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Summer Workout Ideas - This Week on AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

running
It's time for picnics and barbecues, but it's also a great time of year to get out and be active. With AOL Health's "Best Summer Workouts" guide, you'll get tips for the perfect food and fitness pairings, so you can indulge in your favorite summer treats, guilt-free! One smart summer move? Beach volleyball. Just 45 minutes of sand play can blast away a single serving of regular ice cream.

JJ Gies Fights Through Pain to Make Fit Gains

That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation

thats fit club

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 have been giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! We are so grateful for their generous support and have been honored to partner up with them. We bid them farewell with great thanks, and are excited to introduce our new That's Fit Club sponsor. We welcome adidas to our club and are proud to announce they'll be providing awesome gym bags to each new featured member starting next week. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

jj giesName: JJ Gies

Age: 35 +

Occupation: Utility Player, part time student, teacher and customer service.

How often do you exercise? I used to train six days a week with one day of rest, but because of the tumor in my foot, I am limited to working out every other day.

What type of exercise do you do? Rollerblading, mountain biking and lifting weights. On a good day, I play beach volleyball.

What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? I just convince myself that no matter the pain or how I feel that the end results justify the means, Plus I know that after a workout i feel so much better all around.

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Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Engaged - Expect Superbabies Soon

Celebs & Entertainment

Gisele Bundchen and Tom BradyNFL star Tom Brady and his leading lady, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, have made it official -- the unbelievably attractive couple is engaged to be married. Brady proposed aboard a private jet on Christmas Eve, accompanied by four dozen white roses, champagne and Bundchen's parents who were visiting from Brazil. Could they be any cuter?

Here at That's Fit, we're fans of both Tom and Gisele already -- they're both so fit and healthy (and dreamy, of course). While Brady's athletic prowess is well-documented -- he is one of the best quarterbacks playing professional football, after all -- Bundchen's should be noted as well. She originally wanted to become a professional volleyball player in Brazil, and with her height and work ethic, she might've had a shot. You know, if the whole "highest earning supermodel" thing hadn't gotten in the way.

Who Else Would Have Fit, Famous Babies?(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Kerri Walsh and Casey JenningsMia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Misty May-Treanor and Matt TreanorKendra Wilkinson and Hank BaskettMadonna and A-Rod

Now, I'm not normally one to push a couple to have babies -- not by a long shot. However, I cannot wait to see how athletic their kids are going to be. I bet Gatorade, Nike and Oakley are already setting aside funds to scoop up Baby Bundchen-Brady's endorsement!

Update: The couple's families are denying the engagement. However, a spokesperson for Tom's team, the Patriots, says that while he doesn't think the engagement rumors are true, "Tom keeps his private life private." I'm still holding out hope for their genetically gifted offspring debuting soon!

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Kids Who Play Ball Keep Bones Healthy for 40 Years

Fitness

Enrolling your kids in sports can improve their self esteem, get them in shape and help them develop a life-long habit of being active. These are some very good reasons to get them on some sort of team, yes? But there's another good reason they should get on the playing field -- playing ball as a teen can help keep their bones healthy for up to 40 years.

According to recent studies, sports like basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer can help keep kids' bones strong well into old age, even if they don't keep the activity up. That's not to say they should give activity up as they age, but it goes to show that what you do in your teenage years can have lasting effects on your health.

So come spring, get your teenager active -- if you can, that is.

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Tony Romo and Will Smith Pep It Up for a Dallas High School

We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Celebs & Entertainment



The volleyball and football teams at Dallas' Lake Highlands High School got a major surprise at their pep rally on Tuesday -- Will Smith and Tony Romo showed up to give motivational speeches and meet privately with the teams and their cheerleaders.

The volleyball team was gearing up for the state championship while the football team was preparing for districts, and it sounds like both teams got some great inspiration. Smith passed on the advice he was given by Quincy Jones when first starting out in show business. He wanted to be the biggest movie star in the world, and Quincy told him he needed to be fearless -- willing to be hurt and held back -- and relentless, meaning he wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal.

Romo also had personal experience to draw upon, recalling how he had to overcome people telling him he couldn't make it as a free agent in football. He took it upon himself to improve the areas of his game that were lacking, and he doesn't limit that attitude to sports, saying anyone can make necessary improvements at any time in any aspect of life. He then led the school in a traditional Cowboys chant.

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A healthier Labor Day celebration

Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity).

When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:
  • When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
  • Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
  • Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
  • Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).

Alanis Morissette watching her body unfold

Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation


Alanis Morissette seems like the real deal to me. Just listen to one of her songs, and you'll realize the girl is brutally honest about her emotions, which makes me totally believe her when she claims she is enjoying watching her body age. Forget the Fountain of Youth. Morissette, 34, is embracing her body's transformation.

"I'm fascinated by aging and how a woman's body changes," the singer says. "I don't want to spend the next 50 years of my life trying to hide those changes. There's something very relaxing about watching it unfold instead of fighting it the whole way."

This isn't to say Morissette doesn't pay attention to health -- she's recently completed a triathlon and names cross-training, kickboxing, dance, basketball, and volleyball as her favorite fitness activities. She's just not consumed with the natural and inevitable evolution of her aging body. We should all follow her lead, don't you think?

Alanis Morissette(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Alanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis MorissetteAlanis Morissette

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Forbes' best shoes for your sport

Fitness, Reviews & Products

Best Shoes for Your Sport(click thumbnails to view gallery)

For the Jill of all TradesMarathon runnerFitness runningTennisTrail running


Forbes published some tips for choosing the best sneakers for your sport, and to be honest, I found it a bit lacking. They covered a lot of running and outdoor sports, but some of the sports for which shoes are really important (like volleyball and basketball) were totally left off.

I did a little research and added what sounded like the best shoes for those sports. However, it's important to remember your sport-specific needs when shopping for a shoe. If you will be making quick, side-to-side movements, you'll need different support than you would for running a marathon. If you really don't know what you need, try to find a store that specializes in your sport and ask for help. The right shoes might not make you a better athlete, but they will make your sport more enjoyable.

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What to wear: Beach volleyball

Fitness, Reviews & Products

To start this off, let me clarify that I'm not talking about bumping around an inflatable ball with the cute boys (or girls) you saw down the beach. I'm talking about serious, score-keeping, diving into the sand volleyball, with points and rules and everything.

Whether you're opting to play in your first tournament or you're meeting up with some serious players for the first time, you want to make sure you're properly attired. In no way does that mean you need to go out and buy the same bathing suit that Kerri Walsh or Mike Lambert wear, but there are certain items that will make you a little more comfortable:

What to Wear: Beach Volleyball(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Board shortsA top that stays in placeComfortable bikini bottomsSee the importance of bottoms?Karch Kiraly

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Teach kids sports by letting them teach you

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

I've spent many, many hours coaching youth sports -- girls' volleyball and basketball, mainly -- so I'm pretty sure I'll forever keep my ears perked up for ideas on how to help kids learn about sports. A recent article in The Newark Advocate had just that -- teach kids to love sports by letting them tell you how to play.

Think about it -- kids love to play because it allows them to be creative. If you're trying to teach your daughter to play basketball, by all means teach her the basics of shooting, passing, and dribbling, but let her use her imagination to create new ways to play the game.

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Fit Factor: Teaming up

Many people who establish fitness routines do it alone, and that's very commendable. But let's face it -- sometimes exercising alone can be a drag. Not only do you not have anyone to commiserate with and share your triumphs with, but when you're going at it alone, you have no one to be accountable too and unless your ultra-motivated, that can lead to laziness sometimes. Team sports are a great way to get active and not only that, but you'll meet new friends and have lots of fun in the meantime. Here's a list of some fun team sports. Ask around and you'll probably find a league you can join in you're area.
  • Dragon boating: Dragon boating has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and most cities have an annual dragon boat festival in the summer. Dragon boating teams consist of 22 people, 20 of whom are responsible for rowing the team to victory, and while you might think you can slack off because there are so many people, think again. Dragon boating is hard work, and can burn up to 800 calories an hour. I first heard about it from a family friend who participates in races regularly. She is in her 70s and a cancer survivor, so I think that if she can do it, you can too.

Gabby Reece is superwoman, even while pregnant

Celebrities and Entertainment, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

gabrielle reeceIn a lineup of people who loooove Gabrielle Reece, I probably stand somewhere just behind her husband Laird and her kids. She's an amazing athlete, hotter than the sun, and she gives straight-up fitness advice without pulling punches. As Parentdish reports, at five months pregnant she still manages to stay on the pro volleyball circuit and put in time as a Today show correspondent. Her mortal hubby says, "She's feeling good, training hard, working out like an animal."

Normally I might kinda resent women who can do it all while pregnant, but she's so fierce and, well, hot, I can't help but adore her even more. Why do I get the feeling she could deliver her baby on the volleyball court and still find a way to fit in a workout? Go Gabby, go!

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Combining sports and mingling

Fitness, Motivation

Let's say your new to town and you don't know many people. But you want to make friends. What do you do? Head to the nearest bar and hope someone will strike up a conversation? Nah ... why don't you join a sports rec league? I saw this company being advertised on local TV this morning, and I think it's a great idea -- a way to meet people through team sports. Choose from beach volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, soccer, slow pitch, ultimate, floor hockey or football -- and there's only one rule: have fun!

I'm not one for team sports usually, but if the fun comes first, I think I can handle something like this. How about you?

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More awesome outdoor activities

Fitness

A little while ago, I did this post on some outdoor activities for the summer that will blast calories and provide hours of entertainment at the same time. I just discovered this eDiet's article that lists some other great outdoor activities, namely Whitewater rafting, frisbee, swinging (at the playground, not another type of swinging), gardening and more. I think it's a great list -- they're all things that you can easily work in to your routine, and as I look out at the gloomy spring showers, I can't wait to get out and about. Whitewater rafting is a favourite summer activity of mine -- it's thrilling, refreshing and a really good workout if you're tackling some serious rapids and not just floating down a river.

What other activities can you think of?

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Fit Factor: Volleying for fun and fitness

Some people don't mind, or even like solitary activity, and are great at getting themselves in gear and finding the motivation to go for a run or a hike or a swim by themselves. Others need a social aspect to activity, maybe even a competitive component. If you're the latter, you may want to look into a team sport. My favourite? Volleyball. I even had a stint on my eighth grade volleyball team, though I think that was a fluke because I'm not actually very good. But I have fun spiking and serving and volleying, and that's what counts, right?

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