Don't be afraid of the number on the scale -- In fact, consider sharing it.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

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Good news, busy people: 15 minutes is enough time for an effective workout.

Even though it's a recession, people are still investing in fitness -- and you should too!

The Perfect Pushup is a fitness product sold in several countries that is designed to make traditional push-up exercises simpler and more effective. It consists of two padded handles that swivel on the floor. The Perfect Pushup has three primary aims.

First, it eases tension on the wrist. Next, claims it will improve the exerciser's form. Finally, it promises to increase the range of motion of the arms, and therefore work muscles that traditional push-ups may not. Push-ups done using the Perfect Pushup use the pectoral (chest), tricep, bicep, abdominal and shoulder muscles.

To use the Perfect Pushup, form a traditional push-up position with your hands, holding the handles with your palms facing towards your feet, your back straight and your arms extended over your shoulders but slightly bent. Lower your body to the ground while rotating the Perfect Pushup handles. As your elbows reach a 90-degree angle, the handles should move to a 90- degree angle where they will become parallel with your body. To complete the push-up, exhale and raise your body while rotating the handles back to their original position.

Once you've mastered the Perfect Pushup, try hitting a treadmill for a great cardio workout.

Patches can help you quit smoking, but can they work on another unhealthy habit -- your addiction to junk food? Makers of diet patch products want you to think so -- they'll promise that you can lose your appetite, your cravings, and most importantly, those extra pounds and inches if you just wear their all-natural patch on a daily basis (preferably where someone can see it so that they can score some free advertising.) It all seems so simple -- but does it work?

Not surprisingly, most people are skeptical. According to the LA Times, the FTC has warned people not to trust any sort of weight loss product that can be applied to the skin. And Dr. Martin Binks of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center advises that while these patches are often developed with natural ingredients linked to weight-loss -- such as green tea -- there's virtually no evidence that would suggest that diet patches work.

Need more evidence that these don't work? It seems even the people behind the patches don't believe they alone can change your waistline. "Many companies make claims that they can't support. You have to change your eating habits to really lose weight." Nick Jerch, the owner of Bell Lifestyle Products that makes Ezee Slimming Diet Patches, told the LA Times. And at around $30 for a 30-day supply of patches, it seems that money could be better spent on a gym membership.

What does work quickly when it comes to slimming down? Fasting might work.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

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Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

Want to slim down? It's important to address your stress.

Interested in a diet that allows you to eat whatever you want, but still helps you lose around 6 pounds a month? It is possible, according to one small study. The catch? You'll have to fast every other day. Dr. Krista A. Varady of the University of Illinois at Chicago and her colleagues had 16 obese adults alternate days of eating normally with with days of eating only 25 percent of the calories required to maintain their weight for eight weeks, and the results were pretty impressive. Not only did the dieters lose an average of 12 pounds over the eight-week period, they also reduced their overall cholesterol by 21 percent.

Varady attributes the positive results to an overall change in eating habits; "I think it's probably because their stomachs kind of shrunk," she told Reuters. Still, don't give up on food just yet -- further research is needed as the study was relatively small. What's more, it's not clear whether this is a weight-loss approach that can be maintained in the long run.

But even if fasting does work, is it healthy? It can be and many leading researchers believe it's actually good for you. If you can handle it, that is -- dealing with a grumbling tummy all day and going to bed hungry aren't all that much fun. Nonetheless, if you're interested in fasting, make sure you speak to your doctor first.

Can't handle fasting? Take some dieting tips from Liz Hurley.