Every year we spend the winter cooped up where it's warm. When spring rolls around, we can't wait to get outside. Getting outdoors can not only battle spring fever, it can also get you up and moving. Exercising outdoors can give you a better workout and burn more calories than the machines at the gym. As spring approaches, if you want to get outdoors and get in shape, here are some great activities you can do.

One of the more common reasons for giving up an exercise routine is excessive pain caused by working out. What’s sad about this is that a lot of workout pain may be prevented by a good pair of exercise shoes. If you’re starting a workout routine, you should invest in a quality pair of shoes. Good shoes will support your feet and align your body correctly; you’ll feel less pain in your legs, back, and, of course, your feet. Here are some tips for finding the right shoe to fit your feet and your needs.

One visitor to FitWatch was asking, "Will a high calorie but low fat diet, and exercise, help me lose fat?" I've got one word for that: N-O. Remember, fat doesn't make you fat. Generally speaking, eating more calories than your body burns will cause you to store fat. The only way for you to lose fat on a high calorie diet is to exercise A LOT, so you[...]

You may be considering switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet, but are concerned about getting everything you need to stay healthy. While there are a lot of essential vitamins and minerals in animal products, these vital nutrients are available in vegan diets as well. There’s no need to take extra supplements everyday; simply eat the right foods to provide you will a healthy, well rounded diet. [...]

If you've lost weight and you're wondering what percentage of weight you've lost, I've created a handy little calculator just for you! Put in your start weight, your current weight -- and voilà! You'll see the percentage you've lost (or gained! Yikes!). Calculate Weight Loss Percentage [...]

1. Statistics The statistics available regarding the health and fitness of our society are shocking and disturbing. I won't go into them; you know that obesity is rising, diabetes is rising and worse, childhood obesity is getting worse each and every day. If any of these numbers relate to you, you can use them to motivate yourself to be more than a statistic. Don't let any of these numbers scare you into action, let them empower you to change. Empowerment is better than fear every single time.

Do you subscribe to the philosophy that resolutions are made to be broken, or do you believe the New Year’s holiday is an opportunity for change?

It’s easy to get caught up in the fervor of self-improvement and New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, many people give up on their resolutions or completely forget about them, only days after they’ve been set. Here are some tips to help you see your goals attained:

Take a look around you. What is great about your life? What is absolutely wonderful about today? Why not write it down!

Water is a fantastic way to fill the gaps between meals. When your mouth wants to be busy, say around 3:00 in the afternoon when dinner is still a few hours away, a cold glass of water can help take your mind off of the snacking habit.