and textbook ectomorph, a poster child for the skinny. She is genetically thin - 5-foot-8 and about 112 pounds on a good day! She can and does eat as she pleases.

During the holiday season, in fact, she slams down weight-gainer shakes trying to pick up a few pounds and quell the negative comments about her thinness at family gatherings. It's to no avail. She has tried for years to gain weight, but it never sticks.

Recently, she and I were talking about obesity, myths about thin people and why the naturally svelte are often targeted as the enemy of those struggling with the battle of the bulge. Here are our six myths about thin people:

1. Thin people can wear anything.

Maybe that's true, if you think recent comments about super-thin Lindsey Lohan and Nicole Ritchie have been complimentary and enviable.

Thin people, just like heavier people, must search for clothing that flatters. Depending on how small your frame is, something that's too tight, too revealing or too short may not be the most attractive look.

2. Thin people are not sensitive about their size.

Thin people are just as sensitive about themselves as obese, overweight or average-weight folks are. Have you ever walked up to a thin person and asked if they wear a size 0? Or asked, "Hey, um, do you... eat?"

Would you be sensitive or offended if your perceived figure flaws were exposed in a sarcastic or comical way?

"Sometimes I'm made to feel like I'm a spokesmodel for crackheads," Gonzalez complained. "When you're thin, people think they can say whatever they want. Well, it's just plain old rude."

3. Life is easier for thin people.

No it isn't. Thin people are not naturally happy, secure, fit or beautiful. Thin people deal with the same insecurities and human foibles as the rest of us. Nor is being thin synonymous with beauty, fitness or health.

4. Thin people eat very small portions.

There are many reasons that some people are naturally lean and have a difficult time putting on weight. It's all in the genes. Skinny people have a built-in calorie-burning stove that metabolizes calories effortlessly.

It's impolite to act shocked when you see a thin person eat. Many thin people have big appetites, and some large people eat small portions.

5. Thin people don't have to worry about their health.

Thin people are just as vulnerable to high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other preventable diseases. They must take proactive steps to maintain health just like everyone else.

Good health, I'm afraid, is something each individual must work to achieve by living the wellness lifestyle.

6. But thin people don't need to exercise, right?

Unfortunately, in this culture, exercise is promoted primarily as a weight-loss tool. This fallacy discourages many naturally thin people from exercising. They are led to believe they don't need to. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thin people are susceptible to the 10th leading cause of death worldwide: a sedentary lifestyle.

So the next time you're tempted to give a thin person (or anyone else for that matter) some unsolicited advice about their appearance, remember the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Healthy living fair

Join me at the free Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health and Fitness Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Ruffin Nichols African Methodist Episcopal Church, 626 N. 11th St. Also appearing will be Dr. Rovenia M. Brock, author of "Dr. Ro's 10 Secrets to Livin' Healthy," and Dr. Ian Smith of Men's Health magazine and NBC News. *

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. This week Kimberly Garrison chats with Inayah Hart, a professional shopper and image consultant, who has plenty to say about looking your best on a budget as well as fashion tricks to slim 10 pounds off of you. Also Kimberly answers the question of the week and provides her Tip of the Week. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

You can post any questions at the COMMENTS link or e-mail Kimberly at kimberly@phillynews.com.

Philly man parlayed commitment to fitness from Haverford School to owning his own company

HE'S GOT game. Philly homeboy Kevin Carroll has kicked, tackled, dribbled, run and slam-dunked his way to success.

How does a kid from the 'hood, abandoned by alcoholic parents at the age of 6, become a champion? Well, it all began, once upon a time, with the rules of the red rubber ball.

Playing with a red rubber ball, Carroll says, saved him from Philly's mean streets. His love of the game landed him a soccer scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan College. He played soccer in Germany while serving in the Air Force, became a trainer at the Haverford School, then the became first African-American head trainer to the Philadelphia 76ers.

He landed a coveted gig as a motivational and creativity director at Nike and now, at 47, Carroll runs his own company, Katalyst Consultancy, in Portland, Ore., and globe-trots the world as a motivational speaker.

He certainly blew me away when I heard him speak recently at the NBC10 Consumer Expo in Fort Washington.

His humanity, integrity and pure drive fed my soul that Sunday. I left fired up, bubbling with optimism and joy. He made me believe there is no such thing as "can't," that there's a genius in each and every one of us, and that indeed anything is possible.

The baby-faced Carroll is the author of "Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work" (ESPN Books, $14.95), published in September. Recently, I talked with him about his life, his workout and the keys to success.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: The Cobbs Creek area in Philadelphia.

Q: Tell me about your background and the experiences that led you to pursue your current path.

A: I received a soccer scholarship and attended Tennessee Wesleyan College. However, I became a young father in my junior year and dropped out so I could take on the responsibilities of parenting. I completed my degrees while in the Air Force.

Q: Wow, that's commendable. A lot of young men would not have made that choice. So that's how you ended up in the Air Force. Is it true you speak five languages?

A: Yes, in addition to playing soccer for the Air Force, I also became a language specialist. I speak Serbian, Croatian, Czechoslovakian, Russian and German.

Q: I haven't heard of a brotha mastering that many languages since Paul Robeson [who spoke 15]! Those are some of the hardest languages in the world. Much like Robeson, you were also an athlete. What's your current workout?

A: Well, I now compete with me. I'm an early bird - get up about 6 a.m. I use the environment for my workout. I create an urban obstacle course - a ghetto workout, if you will. I do pull-ups on the light poles, plyometrics over the fence, jump rope and sprints in the parking lot. That's my time.

Q: That's awesome. Tell me what inspired you to become an athletic trainer.

A: While playing soccer in Germany, I tore my ACL [a knee ligament] and meniscus. When I didn't want to do the suggested therapy, my doctor challenged me to do my own physical therapy. After serving 10 years in the Air Force, I came back to the Philly area and was offered a job as the athletic trainer at the Haverford School. As you know, those early opportunities ultimately led me to the 76ers and then on to Nike.

Q: You make it sound so simple, but I know that all of that required a lot of hard work. What's your secret to winning at the game of life?

A: You have to discover your red rubber ball. You have to have something to chase, a dream or a passion. You need to be sure of what that is, then commit and put forth the effort. Be willing to get up and commit to that chase every day. Also, surround yourself with encouragers - people who can mentor you and provide honest feedback. Stay away from the energy-takers. Finally, you must do the lonely work - the unglamorous task. In order to be special, you've got to master the basics.

Q: I'm a firm believer in that. However, a lot of people may say you're not "keeping it real."

A: I don't buy into a "woe is me" mentality. Forget about keeping it real and stay away from the haters. There are too many success stories out there. We can't let barriers be the excuse for not maximizing our potential.

Recognize your gift - the PRESENT. Every day you have 86,400 opportunities to have an effect on your own and someone else's life. Anything is possible.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Being a father and husband, and a good friend to many.

Q: What do you recommend parents do to encourage excellence in their children?

A: I encourage parents to give their children the permission and the courage to dream. Let your children pursue their passion - not yours.

Q: That's so true. I think a lot of parents, and people in general, miss that point. There are many roads to success.

A: An academic pedigree is no guarantee of success. You've got to be willing to take whatever you've got. Learn from that - get immersed in it. Take George Bodenheimer, he started off in the mailroom and now he's president of ABC Sports.

Q: What do you want people to learn from your book?

A: To learn from the power of play. There is empirical and anecdotal research that supports the importance of play. Did you know that Nobel laureates and MacArthur "genius" fellows spend as much time in their avocation as they do their hobbies?

We cannot allow technology to replace our active imagination. Ultimately, I want to expand this platform on the power of play and inspire the next generation of dreamers. *

Did you know the average meal in France is about 25% smaller than in America? According to a 2003 University of Pennsylvania comparison study the French eat smaller portions. Perhaps we should follow their lead.

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. This week Kimberly Garrison talks to Armand Tecco of HealthEase Fitness about staying fit at your job, and with the help of your job. Armand is an expert in corporate fitness programs and discusses both the trends in company fitness initiatives and tips for workers to avoid stress or injuries on the job. Also Kimberly answers the question of the week and provides her Tip of the Week. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

GIVE THE fitness fanatic or the fitness novice in your life the gift of health this holiday season. Here are a few of my favorite fitness and health gifts.
Get fit at home
1. "Jackie Chan Studio Fitness"
My husband loves the "Jackie Chan Studio Fitness" workout, a virtual-reality fitness system that will bring out your competitive nature as you punch, block and jump your way into shape.
Suitable for both adults or kids, this state-of-the-art technology comes to life using your TV and the XaviXPORT interactive system. The system retails for about $80; "Jackie Chan" J-Mat is about $50, and PowerBoxing is about $60 at www.xavixstore.
com.

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. This week Kimberly Garrison talks to Kevin Carroll, the author of "Rules of the Red Rubber Ball" and a dynamic motivational speaker. Kevin talks about his upbringing in the Philly suburbs, how he came to understand the value of play and how he relentlessly followed his dream to become the globetrotting success he is today - and how you can too. Also Kimberly answers the question of the week and provides her Tip of the Week. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

High heels may give you the sleek look you like but your feet won't be cheering

I KNOW, THE temptation is often too hard to resist. Especially during the holiday season, with all the parties and get-togethers, we want to dress to impress by putting our best foot forward - in high heels.
After all, heels instantly shave pounds, add height, make legs look good and accentuate curves. If you ask me, Manolo Blahnick, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Gianmarco Lorenzi (my personal favorite) are wearable pieces of art. I mean, what woman doesn't love a fabulous shoe?
I know I do. In fact, I'll just go on and admit that three of my vices are shoes, handbags and chocolate truffles. There, I've said it out loud.
Oh, my aching feet
And that's not all. Besides the pain, high-heeled shoes can cause serious damage to your feet. Few women who love spike heels stop to consider that, or more significantly, the importance of podiatric health.
Foot anatomy
Podiatric care is essential to your overall health.
The human foot is comprised of 28 bones that support and balance the body's weight. Whether we stand, play, run or walk, our feet work for us the entire day. They contribute significantly to our health and fitness.
Even without high heels, feet take a lot of abuse. Did you know that your feet bear about 200,000 pounds of stress for each mile you walk? If you're 50 years old your feet have carried you about 75,000 miles.
Feet are made for walking
Unfortunately, feet aren't made for heels. Are you underestimating the damage your high heels can cause? According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, high heels are "biomechanically and orthopedically unsound." Furthermore, they can cause:
• Knee and back problems.
• Disabling injuries and falls.
• Shortened calf muscles.
• An unnatural gait.
When you wear heels, the thigh muscles are forced to work harder, putting extra strain on the knee joint and the tendon that runs from the kneecap to the thighbone.
High heels increase the pressure on the inside of the knee by 26 percent, compared to walking barefoot. Over time, this can lead to osteoarthritis.
Cosmetic foot surgery
If that weren't enough, in the name of fashion, some women are undergoing dangerous foot cosmetic surgery.
They are having their feet padded with collagen or narrowed, and their toes surgically shorted to fit into their favorite heels. It is unknown how many women have undergone these procedures, but the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) warns that "the risks in such surgery can far outweigh the benefits."
Keep your feet on the ground
When it comes to fashion, common sense is unlikely to prevail. Therefore, I encourage you to be sweet to your feet. If you must wear heels, wait until the last possible minute to put them on, minimize standing and do less dancing.
On the other hand, do get foot messages and pedicures. Most days, wear sensible shoes and sneakers that give proper support. Take good care of your feet - they belong to you. *

Look 10 pounds thinner by New Year's

OH, NO! YOU say you've packed on a few pounds since the holiday eating frenzy began, and now you're worried about fitting into that New Year's Eve party outfit?

Well, fear not. No, you can't lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can look 10 pounds thinner - and 10 years younger - by choosing the right outfit, jewelry, shoes, hairstyle and makeup. Here are a few tips for an instantly longer, leaner holiday look.

Let it shine
First, maintain a positive attitude and healthy self-esteem. The right attitude will carry you a long way.

Feeling good about yourself will boost your confidence, automatically lighten your load and enliven your spirit. Your good vibes will radiate and your light will shine. If you don't feel great about yourself, then use your imagination and pretend.

Posture perfect
There's a reason your mother told you to stand up straight. Aside from the obvious, like maintaining good spinal health, good posture automatically makes you look slimmer and more confident.

Good posture can make you look 10 pounds thinner and 10 years younger and lose an inch instantly around your waist, according to Janice Novak, author of "Posture, Get it Straight!" (Perigee Books).

A firm foundation
If you want to subtract inches, a properly fitted bra is a must, said image consultant Inayah Hart, owner of Extreme Luxurious in Philadelphia. "If the bra is too small, it will create unattractive lumps and rolls."

I was guilty of that. I was wearing the wrong bra all my life, until I was properly fitted at Nordstrom a few years ago.

It's about style, fabric and fit
Ill-fitting clothing that's either too big or too small can add pounds. The right fit can make all the difference in the world.

When it comes to clothes, it's all about the cut. A poorly cut garment can be disastrous to your figure. I learned some of these fashion fundamentals while studying theater and costume design:

• Focus on garments that have a defined waistline, not an elastic waistband.
• Go for a monochromatic look by dressing head-to-toe in a single, dark color. Black is perhaps the most slimming. Also look for slimming fabrics like gabardines, silks and flat knits.
• Avoid large, busy patterns.
• If you're on the busty side, go for a V-neck or scoop-neck top to elongate the neck.
• A higher, empire waist can camouflage a tummy.
• A-line dresses flatter wide hips.
• A wrap dress will also shave off some pounds.
• Skip those boxy jackets. Invest in a well-made, fitted jacket. Look for darts and jackets that taper at the waist.
• Well-made pants are generously cut; pleats are full and fall gracefully to hide a tummy or minimize a voluptuous derriere.
• Skirts and dresses with definite waists shouldn't pull or bind, but lusciously skim the body.
• When it comes to accessories, vertically shaped, thin earrings will slim the face. A delicate wrist should be adorned with an elegant, bangle-style bracelet.
• Finally, higher heels add a vertical advantage and create a thinner profile. However, limit your wearing time, because high heels can be hazardous to your health.

Hair do's
Take 10 years off your appearance with a snap with the right hairstyle. Invest in a hairstyle, cut and color that complement you.

"Like clothing, different hairstyles can add or subtract weight," said stylist Kimberly Nesmith, co-owner of Endless Creations of You, in Upper Darby. For example, an up-do or a side part are slimming, while a center part makes the face appear rounder.

Makeup
"Contouring the cheeks with a darker blush applied directly underneath the cheekbones, and a lighter blush applied above on the apple of the cheeks, creates the illusion of high cheekbones and slenderizes the face," said makeup artist extraordinaire Kelly Ann Williams, owner of the Perfect Facade.

Also, tanned skin makes you look slimmer, but use safer spray tanning treatments, not tanning beds.

Mama said, Mama said
For years, I toted a large bag, until my mother pointed out how ridiculous I looked.

My mother says, "A handbag should be proportionate to the woman carrying it. A large woman can carry a large bag, but small and medium-size women should carry appropriately small and medium bags."

Last but not least, never leave the house without your lovely smile. *