That's Fit

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. Fitzy. I work out a few times a week and eat pretty well, but "six-pack" abs have always escaped me. I do plenty of crunches, but nothing seems to bring me even close to the abs I see on the cover of Men's Health magazine. What is the secret to it? Chase

A. Ahhhh Chase. The elusive six pack. Doesn't every body wish for that? Yes ... almost everybody does. Very few actually achieve it, though. This is the deal Chase, the "secret," if you will. If you want to look like an athlete, you're going to have to behave like an athlete. Train ridiculously hard and eat ridiculously well. Six-pack abs are a sign of elite fitness for sure, and you're probably not going to earn them working out a "few times a week and eating pretty well."

When you head out on a hike, it's important to bring the essentials: Water, healthy snacks, sunscreen, warm layers and those 'just in case' safety items. But all that extra stuff can weigh you down after too long. Here's a handy item I read about on Fitsugar: Kelty Chuck Wagon Dog Pack. It is what it sounds like: A backpack for dogs. So instead of carrying everything yourself, let your lovable mutt do some of the lifting.

The dog packs are available in small ($45), medium ($50) and large ($55) and they're bright red so you won't lose site of your pooch in the outdoors. The packs are lightweight and durable, and while your dog won't be able to carry everything you need to bring along on you hike, she'll be able to take at least a bit of the load off of you.

(Via Fitsugar)

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. Hello Fitz. I am currently working on getting six-pack abs. I was surfing the web and found this new device called EZ-ups gravity shoes. They basically make you hang upside-down and let you do sit-ups. Is it worth buying or not? Jonathan

A. Hey Jonathan, I know what you're talking about and I really feel neither here nor there on the product. The Teeter Hang-ups EZ-Ups Inversion System Gravity Boots, selling for $149. I have never used them, but being in this field for almost two decades has allowed me to try similar types of exercises and equipment.

Honestly. I wouldn't have any desire to purchase something so expensive and one dimensional like this. I'd prefer to have a regular pull-up bar for pull-ups and then train my abs by lifting my legs while hanging upright. Hanging upside down doesn't hold any appeal to me, since I've previously fallen from and inversion table and conked my head pretty hard. Ouch! In my opinion, there are a lot better ways to skin that cat of six pack abs. Ways that are less dangerous and expensive as well. Fitz

So you've quit smoking. Good for you! You're one step closer to a healthier, longer life -- unless you pack on the pounds, in which case you'll compromise your health in other ways.

To help you manage your weight while you resist the urge to smoke, Dr. Cindy Pomerleau, Director of the Nicotine Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan, offers these seven tips:

• Start the day with breakfast, not a cigarette. A satisfying breakfast can help deflect the urge to smoke. Avoiding the meal might sound like a good way to avoid unwanted calories, but it's not a sound weight-management strategy.

Yes, we all do crunches. Crunches, crunches and more crunches. I do them myself, and think very highly of them. But! If you'd like to change things up and work on sculpting your fancy torso in new way, give these skills a try.

• Prone pikes. Place your feet on a stability ball or on some Gliding Disks, with your hands on the floor in push-up position. Back flat. Lift your hips straight up to the sky while keeping your legs straight. Once you've elevated your hips as high as they'll go ... lower back to push-up position. Repeat at least eight times. Add one rep each day you do these. Very advanced!

• Front kicks. Stand with one foot in front of the other with feet shoulder width apart. Lift the front leg by the knee first, and follow to extend your foot up high. You'll engage your hip-flexors and rectus abdominus as you raise that leg up high. Kick within your comfortable range at first, but challenge yourself to kick higher along the way. The higher you lift your knee, the more you'll work your abs. Switch your stance and repeat on the other leg. Kick at least 20 times per leg. Beginner to advanced level exercise, depending on how high you kick.

No matter who you pack a lunch for, plan for it to be healthy, tasty and interesting. I just read a neat little article in my local newspaper,written by Antonia Robinson, which had tons of great tips Thought you'd enjoy some of hers and some of mine. Bon apetit!

• Include items from each food group.
• Don't pack the same flavors each day.
• Pick colorful, crunchy and tasty foods.
• Include food the child likes.
• Pack most of the lunch the night before.
• Dinner leftovers also make a good lunch.
• Use a thermos for hot foods and cold packs for cold foods.
• Avoid sodas and juices.
• Make sure you include fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Think outside the box! Pack sushi, veggie lasagna, or rotisserie chicken.
• Some soups taste great at room temp. if a microwave is not available. Give em a shot!
• Cold or wet items will cause a paper bag to rip. Go for plastic or use an official insulated lunch box/bag.
• Freeze a water bottle the night before and put it in your lunch box. It will keep other things cool and melt just enough so it's perfectly chilled and drinkable by lunch time.
• Include a sweet note or some stickers to add some fun to the meal.