That's Fit

I've lost some weight so all of my summer clothes from last year are super baggy on me. So last week I went on a bit of a shopping binge. I ordered t-shirts, capris, and pretty much every other item of summer clothing you can imagine. I'll tell you what -- there's nothing like trying on summer clothing to remind you of all the areas you need to get toned up. Parts and places that look just fine in my winter sweaters sing a whole different tune when only covered by a tiny summery top!

If you're looking to tone up for summer, AOL Body has plenty of great tips for you. Their shoulder exercises are sure to get your upper body looking great in swim suits, tank tops, and tees.

• Shoulder press. Sit on a chair with good back support. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and place your feet hip-width apart. Bend your elbows and raise the dumbbells up until they're level with your ears. Raise arms up over your head without locking your elbows. Lower. Repeat.
• Lateral raise. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms down at your sides. Raise arms out to the side until they're shoulder-height. Lower and repeat.
  
• Front raise. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms down at your sides. Raise your right arm straight in front of you. Lower and alternate with the other arm.
  
• Shrugs. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms down at your sides. Keeping your arms straight, raise your shoulders to your ears. Lower and repeat.
  

Be sure to click over to AOL Body for further description and images of each exercise.

For those of you who may be serious lifters -- or, for those of you who may seriously be thinking about lifting -- I have a very short, albeit vital, piece of advice for you: Protect Your Rotator Cuff.

Without getting too clinical about it, the rotator cuff isn't an actual part of the body, per se; it's more of a term given to a group of muscles and tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. Knowing what the rotator cuff happens to be is one thing, but injuring it is something altogether different. A tear or impingement (or both) can cause a great deal of pain, not to mention permanent injury in some cases. Being someone who has injured his rotator cuff while lifting weights, I can personally attest to the pain and discomfort this nagging injury can inflict.

To that end, I implore you to strengthen your rotator cuff by performing a few very simple exercises: the side-lying external rotation, the propped external rotator, and the lateral raise with internal rotation. Perform each with very, very light weight and do so delicately and with perfect form. They may not seem like they are actually doing anything while you do the exercises, but trust me, they are.

For a better description of how to perform each of the above listed rotator cuff exercises, click here.

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Anthony Field of The Wiggles was not someone I'd imagine would change my own personal level of fitness. He's a Wiggle. In fact, all of my personal training clients half-lovingly refer to him as "Damn Wiggle". Why? Because ever since I met the hot looking boy in blue, they've all been stuck doing lots and lots of pull-ups. They're all infinitely stronger with way better abs as well. I too, am fierce on the bar. Thanks Anthony!

And just FYI. Before Anthony began training like this he was a bunch heavier. Still handsome, but there was certainly much more of him. The part 2 video I'll be posting next week will simply make you drool. The boy looks wicked in his tight Under Armour shirt. Want to look that hot too? Take a looksy at this!

A few years ago, I helped my (female) friend move. Moving is one of those jobs that tends to be delegated to men by default, but I figured we could handle it. After all, we're a couple of strong, independent chicks. And the whole thing went pretty smoothly -- until it came time to life the large TV onto the high dresser. I could not lift it above my head, no matter what. The lack of strength I had in my shoulders was painfully evident.

Shoulders are an oft forgotten part of the body, but they're just as important as the bigger muscle groups--working on them will not only increase your strength but help prevent injury too. Here are some exercises that will tone your shoulders, making them sleek, sexy and best of all, strong:

If you feel a little pain, tension, or pull on your shoulder, take a look inside your purse. What you've got crammed in there may be weighing you down.

A heavy bag can cause pain in your neck, tingling in your fingers, even headaches, says family practitioner Jane Sadler of the Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas. Sadler recommends carrying bags no heavier than three pounds and definitely no more than 10 percent of your body weight. For those wishing to lighten up a bit, Sadler offers these tips:

• Clean out your wallet. Only carry credit cards, papers, and store cards you'll need that day.

• Stash a duplicate make-up bag at the office and in your gym locker and remove the one you've got stashed in your purse.

• Keep your cell phone or PDA in a pocket.

• Wear bags with the strap-messenger style (across the body).

• Alternate shoulders.

• Watch your posture. Slumping adds to the strain.