Tag Archives: NFL

Reggie L. Smith Leads Retired NFL Players Losing Weight With Retrofit

We hear about it all the time – NFL players once at the top of their game and in prime physical fitness retire and become the antithesis of health. It’s not just pro football players, it happens to professional athletes of all kinds.

“What happens is you have a very regimented, controlled environment (practice times, nourishment to survive the season) year after year after year. Then imagine one day it stops – no routine, left to your own devices,” described Reggie L. Smith, former NFL player and President of the National Football League Players Association in Chicago. Just this week he was also named as the new Vice President of Business Development for Retrofit Weight Loss, an exciting new nutrition and fitness program.

“We don’t had another system to go in to,” explained Reggie of himself and his peers. Like many retired NFL players, Reggie settled comfortably in to civilian life and put on an unhealthy amount of weight. But that’s in the history books now, as is his All American status at the University of Kansas. In the past year he’s lost an impressive 70 pounds, a lot of it thanks in part to Retrofit Weight Loss.

“It’s exciting,” he told us of his personal success. He found Retrofit Weight Loss when his NFLPA chapter was approached by the company. They wanted to work together to help the guys get in better shape and regain their health. That’s when Reggie says he got on the program himself, and describes the brand as a “wonderful service and product. It’s an awesome idea and they’re doing good things.” (more…)

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Natalie K

Michael Strahan Named Ripa’s New ‘Live’ Co-Host: Is He Fit Enough for the Job?

It’s official! Former NFL star Michael Strahan will be kicking off once again – but this time as Kelly Ripa’s new co-host on Live.

Strahan will begin appearing on the show September 4, replacing former co-host Regis Philbin, who left the show last November. Apparently Strahan made more than an impression with his TV personality on FOX NFL Sunday where he became a part of the broadcast team in 2024.

Strahan, 40 – making him one year younger than Ripa – stands tall at 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 275 pounds while in the NFL, and is at complete ease in front of the camera. Since Ripa has been on the search for a permanent co-host, Strahan has appeared as a guest co-host a total of 15 times.

Around 59 other men were considered for the position including NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan; Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos; SNL funnyman Seth Meyers; pop-rock singer Josh Groban; and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.

Considering fitness and nutrition are such a large part of Ripa’s life, will Strahan be able to keep up with her active ways? We did some digging around to find out what the retired defensive end and former New York Giant is doing to keep himself in shape. (more…)

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Danielle

Where to Find the Best Food in Super Bowl Village

Sporting events generally aren’t places where you count on finding healthy snacks readily available. Lucas Oil Stadium does have some “real food” (I don’t know if healthy really applies) beyond nachos and hot dogs, so I was hopeful for real options when the Super Bowl came to Indianapolis. While there was not much variety within the Super Bowl Village itself, you will not have to wander far to find something that feels more like a meal than a snack.

The Super Bowl Village, stretching from the Indiana Convention Center to the Bankers Life Fieldhouse (formerly the Conseco Fieldhouse) has plenty of concession stands offering chicken tenders, steak burgers, hot dogs, french fries, soft pretzels, Sweeties gourmet treats, Frito Lay chips, candy, hot cider, coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino, Gatorade, water, and Pepsi products.

Inside the Indiana Convention Center, which houses the NFL Experience, additional options include Lipton tea, fruit juice, popcorn, whole fresh fruit, Lay’s Potato Chips, Snickers, M&M’s, yogurt, turkey caesar sandwiches, Italian grinder sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, grilled veggie sandwiches, chicken caesar salad, tossed garden salad. burgers, BBQ pork sandwiches, and tenderloin sandwiches.

Deeper in the NFL Experience, near the memorabilia show and autograph stage, Pepsi Max and Doritos each has an exhibit with free samples, contests, and games. Considering the long lines seen in the NFL Play 60 Game Zone, attendees could have very positive feelings about these exhibits.

Luckily, not far from there in the maze of the NFL Experience, the “Sandwich Zone” offers carved turkey and carved beef for sandwiches with several topping options. They also have candy, soda, water, Gatorade, and Lipton Tea.

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Posted on January 31, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Fuel Up to Play 60 Back for Another Season

Fuel Up to Play 60 is back. (Yay!)

Most well known for the catchy, rhyming commercial showcasing NFL players, the fantastic program to help children learn to eat healthy has returned for the new school year. The commercials, starring NFL players such as Washington Redskins’ Chris Horton, hope to use their popularity to drive home to kids the message that good foods and good play go hand in hand.

Created  by the trusted National Dairy Council and the NFL, working in conjunction with the USDA, this multi-faceted program covers all aspects of child nutrition and health. It has improved this year by adding a local, state and national student ambassador program.

Getting kids to eat healthy foods and exercise for the recommended 60 minutes every day has proven to be a tall task for many families. By adding support from well known and respected NFL players, it’s hoped that kids will establish life long healthy habits and stem the rise of childhood obesity. Parents and teachers who wonder how to get started with this task can find some great resources on the Fuel Up to Play 60 website, which features video clips, recipes, and exercise hints.

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Posted on August 25, 2023 by Carmen

Fuel Up to Play 60 Reflects Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Program

It’s not just adults who are making efforts to be healthy in the new year. Schools and kids all across the country are also eating and moving their way to a healthier 2024.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 is a nationwide program that has been encouraging kids and classrooms to healthy up their lives through an interactive challenge and contest for the past two years. Now, Fuel Up to Play 60 just announced that it’s accepting applications for 2024.

For those of you who don’t know what the program is all about, Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program. Launched by National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Multiple health and nutrition organizations and several major corporations are also supporting the program. (more…)

Posted on January 11, 2024 by heather

Add Chains to Your Workout Like a NFL Player

My Colts may be out of the playoffs, but I will still be logging several hours in front of the television, watching other NFL athletes. (Go Bears!) The serious athletes who are finished for the season are probably already thinking about off-season workouts. Rest is important in growth (and to recover from injuries), but too much rest brings atrophy. A strong off season workout program can prepare a player to prevent unneeded stress and strain when other heavyweights are aiming to slam into you. The athleticism, strength, and endurance of professional football players is impressive to me, and I think we can learn from their training how to reach our own personal potential.

Dwight Freeney works out with tractor tires and chains. If you are living on a farm, you may be able to emulate his workout, although probably not his skill on the football field. Those of us in less rural areas may have difficulty finding the space to workout with tractor tires. Even those confined to a studio apartment have room to add chains to a home workout. While good resistance bands may be difficult to come by, especially in less urban areas, chains can be found easily in rural areas or any where with a Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards.

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Posted on January 10, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Best Fitness Gear to Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! While you’ve probably already read about Diets in Review’s 3rd annual Blogs Against Breast Cancer campaign, we wanted to give you a few more fun products to sport and show your support for finding a cure for breast cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, and the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is also the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native women. With an estimated 1 in 8 women in the United States at risk for developing invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, it’s safe to say that most of us have had someone in our lives, our ourselves, affected by breast cancer. (more…)

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Jennipher

Jets’ Coach Rex Ryan Weight Loss Inspiration to His Players

As we reported last year, Jets’ coach Rex Ryan is dealing with weight loss in his own way. Last year, he reportedly tried a liquid diet to cut weight from his substantial 350 pound frame. He did not find success in this effort and turned to a lap band surgery during the off season this past spring.

Recently, his team has been surprised to see him power walking on the treadmill as early as 7 a.m. Many of the Jets players like to complete their workouts early, but they have been shocked at the effort that Ryan has exerted in the early morning hours. “He was really going by the time we got in there,” Jets’ center Nick Mangold said recently. “So I don’t know what time he got in there, but he was going on that treadmill.” (more…)

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Carmen

NFL Fights Childhood Obesity with Fuel Up to Play 60

What do you get when you combine the forces of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL)? A powerhouse team of knowledge, muscles and nutrition.

nfl play 60On September 17, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA will partner with the NDC and the NFL on their new youth-led health and wellness program, Fuel Up to Play 60. The program, launching to more than 60,000 schools nationwide this fall, will empower youth to take charge of their own health by being more active and eating healthier foods as well as improve the overall health of their school environment and community.

The program is open to all children and participation is quite simple: (more…)

Posted on September 30, 2023 by heather

Jets’ Coach Rex Ryan Follows Extreme Diet to Lose Weight

rex ryan jets

Rex Ryan on left with Jets' Kerry Rhodes. Photo via Flickr user bkrieger02.

It used to be that celebrity women were known for the diets they followed. However, with the recent likes of Rush Limbaugh and his success with Quick Weight Loss Centers, NFL’s Mike Golic on NutriSystem, and now New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on a quest to lose some of the 340 pounds he has been carrying around, diets for men are becoming more interesting.

Since the NFL is known for its large players – the average NFL player weighs 245 pounds, 25 pounds heavier than their average weight in 1970 – it is no wonder that their coaches’ size is no different. (more…)

Posted on August 6, 2023 by heather

Mike Golic and His NutriSystem Success

What do professional football and NutriSystem have in common? The weight loss giant has helped a small army of NFL players and coaches lose weight. From Dan Marino to Don Shula, Steve Beuerlein and now Mike Golic, these rough and tumble athletes are putting a new spin on diets for men. mike golic nutrisystem

The most recent success story is Mike Golic. Golic, who is co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the morning and a former defensive line player, topped the scales at 300 pounds just a few years ago. Even at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, the realization that he was 45 pounds over his NFL weight of 265 stopped him in his tracks. He thought about this family and decided to change.

“Ultimately, I needed to lose weight because I’m a real family guy. I have three kids and a beautiful wife, and I just love spending time with them and being involved with their lives. I want to be around them, and the way things were going, it wasn’t going to happen.” (more…)

Posted on March 26, 2024 by heather