Kimberly Garrison

Long days don't slow NBC 10 news reporter and co-host Lori Wilson
PHILADELPHIA, SHE'S cute, cool as a cucumber, and smart as a whip. Lori Wilson, NBC 10 news reporter and co-host of the morning show "10!," writes, works out and stays on top of her game in the competitive world of broadcast journalism.

The 31-year-old Wilson, a native of Columbus, Ind., joined the NBC 10 news team in November 2005 as a general assignment reporter. She's quickly climbed the proverbial ladder, having been made the official co-host of "10!" last month, after serving as interim co-host since December. She's also a substitute anchor on the morning news show.

Last week, I sat down with this loquacious, high-energy lady to get the skinny on what it's like to be on TV every day while maintaining a vegetarian fitness lifestyle.

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. This week Kimberly gets the lowdown on hair from Kimberly Nesmith of Endless Creations of You in Upper Darby. Nesmith shares secrets behind hair styling to match your face and body as well as some of the pitfalls she sees all too often. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

Fitness guru Donna Richardson Joyner creates 'Sweating in the Spirit' video
NO DOUBT ABOUT it, Donna Richardson Joyner is the high priestess of American fitness. Her latest fitness video, "Sweating in the Spirit," is a faith-based workout encouraging you to engage your mind, body and spirit.

"We must all become better stewards over our temple," Richardson Joyner says.

I agree.

The 43-year-old, Washington, D.C., native is a fitness veteran with more than 20 years' experience and dedication to helping others realize the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

For many years, she taught at Bally's. Later, she became a fitness director, then parlayed those skills into her own company, Donnaerobics. For five years, she was co-host of ESPN's "Fitness Pros."

She's a contributing editor at Heart & Soul magazine and was recently appointed to a two-year term on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. She's been married since 2000 to syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The couple lives in Dallas.

The fabulous Donna Richardson Joyner and I discussed her career, the state of African-American women's health in anticipation of her visit here Saturday for the fifth annual Pantene Total You Tour.

Here's a snippet of that interview.

AS YOU CELEBRATE Father's Day this Sunday, be sure to encourage the men in your life toward better health and fitness.

"There is an epidemic of men not taking care of themselves," Dr. Matt T. Rosenberg, medical director of Mid-Michigan Health Centers in Jackson, Mich., told me in a recent phone interview.

"We are not a healthy society. Just like having a good mechanic, men need to have a family doctor in their lives. Men need to get their cholesterol, their blood pressure [and] blood sugar checked, watch their diet and exercise daily."

Adds Dr. David Gremillion of the Men's Health Network Web site (www.menshealthnetwork.

org), "More than half of premature deaths among men are preventable."

The best way to fight this health-care crisis is by arming yourself with some basic facts.

Why women outlive men

Did you know that women outlive men on average about seven years? Or that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average widow in America is only 55 years old? In fact, women outlive men in almost every society.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, white women in the United States live an average of 80.5 years, and white men live an average of 75.4 years. African-American women have an average life expectancy of 76.1 years, while African-American men live about 69.2 years.

Why do men tend to be less healthy and die sooner - and in large numbers - from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and other largely preventable diseases?

Could it be that men are generally not as proactive about their health? Rarely go for checkups? Engage in risky behaviors? Forgo health insurance and rarely take preventative health measures?

The answer to all of the above is: Yes.

Here's the latest Philly Fitness and Health Podcast. Kimberly learns a lot about inflammation, and the foods that can foster or fight it, from nutrition researcher Monica Reinagel, author of The Inflammation-Free Diet Plan. Be fit, be strong and be your best with Philly Fitness and Health.

AREN'T YOU glad it's summer? I know I am. Summer is my favorite time of the year.

But for people who feel self-conscious about summer clothing and bathing suits, summer means more stress. Are you among them? If you're still trying to lose that last 10 pounds - or the first 10 - follow my five sure-fire, tried, tested and true suggestions.

1. Weigh in daily.

Despite of what you may have heard, the scale is not the enemy; however, your denial is. Make yourself accountable every day by weighing in first thing in the morning.

You'd be surprised how much you can gain in just a weekend of overindulgence. If you let it rip Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can easily pack on 2 to 3 pounds.

Don't believe me? Maybe you'll find some recent research by Brown and Duke universities more compelling.

According to their research, 61 percent of people who weighed themselves daily maintained their weight within five pounds, as opposed to only 32 percent who weighed themselves less frequently.

I don't need a fancy research study to figure that out. The scale keeps me accountable and thinking twice before going for seconds.

I prefer to weigh-in first thing in the morning, before breakfast. My scale is a Tanita InnerScan model (www.tanita.com), and I love it.

The InnerScan monitors multiple areas of your well-being, such as: body weight, body fat and body water percentages, daily caloric intake, metabolic age, bone and muscle mass, physique rating and visceral fat rating.

Sure, you don't need all the bells and whistles (my scale cost about $120), but I'm a gadget girl, and I like having the option of using the additional accessories.