That's Fit

Fitness isn't just about body fat and muscle mass. For many of us, being fit inside counts, too, which means trying to make the best possible choices from day to day -- best for ourselves, our families, and our planet. And it can get tiring sometimes, trying to determine whether you're better off purchasing sustainable Product X from Company A or slightly-used organic Product Y from Company B, but sustainable shopping just got a bit easier with WorldofGood.com.

WorldOfGood.com is an Ebay community that strives to be "your source for everything People Positive and Eco Positive." They want to provide a place where people can "create positive change through commerce, as part of a global community."

More and more people are interested in the effects their purchases make -- knowing you're buying items that meet your philosophical needs can bring you great peace of mind. If you want to see just how big an impact simple spending habits make on the world at large, check out the Smart Cart quiz. You'll be amazed (and slightly horrified, if you're anything like me!).

This weekend my son and I are going on a vacation. While we're staying in a cabin, we'll be spending most of our time outdoors -- at the beach, sand dunes, nature trails, and hiking paths. Both my son and I love to explore and check out what nature has to offer. A new web portal, Andy Camper, is all about outdoor adventures for kids.

The site offers dozens of how-to videos for kids; from geocaching to watching the stars. The site aims to get kids excited about the outdoors and to reconnect them with nature through fun, engaging ideas and activities.

My son is really into bugs right now (except spiders... they freak him out). Tonight, we're going to make this cool water viewer to help us look for bugs and other critters in the lake this weekend. Check it out! You're sure to find fun activities for you and your kids whether you're heading out on a special outdoor adventure, or just want to do some exploring in your own backyard.

When I run, I generally run alone. Sometimes I'll bring my dog, and occasionally a friend will join me, but far more often than not, it's just me. And I'm not complaining -- in fact, that's the way I like it.

However, one of the things I love about running is the feeling of community. Any time I go for a run, I know there's someone else out there, someone who's facing the same challenges I am, someone who will push through to the end of that last mile (and if they can do it, so can I). There's so much support for runners, both in local club form and online. And then, of course, there's the feeling of being a part of an actual race.

Nike is capitalizing on that feeling by promoting the Nike+ Human Race. Rather than just running with people who join a race in your area, you have the option to run a 10k on the same day as thousands of other people all across the globe. Races are set for cities around the world, from New York to Madrid to Shanghai, or you can join in on a run by yourself with the Nike+ gear. Of course, you could just go for run on August 31st and know that you're joining runners the world over -- it's up to you!

I completed my first marathon six years ago. June 23, 2002 in Kona, Hawaii. I refer to this event as my first because I'm considering when to start training for my second as I'm craving the intensely satisfying mind boost such an experience provides.

As most marathoners will say, running 26.2 miles is a life-changing experience that has more to do with the mind than the body. Certainly, I trained rigorously over six months in order to accomplish the feat. But believing I could do it was key. Despite being an active person in general who loved to walk, hike, swim, etc., I had never run even a mile before training for the marathon. Others along the course on that hot and humid Hawaiian summer morning were clearly similar. Some were quite overweight, even obese. Some had disabilities. Some walked the entire way. Some were in wheelchairs. Some had lived beyond 70 years. But everyone was welcomed by the running community, a group I found to be kind, supportive and nonjudgemental.

So, if you're saying to yourself right now "I could never run a marathon," that's probably true. But if you think you can, that's true as well. And I encourage you to embark on the adventure. Pure elation lies ahead.

I'm telling my story -- my breast cancer story -- on Trusera.com. You might want to tell yours too. Or read the stories others are writing. Or pass on the mission of this site to someone who might benefit.

Trusera is a free online health community based on the power of storytelling. It's a safe and comfortable environment that connects people who've "been there" to people seeking credible, relevant health information. It's a perfect place for those embarking on a medical journey, those who want a real-life glimpse into real-life health and medical issues, those who wish to share their own healthy tips and tricks.

Want information on nutrition? The community at Trusera has got it. How about diet? Exercise? Aging? Autism? It's all there, at Trusera's one-stop shop. Don't need any information at the moment? Then share what you've got stored in that head of yours. Someone will surely gain from your wisdom. Tell your story. Submit a journal entry. Share a video. Just don't keep what you know to yourself. Get it out there. That's what I'm doing.

By the way, if you have a breast cancer story to tell and you share it before March 30, Trusera will donate $10 to Gilda's Club for the first 500 people. Click here to sign up-and be sure to note "Gilda's Club" on the registration form.

Does blogging help you lose weight? That's the question at hand on this recent segment on CBS. Dietitian Kerri Glassman shares her thoughts on blogging for weight loss. The verdict? It helps.

Why? There are a couple of key reasons -- firstly, blogging creates a support network. You know how we're always telling you how you'll be more successful at weight loss if you do it with support from a friend or family member? The blogging community offers hundreds of friends who are rooting for you. Secondly, keeping a blog is like keeping a food journal -- you're documenting what you're eating and how much you're exercising, so it helps you take an honest looks at your habits and indulgences.

The best part of the segment for me was the screen shots of some of my favourite weight loss blogs, namely:

• Sister Skinny
• Cranky Fitness
• Back in the Skinny Jeans
• Lose the Buddha

If you haven't checked out these awesome blogs, do it -- they are truly fabulous.

Thanks to reader Aaron for the tip!

You might think your exercise program is for you and only you. But it can be good for the environment too, according to the website Green Living Ideas. By incorporating a few simple green practices into your fitness routine, you can fine-tune your body while helping to sustain the planet at the same time. Want to see how easy it is to accomplish both tasks at the same time? Read on.

The easiest way to turn exercise into an environmental act is to move your workout outside. Besides connecting with nature and connecting with your community, you'll cut your electricity bill by turning off the treadmill and exerting yourself outside. You can also replace your conventional workout routine with conservation activities such as gardening, hiking, or trail building. Check into volunteer opportunities at public parks too.

Heard of the "green gym" experience? What started in Europe is now spreading across the globe -- some are popping up on the United States East Coast. Slightly structured and costing nothing, these programs consist of people who meet a few times per week to get active and have fun while contributing to the wellness of the planet.
Think composting, reforestation, and recycling programs, and you've got the right idea. Gyms associated with this effort might include water-conserving shower heads and low-wattage light bulbs. If you spot any TV sets, they're likely programmed to turn off when not in use. They might feature biodegradable and natural cleaning products in the locker rooms and showers, and guests may be required to wear clothing made with organic cotton and other natural fibers.

Richmond, a small city south of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia, has recently been described as Canada's healthiest community. The residents have a longer life-expectancy than the rest of the country, and generally rate among the happiest and healthiest in the country. Other spots across the world receiving similar praise include Loma Linda in California, Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan and Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

So what exactly is it that makes these places so darn good for you? According to this article there are a few variables. These include weather (a climate with few extremes) and fitness -- places where physical fitness is a priority both for individuals as well as the community come out ahead. For example, Richmond has loads of trails appropriate for cycling, hiking and walking, so residents don't have to spend a fortune to stay active and, as the weather is usually pretty decent, are able to spend lots of time outdoors.

Other factors include the environment (cities that make a pledge to be green fare very well) and lifestyle aspects, such as low smoking and obesity rates, combined with a commitment things like healthy eating (and eating fresh, local products) and volunteering, round out the list.

Based on these variables, where do you think your community fits in?

When I first saw the title of this piece -- Black, White Women Differ on Dieting -- it really picqued my interest. "What exactly does color have to do with weight loss?", I wondered. Basically the results of a study conducted in Philadelphia showed that while both black and white women involved in the study were concerned about how they looked, body image was a bigger influence in wanting to lose weight for white women than it was for black women. In addition, white women were more likely to seek help from an outside source in their quest to get into shape.

I think the most important issues brought up by the article are, first of all, that black women trying to get to a healthy weight are may likely to try programs offered within their community, but there are not enough of these available where they can seek help. Secondly, the article says that neither white or black study participants listed health-related worries as a main reason for wanting to drop some pounds. If your health is being negatively affected by your weight, I think that should definitely be a number one motivator. What do you think?

We all know the exercise is an essential aspect to a healthy lifestyle, and healthy living reduces our chances of illness and other health problems. Why, then, aren't there more government funded exercise programs? Surely getting people to be active would reduce healthcare costs in the long run, right?

According to this, that's exactly what exercise programs do. A study was conducted with senior citizens with diabetes, and it was found that healthcare costs were reduced when community-based exercise programs were implemented. It is believed that these findings will be reflected in individuals living with chronic conditions in other communities, too. What do you think? Are community-based activities prevalent in your area?

For most of us, Thanksgiving is about eating, napping, socializing with family and friends and more eating. But for a thousand kids in Austin, the day was about giving back to the community and doing something good for their health -- they participated in the Turkey Trot, a 1-or 5-mile run that benefits Caritas of Austin, an organization that supports impoverished people. A single registration can buy a bag of groceries for a single mom.

It doesn't get much better than this -- saying thanks by supporting your community while burning some calories and doing something good for your body. Hearing about stuff like this inspires me to do more for my community, and my health. What about you?

One Small Step is our attempt to show you all how easy it can be to improve your health, and the health of the planet. Each week, we'll take one more little step and encourage you to take it with us. This week, I've finally agreed to listen to my husband and:

Get ultra-local.

Yes, I love the concept of the Eat Local Challenge, but this isn't just eating -- it's drinking coffee, and going to the dentist, and buying my favorite books. I guess you could call it "shop local." So today, when I went to get my hair cut, I didn't go downtown to the chic Aveda stylist where I got my hair done for my wedding (and the one who usually cuts my hair oh so well). Instead, I went to the corner barbershop -- literally, on the corner two blocks from my house. No energy was expended in getting there, and Tammy (along with "Bip", her partner) lives in the neighborhood. She gets her coffee at my favorite coffee shop -- she's about as local as you can get.

It was my husband's idea. I'd been encouraging him to go to the dentist about a mile up the street, instead of the one several miles away we'd been seeing; we've heard such great things. He went even further.