advice-related stories
Exercise - How Much Do You Need?
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our That's Fit 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. Quick question: I'm 37 and trying to get in better shape. I've already started eating better and exercising, but I don't know exactly how much I should do. I'm busy, but I can make a decent amount happen based on your recommendations. Thanks for the help, Angel
A. Hi Angel. Great question. I was just talking about this today at a speaking engagement, so I'll tell you what I told that large group I held captive. I believe when you hear my answer you'll be shocked at how little you're actually being asked to do.
Training - Move From Easy to Advanced
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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. Fitz, I was wondering if you could give advice on how to train yourself for a move or pose that is too advanced for you. I understand how to work up to a particular weight or speed in weight-lifting or cardio, but I'm at a loss about things that seem 'all-or-nothing.' I'm thinking of things in fitness DVDs where they frequently have models for easy/moderate/advanced movements. Sometimes I can do the easier move without feeling challenged, but I can't do the harder one at all. I often don't see how continuing to do the easier one gets me closer to doing the more advanced one. I especially struggle with a variety of moves in yoga and pilates. Thanks! Your articles and videos are my favorite thing about That's Fit. Cecily
A. Hi, Cecily. Thanks so much for both the sweet feedback and the great question. I'm sure many people wonder the same thing. The first thing I want to tell you is that you should be struggling when you work out. Struggling means you are challenging your body and pushing it to be better. Wobbling, tightness and frustration are part of the deal when participating in yoga and pilates, for sure. This neverending journey to become more fit will hopefully always include great challenges, but I do have the secret to becoming more proficient in advanced skills.
Cardiovascular Training While Injured
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 wife and I had been doing a fantastic job of getting into shape, but then I sprained my foot and she got pregnant. Our daughter is nine months old now, and it's still really hard for us to find time to go the gym in the evenings. I've got a gut but and my wife thinks I'm smokin', so I'm not really concerned about weight loss. I do worry about my cardiovascular fitness, though. It's not unusual for my heart rate to top 100 BPM while I'm just sitting working at my desk, and that's pretty much all I do all day.
Because of my sprained foot (it's healed, but prone to re-injury), the treadmill is not recommended but the rowing machine is fine. I've recently started going to the gym on my lunch hour a couple of times a week, but I only end up getting about 20 minutes actually working out. If I plan well, I could probably stretch that to 30 minutes. What should I be doing to get maximum bang for my buck in terms of cardiovascular fitness? I want to have the endurance to keep up with my daughter as she grows up, and I want to be around a long time after that as well. Mike
A. Thanks for the super question, Mike! I broke my foot and tore soft tissues in a very bad way a couple of years ago, so I can completely identify with your situation. (Photo of me with my sexy cast on right.) I got stuck on a kayaking machine for months, which was mental torture for me, but like you, I was dedicated to my cardiovascular health. Since you've told me your foot has healed and if you've been given a doctor's release to exercise, I have some great ideas for you!
Get Fit For Free
Given the current economic climate, you're probably trying to pinch your pennies a bit more than usual. But that doesn't mean your healthy habits should suffer -- you can still find great workout inspiration without having to spend tons of money. How? With all the thousands of free fitness videos available on the internet. As the "LA Times" points out, there's no reason why you should be paying for advice when there's so much of it available for nothing. Some recommendations?- Our friends at "Fitsguar" recommend BeYOU.tv, which offers free full-length DVDs covering activities like yoga and Tai Chi.
- Exercise.tv is always a handy, comprehensive source.
- "Fitness" magazine's website offers lots of great tips for the fitness enthusiast.
- Spark People not only has ton of fitness videos, but they have great calorie counting resources too.
- And, of course, our in-house fitness expert Fitz offers tons of great advice in her Fit Kicks Videos.
Shin Pain - Prevent It or Make it Go Away

Spring is in the air, and the sidewalks are finally bustling again. Walking and running are perfect activities, but sometimes along with the good, comes the bad. Fitness expert Fitz, of Fitzness.com, explains where shin pain comes from, how to avoid it and how to get rid of it. These simple steps will keep you training productively and out of recovery.
For more innovative training videos, visit Fitzness.com.
Man Handles - Torch or Hide Em'
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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. Fitz - I've seen you offer advice for women with "love handles" before, but do you have any for a man? My whole midsection is flabby and I'd like to reign it in. Thanks, Lars
A. Hi Lars, Thanks for your question. You're right, I have answered this question before (to see that feature, click here for "Love Handles and Man Boobs." Love Handles, Man Handles, Damn Handles ... call them what you want, but my answer will always be the same. Those pockets of fat sitting above your hips are just that. Pockets of fat! All the silly side bends in the world won't make them go away unless you do one thing.
Train at Home - With Little Equipment
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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. I have a question for you. A while back you answered a question from a man who had been slacking off and needed to shape up fast for a beach trip. I printed out your advice, and started doing it (lots of push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, squats and cardio). But then I wondered if you would give different advice to a woman. So, what's a fast shape-up program for a relatively thin and healthy woman? And especially one that can be done at home with a minimum of equipment. Thanks! Judy
A. Thanks for the great question, Judy. I'm so happy to hear that you've printed out my advice and have been using it. Makes me feel worthy! I don't, however, have a more "female" workout for you. Look, everyone is different and often a woman's needs are different than a man's. But usually, they're only different when dealing with pregnancy, postpartum or menopause-type issues.
Flirting With a Fitness Instructor - Put the Kabosh on Your Crush
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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 in the
comments section below, and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. I take a serious interval class on Friday mornings and get along well with the instructor. I have taken the class for over a year and actually exchange e-mails with her on various topics, fitness and otherwise; she's cool, competitive, and likes challenges. I admit, I'd like to ask her to arm wrestle (she's cute and wicked fit), but am somewhat afraid to do so. I'm happily married and so is she, so I don't want to come across as asking something inappropriate. Any advice on how I should handle it? Mark
A. Hi, Mark. Thanks for the question. Look, normally I wouldn't consider it an odd request to ask an instructor you're friendly with for a simple physical challenge. But the fact that you've mentioned she's hot and that you're married leaves me to believe your intentions aren't completely innocent.
Back Muscles - Train Them Anywhere
If you understand the function of the muscles in your back, you should be able to train them in the fanciest gyms in the world -- or even in the desert or lost at sea. Here, Fitz teaches you about what your back does and offers some neat exercises you can do with a variety of equipment.
The cliff hanger in this lesson: How do you use another person as a prop and how do you use this technique to get a kiss?
For more fun training videos with fresh ideas on how to use all sorts of training equipment, click here.
Jay Harrington - "Better Off Ted" Star Dishes on What Makes Him Confident and Insecure on Screen
Celebrity Fitzness Report, Fitness
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.
Fitz: You're playing the title character in a ABC's new prime-time show "Better Off Ted" which debuts Wednesday, March 18th at 8:30PM That must come with an insane amount of pressure.
Jay: It's exciting! But I'm not nervous, because the show is based on a fantastic ensemble cast. I don't do more than anyone else.
Fitz: You also star in "Private Practice." How do you handle both shows?
Jay: We've had a ton of time to shoot "Better Off Ted," so on that end the shooting schedule has been incredibly relaxed.
Fitz: Do you feel pressure as a leading man to stay in shape?
Don't Blow Out Your Knee
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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. Well, they say this is the spot to drop your questions for Fitz, so here goes! I am an avid kickboxer, and have been doing it for four months steady now. I attend a group class with actual bags to punch and kick, and we use gloves and shin guards, etc. However, because it is a class of 30 of us or so with one trainer, we don't always get the individual attention that is required. So here's my question. The trainer is always saying to pivot on the foot while doing roundhouse kicks, side kicks, etc. How do you do this properly? We perform kick boxing in bare feet on rubber flooring, so to twist one's foot while balanced on one leg with no slide at all (our foot tends to grip on rubber
mats so it doesn't twist easily). My fear is that I am seriously going to hurt myself by keeping my leg static while throwing a kick with the other. The instructor seems to do it with no issues at all, and I watch him closely, but I don't know how he manages it! Thanks, Missy
A. Thanks for the soft ball, Missy. You probably know I fought competitively as a kickboxer for almost 10 years, and I am the Fitness Director for the International Sport Kickboxing Association, so I will happily answer your question. Pivoting is important, because if you don't do it, you could blow out a knee. The kicks you mentioned require you to twist your body for power. If you are not light on your feet and allow the base foot to pivot while kicking, something will have to give.
Your Amazing "Before" Picture - Can You Believe That Was You? (VIDEO)
Fit Kicks Videos, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
The beauty of a "before" picture is that it allows you to really appreciate how far you've come. Not there yet? Are you walking around in the body you'll one day refer to as your "before"? Watch this video and get a move on. Life is too short to spend one extra second in your "before" body. Pay close attention, take action and zoom on into your "after" body.
For fabulous cooking tips, creative workouts and more fun quick information from degreed experts in health and fitness, visit SportsHealthExercise.org.
Carol Burnett - Her Top 4 Smart and Funny Fitness Tips
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products
The secret to thin legs. How to plump up the appearance of a flat fanny. How to stay trim. What exercise does and doesn't count. Carol Burnett shared superb advice on all these topics.
I just saw the legendary funny woman last night and was fortunate enough to ask her a couple of questions. At 73 years young, she really does have a body most women would dream of at that age (including me). In fact, she's always had an amazing physique; just check out her old pics from The Carol Burnett Show!
Burnett is starring in Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett: A Conversation with Carol Where the Audience Asks the Questions and besides answering my questions, she answered some from the audience as well.
On the topic of how she keeps her legs so thin: "I shave off loads of excess hair each day."
-The ape woman population will benefit greatly from doing this.
Obese Parents - How to Help Them
Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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, Long time reader here. We've got a problem in our family, and it's that my dad is incredibly obese. He has a fairly athletic build, but in recent years became "potbellied." He's the only obese person in his family, and his health is REALLY starting to suffer.
He's having problems with his knees, joints, back, and worst of all -- his attitude. He cannot exercise because he's already so inactive, and every diet he's been on (reluctantly) he's just put the weight back on afterward. Sometimes he does it intentionally, for fun (a la Dunkin Donuts trips ... how awful!)
Train Like Batman - Flaunt Washboard Abs Without Needing a Bat Suit (VIDEO)
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
If you're a fan of Batman, or simply would like to have the same rippling abdominals the Batsuit provides ... check out this video and then try it at home.
For more innovative training videos, studded with stars ...






























