A combination of healthy diet and dedicated exercise is the ticket to achieving an in-shape physique, and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio put this philosophy into gear during the two and a half months following the birth of her baby. She more than held her own next to her fellow Angels strutting down the runway at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show last weekend where she sported lingerie and hard abs.

According to Alessandra's trainer Leandro Carvalho, "She gained quite a lot of weight. She was indulging herself in delicious Brazilian food [and] she had to pay the price." The stunning model was left with 20 more pounds on her frame after pregnancy, but hard work allowed her to walk the runway with confidence.

To learn about Alessandra's post-baby workouts, read more

There is a lot of health advice out there, and boy do I have plenty to spare. As Thanksgiving rolls around, we can all, hopefully, be thankful for our good health. To remain happy and healthy there are three things you need to do: exercise, sleep well, and take care of your teeth.

We have known for a while now that vigorous exercise can help prevent breast cancer, but new research performed by the National Cancer Institute shows that getting enough shut-eye is necessary for the benefits of all your hard work to stick. Not getting adequate sleep can practically negate the benefits of exercise in lowering your breast cancer risk. I knew that not sleeping well increased breast cancer risk, but am a little surprised that it can negate exercise. Hopefully, exercising vigorously will help us all sleep solidly through the night. One thing that has helped me is getting rid of my digital alarm clock with its bright blue display.

To get the skinny on brushing your teeth, read more

"Our limitations and success will be based, most often, on our own expectations for ourselves. What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon."

—Denis Waitley

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

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Of course I believe in teaching kids about fitness and how exercise should be a part of daily life, but recently a new policy at my friend's gym got me thinking. Kids are allowed to come to her gym. If they're over four years old, they can participate in fitness classes (or just sit in the back and watch their parents), and if they're over 10, they can use the treadmills. They're even allowed to use the free weights and machines if they're over 12, with parental assistance of course.

I don't have a problem with this because I support kids and exercise, but some gym members have complained. Many of them go to the gym to have time alone, away from their children, and they want the stress-free environment that a gym full of adults offers. So how do you feel about kids at the gym? Can they work out at your gym?

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• Swing your weights around and have fun with kettle bells — Fit Bottomed Girls
• How chocolate croissant eating pastry chefs stay thin — Vitamin G
• Calf stretches for stiletto wearing ladies — Fresh Fitness Tips
• Quit cigarettes now! Today is the Great American Smokeout — Daily Spark
• Avoid turkey induced coma with these three tips — That's Fit
• Is there a connection between your weight and your paycheck? — Elastic Waist
• Tone your belly without crunches; this is a must-do video — ExerciseTV

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