That's Fit

I want smart kids, especially in light of my second-grader's first science test score. Ouch. He didn't do so well, which is a little hard to take since I'm his appointed tutor. Seems he could use some foods to build up that brain of his. I could use some too.

What a child eats has a direct effect on test performance. Gotta keep sweets and junk food to a minimum then and up the intake of the following foods.

• High-quality carbohydrates, such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains
• Lean protein, like turkey, chicken, eggs, and beans
• Cereals, like oatmeal topped with fresh fruit or something with three or more grams of fiber and no more than six grams of sugar per serving
• Snacks, featuring baby carrots, celery, pepper sticks, string cheese, nuts, low-fat popcorn, grapes, and berries
• Skim or low-fat milk
  
  

There's more to brain power than food. You've got to keep your kids active too -- it improves circulation, which increases oxygen flow to the brain.

Ready to help your kids ace their next exams? I am. For more specifics, click here.

Curious 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.

Nutrition expert, Elizabeth Somer, and I recently sat down in New York City at the Prilosec OTC round table event to chat about aging without feeling or looking OLD! She tosses out tons of great advice about living well, living long and looking hot while doing it. The interview was fun and her books are great!

View Elizabeth's books below:

Curious 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.

If you've been in tune with national sporting news this week, you're probably aware of the big hub-bub created by Mike Nadel, a cranky reporter of the Peoria Journal Star, who wrote a venomous article about the both young and beautiful sideline reporter for ESPN, Erin Andrews. The "big news" and "big deal" was that Erin wore a dress that hit right above her knee (the outrage!), and her dress was not a turtleneck (hussy)! Nadel even noted that Erin went so far as to grope Alfonso Soriano's bicep at a gathering (she was just looking at his scar from a recent surgery).

Here is the truth about Erin. She's a college educated, ambitious, down-to-earth woman who started on a small network and proved her reporting worthy of a high profile on-air position at ESPN. She loves sports and is great at delivering the news we want to know about our favorite athletes, coaches and teams. Erin and I relaxed on a sunny afternoon in both of our alma mater's football stadium, the University of Florida's SWAMP, to chat. She's funny, sarcastic, and truly grateful to have the job she's dreamed of. She often travels with a band of brothers, the mostly male ESPN GameDay crew, and has had to learn the hard way that she really isn't a guy. Some fans with cell phone cameras taught her that.

Fitz: You are pretty great shape! What do you do?

Erin: Traveling for my job makes staying in shape really hard. We're on the road so much, and for me ... it's tough cause I'm one of the only girls on site. I'm really close with the other talent and the broadcasters, so we go out to eat all the time. Today we had hamburgers! Eating on the road is the worst way to eat. Not only that, but I'm surrounded by guys! When you're surrounded by men, you eat and drink like a guy.

Fitz: Not good news for a slender woman like you!

How do naked push-ups sound to you? Well, let me tell you, I just got off the phone with a colleague and friend, Dr. Jose Antonio, Ph.D., FACSM, CSCS, Chief Executive Officer of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) and one of its co-founders. We were talking health and fitness when he brought up something a fellow fitness pro, Suzy Favor Hamilton does and recommends on a regular basis.

You got it. Naked push-ups.

Before showering each morning, Suzy -- an elite athlete, makes a habit of dropping and doing 20 push-ups. It's simple and it may sound silly, but getting down and earning a good shower each day seems like a great idea to me!

Naked push-ups are smart for two reasons. They create a habitual time and place for you to make push-ups happen. Second, it seems as they would force you to get in touch with your body at least once each day. Do you like the way your legs hold firm as you go through the motion? Could you work on trimming down your tummy so it doesn't touch the ground first? I imagine that naked push-ups would give most of us the motivation to choose the right foods and pursue even more exercise as the day progresses.

Although I will expand on Randy Pausch, I imagine you're already well aware of who he is. He's the unstoppable man, who has inspired millions and millions of people around the world by his passion for life while he fights an almost impossible battle with pancreatic cancer. I learned of Dr. Pausch many months ago as Diane Sawyer interviewed him on ABC. He blew me away with his humor, dedication to his family, and outrageous courage.

His journey since his diagnosis put him on stage at the University he was a professor at, Carnegie Mellon, for his Last Lecture. This Last Lecture made it to YouTube (embedded below) and then became a best selling book, The Last Lecture. His outlook on life and stories of his childhood and career have inspired other cancer patients to fight harder and regular people to just be better. Although he's truly only concerned with getting his message across to his three young children, he's positively affected millions of others as a side effect.

Recently, President Bush was compelled to write to Randy Pausch. This can't change Randy's fate with cancer, but as a representative of the American people ... it was a fantastic way to show our appreciation for Randy setting a new standard for 'goodness' and dedicating his life to teaching others.

Smarts: most of us think we have them but surprisingly, few really do. Although it's true that your intelligence is in good part determined by factors out of your control (like genetics and whether or not your parents let you eat lead paint chips as kid), it's also true that you have more control over your brain power than you probably think. All kinds of daily decisions affect how well your brain works and how "smart" you are, including everything from what you eat to how you act to what exercises you choose for your workout. Are you maximizing your mental potential? If your coffee cup is too big or you often try to multi-task while working out you probably aren't. The following is a list of a few of the ways you can make the most of what you've got in the smarts department (don't worry, they're all pretty easy!).

I'm a fan of honesty when it comes to my kids and teaching them about life. Not brutal honesty -- they're only seven and nearly five -- but gentle and age-appropriate honesty. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, saying I had cancer wouldn't mean much to a then-three-year-old and 18-month old. So I explained that I had a "boo-boo" in my "boobie," that a doctor would take it out, that I'd take medicine and my hair would fall out, that I'd be sick for a little while. They understood. And that's exactly how it all happened. We didn't talk about worst-case scenarios. If ever one comes up, we'll discuss it then.

I was also honest with my guys about the tummy tuck I had 12 days ago. I didn't use the word "tummy tuck" and I didn't introduce the term "plastic surgery." But I did tell them I would have an operation on my belly to fix some skin, a muscle, and a hernia. I told them the truth: Mommy's skin stretched a lot when she was pregnant, her muscle separated, and she has a hernia just like Danny had a hernia when he was three years old. Danny had an operation. And mommy will have an operation -- for the hernia and the other things too. My boys understood what would happen, that I'd be resting for a few days, that Daddy and Nana would be taking them to and from school, that I couldn't lift them or race around in the back yard for a short time. By the time I had my tummy tuck, the whole event was somewhat of an non issue. And now I'm better. And they've moved on.

Experts say not being up front with kids about major life events opens up the possibility that little minds will concoct their own versions of what's going on. Since these interpretations are often worse than reality, they say honestly is the best policy. I do too.

FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

Plugging away at an exercise routine sure is easier when progress is apparent. Lose a few pounds, tone a few muscles, or pump out 20 push-ups instead of your usual 10 and motivation might just overcome you. All it takes are goals that are reasonable, realistic, and attainable. Set a few SMART goals and you'll witness the wonder of success -- and the inspiration to keep at your fitness pursuits.

SMART goals are:

Specific: Plan to run three miles today or jump rope for the duration of one song.

Measurable: Log your activity and see if you're mastering your specific goals.

Action-oriented: Resolve to walk for 30 minutes four times every week. Or bike for one hour two days per week.

Realistic: Don't plan to run 10 miles if you don't run at all right now. Try for two miles instead.

Timely: Allow one month to work up to two miles. This way, you've got time and the end is in sight too.

All My Children soap star and Calvin Klein model Colin Egglesfield and I have been talking lots of fitness lately, so I thought I'd get his advice for stay completely gorgeous for the holidays, and making it to the new year without an ounce of regret. This is what Colin has to say:

"My tips for the holiday season revolve around the theme of "CALORIE CONTROL!" You can enjoy most of the same treats you traditionally desire if you simply use the lowest calorie ingredients available. And of course, I'm never too conscious of exact calorie amounts, that would drive anyone crazy, I just try to be sensible about what I order and try to eat small portions when possible. "

Here are a few tips that I try to heed:

1. Latte, cappuccino, and hot chocolate lovers be sure to use non-fat milk! I love cappuccinos, so when I do order one... I order it with skim milk. I try to limit my intake of coffee to only two or three a week. The rest of the time I drink herbal teas.

I'm so excited. My husband and I just purchased the Smart Cycle as a Christmas gifts for our kids, ages two and four. The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle Learning Game System is a cool little stationary bike that hooks up to a television and allows children to pedal through learning adventures. Kind of like a spinning class for three year olds, who can learn their ABC's while working out.

My husband and I purposely seek out toys that will encourage our children to be active. Along with the bounce house we keep in the unfurnished dining room and the scooters they zoom around the house on, this Smart Cycle will fit in quite nicely in our playroom.

The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle Learning Game System Cycle retails for $99, but we bought ours for $89 at Sam's Club. I'll look forward to December 25th, when Parker and Ginger can jump on this thing and go for a ride. Of course we do a lot of bike riding outside, but this thing will make rainy days a lot more fun. Hopefully the two of them will take turns nicely.

Who doesn't want to be a bit smarter? I know I do, if only to avoid misplacing my keys or forgetting someone's birthday. Becoming smarter is within your reach -- there are a number of things you can do to not only improve your mental functioning but improve your knowledge.

Here are some tips that will make you smarter in 30 days courtesy of Potential 2 Success:

• Limit your TV-watching time to 1 1/2-hour show a day. TV really is a brain drain -- half of your brain literally falls asleep
  
• Stop procrastinating
• Reduce your stress. When you're stressed, you can only think about one thing, meaning your brain rejects any new information. Relax.
  
• Expose yourself to new experiences, new cultures and new activities.
  
• Avoid people who might hinder your intelligence growth. Spend time with those who challenge you.
  

And like any muscle, if you don't use your mind, you'll lose it. So do the crossword or something else that challenged you. I swear you'll notice a difference. What do you think?

When I was growing up I used to be so envious of Danica McKellar (aka "Winnie" off The Wonder Years) because she was cute and thin and lots of boys had crushes on her. Now that I'm older, well, I'm still a bit envious because she's still fit and beautiful, but I've also got to give the girl some serious respect because she's also really smart. Not only is she intelligent, she aims to let other girls know that it's great to be smart.

I think that in an age where women like Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson flaunt the notion that they're hot but stupid (and I really wonder whether either is as clueless as they have portrayed themselves to be), it's incredibly refreshing and encouraging to have a beautiful woman not only admit that she's smart, but also make sure that young and impressionable girls know that it's possible to be both pretty and intelligent.

McKellar, who has penned a book called "Math Doesn't Suck", assures adolescent girls that it's cool to be good at math (and as an extension, most other school subjects I would imagine). So while I'm still a little bit jealous of the girl who was "Winnie Cooper", I'm also pretty darn impressed with the woman she's become.

If you love the taste of butter, but don't love all of the fat and calories involved in the consumption of it, Smart Squeeze is for you. Since other butter substitutions like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray are full of fat....Smart Squeeze stands out as the only choice providing genuine butter flavor with zero fat and only five calories per tablespoon.

Did you know that I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray has zero calories and fat ONLY IF YOU USE 1.25 sprays? If you use any larger portion though.....you're screwed. I'm not even sure how one could accomplish a .25 spray! One teaspoon bags 20 calories and 2 grams of fat. Deceptive in my book. You really have to read the fine print to figure that one out.

So! If you want to enjoy a guiltless buttery piece of corn on the cob or some toast....go for it. Just get it in the white bottle with the green cap. Smart Squeeze is truly a smart product.

How much of your life do you waste trying to make decisions? Do you go back and forth, maybe even getting stuck and giving up altogether? Much of this is caused by not knowing what will happen if you make a change, and 'fear of the unknown' is a powerful force. But what if you could learn to make smart decisions in 60 seconds or less? And not just by picking a random option, but by really assessing who you are and what you want out of the situation?

Here's an article that claims to have that secret, giving tips and perspective on why we hesitate to make decisions and how we can speed up the process. The author claims he can have you deciding whether to leave a job or not, move to a new city or not, or end a relationship or not in less than one minute. Although I think he's got some good advice, I'm skeptical. It seems some of those are major enough issues to involve more people and more thought than any 60 second brainstorming session can handle. What do you think?


Via Lifehacker

One of the most frustrating things to me, as a fitness trainer is to see people who work so hard towards fitness get duped. The I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray is one of those things. Now....I'm not suggesting the folks who make that product are liars. Cause they're not. I think the idea of their product is incredibly deceptive though, due to the fine print.

Did you know that the I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray has zero calories and fat ONLY IF YOU USE 1.25 sprays. WHAT!? Who does that? If you use any larger portion though.....you're screwed. And how exactly do you accomplish a .25 spray?One teaspoon bags 20 calories and 2 grams of fat. Most people never read that fine print. In fact, most folks I know claim to pour it on their rice, pasta, and bread because they truly believe it's a completely fat-free product. Who knows how many thousands of fat calories these poor people have been unknowingly consuming for years? Do you think it's fair and reasonable for them to advertise ZERO CALORIES on the front of the bottle?

When I lecture on fitness I always address this topic, and I can't tell you how many jaws come crashing to the ground when I drop this information bomb. First looks I get are of shock. Second looks I get are of pure anger. They feel cheated and they have every right to. Of course, it would be nice if they read the ingredient lists which lists OIL as it's number two ingredient. But I still feel bad for the consumer, because they are lead to believe the product is completely fat-free and can be used at leisure. Fortunately though, I've found an amazing substitution which is legitimately fat-free, low in calories and delicious. I even bake with it!