That's Fit

You practice healthy habits. Your partner/family member/close friend does not. It's only natural for you to want to inspire someone you care about to live a healthier life. But how?

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.

So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity).

When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:

• When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
  
• Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
• Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
  
• Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).

This morning was a special day for the mommies in my playgroup and I. Today we donated over 150 stuffed monkeys to the children being cared for at North Florida Regional Medical Center (NFRMC) in honor of our Angel Odessa. Odessa Virginia Webster was born at NFRMC on February 24, 2003, and landed back at the same hospital on March 25, 2004 for care after a fatal head injury. At thirteen months old, Odessa was stolen from her parents Matt and Anita, her loving family, and our already tight playgroup family. It was devastating for all of us, and out of our grief came an intense drive to honor our "Angel O".

To back up a bit, our playgroup began when our infants met at a "new mommy" luncheon hosted at NFRMC when they were two weeks old. Well, the infants didn't exactly meet each other, but us moms did ... and we decided then and there that we wanted to stick together. That made ten families dealing with the insanity of newborns and leaning on each other for friendship, advice, stress relief, and fun. We literally have been getting together for "playgroup" every Tuesday since, and our children are all addicted to each other; the best of friends. At the start, we would have never imagined what would come for us, for her, the following year. I just remember checking my email one day and opening one from Anita with "Odessa Virginia Webster" as the title. I expected to see a new photo from a portrait studio. A portrait was included, but it went along with a letter written by Anita informing us that her daughter was gone. "Please don't call now. I'm not ready to talk" she wrote. I simply can't describe the agony that followed for all of us.

When it comes down to it, we all share a common craving: to feel good. University of Oxford neuroscientist Morton Kringelbach knows this. It's why he's writing his new book The Pleasure Center and why he shared with Reader's Digest (August, 2008) some of his revolutionary research. Check this out.

Asked RD: What do people find most pleasurable in their lives? Sex, says Kringelbach. Second is being with friends. Most everything we find pleasurable -- like eating and drinking -- is so much better when shared with someone else.

Another question: Can you help us cure addictions such as overeating? It hasn't been tested yet, reports the scientist, but deep-brain electrodes may help restore the balance of selective satiety mechanisms in the brain -- these are the signals that tell us enough is enough. Obese people may not have the selective satiation that thin people do.

In the market for some new best friends? Women's Health suggests you hand over your loyalty to these 10 friendly foods. They're trustworthy, good for you, and they'll always be there when you need them. These non-toxic friends will never do you wrong.

• Baby Carrots -- Buy them washed and bagged and use them for their vision-improving beta-carotene.

• Black beans -- Buy them canned, low in sodium, and dark and you'll enjoy the benefits of antioxidants, fiber, folate, and magnesium.

Being overweight seems to be socially contagious, obesity expert and eating specialist Louis J. Aronne, M.D., tells the folks at Healthy Living magazine. We've heard it before: Friends can make us fat. Aronne says it happens like this.

If you have a friend who becomes obese, your chances of doing the same shoot up by more than 50 percent. If a sibling gains weight, your chances increase by about 40 percent. Aronne says having overweight friends and family can cause behavior patterns that encourage weight gain. Also, ideas about what is normal and acceptable may change. The heavier the people in your social network then, the more likely you are to battle your own bulge.

You have the power to prevent the pounds from stacking up. Just be aware that your friends' behavior and appearance might affect your own. Watch portion sizes. Stay active. And remember this: Being thin might be contagious too. If you lose a few pounds or maintain your already-healthy weight, you might just inspire those around you.

For more on what Aronne has to say about food, check out this CBS article.

When Fitsugar published these photos of Tori Spelling and hubby Dean McDermott working out together, I thought to myself, now, wouldn't that be nice to have your mate as your workout buddy? Then I thought about Jon and tried to imagine us working out together. For starters, Jon doesn't work out. He doesn't need to--he's a tradesman and unlike me he actually uses his muscles and burns calories at work. Also? We're both a bit competitive and it might ruin our relationship if we started getting athletic together. No, I'll stick to my present solo workout routine--If I want a workout buddy, I'll find a friend at a similar fitness level to me.

But even though it's not right for you, it might be the key to getting you--and your partner--in shape. There are plenty of exercises that are good for your body and your relationship. Want some ideas? Why not try ...

Recent studies out of Japan show that people who are sociable tend to be chubbier than those who are introverted and prone to worry. I don't know about you but I don't find this surprising at all. After all, so much of our socializing happens over food and I know that when I'm in the midst of a string of social events, my pants tend to be a bit tighter than normal.

But you know what? I love my friends, and I love being sociable, and if having a social life means carrying a few extra pounds, so be it -- I wouldn't have it the other way around. What about you?

That said, I think there are ways you can make your social life healthier. Filling up on salads at a large dinner is one way, and reducing the amount of alcohol you consume is another. You can also try to encourage you friends to do something active instead of heading to the neighbourhood pub for wings.

Eating alone may sometimes make you feel a bit lonely, but it may also save you some from added pounds over time.

According to a Georgia State University study, people dining with other people consume 44 percent more food than when they eat alone, chiefly because they spend more time at the table. A related study, published in the journal Appetite, revealed that women tend to mirror the eating patterns of their same-sex dining friends.

There have been a number of studies that link a person's weight to that of their friends and family. The two mentioned above are among the first that I've seen that directly examine how and why this happens.

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

Dieting and exercising can sometimes be lonely pursuits. Add a friend or family member to your journey toward health, and it may make a world of difference. Sure there are some -- 34 percent of respondents in one study -- who report that loved ones sabotage their weight-loss efforts, tease them about food choices, and get in the way of their exercise goals. The vast majority, however, are very supportive.

A Gallup Poll conducted for USA TODAY and Discovery Health of 769 Americans, ages 18 and older, reveals the following:

• 68% say their circle of friends and relatives has done more to help than hinder their efforts to slim down.
  
  

• 88% say they've been complimented on their successes when they've been able to drop pounds.
  
  

• 57% say it would be helpful to them to partner with a friend or relative when trying to lose weight.
  
  

Not a bad idea, to partner up with someone near and dear to your heart as you shave off pounds and step up your fitness. Not only will the company do you good, the accountability that comes with having someone in the know may keep you right on track. So when the going gets tough, grab someone who cares.

Have a little bit of everything you like, but not too much of anything.

Enjoy your family, friends and some of the food that you like. Be moderate, exercise Thursday morning, and give thanks for your earned health! This has been a reminder from your friendly online fitness trainer!

If you ask my 89-year-old great aunt, one of the major downfalls of living so long is that most of your close friends and family died years ago and you're all alone. Still, it's important to make new friends and stay in touch with distant ones, according to this article from Everyday Health. Maintaining relationships helps improve your quality of life as you grow older. It also helps ward off dementia and keeps you mentally sharp.

It's also important to engage in productive activities, whether you need to or not. These could include shopping, gardening, baking or any other chore, hobby or activity that you enjoy.

So, if you're retired, consider joining a club or taking up a hobby or activity that keep you busy and allows you to meet new people. You'll be happier and healthier for years to come.

I'm currently in Australia on an extended holiday and I learned pretty quickly that homesickness isn't just for kids. Whether you're a kid away at summer camp, a new university student away at college or an adult who has recently moved to a new city, it's totally natural to miss your family, friends, pets and old life back at home.

For me, homesickness struck this weekend, as it was Thanksgiving in Canada. Knowing that all of my family was getting together for dinner, and my friends were enjoying a long weekend together, made me feel terribly lonely and sad. Much like any other situation when someone is missing home, it's not that I'm not having a great time here, it's just that I wish everyone I love from home was here having a great time with me!

If you've found yourself in the situation where you're pining away for family and friends, take a look at these tips from the University of Cambridge on dealing with homesickness. While the advice is aimed toward students, much of it applies to pretty much anyone and could really help you feel a little bit less lonely.

Your friends might be making you fat, according to recent reports. As Bethany pointed out, some friends might purposely undermine your healthy habits, but even the ones who wouldn't stoop so low might be bad for your waistline, according to this article.

How, you ask? Well, did you know that you eat 35% more when your with one friend than you would alone? And if you're dining with seven or more friends, on average, you'll eat 96% more? Those are some scary statistics. So if you're trying to lose weight, you might need to pare down your social calendar.

Do you have any tips for eating well and still having meals with friends?