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, I'm 56, run three to four miles, five or so days a week. Lately, as I'm walking to cool down, the back part of my right knee tightens up and bending it becomes very painful as I do post-run stretching. No pain when running. Anyone familiar with this condition? Dave

A Hey Dave. I get soooo many questions about knees. In fact, I had knee surgery long ago, so some people think I'm some sort of knee expert. I'm not. In fact, I don't think anyone who isn't a physician or physical therapist and hasn't seen you in person should give you advice on your condition. Not helpful, right? Wrong.

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FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

When you're happy, you feel better, look better, and may even live longer. Seems you ought to be happy more often then, doesn't it? OK, easier said than done on the days you find yourself feeling downright blue. You can always try, though, to bring more joy into your world. I say take a stab at happiness every day. Here's how.

• Go outside. When you're bored, anxious, or feeling bummed, head toward nature. Sit and soak it up. Or move around. The fresh air and exercise are sure to boost your mood.

• Head to bed. Go to bed an hour earlier tonight. The world will look a lot brighter in the morning. While you're at it, sleep late on the weekend. You deserve a lazy day.

• Share. Give a gift for no reason at all. Make a batch of low-fat mini muffins -- here's why you should keep them small -- and pass them out at work. Or offer a friend some hand-picked flowers. My little boys and I shared the fruits of our recent strawberry picking extravaganza with some neighbors, and we all felt happy after delivering smiles to so many faces.
  
  

• Reflect. At the end of the day, think of at least one good thing that happened over the course of the previous 24 hours. Yesterday, my four-year-old told me he loves me with all his heart. Giving thanks for great moments does wonders for perspective.
  

• Jump for joy. Really. Jump. Jumping up and down will fill your body with energy. It's good for the bones too.
  
  

For another 45 ways to brighten your days, click here.

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Right now you can find almost anybody in the world using the internet, whether it's through paying a high-tech online service or simply "Googling" names and seeing what pops up. But what if, in searching for long lost relatives in particular, there was an enormous online DNA database you could check? Now that would be cool. Creepy, sure. But cool.

Well we're one step closer (practically there, actually) to that possibility with Ancestry.com. You can order a DNA kit, swab yourself, and send it in to their system where they'll check you against all the other DNA in their system. If a match is found they'll notify both parties and if everyone agrees, contact information is exchanged.

Interesting idea, and it's all supposedly private and anonymous, but I'm skeptical to say the least.


Via Book of Joe

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I don't know how it works but for some women, dating seems easy. They see a guy they like and somehow make it happen. If things don't work out, they find a new man quickly and without much of the anxiety that the rest of us feel while dating.

For most of the girls I know though, dating is a lot more like the way it's described here. The author of the piece compares finding the right boyfriend to getting a great new coat. Sound silly? It is a bit and I'm sure it's meant to be, but she does make some good points.

Our dutiful shopper recommends trying on a lot of coats before settling on the one that's just right, suggests sticking with a classic rather than going for something cute and trendy that will only last a season and says we should watch out for coats that have special care instructions because they may be too tough to maintain.

What do you think? Do these tips make sense when finding that special someone?

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Fall can be an expensive time of year as far as clothing is concerned. Kids are heading back to school and need the newest, hippest pieces if they don't want to become social outcasts (please, note the sarcasm), and the rest of us need to find new outfits to replace the stuff that got worn-out or donated to charity last year.

Unfortunately, we can't all afford to be fashionistas so if you're looking for Todd Oldham style on a Old Navy budget, consider some of these suggestions to find cool clothes at a decent price. Tips include using different accessories to transform an outfit from boring to bold and digging through the racks at consignment stores for designer clothing that has been cast-off before its time (granted this kind of treasure may be rare but with some patience you could be duly rewarded with a fantastic, unused or rarely-worn piece),

Also, consider throwing a clothes swapping party. You may have grown (hopefully) too small for a great pair of jeans that you've hardly broken in, while a friend could have been gifted an incredible top that isn't her style, but which she neglected to return. Remember, one woman's throwaway is another's hottest new outfit. For more tips, take a look at the entire article here.

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November 26th I broke my left foot. I broke it bad. In fact, I broke two bones in the foot, and tore both a muscle and ligament. When I do it, I do it right I guess. Sentenced to crutches for 10 weeks, I was given a grand opportunity to practice what I preach. Being Miss. Fitzness Trainer, I'm constantly telling others to 'find a way' to make it happen. Stop making excuses I say. Now it was my turn to find a way.

Going 10 weeks without working out was not an option. Sure I could lift weights, but cardiovascular workouts are a definite must for me. Now what? I absolutely could not partake in my favorite workouts; kickboxing, running, jumping rope. I couldn't even swim! So I had to search around the local gym. Fortunately I am a member of the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center which is probably one of the most beautiful and complete gyms in the country. If it weren't.....I would have been screwed. GH&FC has two kayak machines. Whoopee! I mean that both seriously and sarcastically. Grateful to have something to do to make me huff & puff without putting pressure on my boo boo, and annoyed because it's one of the most boring and tedious things I've done in my life.

First day I lasted 10 minutes and cursed like a sailor. Second day I begrudgingly conquered 20 minutes. Argh! Of course it was also the ONLY machine in this monstrous gym with no television attached. It was awful! Nonetheless. Because I felt obligated to all those nice folks I told to find a way, I stuck it out....and cursed a lot. I'm glad I did.

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