There's a workout, and then there's a Work Out. And THEN, there's a BOXING WORK OUT. Trust me, there's a reason why boxers are able to spend over a half an hour in a ring exchanging punches and not go into cardiac arrest. It's because these guys and gals have trained their butts off for months before ever stepping foot in that arena, let alone that ring. But, you don't have to be Rocky Balboa to get the benefit of a boxing workout, which is why I am this week highlighting some of the basic boxing moves that you too can add to your fitness routine.

First of all, be sure to always maintain a proper stance. This means keeping your feet a little more than shoulder width apart, with your dominant foot in the back (in other words, if you're right handed/footed, than you want your right foot in the back and for your left foot to lead). Try your best to stay on the balls on your feet, which will allow you to do all your fancy stutter-stepping footwork (or for now, just keep you balanced). Your hands should be made into fists and kept close to your face. Your elbows need to be tucked closely to your body. From here, you're ready to start dotting some imaginary bad guy's eyes.

There are four basic punches in boxing: the Jab, the Cross, the Hook, and the Uppercut. To keep things easy, we're going to only focus on the Jab and the Cross. To throw the Jab, you need to flick out your lead hand (which should be the hand that is not dominant -- again, if you are right handed/footed, that hand/foot is kept toward the rear, whereas the weaker hand/foot leads...which, in this case, is your left). As you extend your arm to throw your Jab, your hand should twist like a corkscrew at the end of the punch. Once you have extended your arm, be sure to immediately bring your arm back, tuck your elbow back into your side and return your fist to the side of your face. To throw a Cross, you take your dominant hand and throw a straight punch with it, twisting at the waist as you do. Again, you want to twist your wrist at the end of the punch, adding more 'snap' to the motion. Once the punch is thrown, bring your arm back right away, tuck your elbow back in, and bring your fist back next to your face.

By combining these two punches, you are doing a 1-2 combination. A lot of times people will throw a few jabs before throwing a cross, which of course is fine (and very much the case in an actual boxing match). Use this punch combination on a large heavy punching bag (the cylindrical kind that hangs from the ceiling or stand) while wearing what are known as bag gloves (lightweight boxing gloves that can be purchased at most any sporting goods store or even Wal-Mart).

Boxing is broken into three-minute rounds with one-minute rests in between each round. In accordance with this design, that is how you will also train. Three minutes of, say, shadowboxing -- using the 1-2 combination I just taught you, followed by a round or two of jumping rope, followed by three or four rounds of hitting the heavy bag, and then finishing off with a few rounds of abdominal work.

Even if you take it slow at first (which I really suggest you do), you'll find that the boxing workout is absolutely exhausting. This is exactly why so many health clubs now offer "cardio-boxing" as a group aerobics class. You'll burn far more calories doing this workout than you will on a stair-stepper or walking on a treadmill, and you'll do so during less time. Intensity is the key. Like I said, there's a workout, and then there's a Workout. And then there's a BOXING WORKOUT. Try this routine and, before long, you'll be wearing a grey track suit and running the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

For a great video demonstration I found online that features the basics of boxing, click HERE.

Note: The content presented in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or fitness professional before starting a physical fitness program.

Sometimes it can be rather difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. Between work, school, kids, and -- oh yeah, how about having a life, setting aside time to exercise or even fix a healthier meal usually seems like an impossibility. That's why making these healthier changes in your life shouldn't be based on rash, drastic decisions. The "Crash Diet" is the perfect example. Not only is this approach to weight loss unhealthy, but it can actually lead to long-term weight gain. The same goes for an exercise program. If you're new to resistance training, for example, you would do well to ease your way into a routine. Don't make the mistake that I made when I was 14-years-old and first starting to lift weights; and that is to find some dinosaur-sized bodybuilder's workout in a muscle magazine and use it as a guide for your own workout. Take it from me, your arms and legs will feel like they could fall off your body at any given moment. You'll barely be able to move for days at a time, let alone have any desire whatsoever to ever work out again. My point is that the best approach to health and wellness it to take things slowly...baby steps, if you will.

Following this approach, and seemingly doing so quite effectively, are the participants of the America On the Move Foundation's Steptember celebration. AOMF is a non-profit focused on healthy living through small and manageable changes. The group promotes making two small changes in your lifestyle, both of which will have a positive impact on your overall health over time.

The first is to add 2,000 steps (approx. 1 mile) to to your day. This is probably easier to achieve that it may first seem. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Perhaps walk to your car in the off-site parking lot instead of hopping in the shuttle (besides, you don't really want to ride in the "Loser Cruiser," do you?). Or maybe you could even take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood. Whatever method you choose, just try to be consistent with doing it every day.

The second is to cut a mere 100 calories from your diet, which is the equivalent of a tablespoon of butter. Now, I realize that you probably don't actually woof down a tablespoon of butter a day But, you likely get this many calories from a myriad of other possible sources. These days, just about everything has over 100 calories in it, so just pick one of your regular treats and eliminate it from your diet. Cutting 100 calories may not seem like a lot, but over a year's time, this will result in the loss of a decent amount of weight.

For more information on AOMF's Stempber celebration, visit their site at: www.AmericaOnTheMove.org . Though the celebration has already started, you can hop on in at any time and join in on the fun. Need an even greater incentive that getting healthier and losing weight? Howe about winning an iPod? AOMF will give away a free iPod shuffle, and at the end of the month, participants are eligible to win a $500 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods.

It turns out that there's some truth to the old adage that An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. According to a study published in a recent issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who eat apples regularly have a decreased risk of dying from coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

What if you don't like apples? Try pears -- or even red wine. This same study revealed that consuming either of these will have the same preventative effects as eating apples. The researchers attribute these heart-healthy benefits to compounds known as flavonoids, which help reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol (Note: Flavanoids are not to be confused with the Noid -- who in the 80s was known to ruin the occasional pizza).

Flavonoids are also known for their antioxidant activity, meaning that they protect against free radical damage. For a more comprehensive look at how flavonoids, found in such foods as apples and pears, can better your health, click HERE. As for how they measure up against this guy on the right, however, I think there is still much research to be done.

If there's any one exercise that everyone seems to use as a show of pure strength and power, it is certainly the bench press. "How much ya' bench?" is a popular question thrown around weight rooms, and the answers are almost always inflated so as to match the ego of the responder. But, throwing around as much weight as possible may not exactly be the best way to see and feel results from this exercise. That's why I am highlighting the proper form, execution and target muscles of this gym workout staple.

The bench press targets the development of the pectoral muscles (aka the chest muscles), but also calls upon help from your triceps (located on the back of your arms) and deltoids (aka shoulders). To properly do this exercise, you first have to lie flat on your back on a bench (or sturdy alternative -- remember my makeshift bench idea with milk crates and a long, thick plank of wood?). You will then place an equidistant grip on the bar with your hands, lifting it off the support rack. Once you have the bar securely above your sternum and with your arms fully extended, you can now begin. Slowly lower the bar until it touches the chest or stops only an inch from the chest (this is up to you), but be sure to not let the weight "bounce" off of you. Once you've reached the bottom of the movement, hold for one second and then press the weight back up to the starting position. Tip: when you raise the bar, be sure to exhale the air you took in while you were lowering it. Also, when you press the weight upward, try to avoid completely locking your elbows to full extension. This will ensure that there is constant pressure and also help avoid elbow injury). Continue this motion for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

There are several variations to the bench press, including the incline bench press, the decline bench press, the dumbell bench press, etc. Also, you can try mixing up the amount of reps you do from one set to the other, or even the amount of weight you place on the bar. Bear in mind that if your goal is size and strength, fewer reps/longer rest in between sets/fewer sets/heavier weight is the combination you want to go with. If muscle tone and a bit of cardiovascular effect are your desired results, I would stick with a combination of more reps/shorter rest in between sets/more sets/lighter weight.

For a good video demonstration of the bench press, click HERE.

Note: The content presented in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or fitness professional before starting a physical fitness program.

Walking -- it's the first thing we learn to do after crawling. Factor in the amount of it we've done over the course of our lives since then, and it's clear that we're more than warranted in considering ourselves experts. Professional, even. We are the walking gurus, and we have the extensive track record to prove it. With this being the case, why is it when it comes to walking as an exercise, so few people do it? Probably because we do it all the time anyway, therefore it does little to stimulate our interest.

We are an easily bored species, one that needs almost constant change in some way, shape or form. This is likely the reason why so many people prefer elaborate workouts to something as simple as placing one foot in front of the other for an extended period of time. To help remedy the situation, you may want to try some of the following Boredom Busters:

Tune-Up. One of the best ways to liven-up a workout is to listen to music. Whether it's the Rocky IV soundtrack to get you all fired up, some body-moving hip-hop, or even Classical favorites, music will help keep your feet moving.

Intervals. Walking is a low-intensity cardio workout, but it doesn't always have to be. To burn extra calories, and to mix things up a bit over the course of your stroll, try picking up the pace for a minute or so every now and again. By doing so, you can burn an extra 100 calories or so over the course of a 30-minute workout.

VERY Short Term Goals. Of course it's important to have long-term goals (i.e. feel healthier, lower cholesterol, lose weight, etc.), a great way to keep you motivated through your daily walk is to have an almost immediate goal in sight. By this I mean having a goal, or even a reward, waiting for you at the end of your walk. It could be a landmark (such as a view from the top of a hill, or your arrival to a friend's house), but could also be something such as a tasty, low-fat meal that is waiting for you.

Make it a Family Affair. With quality time becoming harder and harder for the modern family to find, a great solution is to use that daily walk to serve that purpose. Because you're only walking, you'll have plenty of wind left to have discussions about school, work, and any other topic that would before be part of typical dinner table discussion. Plus, with childhood obesity rates on the rise, bringing the kids along may benefit them, as well.

Get Creative. This could mean anything from taking a different route each day, to holding a set of very light dumbells in your hands while you walk. Not only will changes of this kind prevent you from becoming bored, they will also ensure that your fitness results do not plateau over time.

Bobby Flay I am not. Put me in a kitchen, and I'd still be lost with both a compass and a road map. So, when it comes to cooking, keeping things as easy as possible seems to be the way to go -- especially when I'm trying to prepare a healthy dish. This is pretty much why I feel I have absolutely no right to pass along a recipe to you; with the only exception being this particular meal, which is as healthy and as easily prepared as they come.

I'm not even going to bother with portions. Frankly, I don't even know what the portions are. But, I do know what the ingredients are; and they all combine to make a heart healthy, Omega-3 rich, pretty slamming tasting fish dish. Here's what you'll need: Salmon, Carrots, Scallions, Lemon, Ground Pepper, and Low-Sodium Soy Sauce. And here's how you cook it: Take a sheet of aluminum foil, put all of the aforementioned ingredients in it, shove it in an oven preheated to 400 degrees, and go watch TV for twenty minutes.

Then, take the aluminum foil out of the oven, let it cool for a little while, and then put it on a plate. Or put it in a bowl. Or eat it right from the aluminum foil. Who cares. Just eat it...and enjoy how little effort it took to make this tasty, healthy meal.

Just because the summer season has reached its end, it doesn't mean that it's time to let our exercise programs go. People tend to put on more weight during the colder months for a few reasons: 1) Because they probably won't be donning their bathing suits at the beach for quite some time, and 2) Because our bodies are designed to slow our metabolism down -- a carry-over from our more primitive days when food sources became more scarce during the cold season. For these reasons, and probably about eight thousand others, it's a smart idea to keep stoking the flames of your metabolism right through the upcoming frost. So, to help you do just that, I'm showing you an exercise this week that will help you burn some serious calories while toning up your legs.

Called the Step-Up, this cardiovascular movement will help you speed up your metabolism as you strengthen and tone your quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and even your calves. To perform this exercise, start by standing in front of a weight bench or any safe substitute for one (tip: take two milk crates, spread them apart, and place a firm, wooden board over them -- a great, makeshift bench). Next, take your right foot and place it on the surface of the bench. From there, step-up onto the bench, using your right leg to power the rest of your body up. Once you are standing firmly on top of the bench with both feet, step back down with one leg and follow with the other. Then, step up onto the bench with your left leg, following with your right. Repeat this movement for several repetitions, increasing speed and perhaps even adding small weights (dumbells in hand work well, as does holding a medicine ball) as you get stronger and more familiar with the movement.

I found a very good video demonstration for the Step-Up on ShapeFit.com. To view it, click HERE.

Note: The content presented in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or fitness professional before starting a physical fitness program.

If you've been following the Exercise of the Week since the last time I wrote, you should have experienced some great workouts in the pool. If you'll recall, last week I highlighted the breast stroke, one that is fairly easy to perform, but requires a great deal of effort. Well, you can finally towel off -- because this week we're getting back into the gym. Still, don't expect to stay dry; because you're going to do more than your share of sweating!!

Some of the best fat-burning and muscle-building exercises are those that combine several movements into one. The squat-press is probably one of the well-known of said movements. And while you may very well want to add that exercise to your routine, I'm instead going to focus on a different multi-muscle movement: the Side Lunge with Upright Row. Although it doesn't have a fancy combo name like squat-press, the results can be just as impressive.

To perform this exercise, start by holding a dumbell in each hand with your palms facing in. Next, take a big step to the right side with your right foot. As you do, bend your right knee approximately 90 degrees and keep it in line with your toes. As you do this, try to keep your left leg as straight as you can. Now, this is where it really gets good and difficult -- as you lower your body to the side by bending your knee, lift your elbows until the dumbells are just below your chin. As you then press off from your foot and return your leg to the original position, slowly lower the dumbells. Continue by next going to the left leg, then back to the right, and so on and so forth. For a very good demonstration, click Here.

Compound movements of this kind are a great way to ignite your metabolism and jump-start your muscles. I'll be sure to show you a few more like it in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, feel the burn, baby!!

Note: The content presented in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or fitness professional before starting a physical fitness program.

Let's face it, fiber isn't exactly the most interesting part of your diet. Rarely do we talk about it, and even more rarely do we take it into account when planning our meals. Generally speaking, the only people who tend to pay attention to fiber are the people who are in greater need of a diet rich in it. And, again, those people don't exactly like to talk about that, either. As a result, fiber sort of remains the unspoken and oft misunderstood part of our diet. But, make no mistake, it is an extremely important part. Here's why.

More or less, fiber is the mostly carbohydrate constituent of plants that the human body can't digest. There are two primary types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The latter passes from one end of the digestive tract to the other virtually unchanged. Cereals, vegetables, grains, and seeds are usually comprised of more insoluble fiber than soluble fiber. As for the former, soluble fiber differs from its counterpart by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria in the body, ultimately assisting with the digestive process. More commonly found in fruits, oats, barley, beans and peas, soluble fiber dissolves in water and consists of pectin, gums and mucilage (hmm...that word seems somewhat familiar).

There are many health benefits to be gained from eating an adequate amount of fiber in your diet. Some of them include:

Cholesterol Reduction. By trapping bile acids that would otherwise be absorbed and converted into cholesterol, fiber can help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.

Improved Protein Absorption. Eating foods high in fiber while eating foods high in protein will slow down the breakdown of that protein, thereby allowing for greater absorption.

Better Colon Function. This one you are likely aware of already. I'll leave it at that.

Prevents Body-Fat Storage. Soluble fiber helps the body use carbs for glycogen synthesis and energy production, rather than storing them as fats. Also, just as fiber slows down the body's processing of proteins, fiber can slow down how fast your body metabolizes carbs. For you, this means that your insulin levels will not spike as a result of eating a high-carb food, which is yet another way to help prevent body fat storage.

There's been a great deal of research done and an abundance of data that suggests that vitamin E supplementation does not play a role in reducing the chance of heart attack. However, a new study points to underdosing as the reason for the vitamin's repeated failure.

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals damage cellular proteins, fats and DNA. Though free radicals are byproducts or normal metabolism, they are also produced in excess when the body is in certain disease states, heart disease not withstanding. Researchers conducted animal studies to determine if vitamin E (and other antioxidant compounds) could offer some protection against heart attack in individuals with excessive free radical damage. However, subsequent studies on vitamin E revealed that almost no benefit came from its consumption.

But, researchers are now suggesting that in this earlier clinical trials, test subjects were not given large enough doses of vitamin E for it to show any effect. Upon upping the dosage to 1600 IU per day (which is twice that was used in the earlier studies), the test subjects showed a significant reduction in oxidative stress.

My fiance is an avid collector of women's health and fitness magazines, something I'm certainly not going to complain about (even if they are occasionally scattered across the coffee table, usually with a cat or two splayed out on top of them). These magazines are great resources for exercise and nutrition tips, which is why I commonly take a quick flip through them (it has nothing to do with the attractive women featured inside, I swear ;). While thumbing through a recent edition of Fitness Magazine, I happened upon a great piece on 5 simple ways to "Supercharge Your Diet."

Here is what the folks at Fitness suggested:

1 - Try a Fat-Free Greek-style Yogurt: Regular yogurt does have its health benefits (acidophiles, vitamins, calcium, etc.), but it also has a great deal of sugar and calories. Even the low-fat versions are typically quite high in sugar. But, Greek-style yogurt is different; containing about 13 grams of protein and 6 grams or fewer of added sugar per serving.

2 - Whole Grain Crackers Instead of White Bread: White bread is very nasty on blood glucose levels. It will cause them to spike higher than will a slice of chocolate cake!! Whole grain crackers, by contrast, take much longer to digest, which means that their effect on your blood sugars will be far more in range. Plus, the added fiber -- combined with the longer digestion I just mentioned -- will leave you feeling fuller for a longer period of time than will white bread.

3 - Beans and Beans: Brown rice is better for you than white rice, basically for the same reasons listed in #2 about whole grain crackers versus white bread. But, brown beans are an even better option. If you're a beans and rice fan, maybe try a little beans and beans instead. One cup of kidney beans has 16 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein. For variety, try making a dish with kidney, black, and cannellini beans.

4 - Eat the Whole Egg: The egg-white omelet has become quite popular, largely because the white was touted as being the healthy part of the egg. While it is true that most of the egg's protein is found in the white, all of its nutrients are found in the yolk. The only word of caution is that the verdict is still out on whether or not egg yolks can contribute to a raise in cholesterol (although I've seen recent evidence to suggest that it doesn't).

5 - The Healthier PB&J Sandwich: Ditch the low-fat peanut butter and replace it with a healthy, regular version. Peanut butter is loaded with good fats (monosaturated), which are great for protecting your heart. Plus eating good fats with bread (as you would with a peanut butter sandwich) will slow down the absorption of the carbs found in the bread, therefore making them less likely to effect blood sugars and potentially be stored as fat. Just be sure to find a healthy version of peanut butter (i.e. not one loaded in sugar). As for the jelly, opt for the low-sugar or no-sugar kind. Most of these will be flavored with Splenda or some other sugar substitute. So, if you're the type that likes to avoid eating these chemically produced sweeteners, instead choose a jelly that is made from 100% fruit and does not contain any sugars beyond those found naturally in the fruits themselves.

The list of health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids seemingly grows every day. Among the more well-known positive effects this fatty acid has on the body is that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack by 36 percent when it is consumed at least once or twice a week. Foods that are high in Omega-3s -- such as salmon, brown rice, and olive oil -- can also help to lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol. But, inasmuch as many of us know this by now, what we don't know is how this actually takes place. What is cholesterol? And how does it effect our bodies? Now I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not a scientist, but I am curious -- so I looked it up.

Cholesterol is made by the liver. Just about every animal that is eaten for food produces cholesterol in this manner. After it's produced in your own body, or absorbed from the food you eat, it's then carried through the bloodstream by particles known as lipoproteins. These particles are also produced in the liver, so it kind of works out quite nicely in that way. Anyway, from these lipoproteins are made up of fat and protein. However, what they contain more of determines if they are "bad" or "good." If they contain a higher proportion of fat, they can stick to your blood vessel walls as they speed through your veins and arteries. Over time, this accumulates and forms hardened plaque, thus reducing the flow of blood to your heart -- and hence the "bad" label. On the other hand, lipoproteins that contain a higher proportion of protein serve a different and much healthier function. Their main task is to carry cholesterol away from your heart and out of the body. The higher your levels of this "good" lipoproteins, the lower your risk of dying from a heart attack.

That's just about the best way I can explain it. Not exactly ready for the New England Journal of Medicine, but not bad for a blog post, if I say so myself.

Remember when everyone thought that fruit smoothies were healthy? To be fair, it's not that they were unhealthy (they did have real fruit in them, which is a good start), they just weren't as healthy as people tended to believe. The reason why was the extremely high number of calories and carbohydrates they contained.

So, smoothies became a little less popular -- replaced, by some, by trendy coffee drinks from Starbucks and Seattle's Best. Buuuuut....people soon realized that those drinks had just as much sugar and calories as the smoothies, not to mention a whole lot more fat, too. From there, it seemed like everyone just decided to stick to bottled water. Like comedian George Carlin aptly pointed out in one of his bits, it was like all of a sudden everyone became thirsty. As popular as water was, and still is, it seems to have gotten a little boring. This brought on the flavored waters like Propel and Vitamin Water. The tricky part here is that these flavored water have sugar in them, as well as some calories (though not nearly as many as smoothies and fattening coffee drinks). Oh yeah, and then the New York Times did a piece on Aquafina and Dasani, pointing out that their bottled waters are nothing more than purified tap water. The drink craze continues; the search for something tasty, refreshing, and healthy -- a troika of unreasonable qualities?

Well, not necessarily. While bottled water is still the best health and refreshment option (regardless of whether it is purified tap water or actually from a spring, like Evian and Poland Spring), you still kind of miss out in the taste department. So, to help you along, here's a look at how three relatively healthy, refreshing and tasty drinks stack up.

Starbucks Orange Creme Frappuccino Light: With half the calories of the regular version, this drink is a pretty safe choice. Somewhat similar in flavor to those delicious Orange Julius' they sell at the mall, the major difference, however, is that they don't have enough sugar in them to drive your blood sugar through the roof.

Jamba Juice Peach Perfection Smoothie: As far as smoothies go, this one is not that bad. With three servings of three kinds of fruit (peach, strawberries, and mangoes), this one will only tax you with about 200 calories. But, you're also getting 4 grams of fiber, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals from the fruit itself.

Seattle's Best Cold Brewed Vanilla Latte: If you read a recent post of mine, you'll see that there is mounting evidence that drinking caffeinated beverages daily can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease. So, right off the bat, this drink is healthy in that regard. As far as calories go, the key to keeping it to a mere 80 is to ask for skim milk and to use Splenda or Equal rather than regular sugar.

As I write this, I'm sitting in Panera Bread, sipping on some coffee that has a name so fancy it's supposed to impress people enough to make them buy it (color me impressed, I guess). While I'm not really much of a coffee drinker, there's plenty of research out there to suggest that maybe it's something I should consider becoming.

In one of the more recent studies -- published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition -- it was discovered that consuming 2 to 3 daily cups of caffeinated drinks, including coffee, can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 31%. And, as if that weren't enough of a benefit, coffee may also lower your risk of developing colon cancer, so says a different study that was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Maybe I should order myself another one of these. Now if I could only pronounce the name, I'd be all set.

Here's something I learned yesterday that made me regret all those times I went to a Japanese restaurant and thought I was eating healthy when I ordered sushi. It turns out that those little, tasty rolls pack quite a whollop in the calorie department. I'm talking a real whallop -- like more calories than a Mars bar!! Surprised? Yeah, so was I.

I did realize that sushi is wrapped in white rice, which by itself isn't exactly a great choice. For people with diabetes, it's probably wise to avoid simple sugars of this kind altogether, if possible. There are brown rice sushis, so these are already a healthier option. Still, though, there are some serious calories to contend with. For example, an eel and avocado roll has 372 calories and 17.5g of fat!! Granted, much of this is "good" fat, but still, that's a whole lot of calories for a damn roll of sushi!! And, if you make the mistake of getting something fried, you're in even bigger trouble. Remember that shrimp tempura roll you ate? Well, I'm sorry to break the news to you, but it had 544 calories and 13g of fat in it!!

This is not to say that you should avoid eating sushi. But, it may at least make you give more thought to what it is you're actually eating. Oh yeah, and another bit of bad news regarding sushi -- it's typically very high in mercury. Go to www.gotmercury.org and you'll see for yourself. Still, this does not mean that sushi is the enemy. Just try to be more discerning when it comes to what kind you eat. If you're still not sure, click here for a good article and caloric breakdown of the different types of sushi.