That's Fit

There are so many fabulously fit celebrities out there that it's hard to keep track of who is doing what. We give you the scoop here at That's Fit all week long, but in case you missed anything, we've got it all wrapped up, too. There's practically a bow on for you!

Click on your favorite celebs above to find out what they're up to, and use that motivation to get yourself in shape!

Debra Messing says she hates to exercise, but it's doesn't show. What does show is one fit body on the cover of Shape magazine's January 2009 issue.

Debra, star of the TV show The Starter Wife and soon-to-be star of the comedy Nothing Like the Holidays with John Leguizamo (opening December 12), tells Shape about the perfect date with her husband. "My ideal date would be a spectacular meal, maybe Italian, followed by dancing. That's a New Year's resolution I'm looking forward to."

I bet staying fit is a resolution too. The girl may hate exercise but clearly, she's doing something right. Don't you think?

Gallery: Debra Messing

Country singer Faith Hill is turning 41. And she's giving herself a special gift: She's posing in a bikini for the December issue of Shape magazine (on sale October 27).

Why such a gift? Because after years of waffling when it comes to working out, she's been transformed by a good diet and exercise. And she's proud to show the the world -- and herself -- what she's got.

Hill is passionate about food -- she has powerful memories of watching her mom cook Southern meals made from ingredients picked from the garden. She's got her own garden now, and fresh organic veggies and Mediterranean meals are abundant in her household. Greek yogurt with bluberries, whole-wheat toast, and Greek salads with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta are favorites. No low-carb diets for this active girl.

We all work out for a cause. Maybe it's to look better in that little black dress, or perhaps it's to cut cholesterol. Or, maybe you're just trying to live the healthiest life you can -- those are all fantastic reasons. And now, I've got one more reason for you -- supporting breast cancer research.

Shape magazine is once again sponsoring Pilates for Pink, an event benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This past weekend the kick-off was held in Union Square Park, NYC, with Pilates being taught all day and lots of other fun things going on.

If you missed the NYC event, don't worry -- you still have plenty of ways to get involved. Pilates studios and fitness centers throughout the nation are participating, hosting classes to raise funds for the BCRF. You can see if your area is hosting one here, or, you can look into hosting your own event. If none of that works for you, there's still a live auction with some fabulous items to bid on.

Oh, those triceps. They're a trouble-spot, aren't they? For most people (say, um, writers for example -- who sit at their computers all day long), the tricep isn't used too much in regular activity. So, without specific exercises to keep those muscles toned, things can get a little extra jiggly there. Shape Magazine has a great exercise for getting that under-arm jiggle under control.

To perform this exercise you'll need a foam roller. A quick internet search will give you many sites that sell these versatile and inexpensive pieces of fitness equipment. You'll sit on the floor with your feet extended in front of you. Place your hands on the foam roller behind you, with your fingers pointing forward. Then pull your rear end off the floor by pulling in your abs and straightening your arms (but don't lock your elbows). Bend your elbows until your rear almost hits the floor and then straighten. Repeat 8-10 times. Do 3 or 4 sets.

Want more exercises for the under-arm area? Chris has a suggestion you can try, too. And AOL Health has a step-by-step arm exercises guide.

Snacking can be part of a healthy diet. In fact, having a healthy snack in between meals can help tide you over as well as stabilize your blood sugar. The trick is to choose foods that satisfy, curb whatever cravings you have, and are nutritious and tasty. While your best bets for snacks are fruits, veggies, and other nutrient-dense foods, Shape Magazine has compiled a list of 25 handy snacks that won't derail your diet.

Personally, I don't agree with all of their choices. I'm not a fan of the 100-calorie snack packs. Yes, the calories are controlled, but it's still just junk in a bag. And frankly, most of them don't taste as good as their higher calorie counterparts. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a smaller quantity and better taste. And I'd prefer to see more items on their list that do more for your health than just curb your hunger.

But if you've got a bad case of the munchies, then Shape's top 25 are for you. The criteria they used for picking the top snacks include less than 200 calories per serving, no trans-fat and low in saturated fat, less than 400 milligrams of sodium, and other nutritional extras (portion control, whole grains, etc.).

Try as we might, we can't be 100 percent good 100 percent of the time. We're going to skip workouts, we're going to have an extra beer or two, and we're going to "cheat" on our diets once and a while with a very attractive plate of cookies. We're humans; it's only natural for us to falter once and a while. Personally, I think the occasional misstep is actually a good thing, as it prevents us from going into a cookie-dough coma after an extended period of reward-free living.

Still, it's vital that our temporary indulgences remain just that: temporary. And, it's equally as important that our falls from the wagon are not so drastic that they cause long-lasting injury to our health and fitness. To help protect your body against such a calamity, here's a short list of treats -- sourced from Shape magazine -- that shouldn't do you much harm if eaten in moderation.

• Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich = 140 calories
• Starbucks Skinny Caramel Latte, Grande = 130 calories
• Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Kisses, 6 pieces = 140 calories
• Stacy's Pita Chips, 12 pieces = 130 calories
• Peanut Butter S'more = 160 calories
• Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Kettle Corn, 1/2 bag = 130 calories

Just be sure to not make the mistake of eating too many of these treats. All these calories can add up very quickly!!

There's a minor-league ball park near my home. It makes for cheap summer entertainment for my baseball-loving son. Last year, there was a booth set up near the food court that educated kids on healthy eating. But when you ventured into the actual food court area, the choices seemed to consist solely of nachos, hot dogs, and buttery popcorn. Some ballparks even offer all-you-can-eat seats which, for some, leads to even more calories than they would normally consume at the park.

Shape Magazine offers some better alternatives when eating at the ballpark. They also offer suggestions for carnivals, food courts, and movie theaters. Consider food at these outings a rare treat -- often, even the best choices aren't very healthy.

Shape magazine ran an interesting piece in their most recent issue, taking a look at how to shop for organic foods without breaking the bank. Buying green without spending too much of it, I suppose you could say. The article itself was based on the new book The Organic Food Shopper's Guide, written by Jeff Cox. Here is one of the tips mentioned in both the book and the article. It is certainly worth considering the next time you're in the grocery store and want to go Green.

Don't shun packaged goods

It's easy to assume that because a particular food is processed, it's not worth shelling out the dough for it. Not so, says Jeff Cox, who points out that boxed and bagged organic items like crackers and breakfast cereals are made without artificial preservatives, dyes, extenders, etc. Whereas other foods may contain many of these unhealthy additives to ensure "freshness," many boxed of packaged goods do not.

Shape magazine ran an interesting piece in their most recent issue, taking a look at how to shop for organic foods without breaking the bank. Buying green without spending too much of it, I suppose you could say. The article itself was based on the new book The Organic Food Shopper's Guide, written by Jeff Cox. Here is one of the tips mentioned in both the book and the article. It is certainly worth considering the next time you're in the grocery store and want to go Green.

Shop Smart

If you can't afford to go completely organic, be choosy with your fruits and vegetables. Because leafy green vegetables, strawberries, and most fruits with pits are the most susceptible to damage from bugs and mold, they are usually sprayed the heaviest with chemicals. Produce with skin that is removed before eating, though also sprayed with pesticides, is safer to eat as-is because chemicals can simply be scrubbed or peeled right off.

Therefore, to cut costs, spend the extra money on organic produce that falls into the first category mentioned. As for the second category, organic is probably still better, but buying the regular fruits and vegetables is not so bad (plus it will save you some coin).

Green has become a brand. Let's face it. While it is based on intelligent and environmentally friendly principles, the one unfortunate downside is that everyone from Fortune 500 companies to small, independently owned stores and service providers are trying to cash in on the Green brand. Is this a bad thing? I guess not, considering that it does help raise awareness and provide people with the option of living a healthier lifestyle. The only question is, At what cost?

Shape magazine ran an interesting piece in their most recent issue, taking a look at how to shop for organic foods without breaking the bank. Buying green without spending too much of it, I suppose you could say. The article itself was based on the new book The Organic Food Shopper's Guide, written by Jeff Cox. Here is one of the tips mentioned in both the book and the article. It is certainly worth considering the next time you're in the grocery store and want to go Green.

Search for the Seal. The USDA created a label in 2002 to help shoppers determine which grocery items were organic. This seal (which must say USDA Organic) ensures that the product is comprised of ingredients that are at least 95 percent organic. With specific regard to produce, the seal also ensures that the fruit or vegetable has been grown without the use of pesticides, or been genetically altered or treated with radiation to prevent spoiling. But Beware: the USDA permits companies to place the word "Organic" on their products if only 70 percent of ingredients are organically grown or processed. That's why seeking out the "USDA Organic" label is the healthier way to go.

If you've been thinking about losing weight or have been trying without success, here's a great article from Shape Magazine to help you get organized -- both in your mind and your kitchen -- before you begin.

According to Shape, there are three secrets to successful diet: Getting your Mind in the Right Place, Shopping Like a Food Lover, and Making Your Home and Work Weight-Loss-Friendly. There are a lot of common sense tips here, and many that are based on recent studies. Some of my favorites include:

• making a plan for plateaus and emotional eating
• divide your shopping cart in half and plan to fill one side with whole grains and fruits and veggies. The other side should contain equal amounts of healthy fats, lean meats, and dairy.
• look for healthy, flavorful foods. Don't get boxed into the idea that diet means deprivation.
• keep vice foods out of sight, or better yet, out of reach. Keep healthy foods like fruits and vegetables visible and handy.

Losing weight really is as much a mental feat as a physical one. By preparing yourself mentally and preparing for pitfalls, and then creating an environment that will support you even when the cravings hit, you'll find those pounds melting away in no time.