That's Fit

Sometimes I run. Sometimes I walk. Sometimes I bike. Sometimes I work out in a gym. Sometimes I try to get fit in my own back yard. Yesterday, I exercised in my living room. It all comes down to my kids and how to best fit in my physical activity around their needs, their wishes, their desires, their demands. The living room workout, all 22 minutes of it, well, it satisfied us all. I only hope we can keep up with it, making it a regular ritual at our house.

All it took to keep the three of us busy were one BOSU, two resistance bands, two six-pounds weights (for me, not them), and our own bodies. We did push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, jumping jacks, and planks. I did squats, on and off the BOSU, and lunges, and a few arm exercises too. Danny (he's five) did a lot of creative work with the bands, and Joey (he's seven) became a master at BOSU push-ups.

I don't know about my guys, but I worked up a sweat during our group workout and judging by the enthusiasm of my kids -- "I really like to exercise," said Joey as he moved to the tunes he chose to blare throughout the house -- it seems I may get to keep sweating in this manner. Perfect for me. And for them too.

Before I begin, I think it's only fair for me to admit that I'm not a big gamer. I don't mind some of the racing video games, but for the most part, they could all disappear and I would be happy as a clam. My husband, on the other hand is the exact opposite -- he could sit and play a game for hours.

Fortunately, he's in great health and good shape and still manages to come to the gym with me occasionally, so this habit doesn't really hurt him. But it drives me nuts to think about the people who surely miss workouts because they're so involved with their games -- has that ever happened to you, or a loved one?

Today's Fit Gadget provides a solution -- the PCGamerBike requires the player to pedal in order to make his character move. The character could be a person, an airplane, a car, or anything else, and pedaling forward acts as the up arrow while pedaling backward acts as the down arrow.

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

Q. Hey Fitz. I am 12 years old and am a little chunky. I have love handles and wish to get rid of them, but I don't know what I should do! I was trying sit ups and crunches, but they don't work. Now I want to know what really works and how I can keep my body in shape without body fat . Everyone says that I'm not fat nor skinny, I'm just chunky. I want to get rid of all the chunky parts, but I don't know what I should do. Please help! Jellybean

A. First of all Jellybean, I want you to change your focus. I know it's hard to be young and uncomfortable in your skin. I too, had that issue before I was a teenager and ended up with a traumatic eating disorder. Trust me ... it brought me only bad things, never good. Don't go there. Instead of focusing on your so-called "flaws", find something about your body you like. I bet your body is loaded with treasures.

It's not about the bike, said Lance Armstrong in his book about his fight with cancer. In the fight against breast cancer, though, it is about the bike. It's a bit about chocolate too. And let me tell you, after a 220-mile bike ride from Hershey, Pa. to New York City, riders are going a deserve a bite of the sweet treat this starting city is famous for.

The Hershey's Tour de Pink bike ride, benefiting the Young Survival Coalition -- a non-profit network dedicated to the issues unique to young women and breast cancer -- aims to spread hope and awareness while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Four days of riding from October 3-6 is all it takes. If you can't make it to the big event, you can virtually tackle your miles at home.

The Virtual Ride challenges riders to pedal 220 miles from now until October 6. Start logging the miles you cover on quick rides through your neighborhood or on your stationary-bike excursions. Participate as an individual or form a team. It doesn't matter, as long as you register and ride. Raise a minimum $250 and you'll receive an official Hershey's Tour de Pink jersey. One-hundred percent of the money raised will go to the YSC.

When shopping for a bike, you have to make choices. Do you want one that's made for off-road or for biking around town? What about speedy versus sturdy?

If you've ever had to travel with a bike in a small car, you'll probably be as excited as I was about the idea of a bike that folds up (don't ask about the triathlon I drove to alone in my tiny little car -- let's just say that some names were called, things were said, and my relationship with the bike was never the same). However, I always assumed that a folding bike wouldn't be as good as a bike that doesn't fit into a suitcase -- I figured they would be flimsy and not a great choice for long rides.

Upon learning about SwissBike folding bicycles, I realized I was wrong.

Have you ever been at the gym, kicking butt on the elliptical, only to look outside and see a perfect, gorgeous day that you're missing because you're in a gym? Or, do you like the idea of biking for fun, fitness, or transportation, but have less love for some of the things that come with biking (seat pain, hunched over position, catching on chain, etc.)? If so, you might want to get on the wait list for the elliptiGO Glide Bike.

The elliptiGO is a cross between a bike and an elliptical trainer, "combining the best aspects of running and cycling to create a fun and effective means of exercising outdoors." Since you're in a standing position while riding it, you have increased visibility and a distinct lack of pain in the genitals (because, be honest -- how many of you have opted out of a long bike ride because you knew how bad your privates would hurt afterward? I'm always amazed that true cyclists can ever have sex!).

It's easily modifiable, so you can go at your own pace using your own stride. There are eight gears, allowing you to work really hard and go as fast as 25 mph, or cruise along at closer to 6mph.

Biking is such a great way to get fit. You can zoom around your neighborhood or escape to a wooded path. When fun and fitness pair up, it's a really great combination. So why not try and win a new set of wheels? Outdoorzy.com (together with Lipton) are sponsoring a bike giveaway contest.

The bike is an awesome Full Crosstown 2.0. (Seen above). There are three ways to enter the contest:

• Leave your full name in a comment on the Outdoorzy.com post.
  
• Send an email with your full name to info@outdoorzy.com.
• Comment on the Outdoorzy forum (must be an Outdoorzy member).

See Outdoorzy.com for more details. Good luck!

Patrick Dempsey says he gets a lot of crap for it, but he does prefer Spandex over baggies. Well, when he's biking anyway.

Gracing the cover of May's Bicycling magazine and the subject of a dreamy interview, the Grey's Anatomy star reveals how he broke into the sport of cycling, how he lost 12 pounds pushing those pedals round and round, and how he prefers solo to group riding. That's not all. Dempsey has lots more to say.

This TV and movie star says he's more energy drink than expresso, says right now, he's riding a new Tarmac SL, and says a ride -- on the day he gave this interview, he rode 21 miles -- is a sort of meditation for him.

Take a spin over here where Dempsey spills more of his fitness secrets.

Cycling is gaining popularity -- more and more people are looking for ways to commute in a more eco-friendly manner, plus many of us like the added benefit of burning those calories.

If you're planning to ride your bike around to run some errands, you can wear pretty much whatever you want as long as it's comfortable and allows a good range of movement. However, if you're serious about taking up cycling as a sport, there are a few items you might want to pick up:

When it comes to working out, I definitely prefer cardio to weights. Don't get me wrong, I do the weights, they're just not my favourite. I prefer to pop in my headphone, blare the tunes on my iPod and run my worries away on the treadmill. Yes, weights are important, but cardio is also important, so don't feel bad if you're a fellow cardio junky -- it's definitely one of the better habits to have.

There are plenty of ways to get your cardio in, but the most popular cardio exercises at the gym seem to revolve around the treadmill, the elliptical trainer, the stationary bike, the recumbent bike and the Stairmaster. Which one do you love the most? Or at least tolerate the most?

Nicole Kidman is spinning her wheels -- her bike wheels -- during her new-ish pregnancy.

Kidman was spotted recently in a spinning class in Santa Monica, doing her exercise thing and staying in shape. Her baby bump was very apparent, say the sources who saw this mommy-to-be.

The soundtrack playing while Kidman pedaled away? Songs by Mary J. Blige, Bon Jovi, and Culture Club rocked the place. Her favorite, though, said a fellow gym-goer: songs by hubby Keith Urban.

My seven-year-old just learned to ride a bike without training wheels last year. He just was not ready before his sixth year of life. His four-year-old brother was ready early and is already balancing on two wheels. Regardless of age, learning to ride a bike is quite a milestone. It can be a dangerous prospect too. Keep these tips in mind when your kids move from little trike to big bike.

• Go for proper fit. An oversize bike can be unsafe. Don't a buy a bike your child will grow into. Instead, choose one that allows your kiddos to reach the ground with the balls of their feet -- make sure bottoms are on the seat and hands are on the handlebars when you measure for this. There should also be a one-inch clearance between crotch and center bar when straddling the bike and standing flat-footed.
  
  
• Outfit your kids with helmets.
  
  
• While still learning, have your child ride next to you on your own bike. Avoid the street. Stick to sidewalks and parks.
  
  
• If you attach training wheels, keep them slightly elevated so there's a feeling of trying to maintain balance.
  
  

• When balancing, riding, and braking are mastered, you can let your kids ride in the street. Don't forget to supervise, though, and teach all rules of the road -- like riding with traffic.
  
  

• Don't allow riding in the dark.
  
  
• Children should learn to keep their bikes in good repair. Parents should annually check the tires, brakes, and seat and handlebar height.
  
  

Check out these bike myths and facts from the American Academy of Pediatrics. There's more good stuff here.

Let me take a stab at what your inner monologue is saying after reading that title -- "Me? A triathlon? Ha! This Kristen girl is a nutter!"

Well, first of all, yes, I've done sprint triathlons, and I love them (check out the gallery below for proof). But, while I'm fit and I work hard, I'm definitely a regular gal, which is why I want to encourage you to consider taking part in a sprint triathlon this summer.

Sprint triathlons are fairly short -- the swim is between 1/4 and 1/2 mile (I've always done the 1/4 mile ones), the bike ride is between 10 and 20 miles, and the run is right around 3 miles. If you've been working out regularly and have decent cardio strength, I imagine you could complete each of these tasks separately. And, if that's the case, all you have to do is put them together!

It won't be the easiest thing you've ever done, but in my experience most of the participants are more interested in having a good time than in winning. so as long as you come with a good attitude, you'll be good to go. Are you intrigued? Want to learn more? Check out USA Triathlon for lots of information on the sport and Beginner Triathlete for tips on getting started. Or, drop me a question in the comments section. The season is starting soon, so start training now!

Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Lauren Rinck

Age: 23

Occupation: Consumer Product Sales Representative for Hormel Foods

How often do you exercise? Every day.

What type of exercise do you do? Road Biking, Running, Cardio, Circuit Training, Spinning, Swimming

What gets you to workout, even when you're feeling lazy? Exercising and fitness is just something that is a priority for me, something I look forward to. I love how I feel afterward as well! I can see results as I continue to place emphasis on working out. My ultimate goal is to race in an Iron Man, so I continually strive to push myself in that direction.

Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Lindsay Johnson

Age: 26

Occupation: Online Advertising Sales

How often do you exercise? Every day

What type of exercise do you do? Weight Training, Cardio, Spinning, Plyometrics

What gets you to workout, even when you're feeling lazy? My iPod. My workout buddy, Lauren, texting me to get up to the gym. And knowing how good I will feel afterward.