That's Fit

Dribble. Pass. Shoot. That's what Danny learned at his first soccer practice on Saturday. Armed with his shin guards, knee-high socks, soccer shoes, and size three soccer ball, my four-year-old made his debut performance on an organized, YMCA-sponsored sports team.

Armed with our matching red canvas chairs, a small cooler filled with water and fruit, and a big brother by our side, we parents watched proudly as Danny did just as Coach Joe told him to do. He was willing, able, and excited. His head was in the game. And besides his one shout out to us -- "I don't want to play anymore" -- Danny remained focused for his hour-long commitment.

"Was I so great at soccer?" Danny asked all day on Saturday. We assured him he was a superstar. He assured us he had fun.

Next Saturday we go back for practice #2. Six weeks of games will follow. And then maybe a lifetime of athletic competition. Or maybe not. It's up to Danny. We'll provide the exposure. He can determine if sports are his thing or not. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.

Want to know what experts say about kids and soccer? Click here.

My husband and I have revamped our diet. We're not "on a diet." We've "changed" our diet. One is temporary. One is permanent -- this is the approach we've embraced.

Why?

I want to prevent a cancer recurrence -- I developed breast cancer three years ago -- and my husband's doctor urged him to drop 10 pounds. So we restocked our kitchen with healthy foods -- we nixed sweets and soda and acquired a low-sugar, low-fat, no-red-meat diet loaded with fruits and veggies. It's gone well. We've lost weight -- John shed 35 pounds; I lost 14 -- and we love how we're fueling our bodies. Still, it wasn't easy.

The last really long flight I endured took a lot out of me. I get nervous on airplanes so I'm happy just to land safely and in one piece, but I have to admit that it would be nice to arrive not feeling totally bagged. There are a few lucky people who get to spend their time lounging in luxury in first or business class, and for them, these voyages probably aren't so bad.

But for the rest of us squished back in coach, 10-plus hours in the air can be tough to take. And with new 15-, 16, and 17-hour flights becoming more common, it's more important than ever to find ways to get through it. If you've got a long plane ride ahead, here are a few tips that might make things more bearable:

• Try to get some sleep. It helps pass the time and even a few hours will help you arrive feeling rested.
• Walk around the cabin and find a spot to do some simple stretches. Light exercise will keep you from getting stir-crazy, and will also help prevent the deep-vein thrombosis that can be caused by sitting for hours.
• Pick a good seat. It is worth paying extra or checking in early to make sure you get the additional legroom provided in an emergency exit row, or the added freedom of an aisle seat. Sitting in the middle is not an option.
• Read a good book. You've got a lot of time to kill, so use it wisely and enjoy a novel you haven't had the chance to get into.
• Wear comfortable clothing. If your feel swell and you get a bit bloated, tight clothes and shoes will only make you feel worse.
• Drink lots of water. It's easy to get dehydrated when eating airplane food and breathing recirculated air. If you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, you'll feel better overall throughout the flight.

Want a few more ideas? Take a look here for more suggestions that will help you stay happy and feeling good on your next long-haul flight.