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/Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- A Creative & Calorie Torching Pool Workouthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/02/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-a-creative-and-calori/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/02/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-a-creative-and-calori/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/02/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-a-creative-and-calori/#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. Dear Fitz, I love the summer weather, and really want to use the large outdoor pool at my gym. I do water walking and swim a couple of laps, but then I get so bored! Swimming 20 laps in a row is not fun for me. I'm pretty sure swimming burns a lot of calories, which is my goal. Help! Deanna

A. Hi Deanna, I'm so excited to help you, cause I too love the benefits of training in the water. We always hear that it's a terrific workout for those who want to avoid trauma from high impact activities. It also happens to be a fantastic workout for those who want to burn a massive amount of calories! Quick personal story. About eight years ago, while in the midst of a competitive kickboxing career, I tore my right hamstring. This made it impossible for me to do almost any sort of activity that involved any sort of impact. I also happened to be about 5% body fat at the time. I thought there was no way in the world that I could lose another pound. At 5'6" and 114 pounds, I was sitting on my bones. Having said that ... after swimming most nights for three weeks I actually lost three pounds. I was sold! Swimming is awesome exercise!

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- A Creative & Calorie Torching Pool Workout

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]]>aquabeachburncaloriescardioclubexpertfitfitzfitznessgaingymhealthykickboardlaploselosspoolpoolatesstrongsummersunswimtraintrainerwaterweightworkoutFitz K.2008-07-02T09:30:00+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+00:00How 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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Continue reading How to eat healthy at Walt Disney World

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]]>castlechickenchildrencreamdaisydessertdisneydisneylanddonaldeatexpertfishfitzfitznessfloridafoodfruitgoofygrilledhealthyholidayicekidsleanlosemeatmenumickeyminniemouseplutosaladsandwichsoupstandstrategysummertrainervacationvegetablesveggiewaltweightworldFitz K.2008-06-29T16:30:00+00:00Who is entitled to have fun in the sun?http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/who-is-entitled-to-have-fun-in-the-sun/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/who-is-entitled-to-have-fun-in-the-sun/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/29/who-is-entitled-to-have-fun-in-the-sun/#commentsEveryone of course! I recently returned from a fabulous vacation with my family at Walt Disney World in Florida. Our six-day adventure was non-stop fun, and a major highlight of this trip were our days at the Disney water parks. We enjoyed both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to the max and would love to go back every sunny day of the year.

I had a little sad moment though as I chatted with a father of two little ones in the kiddie section of Blizzard Beach. We were commenting on what a challenge it was to keep perfect track of our children in such a busy, water-filled place. The poor guy told me he was alone with his children, because his wife didn't feel like she could go out in public in her swimsuit. He didn't want the kids to miss out on the water fun, so he took them himself. She stayed back at their resort.

It made me amazingly sad to think that this woman felt so uncomfortable in her skin that she couldn't even enjoy a beautiful day with her family at a ridiculously perfect place. I know we all feel self conscious at times (including me). And even as my profession is to educate and inspire others to be more fit ... I wouldn't want anyone to place their life on hold because of their body shape or size. That woman is a really special part of her family, and I imagine they missed her very much.

Continue reading Who is entitled to have fun in the sun?

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]]>averagebathingbeachblizzardbodyconsciousdisneyembarrassfamilyfitzfitznessfloridafriendlagoonlargepeoplepoolregularselfsmallsuitswimswimsuittyphoonwaltwaterwaterparkworldFitz K.2008-06-29T11:00:00+00:00Does money make us happier?http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/does-money-make-us-happier/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/does-money-make-us-happier/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/does-money-make-us-happier/#commentsMoney can't buy you happiness. That's how the saying goes, anyway. But has anyone ever subjected to this theory to any kind of scientific method? As a matter of fact, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have, and their findings seem to support this popular tenet.

According to the research, money does play a role in the initial stages of happiness -- to the point where basic needs are met. Beyond that point, however, the affect money has on happiness appears to be far less significant. So, if money doesn't bring joy into people's lives, what does? Family ties, say researchers. Surveys on this topic indicate that while happiness is less strongly tied to changes in income, there is a strong association to changes in the quality of family relationships over time.

However, just as you still might disagree with these findings, so do some economists. As stated in a recent WebMD article, polling data from rich and poor countries reveals that satisfaction is highest among people living in the richest countries. And, within those countries, people with higher incomes tended to be happier than those with less money. In the U.S., for example, 90% of people in households making at least $250,000 considered themselves "very happy," compared to just 42% of people in households with incomes below $30,000.

Continue reading Does money make us happier?

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]]>Chris SparlingChrisSparlingfamilyhappinessincomemoneywebmdChris Sparling2008-06-25T14:38:00+00:00Total Body Training on the Trailhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/total-body-training-on-the-trail/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/total-body-training-on-the-trail/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/total-body-training-on-the-trail/#commentsOf course going jogging on a trail is a super form of exercise. I specifically like what trails have to offer hips and ankles over a flatter surface. The inconsistency of the trails' surface causes the joints in our lower body to constantly adjust which makes them uniquely beneficial for strengthening hips, knees, and ankles.

Trails are also great for other types of training as well. I think Women's' Health magazine did a super job of taking a few simple items we'd all eventually stumble across while trail running, and turning them into fitness equipment. As your fancy online Fitzness Trainer, these are the types of skills I want you to learn.

Continue reading Total Body Training on the Trail

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]]>cardioexercisefitnessfitzfitznesshealthjogloselossmagazinemusclepushuprunstrengthstretchstrongtrailtraintrickweightwomensworkoutFitz K.2008-06-25T12:00:00+00:00Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- An overweight family gets healthyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-an-overweight-famil/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-an-overweight-famil/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/25/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-an-overweight-famil/#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. Hi Fitz. I would like to start teaching my family good eating habits. I'm overweight and my children are too. Where should I start? Thanks. Charlene

A. Hello Miss Charlene. Thanks for the great question. Raising fit and healthy children is my soap box, and actually one of my favorite lecture topics. Why? It's so important! Parents literally have the capability to set their children up with terrific habits which will greatly increase their chances of living a long healthy life. What a wonderful gift! The opposite is true as well. Moms and Dads who do not insist upon healthy foods and exercise can doom their children with awful diseases, ailments and even worse ... premature death. Junk food is no fun in the long run, and we as parents, owe it to our beautiful babies to provide a healthy start.

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- An overweight family gets healthy

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]]>bookchildrendaddr. mehmet ozdr. ozdr. roizenDr.MehmetOzDr.OzDr.Roizenexercisefamilyfitfitzfitznessflourfoodhealthylosemomobeseoverweightparentrecommendstartstrongsugarweightyou on a dietYouOnADietFitz K.2008-06-25T09:31:00+00:00Yoga on the Beachhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/y/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/y/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/y/#commentsIf you're like me, you've spent many days in either the pool or an ocean this summer. When I hit the water with my family, my purpose is to have physical fun. We're not the type to loaf on a chair, hoping to earn a few extra wrinkles before we call it a day. Heck no! We move! We play, we swim, we chase and more. Having said that ... I have two teeny kiddies and that's what I'm supposed to be doing.

Adults however, are entitled to play, chase, and move near or in the water too! Why the heck not? A warm summer breeze offers a great opportunity to feel strong, energized, and in good touch with our bodies. Women's Health magazine offers a bunch of cool yoga exercises to do at the beach. I like them, I really do. And as your adoring online Fitzness Trainer, I recommend you give them a try.

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Continue reading Yoga on the Beach

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]]>beachexerciseexpertfitzfitznessflexiblehealthlearnmagazinesonpalyplaypoolsandstrongsummersunswimtrainerwomensyogaFitz K.2008-06-24T10:00:00+00:00Stress Less: Borrowing from Buddhismhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/stress-less-borrowing-from-buddhism/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/stress-less-borrowing-from-buddhism/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/24/stress-less-borrowing-from-buddhism/#comments

When I was a child, my great uncle would bring me gifts from the Far East. He worked as a waiter on a cruise ship, a job that offered ample opportunity for visiting places all over the world, especially the Orient.

One of his gifts was a pair of Laughing Buddhas, which he explained would bring me luck if I rubbed their bellies. I don't know if doing so ever brought me luck, but it did bring me comfort in the idea that it could. And I still occasionally take part in the folkloric practice, although it does not form part of any Buddhist doctrine. Still, the Laughing Buddha is often admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment.

There is perhaps a more effective technique within Buddhist tradition for bringing comfort to one's mind and ease stress. Mindfulness plays a central role in the teaching of the Buddha. It involves close examination of inner reality, upon which one finds that happiness is not exclusively a quality brought about by a change in outer circumstances, but rather by realizing happiness often starts with loosening and releasing attachment to thoughts.

The practice has become known as an antidote for various ailments, notably type-A stress and depression. Sounds like great news. And the better news is that one not subscribe to the whole belief system, albeit an attractive one, to borrow part of it as a means of calming the mind.


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]]>bellyBudaiBuddhabuddhistchinese folkloreChineseFolklorelaughing buddhaLaughingBuddhamindfulnessDeanna Glick2008-06-24T10:00:00+00:00Make being healthy your new 'pet' projecthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/make-being-healthy-your-new-pet-project/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/make-being-healthy-your-new-pet-project/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/make-being-healthy-your-new-pet-project/#commentsIt seems that just about everything in this world can hurt us. We are inundated with reports about the dangers of every possible disease, diet, behavior, and cataclysmic event known to man. And, these reports of danger oddly seem to come just after hearing reports that the opposite of that danger is actually the real danger. It can all quickly become quite convoluted and a bit overwhelming, really. Thankfully, there's new research out of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis that suggests a very straightforward way to reduce at least one of our risks.

Based on a study on the effects of pet ownership on heart health, researchers discovered that you can cut your chances of suffering a myocardial infarction by as much as 30 percent just by taking care of a cat. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that pets are a great means of stress release for their owners. In fact, one study presented in 2005 at a meeting for the American Heart Association meeting revealed that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with known heart problems.

If you're interested in finding a pet that's in need of a good home, and in reducing your risk of health problems in the process, click here to be taken to a nationwide directory of animal shelters.


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]]>catschris sparlingChrisSparlingdogsheart attackHeartAttackmyorarcial infarctionMyorarcialInfarctionstressuniversity of minnesotaUniversityOfMinnesotaChris Sparling2008-06-23T13:33:00+00:00Workout in the Parkhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/workout-in-the-park/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/workout-in-the-park/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/workout-in-the-park/#commentsI love multitasking! Any opportunity I get to kill two or more birds with one stone gets me giddy. I'm a busy woman with far too much to do, and when things get done in an efficient and pleasing way...I feel elated. Where am I going with this, you ask? Women's Health recently published this Park Workout and I thought you may need to see it as well.

If you have kids, I'm guessing there is a 99.9% chance that they like to run around and play at the playground. If this is true, then I'm talking to you. Let your kids and their buddies have their fun while you get a workout. No use sitting on that park bench anymore....use it for a glute training! Utilize the swings, monkey bars, and more.

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]]>absbarschildrenexpertfatfitfitzfitznesshanghealthkidsloselosslungemagazinemonkeymultitaskingmuscleparkplaygroundpullupsstrongthintraintrainerweightwomensFitz K.2008-06-23T09:23:00+00:00Jumpstart Your Fitness: By identifying what stresses you outhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/jumpstart-your-fitness-by-identifying-what-stresses-you-out/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/jumpstart-your-fitness-by-identifying-what-stresses-you-out/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/23/jumpstart-your-fitness-by-identifying-what-stresses-you-out/#commentsStress is a part of life, but it seems like lately with the economy in the state it's in (and gas prices skyrocketing to record high after record high), it's getting to be more than just a part of life -- for some of us, stress has downright taken over our lives.

Stress is bad, there's no doubt about that. Sure, in the case of meeting a bear in the woods, stress might help you run faster (or are you supposed stand still?) but in a civilized society, stress doesn't do much more than make us sick. Chronic mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are often directly linked to stress, as are physical conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, insomnia, and obesity, to name just a few from an ever growing list.

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]]>economyfinancesfitnessjumpstartjumpstart your fitnessJumpstartYourFitnessmoneyreduce stressReduceStressstressstress reductionstressedstressfulstressorsStressReductionRigel Gregg2008-06-23T07:33:00+00:00Fitz's Fit Family Disney Vacation: Day 3 http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/fitzs-fit-family-disney-vacation-day-3/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/fitzs-fit-family-disney-vacation-day-3/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/fitzs-fit-family-disney-vacation-day-3/#commentsIt's hard to say which day out of the six we spent a few weeks ago at the Walt Disney World Resort was my favorite, but day three really was special. It was jam packed with a variety of super fun activities that were both totally exciting and totally relaxing at the same time. The majority of day three was spent at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, where we were staying. We capped off a superb day with a glamorous evening at The California Grill, one of Disney's Signature Restaurants located on the top floor of The Contemporary Resort.

If you take your family to Disney, I highly recommend strategically placing at least one 'resort day' in the middle of your stay. The theme parks and water parks are amazing, but can be exhausting. Playing at your Disney resort still offers loads of fun, but doesn't drain. In fact, a 'resort day' is the perfect recharge for tired parents needed a break. The pools are wildly creative, the hot tubs....to die for, and the free organized activities are endless. Yes, you heard me right. Most of the Disney resorts offer planned activities for both children and adults.....FREE OF CHARGE! Whooohooooo!

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Continue reading Fitz's Fit Family Disney Vacation: Day 3

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]]>beachcaliforniacarribeanchefcontemporarydahlmanndisneyfitnessfitzfitznessfloridafruitfungrillhealthyholidayjensorlandopirateresortswimvacationvegetableswaltworldyogurtFitz K.2008-06-20T17:00:00+00:00Kill your alarm clock and win a bed! Zzzzzzhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/kill-your-alarm-clock-and-win-a-bed-zzzzzz/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/kill-your-alarm-clock-and-win-a-bed-zzzzzz/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/20/kill-your-alarm-clock-and-win-a-bed-zzzzzz/#commentsI just received this press release for a SLEEP promotion, and as I'm a huge fan of sleep, I thought I'd pass it along. I really do value sleep and thought that this constituted a good enough reason for me to take a nap. Work keeps me up to late, and the kids wake me up far too early. If you're like me and just need a great excuse to get some extra Zzzz, read on, grow inspired, and then conk out. Maybe you can even participate and win yourself a fancy bed!

--SUMMER IS FOR SLEEPING? EXHAUSTED AMERICANS CHALLENGED TO SLEEP-IN ON LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR!

Sleep Number by Select Comfort(R) Kicks-Off Sleep-in Challenge on First Day of Summer to Help Combat Mortality Causing Illnesses - (June 5, 2008) -Just one more hour of sleep each day can help extend your life by reducing mortality causing illnesses including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory disorders and high blood pressure, according to new researchSo, instead of packing more activities into your day, the sleep experts at Select Comfort (NASDAQ: SCSS), the nation's leading bed retailer and maker of the Sleep Number bed, challenge Americans to adopt better sleep habits by signing a pledge here to sleep one more hour each day beginning June 20, the first day of summer and the "longest" day of the year. All those who pledge are entered to win a free Sleep Number bed and sent valuable sleep and lifestyle tips to help them achieve deeper, restorative sleep to improve physical and mental health and performance, which might extend their life and increase their bedtime comfort.

Continue reading Kill your alarm clock and win a bed! Zzzzzz

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]]>bedchallengefitzfitznesssleepwinFitz K.2008-06-20T13:30:00+00:00Celebrity Fitzness Report: Pro Ice Skater Michael Weisshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/celebrity-fitzness-report-pro-ice-skater-michael-weiss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/celebrity-fitzness-report-pro-ice-skater-michael-weiss/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/celebrity-fitzness-report-pro-ice-skater-michael-weiss/#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.

I recently had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Michael Weiss while visiting him during one of his show stops for the Smucker's Stars on Ice tour. He comes from a wildly successful family of athletes (we're talking Olympians here) and has lived up to the Weiss expectations perfectly. Of course he trains like a workhorse, but it was neat to hear how sports and fitness were ingrained in him from ..... birth! He also tells about about the weight-loss-ish type competition he's engaged in with the other guys in the show. Sasha Cohen will decide the winner. Enjoy this interview. The guys got medals coming out the yin-yang and offers some fantastic fitness tips. There is a lot to learn!

Continue reading Celebrity Fitzness Report: Pro Ice Skater Michael Weiss

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]]>bronzecardiodancefitzfitznessflexiblehealthyiceloselossmanmedalmichaelmuscleolympiconprofessionalshowskatersmuckersspinstarsstrongsuccesstourweightweisswinnerFitz K.2008-06-19T10:00:00+00:0052 ways to reduce stresshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/52-ways-to-reduce-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/52-ways-to-reduce-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/19/52-ways-to-reduce-stress/#commentsstressed out womanDeadlines, work, overbooked schedules ... we all have stress in our lives. Finding ways to cope with and release stress is essential to a pleasant and happy life. Goodness knows the things that are creating stress probably aren't going away anytime soon.

Good Housekeeping has a list of 52 ways to reduce stress. What I love about these ideas is that they're reasonable and easy to accomplish. After all, you don't want to add more stress in your effort to release stress. Some of my favorite ideas from their list include:

  • Uncork a Bottle of Whine. Call up a friend or get together just to vent. Be sure to listen to your friend's issues as well.
  • Bless Their Hearts. My maternal grandmother always said this, so maybe that's why I love this tip so much. Whenever someone annoys you -- a driver cutting you off in traffic, a rude sales clerk -- just think or say "Bless their hearts." Three simple words to remind you to be compassionate even in the face of annoyance.
  • Demi De-Clutter. Instead of trying to declutter your whole home, just pick one small area at a time... a drawer, a desk, the top shelf of your closet. When you break the job down to small portions, it's more manageable.

Check out the full list for more doable stress relievers. Also, visit AOL Health to check your stress level.

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]]>good housekeepingGoodHousekeepingreduce stressReduceStressstressstress managementstress reductionstress reliefStressManagementStressReductionStressReliefMaggie Vink2008-06-19T09:00:00+00:00Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Preteen Body Fathttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/18/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-preteen-body-fat/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/18/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-preteen-body-fat/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/18/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-preteen-body-fat/#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 am 12 years old and am a little chunky. I have love handles and wish to get rid of them, but I don't know what I should do! I was trying sit ups and crunches, but they don't work. Now I want to know what really works and how I can keep my body in shape without body fat . Everyone says that I'm not fat nor skinny, I'm just chunky. I want to get rid of all the chunky parts, but I don't know what I should do. Please help! Jellybean

A. First of all Jellybean, I want you to change your focus. I know it's hard to be young and uncomfortable in your skin. I too, had that issue before I was a teenager and ended up with a traumatic eating disorder. Trust me ... it brought me only bad things, never good. Don't go there. Instead of focusing on your so-called "flaws", find something about your body you like. I bet your body is loaded with treasures.

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Preteen Body Fat

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]]>bikechunkydairydancedisordereatingexercisefatfitnessfitzfitznessfruithandleshealthleanlovemeatparentpreteenroller skateRollerSkatesportsswimtalkteenagevegetablesveggiesFitz K.2008-06-18T09:30:00+00:00Pretend the gym is closedhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/pretend-the-gym-is-closed/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/pretend-the-gym-is-closed/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/pretend-the-gym-is-closed/#commentsThink it doesn't matter where you put one foot in front of the other? Think again. As effective an exercise as running on a treadmill is, putting in some miles outdoors offers even greater benefits to your health.

Women's Health online reports that taking your run outside can help you burn five percent more calories per workout, thanks to wind resistance and varied terrain. What's more, fluctuating outdoor temps further increase the number of calories you burn by about seven percent because your body must fight to keep your core temperature at 98.6 degrees.

It seems as though outdoor activity also offers more of a stress relief. British researchers compared the mental benefits of a 30-minute walk in the park with a stroll on a treadmill, finding that 71 percent of the outdoorsy folks said they felt less tense afterward, while 72 percent of the treadmill trekkers felt even more stressed.

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]]>Chris SparlingChrisSparlingexercisefitnessoutdoor exerciseOutdoorExercisewomens health onlineWomensHealthOnlineChris Sparling2008-06-17T22:34:00+00:00Poolateshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/poolates/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/poolates/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/poolates/#commentsInstead of spending the summer lying like a frying fish next to the pool ... jump in! Cool off, get moving, and earn yourself a body worthy of that hot bathing suit you've been dreaming of. If you're a parent, get your butt in pool and get your kids involved as well. Family fitness should be fun and Women's Health has a great series of exercises you can do alone or all together. Don't forget your sunblock!

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]]>absexercisefamilyfitfitzfitznessfunhealthhealthyhotloselossmagazinepilatespoolpoolatestrongsummersunswimweightwetwomenFitz K.2008-06-17T11:06:00+00:00Stress Less: Surviving summer with kidshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/stress-less-surviving-summer-with-kids/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/stress-less-surviving-summer-with-kids/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/06/17/stress-less-surviving-summer-with-kids/#commentsOne of the biggest stress inducers for me lately has been finding enough activities to keep my young daughter occupied. Structure and focus seem to be requirements to prevent afternoons filled with whining and crying. Park and pool trips, walks, craft projects, Play Doh and coloring books, and when all else fails, TV. Usually Dora the Explorer.

And then there's her birthday party coming up. She'll be 3. And about 10 other 3-year-olds will be joining her to celebrate. An afternoon of whining, crying 3-year-olds would take more bottles of wine without the "h" than I can afford. So I've come up with the following ideas to get me through the afternoon sober:

  • Strategy No. 1: A goal contest with a soccer ball and a Diego doll strategically placed as goalie. They can kick to their heart's content and everyone will get a handmade ribbon for their efforts.
  • Strategy No. 2: Craft project. Ten foam sun visors in the same color to prevent fights for favorites. Foam stickers to decorate as well as foam letters to spell out names. Cost for supplies: $28. Value of a few minutes of peace at the party: priceless. Added bonus: the kids have a favor to take home.
  • Strategy No. 3: Cupcakes. No ice cream. Save yourself from cutting and serving and scooping. Enough said.

More good news: The first two can be used any old time. And you can find more ideas here. So good luck. And hang in there until September!

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]]>activitiesbirthdaycraftskidspartiespartyprojectssoccerDeanna Glick2008-06-17T10:00:00+00:00