I'm sick of classic lunges and squats, what else can I do for my legs?

I've decided to break this up into two responses. This week, we'll tackle the lunge portion and next week the squats. That being said, instead of just throwing out either of these exercises, why not try adding some variety to these traditional movements? There are many different forms of the lunge, such as the reverse lunge, lateral lunge, walking lunge, skater's lunge, etc.

In addition, you can also utilize a slide board, especially with the reverse or lateral versions in order to add a different stimulus to the movement pattern. If you don't have a slide board, you can place a small hand towel under your sneaker and perform them on a wood floor.

The Exercise Prescription: Perform three sets of 10-12 reps per side. Make sure you take three seconds to lower yourself, pause slightly in the bottom position and then take one second to return to the start position. Perform all reps on one side and then switch legs.

Here's how to do the moves:

Photo: New York Sports Club

One of the more colorful emails to appear in my inbox this month was a compendium of Thanksgiving-themed exercises, courtesy of New York Sports Club (a subset of the Town Sports International gym chain). Assembled by Master Trainer Amy Hoff, the collection promised to "help even the most overindulgent combat the year's biggest holiday meal." Sure, I'll take that.

The team at NYSC had actually taken time to connect the calorie burn of each exercise to a serving of a particular Thanksgiving food. In other words, according to their research, a set of "Jiggle Buster Jumps" could work off two slices of turkey (100 calories a slice). Three sets of "Pumpkin Pie Push Ups" might burn off not (as I'd first assumed) a slice of pie, but rather a half cup of stuffing (250 calories). The pie business (350 calories), it turns out, promises to be taken care of with three sets "Second Serving Squats." Should I want to wind things down with a glass of wine (95 calories), I'd be in for three sets of "Football Runs."

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit I didn't actually eat the foods in question on the day I tested these, but I ate a whole lot of other bad-for-me things. In other words, the will was definitely there.

Are you proud of your recent weight loss success? Or have the hours you've logged in at the gym paid off with toned tummy? Whether you've lost 50 pounds or five pounds, we want you to share the results of your commitment to being healthier. Upload your photos yourself feeling fit and happy, and you could be featured in our new daily gallery.

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like to be featured on That's Fit, upload photos of yourself into the That'sFit Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.

A ProForm elliptical machine might be perfect if you're looking for an impact-free cardiovascular workout. The cross-training machine is known for its pedals that have comfortable foot placement to keep your legs in constant motion. You'll also get an upper-body workout from the back-and-forth motion of the arm handles.

Although there are a few different models such as the 850 SpaceSaver, the iSeries 785F and the Crosswalk 8.0, they all fall within the same category of ProForm ellipticals.

The 850 SpaceSaver Proform Elliptical has a variety of workouts ranging from six personal trainer workouts to two heartrate workouts. Resistance and stride length can be altered to provide a slightly different workout. On this particular machine there are 10 different intensity levels to ramp up that heartrate. This particular model may be folded into storage when you're not using it, making it a great option for those without a lot of space.

The iSeries785F Proform elliptical has 14 personal trainer workouts and six weight-loss workouts. By changing the power intensity ramp, you can target your glutes, quads and calves. There is also a built-in compatible music port for iPods.

The ProForm Crosswalk 8.0 takes up half the space of the standard elliptical and has 20 built-in workouts to keep you entertained.

Prices range from approximately $599 to $999 for a new ProForm elliptical machine. These elliptical machines have been rated as light duty machines for the casual user.

Don't think you can stay motivated to workout on your own? Check out our weight-loss success stories.

If you're trying to create the perfect home gym, check out our information on Proform treadmills and other elliptical machines.

Good news, busy people: 15 minutes is enough time for an effective workout.

If you haven't already seen the infamously hilarious Shake Weight commercials (check it out below), or seen celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Queen Latifah poking fun at the weight-lifting product, we'll clue you in. The Shake Weight for women is an "As Seen on TV" 2.5-pound dumbbell-like product with spring-action that supposedly targets your biceps, triceps, shoulders and chest, and claims you'll only need to work out six minutes a day to get the full muscle-toning benefits.

The men's commercial, seemingly aimed at wannabe bodybuilders, asks, "Would you like to get your arms ripped? Your shoulders pumped and your chest sculpted ... Do you hate working out for hours at the gym with big, bulky equipment, or boring, slow dumbbells?"

The Shake Weight for women commercial, meanwhile, is aimed at fans of Michelle Obama's arms. "Work out your entire upper body in just six minutes a day," the ad touts. "You'll get arms you'll be proud to show off. Feel free to go sleeveless."

The commercials go on to explain these claims are possible because of "dynamic inertia." The manufacturers assert that if men use the Shake Weight for just one minute it's equivalent to doing 240 repetitions of regular weight-lifting. For women, the commercial explains, "Scientific studies at a prestigious University prove that the Shake Weight increases upper-body muscle activity by 300 percent compared to traditional weights." All that for a price tag of $19.95 (plus shipping) for the ladies' version or $29.95 (plus shipping) for guys.

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Overwhelmed by all of the "Follow Friday" recommendations on Twitter? Each week AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit search the Twittersphere for the greatest diet and fitness Twitterers, and each week, we'll highlight the best-of their best tweets (no Twits here). Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

Most people tend to assume that the best time to work out is early in the morning. But as any busy person will know, exercising in the early hours isn't always possible. Over at CafeMom, they're talking about exercising in the evening -- because a workout in the evening is still a workout, and it's better than no workout at all. Plus, a gentle workout like Pilates can help you unwind before bed.

And, as it happens, the evening is actually a great time to exercise. So tell us, when do you work out? Are you an AM exerciser or do you wait until the evening to get your fitness routine in?

Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.

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Hitting the gym, getting your workout on, or sweating it out are all great in theory. But while our minds and fitness conscience tell us to head for the nearest treadmill, the little devil on our shoulders may have something less strenuous in mind. We turned to Twitter to find out your favorite ditch-the-gym excuses.

A kettlebell workout is done with a kettlebell or traditional Russian weight used for strength training. The kettlebell, typically made from cast iron, can weigh as little as 10 pounds or more than 100 pounds and looks like a large cannonball with a handle on top. Called "one of the most effective means of strength development" by the Soviet armed forces, kettlebell workouts have been popular in Russia for decades and have recently caught on in the U.S.

There are numerous benefits from kettlebell workouts. Training with kettelbells builds strength without adding bulk by allowing users to develop lean muscles. Kettlebell workouts also increase explosive power, agility and stamina. Those who want to outfit their home gym without too much expense often turn to kettlebells, too. Just one or two kettlebells can replace tons of other equipment like weights, barbells, dumbbells and cardio machines.

Kettlebell workouts are effective for toning the entire body because multiple muscle groups are engaged throughout each exercise. These workouts can be customized to different fitness levels, but beginners should work with an experienced instructor to make sure they are using correct form. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, kettlebells that are used incorrectly can cause injuries.

Basic kettlebell moves include the swing, high pull, snatch, overhead press and Turkish get-up. Classic kettlebells can be purchased online and range in price from $47 to $218 each.

When you're ready to begin using kettlebells, you can pull together your own kettlebell workout.

Like a hefty helping of tomatoes with your meal? Then you're in luck. A new study from the UK's Reading University shows that tomatoes may help control hunger.

If you thought BPA was only hiding in your plastic, here's a health update: the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports tells us BPA is in a variety of name-brand canned food items including Progresso Vegetable Soup and Campbell's Condensed Chicken Soup.

Now for a light-hearted link we love: 10 workout videos to get you LOLing at your desk, if not well, exercising. Hey, laughter burns calories too.

Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.

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Hauling your cookies to the gym is tough enough without the added stress of irritating workout habits from other gym-goers. From awkward staring to uncleaned exercise equipment, see what gym and workout pet peeves drive the fine folks on Twitter a little bonkers.

Regular exercise is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, but is there such a thing as over-exercising? You bet -- and according to Sarah Brown, fitness expert for ThatsFit.ca, it's more common than you think. What's more, it can be harmful to your health.

If you think you might be guilty of over-exercising, ask yourself a few important questions. Do you seem to spend most of your free time at the gym? Have your sleep patterns changed? Do you seem to be more susceptible to illness than others? Do you suffer from more aches and pains than usual? If the answers to most of these are a yes, it could be your body's way of telling you to slow down.

Instead of working out more, work out better with tips from this celeb trainer.

Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.

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Hopping on the treadmill and sweating it out on the elliptical are things of the past for many of Twitter's fittest tweeters. They've put traditional workouts on the back burner and are trying something new. Check out which exercise waters they've tested.