That's Fit

"Pretty Boy Floyd" is not known for mincing words or sugar-coating anything. In fact this elite fighter who has won six world championship belts in five weight classes and has gone undefeated as a professional says it straight. He describes himself as the "greatest athlete ever," and honestly ... has done a lot to back that up.

He's featured in the book, Men's Health Celebrity Diet Secrets 2008, and I think one of his quotes is both poignant and hysterical. I encourage you not to read any further if you're easily offended though. He wasn't vulgar, but his thoughts on maintaining flat abs isn't for children either.

Before I go there, I just want you to know that Floyd not only walks the walk, but he has made it possible for his team (those who bust their butt to keep in at the top of his game) to get and stay fit as well. He's purchased memberships to 24-Hour Fitness for all of his employees. "I want to keep everyone around me healthy and in shape," he says.

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, Can you recommend any good kickboxing videos? I lift weights and run, and I'd like to integrate kickboxing into my routine. Thanks for your help. Samantha

A. Hello Miss Samantha. Great question and you've come to the right place. Kickboxing is actually my sport. I've been training/competing as a full contact kickboxer for over ten years. You're smart to want to include it in your training. I always tell folks at the seminars I teach that I can brag about the sport, because I didn't invent it. Kickboxing literally works every single muscle in your body head to toe. It also offers an insane combination of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training in one shot.....when done right.

If you thought Russell Crowe in "Cinderella Man" was an underdog story, check out this bit of inspiration about Parkinson's disease patients fighting the battle of their lives -- literally. The story conveys what people are willing to do when diagnosed with an illness that could leave them debilitated.

For those unfamiliar, Parkinson's affects the central nervous system. Because it's a degenerative disease, it also takes away people's movement. This leaves patients immobile and helpless in a lot of ways. But one gym in Indianapolis is trying to provide an outlet for these people to train, and heal, using boxing!

Rock Steady Gym is non-profit, and the people there are using boxing as a therapy. A friend of the person who started it was diagnosed with Parkinson's, which helped conceive the original idea. Now, after months of training, he's regained movement and mitigated the tremors. Before that he couldn't even write his own name. Knowing there's a place like this fighting for those in need really puts volunteerism in perspective. Let's hope an idea like this gets contagious and spreads to other places!

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

My guests this week are a bit dear to my heart, as they share the same passion for fighting as I do. Doug Anderson, a highly decorated Iraqi war veteran from New Jersey traveled across the world with Jimmy Smith, a young Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. Their journey had them test their skills against locals and various fighting styles, often styles they had never seen before. Always exciting, often painful, and always real....the Discovery Channel's Fight Quest stars went on an adventure of a lifetime and returned home with bruises and scars to show for it.

Fitz: Most folks dread the thought of even verbal confrontation. You guys volunteered to go fight a bunch of unknowns from around the world, many of which were yielding weapons you didn't know how to use! What scares you?

Doug: I was shot at in Iraq and had bombs explode 100 yards from me while there. None of that stuff ever scared me. But fighting like we did on this show was different. In Iraq I was part of a team; on Fight Quest I was alone. If I failed.....the onus was on me. I was always most nervous right before each fight, but I'd lose those nerves as soon as I got hit. It made me want to go running face-first into the other guys fist. Just to get it over with!

Jimmy: What scares me is not putting my best foot forward. It's OK to lose to someone better than me, but I hated the idea of losing to someone because I was fatigued or didn't put forth my best effort. As far as nerves go, you can't kill what's inside you. It's best to use those nerves to make you react; make you sharper.

I've got these three amazing men whom I train: Jody, Jeff and Steve (shown in order at right.) All three men are around 60. All three men have been kickboxing with me (real kickboxing) for months. And all three are excellent at it! Who would ever imagine these three highly esteemed business men to show up at my door looking to get in shape, and becoming skilled fighters? Not only do they kickbox, they BOSU, jump rope, run, Rebound, use Gliding Disks, Ballast Balls and more.

The point I'm trying to relay to you is that when it comes to your fitness activities.....there are no rules! Don't pigeon-hole yourself. Ever think the tango was cool? Go take some lessons. Beach volleyball sound fun? Find some sand and give it a go. Age shouldn't hold you back from training out side the box. Physical limitations may, but age should not.

If something looks fun, sounds fun, sounds silly, whatever! Give something new a try. As for my crazy men....they literally brighten up may days. I couldn't think of a more fun way to start my mornings, than training these brilliant, energetic, bright, ridiculous men. They give me a hard time, but they're truly this fitness trainers dream come true.

No matter who you pack a lunch for, plan for it to be healthy, tasty and interesting. I just read a neat little article in my local newspaper,written by Antonia Robinson, which had tons of great tips Thought you'd enjoy some of hers and some of mine. Bon apetit!

• Include items from each food group.
• Don't pack the same flavors each day.
• Pick colorful, crunchy and tasty foods.
• Include food the child likes.
• Pack most of the lunch the night before.
• Dinner leftovers also make a good lunch.
• Use a thermos for hot foods and cold packs for cold foods.
• Avoid sodas and juices.
• Make sure you include fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Think outside the box! Pack sushi, veggie lasagna, or rotisserie chicken.
• Some soups taste great at room temp. if a microwave is not available. Give em a shot!
• Cold or wet items will cause a paper bag to rip. Go for plastic or use an official insulated lunch box/bag.
• Freeze a water bottle the night before and put it in your lunch box. It will keep other things cool and melt just enough so it's perfectly chilled and drinkable by lunch time.
• Include a sweet note or some stickers to add some fun to the meal.

Kickboxing aerobics and tae-fitness classes have been the rage for the past few years. To some, they are a bit more fun and interesting than the traditional dance aerobics style group fitness classes. Instead of screaming "reach", instructors yell "punch" and the students go wild. Men are more inclined to venture into these fighting style classes as well. All good news.

As a competitive kickboxer of a little more than a decade I understand the lure. I was compelled toward the sport as a teen, and finally found a legitimate trainer at age 20. My first fight came soon after. I didn't invent kickboxing so I can truly brag about it. It works every muscle in your body from head to toe. It offers the benefits of intense cardiovascular training, builds strength, and increases flexibility. Not to mention it burns a bazillion calories. Oh! And so far, fighting is the most fun thing I've ever done in my life.

Back to those classes. I'm a fan of anything that makes people huff and puff, but if you're into that you may want to take it further. Find a class that utilizes equipment such as heavy bags, focus pads or kicking shields. Hitting the air is fun, but hitting an actual heavy bag is amazing. To me, hitting willing opponents........PRICELESS!

To find a martial arts school near you, visit http://www.martialsearch.com/usa.asp.