Regular exercise can make a big difference in your life. Runner Anne Mahlum learned that it can be used to make a big difference in the lives of others as well. Mahlum was training for a marathon on a route that took her past a homeless shelter every day. One day it occurred to her that instead of passing them by, she could include them in her sport. From that experience, she created the running group Back on My Feet.

Back on My Feet welcomes runners from three different Philadelphia shelters. Anyone from an affiliated shelter can join, and runners receive new running gear when they start the program. Today, the group includes 54 members from area shelters, though volunteers run as well. Back on My Feet has logged 5,000 miles and partners with a job training program that is open to members.

Mahlum hopes that her program will give people a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as the knowledge that someone believes in them. Read more about Mahlum and the program at the Back on My Feet website.

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

Aside from a wedding here and there, I haven't really dressed up in seven years -- ever since I had my first baby and decided to trade a professional job for a mommy job. No need for dress pants and tops or suits and fancy shoes.

For all these years, my office attire has been hanging in my closet because all I wear nowadays is fitness gear. Track pants and shorts, short and long-sleeved t-shirts, fleece pull-overs, a ski jacket, and tennis shoes make up most of my wardrobe. I don't even care much for jeans. I prefer comfy clothes for my at-home ventures. They suit me well. My suits? Not so fitting anymore.

My suits are fitting for some homeless folks in my area, says a mommy friend who works with this population. So I'm donating them all. Just packed them up and loaded them in my car in fact. I plan to transfer them tomorrow morning when I see this mommy in our kids' school parking lot.

I feel fit in most areas of my life. I feel physically fit, emotionally fit, and pretty financially fit. Not everyone enjoys my luxury. Some people are busy simply surviving and don't even have physical fitness on their radars. Many are depressed, deep in despair over their life conditions. Most have no money at all. Some live outdoors and spend their hours seeking warmth and nourishment. Not much chance for a fit lifestyle. Yet, despite their misfortune, some are trying to come back to life. That's where my suits come into play.

My friend told me some of the homeless people she serves are trying really hard to get jobs. But they don't have the proper clothing for interviews. That's why I'm donating mine. And why my husband will go through his closet tonight so can donate too. It's the least we can do, in celebration of our fitness and in hopes others find theirs.

The practice of yoga is not always a cheap endeavor. There are classes, books, mats, and everything in between made available to enthusiasts. That's why it may be difficult for some people less fortunate to get on board with such a beneficial activity.

That's what inspired Sue Jones to spread the love and teach yoga to women in need. She started an organization that reaches out to homeless shelters, addiction programs and domestic-violence safe houses. The experience of helping these women was so rewarding that she says it makes her feel like a Christian missionary. Already there are volunteer practitioners in Boston, Seattle, Oakland, Los Angeles, and New York City.

As a treatment for substance abuse, yoga's effectiveness for overcoming such addiction is debatable. While it certainly doesn't hurt for that purpose, it helps relieve stress even better. That much is common knowledge! In fact, restorative yoga instilled a sense of pride in needy women after only one class. The results were right there for all to see, and that's what motivates people like Sue to continue spreading the practice.

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Here's a new concept I hadn't heard of before: Replating. It's a new movement in which people leave their leftover food atop a garbage can for homeless people to eat. If there's no recycling bin nearby, I often leave an empty bottle or can next to the garbage can to save the garbage pickers the effort of sifting through the receptacle to get it, but this is a whole other story. Is that even safe?

It makes sense to give your unwanted foods to those who are hungry but it seems like there should be a better way than leaving it on top of the garbage can. Still, if it works and it's keeping hungry people fed, I'm all for it. What do you think?

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The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a new report on homelessness in LGBT youth. Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and are at risk on the streets as well as in the shelter system. Considering that between 3 percent and 5 percent of the U.S. population identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual it is clear that LGBT youth experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate. Once these youth come out to their parents many are told to leave home. Many leave home on their own to get away from physical and mental abuse.

The report touches on the harassment and violence that many of these youth experience in the shelter system and also on critical problems affecting their mental health like depression, loneliness, withdrawn behavior and delinquency. Homeless LGBT youth run a higher risk of substance abuse and risky sexual behavior leading to many sexually transmitted diseases. LGBT youth face the threat of victimization everywhere, at home, at school, at their jobs, at shelters, and on the streets. To learn more information on this topic visit the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force website. Get involved as a volunteer with these youth and become a mentor.

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