The treadmill is a great tool for walking and jogging, but have you ever tried to use it for anything else? (Besides drying clothes on it.) You might be surprised to learn about all of the things you can do on a treadmill to get a tremendous upper body and abdominal workout. Check out this video of my wicked workout partner Anthony Field of The Wiggles and me as we take your training to the next level.

This type of innovative training is so fun and effective, it may just get you past working out because you "have to" and take you to working out because you "want to." Those are two completely different things. For more cool videos, recipes and other fun fit tips ...

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Apparently, the bra is a multi-functional tool. Check out this video to find out what Fitz does with hers!

For more fun quick fit tips and recipes from degree health and fitness experts ...

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My freestyle swim stroke looked good, my dad told me the other day in the pool as he observed my skills. It just wasn't very strong. My breathing was not ideal either. My kick? Not bad, but he had a tip for how I might improve it.

Here, three dad-generated tips I received on how to become a better swimmer.

• Bring arms high out of the water with each stroke, hands cupped, and reaching a bit across the body (right arm reaches to the left; left to the right) as they scoop into the water. My arms were low, I was hitting the water with the side of my head, and I was not reaching across.
• Breath on a four-count (because I need to breathe to the right only). Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath to the right. Repeat. I was breathing on a two-count, thinking it was necessary in order to get enough air. Not so.
• Kick with the hip, not below the knee.

My new stroke powers me better, my breathing allows me more speed -- not so much time spent turning my head and gulping air -- and my kick propels me with more force. I feel stronger, quicker, and more skilled. Dara Torres I will never be. But a better swimmer, I am.

Working with SportsHealthExercise.Org (a company built on real advice from real experts in various areas of health and fitness), I was able to film a ton of great Fit Kicks , including this one here. Fit Kicks are smart, energetic and quick Kick Butt tips to help get you in the best shape of your life!

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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.

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Got a habit that falls into the unhealthy category? Are you an emotional eater? A late-night snacker? Are you in a fitness rut? Do you skimp on your sleep? Smoke? Worship the sun? If you said "yes" to any of these, you're in luck. Not lucky because you possess one of these bad habits, lucky because Prevention.com can help you head in a healthy direction.

Check out this website and simply click on a bad habit from the drop-down menu. Let's give it a try by choosing figure fixation as a bad habit. Here's what the Prevention team has to say: Steer clear of the scale, they say. It's not an accurate measure of health -- it simply produces a number and that's all. A tape measure is a much better tool for figuring health. Measure around your hips, stomach, thighs, and upper arms once a week. If you're worried your figure is not so flattering, what you gather from these measurements can help you make positive change.

There's more -- on this topic and many more. Give it a try if you wish to bust your own bad habit.

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Here are some "kick butt" tips for keeping fit, active and regret free on the Fourth of July from KickYourButtIntoGear.com. As KickYourButtIntoGear.com is owned and managed by a fellow expert in the field of fitness, Exercise Physiologist, Tracy Benham ... the tips are awesome advice for you and you family to adhere to!

• Sports and summertime go together. Plan an activity early in the day. Play baseball, touch football; go to the local pool or beach.
• Get outside early and see if you can think of and do more than four activities before four o'clock to celebrate the Fourth.
• Eat a bowl of fruit before you head for the barbecue goodies. Tons of fruits are in season. Make a Fourth of July fruit cocktail. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries...
• Use a plate. You will be less tempted to mindlessly snack.
• Skip the cheese and the Mayo on your burger and load up on lettuce tomatoes, pickles, onions and relish.
• Alternate cocktails and other caloric beverages with a glass of water. Or ... just avoid the high calorie beverages all together!

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Yes! Yes! Kickboxing in preschool! Last week, I had a little visit with my daughter's preschool class; I brought in a child-sized heavy bag and some (adult-size) gloves. Since I'm the Fitzness trainer Mommy, and kickboxing is one of the most fun things I do and teach ... we thought it would be great to share the fun with her buddies.

We spent the first few minutes chatting about being healthy. Choosing healthy foods and exercising was easy to discuss with these little ones. They were desperate to tell me about their favorite fruits and the fun things they like to do. In fact, I heard in great detail about each child's favorite bike, scooter or jump rope. This of course, was fun to for me. We talked sports too, and I addressed kickboxing as such.

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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.

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One of my favorite colleagues in the fitness industry, Tracy Benham, M.E.S.S. has just launched a spectacular program designed to keep you on track and maybe even get you fitter for the holidays. HolidayBootCamp.com offers a free e-course jam packed with the best information from degreed and experienced fitness professionals (including myself) who are dying to change your life.

You'll receive a daily Kick in the Butt via email to keep you on track, and train your brain to make the best of your body. Ready for real-deal gimmick free fitness advice? Sign up at HolidayBootCamp.com,

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WOW. My post about Whoopi's quit smoking venture has generated a bunch of discussion among readers. Right now, there are 91 comments -- and what powerful and inspiring comments they are.

Reader Janet says: I kicked a 14-year smoking habit by picking up a new habit -- a boyfriend who eventually became my husband. He didn't care if I smoked but I did. I quit for good one month before our wedding and we have been married 11 years next week! If I had a cigarette now I am sure I would vomit -- and that is enough of a deterrent for me! I highly recommend slowly phasing out an old habit with a healthful, positive new one.

Reader Mary says: I smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day. I thought about quitting for years. Until one evening while I was driving home, I decided to try not to light up until I got home, then I decided to wait until I got ready for bed, then I decided to wait until morning.....etc etc etc....I lived like that for a couple of days and haven't had a cigarette since. All you have to do is put them down and the rest will take care of itself....

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I knew long before I did anything about it that there were many changes I could make specific to diet and exercise. Heck, I even knew exactly what I needed to do -- eat less calories than I burn, stock up on fruits and veggies, nix the red meat, soda, and junk food, and work out strenuously. But something held me back. I think it was motivation.

I found just the push I needed at Canyon Ranch spa in Tucson, Arizona. This desert oasis boasts the finest in not only pampering but also in healthy living. For four days, I ate the healthiest foods, indulged in fitness classes galore, and learned from experts how to fine-tune my ways for optimum functioning and survival. It was grand. And for five months now, I have not wavered in my newly disciplined life. As a result, I am leaner, healthier, and happier than ever before. Thank goodness for my trip out west.

Sometimes it just takes a little kick in the pants when it comes to mastering the whole diet and exercise thing. And many are signing up, like me, for their own personal kick.

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There's two actually! Both Anthony Field, the blue Wiggle and Paul Paddick (Paddie), who plays Captain Feathersword would be really tough contenders. How do I know this? I trained with them. Big deal you say!? Well, the big deal is that I know the difference between guys who exercise and guys who could pummel you. I'm not only a fitness expert, but I've been competitively kickboxing and working with the ISKA since 1995. I've sat ringside and wrapped big belts around men who have earned the title of World Champion. Anthony and Paddie are tough!

Paddie not only looks the part, barrel chested with bulging biceps, but he's got the moves and the stamina to torture anyone who deserved it. Anthony, a former soldier in the Australian Army, is tall and lean, yet quite muscular. I personally watched the man do about 50 pull-ups with his legs straight out at a ninety degree angle in front of him. Highly advanced. His reach would be spectacular and the amount of force via rotation he could deliver to your poor face by the power in those abs alone would lead to utter destruction.

Laugh at The Wiggles doing silly dances all you want as your kids rock out with them each morning. Just make sure you don't do it if you should cross them in person! Since they are such kind and gentle souls, I would guess they'd let you off the hook...but I still wouldn't advise taking the chance!

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One of the most popular questions I'm asked as a fitness trainer is "how do I get abs like Usher's? You know.....I want the grooves inside his hip bones!" Ahhhhhhh yes. I know exactly what they're talking about, and yes.....I too love those abs. In fact, the particular body parts folks are truly desperate for are his hip flexors and psoas. Mmmmm yummy psoas.

Usher is the role model for a sexy midsection, and if you're eager to have yours look like his......you're going to have to earn it. Truly earn it. Just being skinny isn't enough. Just doing crunches isn't enough. You're going to have to work! This is a two factor type accomplishment. First of all, you'll have to be pretty lean. If you're not lean, we probably won't be able to see any of your muscles with such great definition. So dropping pounds and body fat may be in your future.

The second component to earning abs like Usher's is working the proper muscles. Crunches will never ever give you such provocative hips. You're going to have to do more. Those interior hip muscles are responsible for lifting your legs, so that's what you are going to have to do. But, simple leg lifts are not enough. You are going to have to strain the hip flexors and psoas severely. Not in a dangerous way, just in a "ahhhh! this is tough" way. I recommend doing double leg lifts on the roman chair or while hanging from a pull-up bar. To do this, hang from a bar and lift both legs to at least a 90 degree angle at the same time. Hold that lift as long as possible and lift. If this is too difficult at first (which it probably will be) do a double knee lift instead.

My personal training client Jody, is in the middle of a two week stay at Structure House. He's been there before, and after losing 40 pounds here...I'm thrilled he's returned as he's reached a stubborn plateau in his training. More mental than anything, but I'm so happy he's off in Durham, North Carolina focusing solely on getting fit and losing some more weight.

I speak to my Jody daily and he's having a blast, having success, and making tons of friends. Usually, he puts me on the phone with one of his Structure House buddies when we speak. They've come from around the country, and all seem to be dropping pounds galore.

So. To Jody, Iris, Inna, Arthur, and everyone else at Structure House, I wish you the best. I encourage you to wake up to each new day as another awesome opportunity to take charge of your life and become the person you're desperate to be. You've all invested so much financially and emotionally to be there. Jody has bragged about what spectacular people you are, so keep making strides towards living a better and longer life!

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