Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our That's Fit 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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. My office has a really nice fitness facility, but I feel a bit awkward using it. It's free and very convenient, I'm just a bit nervous about getting in there. I'm not very fit and it embarrasses me. Donna

A. I feel for you Donna. Office dynamics can be kind of weird, but your lack of gym savvy should not prevent you from enjoying what we both agree is one awesome benefit of your job. You said it yourself: You have full access to a nice gym that's both free and convenient. Who could ask for more? I'm confident my suggestions will put you at ease and get you moving quickly.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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 in the comments section below, and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. I take a serious interval class on Friday mornings and get along well with the instructor. I have taken the class for over a year and actually exchange e-mails with her on various topics, fitness and otherwise; she's cool, competitive, and likes challenges. I admit, I'd like to ask her to arm wrestle (she's cute and wicked fit), but am somewhat afraid to do so. I'm happily married and so is she, so I don't want to come across as asking something inappropriate. Any advice on how I should handle it? Mark

A. Hi, Mark. Thanks for the question. Look, normally I wouldn't consider it an odd request to ask an instructor you're friendly with for a simple physical challenge. But the fact that you've mentioned she's hot and that you're married leaves me to believe your intentions aren't completely innocent.

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Want to know how long you would need to work out in order to burn off the four pieces of pizza you just shoved down your throat? Maybe you're in a new town and you're trying to find out where the nearest gym is. Or, perhaps you just want to know whether your new yoga pants make your butt look great. Who ya gonna call?

No, not Ghostbusters. You need the KGB -- the Knowledge Generation Bureau. You've seen their funny commercials, and you might know that they have real people sitting around, waiting to research the answer to your question, but you might not have given much thought to how it applies to fitness. Let me assure you that they are fully able to answer all of the above questions (and in my case, yes, my new yoga pants did make my butt look great -- thanks KGB!).

The trick is to be super specific. Don't ask, "How far do I need to run to lose a pound?" Instead, ask, "How far and at what pace does a 150-pound woman need to run on a flat surface to burn enough calories to lose a pound?" Get it? They charge just 50 cents per answer (and if they can't answer your question, there will be no charge; but, unless you ask a question like my friend Annie did, they'll probably be able to give you an answer). Just text your question to kgbkgb (542542 for those of you who don't do the letter-to-number conversion so well). Or, if you like to fill your brain with crazy trivia, head over to this section of their website. Trust me. And you're welcome.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz! You always say that drinking calories causes weight gain, so I'm willing to try kicking my habit. I'm completely addicted to Coke. There are all sorts of programs to help people stop smoking, but none for cutting back on soda. Help! Brian

A. Thanks for the terrific question, Brian. I'm so glad you've been paying attention! Yes ... caloric beverages such as soda, juice, milk and alcohol are definitely responsible for much of the extra fat folks are carrying around. As an example of this, I once did a series of lectures for a large fire department in my area. I referenced the huge fountain drinks I always saw the firefighters driving around with and showed them how much sugar was in each cup. As their jaws dropped, I challenged each of them to, at minimum, switch to diet soda and, at best, switch to water.

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That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind. Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman are giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Janeen Glenn

Age: 35

Occupation: Retail Management and Mom

How often do you exercise? Five times a week.

What type of exercise do you do? Running and working out with exercise DVDs.

To see how Janeen's fitness level landed her a spot in televsion production read on!

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Having a good relationship with your doctor is so important. During the years following college, I bounced around from place to place. I don't know why, but after a year or so in one apartment, I always felt the need to move. Moving from city to city like I did, I never kept a consistent relationship with a doctor. Now that I'm older and -- dare I say -- settled in one place, I've been seeing the same doctor for seven years. I've learned to appreciate having a physician that knows me, my son, and both of our health histories.

If you're going to a new doctor, there are some questions that are good to ask. AOL Health has a slideshow with 10 questions you should ask your doctor. Some of the questions are:

• "Do I really need that test?" Sometimes doctors prescribe a test to be cautious, but it's not truly necessary. Talk tests over with your doctor and learn the reasons he/she is recommending them.
  
• "How many surgeries do you perform each year?" It's not insulting to ask your doctor how skilled they are in the surgery you need.
  
• "If I get sick, will you see me in the hospital?" It used to be a matter of routine for physicians to make rounds at the hospital. But the number of physicians who specialize in inpatient care has risen, and many primary-care physicians no longer do rounds. Ask your doctor if he has hospital rounds.

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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. Dear Fitz, I know that most people are trying to lose weight, but I am trying to gain. Gain muscle, that is. I am going to the gym three to four times per week. I'm using the weight machines there, but It doesn't seem like I am gaining any muscle. Could you give me some advice? What types of healthy food should I eat? Should I be doing more reps with less weight or fewer reps with more weight? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Lea Rettig

A. Hey Lea, your question is superb, and the answer thank goodness is quite simple. Strength training should be challenging. Funny enough, my clients always seemed shocked and follow up that feeling of shock by giving me dirty looks when I pass them the dumbbell I'd like them to lift. Along with that dirty look, I receive chronic cries of, "Fitz! That's heavy!" Well, yes. Yes it is. The purpose of strength training is to get stronger, and yes ... build muscle. If I were to give them weights they could already lift comfortably ... they wouldn't be getting any stronger!

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Join me as I search my soul for direction regarding my latest pursuit: A tummy tuck. Will I go through with it? Will I "Tuck It In?" Keep reading. Keep coming back. And you'll find out.

March 20, 2008

I have a lot of doctors. I have a family doctor, an OB/GYN, a dermatologist, an opthamologist, a dentist, a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a physical therapist, and now a plastic surgeon -- well, almost. If I decide to make good on my tummy tuck plans, I'll have a plastic surgeon. Which means I'll have one more list of questions to carry around.

I ask a lot of questions of my lot of doctors. When an appointment with any one of them approaches, I start jotting down everything I need to know. When I'm in front of my medical guru, then, I fire away. This method works well for me as I aim to keep myself medically informed.

I'm five weeks from my potential tuck-in date and I've already started the list of questions I plan to ask during my April 1 pre-op visit. My list -- which is already pretty long -- may grow over the next two weeks. For now, though, here's what's on my mind.

• What pre-op tests will I need? Insurance won't cover cosmetic procedures like this one so I'm concerned about how much this venture will ultimately cost me.
  
  

• Should my heart be tested prior to surgery due to two chemotherapy drugs I've received that can compromise heart function?
  
  

• If complications arise and I need hospitalization -- this procedure is outpatient -- will insurance kick in?
  
  

• What are my chances of developing infections or blood clots? These are two of the major risks with tummy tuck surgery.
  
  

• What are my chances of waking during surgery?
  
  

• What is the chance that this surgery will need a re-do? I'm reading on the Make Me Heal message boards about women who go back into surgery for tummy tuck fixes.
  
  

• What type of numbness or nerve issues might I experience?
  
  

• Should I use the inflammation supplement Bromelain for swelling?
  
  

• What kind of compression garment will I need for recovery?
  
  

NOTE: Abdominoplasty is recommended for those whose skin and muscle cannot recover on their own as a result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, heredity, or prior surgery. It is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. For more information about this surgery, click here.

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Heidi Klum has already extolled the virtues of the trampoline, citing it as one of the things that keeps her in supermodel shape. This week, when she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show, she showed off her trampoline jumping skills -- and dragged Jimmy with her.

In fact, she encouraged him to take off his shoe and socks, which he initially refused to do, and for good reason -- when he finally took off his socks, some of his toenails were painted (apparently by Ben Affleck).

At any rate, Heidi proved to have some good moves on the trampoline, and Jimmy did a pretty decent job of staying on. While it might not have been the most efficient way to conduct an interview (we learned that Victoria Beckham would be a celebrity judge for the Project Runway finale, but that was about it), it sure was a lot of fun to watch. It was short, but if they'd gone for much longer, I would imagine they would've been fairly out of breathe. I mean, when's the last time you were on a big trampoline? It's a workout!

And let me just say, Heidi gets more likable every time she hits a talk show. She's fun, she's goofy, and seems to get along well with everyone, and now that she jumped on a trampoline with Jimmy Kimmel, I think I have a girl crush.

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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. Hi Fitz. I have a question in regards to squats and lunges for working out. I am 29 years old and last year I was told that I had arthritis under my knee caps, so I should no longer do squats and lunges as part of my work outs. Is there a way to modify these exercises or something else that I can do that is just as effective? Thanks, Mindy

A. Hello Miss Mindy. Great question. Arthritis can be very frustrating, and I'm sorry you're having to deal with it! Squats and lunges are specifically stressful to a fragile knee, because they require you to place about 100% of your body weight on them while performing each exercise. Not a good idea when the knee is already sore.

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The few times I have had surgical procedures performed, I've probably driven the doctor nuts with my incessant questions and detailed queries about everything from anesthesia to tools used in the process.

Do I trust my doctor? Of course -- and he should not feel insulted by an informed patient asking questions. The moment a huge ego checks into the office is the moment when I find another doctor. Anyway, I'm not the only one who thinks you should ask plenty of questions before surgery --so does Dr. Clifford Ko.

Dr. Ko recognizes that every surgical procedure faces complications risks, but he encourages patients to always be informed about what's going on before a surgery happens and what the risks can be (in ascending order, I would posit). The American College of Surgeons says that some of the most serious problems seen during surgical procedures involve anesthesia reactions, severe bleeding, blood clots, risk of infection and even accidental injury.

Are you asking enough questions?

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Did you put a little too much garlic in your stirfry last night? Are you worried about bad breath? According to WebMD, brushing your tongue isn't the answer, and full-on scraping it won't help either -- drinking water and eating healthfully (as in, lots of fruits and veggies) just might do the trick though. And rinsing regularly with a special over-the-counter mouthwash will help too. Interesting.

Have another sensitive question about your, er, bodily functions that you don't want to ask? Check out this article from WebMD -- they've answered questions about excessive sweating, toe fungus, foot odor, unsightly body bumps, face grease, hand warts, female facial hair, stretch marks and much more.

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Are you the kind of person who always wears a full face of make-up everyday without fail because you'd feel naked without it? Or are you somone who just applies a little here or there to enhance certain features and cover little spots and shadows? Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who has fantastic skin and only ever applies lip balm with an occasional bit of mascara and blush for special occasion?

Whatever your particular make-up style is, it's important to have an idea of what it is you're putting on your face. But for those not in the know, it may be tough to tell what all of the big, technical words mean, or which stories you hear about make-up are fact and which are fiction.

If you've ever wondered what exactly it means for a product to be perfume-free or been puzzled about the difference between cosmetic and cosmeceutical, take a look at this piece which offers information from dermatologists on some basic cosmetic-related queries.

For example, did you know that natural and non-allergenic are not the same thing? According to the article, products that contain all natural ingredients may still irritate your skin. Watch out for anything containing chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea-tree oil as these may trigger a reaction. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to do a spot test on a small patch of skin before applying a new product all over your face. For even more info -- as well as the answers to the perfume-free and cosmetic vs cosmeceutical questions, take a look at the full piece here.

Has anyone else ever heard the rumor about the woman who died after rubbing too many perfume samples onto her skin? Turns out it is, unsurprisingly, just one of those persistent Internet hoaxes. Apparently there are a number of other cosmetic-related rumors going around, and this article sets out to debunk, or at least explain them.

To be honest, I haven't actually heard of many of the other myths listed but I can imagine they'd all be pretty troubling for those who were unsure if they were true. For instance, according to the piece, there is a rumor going around that sunscreen can cause blindness in children. I know if I were about to apply a new sunscreen to my kid's face I'd probably think twice before getting it anywhere near their eyes without getting more information first. The piece explains that, while there is no truth to this rumor, it is important to use caution when applying sunscreen to your child's face. As far as sprays or foams are concerned, it's best to put them to your hands first so you can better control how they are applied.

The piece also discusses whether there is really lead in lipstick and if there's any evidence that hair dye causes Alzheimer's, plus it offers a number of make-up tips and tricks to ensure that the products you're using aren't going to cause you any harm. Make-up can definitely be a great way to enhance your look or give you a confidence boost, but it's also important to know what to use, when to throw products out, how to keep things bacteria-free and more.

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There are all sorts of definitions of what's sexy (and when I say sexy, I mean sexy -- not sleazy). Whether you're down-to-earth, funny and easy to talk to, nice but with a naughty side or super confident and flirty, your personality will likely appeal to a range or guys.

Ever wonder if you're the 'Girl Next Door', the 'Seductress' or the "Vixen on the Prowl"? I found this fun quiz from Elle that lets you know where you fit on the sexy scale. Answers to questions about an idea first date, your favored bra and undie combo, your typical bedtime wear, the TV character who is most like you and favorite celeb style, help determine which of the aforementioned categories you fit into.

I ended up with the 'Girl Next Door' label, which I think is pretty accurate considering it's a fun and simple quiz. Why not give it a try and let us know what kind of sexy you are?

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Your doctor should be the last person you're embarrassed to talk to about health issues, including advice and help with losing weight, but that doesn't mean it always works that way. Some people actually find their doctor the hardest to approach about their weight, instead of the easiest. Maybe it's something about the guilt -- deep down I think we all want to get a good "grade" at our doctors visits and bringing up the fact that we're overweight feels like we're pointing out a mistake that otherwise might sneak by unnoticed (but believe me, your doctor notices, whether he/she says something or not).

So, if you feel you need to lose weight, make a goal for yourself that you'll ask at least one question of your doctor the next time you go. There are some good tips and pointers here if you need ideas, such as asking if they have any pamphlets or brochures in the office and having the doctor or one of the nurses take your measurements.

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