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/Fitku: Sweat it outhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/fitku-sweat-it-out/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/fitku-sweat-it-out/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/fitku-sweat-it-out/#commentssweaty backI'm really on the fence when it comes to sweat. I know it means my body is working hard, since sweating is its cooling mechanism. Part of me feels I get a better workout, or get more from it, when I sweat.

The other part of me simply believes that the room isn't cool enough and that sweat is disgusting. I hate dripping after exercise, and the chills during the cool-down are unpleasant. And how about that sticky skin if you don't jump in the shower right away? Blech!

In an attempt to embrace the sweat, I've composed a very classy Fitku about sweating it out:

Perspiration beads
Morph into raging rivers
Running down my back

Where do you stand on the sweat issue?

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]]>coolingfithealthysweatsweatyworkoutDebra McDuffee2008-08-26T11:00:00+00:00Fitku: Beach runninghttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/12/fitku-beach-running/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/12/fitku-beach-running/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/12/fitku-beach-running/#commentsman running on beach at sunsetAs I get ready to embark on a beach vacation next week, I can't help but get excited that I'll be able to run on the beach. Running barefoot, feeling the sand between my toes, working my calves into things of beauty... I'm looking forward to it!

It is easier on the joints to run on sand -- less impact -- and the resistance the sand offers helps you burn more calories and get a better workout overall.

How could I resist writing a Fitku about this awesome exercise?

Running on the beach
calves burn, sand churns, and heart pumps
I yearn for the shore

Do you enjoy running or walking on the beach?

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]]>beachburncaloriescalvescardioexerciserunrunningsandshorewalkwalkingDebra McDuffee2008-08-12T14:00:00+00:00Fitku: Weeding as exercisehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/04/fitku-weeding-as-exercise/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/04/fitku-weeding-as-exercise/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/04/fitku-weeding-as-exercise/#commentsIf you've got a crabgrass problem like I do this year, weeding can be exercise. In fact, it can be a high-impact aerobic activity, if you do it at my house.

Weeding can be done for flexibilty and endurance, and we are now told by some researchers that low-key fitness, like weeding and strolling, is the answer to a long, healthy life.

So, in the spirit of weeding like a fiend, I write this Fitku:

Stretching, pulling weeds
Beautiful garden, exercise
Squatting, bending, done!

Do you buy it? Can weeding be exercise? I know my sore thighs and ankles tell that story the next day....

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]]>enduranceexercisefitnessflexibilitygardeninglow-key-fitnessstretchingweedingweedsDebra McDuffee2008-08-04T14:00:00+00:00Fitku: Ode to the Hundredhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/01/fitku-ode-to-the-hundred/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/01/fitku-ode-to-the-hundred/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/01/fitku-ode-to-the-hundred/#commentsroom full of Pilates matsIf you've never tried Pilates, you are missing out, plain and simple. I am not an indoor exerciser, I don't like gyms or classes, but I get very cranky if I miss my weekly Pilates class; now that's saying something.

In fact, I do several Pilates moves every day, The Hundred being one of them. This ab exercise pretty much does your entire core, even your lats (yep, your back is your core too). To share my love for The Hundred, indulge me in this Fitku:

Flapping arms work lats
Rhythmic breathing helps the count
Flat abs are the goal

What are you waiting for? Start counting and feel the burn!

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]]>abdominalsabscorecore-strengthexercisejoseph-pilateslatsmatmatsPilatesDebra McDuffee2008-08-01T13:00:00+00:00Fitku: Summer Swimshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/06/27/fitku-summer-swims/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/06/27/fitku-summer-swims/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/06/27/fitku-summer-swims/#commentsSummer is here and if you have a body of water nearby, swimming is the perfect seasonal way to cross train. Lose those running shoes a few times a week and instead, head for the wet and wild workout!

Stroke and breathe, turn head
Rhythmic splashing motivates
More laps, more burn . . . swim.

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]]>pool workoutPoolWorkoutswimmingswimming lapsSwimmingLapsDebra McDuffee2007-06-27T17:00:00+00:00Fitku: Yoga - Doing It with Farm Animalshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/05/14/fitku-yoga-doing-it-with-farm-animals/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/05/14/fitku-yoga-doing-it-with-farm-animals/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/05/14/fitku-yoga-doing-it-with-farm-animals/#commentsI refer to Cat-Cow Stretch, of course; where was your mind?

High arch builds core strength
Back sags with gentle relief
Abdominals stretch

One of my favorite poses; I do it every morning and evening. It protects the lower back, strengthens abdominals and your core, and stretches everything you strained by sleeping funny or by all-day abuse. Try this one!

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]]>cat-cow stretchCat-cowStretchcore strengthCoreStrengthyogaDebra McDuffee2007-05-14T15:20:00+00:00Fitku: Vitamin D Fixhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/30/fitku-vitamin-d-fix/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/30/fitku-vitamin-d-fix/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/30/fitku-vitamin-d-fix/#commentsThe Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun, and the seasons ebb and flow. As springtime heads into full swing and we begin to anticipate summer, I am reminded of why my body craves this weather so much. Sunshine provides vitamin D, which provides us with what we need for muscle and bone strength, improved immunity and cancer-fighting.

And so begins my sunshine-inspired Fitku:

Sun: nourish body
Rejuvenate the spirit
Refresh soul and mind

Ahhhhhh . . . vitamin D anyone?

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]]>sunshine benefitsSunshineBenefitsvitamin D benefitsVitaminDBenefitsDebra McDuffee2007-04-30T17:50:00+00:00Fitku: Abs of Steelhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/17/fitku-abs-of-steel/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/17/fitku-abs-of-steel/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/17/fitku-abs-of-steel/#commentsMy fitku inspiration today is my motivation for keeping up with those crunches, ab pulls and obliques. Do I want fab abs? Oh yes. And to tell you the truth, ab work is actually one of my favorite workout things to do.

Crunches, flex, release
Carve out those beautiful abs
Bikini this summer?

Here's hoping those bikini days aren't over for any of us . . .

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]]>abdominal exercisesAbdominalExercisesbikiniDebra McDuffee2007-04-17T10:00:00+00:00Fitku: Food Mantras to Gohttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/13/fitku-food-mantras-to-go/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/13/fitku-food-mantras-to-go/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/13/fitku-food-mantras-to-go/#commentsCould all of the eating advice out there be any more confusing? High protein, low fat, points, food combining . . . yikes! I think the key really is to find what works for your own body, as everyone is different. My personal food mantra . . .

High protein, low carb
Colorful veggies and fruits
What about dessert?

What? I am not supposed to eat dessert? How'd I miss that?

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]]>Atkinshealthy eatingHealthyEatingSouth Beach DietDebra McDuffee2007-04-13T16:30:00+00:00Fitku: Spring Hikeshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/05/fitku-spring-hikes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/05/fitku-spring-hikes/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/04/05/fitku-spring-hikes/#commentsSince I love hiking so much, imagine how thrilled I am that I no longer have to "suit up" in my snow boots, Yaktrax, parka, hat, mittens . . .

Spring is upon us here in New England, and I feel Fitku-inspired:

Melting slush, clean air
Warm spring sunshine on my face
Feet in puddle-muck

Maybe I should have worn those boots after all?

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]]>healthy sunshineHealthySunshinemud puddlesMudPuddlesspring hikesSpringHikesDebra McDuffee2007-04-05T07:00:00+00:00Fitku: Smoothie Lovehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/29/fitku-smoothie-love/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/29/fitku-smoothie-love/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/29/fitku-smoothie-love/#comments
Vitamix churning
Cherries, mango, vanilla
Nutrients to go

Not inspired to create your own smoothie Fitku? Or even your own smoothies? Try some of these recipes for smoothies, and maybe you'll be writing some Fitku love in no time.

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]]>fruit smoothiesFruitSmoothiessmoothie recipesSmoothieRecipesvitamixDebra McDuffee2007-03-29T07:00:00+00:00Fitku: Staying Powerhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/13/fitku-staying-power/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/13/fitku-staying-power/http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/13/fitku-staying-power/#commentsWhile pseudo-running on my elliptical today, I was overcome with the inspiration for a Fitku:

Heart pounds, muscles strain
Breath comes in rhythmic panting
Oh, my aching knees

But did I quit? Oh, no. I stayed on that elliptical trainer for my full five minutes . . .

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]]>elliptical machineEllipticalMachinemusclesworking outWorkingOutDebra McDuffee2007-03-13T19:45:00+00:00Fitku: Ripple effecthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2006/09/21/fitku-ripple-effect/http://www.thatsfit.com/2006/09/21/fitku-ripple-effect/http://www.thatsfit.com/2006/09/21/fitku-ripple-effect/#commentsCraving sweet ice cream
Rippling thighs not a good sign
More carrots for me

C'mon people, add your own! You know you have one in you ...

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]]>Kristi Anderson2006-09-21T14:30:00+00:00