Holiday Fit Tips from VH1's Dr. Ian Smith

Holiday Fit Tips from VH1's Dr. Ian Smith!: SELF.com

No time to hit the gym between marathon-style shopping, endless cooking, and eggnog-filled holiday parties? No problem! VH1's Celebrity Fit Club's Dr. Ian Smith shares the top 4 tips to staying in shape holiday-style...

1. Shop and Slim. Shopaholics, rejoice! The mall is no longer simply a venue for spending--it doubles as an indoor track. So throw on your sneakers and hit the stores; you can get your shopping done and burn 100 calories in the process.

2. Chop Your Own Tree. One of the best parts of the holiday season is picking out the perfect Christmas tree (seriously, who wants a bare, scraggly tree?). Why not make the selection process more fun and physically beneficial? Rather than getting a pre-cut tree, head over to a Christmas tree farm, hike around to find the tree of your dreams, and chop it down yourself! It'll be a great workout and make for an unforgettable story.

3. Shovel and Sweat. Should you be lucky enough to celebrate the holidays in the snow, don't simply hire the boy next door to take care of the driveway; grab a shovel and do it yourself! It's a great way to work those muscles and will make you enjoy the fireplace that much more. Just be careful not to take on too heavy of a load and hurt yourself.

4. Dance Off the Pounds. One thing that the holidays are certainly never without? Parties. Specifically, dance parties. This year, don't shy up when Madonna's tunes hit the speakers--shed your inhibitions and spin your way onto the dance floor! You'll have a blast and burn those lovely holiday-induced calories (thank you cookies and cake!).

For more of Dr. Ian's tips on staying healthy for the holidays, head over towww.50millionpounds.com to access a network of over one million people helping each other get in shape, one pound at a time.

--Kaitie Ames

SELFy Gossip Roundup

SELFy Gossip Roundup: SELF.com

Our weekly recap of the SELFiest gossip out there! In today's roundup, more Tiger drama, babies (aww), unusual couples, and Jon Gosselin's big loss...

Okay, Tiger. I think it's officially time to stop sympathizing with you and start being disgusted. In addition to the additional leaked texts and rumored nude pics of the pro golfer, a thirteenth woman has come forward claiming an affair with Woods. Thirteen women. Seriously, Tiger?! And it gets worse. Turns out, one of the many women is a porn star.

The judge has spoken: reality TV trainwreck Jon Gosselin will no longer
be flooding television or the tabloids (hip hip, hooray!). According to the judge, Gosselin is no longer legally able to make media appearances. It's about time!

This week was filled with NFL babies! First came supermodel Gisele Bundchen and football player Tom Brady's bundle of joy, then arrived Hank IV, son of Hef's former girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson and football player Hank Baskett. Congrats to both couples on their baby boys!

If you watch MTV's "Jersey Shore" (if you don't, start. Seriously. It's amazing), then you've probably seen the unbelievable clip from next week's episode of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi being punched in the face by Brad Ferro in a bar. Ferro got what was coming to him, and was found guilty of assault. Punching a girl is not okay!

And in strange couples news... Jessica Simpson and Billy Corgan are rumored to be dating (SO random), while Tila Tequila and Johnson&Johnson heiress, Casey Johnson, are apparently engaged!

What SELFy gossip stories caught your eyes and ears this week?

Casting Call: Dance Your Ass Off!

Casting Call: Dance Your Ass Off!: SELF.com

Get your best moves ready to go! One week from today...

The hit Oxygen reality series Dance Your Ass Off is coming to NYC to cast for Season 2 and wants YOU to come on down and shake your stuff!

Who: Oxygen's "Dance Your Ass Off" Season 2

What: Open casting call

Where: Paul Pellicoro's Dance Sport, 22 West 34th Street, East Entrance, NY, NY 10001 (Next to the Empire State Building)

When: Friday, December 18th, 1:00pm-8:00pm

Website: http://castingduo.com/danceyourassoff

Although it's a dance competition, Dance Your Ass Off isn't your typical reality show. They're not seeking perfect-bodied, award-winning caliber dancers--they're looking for men and women who can move, like a great competition, and have extra pounds to shed. So if you've been looking for a fun way to lose weight, give it a shot! With the help of the show's nutritionists and professional dance instructors, you'll shimmy your way slim in no time. Last season, the contestants collectively lost nearly five hundred pounds. Five hundred! And unlike other reality competitions out there, Dance Your Ass Off approaches weight-loss in a positive way--no tears or drama, just support and encouragement (so SELFy)! In that spirit, the series is looking for people that:

-Can dance (or at least have a sense of rhythm!)

-Are self-motivated and enthusiastic

-Have a healthy sense of competition

-And, most importantly, are serious about losing weight!

So if you're ready to groove your way to your best self, dust off your dancing shoes and head on over to the open casting call--you've got nothing to lose! For more information, including audition forms and official rules and requirements, go to: castingduo.com/danceyourassoff. Good luck!

--Kaitie Ames

SELFy VIP: Allison Moorer

SELFy VIP: Allison Moorer: SELF.com

With seven albums under her belt, a fashion line, a documentary role and a baby on the way, Allison Moorer is one of the busiest women we've met! Luckily, the bubbly redhead had time to dish on how she stays centered...

On staying fit: How does the songstress manage to maintain such a great bod, even in her 7th month of pregnancy (!) ? One word: yoga. She loves the mind-body connection and considers Ashtanga and Vinyasa to be great workouts. But don't expect to see her in a hot yoga studio anytime soon; after testing out a class, she realized that 100+ degree heat isn't the best thing for a girl who has a tendency to faint!

On healthy eating habits: The vegetarian has managed to maintain healthy eating habits even during pregnancy. When asked about her about her pregnancy cravings, I was expecting a typically icky response like pickles dipped in ice cream or endless supplies of fried chicken in fluff. Her insatiable craving, though, is watermelon. WATERMELON. The healthiest craving ever!

On making music: Don't try and fit Allison's music into any one genre...the coolest thing about her songwriting is that she simply creates whatever type of music she wants to. So what if she's a "country star?" She'll still write a rock song or croon a bluesy ballad if she pleases! Her individuality is what makes her music so personal and real. While penning her newest album Crows, to be released on Ryko February 9, 2010, Allison was "the most open and honest" she's ever been while songwriting.

On staying grounded: Allison is one of those people whose relaxed demeanor magically puts you at ease. How does she manage to remain so calm in the thick of packed publicity tours while seven months into pregnancy, whereas I zoom around like a maniac as soon as my to-do list bulks up? Meditation. She begins each day with a zen session on her meditation pillows, if only for ten minutes; "I do it for myself and for the baby. Living in a city like New York, you step out the door and are thrown into chaos, so it's really important to fit in the time."

On 1 Turtle Dove, her boutique clothing line: After moving to the city, Allison decided that in a world with so many disposable clothing items, she wanted something handmade and unique. So, she signed up for a class at Parsons, learned how to design and create clothing, and thus 1 Turtle Dove was born. Although it's a project in the works, she has "big plans" for it in the future.

Tune into the History Channel this Sunday, December 13th at 8/7pm ET to catch Allison in the documentaryA The People SpeakAalongside Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Rosario Dawson and more, and stay tuned for the release of her 7th album, Crows, which hits the shelves on February 9, 2010!

--Kaitie Ames

Steal Celebs' Style, and Shop for a Cause!

Steal celebs' style, and shop for a cause!: SELF.com

Do you drool over fabulous celeb fashions? Pine after the wardrobes of Hollywood's top trendsetters? If so, we have a special treat for you: holiday wish lists from A-list stars Rachel Bilson, Rashida Jones and more...

No, you aren't dreaming! Bilson, Jones, Brooke Shields and a number of other notoriously stylish celebrities have handed over their personal fashion wish lists toPiperlime.com for you to browse through and, drum roll please, shop from! It's like having your own celebrity stylist--literally! And in keeping with the true holiday spirit, 10% of each purchase goes to The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization devoted to helping children through music and the arts. Bargain shopping for a good cause..that's a win-win for everyone!

To check out each of your fav celebs's wish lists, head over to Piperlime.com. Each week a new star's list will be added! And for more info on The Art of Elysium, visitTheArtofElysium.org.

Burn 800 Calories with this DVD!

Burn 800 Calories with this DVD!: SELF.com

As a fitness class junkie strapped for cash, I'm constantly on the lookout for a simple, no-gimmicks, super-effective DVD workout. Luckily, I've found the perfect program: Susan Hyatt's Rockstar Workout DVD. It will sculpt your entire body and promises to help you burn 800 calories in the process...

That's right! When you finish both 25-minute fat-blasting routines, you could burn up to 800 calories and be on the road to shedding serious pounds. Hyatt herself lost 20 lbsdoing the program!

Rockstar Workout provides such great results because it combines the most effective moves from strength training, ballet, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, and old school aerobics to whip your body into amazing shape. The best part: you can do it all in your living room! You just need a mat, dumbbells and a jump rope. It's straightforward, fun, and practically guarantees a sexy, toned body.

Get Susan Hyatt's Rockstar Workout DVD ($16) at Amazon.com.

--Kaitie Ames

SELFy Gossip Roundup 3

SELFy Gossip Roundup: SELF.com

Our weekly recap of the SELFiest gossip out there! In today's roundup, infidelity, homewrecking, homely superstars and grammy nominees...

Who's had the worst week ever? Tiger Woods (did we even have to say it?). First, came last week's car crash. Now, three mistresses have come out of the woodworks equipped with sexts, voicemails and all. Wonder how (and when) his wife will react...?

For "cat lady" Susan Boyle, it's been the best week ever! Her debut album's release didn't just top the competition--it shattered them, surpassing the likes of Gaga and Rihanna, by selling 701,000 copies in its first week (who knew it was SuBo that America wanted?).

Poor Adam Lambert seems to be falling out of ABC's graces--fast. Despite his publicstatement of regret, the network has dropped Glambert yet again from his planned television performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Dick Clark's New Years Eve.

Is Lindsay Lohan a homewrecker? According to Us Magazine, LiLo was spottedmaking out with Jessica Alba's hubby, Cash Warren! Although Lohan says "he is married. I wouldn't dare kiss him," onlookers say that the kiss was very real, and very raw.

The Grammy Nominations are in, and we couldn't be happier for SELFy leading ladies, Beyonce with ten nominations (ten!), sweetheart Taylor Swift with eight nods, and Lady Gaga who, despite the Best New Artist drama, stands to win five golden gramophones.

What SELFy gossip stories caught your eyes and ears this week?

--Kaitie Ames