Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q.Hey Fitz, I just don't like veggies. Do I really need to eat them, or can I take a multivitamin instead. Aaron.

A. Wow Aaron! Out of the hundreds of veggies out there, you don't like any? That seems odd. It's funny. Even though I started teaching fitness at age 18,I too refused to eat any sort of vegetables except for those found in a house salads until I turned 21. I had a mental block against them and considered them gross I guess. Funny thing happened to change my mind. I met the most gorgeous guy in the planet and he cooked me chicken and broccoli one night. I was totally grossed out, but wanting to impress this man.....I gave em a try. Turns out I actually did like broccoli. I also ended up loving the onions and peppers he grilled and put on top of pizza the next week.

I didn't like veggies because I hadn't tried them. I predict you're in the same boat. Veggies are vital to a well balanced diet. They're huge on vitamins, high on fiber and low in calories. Why wouldn't you want to make an effort to love these things? They'll keep your skin pretty, nails strong, vision clearer and digestive system moving at a super pace. Nonetheless! I now love veggies and crave them in large quantities. I also married that hot guy who introduced me to the. So I say, "Try them, try them Sam I AM! You will like cauliflower and yams!"

Q. I had my daughter three years ago and although I have lost a lot of the pregnancy weight, I have been left with a deflated belly. Just a saggy, loose flabby belly. I have been told there is nothing I can do to tighten loose skin. Can I re-tighten my stomach? Or is liposuction/tummy tuck the only solution? Not that I would go that route. Brenda

A. Yeesh! This sucks right? Do something spectacular like create a family and get left with the cruel side effects of carrying those adorable babies. Life is mean. I can provide half of the answer to your question. I say, you'll never know if you can lose that saggy skin until you get all the way down to your ideal weight. Not just 20 pounds more than you'd like, all the way down. Once you get to be "Fit Brenda" with trim arms, legs, and abdomen will you know for sure if that skin is there for good.

If it's still there, I recommend going to a neutral doctor. Not a plastic surgeon. Go to a doctor who has nothing to gain by telling you the truth, like your OB/GYN. A plastic surgeon benefits if you make and appointment for surgery, so don't ask their opinion on whether you need it or not. Right now, I say eat great, sweat a lot and of course do abdominal strength training to tighten the muscles in that area.

When you get all the way down to "Fit Brenda" status, you'll have your answer. Saggy loose skin is annoying and probably embarrassing too. Do what you can in the gym and at the dinner table. Squeeze your kiddies a lot and put life into perspective. You may feel the need to avoid bikinis, but hey! most of us Mom's don't have any Maxim photo shoots scheduled anyway. Punches & Kicks,
Fitz

Note: The content presented in this Q. & A section is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.