Health Buzz: Make Over Your TV Habits

Health news from around the web for September 29, 2011.

According to the 2010 American Time Use Survey, people in the U.S. over the age of 15 on average spend almost three hours per day watching TV. Many health and fitness professionals argue that we need to reduce our screen time, but that doesn't mean you have to miss your favorite shows. In this episode of Health Buzz, we're talking about how you can make watching TV into something that fosters healthy habits.

Prevention's Healthy TV Awards

This month, Prevention has hosted its first ever Healthy TV Awards, which highlights shows with the best messages and role models for healthy lifestyles. It covers a range of programming, from reality TV to medical dramas and sitcoms. They even single out a few shows as "losers" that encourage unhealthy behaviors.

Source: Prevention.com

Behind the Scenes of Reality-TV Workouts

Fitness writer Lara McGlashan goes behind the scenes of all our favorite reality fitness shows, to see what the trainers are like off-screen. She works out with Harvey Walden of Celebrity Fit Club, Brett Hoebel from the Biggest Loser, and Jackie Warner of Thinervention.

Source: Fitness.com

Courtney Croizer's Biggest Loser Season 12 Recaps

We're super excited to have Courtney Croizer of season 11 bringing us recaps of the newest season of The Biggest Loser. Season 12 has started strong--so if you missed the first two episodes, don't worry, Courtney has the scoop. You'll get the insider's perspective of what's going down on the show, plus updates on her own life and continuing weight-loss journey.

Source: DietsInReview.com

The TV Commercial Workout

Turn watching TV into an active pasttime by getting off the couch during the commercial breaks. We've put together a simple list of exercises that you can do while waiting for your show to come back on. Pick two of the suggested exercises per commercial break and do 30 to 50 reps of each one, and rest when your show is back on.

Source: DietsInReview.com

Recipe: Faux French Onion Dip

It's college football season, which usually comes with lots of unhealthy snacking temptations. Fortunately, Biggest Loser nutritionist Cheryl Forberg has a recipe for Faux French Onion Dip that won't pack on the calories. The key ingredient is plain Greek yogurt, which gets some delicious zest from sautéed onions and a dash of salt. Serve it with fresh veggies to add a healthy crunch.

Source: CherylForberg.com