fit poll

If your friend was doing something that was hurting their health, would you say something? What if it were about their weight — should you say something if you feel your friend has gained too much?

If you're Gwyneth Paltrow, the answer is "of course." Ross Mathews, a comic on the Chelsea Lately show, told People that when he saw the actress, she pointed to his stomach and said, "'What's going on here? I love you. Get it together."

Since then, the former 220-pound performer has lost 40 pounds by exercising and joining Jenny Craig, so Gwyneth's honesty seems to have worked. I don't think I'd say something quite that direct, especially to someone I'm not that close to, but I do think I'd try to encourage a close friend to make better choices if I ever felt it was warranted, and that includes if they were unhealthily dropping pounds. What do you think — is it your responsibility as a friend to stage an "intervention" if you feel a friend's weight is reaching an unhealthy limit?

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Would You Tell a Friend to Lose Weight?

Yes — I want my friends to be healthy and happy.

No — It's too much of a personal issue.

It depends on how close we are.

Other, I'll let you know in the comments.

In yoga class this weekend, my friends reminisced about what sporty kids they once were. From soccer to track and field, all of these active women were once active youngsters. On the opposite side of the coin was me — while I was as active as the next kid when it came to running around outside, I never got involved in sports, and I never wanted to. Now as an adult, I love to bike and practice yoga, and I especially go crazy for outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. But I will say that compared to my friends who developed a love for fitness at an early age, it took me awhile to come around. It wasn't until after all of my late nights during college that I started to make fitness a top priority. What about you?

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Were You a Sporty Kid?

Yes

No

In a few days, I'm heading to my first fitness retreat — a "wellness weekend" packed with fitness classes, spa treatments, and wine tasting. All this, and the hotel is situated on the Lake Tahoe shore. While there will be time to relax, there's also a lot of fitness happening in those three days. From 8 a.m. Vinyasa yoga classes to ballet-inspired workouts and a Friday kickoff that involves a Pilates mat workout, it will definitely be an active weekend that promises to work my body. And while I've done my share of random yoga classes while on vacation, this is the first time that I've gone on a trip that is centered on fitness.

Have any of you ever planned a fitness vacation? What did you think?

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Have You Ever Gone on a Fitness Retreat?

Yes — I loved it.

Yes — I'll never book one again.

No — I'd like to.

No — I'd rather do something more relaxing.

Sometimes when I work the front desk at my local yoga studio, there's a class that only has one or two students signed up. If the teacher doesn't want to cancel, the class ends up being much like a private lesson for the students, since they get a lot of personalized attention and better access to their teacher.

I especially think a small class is the perfect place for a beginner in any type of exercise class to learn, since you can ask questions, explain your skill level, and receive a lot more help when you are one of only a few in the class.

Occasionally, however, a new student will hesitate to sign up if they see the class is almost empty. I can understand not wanting all the attention on you when you are a new student — I've been relieved that a class is big because it meant that I could set up my spot in what I think is the most inconspicuous place, but in general I'm excited that I get the semi-private lesson without the price of one. What about you? Whether it's yoga, Pilates, or spin, do you like the energy and anonymity of a larger class, or do you welcome the personalized attention of a small one?

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Do You Feel Self-Conscious in Small Classes?

Yes — I'd rather be in a group than by myself.

No — Small classes are like private lessons without the price!

There's nothing like a fast upbeat tune to accompany any workout, but sometimes what keeps you going is a good book. I've recently been trying out audiobooks for my treadmill runs, and so far I'm a fan of "reading" while running.

Associating my runs with a book means that I'm always eager to keep going, so I'll find out how a suspenseful chapter will end or because I'm in the middle of listening to a humorous story. It also helps me look forward to a workout even when I'm telling myself there are many other things I'd rather be doing.

I still like to exercise to music (not to mention reality TV), but lately listening to David Sedaris essays on my iPod has been my motivator (and not only that, has kept me in a good mood while roaming the gym!). What do you like to listen to while you work out?

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What Do You Listen to While You Work Out?

Music — I need upbeat songs to keep me motivated!

Books — A good story makes the time go by faster.

Television — A workout is the perfect time to catch up on all my favorites.

Other, I'll let you know in comments.

Lately I've been longing for a long workout at the gym or a yoga class, but my schedule only has room for exercise that is far less time-consuming. But just because a workout isn't long doesn't mean it can't be useful.

Whether it's just taking a walk or popping in a DVD before work, short bursts of cardio can be just as effective as longer ones if you up your workout's intensity, which lets you reap the calorie-burning rewards. And best of all, you don't have to try to fit in a superlong fitness session around a too busy schedule, or feel guilty for not being able to get moving.

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When you're crunched for time, how do you exercise?

I go for a walk or a run.

I do a quick stint on a cardio machine.

I pop in an exercise DVD.

I do other exercises at home.

Other, I'll let you know in comments.

My last gym was a bare-bones type, so I never got used to expecting any extra perks from being a member. While talking to a friend, however, I was surprised to learn that her gym had member appreciation pizza nights and other social functions.

Putting aside the idea of eating pizza at a gym, extra perks help form a community at the gym and keep you coming back. Other gyms and sports clubs have different kinds of complimentary extras that make you glad to be a member. What's your favorite gym extra?

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What's Your Favorite Gym Perk?

Spa services

Membership appreciation days

Free coffee or snacks

Other, I'll let you know in comments.

I recently took a trip to Florida where everyone, tourist or not, seemed like they spent as much time as they could outside in the sun.

And all those outdoor activities need someone to run them. Between the pedicab drivers and hoards of lifeguards at water parks, it seemed like all of the locals had a job that kept them out and about and active.

When it's your job to stay in shape (or even if being fit is a byproduct of a job), it can be great news for your health. No need to schedule time for the gym or feel guilty if you skip it, and many times an active job means you get to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine instead of being stuck inside!

Were you ever a lifeguard or a coach, or had a different job that kept you active and in shape? Let us know what it was in the comments!

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Have You Ever Had a Job That Kept You in Shape?

Yes, I'll let you know what it was!

No I haven't.

Food allergies afflict more than three million children in the United States, with peanuts, shellfish, milk, and eggs topping the allergy list.

A recent study was just released that studied the relationship between birth order and allergies. Researchers found that firstborn children were more likely to have hay fever and pink eye due to a food allergy. The results were as follows: the prevalence of food allergies was 4 percent in firstborn children, 3.5 percent in second-born children, and 2.6 percent in children born later.

This is what Dr. Takashi Kusunoki, author of the study from the pediatrics department at Shiga Medical Center for Children and Kyoto University, had to say about the findings: "It has been established that individuals with increased birth order have a smaller risk of allergy. However, the significance of the effect may differ by allergic diseases."

Further research needs to be conducted on this matter to make any final conclusions, but it is an interesting correlation on an already interesting topic — studies have shown that birth order has a lot to do with how we turn out as adults and which career paths we choose. I'm the youngest of three girls, and we all seem to have varying food allergies, so I can't say my oldest sister was more prone to hay fever or pink eye than the rest of us. Which leads me to my next question (see below). I can't wait to see the results!

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Do you suffer from allergies?

Yes, and I am the firstborn.

Yes, but I am not the firstborn.

No, and I am the firstborn.

No, and I am allergy free.

When I think of yoga, it's all about community: the regulars you befriend in class, the shared experiences of awkwardly trying to perfect a pose, and even the aspect of possibly (ew) sharing germs.

When it comes to home practice, however, tranquil solitude reigns. And while DVDs (and sites like Yoga Today) can help guide you, there's no interactivity or feedback from a teacher to help you perfect your pose or modify a position.

Does this mean the time has come for the ancient meditative practice to meet modern video conferencing technology? Sarah Hamilton, a yoga teacher in training, thinks so. She holds free classes from her home and uses the same web conferencing technology that gets her through her high-powered day job to stream live video to your computer or phone, so you can practice along with her. Since it's live, she's able to ask students to give her feedback throughout the class, and if they have a video camera they can aim it to their mat so she can see them too.

While it's not the personalized attention you get at an in-person yoga class, it seems like it would beat just popping in a tired DVD. What do you think? Is a video conference yoga class a cheaper, more comfortable alternative to studios, or should there be a line drawn between yoga and technology?

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Would You Take a Webcam Yoga Class?

Yes — I love the idea of practicing at home with help!

No — I don't think it would work for me.