Photo: Courtesy of Tony Posnanski

First he felt numbness in his arms, then his doctor said that weighing 420 pounds at 5 feet 6 inches, he had three months to live if he didn't choose to have a gastric bypass or turn his life around. If Tony Posnanski needed further motivation to lose the weight, he found it in his wife's constant worry that he was going to die of a heart attack. So in February 2008, the self-proclaimed lifetime yo-yo dieter decided to ditch the fads and started his "Anti-Jared" journey. Since then he's lost 216 pounds, to weigh in today at 204. (He dropped just below 200 before, but missed his muscular build.) Now that he's at a weight he feels comfortable with, and his wife and newborn to stay healthy for, he says he would "never put them though the torture of me being that heavy" again. Find out how he lost the weight and just what he's got against (Subway's) Jared.

That's Fit: Can you describe a typical day's worth of meals and any exercises you did when you were at your heaviest, 420 pounds?

Tony Posnanski: My exercises consisted of rolling around in bed, going to the bathroom and cleaning up after my dog because I was way too tired to take her out. I was very inactive. I went to the chiropractor four days a week because of back pain. I would consume close to 10,000 calories a day. On the way home from work, I would stop at three different fast food restaurants. I can remember sitting in my car at 2 a.m. with $40 worth of Taco Bell. I would eat over eight pounds of food at a Chinese Buffet. Believe it or not, I made Michael Phelps look like an Olsen twin.

The right playlist can really make a difference in your workout. Music can motivate you and keep you going. My favorite way to exercise is simply to walk around the neighborhood, so I have my iPod loaded with mid-tempo songs that I love. My favorites are:

• Better Together by Jack Johnson
• Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects
• Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne
• Jessica by Maybe August
• Keep Fishin by Weezer
• Cecelia by Simon & Garfunkel
• Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5
• Paralyzer by Finger Eleven
• Pump It Up by Elvis Costello
• Suedehead by Morrissey

Andrew from Go Healthy Go Fit asked some of the web's top fitness bloggers what songs are on their playlists. Israel Lagares from Fat Man Unleashed favors Eminem and DMX. Rusty Moore from The Fitness Black Book opts for techno and house music. Check out the full article for song picks and playlists from other fitness bloggers.

What workout tunes are loaded on your iPod?

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Does blogging about your weight loss progress lighten the load? Or is it just dead weight? Blogger Jessica from Jezebel pondered this question in a recent post.

Blogging can be the ultimate weight loss journal. Recording your progress in a journal is a tried and true tactic to keep you on track. And when you put the information out there for anyone to see, well, that's just more reason to stay on course. In addition, there is a wide ring of weight-loss bloggers out there -- starting your own blog and following along with others can be a great source of camaraderie and support.

But I can also see how a weight-loss blog could become a burden. Particularly if it is a paid blogging position, as in the example on Jezebel. It is possible that the pressure of reporting your actions/progress on a blog may lead you to make decisions you otherwise wouldn't. Losing weight isn't a short-term game -- it's a long-term process. Healthy eating and exercising are habits that have to last a lifetime, but everyone has days where they eat birthday cake or skip an exercise session. Even weight-loss bloggers have to give themselves enough room to live a little.

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Blogging is good for the mind and the soul, but don't let anyone tell you it's good for the body. Sure, writing about healthy habits all day long can be inspiring, but blogging itself is a sedentary, solitary task. And if you're a blogger, you're at risk for something called Blogger Bloat -- "a tendency of bloggers and bloghers to gain weight by sitting for long hours in front of computers, snacking on treats! Blogger bloat is a greater risk in the winter, when bloggers tend to choose starchy and comfort snacks," according to this article on Divine Caroline.

Of course, this isn't limited to blogging -- it's something experienced by anyone who spends hours in front of the computer. It could be called writer's waist, typist's tummy or receptionist's rear. Whatever the reason keeping you from getting up and moving around, it's important to find a balance. Avoid blogger bloat and other conditions with these 10 tips.

How do you keep up with blogging and still stay slim?

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The body is an amazing piece of equipment. I am in awe every day, really, when I think about how my body -- even after an attack by cancer -- is able to survive, even thrive. Wired for sustaining life, our bodies give and give and give. It's only after a whole bunch of abuse or a whole bunch of disease that it generally gives out. Simply amazing how our bodies last for as long as they do.

Here are some amazing body facts featured in Laura Lewis' book 52 Ways To A Healthy You -- yes, our very own That's Fit blogger, Laura Lewis. She's a wealth of knowledge, a fountain of wisdom, and while I've only just skimmed her book so far, I plan to dive right in very soon. And then I'll be back with more. For now, though, take some time to marvel at these six human body feats.

• The human body has 45 miles of nerves.

• A nerve impulse travels at the speed of light.

• Each square inch of human skin consists of 20 feet of blood vessels.

• Your tongue print is as unique as your fingerprints.

• Twenty-five percent of all the oxygen in your body is constantly being used by your brain.

• The average human heart beats about 100,000 times every 24 hours.

With all of its potential, just think how great our bodies would work if we treated them like they deserve to be treated, if we ate right, exercised right, slept well, minimized stress -- you know the drill. Think about it. And see what you can do to let your amazing machine serve you the best it can.

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Eva Longoria Parker's booty didn't happen by accident. The petite actress actively works to make sure she keeps a little junk in the trunk. Her trainer, Patrick Murphy, said that Eva does a variety of exercises that work her glute muscles from all different angles in order to get her rear rockin' -- just like regular people. Nice to know it's not all genetics!

Jodie Sweetin (you know, the infamous middle child, Stephanie Tanner, from Full House), is a new mom, and she's acting as a guest blogger at OK! Magazine to "blog about her trials, travails and triumphs as she works hard to get back to into her pre-baby shape."

She wants to lose 25 or 30 pounds of extra weight, and in addition to getting her meals from Nutri-System, she's incorporating a new fitness routine. Can't you just picture her yelling back at her trainer, "How rude!"?

Today was the day for my great friend and fellow blogger, Jacki Donaldson, to have her tummy tuck. Jacki is a beautiful woman, wonderful mother, amazing friend and brilliant writer. Since she lives in my neighborhood, attends the gym I work out at, and used to be one of my personal training clients as she was recovering from chemotherapy ... I've seen Jacki literally work her ass off. Not only is she aggressive at the gym, she's done a complete 360 with her eating habits. To say I've been impressed would be the understatement of the year.

Jacki had two big babies and has done everything she could possibly do to create a fit body. She's lost a ton of weight but has been left with a bit of extra skin around the mid-section which has really been point of frustration for her. An emotional burden. She's no better of a person now that her tummy tuck is complete; she couldn't be any more perfect. She is however, going to be a girl who no longer has the anxiety that goes along with as she puts it, "tucking in" her tummy.

I have a cold, so I won't be running the two blocks over to check out Jacki's new abs. Sick germs don't belong at a house with a post-op patient. But when I'm better ... I promise to go check out her final product and give you the scoop. Most importantly being ... Jacki is recovering fine, hopefully in little pain.

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When something big happens in a bloggers life, their first instinct is to, well, blog about it. But is the stress of needing to keep up-to-date on blogs causing health problems in their writers? Consider this story from the New York Times: Renowned blogger Om Malik suffered a heart attack on December 28th ... and then blogged about it only a few days later on January 3rd to explain his absence. In the wake of his announcement, there's been speculation that being one of the world's more well-known bloggers may have had something to do with the Malik's heart problems.

I can see the connection: When you're a public figure, someone who shares their thoughts with the world almost daily, someone who's job it is to keep on top of stories, someone who feels accountable to thousands of readers, the stress can get to you. And when your name is your business, I can imagine that the pressure of maintaining it can be overwhelming. As a professional blogger, I don't find it overly stressful, but then again, I'm relatively 'small potatoes' compared to Mr. Malik.

I'm curious to know what you think -- is blogging too stressful?

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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.

Our featured celebrity this week is one of our very own That's Fit bloggers, Jacki Donaldson. Jacki has published and become the feature of more than 1,000 magazine and online articles. She's an eloquent writer who guides her readers towards healthier, more appreciative and joyful lives with ease.

Jacki is also a Breast Cancer Survivor. Jacki was diagnosed in November of 2004, when her two small sons were only three years old and 18 months, Soon after, Jacki endured a lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy and all of the great side effects that go along with it. Jacki lives in my neighborhood and approached me about personal training in April of 2006. I considered her a friend before this, but truly had no idea what an inspirational and fun person she would be to have in my life.

As I've cheered for her, she's inspired me to become a better person in every aspect of my life. Her writing makes we want to be more insightful. Her parenting makes me want to be more creative. Her friendship makes me want to be a better person in general. Jacki has turned her experiences with cancer into a positive somehow. She's turned the most rotten lemons into the sweetest lemonade. She's now a role model for health and I'm grateful to be able to share her with you. I recommend visiting JackiDonaldson.com to get her full story.

Fitz: Describe your original diagnosis of breast cancer and your life at that point.

Jacki: I found a lump in my breast while washing in the shower. I knew in my gut it was cancer. After a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, I knew with absolute certainty. I had cancer. I was 34 years old, with a husband and two little boys, ages three and 18 months.

Fitz: What type of treatment did you undergo and for how long?

Jacki: I had a lumpectomy to remove my tumor and four lymph nodes. Then I had four doses of chemotherapy, six weeks worth of radiation -- I was zapped every week day for all these weeks -- and then a year-long targeted drug therapy with a new wonder drug that cuts the risk of recurrence by 50 percent. I also received physical therapy -- both surgery and radiation affect range of motion in the arm -- and talk therapy, and I took an anti-depressant for more than one year. My treatment began in January 2005 and ended in July 2006, just more than one year ago.

Fitz: You hired me as your personal trainer about 17 months ago. You said you wanted to "get strong." How were you weak?

Jacki: My body had been battered by both cancer and the treatment designed to save my life. I was fatigued, worn out, and without physical strength. I knew I needed to make a comeback. I just didn't know how. Then I found you.

Fitz: You were still undergoing chemotherapy once every three weeks for your first few months of training. Small things like lunges and strength training with tubes would leave you dizzy quite often, but you persevered. What kept you coming when you certainly were not required to?

Jacki: I believe the healthier and stronger I become, the less likely I am to develop cancer again. So I require myself to work hard. It's my way of controlling an unpredictable disease.

Fitz: You began training in April, 2006 and ran the entire Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k in October, 2006. You were the first survivor to cross the finish line as you ran every step of the way. As I finished a few steps behind you, I couldn't think of a more proud moment in my career. What did that physical accomplishment mean to you?

Jacki: It meant I really could run, not just around the block which I could barely do even before cancer, but for 3.2 whole miles. It meant that I was taking powerful steps against a disease that threatened to take my life. It meant I could keep up with you -- which is no small feat!

Fitz: You've now revamped your entire way of eating. Tell me about the changes you've made and the results you've experienced. You look really hot by the way!

Jacki: I love you! I've cut out all sweets, soda, and red meat. I eat low-fat, low-sugar foods and lots of fruits and veggies. I drink only water. I've cleared my kitchen of butters, oils, dressings, and more. Results? I've lost 15 pounds, 10 of which crept up on me during treatment. I'm leaner, firmer, and so much happier in my slimmer body.

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Nice to meet you! I'm Fitz and I'm ready to help you get happy in the skin you're in. I'm on a mission to tack ten years of quality life on to everyone I come across and fortunately I've been offered a position here as a blogger so I can hound you every day about it.

I've been teaching Fitzness (my brand of fitness) for over 17 years and have a Master's Degree in Exercise and Sports sciences, but more importantly... I GET IT! Get what? I get this whole fitness/healthy living thing, and I'm really excited to share it all with you.

Expect straight talk, fun and effective ideas for exercise and eating right, monster motivation and always the truth. Got questions? Send em. I'm eager to get into your heads and get you where you want to be. It's FITZNESS time!

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