That's Fit

Figuring out what your vices are and finding ways to reduce the effect they have on your diet is a surefire way to lose a few pounds. So last week, I asked you what your vices are. Here are your top answers:

• 28 percent of you said you struggle with portions -- you eat healthfully but you eat too much.
  
• 24 percent of you are sugar fiends -- your vice is dessert.
  
• 17 percent of you are addicted to snacking.
  
• 11 percent of you consider liquid calories your vice.
  
• 9 percent of you are love being lazy -- way more than working out.
  

Want some portion advice? Click here.

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Your health and your weight are closely linked, and though it's sometimes considered a flawed measure, whether you're a healthy weight or not is typically measured by your BMI. So you should definitely know your BMI, and whether it's part of your healthy range or not -- it's a good indication of whether you need to lose a few or not. You can click here to find out what your BMI is.

So I'm wondering ...

If, like the rest of America, you're taking steps to slim down this year, you need to learn how to get a handle on your cravings. That means identifying the reasons behind your unhealthy eating behavious -- which is why I asked you when you're most likely to give in to cravings. Here's what you said:

• 44 percent of you overeat in the evening, when you're relaxing.
  
• 18 percent of you said it happens when you're feeling tired, stressed or depressed.
  
• 17 percent of you give in to cravings in the afternoon, when your energy is low.
  
• 10 percent let themselves go when they're on holidays or celebrating a special occasion.
  
• Others said they were likely to give in when they're bored, sick or have had a few drinks.

Next step? Finding more productive ways to deal with these situations than by eating. In the evenings, try sipping on a cup of herbal tea rather than reaching for the Ruffles. When you're feeling down? Exercise is great for your mood. When your energy is low, a brisk walk will perk you up better than anything you put in your mouth.

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Over at AOL Health, Bob Greene (yes, the guy who helps Oprah lose weight) is sharing the secrets of successful weight loss. Number one on his list? Making exercise a priority. So I'm wondering ... do you?

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

There are probably lots of reasons you're overweight -- so now it's confession time. Everyone: What habits have lead to your weight gain? What's keeping you from being thin?

It's easy to blame weight gain on your metabolism -- a lot easier than admitting your own role in it, anyway. Do you blame yours? That's what I asked you last week -- here's what you said:

• 46 percent of you don't -- you admit that your weight gain is ultimately down to your own bad habits.
  
• 35 percent of you do, kind of. It plays a role but you know it's also down to you.
  
• 15 percent of you believe that your metabolism is definitely to blame.
  

But like most things, balance is key. One reader hits the nail on the head by saying, "Better habits lead to better metabolism, and better metabolism provides more energy for better habits."

Thanks for sharing!

This January, AOL Health is helping America take it off, and that includes you!

The first step to losing weight is confronting your cravings. Because, let's face it -- most of us are healthy eaters most of the time ... it's when we give in to our cravings that we let ourselves go. So, in the interest of conquering cravings, I'm wondering ...

How's the old New Year's resolution going? About as good as last year's? Yeah, I kinda figured. It seems to happen every year, huh? You go into January with nothing but the best intentions but things just don't go as planned. Last week, I asked you what is keeping you from following through -- here are your top answers:

• 20 percent of you feel addicted to your bad habits -- it's just too difficult to give them up.
• 18 percent of you just aren't motivated enough.
• 18 percent of you just like your bad habits too much to give them up.
  
• 11 percent of you don't change out of habit
• 11 percent of you think the people around you aren't helping one bit.

Enough with the excuses -- life's too short to be unhealthy and unhappy. But there's a silver lining to this -- 14% of you said there was nothing keeping you from getting healthy -- it's your year to change. Good for you!

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

It's that time of year -- when everyone seems to be scrambling to get back on track after the holidays. America is taking it off -- what about you?

If you're looking for motivation to get your butt to the gym, often you don't have to look further than the nearest celebrity gossip magazine. Yep, it's the jobs of celebs to look good on the red carpet, and they definitely excel at it. Well, most of them. Of course, the ones who are the most fit get our seal of approval.

And, as we wind down 2008, we wanted to know who your favourite fit celeb of the past year was. Here are your top three picks:

• Kelly Ripa, who admitted to working out every day this year, got 18 percent of the votes.
• Jennifer Lopez, who ran a triathlon after giving birth to twins, scored 15 percent.
• And Hugh Jackman, who was too blindingly gorgeous for us to even care what his workout was, also had 15 percent of the votes.
  

All excellent choices. Thanks for your input!

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Love it or hate it (we're guessing the latter), your metabolism is something you just need to learn to deal with. And when the numbers on the scale start creeping up, our metabolism usually shoulders the blame. But be honest: Is it really your metabolism's fault?

Each year on December 31st, we resolve to do something differently in the year ahead. And since some of us seem to be making the same resolutions over and over again, it seems we're not following through with these end-of-year promises. Or are we? I asked you that recently and here's what you had to say:

• 53 percent of you followed through with last year's resolution -- and stuck to it! Good for you.
  
• 19 percent of you followed through with it, but weren't able to keep it up. Bummer.
• 6 percent of you tried your darnedest but couldn't do it -- it was more difficult than you thought.
  

Kudos to readers jjj and Andy -- they resolved to lose weight and were successful. Keep up the good work, guys!

Welcome to the last day of 2008. Is it just me or did this year whiz by at lightening speed? Besides breaking out a new calendar, you know what December 31st means -- breaking out some new resolutions. Last week, I was wondering what your healthy resolutions for 2009 will be, and here's what you had to say:

• 29 percent of you want to lose weight. We've heard this one before.
  
• 25 percent want to get in shape.
• 18 percent want to adopt more healthy habits in general.
• 6 percent want to take more time for themselves.
• And 13 percent say "All of the above!"
  

Whatever your resolution may be, do what you can to ensure that it doesn't wind up on your list next year, OK?

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

The year 2008 was a good one for many celebs -- some slimmed down, some shaped up, some just made some plain old positive changes in their lives and the world. The following fit celebs were some of our favourites to follow this year -- who was on your list?

All I want for Christmas ... is a treadmill, a new pair of sneakers, a set of handweights and a fitness DVD. OK, I didn't get any of these, but there's always boxing day.

What about you? I asked you last week what fit gifts you were hoping would end up under the tree -- here's what you had to say:

• 25 percent of you were hoping for a treadmill or elliptical trainer
• 23 percent of you wanted some new workout duds or sneakers
• 11 percent of you wanted sessions with a personal trainer
• 7 percent of you asked for a yoga mat
• 11 percent of you have all the gear you need
• 7 percent of you didn't want anything fitness-related -- you're just not into exercise

Soooo ... what'd ya get?