That's Fit

I was roaming around Central Park this week while working in New York City , and came across the nicest yet strangest thing. This man, pictured at right, was ambitiously pursuing a workout in the park. That's the nice part.

The weird part is two-fold. First oddity, he was only wearing his boxer shorts. I suppose that is better than frolicking around in a pair of bikini briefs, but still ... it looked a bit silly to me. The second bit of strangeness was his routine. Of course I'm always telling you guys and gals to 'just move', but this dude took that movement to another level.

He flailed his arms around, tip toe jogged in circles, and frequently practiced handstands (at right) against this tree. I both admired his ambitiousness and marveled at his lack of concern for what others thought. I also giggled a lot too.

It's not about the bike, said Lance Armstrong in his book about his fight with cancer. In the fight against breast cancer, though, it is about the bike. It's a bit about chocolate too. And let me tell you, after a 220-mile bike ride from Hershey, Pa. to New York City, riders are going a deserve a bite of the sweet treat this starting city is famous for.

The Hershey's Tour de Pink bike ride, benefiting the Young Survival Coalition -- a non-profit network dedicated to the issues unique to young women and breast cancer -- aims to spread hope and awareness while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Four days of riding from October 3-6 is all it takes. If you can't make it to the big event, you can virtually tackle your miles at home.

The Virtual Ride challenges riders to pedal 220 miles from now until October 6. Start logging the miles you cover on quick rides through your neighborhood or on your stationary-bike excursions. Participate as an individual or form a team. It doesn't matter, as long as you register and ride. Raise a minimum $250 and you'll receive an official Hershey's Tour de Pink jersey. One-hundred percent of the money raised will go to the YSC.

Would you steer away from that juicy restaurant burger if next to its menu description came a whopper listing of its calories? New Yorkers are facing this very question now that the city's chain restaurants are legally required to post calorie counts on their menus.

Officials are hoping that publishing calorie facts will inspire healthier dining and minimize out-of-control obesity. It might. Kind of like journaling your every bite might prevent you from over-eating, staring at the number 2,900 while you drool over the Outback's Aussie Cheese Fries just might cause you to pull in the reigns. Gazing at a Starbucks pastry case may become a whole new experience too. Apparently, people were recently seen backing away from the glass at one location as they read labels.

"Oh man, I never would have guessed it was that much," said one woman about the cookie calorie counts. "It definitely discourages me from buying."

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.

This week I went back to talk with one of my favorite past guests, Mr. Colin Egglesfield. (To view Colin's in-depth interview click here.) Spring is here, summer is coming and this All My Children star has the most perfectly fit body one could wish for. We all want to know how celebrities earn their great bodies, and Colin was sweet enough to share his tips for preparing for swimsuit season. These tips are exactly as our favorite Calvin Klein underwear model gave them to me. So play close attention, follow his advice, and prepare to strut your stuff this summer!

• Run! You can do all the weight training in the world, but nothing burns off that winter weight better than a good 30-45 run at least three times a week. I like to start out doing about 30min and then gradually work up to an hour over the course of a few weeks as I start to get my stamina back. I love to run outside by myself with my headphones and some great music on my iPod and just go! It's my time to be alone with my thoughts, and anything that might be on my mind always seems to be a lot clearer after a good run.

The New York City Council folks say scarce fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods is leading to high rates of obesity and other health problems. So they plan to issue 1,000 permits for mobile fruit and veggie stands in these areas. The produce carts -- there are already 4,000 stands in the wealthy Manhattan -- could be available as soon as this spring.

New York has been making many health strides, banning trans-fats from city restaurants and smoking from bars and restaurants and working to force fast-food chains to display calorie counts on their menu boards.

Currently, more than half of New York adults are overweight or obese. And it's estimated that 700,000 New Yorkers suffer from diabetes, While the rate of obesity is below 15 percent in much of Manhattan, rates in less affluent neighborhoods -- Harlem, South Bronx, and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn -- are over 27 percent.

See what you can do to improve your own health and wellness by visiting this AOL Body site.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. I've just begun jogging as a part of my fitness routine. I've traditionally walked a lot and jumped rope. My husband, Aaron, is trying to convince me to run a 5K race with him within the next few weeks. I don't think I can run it all! Do you have any expert advice that will help me get out of it? Thanks. Amy

A. No can do, Amy! I suggest you sign up to complete that race and get the fancy t-shirt that goes with it as soon as possible. Nothing motivates like an upcoming athletic event. Look at it this way. You are a new runner, and that's fine! In fact, it's terrific. We already know you wouldn't be racing to win, right? You'd just be going out to get some exercise and probably support some charitable cause. That alone makes you a winner. Jog as much as you can, and fill in the spots when you get tired with all of that walking you've been doing.

Trust me. I've participated in a bunch of 5K races, and haven't won one. I didn't care, nor did anyone else around me. It's a ton of fun to lace up your kicks and get moving with hundreds or thousands of others. I bet you'll enjoy it so much that you start looking for another race as soon as you're done. Thank your husband for the invitation and the motivation. Then let him know that you're eager to cover the distance at a pace that feels good to you. If he moves faster, he can wait at the finish line with a kiss for you as you cross it. Have fun and let me know how it goes! Fitz

Q. Miss Fitz. I was startled to read that the woman who won the New York Marathon had a nine month old baby. Isn't that really unhealthy? I was shocked! Mark.

Katie Holmes, refreshed and sporting black, open-toed heels, attended husband Tom Cruise's Lions for Lambs movie premiere on Sunday night -- just after she'd finished running the New York City Marathon.

No major recovery was required for Holmes, who finished the race in 5:29:58.

"Isn't she amazing?" said mom Kathy of her 28-year-old daughter. "She's such a good girl. We're so proud." Hubby Tom echoed the sentiment.

"I know, I know. It's amazing."

It is amazing. I am so impressed by those who can finish such a grueling 26.2-mile challenge. Truly impressed.

Way to go, Katie!

Kudos to nearly all New York City restaurants who are now complying with phase one of the city's new trans fat regulation. Those still using spreads or fry oils containing the artificial trans fat will be fined by the Health Department.

A whopping 94 percent of 3,300 restaurants inspected between July 1 and September 1 were using zero grams of trans fat. Before the regulation had passed, 50 percent were in compliance. By June, 80 percent were on board. And for the few still not passing with flying colors, it seems margarine use is the hold-up. Fines starting at $200 -- fining began on October 1 -- is the penalty for non-compliance.

"Despite claims to the contrary, New York City restaurants have shown that it's easy to get artificial trans fat out of spreads and fry oils," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Health Commissioner for New York City. "New Yorkers are now enjoying more healthful foods without any change in taste or price."

FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

On June 21, hundreds of people celebrated the start of summer on the longest day of the year by commencing yoga class in a city marked by madness. Smack dab in New York City's Times Square, on the island at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, yoga enthusiasts rolled out their mats and set up shop for the annual Mind Over Madness Yoga event. This year's extravaganza was the largest ever.

The purpose of this yoga fest? To face the challenge of finding tranquility and transcendence in the midst of the world's most commercial and frenetic place.

If ever we all have something in common, it must be the desire to find calm in the midst of chaos. Who doesn't want to breathe easy, rid themselves of anxiety, and tackle life with a peaceful energy? It's human nature to seek serenity.

While summer is behind us and the madness of this official event is long over, it's not to late to pull out your own yoga mat. Take it to the center of your own town if this strikes your fancy. Or simply find a quiet place and strengthen your mind, body, and spirit with the 3,000-year-old practice that is good for every bit and piece of your soul.