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:

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?

Given the current economic crisis, having to pay a few hundred dollars a year for a gym membership might be an expense you can do without. That's why experts in Britain are encouraging cash-strapped citizens to ditch the gym in favour of the great outdoors.

Free outdoor conservation sessions are being held across the country, aimed at getting people to do something good for themselves by exercising in the outdoors -- all while doing something good for the environment by volunteering some time to help maintain these 'green gyms.' Think about it -- you're not only burning calories by helping out, you're creating a sustainable workout space for yourself and your neighbours, and you're doing something you can feel good about too.

So far these conservation sessions are a real hit in the UK -- let's hope they come to North America too!

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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?

I adopted my son a little over a year ago. When he first moved home, he was 10-years-old and had spent quite a few years bouncing between family to family in foster care. Subsequently, he didn't have a very good grasp on a lot of basic principles, such as manners and appropriate boundaries. He honestly didn't know why it would be OK to ask for a drink of water, but why it isn't polite just to start rifling through a neighbor's kitchen cabinets.

While we worked on manners and boundaries at home, I decided it was best to set an outdoor-only rule when playing with neighborhood friends. I figured there were a lot fewer manner-glitches he could run into while playing outdoors. Besides, it was summer. Why should he be inside when there are bikes to be ridden and games of tag to be played?

A few of the other parents talked to me about the rule. They understood that he was learning new rules and needed stricter boundaries, but they didn't want him to feel different from the other kids in the neighborhood. In the end, they all supported my decision. And by the time winter's cold arrived, my son had a much better grasp on manners and could play inside friend's houses without unintentionally being rude.

Next week, from September 24th to 30th, parents in cities across North America are encouraged to get their kids out into the great outdoors. It's called 'Take a Child Outside' week, and it's happening with 250 organizations across the nation.

To be honest, at first I thought this was a joke -- because, really, do you need a special event to encourage parents to get their kids outdoors? But it is legit, and given the obesity epidemic, it's really not all that surprising. After all, we are living in a time where kids use treadmills.

If you ask me, every week should be 'Take a Child Outside' week. The only exception should be in cases of really extreme weather, and even then, your kids should be getting some sort of indoor physical activity. Your thoughts?

(via Calorie Lab)

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I didn't go outside once today, and I'm really disappointed about that. How dare I let a beautiful, sunny, summer day go by without at least getting a few minutes of sunshine on my face? It's not something that happens very often, but obligations kept me inside and out of the summertime sun.

Where I live, summer weather is a short-lived and precious thing, so normally we spend every second we can out in it. But in today's modern and comfortable world, it can be way too easy to just stay in, where there are no bugs and no need for sunscreen.

Not only is vitamin D important, but so are the mood lifting benefits of getting outside and enjoying what nature has to offer. If you find yourself hanging around indoors a little too often this summer, take a look at Real Simple's 7 ways to spend more time outside.

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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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What you put inside your body eventually shows on the outside, reports Reader's Digest. Just ask the 100 dermatologists who analyzed the skin of 4,000 women ages 40 to 74. What they found is that eating habits, weight, history of sun exposure, and menopausal status all affect the skin. Specific to diet, though, the good doctors discovered the following.

• Women with higher vitamin C intake had significantly fewer wrinkles. Makes sense since vitamin C is key in the formation of collagen, which protects the skin from damage and keeps it strong and elastic. For best results, be sure to get vitamin C not through a supplement but in its natural form -- think orange juice, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.
  

• Those who ate plenty of the nutrient linoleic acid had skin that was less dry and fragile. Known to keep skin moist, this stuff can be found in green leafy veggies, nuts, and plant-based oils.

• Women who ate more carbs and fat had more wrinkles.

It makes sense than that we put in our bodies what is truly good for us, on the inside and out. Check out the following gallery for 11 healthy -- and antioxidant-rich -- goodies.

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

I have long been a believer in exercising outdoors as much as possible. Of course many folks stay healthy via treadmills, ellipticals and the like more times a week than I log a sweat session. And I make use of those too. But those who rely solely on machines are missing out.

The sensory benefits are pretty big. Breathing fresh air, smelling seasonal blooms, feeling the breeze and seeing your surroundings of sky, clouds and everything underneath all combine to fill your head with the happiness your heart feels after beating several more times per minute for an hour or so. It's invaluable to me. I run, walk, bike or just stretch in a meadow, on the sidewalk, on a dirt trail. Sometimes a brisk stroll through town provides a nice changeup too while enjoying the architecture and human company.

I admit during the heat and humidity or bitter wind chill that can be part of summers and winters here in Northern Virginia, I am happy to partake of the air conditioned air, humming machines, televisions and sometimes views of unfortunate outfits on my fellow exercisers in the gym down the street. But if you've found yourself in a rut that leaves you staring at walls for every workout, try breaking away for a change. You'll be glad you did.

Have you ever been at the gym, kicking butt on the elliptical, only to look outside and see a perfect, gorgeous day that you're missing because you're in a gym? Or, do you like the idea of biking for fun, fitness, or transportation, but have less love for some of the things that come with biking (seat pain, hunched over position, catching on chain, etc.)? If so, you might want to get on the wait list for the elliptiGO Glide Bike.

The elliptiGO is a cross between a bike and an elliptical trainer, "combining the best aspects of running and cycling to create a fun and effective means of exercising outdoors." Since you're in a standing position while riding it, you have increased visibility and a distinct lack of pain in the genitals (because, be honest -- how many of you have opted out of a long bike ride because you knew how bad your privates would hurt afterward? I'm always amazed that true cyclists can ever have sex!).

It's easily modifiable, so you can go at your own pace using your own stride. There are eight gears, allowing you to work really hard and go as fast as 25 mph, or cruise along at closer to 6mph.

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There are few feelings that can compare with walking barefoot through the grass on a warm, summer day. I don't know about you, but as a kid I shunned shoes as much as possible -- as a matter of fact, I'm still barefoot a good deal of the time.

While it's fun to go around barefoot, it can also be dangerous. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons has released a series of barefoot safety tips that any sandal shunner should take the time to read. Check out our gallery for all the tips (and explanations, so you can sound wicked smart when you tell your barefoot friends what to do!).

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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.

I did a ton of yard work last weekend. Layed out a lasagna-style garden plot, mowed the grass, planted some pansies and cleaned off the patio furniture so I could relax and admire my handy work.

My back hurt, but my head felt great. The mental benefits of being outside and getting your body moving have always been crucial for me. Winter is tough for that reason. Combating stress during colder months means hot tea, hot baths and exercise in a gym. And the affect wears thin after a while. So, for me, spring's arrival doesn't just mean warmer temperatures feeling good on my skin and enjoying the sight and smell of flowers.

The vitamin D and work in the yard make for huge stress relievers. If you haven't tried it, get out and garden. It may work for you too. Just keep the muscle rub and ibuprofen handy.

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For many people exercising outdoors is something reserved for every season but winter -- the cold and snow comes and everything moves indoors. But it doesn't have to -- winter has it's fair share of fun outdoor sports that will get your heart pumping and those pounds melting off. Everything from ice skating to sledding, even a snowball fight, can burn calories! Plus they're a great way to spend time with friends and family, or if you need some "me" time they can work great for that too (well, maybe not the snowball fight option). But there really is something for everybody.

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