Achieving optimal health is a worthy pursuit and many people document their journeys to healthy bodies on well done blogs.  Here are some of the blogs that you should check out in 2011 in order to get your health in order and find support through like minded people.

1. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ This is an incredibly resourceful site that shows recipes and marvelous articles such as how dairy can affect insulin, the importance of fitness for the elderly, workouts of the week, and just generally sage advice that will create a better you.  Daily bites from this apple will keep you in sound physical and mental shape.

2. http://ronisweigh.com/ Roni has lost 70 pounds through blogging and shares her health, fitness, and diet tips.  Now pregnant, she focuses on remaining healthy for herself and the baby and shows how you can be a healthy fit mommy as well.

3. http://www.yumyucky.com/ A hilarious food and nutrition blog that’s about “finding balance between fitness and your greedy side”.  This mother of 4 tests out health foods and rates their yum factor and price effectiveness while also giving fitness tips and up to date articles about fitness that she finds interesting.

4. http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com/ Wanting to stay healthy doesn’t have an age limit and this 65 year old has created a great blog showing that being fit after 40 is very possible.  He talks about health issues that arise with age such as arthritis and how different diets affect your metabolism and figure when older.

5. http://www.medicinalmarzipan.com/ Body image, self esteem, and mental health are the main topics of this wonderful blog.  Learn to love yourself, how you look, and figure out that you are worthy with much to offer the world!

6. http://losingweightafter45isabitch.blogspot.com/ This blog is hard on the food industry and gets you to really look and pay attention to what you are putting into your mouth and consuming.  It sheds light on consumer product claims and shows that losing weight is hard but doable, even after age 45.

7. http://www.healthyfellow.com/ Touted as the “natural health critic”, this blogger investigates alternative health remedies, shows the benefits of certain foods and vitamins, shares wisdom about health issues, and interviews health specialists.

8. http://www.fitsugar.com/ Fashionable health gear, numerous workouts, food/drink tips and much more are seen on this site for the savvy sassy fitness lady.  It’s like hanging out with your girlfriends and dishing to each other about staying healthy.

9. http://health-and-fitness-buzz.blogspot.com/ Like your health facts served up very professionally and like they are coming at you from a doctor?  This is the site for you then!  Learn about cholestrol, cardiovascular health, treating things like snoring, and clearing acne.

10. http://www.jonbarron.org/health-blog Nutraceutical researcher Jon Barron covers how to do healthy detoxes, anti-aging tips, weight loss, digestive health, and more.

Whether young or old, male or female, there are blogs that will suit your fitness needs.  No matter if you are already fit and want camaraderie or a newbie to fitness and need a helping start, these blogs can ensure that you are at your healthiest!

It’s quite easy to become sedentary and a homebody in the winter, trying to keep warm from the icy winds and cold snow.  Staying healthy and active in this type of weather for those who don’t like the cold can be a pain, but there are so many wonderful activities that will keep you in good shape mentally and physically while utilizing the winter wonderland of snow.

1. Go on a romantic skiing trip with a lover.

The romance prompted from cuddling on the ski lifts, learning the slopes together, and curling up with hot chocolate at the lounge afterwards in front of the fireplace is sure to light some sparks that will keep you and your sweetie mighty toasty!  Bundle up and have fun learning how to ski or sharpening your skills if you already know how to and then spend the evenings warming together.  Rent a cozy cabin and make use of the hot tubs that are generally found there!

2. Have winter fun with your kids outdoors by building a snow fortress and having a snowball fight, sledding, building a snowman, or making snow angels together in the piles of lush white snow.

Running around outdoors for a bit while wearing warm clothing and protective gloves and hats will keep you and your family active and spending quality time together!  Have some apple cider or hot chocolate hot and ready to drink when the fun time is over and the whole family will remember those good time memories.

3. Ice skating!

This winter activity can be done solo, with a friend or lover, or with the whole family.  Swirling and twirling on the ice could be a fun game where you could race each other, play hockey, or learn to do tricks such as figure 8s on the ice.  You won’t even notice how many calories you are burning because of how much fun you are having!  It’s great exercise and a way to utilize the great fun of winter.

4. Get a Wii Fit or Xbox Kinect.

These video game consules are good for those extra cold days where no one wants to leave the house and lets you still have the fun of playing a video game but also burns calories like a workout.  Instead of completely vegging out in front of the television or playing a normal video game sitting down, why not participate and bowl, box, kickbox, and dance your way to a lean healthy body?  No one will even notice that they are doing a workout because they’ll be too busy trying to top each other’s high scores!

5. Stay in bed!

Catching up on beauty rest is good for the soul so why don’t you relax a bit more when you can and recuperate with a comfortable day under the covers.  Getting enough sleep wards off colds, helps your immune system, and rejuvenates the body.  If you have a romantic partner, there’s no reason that a workout activity to burn calories can’t be included in the plans!

Winter doesn’t have to mean boring days of being couped up inside and sick.  Workout by having fun in the snow, play sports outside that only can be done in the cold weather, or snuggle up inside with the heat on to stay well and mentally sound.  Have a safe winter!