That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gif That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Strange Fitnesshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/strange-fitness/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/strange-fitness/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/strange-fitness/#commentsI was roaming around Central Park this week while working in New York City , and came across the nicest yet strangest thing. This man, pictured at right, was ambitiously pursuing a workout in the park. That's the nice part.

The weird part is two-fold. First oddity, he was only wearing his boxer shorts. I suppose that is better than frolicking around in a pair of bikini briefs, but still ... it looked a bit silly to me. The second bit of strangeness was his routine. Of course I'm always telling you guys and gals to 'just move', but this dude took that movement to another level.

He flailed his arms around, tip toe jogged in circles, and frequently practiced handstands (at right) against this tree. I both admired his ambitiousness and marveled at his lack of concern for what others thought. I also giggled a lot too.

Continue reading Strange Fitness

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]]>boxercentralcityexercisefitnessfitzfitznesshandstandhealthynewparksillystragngestrangeunderwearworkoutyorkFitz K.2008-07-18T13:00:00+00:00Celebrity Fitzness Report: Charlie's Angel Cheryl Laddhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/celebrity-fitzness-report-cheryl-ladd/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/celebrity-fitzness-report-cheryl-ladd/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/18/celebrity-fitzness-report-cheryl-ladd/#commentsCurious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

My guest this week became famous as one of the hot, yet capable babes of Charlie's Angels. This role that burned Cheryl Ladd's name and face into our minds forever, in my opinion, will not in the end, be what we remember her for. We spoke recently both over the phone and in person, and she definitely showed a side of her I hadn't expected to see.

Although stunningly beautiful, and more capable of turning heads at age 57 than most women are at 25 ... Cheryl's most impressive quality in my book is her willingness to take care of other women. She's investing a lot of time in guiding and educating other Baby Boomer women about menopause. Menopause is often a taboo, hush hush topic. But Cheryl has embraced her age and stepped up to the plate to help make her personal experience with menopause an educational experience for others. She shared a bunch of private experiences with me and offered advice for growing more beautiful each year. Read on to learn how to age as gracefully and gorgeously as she has.

Fitz: You're an iconic figure in beauty. You've aged flawlessly, and to me ... you're prettier today than you were 30 years ago starring in Charlie's Angels. What can we do, to be more like you?

Cheryl: First of all, I think it's most important for women to have a close relationship with their doctor. It's important to trust your doctor, so when things go weird you are comfortable addressing the situation and taking care of things. Be proactive with your health! You also have to love yourself! Beauty comes from the inside first.

Fitz: Well your outside is pretty fantastic too. Let's start with your fitness routine. What do you do to stay in such great shape?

Continue reading Celebrity Fitzness Report: Charlie's Angel Cheryl Ladd

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]]>actoractressaerobicsbuttcherylexpertfitnessfitzfitznessflashesfoodgolfgorgeoushawaiihealthheartburnhillhotladdloselossmanagementmarraigemenopauseprilosec otcPrilosecOtcsaladscotlandtoken girlTokenGirlvegavegaswaterweightworkoutFitz K.2008-07-18T09:35:00+00:00Stress Less: Massage works, but why?http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/15/stress-less-massage-works-but-why/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/15/stress-less-massage-works-but-why/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/15/stress-less-massage-works-but-why/#commentsTry to find a person who doesn't enjoy a massage to relax. You'd be hard-pressed. Of all the stress-relieving techniques out there, massage is my absolute favorite.

Certainly, massage relieves muscle pain and soreness, but it appears to be most popular for stress relief. It's effectiveness is largely due to the fact that manipulating the muscles releases endorphins, the brain's natural opiates, which encourages a feeling of well being and confidence. Studies show massage can be helpful for various ailments. But when looking at the list, one can't help but notice many of the benefits involve the mind more than the body. Consider the following from a Mayo Clinic article:

Continue reading Stress Less: Massage works, but why?

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]]>alcoholanorexiaanxietybraincancerchildrendepressiondiabetesendorphinsmassageopiatesreliefsmokingstresstouchDeanna Glick2008-07-15T10:00:00+00:00Walk away from your four wheelshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/13/walk-away-from-your-four-wheels/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/13/walk-away-from-your-four-wheels/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/13/walk-away-from-your-four-wheels/#commentsOur family just returned from a canoe trip in the remote Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. We've done plenty of car camping with the kids over the years, but this was our first family nature experience far away from the safety of four wheels.

We loaded a super lightweight four-person canoe (rented from a terrific operation, Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters) with about four days of food, camping/fishing gear and other critical supplies last Wednesday morning. Amazingly, it all fit with room to spare.

Then we paddled off into expansive Seagull Lake, relying upon years of honed outdoor skills, common sense, respect for Mother Nature and a desire to introduce our children, ages six and four, to the beautiful, haunting call of the loon. Paddling, hiking, camping and fishing without seeing another soul for hours on end was transformational. Moving to the rhythms of the weather and relying on mental and physical strength to get from Point A to Point B is humbling. We saw moose, a rainbow, loons, big fish on the line and sliced our paddles through some of the cleanest freshwater in the United States. The view from our kitchen camp perch was majestic (pictured).

I realize a trip like this is not on everyone's A list -- but if you're even a little intrigued -- try walking away from your four wheels and give a short trip into the wilderness a try. I promise it will challenge your body, mind and soul in ways you've never imagined. Start building your skills and join a hiking or backpacking club in your area today!

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]]>Bev SklarBevSklarBoundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessBoundaryWatersCanoeAreaWildernessremote nature tripsRemoteNatureTripsTuscarora OutfittersTuscaroraOutfittersBev Sklar2008-07-13T13:34:00+00:00Celebrity Fitzness Report: Murray Cook of The Wiggleshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/10/celebrity-fitzness-report-murray-cook-of-the-wiggles/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/10/celebrity-fitzness-report-murray-cook-of-the-wiggles/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/10/celebrity-fitzness-report-murray-cook-of-the-wiggles/#commentsCurious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

While spending time backstage with the mega stars of teeny tot entertainment, I had the chance to figure out how these amazing men from Australia have kept themselves in such great shape. Dancing, jumping, and flying across stages (sometimes twice a day) hundreds of times a year and well into their forties does not come easily. Murray Cook is the red Wiggle who loves to play guitar. Fortunately for him, he also loves to stretch. He took me through the series of back stretches he completes on a daily basis, and in my expert opinion ... his routine is awesome! Back injuries both minor and major seem to bother all of us at least once in our lives. Many of those injuries could be prevented with a simple and consistent stretching routine like the one Murray demonstrates here.

Continue reading Celebrity Fitzness Report: Murray Cook of The Wiggles

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]]>anthonyaustraliabluecaptaincookfattfeatherswordfieldfitzfitznessjeffmenmoranmurraypaddickpaddiepaulpurpleredsamthethe wigglesTheWigglesyellowFitz K.2008-07-10T09:30:00+00:00Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Get Ripped Quickhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/09/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-get-ripped-quick/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/09/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-get-ripped-quick/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/09/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-get-ripped-quick/#commentsHave 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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hey Fitz. I blew it! I am going on vacation with a bunch of my college buddies and some hot girls in four weeks. I've totally slacked off on my workouts since school ended and now I'd like to get ripped again before we head to Mexico. What can I do at my gym to shred a bit of fat and get buff quick before the trip? I know I'm a dork for slacking, but I also know you can help me improve. I'm willing to do the work! Jason

A. Familiar story Jason! You're not the only one who's taken some time off from their fitness training only to have it blow up in your face. You're also not the first person to try and undo the damage quickly. Four weeks is a pretty decent amount of time, so if you are really clean with your eating habits and start training intensely ... I think it would be safe to take off at least 10 pounds before you see Mexico, and all of those hot girls see you!

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Get Ripped Quick

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]]>absbeachbodyboxbuffbuggcycledairydipsellipticalfitfitzfitznessfruithealthjamaicajumpkickboxlaplosemeatmexicomusclepersonalplankpoolproduceprogramproteinpulluppushuprippedroperunshredsquatstepperstrongswimtrainerveggiesweightworkoutFitz K.2008-07-09T09:30:00+00:00Tips to help you stop bingeinghttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/tips-to-help-you-stop-bingeing/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/tips-to-help-you-stop-bingeing/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/tips-to-help-you-stop-bingeing/#commentsMost of us have been there: After a long, hard day, you head to the freezer and promptly grab the Ben & Jerry's. Next this you know, the entire tub is gone and you're left with that sinking realization that oh my gosh, I just ate 90 bazillion calories in one sitting, my pants are going to be too small tomorrow, GAH! Or maybe you didn't even realize how much you were eating. You were too busy losing yourself in an episode of Gilmore Girls and before yo know it, half of a large pizza is gone and nobody else was eating it but you.

But whatever the case, Binge eating is no good--for your health, your waistline, your mood and your self-confidence. That's why you need to be aware of what you put into your mouth. AOL Health recently put together 44 tips to help bust binge-eating behaviour. A few tidbits:

  • Use blue dinnerware, including plates and napkins. Research shows it can act act as a natural appetite suppressant.
  • If you're going to drink with dinner. drink beer. Those who did ate less than those who drank wine in a study.
  • Don't eat by candlelight. Low light can trigger binge eating.
Interesting, huh? Read the rest of the tips by clicking here.

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]]>bahviourbingebinge eatingBingeEatingemotional eatingEmotionalEatingfoodMartha Edwards2008-07-08T23:15:00+00:00Stress Less: The simplest solutionhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/stress-less-the-simplest-solution/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/stress-less-the-simplest-solution/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/stress-less-the-simplest-solution/#commentsTime. Our greatest resource. I'll debate it with anyone. And I'll win.

Lack of it is responsible for most of what stresses us out. And taking it back is what makes us feel better. The idea of taking a few minutes to relax at the end of the day is possibly the most commonly given advice for recovering from a stressful day. Such a simple solution and so satisfying. But how often do you actually do it? Seems I witness more time spent complaining about now having time than taking time to shut up and relax.

And it makes a world of difference. However, those few minutes would not be quite as decadent for me if not for adding a glass of wine to the equation. Also pretty common, I know. Again, when's the last time? And it's not such a bad idea. In moderation, wine can actually be a good thing. It can even have an antioxidant effect. For some adding chocolate makes for the ultimate de-stress recipe.

So stop fretting that you don't have time or can't afford the calories and sit down with a bite or sip of something nice. For five minutes. OK, two. Whatever. The point is this: ridding ourselves of a day's stress isn't about large quantities of time, wine, chocolate or anything else. It's about coming up with your perfect recipe, whatever that may be. Just so long as it's small and simple.

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]]>antioxidantbenefitscalorieshealthrelaxsimplestresstimewineDeanna Glick2008-07-08T14:30:00+00:00Randy Pausch of "The Last Lecture" gets recognized by the Presidenthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/randy-pausch-of-the-last-lecture-gets-recognized-by-the-presid/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/randy-pausch-of-the-last-lecture-gets-recognized-by-the-presid/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/randy-pausch-of-the-last-lecture-gets-recognized-by-the-presid/#commentsAlthough I will expand on Randy Pausch, I imagine you're already well aware of who he is. He's the unstoppable man, who has inspired millions and millions of people around the world by his passion for life while he fights an almost impossible battle with pancreatic cancer. I learned of Dr. Pausch many months ago as Diane Sawyer interviewed him on ABC. He blew me away with his humor, dedication to his family, and outrageous courage.

His journey since his diagnosis put him on stage at the University he was a professor at, Carnegie Mellon, for his Last Lecture. This Last Lecture made it to YouTube (embedded below) and then became a best selling book, The Last Lecture. His outlook on life and stories of his childhood and career have inspired other cancer patients to fight harder and regular people to just be better. Although he's truly only concerned with getting his message across to his three young children, he's positively affected millions of others as a side effect.

Recently, President Bush was compelled to write to Randy Pausch. This can't change Randy's fate with cancer, but as a representative of the American people ... it was a fantastic way to show our appreciation for Randy setting a new standard for 'goodness' and dedicating his life to teaching others.

Continue reading Randy Pausch of "The Last Lecture" gets recognized by the President

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]]>americaamericanbookbracebushcancercarnegiechemochildrencouragedoctorfamilyfearlessfitzfitznessfunnyhealthyhumorinspirelastlecturemellonpancreaticpauschpresidentprofessorrandysicksmartuniversityusavideoyoutubeFitz K.2008-07-08T10:00:00+00:00Thin doesn't equal happyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/05/thin-doesnt-equal-happy/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/05/thin-doesnt-equal-happy/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/05/thin-doesnt-equal-happy/#commentstape measureI was driving home the other day and a radio show was discussing something called "supernova burnout." It's where business executives get wrapped up in thinking that if they just get to that top rung in the corporate ladder, they'll be happy. So they work and work and work -- forgoing all other aspects of their life -- but they're content in their misery, because they believe the payoff is coming. Then, when they finally make it to the top, they discover that happiness didn't get delivered with the fancy mahogany desk, brass nameplate on the door, and the bigger paycheck.

The same holds true for weight loss. For many people, obesity is tightly wound with emotions. Many people eat when they're upset, which can cause extra weight gain. Others have insecurities that they feel are caused by their extra pounds. But weight and happiness are not the same things. Happiness, being comfortable in your own skin, and being confident in who you are needs to come from within. While it's important to achieve a healthy weight, anyone who feels that losing weight is going to solve all their problems is likely in for a disappointment.

Good Housekeeping has a great article about weight loss and happiness. The article makes a strong final point: If you're overweight, by all means do what you can to lose weight and improve your health. But don't weight for a certain number on the scale to try to be happy. Do whatever work it takes to accept who you are now, and live your life happily.

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]]>comfortable in your own skinComfortableInYourOwnSkindietingemotional eatingEmotionalEatinghappinessinsecurityobesityoverweightsecurityweight lossWeightLossMaggie Vink2008-07-05T18:00:00+00:00Generation MySpacehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/generation-myspace/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/generation-myspace/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/generation-myspace/#commentslaptop keyboardDo social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook put youth in "mental risk?" At least one London-based psychiatrist thinks so. Dr. Himanshu Tyagi thinks kids who have grown up with the internet and who frequent social networking sites may have a skewed view of how true social interaction works. He warns that kids involved with social networking may place less value on their real lives and that this can lead to impulsive behavior.

Of social networking sites, Tyagi says "It's a world where everything moves fast and changes all the time, where relationships are quickly disposed at the click of a mouse, where you can delete your profile if you don't like it, and swap an unacceptable identity in the blink of an eye for one that is more acceptable."

Other experts disagree. While most concur that overuse of social networking sites can be harmful, some experts like psychologist Graham Jones feel that moderate use is perfectly healthy. In Jones' opinion, many people who use social networking sites tend to be quite social in their real lives as well. Their online presence is just an extension of their real-life social behavior.

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]]>active social lifeActiveSocialLifeBeboFacebookMySpacerelationshipssocial behaviorsocial interationsocial lifesocial networkingsocial networking sitesSocialBehaviorSocialInterationSocialLifeSocialNetworkingSocialNetworkingSitesMaggie Vink2008-07-04T13:00:00+00:00Happy Birthday America!http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/happy-birthday-america/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/happy-birthday-america/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/04/happy-birthday-america/#commentsJust wanted to wish all of my fellow Americans a very happy Fourth of July, and to remind everyone why we celebrate. Of course politics can be rough, and the economy sometimes varies, but those things pale in comparison to all that this country has to offer. As I was explaining to my three and five year old children this week, we celebrate our freedom this Friday. As Americans we are able to choose our jobs, choose our religion, choose our spouse, choose our homes, and have as many or as little children as we'd like to have.

Nothing is perfect of course, but America is perfect for me. I rarely walk by a man or woman in uniform without thanking them for their service, nor an elderly man proudly wearing his baseball cap describing which branch of the military he served. I value the local and state law enforcement officers for placing their lives on the line each day to protect ours. I'm even grateful for the sometimes messy brood of politicians we elect to run this beautiful country of ours.

Lastly, I'm grateful for the nation of Americans. Thank goodness the majority of us are really good hardworking people. The good certainly outweigh the bad. I thank you for voting, working, educating your children, volunteering, helping strangers, and just making this country what it is today. I love it here. I'm proud to be here, and I'm grateful to those who laid their lives on the line to provide my family and I the simple yet irreplaceable luxury of freedom.

Continue reading Happy Birthday America!

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]]>airamericaamericanarmycoastdeclarationenforcementexpertfamilyfireworksfitzfitznessflagforcefourthfreedomguardindependancejulylawlibertymarinemilitarynavythanktraineryouFitz K.2008-07-04T08:30:00+00:0012 "Kick Butt" Tips for the perfectly fit July 4thhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/15-kick-butt-tips-for-the-perfectly-fit-july-4th/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/15-kick-butt-tips-for-the-perfectly-fit-july-4th/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/15-kick-butt-tips-for-the-perfectly-fit-july-4th/#comments

Here are some "kick butt" tips for keeping fit, active and regret free on the Fourth of July from KickYourButtIntoGear.com. As KickYourButtIntoGear.com is owned and managed by a fellow expert in the field of fitness, Exercise Physiologist, Tracy Benham ... the tips are awesome advice for you and you family to adhere to!

  • Sports and summertime go together. Plan an activity early in the day. Play baseball, touch football; go to the local pool or beach.
  • Get outside early and see if you can think of and do more than four activities before four o'clock to celebrate the Fourth.
  • Eat a bowl of fruit before you head for the barbecue goodies. Tons of fruits are in season. Make a Fourth of July fruit cocktail. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries...
  • Use a plate. You will be less tempted to mindlessly snack.
  • Skip the cheese and the Mayo on your burger and load up on lettuce tomatoes, pickles, onions and relish.
  • Alternate cocktails and other caloric beverages with a glass of water. Or ... just avoid the high calorie beverages all together!

Continue reading 12 "Kick Butt" Tips for the perfectly fit July 4th

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]]>americabarbecuebbqbenhambuttchickendessertexercisefitfitzfitznessfourthfruitgeargrillhealthhealthyherointojulykickphysiologistshesnackssportstracyusayourFitz K.2008-07-03T17:00:00+00:00Summer Slimdown Guide: Instant self-confidence boostershttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/summer-slimdown-guide-instant-self-confidence-boosters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/summer-slimdown-guide-instant-self-confidence-boosters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/03/summer-slimdown-guide-instant-self-confidence-boosters/#commentswoman in mirrorHave you taken a peek at our Summer Slimdown Guide yet? It's full of tips for a healthy and fit summer. We didn't forget (and we hope you don't either) that losing weight isn't just a numbers game. For many people, a lack of self-confidence is a contributing factor to weight gain. When you don't feel good about yourself, you're less likely to take care of yourself and, in time, extra pounds can creep up on you.

Taking care of your health -- both physically and emotionally -- is important. When you care for your own well-being, you're better able to manage your life effectively and energetically and you're better able to care for your loved ones. If your self-esteem could use a little boost, try some of these ideas:

  • Meditate. Taking a few moments each day to re-center will help you to feel better about yourself.
  • Pamper yourself. Schedule periodic "pampering" treatments -- get a facial or a massage, visit a spa, or get a pedicure.
  • Associate with supportive friends. Spend time with those who make you laugh, those you can count on for support, and who love you unconditionally.
  • Live healthfully. Eating right and exercising don't only improve the health of your body, they improve your mind and spirit as well.
  • Do something for others. Put yourself and your needs aside occasionally and do something for others -- it's amazing how focusing on someone else's needs can give your self-confidence a huge boost.
Check out the gallery for more info. And be sure to read through the Summer Slimdown Guide -- it's chock full of tips to help you finish the summer season in style.

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]]>emotional eatingEmotionalEatingfacialfeaturedmassagemeditatemeditationpedicureself-confidenceself-esteemspa treatmentsSpaTreatmentsSummer Slimdown GuideSummerSlimdownGuideweight lossWeightLossMaggie Vink2008-07-03T09:00:00+00:00Can't stress it enoughhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/cant-stress-it-enough/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/cant-stress-it-enough/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/cant-stress-it-enough/#commentsFor some of us, stress levels are so high that we sometimes have difficulty functioning, while for other people it never manifests past the point of minor distraction. Still, unless you're Buddha himself, you deal with at least some amount of stress.

Stress is related to adverse health effects in 43 percent of adults in the U.S., and it is linked to several leading causes of deaths (eg. heart disease, cancer, etc.). We are an overworked society, one that is headlong into a mortgage crisis and economic recession. Gas is over $4 a gallon. We are at war. The climate is changing. Stressed? Yeah, and for good reason.

However, it's vital to our health that we take steps to manage these stressful feelings -- which can range from anxiety and irritability to fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. Experts suggest identifying stressors and learning to cope using any number of stress-reducing techniques. Here are just a few ways that you can naturally keep stress levels under control.

Continue reading Can't stress it enough

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]]>buddhaChris SparlingChrisSparlingexercisehealthy eatingHealthyEatingmeditationsocial supportSocialSupportstressChris Sparling2008-07-01T19:35:00+00:00Stress Less: Hiring cleaning helphttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/stress-less-hiring-cleaning-help/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/stress-less-hiring-cleaning-help/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/01/stress-less-hiring-cleaning-help/#commentsI have houseguests arriving this afternoon. And my daughter's birthday party is this weekend. So, I've just spent two days cleaning my house. Granted, I don't clean often, so it was pretty dirty. But two days? Sore feet? Sore back? The money I could have made working in the time I spent scraping bits of Play Doh off the floor! This got me to thinking. And I dared to consider that I may be able to afford to pay someone to clean the house.

First, let's back up a bit. I'm not that old. But I grew up when "cleaning ladies" were still considered a luxury. Something, or someone rather, who rich people could afford to pay to clean their homes while they worked or played. Certainly good mothers and housewives didn't hire them.

Today, things have changed. Immigration has caused labor costs to plummet. And many middle class families employ housekeepers, a more politically correct title to be sure. What's more, many housekeeping businesses are now offering eco-friendly cleaning services, a big bonus for the health of the planet and you. So, I'm thinking it might be wiser, better for my household economy and the local economy, and healthier for my body and psyche to have the house cleaned more thoroughly in four hours than in the more than 14 it took me. What do you think? Other than that I'm crazy to clean at all before a bunch of 3-year-olds arrive to eat chocolate cupcakes in my house?

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]]>cleaningcleaning ladyCleaningLadyhousehousekeeperhousekeepingmaidDeanna Glick2008-07-01T12:00:00+00:00Man auctions off life on eBayhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/man-auctions-off-life-on-ebay/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/man-auctions-off-life-on-ebay/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/man-auctions-off-life-on-ebay/#commentsBreaking up is hard to do, isn't it? An Australia man recently found that breaking up with his wife was so painful that he wanted to start over with a completely clean slate. So Ian Usher put his entire life -- including his home, car, possessions, even his friends and a trial period at his job -- up for sale on eBay.

It sold, but for considerably less than he was hoping for. The final bid was about $384,000, which Usher said was about $100,000 less than he was hoping to get. Still, he intends to move on and restart his life with whatever is left.

His rash behavior may have cost him financially, for sure. But I'm wondering if he sold out his support system too. Obviously, you can't sell friends on eBay, but by symbolically lumping them in with the rest of his possessions, was he saying goodbye to them too?

If you've suffered a break up recently, Help Guide has some excellent information on how to cope.

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]]>Australiabreak upBreakUpdivorceeBayrelationshipsBethany Sanders2008-06-30T15:00:00+00:00What your kid needs by age 10http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/self-confident-kids-become-healthy-adults/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/self-confident-kids-become-healthy-adults/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/30/self-confident-kids-become-healthy-adults/#commentsDoes your kid have an internal locus of control? If so, it's a good thing because kids who have one by age 10 are less likely to be overweight at age 30. They also grow up to be healthier adults and are less likely to describe their health as poor or show high levels of psychological stress. Despite childhood IQ, education, and family income, these tendencies remain.

A locus of control is the extent to which people think they can influence events through their own actions. Each of us has one. It's a natural component of a person's personality and is shaped by childhood experiences and interaction with parents. Those who are shaped to believe they are in charge of their lives have an "internal" locus of control. Those who are not have an "external" locus.

"I think it is quite probable that a major explanation why children with a more internal locus of control behave more healthily as adults is that they have greater confidence in their ability to influence outcomes through their own actions," says Dr. Catharine R. Gale, of the University of Southampton in the UK. They may also have higher self-esteem, which can encourage healthy habits.

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]]>confidencecontrolesteemexternalinternalJacki DonaldsonJackiDonaldsonlocusoverweightpersonalityselfJacki Donaldson2008-06-30T09:00:00+00:00How to eat healthy at Walt Disney Worldhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/how-to-eat-healthy-at-walt-disney-world/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/how-to-eat-healthy-at-walt-disney-world/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/how-to-eat-healthy-at-walt-disney-world/#commentsSounds impossible, doesn't it? Who in the world ever thought of going to Disney and eating healthy? Crazy talk, right? Wrong! Your loving online Fitzness Expert (me) who has extremely high standards on what I put in both my children's mouth and my own can spend a day at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT and eat as well as I would in my own home. Disney has made grand efforts to improve the healthfulness of the foods they offer, and has even gone overboard with an abundance of fresh fruit stands located throughout each theme park.

I just spent a week at Walt Disney World in Florida and returned home half a pound less than I was the day before vacation. Want to eat right while enjoying the magic with Mickey Mouse? Read on.

  • Mickey makes mealtime easy on the fitness fan. Every restaurant I ventured through offered several menu options based on lean grilled meat, veggies, and/or fruit. Even the children's meals come standard with side items like: grapes, carrot sticks, and unsweetened applesauce. They also come with bottled water or skim milk. Sweet! Parents would have to go out of their way to substitute french fries and soda for their children instead of the healthy stuff. Eww! You the fitness fan, certainly wouldn't do that!
  • Sit down dining restaurants offer Egg Beaters cooked without oil in lieu of regular scrambled eggs. I enjoyed this perk while dining with Minnie and Goofy at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
  • Resort dining facilities offer endless refrigerators full of fresh fruit, veggies, yogurt, dried fruit, nutritious snack bars and more.
  • Seek out healthier desserts. Anywhere they are served, Disney has made efforts to make reduced fat, low sugar or fresh fruit treats available.

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]]>castlechickenchildrencreamdaisydessertdisneydisneylanddonaldeatexpertfishfitzfitznessfloridafoodfruitgoofygrilledhealthyholidayicekidsleanlosemeatmenumickeyminniemouseplutosaladsandwichsoupstandstrategysummertrainervacationvegetablesveggiewaltweightworldFitz K.2008-06-29T16:30:00+00:00Tie in to your local mountaineering clubhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/tie-in-to-your-local-mountaineering-club/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/tie-in-to-your-local-mountaineering-club/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/tie-in-to-your-local-mountaineering-club/#commentsClimbers tend to stick together. If you like to rock climb, mountaineer or hike, a great way to find like-minded trail friends is through your local mountaineering club. The United Kingdom's CHAmois Mountaineering Club offers a nice list of clubs around the world to help you identify a club in your area.

Syd (hubby) and I just spent our first weekend immersion into the land of the Chicago Mountaineering Club (CMC). We'd had our eye on this club for years, but little kids and a 4-year stint in no-altitude Florida stunted our chances. Back living in Chicago, it was time to join one of their guest weekend climbs in Devil's Lake, Wisconsin, a Midwestern climbing mecca.

Saturday morning, a mix of about 25 club members and guests split into two separate climbing groups and headed out. After brushing up on my knots, our group dropped around eight or nine ropes along a variety of routes to fit the raw beginner to the elite. Club rope leaders carefully checked each top rope system. Rain shortened our climb time, but all in all it was an incredible day. Rock climbing with a group offering that many different routes is a Disneyland climbing experience. After the exhilaration of finally making it up a 5.7-rated crack, I happily earned sore muscles that haven't ached in years -- rock climbing is a full-body workout. Thanks to the club, we also met new friends and will tie into another outing soon.

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]]>Bev SklarBevSklarclimbing knotsClimbingKnotslocal mountaineering clubsLocalMountaineeringClubsmountaineering club locatormountaineering clubsMountaineeringClubLocatorMountaineeringClubsrock climbingRockClimbingBev Sklar2008-06-29T16:10:00+00:00