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Running Buddies - How Committed Are You?

Fitness

Peter Andre and Katie PriceGlamour model Katie 'Jordan' Price and her husband, Peter Andre, ran the London Marathon this year. Well, run is a bit of an exaggeration -- Katie went down with a knee injury at mile 18, and her husband helped her the rest of the way, almost having to carry her for the last mile. They finished with a time of over seven hours -- not the speediest finish on record, but hey, they finished. And they did it together.

Lots of us have running buddies, and often, we run races together. But the question is, how committed are you to your buddy? If he or she went down at the halfway mark, or was just having a slow day, would you stay back with them? Or do you make a point to let your buddy know that, come race day, anything goes?

It might depend on who your buddy is and what your goals are. I've run races for which I had a goal time, in which case, any running buddy who was also racing knew we'd both be going at our own pace. However, I've also run longer races that, truthfully, I just wanted to cross the finish line, and my partner had the same goal, so it was no problem to stick together.

Let us know in the comments how committed you are to your running buddy. Then, get inspired by checking out all of the celebrities who've completed a 26.2 mile race (and find out how fast they did it!). Will you be next?

Stars Who've Run a Marathon

    Sean Combs

    P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, or whatever it is you want to call him these days crossed the NYC Marathon finish line in 2003 with a time of 4 hours, 14 minutes, 54 seconds. More impressively, he raised two million dollars for NYC schools in the process.

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    Katie Holmes

    Katie completed the NYC marathon in 2007 with a time of 5 hours, 29 minutes, 58 seconds (we're betting that the next time she does one, she finds a slightly more supportive sports bra). And she was in heels for a party that night.

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    George W. Bush

    President Bush did the Houston Marathon in 1993, finishing with a very respectable time: 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds. No wonder he was successful in running for office. Get it?

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    Oprah Winfrey

    Oprah completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 4 hours, 29 minutes, 20 seconds as a special gift to herself for her 40th birthday. The race suddenly went from a small, somewhat unknown race to the marathon that everybody wanted to do.

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    Freddie Prinze, Jr.

    Here's a little something to chew on: Had Freddie and Oprah run the same race, she would have won by almost an hour and a half. Freddie completed the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon in 5 hours, 50 minutes, and 49 seconds. Would he go faster for a Scooby Snack, you think?

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    Will Ferrell

    While other "real" runners have certainly finished faster, Will Ferrell comes in near the top in this group with a time of 3 hours, 56 minutes, 12 seconds in the 2003 Boston Marathon. Who would've guessed? Frank the Tank didn't look all that speedy in "Old School."

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    Lance Armstrong

    The cyclist traded his wheels for running shoes and has completed two NYC Marathons and a Boston. His time for the 2007 NYC Marathon was an impressive 2 hours, 46 minutes, 43 seconds. But then again, nobody exactly expected him to be slow, right?

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    Mario Lopez

    As fit as this macho man is, you'd expect a seriously competitive time, right? But his Boston Marathon, 2003, finish was 5 hours, 41 minutes, 41 seconds. He says he was staying behind to run with the girl he was dating. Sure, we believe that.

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    Ryan Reynolds

    The wickedly hot funny man risked bloody nipples (his words, not ours) to compete in the 2008 NYC Marathon. He wanted to raise money for Parkinson's disease, which his father suffers from. He succeeded -- he raised plenty of funds and awareness, plus crossed the finish in 3 hours, 50 minutes, 22 seconds.

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    Gordon Ramsey

    He's better known for his skills in the kitchen, as well as for his foul temper (and language), but it turns out that Gordon Ramsey is quite the runner, too. He's competed in the London Marathon for many years, and holds an impressive pace -- it took him just 3 hourse, 46 minutes, 10 seconds to finish in 2006.

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Walking the Walk - Making It Work for You

Fitness, Motivation

women running
If you think committing to one or several workouts a week with a workout buddy would improve your exercise routine, here are some tips to get you started:

  • Seek out a compatible partner -- someone with similar goals, a similar fitness level, someone who'll be encouraging and supportive.
  • Look outside your home. Sure, it might be fun exercising with your hubby, but if it means you feel like every bite you take is being policed, it might not be good for your relationship.
  • Pick someone who isn't judgmental. The best workout partners are strong, supportive and honest, but never make you feel bad about yourself.
  • Look for a friend who's as motivated as you are. While you can expect to have to push your friend now and then, if you're carrying all the weight of the relationship, your own motivation might start to wane.
  • Check out local walking, running and cycling groups for like-minded friends, or post a note on your gym's bulletin board.
  • Find alternative friends. If you absolutely can not find a real, in-person buddy to workout with, turn to a furry friend (check out these safety tips first), your iPhone, or a virtual community.

Have you ever had a workout buddy? What kinds of tips and tricks can you share with our readers to make this healthy habit stick?

Got a Walking the Walk idea you'd like to see Bethany try for seven days? Share it with us in comments!

Support Your Spouse in Weight Loss

Diet & Weight Loss

daily fit tipMarriage can be tough on a waistline. According to AOL Health, newlyweds gain an average of six to eight pounds during the first two years after saying, "I do." We all know that it takes work to maintain our weight as we age. After settling into married life, you might just find that there are a new set of love handles getting in between you and your sweetie.

If your love has started packing on the pounds, you can be a supportive spouse and help turn things around, you just need to tread very carefully to avoid hurt feelings. AOL Health has several tips to get you started, including:

  • Never use the word "fat" or suggest that they've "gained weight." Trust me, anyone who has gained weight is usually well aware of the situation.
  • Focus on fighting the fat together. That means cleaning up your own diet and getting out to exercise with your partner.
  • Don't be the food police. Support is one thing, but things can quickly turn negative if you put yourself in charge of your spouse's eating.

Getting fit is ultimately a personal choice, but with love and encouragement, your spouse can be back in fighting form in no time.

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Partner Push-Ups - Get Creative!

Fit Kicks Videos, Fitness

fit-kicks

There's no doubt that push-ups can make a dramatic impact on your physique. They're challenging, work a ton of muscle groups and can be done absolutely anywhere. There's also a bunch of ways you can get creative with them. In this video, Fitz and her team demo a few fun ideas for push-up training with a partner.

For more fun training videos, recipes and celebrity fitness interviews visit Fitzness.com

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Weight Loss - That's Fit Readers Trust Their Diet Partners

Diet & Weight Loss

apple and tape measureAfter reading about ZoneDiet.com's survey that determined most people aren't very trusting of their diet buddies, I was curious to see what That's Fit readers thought. So I asked you in a poll about your own diet buddies. Here's what you revealed:

  • 73.1% of you said that you would trust your diet partner to be honest. That's good news. The support of a trusted friend or family member can really help you stick to your weight loss plans.
  • 77.8% of you admit that you would like to lose more weight than your diet partner. Well, I can't say I blame you. Weight loss isn't a competition (well, not unless you're on The Biggest Loser), but we can't be magnanimous all the time, can we?

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When Your Partner Gains Weight - Do You Tell?

Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

jeans waistSmart men know that the answer to the question "Does this make me look fat?" is never, ever "yes."

Still, let's say the healthy and fit person you're dating or married to suddenly starts to pack on the pounds. Is it ever acceptable to tell your loved ones they're getting fat?

I ask because of this clip from Tyra. Mr. I-Just-Want-You-To-Be-Healthy tries to convince his girl that he loves her for who she is, he just wants her to lose weight so she'll quit whining about it. But his true motives are revealed when he basically tells her if she doesn't lose weight, he'll be forced to cheat on her.

Niiiice.

Still, let's say you're a more conscientious valentine, the kind who really is just concerned about your lover's health. Is a heart-to-heart talk ever acceptable ... or even helpful? Or is it better to health up your own habits and hope that your love will join you in your efforts? What do you think?

How would you break it to your partner that they're gaining weight?

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6 no-nag tips for helping pals shed pounds

Diet & Weight Loss

Dilemma: A pal or a loved one is heaving around a bit too much weight. You're worried this person is tipping the scales in a dangerous direction and you want to help. Appropriate? Or not so much? Parade magazine says if done the wrong way, approaching the topic can hurt feelings and lead to resentment. But with some tact, a little nudging isn't such a bad idea. Here's how to do it.

  • Well, don't nag, that's for sure. No teasing either, no mater how mild. Encouragement is the key.
  • Stress that you care about your friend or family member's health. Talk benefits – like a lower risk of disease and higher self-esteem.
  • Promise you'll be a partner in fitness. Exercise is more fun with a buddy, but it also increases the chance of success. We're all less likely to quit when someone else is in the game with us.
  • Trash the temptation. If you live with your special someone, rid the cupboards of diet derailers -- chips, cookies, cupcakes, soda -- and work together to plan healthy meals.
  • Motivate. Offer incentives, like compliments or gifts – how about a pedometer, a personal training session, or an offer to watch your pal's kids while he/she works out?
  • Lead the way. Be a good role model by practicing good diet and fitness habits. And when roadblocks get in the way -- and they will -- just get back on track, together.

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Meet your mate at a marathon

Fitness


If you're in the market for a mate, a marathon may be just the place for you. And if it's a man you seek, well, then, you are in luck.

Runner's World expert Miles of Ask Miles says the gender ratio at marathons nationwide is 60:40, men to women. There are exceptions. If a woman is the significant other you choose, the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco is more than 90 percent female. And the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is 56 percent female. More men race out east, though -- the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the New York City Marathon are about 70 percent male.

I know some folks who join churches to find companions. Others frequent bars. But I like the marathon option, where potential partners are fit, driven, and likely to support a healthy lifestyle. What's your pick for meeting a mate?

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Fit Kicks: BOSU & Medicine Ball Workout with Fitz (VIDEO)

Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Natural Products, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Products and Reviews, Cellulite, Obesity, Fit Kicks Videos, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

See more training videos at SportsHealthExercise.org on the Active Health Network!

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Does your loved one dig your diet -- or not?

Diet & Weight Loss

When I overhauled my diet a year ago, my husband hopped right on board and both applauded and adopted each healthy habit I introduced into our routine. He lost 40 pounds as a result. Clearly, he was supportive. I'm lucky. Not all spouses dig the diets their partners embrace.

A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that when people change their eating habits, spouses and partners often experience skepticism, guilt over their own unhealthy habits, even anger. We're creatures of habit. When one person alters the routine, it can throw things off balance. SHAPE magazine offers these three tips for easing the transition.

Prepare your loved one for changes Share your plans a few days in advance and communicate your reasons for making adjustments.

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Talking to your partner about weight loss

Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation

When you enter into a relationship, you fully expect your partner to have some excess baggage -- past loves, insecurities, and worries about your relationship's future. Most of us are equipped to deal with that. But what do you do when your partners excess "baggage" also includes baggage in the form of extra pounds?

Dr. Rovenia Brock says that to best help an overweight partner you need to stop criticizing and start caring. Criticizing a partner's weight will most likely be counterproductive. That doesn't mean you can't talk to your partner about your concerns, but you need to approach it with a little TLC. Let your partner know that you're making suggestions because you care. But you should even keep that to a minimum. Instead, start making healthy changes that will promote your partner's better health:
  • Order two appetizers instead of a meal when eating out, or just order one entree and split it.
  • Avoid or cut back on alcoholic beverages.

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Can training end up straining your relationship?

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation

I'm friends with a lot of fit couples, and I've noticed that, while they all enjoy working out and have memberships to the same gym, they rarely follow the same fitness routines. They might jump on the elliptical together, or spot each other on weights occasionally, but more often than not, they do their own thing.

As long as they're both happy with their individual routines, generally, it works. However, what if your sweetie is far more dedicated than you are, or vice versa? For example, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has recently been kicking butt in the fitness department, and she's looking fantastic. However, her dancer boyfriend, Ivan Velez, is reportedly getting fed up with the amount of time she spends working out, and isn't a fan of being roped into her early morning fitness routines.

It's not easy -- if he's naturally thin and you put on weight easily, you might feel compelled to hit the gym hard every day, and he might be perfectly happy going two or three times a week. If you really want to work out together, That's Fit posted some suggestions last year for involving your sweetie, but one thing I would suggest is that you be flexible and figure out whether it's more important to you to have a long, hard workout, or to work out with your partner. If you're willing to take a brisk, two-mile walk instead of a four-mile run, he or she might be more likely to join you. Or, if there's something your sweetie enjoys, give it a shot -- there are plenty of ways to burn calories, after all!

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Fit Factor: The couples workout

When Fitsugar published these photos of Tori Spelling and hubby Dean McDermott working out together, I thought to myself, now, wouldn't that be nice to have your mate as your workout buddy? Then I thought about Jon and tried to imagine us working out together. For starters, Jon doesn't work out. He doesn't need to--he's a tradesman and unlike me he actually uses his muscles and burns calories at work. Also? We're both a bit competitive and it might ruin our relationship if we started getting athletic together. No, I'll stick to my present solo workout routine--If I want a workout buddy, I'll find a friend at a similar fitness level to me.

But even though it's not right for you, it might be the key to getting you--and your partner--in shape. There are plenty of exercises that are good for your body and your relationship. Want some ideas? Why not try ...

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Treat your spouse to a longer life

Healthy Habits, Healthy Relationships, Stress Reduction, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation, Men's Health

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to tell you partner you love them. Did you know, however, that how you act the rest of the year can have an impact on your partner's health? For instance, Bev recently told us that a spouse's personality can have an effect on how well you recover from surgery. And Adams shared a study with us that found that fighting (or sharing your feelings, at least) in a marriage can prolong your life.

In that vein, Forbes recently put into pictures several ways to help your spouse live longer. Studies have found that when one spouse kicks a bad habit, like smoking or binging on Doritos every night in front of the TV, the other is more likely to follow suit. Another study found that when one spouse is healthy, the other is more likely to be in good health as well. Finally, when one spouse is obese, the other's chance of obesity goes up 37%.

Oh, and men? Researchers found a nearly instant decrease in the flight or fight response among women when they held their husband's hand. Such a simple gesture, really.

So go ahead and buy those roses, but if you think of your spouse's health the rest of the year, you just might have them around a little while longer.

Healthy Valentine's Day gifts(click thumbnails to view gallery)

PamperingDark chocolateMusicWineAdventure

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Fit Beauty: Pamper yourself or someone you love this Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is not for everyone. Some people love it and some people loathe it. I don't think that whether or not you're a fan of Cupid's big day necessarily has anything to do with your dating/marriage status. Sure, there are single people who hate it and attached people who love it, but I also know happy couples who feel that any time is a good time to let their other half know that they love them and single people who consider the day a great time to let their friends and family know that they care.

I don't think that you should need an excuse to pamper a loved one (or yourself) but, let's face it, sometimes we all need a reminder. If you're an annual celebrant of Valentine's Day and can't wait to spoil a loved one (or spoil yourself for the benefit of a loved one!) check out the sites that follow for a range of ideas on how to do it. And if you're normally anti-February 14th, why not try altering your thinking slightly this year and use the day as an excuse to take a break and pamper yourself?

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