That's Fit

When I worked in an office, I was that girl who pushed her swivel chair away in favor of sitting on an exercise ball. To be honest, I don't know that I noticed a huge difference, but I actually found it to be really comfy and kind of fun. The only problem was when I'd get up from my desk -- it would roll away and get in the way, which is totally embarrassing if you're talking to a customer. Trust me.

Gaiam has come up with a solution -- the BalanceBall Chair, which, according to their website, "combines exercise and fitness with comfort and ergonomic support for an affordable price." At $99, it is pretty affordable, especially when you consider the fact that you'll get use out of it every day at work!

But how does it improve your fitness level? Well, for one thing, just sitting on a ball, rather than a flat seat, engages your core. Holding yourself straight requires all of the muscles through your core to remain active, whereas with a comfy seat, you might be inclined to slouch down. But that's not all.

You might think strapping a tight seat belt over a growing pregnant belly can harm an unborn baby. But not buckling up is what harms fetuses, says a newly-released University of Michigan study concluding that pregnant women who wear seat belts significantly reduce the risk that their babies will die or be seriously hurt in a vehicle crash.

Study findings, published on Wednesday, reveal that the lives of 200 of the roughly 370 fetuses killed each year in U.S. vehicle crashes would be spared if all pregnant women wore seat belts.

"Seat belts absolutely protect the fetus -- and not wearing a belt is a big problem," says study lead Dr. Mark Pearlman. "Every single time they get in a motor vehicle, pregnant women should wear their seat belts without question -- every single time."

It's simple: Seat belts protect moms. And they protect babies, says Pearlman who offers these tips for proper pregnant buckling.

• The lap strap should be placed under the belly as much as possible, across the hips.
  
  

• The shoulder strap should be placed between the breasts, to the side of the belly.
  
  

• Seat belt straps should not go directly across the stomach but should be below the belly button as low they can comfortably go.
  
  

• The seat belt should be snug, not loose.
  
  

Pearlman's study also showed no evidence that air bags are harmful to fetuses. He therefore does not recommend disabling them.

Want to get a leg up on healthier airplane travel? It's not a bad idea, given the threat of dangerous blood clots -- also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- that comes from extended periods of time spent sitting.

The longer you're airborne and the more you fly in short time frames, the greater your risk for DVT. Fortunately, there's something you can do to prevent this serious condition from striking: Exercise.

Exercising right in your airplane seat will keep your blood circulating properly. Northwest Airlines recommends a whole list of exercises -- ankle turns, knee lifts, shoulder circles, knee bends and more -- and you can access them right here. Take a peek, jot them down, and pack them in your carry-on bag. They'll surely come in handy next time you fly the friendly skies.

Think of nutrition as the seat on a three-legged stool, with the legs representing proper sleep, activity, and playtime.

Sleep: Doctors recommend at least seven to eight hours per night. Activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Playtime: This leg should take up at least 10 minutes per day and might include talking on the phone with a friend who makes you laugh, relaxing, or praying. In addition, try to achieve a two-hour stretch of uninterrupted fun each week to keep your batteries charged.

Got a mental picture of that stool? Good. Now here are some tips for maintaining the strength of the seat.

First, keep away from two big health drains: alcohol and tobacco. As little as one to two drinks per day can cause health problems. And smoking in any amount interferes with the amount of oxygen reaching your brain and increases the risk of a whole host of diseases.

Next, make sure you eat at least every four to five hours while awake. And make sure you're getting enough calories too. Energy in its most basic form is calories. Cutting calories halts our chances of functioning optimally. Taking in more calories may mean slightly slower weight loss, but it feels better and is easier to maintain.

Then, balance your plate. Try to include a palm-size portion of protein-rich food at most meals. Make it chicken, fish, lean meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, beans, nuts, or seeds and you'll be on the right track. Add another palm-size portion of a starchy food, such as bread, rice, potatoes, or corn. High-fiber choices, such as whole wheat, brown rice, and sweet potatoes with skin, are better than refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sugary treats. Fill the rest of your plate with colorful vegetables and fruit.

A few final tips: Avoid over-salting food and don't overeat -- try to stop eating when you feel about 80 percent full and in 20 minutes, you're likely to feel 100 percent full. Stay hydrated, ask your doctor about taking a standard multivitamin, and remember that in the long run, eating well is critical to sustained energy and overall health.

Free of seat belt extenders that is! I've been training this amazing gentleman Jody since December 23, 2006. The day Jody arrived at my gym he weighed 316 pounds, and just the week prior he tipped the scales at 320. At 59 years old he was ready to drop down to 200 pounds and get his life back; I was eager to help him take it.

Jody signed up to train with me seven mornings a week. He's a real guy with real goals. He's not looking for 'ripped abs' or a chisel chest; he just wants to function in the world without complication and enjoy the regular things most take for granted. Flying without the humiliation of asking for seat belt extenders is one of them.

Jody has done a combination of walking, kickboxing on the heavy bag, strength training, and just recently we've added rebounding. He's shown up almost every day since and has worked like a dog. Gritting his teeth, huffing and puffing, cursing on occasion, and doing everything I ask him to do. More importantly he's been responsible on the 23 hours of each day that he does not spend with me. He's changed his eating habits dramatically, curbed drinking at the many social events he's invited to, and utilized fantastic will power over the holidays.