Be inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories. Then motivate others by submitting your own. Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by sending us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Name: Ali Shipp

Age: 29

Height: 5 feet, 6 inches

Before weight: 245

How I gained it: My mom was a single mother when I was young. She worked a lot, so it was up to my sisters and me to make our meals. There was no structure, so I never learned about portion control or how to make a balanced meal. I ate tons of pasta, potatoes and bread -- huge portions of them at almost every meal.

During the summer when I was out of school, I had the whole day to myself, and I would cook so I'd have something to do. I'd make huge breakfasts -- with potatoes and pancakes -- and then big lunches and dinners, too. I ate out of boredom and for comfort.

I rarely dieted, but I did try exercising when I got a little older. I would workout to Jane Fonda videotapes, and I'd lose maybe nine or 10 pounds. My clothes would fit a little better, but there was never lasting change. I just never had the determination to really get to it and transform myself.

Breaking Point: I became a flight flight attendant in 2004 and had the opportunity to observe a lot of different people. I began to notice differences in the way people interacted with each other. Thin people seemed like they were heard more and acknowledged. Heavier people, I noticed, had to talk louder or be very animated or boisterous to be heard. I didn't want to have to try that hard to be heard or overcompensate just because I was overweight, so I decided to make some real changes in my life.

"Is she really a she?" We all remember how that question was widely debated after South African runner, Caster Semenya, won the gold in the women's 800-meters at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August. The rumors that started because some thought the athlete looked -- and ran, more like a man, subsequently put the gold medal in jeopardy. But Semenya's native sports ministry just announced that, yes indeed, she will be able to keep the medal.

In a statement on their web site, the South African Ministry of Sports and Recreation stated, "Because Caster has been found to be innocent of any wrong, she will retain her gold medal, retain her title of 800m World Champion and retain her prize money."

The ministry asked people to respect their decision. "We have also agreed with the IAAF that whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor. As such there will be no public announcement of what the panel of scientists has found. We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things."

Photo: Getty Images

Did you just train for -- and compete in -- your first 5K, 10K, marathon, triathlon or other fitness feat? We want to share your story with the world! Let us know why you decided to train, how you did it and what it felt like to cross that (mental or physical) finish line. Send us an e-mail at successstories [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

Michael Wardian is what you'd call a mega-marathoner, running an average of 50 grueling races a year, ranging from the typical 26.2-miler to a 150-mile ultra-marathon in the desert. Though he's won the JFK 50-miler, and the Washington, D.C. marathon three times and holds the world record for fastest marathon on a treadmill. On November 22, he'll be competing for a title he regards as especially important -- world's fastest marathon with a jogging stroller.

Wardian, 35, currently holds the record. He achieved it in 2007 at the Frederick Marathon in Maryland with his then nine-month-old son Pierce in tow, at a time of 2:42:21. But now, with the addition of Wardian's second son -- 11-month-old Grant (pictured with his dad) -- the marathoner thought it was only fair to go after the record again. "We didn't want it to be something one child had and not the other," he said.

If you're looking for a beginner- to intermediate-level treadmill that is fairly inexpensive and fit for running or walking, a Proform treadmill might be a good choice. They are one of the most popular and best-selling brands, and they offer a comprehensive range of models for buyers to choose from.

Most Proform treadmills come with QuickSpeed and QuickIncline control, which allows the walker or runner to adjust the speed and incline with the touch of one button. They also offer different levels of cushioning beneath the running surface to help absorb some of the shock to protect your knees and other joints.

Many of the treadmills feature built-in pulse monitors, fans and an interactive workout disc that controls the speed and incline while a person's voice encourages you.

Because Proform treadmills are low-priced, they don't offer all of the benefits found in more expensive models. Some drawbacks include a smaller running surface than in other machines and a louder motor. Additionally, Proform treadmills come with a 90-day warranty whereas other exercise equipment might have a lifetime warranty.

Prices for Proform treadmills range from $599 to $1,699, and they are available through the Internet or most major sporting goods stores.

Once you have your machine, try some of these fat-burning treadmill workouts.

Not sure the Proform treadmill is for you? Check out the Proform Elliptical buyer's guide and other elliptical machines.

Running skirts are rising in popularity faster than teenagers' hemlines, and for good reason. They're comfortable, flattering and, generally speaking, quite functional with handy pockets.

There's just one problem -- once winter rolls around, bare legs aren't exactly ideal. Even if you're heading to an indoor workout, the few minutes it takes you to go from the car to the gym in the freezing temperatures can do a number on your muscles. But what if your skirt -- your favorite, comfy running skirt -- had legs?

SkirtSports offer just that in their ToughGirl Skirt ($90), and it comes in a variety of colors -- the "Hot Legs" version even has a fun print on the leg. You get all the benefits of yoga pants or leggings, but there's nothing skin-tight to your bum. Now, that's a design I can get behind! As far as functionality goes, the ToughGirl Skirt has two hidden pockets as well as a SonicMusic Port for your headphones.

Is it true that three minutes of jumping rope is equivalent to 15 minutes of jogging? - Samantha Janes, New York City

I've gotten this question a lot over the years and I don't know where it comes from. The short answer is no, this is not true.

While both have the potential of being good cardio workouts, most people can't jump rope continuously for more than a few minutes. Jumping rope definitely works more muscles than jogging but the trade off is that it's even higher impact than running -- which itself is a fairly high impact activity. Skipping rope burns about 10 calories per minute whereas a moderately paced jog burns about 13. You can churn up as many as 18 calories per minute jumping rope but few people have the skill or stamina to last very long at that intensity.

Traditionally, pedometers are small recording devices that you attach to your waist -- or even your shoes -- to track the number of steps you've taken, the calories you've burned walking and the distance (in kilometers or miles) you've traveled. Now, thanks to Google, you can monitor your workout online, without wearing -- or buying -- a physical pedometer. Similar to the virtual pedometer Map My Run, with Gmap pedometers, you map out your exercise routine on a Google map.

That's right, using Gmap pedometers means you don't actually need to wear a pedometer to know how long you've walked or how many steps you've taken.

A marathon runner created the Gmap pedometer to assist with training, which might be why the tool is so easy to use. Runners, walkers or cyclists can enter their zip code and zoom into street level. Next, they can plot their workout route -- whether they want to travel in a big, looping circle or a simple out-and-back course.

Unlike other online tools, Gmap pedometer can report your distance traveled, calories burned and elevation differences.

If you find a route that you love, you can save it to use again or you can print your map and take it with you. Those who might be on long runs can leave printouts for their family members so that they know where to find them if they're not back by an appointed time.

If you're not feeling the high-tech Gmap pedometers, you can stick to the basic waist or shoe pedometer that are slipped on your waist (or shoe) and track each step. Shoe pedometers are a little more accurate than traditional pedometers and can track basketball jumps or jumping rope.

Of course Gmap pedometers are not the first online health calculators; but, if you choose to use one, the key is finding the right one you'll use regularly.

Do you want to amp up your exercise routine and monitor your progress? Studies have shown that pedometers are effective in increasing your workout productivity.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

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Lace up your running shoes and get ready to celebrate -- Sunday, November 8 is World Run Day 2009!

World Run Day was conceptualized in 1999 by veteran runner Bill McDermott, who told Active.com, "The idea was an international day of charity, built around running. I thought if we could just focus on one day, wouldn't that be great for all of us?" The first actual World Run Day was the following year, and after September 11, 2001, McDermott refocused his energy into the holiday to make it something people all over the world could take part in.

The idea of World Run Day is that, rather than having to run in a specific organized event to raise money for a cause, people can raise money and just go out for a run on their own. If you'd like to participate in a group event, Active.com has a list of World Run Day events near you.

A day just for running and helping charity that doesn't romanticize a marathon? Nobody can object to that!

More than 40,000 people will run the ING New York City Marathon this Sunday. Among them will be working mothers chosen to represent all five of New York City's boroughs in the 2009 Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Team. The women, some running the marathon for the first time, all have unique stories, but share the bonds of being fit, working mothers balancing all the demands that come with those roles. The team of five was also joined recently by another woman, Beth Segaloff, who recently lost her fiancé, Captain Ben Sklarver, just three weeks ago when he was deployed in Afghanistan. The women will run together for the first 13 miles, and then anyone can break away for the second half. The woman with the best time will win a trophy, and bragging rights. But none of these women are part of this team to brag. Instead, they find peace, motivation and solace in their commitment to running. That's Fit recently met the team, along with mom and marathon Olympian, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, to find out how, and why, they have made running such a critical part of their lives.

Walking is one of the simplest exercises out there because most of us do it every day. Starting a walking program is just like beginning any other exercise program.

The amount of calories burned while walking can vary greatly, depending several factors. The amount of time you walk, how fast you go, what shape you're in and even where you walk can make a big difference in the calories you burn. For instance, a 150-pound person who walks slowly on a firm surface for half and hour will burn about 85 calories, whereas a 200-pound person on a cross-country hike will burn 273 calories in the same amount of time. Calorie calculators can help you determine how many calories you're burning.

When it comes to upping your calorie burn, remember to keep your pace up: Walking can burn as many calories as running if you work hard enough. And, don't shy away from hills. They might leave you breathless but you'll burn mega calories in the process. Finally? Head off the beaten path. Hitting the trails on a nature walk burn more calories than city-walking does.

Why should you care about how many calories you burn? Burning more calories shaves inches off your waistline and is crucial for your overall health and well-being.

I live in Florida, so I can usually wear my running shorts and tanks year-round. But, last week I was in Michigan, where I took a jog on a beautiful 45-degree fall day. And I promptly froze my butt off.

Now, those of you who live in seasonal areas know that it's going to get a whole lot cooler than 45 degrees, and before long, it's going to take more than full pants and a long-sleeved shirt to keep you warm when you go running. Fortunately, there are lots of cold weather options that will keep you comfortable without making you look like the abominable snowman. Runner's World has a slew of suggestions, and I have a few additions to make.

Let's start at the top. If you don't keep your head warm, good luck keeping the rest of your body warm. One stylish option is the Sugoi Kana Tuke, a hat that has fleece on the inside and a perfect amount of stretch within (plus, flowers!). If you can't wrap your head around wearing a hat while running, keep your ears toasty with the Athleta Polartec Power Stretch Headband -- it even has a ponytail hole in the back!

I like to Spin, but the bike saddle hurts my tender bits after 15 minutes -- even with padded bike shorts. I love to run, but my knees start complaining after 20 minutes. And I need to work my abs more often, but even a fitness pro like me finds a million excuses to skip my boring crunch routine. Finally, someone put all of these moves together to create the most high-energy, fat-busting workout I've performed in months. And don't even think about blowing off the crunches since former Marine Raphael Verela, founder of Circuit Works, may get in your face for slacking off.

Verela, owner of the über-popular Circuit Works Studio in Venice Beach, Calif., launched this personal training nook especially for folks like me who get bored easily and want to mix it up but need a little extra oomph. "I wanted to create a way to make Spinning more exciting and relevant for people looking to lose weight and tone up their midsection," Verela says. He says he also wanted to construct "the ultimate cardio workout where you firm up your abs, and focus on the areas most susceptible to fat deposits, the butt, hips, and thighs." Mission: Accomplished!