That's Fit

Any idea what sport is riskiest for girls? Gymnastics it is -- it has the highest injury rate of all girls' sports, says the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP). For both boys and girls, injuries come most often from stick sports, like field hockey and lacrosse.

Don't pull your kids from these sports or refrain from signing them up in light of this news. Just follow these safety tips shared by Dawn Comstock, professor at the CIRP and Ohio State University, for Woman's Day magazine (September 1, 2008).

• Ask how many years the coaches have been working with the sport, if they're certified, and if they have first aid training.
• Ask coaches if they teach fundamentals before letting kids compete.
• If you child is small, consider enrolling in a size-based league.
• Don't let your child practice sports like gymnastics at home, where conditions may be unsafe.

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

My guests this week are a bit dear to my heart, as they share the same passion for fighting as I do. Doug Anderson, a highly decorated Iraqi war veteran from New Jersey traveled across the world with Jimmy Smith, a young Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. Their journey had them test their skills against locals and various fighting styles, often styles they had never seen before. Always exciting, often painful, and always real....the Discovery Channel's Fight Quest stars went on an adventure of a lifetime and returned home with bruises and scars to show for it.

Fitz: Most folks dread the thought of even verbal confrontation. You guys volunteered to go fight a bunch of unknowns from around the world, many of which were yielding weapons you didn't know how to use! What scares you?

Doug: I was shot at in Iraq and had bombs explode 100 yards from me while there. None of that stuff ever scared me. But fighting like we did on this show was different. In Iraq I was part of a team; on Fight Quest I was alone. If I failed.....the onus was on me. I was always most nervous right before each fight, but I'd lose those nerves as soon as I got hit. It made me want to go running face-first into the other guys fist. Just to get it over with!

Jimmy: What scares me is not putting my best foot forward. It's OK to lose to someone better than me, but I hated the idea of losing to someone because I was fatigued or didn't put forth my best effort. As far as nerves go, you can't kill what's inside you. It's best to use those nerves to make you react; make you sharper.

It's about motivation, and the fact that it's really hard to get (or stay) excited about something when you don't have tangible results for your efforts. Martha Beck,PhD seems to think that 4 days is the magic amount of time needed to start successfully on a weight loss plan. She says it's not so long (like a week) that it's too hard to stick to it, but it's just long enough to start seeing the results of your labors -- which will in turn inspire the motivation needed to continue.

I haven't read her book on this subject, The Four Day Win, but in reading what she has to say about the basic principles it makes perfect sense. Some of it is based on setting realistic and specific goals, planning out rewards, and even writing out and signing a contract. These are all things I've heard of before, and throwing in a "baby steps" idea sounds like a good plan to me.

Just thought I'd share one of the cutest things that happen in my house. My husband has confiscated and is now in posession of my deodorant. Of course, he may get even with me for telling you this, but he uses my Lady Speed Stick and it works well. In fact, the reason he uses it is due to the men's deodorant creating a weird chemical reaction with his body. The 'guy stuff' would leave odd stains on his shirts and create funky odors.

What makes it all so great is that he's this big perfectly muscular and athletic guy who is a police officer. He's totally all the manly guy things in the world, but his armpits smell like strawberries and I think it's adorable. More importantly, the deodorant works and that's how this is all relevant to you. I buy the Lady Speed Stick clear drying deodorant in strawberry and it's awesome.

I spend all day in the gym and after he runs seven miles and lifts weights (then showers), Rob spends all day in a bullet proof vest. From what I've been told we don't smell half bad. The clear drying stuff is terrific because I wear a ton of tank tops and the last thing I'd want is yucky white stains on my shirts. Lady Speed Stick seem to cost less than the other deodorants on the shelf and it also comes in Cool Coconut, Berry Blossum and Pink Crush. The scents are fun, so give em a try. You can smell fruity instead of smelly too.

If you've recently bought a new health club membership, but are now terrified to go, rest at ease. Health clubs are the perfect place for both beginners and experts and usually have the staff to guide you from one level to the next. You spent the dough, now take control of your life and use that gym! Stop playing mind games with yourself and follow these 10 exercise commandments.

1. I will be impressed with everyone who walks through the front door of my health club. After all, they came here to improve themselves. I will understand that everyone is equally impressed with me.

2. I will utilize the health club staff for a first day introduction to the gym. I will take notes as they explain how to use each machine.

3. I will purchase three exercise outfits, which I feel comfortable in. That way, I will never feel self-conscious about whether or not I look good.

I don' t know what the exact number is, but I do know that the vast majority of weight loss and fitness related New Year's resolutions have already ended in failure. And it isn't even February yet, how sad! Truth is that even though many people are good at supporting and motivating their friends and family, they suck at helping themselves. If you are your own worst enemy when it comes to keeping yourself on track, then maybe you just need to learn how to be kinder to yourself and focus some of that caregiver energy inward. This article has 10 tips that seem to share the theme of developing positive habits and coping methods -- like signing an actual pledge to yourself that you'll reach your goal, and calling on your own personal "911 squad" whenever you're about to do something self-destructive.

In theory, losing weight and getting fit should be one of the easiest things in the world for anybody to do: by eating less and exercising more. But something hangs us all up and makes it one of the hardest things instead. Just think, though, how successful you could be if you could only learn to conquer your own inner demons.