Summer Brings with it a Desire to be Fit.

I have a slight problem with the fitness industry's obsession with aesthetics. The 'work out to look good' mantra. Too often, we get caught up with measuring tapes, counting the grooves with clenched abs or fretting over the balance of protein-carbs-fat intake.

My fitness calibrations are quite simple:

• How many times can I run up and down the stairs before I fatigue (or the landlady thinks I've gone mad.)
• Can I ride my bicycle up a hill and ignore the strawberry softie cone lure at the top of the slope.
• Billy Banks' 8 minute Tae-Bo work out! Need I say more? Those who've tried to keep up with him will understand that you can actually package physical torture in a video.
• A 3-hour game of basketball. Injuries included.
  
• 2 hours with kids under the age of six. 1 hour of teaching dance to kids under the age of six. If you last even 30 minutes, congratulations you've just burned enough calories to earn you a Big Mac!
  

Work outs should be fun. I lucked out with a friend who's a personal trainer. He takes me to a gym twice a week or to the park for a very hands-on approach to exercise. Twice a week. Is all that's required. If you do it right. Of course you gotta get all those 'home delivery' menu cards off your fridge door and switch to a healthy vegie, fruit, lean meat, nuts and 'wholemeal-anything' diet. Remember, it's not about looking good...
Ok, who am I kidding? It is about looking good!!!

Please - No questions about the picture!