international-related stories
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- A Killer Kickboxing Heavy Bag Workout
Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Womens Health, Healthy Products and Reviews, Ask Fitz!, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Men's Health
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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hello Miss Fitzness, I see you have an extensive history as a kickboxer. I also like to kickbox, although I've never actually had a fight. I've since left my trainer though. I have bought a water based heavy bag, and know all of my punches and kicks. It's just hard to come up with things to do each round like my trainer you to have me do. I'm getting bored now without a goal. Have any advice? Scott
A. Hi Scott! Thanks for asking! Yes, my competitive kickboxing days go way back to the mid 1990s and I'm still desperately in love with the sport. It's a ton of fun, and a tremendous workout. Plus ... I personally enjoy kicking people in the head! Only those who have willingly signed up for a charming bit o' competition though, of course! I have also spent the past 15 years as the Fitness Division Director of the International Sport Kickboxing Association. The ISKA is the sanctioning body of the sport, just like the NFL is for pro football. So, yes sir! I can help you with that heavy bag training.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered--Kickboxing videos and belly fat
Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Stress Reduction, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Celebrities and Entertainment, Ask Fitz!, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
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. Hi Fitz, Can you recommend any good kickboxing videos? I lift weights and run, and I'd like to integrate kickboxing into my routine. Thanks for your help. Samantha
A. Hello Miss Samantha. Great question and you've come to the right place. Kickboxing is actually my sport. I've been training/competing as a full contact kickboxer for over ten years. You're smart to want to include it in your training. I always tell folks at the seminars I teach that I can brag about the sport, because I didn't invent it. Kickboxing literally works every single muscle in your body head to toe. It also offers an insane combination of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training in one shot.....when done right.
The top 20 global health priorities
Recently, in one of the largest efforts we've seen, over 150 health experts from 50 countries got together to discuss what in the world we're all going to do about the growing health problems around the world. They came up with an action plan that includes 20 global health priorities, which fall into categories like government policies, business and community involvement, and re-orienting health systems. The experts hope that by coordinating efforts on a global scale they can prevent as many as 36 million deaths (from diseases like obesity, diabetes, and many cancers) by 2015. That's incredible! I hope they can keep it together and actually make that happen.
Daily Fit Tip: Do what you know -- now
Daily Fit Tip, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
A recent 2007 Food & Health Survey of 1,000 Americans, led by the International Food Information Council, revealed a serious disconnect between what we know about diet and what we actually do about it.
Ninety percent of those surveyed agreed that breakfast is an important part of a healthful diet. But only 49 percent said they actually eat breakfast every day. Eighty-four percent reported being physically active for health reasons at least one time per week, but 44 percent said they don't balance physical activity and diet to manage their weight. Sixty percent of survey participants who said they were trying to lose weight reported making an effort to cut calories. Yet only 11 percent knew the number of calories they should consume each day.
It's October -- time to walk to school
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Millions of children, parents, teachers, and community leaders across the globe have put on their walking shoes and are logging steps in celebration of this international event. Some are committing to walk for one day; some once per week; some for the entire month. The event, intended to remind parents and kids alike of the simple joy of walking to school, also serves to focus attention on the importance of physical activity and overall fitness.
So lace up those shoes and do your part this month, and for all months that follow -- because it's not really about October. It's about walking. So keep on trekking this month, and next month, and the month after that. You get the drill. For those who live a good distance from school, just drive and park a mile or so away. Then walk the remaining distance. For those looking to spice up this walking challenge, check out this idea: the walking school bus.
It's a small world, after all: Healthy men
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Men's Health compiled a bunch of surveys and stats and came up with the healthiest countries for men. Then they borrowed little tips from each country so the males in the fair U.S. of A. can emulate their manly international brethren. Ooooh, so cosmopolitan. Okay, now adopt your best vague accent and let's take our whirlwind tour of the world. From nutritional winner Greece we learn that guys should eat veggies as a main course, and Portugal pumps up the seafood quota. Exercise champ the Netherlands has the big bicycle advantage, and Canada believes in green spaces and, uh, getting a dog. Hmmm. For less work stress, take a tip from the break-and-vacation-taking Spaniards. The U.S. leads in kicking the nic habit, and Australians avoid diseases by playing manly rugby and eating steaks. (What happened to all those veggies and fish, mate?) For better lovin', be chivalrous like the Polish and up front like the British. (I had no idea English guys were such good lays.)
Overall I think the Netherlands, Canada, and Poland came out well, but it's a hard contest to call. Ukraine and Romania need help. Anyhow, keep your passport updated just in case.






















