Push-ups are the one exercise I always try to do when strength training. How about you? You only need to do a few and already you start to feel it in your upper arms and back. There are some great variations such as the T Push-Up, One Elbow In, One Elbow Out, and Chair Push-Ups. Tired of those and looking to try something new? Then give this Triple Clap Push-Up a whirl.

Yeah, OK, maybe your upper body isn't quite there yet, so get a little help from an exercise ball. Lie on your belly on top of the ball and roll forward so your hands are under your shoulders. As you push off the ground and lift your hands up, you'll rock back slightly and be able to clap three times before landing on the ground again. It's a fun exercise that works your upper body a little differently than regular push-ups.

At the beginning of the year, it's a great idea to check all the smoke detectors in your home, and replace batteries as necessary. That's not the only detector you need though. Aside from a fire, carbon monoxide (CO) is something else to think about. This gas is colorless, tasteless, odorless, and is lethal in high concentrations. CO is produced by many of your household appliances, and if they aren't working properly or aren't properly ventilated, CO can build up in the air leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. This can cause symptoms similar to the flu, including headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and prolonged exposure may result in brain damage and even death. Since it's the number one cause of accidental deaths in the US (500 a year), it's important to know if the CO levels in your home are safe.

To be sure, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. You can get one that plugs into an outlet ($49), or they also make Combo Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors ($48). If you're only installing one, put it where the majority of you sleep. If you can afford it, put one on every level for added safety. I am curious if you have a CO detector in your home. Tell me in the comments section below.

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."

— Priscilla Welch (winner of the 1987 New York City Marathon, at age 42)

Need more motivation? Check out all of my words that move you.

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If you suffer from a tight lower back, Child's Pose is one of the best stretches. Give this variation a try and it adds a nice stretch to your shoulder and the side of your body.

To learn how to do this relaxing stretch read more

A fit and healthy lifestyle is part of who I am, and I think it's a bonus that my hubby is into being active, too. It allows us to spend more time together, when we go to yoga classes, ski, or take afternoon hikes. For some people, they wouldn't think of dating someone who wasn't on the same fit and healthy path. For others, it doesn't bother them that their significant other doesn't join them at the gym. What about you? Is it important that your significant other or spouse exercise and eat healthy? If you met them and health wasn't that important to them, would you try to encourage him to eat more veggies and work out? Or do you only worry about your own well-being and not try to push your healthy views on others?

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