That's Fit

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

This week I got to sit down on a beautiful sunny day, in The Swamp with the very sweet, smart and athletic ESPN College GameDay Analyst Mr. Kirk Herbstreit. No, we weren't knee deep in mucky water. We were in the heart of Gator Country enjoying the breeze after Kirk completed his workout, running zillions of steps at the University of Florida football stadium, The Swamp. Kirk retired from playing football more than 15 years ago, after four years at quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. But now, he's one of the major faces of college football. Pandemonium strikes college campuses across the country when he -- along with host Chris Fowler and analyst Lee Corso -- set up shop outside the biggest games of each week.

Kirk brings something unique to the team. Every time the GameDay crew heads to the University of Florida, I find more than just the expected crowd of rowdy football fans swarming their booth. There is always an unusual amount of females in a frenzy to get as close a look as possible into Kirk's pretty blue eyes. He's definitely worthy of the attention. From my interaction with Kirk, I think he's a genuinely nice and genuinely thoughtful person. Before we started talking fitness, Kirk shared concerns over all the violence taking place on college campuses. He's a protective father and husband who tries to excel in his career while taking care of his family. He is just plain old sweet! And even though his professional life has been built around sports, he works hard to squeeze in fitness and manage nutritious eating just like the rest of us. Kirk seems to be an expert juggler of life and shares some great tricks for staying fit on the go. He also dishes a few doozies on football.

Fitz: What types of things do you do to stay in shape?

Kirk: It's kind of a lifestyle really. As an athlete I worked out so hard, I could eat anything without paying the price for it. As I got older, I still had that appetite and I was not able to work out as hard as I did when I was playing football. What I really try to do is control my portions, and mix in cardio and strength training workouts four to five days a week. If I can do that, I feel like I'm in a pretty good place. It's just about doing it though!

Fitz: What do you do while you're on the road?

Last night, I spent an hour or so with the faces of college football. Now, of course these faces are no longer "in" college. But! They're the ones we turn to week after week to get the scoop on our favorite teams, athletes, and upsets. ESPN College GameDay. is coevering the Orange and Blue game, which is the University of Florida Gator Spring Scrimmage. I know...it's just a scrimmage! But...it is a big deal. A very big deal to the fans, and one of the great symbols that fall football is almost back again. Since I spend a lot of time near the University of Florida, I paid them a visit for some Celebrity Fitzness Report interviews.

When I arrived, sports analyst Kirk Herbstreit and side-line reporter Erin Andrews were working out, running up and down the bleachers in the Swamp (the Gator Stadium). Maybe they knew a fitness trainer would be popping in to check on them, but probably not. They were just wisely using their short break time to squeeze in a great workout. I was kind of sad not to have been in workout clothes myself though. It would have been fun to interview them on the go! Maybe next time they're in town we'll do that.

I'm writing to both congratulate and brag a bit about the newly announced Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators. I'm a Gator. I've earned all of my degrees up through my Master's at the University of Florida and am very proud of this young man. The first sophomore ever honored with this award.

Being great at football is one thing, and boy is he great at football. But, Tebow is the kind of kid you want to chase down and give a big congratulatory bear hug to. He's of great moral value, strong in academics and more humble than he should be. When millionaire athletes seem to be making both reckless and criminal decisions on a daily basis, Tebow just keeps getting "gooder". "More gooder", as my friend Izzy would say.

My six-year-old ran with me yesterday in a two-mile race. He ran ahead of me, actually, and I never did catch him until after we'd both crossed the finish line.

I never expected Joey could conquer two miles. We ran once together not long ago, and he fizzled on me before we even made it to the end of our street. Today, though, he made up his mind he would run. And he did it. It may have been the excitement of the crowd that inspired him, or the number he got to pin on his shirt, or the parade onlookers who cheered as we passed them by -- this race, the Gator Gallop, was the kick-off event to the University of Florida Homecoming Parade. Regardless, my little boy kicked butt. I am so proud of him. He is so proud of himself.

Joey taught me a valuable lesson today by running his little heart out. He taught me that the human spirit, the human body, and an enthusiastic support system are powerful forces. Put them together, and phenomenal things happen.

Right now, I consider myself one lucky mommy because yesterday, I got to witness a phenomenal thing.

Tailgating is usually a very unhealthy event. Burgers, dogs, chips and beer. Folks sit around and just consume, consume, consume! I'm a huge fan of football, and love to tailgate before Gator games. I also am a huge fan of my lean waist and am not willing to sacrifice it for the Orange and Blue. Why should I? I wear my colors, cheer till my lungs practically bleed, and dance all the crazy touchdown dances we do when the Gators score. I don't need to grow because I love my Alma mater. Right? Neither do you.

If you tailgate or just host a home cookout the day that your favorite team plays, good for you. Just make your day.....good for you! Here are ten things you can do to keep your weight from sky-rocketing in the fall and have more fun while you party.

#1. Opt for lean meat. Burgers and dogs are traditionally full of fat. Choose lean cuts, and you'll be fine!

#2. Choose low calorie or no calorie beverages. Everyone seems to have a constant beverage in the hand on game day. Ditch regular colas all together. Each can packs almost 200 calories. Water, un-sweet tea, and diet soda is preferable. If you're a beer drinker, choose light beer and don't consume more than four throughout the day. Less is obviously better.

#3 Enjoy the catsup, mustard, and barbecue sauces. They're naturally fat-free and fairly low in calories.

#4 Bring a veggie and fruit platter.

#5. Choose baked chips and low fat dips or salsa. They taste great and allow you to enjoy the crispy salty snack you love. You'll save hundred of calories this way!

I train a guy who has lost a spectacular 50 pounds since Christmas Eve 2006. I'm thrilled with his progress, but at 270 pounds....he's still got a long way to go. We come from a place where football is king, apparently so is basketball. We're Gators. Nonetheless, he's been using all of his football booster meetings, tailgating, pre-parties, sky box parties and more....to eat like a gluttonous doof.

I've been anxious about football's arrival, because of this man....and my fears were originally proven legitimate. He has the capability to progress so quickly, but he's seriously been on the verge of blowing it because of his frat-boy mentality. I had a knock down drag out with him a bit ago, but this is the message I want to relate to you.

Football makes you fit, not fat! If you have such a grand obsession with the sport and the amazing athletes who play the game, get your a** out on a field and run to catch a ball. Get a group of buddies together and act like Emmett. Run, tackle, throw, catch, become like the heroic running back you idolize. Football is not an excuse to gain weight, clog your arteries or drive drunk.

I posted two blogs a while back, Hey Smokers! This is what your friends won't tell you! part 1 and part 2, and got a firestorm of comments. Lots of defenders of smoking, and of course the ones who despise it. One interesting thing I've pulled out of it, is that people are comparing it to drunk driving. To me, the topics are two different beasts with some similarities. I 'm one of the despisers of smoking, and now even more than ever before, I am a despiser of drunk driving.

Two weeks ago, Lieutenant Corey Dahlem, our family friend and hero from the Gainesville Police Department in Florida was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Corey was on a street that was closed for the University of Florida National Basketball Championship celebration. The festivities were winding down, and Corey was on the road to make sure none of the student and local partiers were. A drunk male, age 20, drove through the police barricades and struck Corey. Two motorcycle officers had to jump from their bikes to avoid being struck as well. A few blocks away, the driver was stopped and had no idea why he was stopped. He later blew a 2.4 on his breathalyzer test. Almost three times that of Florida legal limit. (Corey, far right, was photoraphed the night he was struck, congratulating UF students on their teams victory).

Corey was a humble man, hard worker, and spectacular father, friend and husband. If he and the other officers were not on that road at that time, dozens of civilians would have been killed before the drunk stopped. Hero is an understatement. Two thousand people mourned his loss and celebrated his life at his funeral. A lesson on parenting was preached by the stories of how Corey ate lunch at school with his kids several times a week when they were little. At 18 and 21, he was still cooking them meals and driving his daughter to college.

Last night I watched and cheered as my Alma mater's basketball team won the Big Dance. Again! It was a spectacular feat which was well earned. I've had the luxury to sit court-side at many games this year, and as wonderful as they look on television, they're even more impressive in person. I have tons of respect for this team.

The Gators are composed of incredible athletes who play selflessly every second of every game. Each Gator works hard in the gym and on the court more for the guy next to him than for himself. They are quick, agile, strong and smart. Each player is a coach's dream. Since they play for one another, they never made excuses or trained half way.

If you're looking for fitness role models, the Gators are it. If you're a parent, child, or spouse choose your precious family members as your "team". Pursue fitness as desperately as this magical team pursued two national titles in a row. You have the ability to live a champion's life of longevity and health if you put your mind to it. Live to truly enjoy your golden years with the special people in your life, and allow them to enjoy you.