That's Fit

Just wanted to wish all of my fellow Americans a very happy Fourth of July, and to remind everyone why we celebrate. Of course politics can be rough, and the economy sometimes varies, but those things pale in comparison to all that this country has to offer. As I was explaining to my three and five year old children this week, we celebrate our freedom this Friday. As Americans we are able to choose our jobs, choose our religion, choose our spouse, choose our homes, and have as many or as little children as we'd like to have.

Nothing is perfect of course, but America is perfect for me. I rarely walk by a man or woman in uniform without thanking them for their service, nor an elderly man proudly wearing his baseball cap describing which branch of the military he served. I value the local and state law enforcement officers for placing their lives on the line each day to protect ours. I'm even grateful for the sometimes messy brood of politicians we elect to run this beautiful country of ours.

Lastly, I'm grateful for the nation of Americans. Thank goodness the majority of us are really good hardworking people. The good certainly outweigh the bad. I thank you for voting, working, educating your children, volunteering, helping strangers, and just making this country what it is today. I love it here. I'm proud to be here, and I'm grateful to those who laid their lives on the line to provide my family and I the simple yet irreplaceable luxury of freedom.

Not only are Victoria's Secret FitFlops not likely to pump up your fitness level, they're actually prone to throwing you off your stride, causing pain in your lower legs and feet. This, according to a study released last week and presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, comes after experts observed 39 college-age men and women walking on a special platform wearing flip-flops and then walking across the same platform wearing athletic shoes. The platform measured stride length and vertical force.

The bottom line: Flip-flops, unlike sneakers, cause shorter strides and require heels to hit the ground with less vertical force. This altered gait explains some lower leg and foot problems in people who often sport flip-flops, like college students.

If you're worried about pain in your own legs or feet, take this common-sense advice: Limit the use of flip-flops. Replace them every three to four months too, just like you'd do with athletic shoes. And perhaps rethink your trip to Victoria's Secret for those Fit, and albeit very cute, Flops.

Here at That's Fit, we're forever grateful for the service, courage and sacrifice made by the heroic men and women who serve as military, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. We're so grateful, that we'd like to dedicate some features to both showing our heroes off, and learning a little bit in the process as well. If you serve your country courageously, are a veteran or know someone who does, please return this form completed to Fitz along with a photo and we'll share your story with the world.

Name:

Age:

Heroic occupation:

If you're in the military...where are you?

How often do you exercise?

What type of exercise do you do?

Here at That's Fit, we're forever grateful for the service, courage and sacrifice made by the heroic men and women who serve as military, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. We're so grateful, that we'd like to dedicate some features to both showing our heroes off, and learning a little bit in the process as well. If you serve your country courageously, are a veteran or know someone who does, please return this form completed to Fitz along with a photo and we'll share your story with the world.

Name:

Age:

Heroic Occupation:

If you're in the military...where are you?

Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: George O'Neal

Age: 54

Occupation: Retired USAF; and am now a full-time grandparent.

How often do you exercise? Seven days a week.

What type of exercise do you do? Seven days: One hour of cardio on an elliptical machine. Six days: Weights (no weights on Sundays).

What gets you to workout, even when you're feeling lazy? I've exercised daily since October 1, 1973. It's simply part of my day.

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. Brrrr Fitz! I live in the waaaaaay cold and am already starting to feel the flab. It's too cold outside to go for runs like I normally do. I can't afford the gym and don't want to look like the snowman on my lawn. What do you suggest? Rick

A. Eeeek Rick! I can't imagine. Literally. I can't imagine, because I've lived in Florida all of my life. It's about 80 degrees outside right now. I have been in the cold and snow though, Norway seems to have a lot, and I do have some recommendations. First, there are a ton of things you can do at home. Sometimes it is just too hot to train outside where I am, so I end up in the same situation you're in now (but opposite).

A treadmill would suit your running needs, but if that investment is too much...here are some ideas. Move the furniture and--jump rope, run in place, do jumping jacks, jump on a mini-trampoline, hit a heavy-bag, dance, do step aerobics, squat jumps, video training, gliding disks, free weights, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, or crunches.