health talk

You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em . . . We're talking about your workout buddy! In many cases, workout partners make exercising all the more fun, while you both push each other to work harder and get into the competitive spirit. But sometimes a buddy can be downright distracting, wanting to talk more than tone. There are several benefits to having a gym buddy like spotting and motivation: after all, there are no excuses when someone else is counting on you. But if you turn to the gym for a bit of "me time" or you can't seem to find the right match, having a partner can seem daunting. So tell us, do you like to fly solo at the gym or get down to business with a buddy?

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Do you find working out with a friend motivating or distracting?

Motivating! Having a gym partner is the best form of encouragement.

Distracting, I like to do my own thing!

I think it depends on the person and the workout!

Many of us only begin to wake up with the help of our morning drink, and luckily many of our favorite breakfast beverages have a variety of health benefits. That can't-miss cup of coffee, for example, reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, among other diseases, while drinking tea has been shown to do the same. And yet another study recently showed that drinking coffee or green tea every day may reduce your risk of stroke.

It's not just warm drinks that can help you out; starting your day with a pressed juice, healthy smoothie, or glass of water with lemon can help you get much-needed nutrients and detox at the same time. So tell us: what's your favorite breakfast drink?

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What's Your Favorite Breakfast Drink?

Coffee

Tea

Juice

Smoothie

Water

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

Now that we're three months into the year, those January resolutions are either a distant memory or a nary-a-second-thought habit. If it's more of the former, not to worry — there are many more ways to motivate yourself if you need a little kick in the pants.

It seems like there's always a good reason to decide that now's the time to be healthy. Whether it's a Summer vacation that's on the horizon or loving how you feel when you're at your best, tell us: what's your reason for being fit?

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What Motivates You to Be Fit?

I like feeling and looking my best!

I'm gearing up for a vacation, wedding, race, or other big event.

My workout buddies help me stay motivated.

I have another reason — I'll let you know in the comments.

Let the countdown to sunny days begin: in just a few weeks, we'll mark the beginning of Spring, and even if the weather doesn't cooperate right away, one thing's true — warmer weather is around the corner.

This Winter marked a season of harsh rainstorms, white-out blizzards, and the worst flu season in a decade, so if your regular exercise routine has taken a hit, you can be excused! But now that Spring is almost in the air, it's time to cast away weather-related excuses and dive back in. So tell us: will you be working out more once it's warmer?

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Do You Exercise More When the Weather's Warmer?

Yes — it's too cold to exercise in the Winter.

No — I have a routine and I stick to it, rain or shine!

There are those who have their healthy routine down: they work out daily, drink enough water, eat well, and make sure to schedule enough downtime to relax and rejuvenate (and indulge!).

But living a healthy lifestyle through and through takes time and effort. It can be easy to turn one day of skipping a workout into a two-week date with your couch, or to be unable to resist the treats in your pantry. We all have parts of our healthy routine that are harder to stick with than others (I have a few to choose from, but I'd say my biggest neglect is drinking enough water). What about you? What part of your healthy routine do you find the hardest?

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What Part of Your Healthy Routine Do You Neglect the Most?

My diet

My workout

Getting enough sleep

Stretching

Beating stress

Drinking enough water

Other — I'll let you know in the comments

Revamping your lifestyle can sound like a simple prospect, but eating healthy and staying fit requires a lot of commitment and exercise. And while we'd all like to get the same results just sitting on our couches, we know that feeling our best comes from willpower and motivation.

That's not to say that it's all fun and games, though. Even if you may like to work out, there's probably been days when you've succumbed to the lure of laziness instead of suiting up and getting out. And even if you love kale smoothies and salads, it's hard to say no to leftover Valentine's Day chocolate or sweet treats at the office (and giving up an unhealthy food during Lent can magnify the difficulty even more)! So tell us — which part of your fit lifestyle is hardest for you: eating right or sticking to exercise?

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Which Is Harder: Eating Healthy or Sticking With Your Workout?

Eating a healthy diet.

Sticking to my workout routine.

Both are equally hard for me!

Even if you're not a fan of football, the Super Bowl is hard to escape. For many, Sunday is all about festivities and food, whether it's a casual get-together to a seriously planned party.

But all that couch time can spell bad news for your healthy-living goals. That's where strategy comes in — whether you decide to forgo your diet in the name of the once-yearly celebration or you employ calorie-cutting tips for a healthier Super Bowl, tell us: are you aiming for a healthy Super Bowl Sunday, or not so much?

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Are You Having a Healthy Super Bowl Party?

Yes — I'm not blowing my diet just for football!

No — Super Bowl Sunday comes only once a year!

I'll indulge a little, but I'm not going overboard.

I'm not attending a Super Bowl party.

Even if you like your gym, there's something about a room full of sweaty strangers that can annoy even the most patient among us. And the New Year's resolution crowd that buzzes around every January can highlight annoyances that make enjoying gym time that much harder, like lines for your favorite machine or not enough lockers in the changing room.

Now's your time to sound off: what's your number one gym pet peeve? Is it the oblivious clients who spend their time talking on their cell phones, or the fact that it's always too crowded? Tell us yours, and after you vent, be sure to check out reasons why readers love their gym and add your own!

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What's Your Gym Pet Peeve?

Exhibitionists in the locker room.

My gym always being too crowded.

People being disruptive in class.

People with poor hygiene.

People who don't wipe down their machines.

People who talk on their cell phones or to each other.

Waiting for the machines.

I'll tell you my pet peeve below!

The flu is taking over, and this year's virus has already been dubbed one of the worst in a decade. And with all the news reports of how many people have been sidelined by the flu (not to mention seeing your co-workers and friends be affected as well) and the fact that the Centers for Disease Control say we're probably still in for at least another month before flu season peaks, the reasons to get the flu shot are compelling.

But as with any season, this year's flu vaccine was formulated months ago from a best estimate of which viruses would actually circulate during the season, so getting the vaccine won't entirely prevent you from getting sick: this year's shot has been shown to be 60 percent effective. If you're healthy and aren't normally around people with compromised immune systems, you may not think that getting the flu shot is necessary. Where do you stand? Did you, or will you, get the flu shot this year, or do you think that it's not worth it?

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Did You Get the Flu Shot?

Yes — I think it helps my chances of not getting the flu.

No — I don't feel like I need it.