Feeling blue? Try lacing up your shoes and heading outside for a walk. CafeMom tells us that a consistent walking routine can have the same effect on your brain as an antidepressant.

I know that when I get out for a walk, I feel better. Maybe it doesn't release a rush of endorphins like running can, but it gives you time to move your muscles and clear your head. Try to work a brisk walk in every day -- you'll feel a boost in your mood in no time.

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Exercising and eating right gives you a lot of short-term benefits, such as weight control and increased energy. But a healthy lifestyle has a long-term benefit as well -- a longer life. And now we know that optimism is important to your lifespan as well.

Eight years into one recent study, female participants with a positive outlook were 14 percent more likely to be alive than their more-negative counterparts (participants were age 50 or older at the start of the study). The good news is that the same fitness and nutrition habits that can benefit your health can also benefit your outlook.

• Exercise. Not only does exercise relieve the stress that can contribute to a bad mood, exercise can also stimulate the release of brain chemicals that can leave you feeling more content and relaxed.
• Nutrition. Mood and food go hand-in-hand. When you choose nutritious, energy-promoting foods you'll feel more alert and ready to tackle your day.

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, take active steps to maintain a positive outlook. Try to balance your work, home and family responsibilities -- and be sure to leave time for having fun! Engage in regular stress-reducing activities; choose something that works for you, such as reading a book or getting a pedicure. Stop yourself from negative self-thoughts and do your best to be kind and non-judgmental of others.

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When you're trying to lose weight, it's easy to get a bit obsessive about your food choices. I know I'm guilty of it, and I wondered how forgiving That's Fit readers arre of occasional slips:

• 46.1 percent get pretty down on yourselves when you overindulge, but you get right back on the bandwagon.
• 27.5 percent of you are all-or-nothing thinkers. When you screw up, you give up.
• 26.5 percent maintain a balanced outlook; you know that slips are bound to happen and don't stress about it.

To maintain weight loss, it's best to get yourself out of the all-or-nothing mindset. In fact, you're probably better off if you don't even have a diet mindset. Just develop healthy eating patterns and exercise regularly -- habits that can last a lifetime.

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.

So you're cruising along with your diet and then it happens ... a piece of chocolate cake. Oh, the horror! All of a sudden your weight loss plans seem hopeless and why should you even bother trying?

Does this sound familiar? A lot of people are guilty of having an all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to weight loss. As if one little slip off of their plan can wipe away all of the healthful choices they've made up until then. So, I wonder ... what is your diet frame of mind?

Woo hoo! Finally! A celebrity who didn't magically shrink back to her pre-baby body moments after giving birth!

Emma Bunton (Baby Spice from the Spice Girls, in case you're pretending you didn't already know that) gave birth to a baby boy 17 months ago, and says it took her a year to get back to her starting weight. "I did it very naturally and slowly," said Bunton, adding, "I went to the gym two or three times a week and ate healthily. I breastfed, so you can't go on stupid strict diets."

She's pleased with how she looks now, and stays in shape by running and walking with her and partner Jade Jones' dogs. However, she's certainly not obsessed -- "It's got to be about balance, though, being healthy and not letting it rule your life. When my friends ask me 'round and say, 'Let's get a pizza,' I would hate to be the only person picking at the pepperoni."

This hot mama certainly has a good attitude about weight-loss, and it sounds like she's been really smart about it. If you want to lose weight the smart way, too, be sure to check out America Takes It Off -- click on the badge below!

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Feeling a bit grouchy? Include these foods in your diet to improve your mood.

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Life Fitness is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Need motivation and guidance to facilitate positive changes in your life? Ask Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis!

Dear Laura:

I am a woman in my 40s, married and have two kids in high school. I try to work out but my diet isn't the best. But I am doing better than others I know. My question is what do you think is the most important thing to focus upon if I want to live a long time yet feel and look great too?

Deborah K., Lexington, KY


Dear Deborah:

Great question! In other words, what is the fountain of youth? Remember the movie with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn entitled "Death Becomes Her?" The comedy focuses upon the two rivals obtaining a youth elixir from the eternally beautiful Isabella Rossellini's character. They end up being beautiful on the outside while their bodies decay on the inside. Funny yet thought provoking movie. Does a fountain of youth exist? Maybe. It appears residents of a particular community in Europe seem to have found it.

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Lisa Rinna obviously looks good. Shoot, her body looks phenomenal, regardless of how you feel about her plump lips or predilection for leopard print. And, while she certainly keeps that in mind as she plans her workouts, a hot body isn't necessarily her main goal -- rather, exercise helps her stay positive.

"That's why I work out so hard," says the hot mama, adding, "Because if you don't feel good about your body, you don't feel good about anything. I do whatever it takes so that I feel good -- not just how I look, but how I feel inside."

The way we look and the way we feel are often intertwined, at least in my experience. And if I had a body like Lisa Rinna, I think I'd be pretty darn happy! How about you?

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Offices in England might soon be invaded by weight loss vigilantes, who will conduct weigh-ins, meetings and nutritional seminars, all aimed at getting employees healthy. Weight Watchers UK has developed a scheme aimed at office workers in the UK, and it's expected that at least 500 companies will sign up for the program, according to this article from The Daily Mail.

Mads Ryder, the senior VP of Weight Watchers UK, says there are a number of benefits of helping employees shed excess pounds: "For the employer it will help cut healthcare costs and cut down on the number of days staff are off sick, and I don't think employees will have a problem with taking part. Losing weight makes you more confident about yourself and improves your ability to do your job." As for how they will go about helping employees lose weight, Ryder says, "We are about changing attitudes to food."

I think this is a great idea, but they should expand it by offering fitness classes as well. Do you agree?

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Ashley Jensen, who plays Christina on the hit show Ugly Betty, isn't your typical actress -- she shares none of the attitude about appearance that you'd expect from someone in the spotlight. She shared her feelings about beauty and weight and the Hollywood ideal in a recent interview with Daily Mail.

"I always knew I was never the prettiest or ugliest girl in the room. Life's too short to inject botulism into your face to get rid of a tiny line because you've laughed too much. I don't feel a need to loose weight, because I'm not 21. I'm happy with my package," said the actress.

She added, "We're obsessed with how we're meant to look. I feel a responsibility to not do that because it's dangerous. People end up having exactly the same bodies."

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I used to be vigilant about exercising every morning... and it felt great. I started my day out with energy and a sense of accomplishment. After adopting my son, however, my schedule has changed and my morning exercise has become sporadic at best. I've vowed to get back on the bandwagon when he returns to school next week, though. Our schedule will be changing naturally -- so it's a good time for me to get my morning self in gear again.

Divine Caroline offers some great inspiration with five reasons to start the day with a workout:

• Better performance at work.
  
• A metabolism boost throughout the day.
• A better night's sleep.
• Increased likelihood to stick with it.
• A happier outlook.

Check out the original article for details. Then, set that alarm clock a little bit earlier and get your move on in the am.

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My son has attended the same summer camp for two years now. Throughout the summer there are specialty camps kids can opt to attend. Last summer he signed up for an intense biking camp. At the beginning of the week, there were more than 30 kids signed up. By day three, the numbers had dropped to about 12. By the end of the week, only 6 kids remained.

On the first day of camp, the kids and their counselors rode a total of 10 miles. But the rides were short and they stopped at several fun locations to play and rest in between rides. Still, my very fit and athletic son needed to take a bath that night to relax his muscles.

The second day, the kids rode about the same distance, but with only one, longer break in between. It was a hard day, evidenced by the fact that more than half of the kids dropped out after day two. My son mentioned that he thought maybe he'd like to quit, too. But day three was too intriguing for him to give up.

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Exercise isn't only good for your body, it's a boost for your mood, too. Exercise releases endorphins -- your body's natural "feel-good" hormones. It also gives you time with your thoughts, to clear your mind of stress and clutter. Physical activity is a natural confidence builder, too -- as you build strength and tone your body you feel good about your accomplishment. To get the most mood-boosting benefits:

• Challenge yourself. Your body may not release endorphins at a mild level of exercise. So, to the best of your physical ability, work up to a more intense level.
  
• Listen to music while working out.
• Pick an environment that is enjoyable -- whether that means going to the gym with friends or heading out to a nature trail.

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Happiness is such a subjective thing, it's hard to identify lifestyle elements that could possibly appeal to everyone. After all, what makes one person happy could make another person stressed! However, there are certain basic principles that lend themselves to a happy mentality. Here are twenty relatively easy things you can do to help boost a positive attitude.

One tip that's hard to argue with encourages us to try and be mindful during the situations going on at the present time. I consider myself a workaholic sometimes, so that makes it difficult to shut the brain off during casual moments like dinner. Like the article suggests, concentrating on people around me and the conversation we are having makes it easier to unplug from thoughts that would otherwise provoke stress. A little bit of mindfulness can go a long way.

Just saying no is another way to pique a happy mentality. The word "no" may not enter into many people's definition of "happy," but think about it like this: If you're already stressed and stretched thin with your schedule, will saying yes to yet another obligation make you happier? Chances are signing up for more than you asked could bring on more stress. This leads to another great tip: Take a moment for yourself! Get a quiet block of time for nothing but your own thoughts or pursuits. Recharging your batteries is important for a healthy, happy state of mind. Check out more ways to get happier here!

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

Do you engage in "fat" talk? Many women do. It's the norm, actually, for women to regularly say negative things about their bodies. Research proves it.

A study from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina -- home to great white water rafting, by the way -- reveals that "fat talk" is social currency for women. It goes something like this:

"I'm so fat."

"Oh, no, you look great, but my thighs are HUGE."

"YOUR thighs are huge? Look at MINE!"

And so on.

"Fat" talk is not all bad. It creates a solidarity among females. It allows them to open up. It's a way of sharing, disclosing, and receiving reassurance. But wouldn't it be great if we could bond as women without trashing our bodies in the process?

Let's try to minimize our own "fat" talk and see what happens. I predict we'll boost our moods and may even secure a better chance at making healthy choices, perhaps even trimming down.

A positive attitude can do wonders for mental health. So compliment yourself next time you're about to slip into "fat" talk. Surely, you've got a few redeeming qualities you can acknowledge. I know, it seems like bragging, but give a try. I'll go first. I won't tell you about my least favorite body part, although it's tempting. I'll only tell you this: I like my calf muscles. I consider them my best feature, in fact.

That wasn't so hard. Your turn.

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