Qype Does London in the UK writes, "As Obama said, 2009 is the year of change. So if you’re going to make some New Year’s resolutions, then why not make them original. Instead of the usual detox, hit the gym and diet approach, taking up a pursuit like hula hooping has an inherent ridiculousness about it ... and is enjoyable enough for you to forget about the inescapable race to get in shape by Summer. Also, when you become as graceful and accomplished at it as Anna Drury is, you will be able to replace and turn those awkward movements into sexy ones. Which is never a bad thing!" Qype Does London

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Happy New Year! To honor 2008, Hooping.org Magazine presents our second annual Hoopies, the awards recognizing greatness in our hooping community. Nominations are now open and will close on Friday, January 9th at 9:00 pm PST. The maximum number of nominations you can make within a single category is three (3) and only one nomination email can be made per email address. Please note: Last years winners are not eligible to win within the same category they were awarded in two years in a row, but feel free to nominate them for other categories. One category has been eliminated (Outstanding Tribe Member) and another has split from Outstanding Hoop Group into two categories: Performance Group of the year and Community Hoop Group of the year. Our finalists will be announced on Monday, January 12th and voting will begin.

Nominations can be made in the following categories:

1. Outstanding Event Promoting Hooping to a Larger Audience:
2. Online Hooping Video of the Year (include url):
3. Favorite 2008 Hooping Track (Song):
4. Oustanding Newbie Hooper (Must Have Started in 2008):
5. Community Hoop Group of the Year:
6. Performance Group of the Year:
7. Outstanding Hooping Instructor:
8: Fire Hooper of the Year:
9. Male Hooper of the Year:
10. Female Hooper of the Year:

Mail your nominations list to: hoopies2008@gmail.com before Friday, January 9th, 2009, at 9:00 pm PST and get ready to find out who the finalists for the second annual Hoopies will be!

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CNN discovered the hula hoop workout this week and ran a news spot letting people know that while the hula hoop has been thought of as a children's toy for decades, that grown-ups are getting in on the action and using the plastic rings to get in shape at the gym. They note, "Keeping the hula hoop going is part of the challenge, but instructor Noelle Powers (pictured) says using the right equipment helps maintain control." Powers told CNN, "It is easy with the right size and weight hoop because the heavier and larger the hoop, the slower it revolves around." Hoop class participant Drew Fields told the news crew, "It's more aerobic than it looks, so you actually get a really good workout from doing this." Watch video of the feature below:

Attorney Melinda Gustafson Gervasi in Madison, Wisconsin, has an interesting hobby - frugality. So when it came time to start thinking about burning some extra holiday calories while balancing career and motherhood she knew exactly where to put her dollars. She writes, "As 2008 comes to a close and 2009 approaches, I like countless others am beginning to think about ways to work off some of the tasty holiday treats I've consumed this past week. In addition to the normal holiday fare, I am also recovering from the birth of my son this past August. ... So, what can a mom of a 4 month old do to stay fit inside? I have yoga and bellydance DVDs, but he doesn't nap for long, so finding time for them is still difficult. I found an answer 2 weeks ago, and it is a frugal one to boot." You guessed it, it's hooping - and the price of a hoop is an investment that just keeps on giving! Read the full post: The Upside of Frugal

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