Denise Austin

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Austin as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Austin as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Denise Austin (born February 13, 1957) is an American fitness and exercise expert, author, columnist and instructor. She is also a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Austin was born Denise Katnich in San Pedro, CA. She started gymnastics at the age of 12, which led to an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona.

[edit] Personal life

She is married to sports attorney Jeff Austin, with whom she has two daughters: Kelly (born 1990) and Katie (born 1993). Her sister-in-law is U.S. tennis champion Tracy Austin.

[edit] Fitness career

Austin initially attended the University of Arizona on a gymnastics scholarship, reaching a ranking of 9th in the NCAA on balance beam, but later transferred to California State University, Long Beach, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in physical education, and a minor in exercise physiology.[1][2][3] Since then, she has been teaching classes, producing fitness shows, creating exercise video tapes, and writing books and columns on exercise and staying fit. Examples include Shrink Your Female Fat Zones, Pilates for Every Body, and Eat Carbs, Lose Weight. In 2002, she was named as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and began her second term in 2006.[1][4]

She is known for her emphasis on staying fit naturally, emphasizing that she herself exercises only about 30 minutes a day and does not skip meals. She also prefers the use of sugar and butter over artificial sweeteners and margarine, though she does emphasize portion control, proper nutrient balance, and exercise. Austin encourages people to stay fit at all ages, and conducts research with experts in nutrition, to emphasize realistic, real-life solutions to weight control and fitness.[5] Austin supports a balanced program of exercise and proper diet, and encourages people to stay away from fad diets or "crazy claims" for quick fixes.[6] Austin has had two children, yet she has proven that a woman's body does not have to change following childbirth, as long as they retain good exercise schedules, eating habits, and posture.[7]

Austin can no longer be seen weekday mornings on Lifetime TV with programs Fit and Lite and Daily Workout, which she spent 4 months a year filming. She also had a long-running exercise program on ESPN.

Her exercise programs often integrate a variety of different disciplines including yoga, pilates, cross training, and aerobic exercise.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (2005). Council Members' Biographies - Denise Austin (English). President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  2. ^ Denise Austin. Denise's Bio (English). Denise Austin. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  3. ^ Denise Austin Bio (English). Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  4. ^ United Stated Department of Health and Human Services (2006). Fitness Expert Denise Austin Begins Second Term on President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (English). United Stated Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  5. ^ Mike Falcon (2001). Fitness guru Denise Austin targets 40s flab (English). USA Today. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  6. ^ Mike Falcon and Stephen A. Shoop, M.D. (2003). Denise Austin attacks women's fitness problems (English). USA Today. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.
  7. ^ Sanjay Gupta (2003). Interview With Denise Austin, Bill Phillips (English). CNN. Retrieved on September 7, 2007.

[edit] External links

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