Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.

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Does the brisk weather keep you sticking to your fitness DVDs and gym equipment, or do you head outside to work out? We liked what advice these Twitterers had to offer on the subject:

That's Fit: Do you think exercising outdoors is more beneficial than working out at the gym?

Vindum: Absolutely! First, it's a blast in every way -- physically, mentally and emotionally. People find that exercising outdoors feels good to them, they get results and it's easy to stay with it. When you do it repetitively, your brain rewires for it -- and you will literally own that feeling and want to exercise.

This type of training [like the workouts found in my book] pulls in more muscle fiber and burns more calories -- up to 12 percent more calories and 32 percent more fat. It also causes your brain to focus more and pair up with your body in a way the gym can't -- so you stay super present, focused, coordinated.

Compared to machines and a flat gym floor, the outdoors challenges your muscles in every way -- climbing up, down, laterally, and diagonally; moving you forward, backward, squatting, lunging, rotating on every imaginable surface -- grass, dirt, sand, gravel, pavement, snow, etc., and working in all planes of motion.

Gyms are open all year and there's never a weather-related excuse that will keep you from workout DVDs, but there's just something motivating about being outdoors. I know spring fever has hit me hard and I'm enjoying being outside more (although I could do without all the raking, thank you very much). Recently, I wondered how the warmer weather affects your workout. Here's what you had to say:

• 59 percent of you are more active when you can be outdoors. It's important to be active during those bitter, cold months, but it's understandable why the warm weather inspires more activity. You can be outside running, walking, biking and participating in team sports, like softball or volleyball. Enjoy the warmer weather, but be sure to have a fitness plan next year when the snow starts to fly again.
  
• 28 percent of you are active all year long, but enjoy different activities in warmer weather. Changing your activity from season to season is a great idea; it keeps things interesting and throws your muscles a curve ball. Want some ideas? Check out these great warm-weather workouts on AOL Health.
• 10 percent of you can be found in the gym whether it's warm or cold. Well, there's certainly something to be said for consistency. But get outside and enjoy some of the nice weather, too!

Spring is just around the corner. I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but outside my window, the snow is finally starting to melt, and the birds are starting to fly back to their summer homes. When this time of year arrives, I always get a bit of spring fever. It feels so great to be outside and not bundled up under layers and layers of winter clothing.

While I get about the same amount of dedicated exercise in warm weather as I do in the winter, I get a lot more joy out of warm weather workouts. Fitness DVDs are a great standby during the snowy season, but there's something invigorating about being outside when exercising. So, while enjoying my walk around the neighborhood, it made me wonder if your fitness habits change with the warm weather.


Now that the weather is getting warmer, what is your favorite outdoor activity?

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

When it's cold outside, there are plenty of ways to get fit -- You can go ice skating, skiing, even shoveling your snow burns a ton of calories and provides enough physical exertion to exhaust you for days -- depending on how much sidewalk space you have at your house, of course.

But not everyone likes the cold weather. Do you?

Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

For some people, the snow-covered ground is a reason to stay inside under a warm blanket. But for others, the white stuff is an invitation to be active and adventurous. If you like to backcountry ski, snow shoe, hike over a wintry trail, or go backwoods camping during winter, packing for your active adventure can be a challenge. Outside Online has some tips from the pros:

• Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
• Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.

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That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind. Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman are giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Christian Mayoros

Age: 39

Occupation: Computer Systems Architect

How often do you exercise? Three or four times a week.

What type of exercise do you do? Running, biking, and weights.

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This weekend my son and I are going on a vacation. While we're staying in a cabin, we'll be spending most of our time outdoors -- at the beach, sand dunes, nature trails, and hiking paths. Both my son and I love to explore and check out what nature has to offer. A new web portal, Andy Camper, is all about outdoor adventures for kids.

The site offers dozens of how-to videos for kids; from geocaching to watching the stars. The site aims to get kids excited about the outdoors and to reconnect them with nature through fun, engaging ideas and activities.

My son is really into bugs right now (except spiders... they freak him out). Tonight, we're going to make this cool water viewer to help us look for bugs and other critters in the lake this weekend. Check it out! You're sure to find fun activities for you and your kids whether you're heading out on a special outdoor adventure, or just want to do some exploring in your own backyard.

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Singing sensation Fergie won't be caught in a gym, and it's not because she isn't concerned about her body. It's quite the opposite really -- have you seen the girl's body lately? It rocks. It's another reason entirely that keeps Fergie from indoor workout facilities.

It's the outdoors.

Fergie keeps her body toned by running on the beach, hiking, and climbing up and down the Santa Monica steps -- a steep stairwell above the ocean. Fergie works out in the fresh air every day. Not a bad idea, I say.

Want some outdoor alternatives for your exercise routine? Take a peek at this site.

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I'm so happy to be back to incorporating outdoor workouts into my routine, sporadic as it may be. It's been almost three years since I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and I still don't have winter workout gear in my wardrobe. So I tend to wait around for April to go for any lengthy walks or jogs outside.

But that would be so normal.

The other day, I actually did sprints, played hide and seek and pretended to be Dora the Explorer in a field of tall grass down the street from our house. Of course, I wasn't alone. This was my daughter's idea of a grand time. And it turned out to be a pretty darn good workout, too.

No trails, stroller, trails, or special gear needed. Just an empty meadow and our imaginations.

Oakley came out several years ago with the THUMP, a sunglass/mp3 player combo. It was a really cool idea, because, really, how much extra stuff do you to carry when you go running? And it's great to not have to worry about cords or earbud slippage. Plus, the earphones hover just outside your ear, so while you can hear the music, other noises aren't entirely blocked, which is a nice safety feature.

They've now come out with an improved version, the Oakley Split THUMP. The first improvement I noticed was the fact that the earphones are removable, so if you show up at a race and find out only then that you can't have earphones (not like that's ever happened to me or anyone I know), you've still got glasses. Plus, if you're out for a run and then head out to the beach or park to hang out with friends, you can remove the earphones.

Additionally, the sound quality has improved (though, I actually hadn't noticed it being all that bad to begin with). They come in two varieties, a 512MB for $249, and a 2GB for $399, so you should be able to fit enough music on there to last your entire workout. The battery life is estimated to be around seven hours, so that should hold out for you, too.

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I grew up in Michigan, and every winter was COLD. The only fluctuation was in whether it was cold and dry enough for thick ice to form on the lake so we could safely ice skate, or whether it would just be cold and miserable outside.

I always looked forward to summer -- we had a pool, and the minute it looked like we wouldn't have another freeze, I would beg my folks to uncover it so I could get in. Now, the temperature when we first took the cover off was generally about 60 degrees, so I couldn't exactly spend a day swimming in it, but it was a step toward those summer days of swimming for hours on end, getting out only because Grandma said I had to eat something for lunch.

This got me thinking of what summer outdoor activities I look forward to most as an adult. I still love going to the pool, but now that I live in Florida, I love taking a vacation to the beach. I get up early (usually) and take a long run along the beach, and generally go for a couple more long walks in the sand during the day. Between that, throwing around a football, and jumping through waves, I get a great workout and have a blast.

What summer workout are you looking forward to most? Check out the gallery for inspiration and be sure to vote in the poll!

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January's Men's Journal magazine calls these five outdoor websites incredibly helpful. If you're the outdoorsy type -- I'm thinking of you, Bev -- then take a peek at these for the lowdown on finding mountains and rocks, investigating a forecasted snowfall, or hunting down the perfect camping spot.

summitpost.com
For serious climbers, take a look at this stocked site.

onthesnow.com
For the skiing obsessed, this destination has it all.

reserveamerica.com
For the camping set, this resource awaits you.

trails.com
For $50, you'll get information on 40,000 trails around the world.

mbpost.com
For mountain biking enthusiasts, take a spin here.

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