That's Fit

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'm heading out for a week's vacation on a cruise ship next month, and worried that once again I'll gain almost ten pounds while gone. That's what I've done the last few times I've gone on a cruise. How can I get around it? There is awesome food everywhere! Susan.

A. Susan, Susan, Susan. I'm shaking my head. The deal with vacations, cruises especially, is that they're a time for you to relax, get away from the daily grind and have some fun. Pigging out and gorging are simply not what you should be focusing on...wherever you are! Yes, there is a lot of tasty food on cruise ships. There is also a lot of yummy things available at your local grocery store every single day! That doesn't' mean you should run through the aisles like a lunatic shoving everything you can get your hands on into your mouth. Just because food is THERE, just because food is FREE, doesn't mean you have to eat it.

Let's focus on the big picture instead. Cruise ships are now full of endless athletic entertainment options. Seek those things out and spend your time doing them. Try swimming, dancing, golfing, racquetball, batting cages, rock climbing, cycling, and maybe even spend some time in a top of the line ship gym. These are the things that are going to make you laugh, create fun memories, and (gasp!) burn calories.

Food is fuel sweetie. We HAVE to eat. It's nice that some of the food on cruise ships is pretty, and a bit gourmet. Pretty and gourmet doesn't give you permission to be reckless about eating without having to pay the physical price. Have a bit, enjoy it, and move on. And...I recommend you take it easy on the drinking as well. A few daiquiris alone are likely to pop a button on your jeans. Make good decisions consciously, exercise discipline, and exercise...your body! Have fun Susan. You can enjoy your vacation without regretting it for the next year or so. Let me know how it goes! Fitz

Q. Hello there Fitzness lady. My problem is not a butt that is too large. My problem is a small mushy butt. What in the world do I do to make my booty bigger? Lauren

A. Hello to you too, Lauren. I know exactly what you're dealing with, cause I too have been stricken with the Too-Teeny-Squishy-Tushy Syndrome. This is one of those "grass is not always greener" type issues. You know....I can't tell you to eat anything special to make your bum bigger and harder. Once calories enter your mouth, your body tells them where to go. However! Through exercise we can develop and shape the gluteal muscles so that you're happier with your rear-view.

I recommend: any type of squats and lunges, prone super-mans, and hamstring curls. Bringing your legs backward is the gist of working your gluteal muscles. Step aerobics, the stepper, stadium climbing, and walking or running up hill will also strengthen and shape your bum.

Strength train in a way that makes you grunt. Do your cardiovascular training in a way that makes you huff and puff. Grunting, huffing and puffing are signs that you're being challenged. Train your glutes in a challenging way every two or three days and you'll start seeing major changes quickly. The glutes are just like any other muscle in your body. If you wanted to grow strong muscular biceps, you'd do a bunch of bicep curls. Want to grow a harder rounder backside? Flex those glutes!

The simple reason your fanny is flat and smooshy is that you haven't been putting any effort in to it. Get to work and soon you will feel bootylicious like Beyonce. Whoo hoo!

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