It's 3 p.m. You're staring at the monitor, eyes partially glazed over, drifting dangerously between consciousness and dead sleep. Before your head hits the desk, you lurch out of the chair and careen toward the coffee machine. We've all been there. It's the dreaded energy crash.

When afternoon exhaustion kicks in, the first thought is to grab a cup of coffee or can of Diet Coke in an attempt to power through the rest of the day. But even in all of its energizing glory, caffeine can not only leave you feeling shaky and jittery, but it can also affect sleep patterns. So instead of just reacting to an energy crash, you can be proactive by preventing afternoon fatigue through the foods you eat. Whether it's staying away from the vending machine or learning how to balance protein and carbs, AOL Health gives you the advice you need to help you get through the day.

Are you an energy drink junkie? Find out what you're really putting in your body, here.

More than 40,000 people will run the ING New York City Marathon this Sunday. Among them will be working mothers chosen to represent all five of New York City's boroughs in the 2009 Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Team. The women, some running the marathon for the first time, all have unique stories, but share the bonds of being fit, working mothers balancing all the demands that come with those roles. The team of five was also joined recently by another woman, Beth Segaloff, who recently lost her fiancé, Captain Ben Sklarver, just three weeks ago when he was deployed in Afghanistan. The women will run together for the first 13 miles, and then anyone can break away for the second half. The woman with the best time will win a trophy, and bragging rights. But none of these women are part of this team to brag. Instead, they find peace, motivation and solace in their commitment to running. That's Fit recently met the team, along with mom and marathon Olympian, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, to find out how, and why, they have made running such a critical part of their lives.

Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual and physical practice closely associated with Hatha yoga that is designed to facilitate spiritual enlightenment. More than just a means to fitness, Kundalini yoga is based on the fundamental principle of awakening the seven chakras through breathing, chanting and meditation. The Kundalini is an untapped source of energy thought to sit at the base of your spine like a coiled snake, and it's through the yoga practice that this energy is drawn up. Full enlightenment is thought to be achieved when the energy reaches the Crown Chakra. Kundalini yoga is relatively new to Western society -- it was introduced to North America in 1969 by the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization.)

A Kundalini yoga session involves a series (called kriya) of postures (called asanas,) each done with an emphasis on the breathing process. Sessions also involve chanted mantras and meditation. Though it's a highly spiritual form of yoga, don't expect your Kundalini yoga session to be easy -- the practice is very physically intense.

Want to learn more? Discover other types of yoga.

Photo: Darren Hester, Flickr

Some weight loss drugs help you slim down but may cost you your health -- and other products don't even work at all. But there is some promise in a new drug in development that can not only help you lose weight, but can also help treat serious complications of obesity, specifically diabetes and high cholesterol. In recent studies on mice, fatostatin, as it is currently known, led to weight loss of 12 percent, reduction in blood sugar levels of 70 percent, reversal of diabetes and lower cholesterol. According to the findings from Chemistry & Biology, "Fatostatin blocked increases in body weight, blood glucose, and hepatic (liver) fat accumulation in (genetically) obese mice, even under uncontrolled food intake."

As for how it works? In a nutshell, Fatostatin stops the body from producing fat -- it's released as energy instead. It works by effectively 'turning off' proteins that help control fat synthesis.

OK, it's one thing to help mice lose weight -- past experience has proved that what works on a mouse doesn't always work on a human. So can it do the same for us? "I am very, very optimistic," lead author Sahil Wakil tells MSNBC. So are we -- but I'm hoping most of us are taking steps to change our lives today instead of holding out for a so-called miracle drug that's years away.

Wondering how to slim down? Find out how Phylicia Rashad did it.

Visit nearly any convenience store and you'll find energy shots on the check-out counter. A subtle hint, perhaps? Maybe they're hoping that anyone who feels a bit run down will grab a few ounces of "energy" in a bottle.

Energy shots were a natural follow-up to the energy drink craze. After all, why not get your boost from 2 ounces instead of 8? The first energy shot showed up on the market in 2004; within the next year, sales of these shots are expected to reach $700 million.

But what you find in these drinks isn't really energy at all. While the ingredients vary, most include some combination of amino acids, vitamins and caffeine -- with caffeine being the ingredient that really gives you that sudden jolt. Unfortunately, too much caffeine can also make you feel anxious or jittery, and it can lead to insomnia. And when used with other stimulants (such as prescription medication for ADHD) or alcohol, these shots can be downright dangerous.

If you're feeling run down, a quick boost from a stimulant isn't the answer. You're better off getting your nutrition and long-lasting energy from healthful foods and a consistent exercise routine.

For me, it happens around 3 p.m. -- my eyelids get heavy, I find it harder to concentrate and the thought of two more hours of being productive makes my weary head spin. It's called the mid-afternoon energy slump, and it's the pits. What can you do about it? You could take a nap, but that's been shown to cause diabetes. You could mow down on chocolate, but that will quickly ensure that your jeans feel tight by Friday. You could have yet another cup of coffee, but caffeine after three might have you buzzing into the wee hours of the night.

Nope, forget all these. The best solution is exercise.

That's right, research shows that exercise is the best way to fight fatigue. I know, when you're feeling low, the last thing feel like doing is working up a sweat, but it will make you feel a thousand times better. If you're at home, head for a run. If you're at work, a brisk 15-minute walk will do. If you have access to the gym, a short yoga session, game of squash or swim will do wonders.

Exercise not an option? An apple or a handful of nuts will boost your mood without boosting the numbers on the scale. Brushing your teeth will also perk you up.

When finances are tight, expensive fitness gear is probably a luxury that doesn't make the monthly budget. You might be surprised, then, to hear that each and every day, you're walking right past one of the most effective fitness devices ever invented, a device that you are free to use at will, and one that will surely help you burn off the morning pastry you just downed.

I'm talking, of course, about the stairs. Most days, we pretend they don't exist and walk swiftly by in favor of the elevator. You might think there's no point, but research has found that short 10-minute bouts of intense exercise are actually very effective. Plus, taking the stairs can:

• Burn calories (duh!).
• Tone your legs.
• Score an energy boost by getting your blood pumping.
  

So tomorrow morning, don't walk on by. Conquer the stairs and reap the benefits of this fantastic -- and free -- workout.

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Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Exercise has lots of benefits; it helps you maintain a healthy weight, aids in weight loss, generates/sustains energy and reduces your risk of many chronic conditions/diseases. Recently, for example, a study revealed active people are 24 percent less likely to develop colon cancer.

But when it comes down to it -- what really makes you lace up your shoes and get out there? Do the random news pieces about this reduced risk or that reduced risk inspire you? Or is it a more internal reward that you're seeking?

Don't you think the world would be a better place if we danced more? Ellen Degeneres thinks so, and so does a prominent British minister, who thinks we should all shake our booties a little bit more than we're used to. And it's not because health secretary Alan Johnson likes seeing the flailing-armed moves of thousands of pasty Brits, it's because he thinks dancing is the answer to solving the obesity crisis we're in the midst of.

"The point about dance is you don't have to be a professional," he said recently. "You don't have to be brilliant on your feet but it gets you moving and that is what all of us need. We evolved as human beings to find food scarce and to expend a lot of energy. Now we live in a society where energy-rich food is abundant and labour-saving technology is ubiquitous."

I think he's right. We need to find some way to work off our calories, and dancing is sure more appealing than jogging.

If you're not into dancing yourself, tune in to Dancing with the Stars Season 8 and watch these 13 stars shake and shimmy their way to fitness.

(via Calorie Lab)

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Poor posture can drag down your energy, emotions and self esteem. Yoga expert Stacy McCarthy provides simple instructions in this video for relieving pain, removing strain and boosting your confidence.

For yoga tips, innovative training videos and cooking demos from a welllness chef, visit SportsHealthExercise.org.

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What do bananas, beans and salmon have in common? They can all boost your mood.

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We all know that people tend to use time as a so-called "legitimate" reason to eat poorly. Those people never like me much. Why? Because the excuse is lame and doesn't hold water, and I'm fairly upfront about it. The truth: Bananas are quicker to peel than any package can be opened. Apples don't even need peeling!

Cooked food can also be insanely quick. In fact, I always keep giant bags of various frozen vegetables in my freezer so I can toss them in a bowl and heat them in the microwave in under five minutes. Is it gourmet? Not really. Do I care? Hell no!

What matters most is that we choose fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Those are a few of the things that are vital not only to weight maintenance, but they support a nourished, energetic and disease-free body. If you are hell-bent on eating poorly than just get on with it. But if you truly want to make fitness happen and change your life, you're going to have to kick excuses to the curb.

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New Year's Eve is fast approaching. When the numbers 2-0-0-9 light up Times Square, they'll have been powered not by traditional energy, but by human-powered energy.

Duracell set up a "Power Lodge" in Times Square where people can come and ride a stationary bike to generate energy that will be stored and used during the New Year's celebration. And while many average Joes and Janes are surely contributing to the 230 hours of bike riding needed, some famous faces (and legs) have stopped by as well. Just think -- not only is the Duracell Power Station generating green energy, it's also helping New Yorkers shed some extra calories; 230 hours of bike riding has burned roughly 131,560 calories from the combined volunteers. That's not too shabby!

Gisele Bundchen did her part. She said her efforts were "in support of the Agua Limpa Project which was started by my father and provides clean drinking water to people in regions of Brazil." Good for you, Gisele -- but are you engaged or aren't you?. Other celebs who have hopped on the bike include Katie Couric, Nick Lachey, Natasha Bedingfield and Christian Siriano.

[via Tonic]

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It's a bird! It's a plane! It's ... a celebrity flying through the air! Check out this video to see who Fitz is training with and take your training to new heights.

To find out more about this celeb, read on!

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Cutting calories? Make sure you aren't robbing your energy levels at the same time.

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