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. Yesterday I did two classes in a row - Cardio sculpt and Extreme training, which are both really tough. Two days before that I ran three miles to the gym, did a class and ran three miles home. For the first time in a long time I did not enjoy the exercise one bit. I have been exercising regularly for a long time now - usually I love it. I have been practicing good nutrition habits with the occasional sweet tooth fix, drinking lots of water and STILL the number on the scale is staying the same. I feel like I am on the verge of burning out. I can't seem to lose the flab around my tummy - particularly under my belly button and backs of my thighs, no matter what I do. Plus, short of starving myself and getting very cranky, I don't know how to actually lose the weight. Funny how a number on a machine, the scale, can be so vital to my state of mind. It's ridiculous, really. PLEASE - do you have any advice? Cindy

A. Whoa there Cindy! You need a break! Sounds odd for me to say this, but put your sneakers away and sit the heck down! Fitness is not supposed to make us insane, fitness is supposed to help us maintain our sanity. You are burnt out to the max, and need to just let it go for a while. I'm not suggesting forever, but take at least a week off. I know what you're going through. You already have an elite fitness level, but particular parts of your body are just not responding the way you want them to. You have incredibly high standards for your body. That often leads to frustration. Especially when you're 'starving' and running a million miles a week!

This is what I want you to do:

• Take a week off. Do it! Trust me.
• Continue eating healthy foods, but don't starve! When you're hungry...put something healthy in your mouth!
• After your week off, go for a run. You won't lose any of your endurance and once again, It will feel great.
• Try Pilate's. It will definitely target your problem areas.
• Don't let this happen again! If fitness starts to make you crazy, pause for perspective. Do you have a swimsuit photo shoot on the horizon? Probably not! Are you healthy? Yes! Is your body pretty darn fit? YES!

Work out to live Cindy. Don't live to work out! Take a chill pill. Watch some crappie TV and let me know how you feel in a couple of weeks. Fitz

Q. Hi Fitz, Since January I've lost a considerable amount of weight (from 120 to 105 lbs) through diet and exercise. I'm very happy with the results except for one thing: I used to have a naturally nice, shapely butt that's gotten much smaller. I don't want to increase my caloric intake because I like the rest of my body, and squats and lunges aren't quite doing the trick. How can I get my old tush back? Victoria

A. Hello Miss Victoria. Thanks for the question. First thing I want you to realize is how much weight you've lost. You've lost about one eighth of your entire body weight. That's quite a lot for someone who was small to begin with. (I consider 120 lbs. small.) Losing that great a percentage of your body weight was bound to change your shape.

Now, I don't know how tall you are, but at most heights weighting 105 doesn't' leave much room for super curves. Of course you can do lots of squats, lunges and other glute exercises described in this article. But, without gaining weight, you're simply never going to achieve the voluptuous booty you were accustomed to.

If you plan to maintain your present weight, then I suggest you invest in a new wardrobe. Find fitted jeans that will lift your tush up like a push-up bra. Maybe you're new body offers other great features. Are your arms lean? Get some tanks! Is your waist teeny? Buy some fitted shirts or some little belts to wrap around it. My clothing choices were very different in high school when I wore a 9. Now that I'm many sizes less than that.....I wear very different things!

You've accomplished major weight loss, Victoria. If that weight is healthy on you, then don't fight it. Eat healthy, stay strong, and go shopping!

Punches & Kicks,