Daylight Savings Time is upon us (well, most of us -- if you live in Arizona or Indianapolis, or any other place that just doesn't acknowledge DST, I guess you aren't included). And while that means we have an extra hour of light at night, it also means that summer is approaching.

As the temperatures get warmer and warmer, many of us move our runs and walks later and later in the day to avoid the heat. However, if you're moving it too late, you could find yourself exercising in the dark.

And that's not entirely a bad thing -- if you have a clear, safe path, a nighttime outing could be a wonderful change of pace. However, it's important that you make sure you're being as safe as possible -- check out the gallery below for tips, or read up on all the advice that Active.com has to offer.

The days are so short now. By the time I've helped my son complete his homework and get dinner on the stove, it's pitch black outside. When it's dark out when you start your workday and dark when you get home, it can take a toll on your well-being. There are things you can do, though, to keep your energy running high during the darker days of winter. Here they are:

• Sun exposure. This time of year, it's important to get outside and spend some time in the sun. Even if it's just a 10-minute walk during your lunch hour, the sunlight will do you good.
• Exercise. An active lifestyle helps to keep you energized. Commit to exercising every day. That doesn't mean you have to have an intense hour-long workout every day. You can vary your workout doing short 10-minute bursts one day, a moderate 30-minute workout the next, and an intense, longer session on other days.
• Nutrition. Certain foods can help boost your energy. Healthcastle has tips on foods that will help increase energy. AOL Health also has a list of fatigue-fighting foods.

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The days are shorter now, so why not take your walking workout indoors?

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The days are getting shorter -- just one of the depressing signs of winter's impending doom. Runners, lack of light is no reason to stay home, but stay safe while you pound the pavement.

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If skinny girls can eat chocolate and maintain their weight, then surely we not-so-willowy ones can too. I know, we have no idea what these gals do to keep pounds from packing on. Still, if chocolate is permitted by this crew, then why not enjoy a bite yourself now and then.

Now and then are the key words. Just ask 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord, who enjoys just a taste in the name of portion control.

McCord's taste comes in the form of the new Dove chocolate bars, says PEOPLE magazine. They come in three individually wrapped portions, each with 180 calories and available in six flavors -- check out a picture of the $1.99 treat here. Eat just an ounce of dark chocolate to regulate your blood pressure and increase blood flow to the heart -- Grey's Anatomy star Chandra Wilson does -- because that's why we all eat chocolate, right? Yeah. That's it.

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When my body isn't moving so much, my mind goes to a bit of a blue place. I'm not quite there, but I feel myself getting close. Ironically, this week my body has traveled thousands of miles and I've seen my favorite blue place in the world -- the Pacific Ocean.

As most of us know, traveling usually means our health suffers a bit due to lack of exercise, increased stress and the subsequent effect on our mental state of both. I travel from my home in the mid-Atlantic to my native California at least twice a year. I am writing from my mother's home in the Los Angeles area right now. Before heading home a week from tomorrow, we will have traveled by air and navigated airports for more than 12 hours and spent almost 20 hours in cars in order to visit family and friends on opposite ends of the state. So much movement, so little exercise.

Thankfully, visiting the loved ones we live so far away from keeps my mind a bit happier during these sedentary vacation days. And I do try to adhere to some of the common tips for maintaining good health and fitness while traveling, such as making good food choices and drinking lots of water. I also follow certain prevention guidelines.

When I get home, I'll run through the neighborhood, hop on my bike or swim laps at the rec center in an effort to kick those endorphins back into high gear and then some. I'll certainly have to in order to heal the little bit of homesickness and heartsickness that's sure to crop up after leaving so many loved ones behind.

Dark chocolate has been enjoying an improved image lately, with all the good press regarding its health benefits.
It may still be high in sugar but it's rich in antioxidants, contains less fat than milk chocolate, and in some circles is considered a Super Food. No wonder dark chocolate sales are soaring.

Dark chocolate sales in Britain have doubled over the past two years, a new report reveals. By the end of the year, the British chocolate market is expected to grow even further. Predictions have sales growing 17 percent by 2013.

Experts think dark chocolate could soon be paired with wine and suggest upmarket bars could offer a choice of the finest chocolate to go with their best wine or champagne.

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Wouldn't it be grand if you simply had to eat a chocolate bar every day? Not complying with your daily prescription would mean the study of heart disease would take a hit. People could get sick, for goodness sake. You wouldn't want that on your conscience, would you?

Participants in Britain will soon be eating one grand chocolate bar every day for one whole year to help researchers determine whether compounds called flavonoids found in chocolate and other foods help reduce the risk of heart disease for menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Previous studies suggest dark chocolate is linked with heart health but experts say the high sugar and fat content might cancel out some of the benefits.

One hundred and fifty women -- each one past menopause and with type 2 diabetes -- will come to the aid of science very soon. While downing their daily decadence -- half will eat a super-charged bar with 30 grams of flavonoids; the others will get chocolate without the active compounds -- researchers will look at their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the condition of their arteries.

Researchers hope this study has implication for a wider population. If all goes well, maybe a candy bar will soon be on your daily diet plan.

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Actually, it's not the crack of dawn. It's more like pre-dawn when I find myself running up and down the seven hills in my neighborhood. Dawn implies a bit of sunlight is peering through the sky. When I run, it's dark. Completely dark. And I completely love it.

Running in the dark of the early morning is the newest of my exercise approaches, designed to allow me a jump on the day ahead, to get my workout out of the way before the world around me wakes up. No interruptions. No distractions. No competing priorities. Just me, an hour's worth of time, and the hills. Or sometimes my treadmill. I also fit in a few other exercises -- mostly for my stubborn stomach -- and a shower too. By the time my husband and little boys are awake, I've accomplished what I set out to do and don't have to fret about fitting it in for the rest of day.

It took some practice to get rolling with this workout routine. Once a night owl, I now crash early. My favorite late TV shows get taped and I watch them early on subsequent nights. Hoisting myself out of bed in the morning has gotten easier too, although today I slept 15 minutes longer than intended and had to ramp up my running speed to make it home on time. Not a bad trade, though. I'm sure my body liked the jolt it got.

My road to fitness is ever changing. No schedule is ever permanent and while I sometimes wish to find the perfect plan for keeping fit, I realize that as life evolves, so does my approach. Right now, my darkened runs feel pretty darn ideal. Times will change, though, and so will my plans. Who knows what the future holds. I only know at the moment that I plan to hit the streets again tomorrow, for another run in the dark. I can't wait.

Looking back on some of my recent posts, I realized that there has been too much negativity going on. While I do feel it is important to pass along research related to health complications and dangers, I sometimes feel like a purveyor of doom. So, in efforts to inject some positivity to my ramblings, I thought I'd mention something sweet. Well, semi-sweet, anyway.

Yet another study -- this time conducted at Johns Hopkins Univeristy -- found dark chocolate to be highly beneficial to circulation and overall heart health. The research, which was presented several months ago at the American Heart Association meeting, revealed a clear connection between the consumption of chocolate and the reduced risk of blood clots.

The flavonoids in chocolate affect how effectively platelets clump, thereby lowering an individual's risk of developing a clot. It also seems that the darker the chocolate, the higher the amount of flavonoids. Doctors suggest dark chocolate that contains at least 70% Cacao (it will say so on the packaging).

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Part of the fun of writing for That's Fit is searching out interesting health and wellness information. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff we find can be a bit depressing -- it seems like almost everything causes cancer but even that doesn't matter because obesity is going to kill everyone first anyway.

So when I come across something a bit fun, it's nice to be able to share it with readers. For those of you who want some good news, take a look at this short piece that shares why kissing and chocolate are good for you! Apparently chemicals like oxytocin are released when you smooch a loved one and cause a subsequent feeling of calm. The article mentions that German scientists believe people who get a kiss before heading off to work make more money, take fewer sick days and live longer. Not bad for a quick peck on your way out the door.

As for chocolate, did you know that the tasty dark variety can help soothe a cough? Scientists in Britain believe that dark chocolate is more effective than a codeine-based suppressant at keeping a nasty cough at bay. I don't know about all of you but I think it's nice to hear some pleasant health news from time to time!

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More good news about dark chocolate, this time for those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

It seems dark chocolate, which contains a high cocoa content and no milk, can alleviate CFS symptoms like no other chocolate can. And this makes it a tried and true prescription for patients of this condition who are urged to consume moderate amounts of the dark stuff.

Researchers believe it's the polyphenols found in large quantities in dark chocolate that do the trick because they affect levels of serotonin in the brain. The chocolate doesn't seem to affect weight gain, though. Participants didn't put on any pounds during dark chocolate pilot studies.

I don't know about you but for those plagued by profound fatigue, this seems like one great recipe for relief!

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I just can't do it. I can't eat chocolate. If I do, the floodgates will open, and I won't be able to stop. My husband, who is accompanying me on my latest health kick, is able to have just one bite and be happy. In fact, his doctor just recently congratulated him on his recent weight loss and then told him as he headed out the door, "Don't forget to eat some chocolate now and then." He was thrilled.

What, an invitation to eat chocolate? Yes, indeed. And this doctor isn't the only one touting the merits of chocolate. Now we're talking mostly dark chocolate here -- it happens to be my hubby's favorite -- and the talk goes something like this: Eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you.

Clinical trials have shown dark chocolate and its healthy flavonoids improve blood vessel functioning. Better blood flow is good for your heart. Thus, chocolate is good for you. And guess what? Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than any other food, including green tea, black tea, red wine, and blueberries. It's plant-derived after all, just like fruits and veggies. Here's the catch, though -- while more is better with fruits and vegetables, only a small amount of chocolate is healthy. Which is why I can't indulge. A 1.6-ounce bar just wouldn't be enough.

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Not really. But this is my grand invention for the day. Wouldn't it be wonderful? The reason I wish for a nap room is because sometimes I am legitimately exhausted! I love to work out. My profession is fitness and I pursue it with a passion, but sometimes I just feel like a nap would do me equal good.

I have two small children ages 2 and 4, who stay with me full time. They're even in my gym with me while I train people. I run myself ragged doing it all. Between training, lecturing, writing and keeping my house nice... I take them on wonderful adventures each day.The only time I get for myself is when they stay at the "Kids Club" at the gym I attend. Mind you ... I own an amazing gym, but can't use it because the kids want me to entertain them. So ... I use the other gym and they play at the Kids Club.

Sometimes when I go to the gym, I'm really wishing for a nap. Just a little dark room with clean sheets that I could doze in for half an hour. How many people would go for that? I 'd bet it would be cool to go for a run and then take a snooze to break up the work day. So there you have it. My invention of the day. If someone reading this owns a gym, and puts in a nap room, please invite me. I could really use some rest.

Although lack of sleep can definitely cause dark circles under your eyes, surprisingly it's not the most common culprit. Any number of different things could be to blame, from genetics to sun exposure. The skin under the eyes is very thin, potentially reflecting the bluish tinted blood flowing underneath. I have had dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember, but some of the things that can make them appear worse surprised even me. Wearing glasses? Sleeping on your stomach? Dehydration? I really had no idea!

Treatment for dark circles varies, obviously, based on what the cause is. If lack of sleep is the problem, then you'll need to get more (true "beauty sleep"), or if it's seasonal allergies then maybe medication will help. Some things, like good 'ol genetics leaving you with thin "see-thru" skin in that area, can't be cured -- but it can be covered up with make-up pretty successfully.

And there are always home remedies that you can try at your own risk: almond paste, used refrigerated tea bags, and cucumbers have all been said to reduce the appearance of those "raccoon eyes." Unfortunately for me, I've tried everything and there's no hope for me but concealer! But maybe you'll have better luck.

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