That's Fit

I was able to coax my littlest guy into a jog stroller recently so I could walk the hilly streets in my neighborhood, but I'm not always so lucky. Usually, he bucks the system and refuses to tag along. He and his brother don't love the gym childcare center either. And when I hop on my treadmill at home, it's like an invitation for my guys to start making demands -- they want snacks, want to play a game, need help with something or other -- and if they're not making demands, they're fighting, which isn't too conducive to focusing on exercise. Needless to say, kids and exercise are not always compatible in my house, unless I find a way to combine the two without being so obvious about it. The other day, I found a way.

We were all playing in the back yard when it hit me. My back yard is perfect. It's big, it's fenced, and my kids are completely content in their little slice of nature. Just then, I started squatting. So did Joey, my seven-year-old. Then I did some lunges. I started mid-yard and worked my way all the way to the fence and back. Joey led the way, knocking out his lunges with a speed I've never known. Then I did some leg lifts and used our sliding glass door as a mirror -- I could see my reflection clearly and watched my form the whole time. I'd lost Joey as a workout partner by this time -- he transitioned into a Spiderman game -- but I kept at my workout until my legs felt like Jell-O. The next day, I felt every move I'd made.

Now that I've given this back yard thing some thought, I realize I can do some BOSU work out there too. I can hook my resistance bands to the swing set, lift my light little weights out yonder, even run mini-laps in the grass -- all while my kids romp around in the great outdoors. If I feel an extra jolt of energy, I can join in the Spiderman games too.

Hooray! I just completed a perfectly fun and grueling weekend shooting a ton of fitness videos for you. The videos were filmed for Tracy Benham's Sports Health and Exercise (SHE) company which is known for quick, smart, energetic and fun health and fitness tips from some of the foremost experts in the world.

We created a bunch of strength training and cardiovascular workouts which you'll be able to train with at home, as soon as they are released this summer. One of my favorite parts of the videos was being able to include my fellow blogger and friend, Kristen Seymour. Kristen has trained with me off and on for a few years, and truly has amazing levels of strength and endurance. She also has a perfect smile and looks brilliant on camera.

We were also blessed with the opportunity to film in one of the most beautiful gyms in the world. The Gainesville Health and Fitness Center generously opened their doors to myself, SHE and our team. The facilities are stunning, and all of the equipment is top of the line. Who could ask for more?

Have 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 two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Dear Fitz, I want to take one of the BOSU classes at my gym, but I've never done it before and I'll feel like a total dork if I bust my butt on one of those things. Plus I'm a guy. Mostly girls take those classes. Should I bother? Eric.

A. Ahhh! Eric, you are too cute. First of all. The BOSU is a balance tool and is designed to make people wobbly. Until that is, they earn the strength and control to not only stand on top of it, but do some tricks too. Second. You can stand in the back of the classroom if you don't want to be a spectacle. Third. Most people in a BOSU class are too concerned with their own balance to have the time and ability to look at what anyone else is doing.

Have 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 two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz! My 12-year-old daughter has started getting into fitness, all on her own motivation. She's always been on the thin side, and is certainly a healthy weight...and a fairly healthy eater. She said she wants to work out to build muscle and put on a few pounds (certainly not what you usually hear from girls at that age group). I want to support her, but I also want to be sure she is doing things in a healthy age-appropriate way.

She lives with her dad and we live in different states, which certainly makes matters more complicated. If she lived with me we could figure out ways to exercise together. Her dad and his girlfriend are both overweight with unhealthy habits. Any suggestions on how to get started? And is there anything she shouldn't be doing yet or things I should look out for? Thanks, Judy

Hello Miss Judy. You ask a great question and are smart to be both excited and leery of the situation. A child of 12 eager to pursue true fitness is an absolute gift. It is also a perfect point for that child's parent to stop and evaluate the situation, to make sure it's addressed correctly.

It's easy to step into a gym for the first time and feel somewhat intimidated. There are a bunch of people you don't know (many of which may be more fit than you), countless machines that look like torture devices, and a language being spoken that is oftentimes difficult to follow.

With regard to the last of those factors, I've started offering a virtual classroom here on that's fit that I call "Gym Lingo." Although much of what is covered may be old hat to some of you, others will benefit from this crash course on gym speak and will have you fitting in with the locals in no time.

The bell has rung. Please find a seat...

For this week's edition of Gym Lingo, we're going to take a look at some popular group exercise classes that many gyms offer their members. Some of these are pretty common, while others are a little lesser known. Here are just a few to help you along with your gym vocab.

Spinning. This is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a specially designed stationary bicycle called a spinning bike (no one ever claimed that gyms were the birthplace of originality). As you pedal, an instructor creates a visualization of an outdoor cycling workout, all while pulse-pounding music plays over a booming sound system.

Cardio Boxing. Designed, to some degree, after the workout boxers follow when training for a fight, this class offers the same cardiovascular benefits without having to ever square off against an opponent.

Bosu. A bosu ball looks like an exercise ball that has been cut in half and then stabilized on a firm platform. There are a variety of group classes that utilize the bosu; cardio work, strength training, core/balance building, and sports performance conditioning can all be performed in bosu group settings.

Bikram Yoga. Ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) with a humidity of 40%, Bikram yoga classes are guided by a yogi's specific dialogue. This style of yoga including 26 postures and two breathing exercises, and classes last approximately 90-minutes.

There are several other types of group classes that gyms offer, but these are certainly among the more common and popular. If you have any others that you'd like to add, please be my guest and add them in the comments section below.

Hopefully this helps you the next (or first) time you go to the gym.

Class dismissed.

I didn't overindulge this Christmas. No big breakfast, a simple lunch, the standard turkey dinner, and a serving, well two, of sugar-free strawberry pie. Now I may have gone a bit overboard with the sinful biscuits served for supper and I did have some mashed potatoes but in all, I did pretty well on the diet front. I exercised on Christmas too -- I ran for 3.5 miles -- and best of all, I got some great fit gifts.

I got my very own BOSU this year -- I can't wait to bounce and stretch and crunch on this coveted piece of fitness gear -- and I got my very own food processor too, complete with every ingredient necessary for my favorite healthy fruit and nut bars. I also got an awesome pair of Nike track pants and a sporty LIVESTRONG t-shirt. My kids got scooters, skateboards, soccer nets, and a ball. So we're set for a great year of great fitness, thanks to our great family members who have our good health in mind.

What fit gifts did you get this Christmas?

Have you incorporated a BOSU in your workout yet? Named after an acronym for "Both Sides Utilized", a BOSU is that squishy semi-circle dome adhered to a circular plastic base. I started using a BOSU during physical therapy last August after recovering from achilles surgery. They had me balancing on a BOSU on one foot as I tossed and caught medicine balls off an angled trampoline. As I got stronger, I was performing three sets of 20 lunges stepping the forward foot onto a BOSU. Those were killers.

If you're usually standing on firm ground for your tricep strength training, mix it up and stand on a BOSU. Personal Trainer Nancy Cole says you'll not only workout your triceps, staying balanced on the BOSU engages your abdominal core muscles, too.

Here goes -- step onto a BOSU with a 5 or 8 pound dumbell in one hand. Bend knees slightly, keep your abs tight, pull your shoulders back and extend the weight overhead. Maintain your balance and position, then bend your arm at the elbow and slowly lower the weight behind your head while keeping your upper arm vertically still. Challenge your triceps further by not fully extending your forearm back to the top. Switch arms after a dozen reps or so. Here's an informative article on a BOSU Balance Trainer, along with a bunch of traditional exercises you can perform with a BOSU. I can't wait to try planks with the BOSU turned upside down!

Want to know what professional trainers like me wish for, for Christmas? Sing along!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, one water-based heavy bag.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two boxing gloves.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three ropes for jumping.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four Body Buggs.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five Versa Steps.

Have 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 two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Greetings Fitz. So far I've lost 25 lbs and have a few more to go to get rid of that annoying belly fat. I'm training for a duathlon. I bike one to two hours a day, run for 30 minutes or so every other day, and workout every other day (different day than running). I'm 155 pounds, 68" and eat about 2,000 calories a day (I keep track in a spreadsheet). So let's say I burn 900 calories/hr biking, 300 calories/half hour running, and some more doing other workout stuff. Is it okay that I only take in 2,000 calories a day? Should I take in more, less, etc? I eat 5-6 small meals a day and am feeling great, but I just want to maximize my effectiveness for fat loss. Thanks, Ryan

A. Wow Ryan! Sounds like you've turned your life all the way around. Going from 180 to 155 is not an easy task, and your exercise routine is really athletic. I'm inspired! The reason your 'belly fat' is taking longer to go away, is because you're nearing your goal weight. It's easy to lose five pounds quickly when you have 35 to lose. When you are nearing true leanness the pounds take a little longer to lose.

2,000 calories a day is not starving in anyone's book. In fact...it's quite enough calories to fill up almost anyone. I'm really not concerned that your body may be in 'starvation mode', especially since you didn't even mention feeling hungry. You are burning a ton of calories it's true, but you shouldn't need to add calories to lose weight. Accept that this process will take time. You're striving to look like an athlete and that is a lofty goal. Not a silly goal.......just a really high one.

Have patience, keep doing what you're doing, and add some intense ab training to your routine. I recommend push-ups, roman-chair leg lifts, and crunches on a stability ball or BOSU. Do this at least every other day. Keep me posted Ryan. Send before and after pictures when you get to your point B. We're all dying to see your new abs! Fitz

Q. Hi Fitz. The world is bashing Britney Spears' body after her performance at the Video Music Awards and now I feel like garbage about mine. I'm no where near as trim as she is. Does she really look that bad? If so......I'm screwed! Is there hope for the non-perfect people? Angelina

Flat abs are not only the status symbol of men and women of all ages, flat abs are a decent reflection of overall health. Ever see a chubby guy with a skinny middle? Probably not. Know a lot of plus-sized mamas who flaunt a whittled waist? Not so much. A trim waist line is usually a good predictor that one is doing the right thing.

Of course there are the rare exceptions. We know the folks who eat all sorts of junk food and can never gain a pound. Skinny people die of heart attacks too. Having said that, most little middle people take decent care of themselves. It's almost a tad frustrating, because tight flat abs are usually the last thing people earn on their fitness journey. Trim legs and arms come waaaaaaaaay faster than abs worthy of a teeny bikini.

So how do you get yours? The formula is simple. Burn more calories than you consume to become leaner, and work your abdominal and back muscles to create a firm and tight core.

Have 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 two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q.Hey Fitz. I'm trying hard to lose some weight, but I go out with my work friends and it's difficult for me to pass on the chicken wings (which I love) when my friends order them all the time. Help! Max

A. Max, chicken wings sure are tasty. There are a few ways to look at this situation, and you can choose the outlook that works best for you. First of all, restricting anything 100% is rarely a great idea. Why? It leaves you feeling deprived, which often leads to major revolts. If you're in love with chicken wings, have a few. Just make sure 90% of the rest of the food you consume throughout the week is of high quality and low in calories and you'll see progress.

You can also create a healthier wing ding. It's the wing sauce you love right? Most folks don't truly crave the task of chewing teeny bits of meat out of teeny little bones. That's not the desired bit. It's the sauce. So to create a healthier option that will satisfy your craving, order a grilled chicken breast and then just dip it in some wing sauce. You'll save tons of calories and fat, as wings are usually deep-fried.

The other thing to consider is that chicken wings aren't going away. If you want to avoid them completely for now, have faith that when you reach your ideal weight you will be able to enjoy a chicken wing again. They're always going to make more. Good luck Max. Be particular about what you put in your mouth, exercise often and you'll get where you want to go. Fitz

Q. Fitz. I'd like to help my 67 year old mother stay strong. Where should I start? Shes obviously not super old...but she's not incredibly fit and I think her age adds an element of concern. Where should I focus? Milena

If you own a BOSU or have been eying one up at the gym wondering what the heck to do with it, start simple. Pretend it's a step. You know, like the step, we've been using in group exercise classes for decades. Everything you can do on the step, you can do on the BOSU. The BOSU just adds the extra little element of instability, which in the long run will make you more stable.

Go slow at first, because standing on the dome of a BOSU is significantly different. Take a little time just standing on top to get comfortable, and then slowly add on motions you remember from that step class. Besides reaping the benefits of a great lower body workout the step was famous for, you'll engage your hips, abs, and back. Core training. Right?

Seven ideas for step training on the BOSU.

• March on and off.
• Step up lift one knee, step down.
• Jog up, jog down.
• Jump on and off the front and sides of it.
• Lunge on to it.
• Lunge backwards off it.
• Squat on and off.

  For more ideas on BOSU training or to grab one click here.

The Ballast Ball is the new and improved version of the stability ball. In fact, you can do absolutely everything you can do on a stability ball with the Ballast Ball....except for consistently fall on your head.

Created by BOSU, I tested out the new product last week at a fitness conference. Ar first glance, I thought "no way am I dropping another sixty bucks on a ball with some sort beads in it, I already have too many!" But then I tried it. I squatted down on the ball, and when I stood up it didn't roll away. Then I put both feet on the ball and my hands on the floor to do push-ups.....and I didn't roll away! Then I lifted it up for a while and my arms got tired, my core remained engaged and my glutes never unflexed themselves. Hmmmmmm I though. Maybe it is worth the sixty bucks.

The Ballast Ball is genuinely cool, and I simply wish I'd thought of it myself. You can do all of your regular stability ball exercises better, because the ball is more stable. It weighs five pounds, which offers a whole slew of other productive things you can do with it as well. I did end up buying one. My beginner clients love it, because they can do what I ask them to do without constantly falling and readjusting. My high level fitness clients love it cause they can do the really advanced exercises without losing the ball.

Firm flat abs are the status symbol of every fitness enthusiast in the country. They're the great equalizer in the world. Rich or poor, fabulous abs are up for grabs to whomever is willing to work for them. Are you ready for yours? If so...start your engines and lets get to work. It's time to earn that six pack and show it off!

First. Change your eating habits! If you're carrying extra weight at all, we'll never be able to see your rock hard abdominal muscles. How could we with a layer of fat covering thm? Don't diet just eat smart! Cut calories, fat and sugar. Choose veggies, fruits, lean meat and lean dairy. Consume less than you burn and you'll cut the belly blubber quick.

Second. Sweat....A LOT! Some people think they can do a bazillion crunches, and they alone will bring great abs. Again! You can crunch all you want, but you have to cut the fat. Eat right, and burn lots of calories. Cardiovascular training at a challenging pace is the best way to burn fat. Get sweaty. Don't stop moving until your face is red and your hair is soaked. Do this most days of the week.