I once told a fitness trainer my goal was to be lean and hard. Still my goal. Still working toward it every day. Think I might put into practice some of what these six pros suggest as I pursue total and complete fitness.

• Eat the right balance, says Barry Sears, author of The Zone. He divides his plate into thirds and puts low-fat protein in one-third (no thicker than his palm -- measuring with your hands is a good trick) and colorful, non-starchy vegetables and fruit on the other two-thirds. Then, he dashes it all with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like olive oil or guacamole.
• Wake up hungry, says Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guide. It's a good sign you've lost weight while sleeping, she says. Waking full means you've probably eaten late at night. Fuel your body during the day by eating every four hours. She suggests a breakfast at 7 AM, a first lunch at 11 AM, a second lunch at 3 PM, and then a light evening meal.

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For those who take it on a regular basis, and who remember to take it every day at the same time, the pill is a pretty effective form of contraception. It's not for everyone though, so those who are thinking of going on the pill should take a look at this article, which discusses some of the pros and cons of the oral contraceptive.

Some of the more well-known pros include clearer skin, lighter periods and less severe or no cramps. One of the major cons that I've heard women talk about is the extra weight gain associated with taking the pill. However, I've also heard that no one should gain more than a few pounds, if any. Also, the pill protects again some forms of cancer, like ovarian and endometrial cancer, but may increase the risk of breast, cervical and liver cancer. Also, smokers, especially those over age 35, who take the pill are at risk of developing life threatening blood clots.

So that's the good and the bad, but what about the stuff they don't tell you? A women quoted in the article insists that she noticed an increase in her sex drive when she quit taking the contraceptive, but admits it could be due to a number of factors. I know a women who insists that her curly hair went completely straight when she went on the pill and another who says that for the first week she starting taking the contraceptive, her emotions went wild.

As usual, the best way to find out if the pill is right for you is to do some research, talk to your doctor and make sure to ask lots of questions and ensure any concerns you have are addressed before you make your choice.

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If cardio and strenth training were to face off in a head-to-head battle for "who's the best overall" which one do you think would win? Is it that simple really? Well Women's Heath set out to find out, comparing the two with good old fashioned 'pros and cons' lists based on what your goals are. Weight loss? Strength training is best (really? I'm surprised). Stress relief? Cardio. To live longer? Cardio. To look sexy in front of a mirror? Strength training.

Surprised by any of these? It looks like overall they pretty much even out, so the best advice might be to mix it up and do some of both as part of a consistent routine -- why not get the best of both worlds?

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