Imagine being the only guy in a weight loss group filled with dozens of women. I'm no guy, but I imagine it would be pretty daunting ... and a bit humiliating. Weight Watchers wants to change the women-only stigma surrounding the industry of weight loss -- in the new year, they're launching men-only slimming classes.

According to Mads Ryder, Vice President of Weight Watchers UK, "Worrying about your weight is still largely seen as a female issue and it can be very difficult for a man to admit he has a problem and seek help. Our research shows that many men feel intimidated by the traditional female-dominated meeting room environment which is why we are trialling our Men Only meetings in venues men are familiar with, such as gyms and sports clubs."

It's so true, huh? Weight loss is seen primarily as a female issue, but we all know it's not. All the same, I have trouble picturing a room full of men discussing their cellulite, love of ice cream, emotional eating and so on. Will men-only groups help? Or is a man's reluctance to seek help with weight loss a different issue?

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My friend, former trainer, and blogger pal Fitz always says push-ups are tops. If you commit to only one exercise in your life, in fact, Fitz says make it the push-up. Why? Because It's whole-body great. Other fitness experts agree.

Push-ups work multiple muscle groups, say the health folks at Woman's Day magazine, which makes this exercise a good indication of overall strength. I'm not feeling too strong right now. How about you?

Currently, I can't do the 16 push-ups a 40-year-old woman should be able to crank out. But, I'm on it. I'm not going traditional, though. I'm doing my push-ups like Cindy Whitmarsh of exercisetv.tv says wimpy ones like me should do them.

I'm going to kneel, then walk my hands forward so that they are slightly wider apart than my shoulders. I'm going to contract my abs and keep my neck in a neutral position, in line with my spine. I'm going to bend my elbows, lower my body for a count of three, hold for a count of three, then slowly come up (these counts are good for my metabolism, says Laura). I'm shooting for two sets of eight. You should try them too.

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Ever watch the Bravo TV reality series Work Out with trainer Jackie Warner? I've caught a few episodes and generally think Warner is a pretty cool gal. She has some cool stay-thin secrets too and shares them in Family Circle's October magazine. Here they are, some commonsense rules that guarantee success.

Set sugar limits Warner doesn't eat a serving of anything containing more than nine grams of sugar. Too much of this sweet stuff in your bloodstream makes hunger levels spike, and whatever isn't burned turns to fat.

Blend, don't juice When making your own smoothie creations, blending gives you pieces of whole fruit in your drink -- these have more nutrients and filling fiber than sugary juice alone.

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Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain. Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, medicine can play a key role in helping to manage symptoms and extreme mood swings. It can help make behavior more even and predictable.

Bipolar disease also has an impact on millions of family members and friends. It is tough watching someone you care about struggle with emotional and physical stresses. Depression affects everyone in the house. So what can you do to help out someone that you care about or live with, that has a bipolar condition?

Number one is to know the disease and that it is a chemical disorder and you nor your loved one can control it all the time even with medication. Recognize the symptoms and mood changes so that you can encourage them to see their professional health care provider. Encourage the person to stick with their prescribed treatments no matter how good they feel at the moment. Learn the difference between a good day and a manic day and let them recover at their own pace. Take advantage of support groups. There are several resources available for families and friends of people with bipolar disorder. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation's leading patient-directed, illness-specific organization. The organization's mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.

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Are you surrounded by "personal drainers?" This article from ediets.com is actually a little depressing when it comes to considering how your friends can really hurt a good diet plan by undermining and sabotaging you at every turn, either intentionally or not. If you hang with like-minded health-conscious types you'll be more successful getting through your weak moments than if you spend time with friends that are just annoyed by your dieting efforts and will tempt you at every turn with pizza and beer.

I think the point is valid, but I'd also like to think I can find a way to lose weight without finding an entirely new group of friends first, even if my best friend isn't as into it as I am.

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