Water, water, water! How nice is it that water can offer such intense and enjoyable workouts. To me, water aerobics is defined as a non-weight bearing (easy on the joints) resistance and aerobic exercise performed in shallow water. It has since evolved from just walking or jogging forward and backward in the water to jumping jacks and popular cross-country skiing movements.

Water equipment has also become more popular. Water weights, floating belts, and other useful equipment are used to increase water resistance as well as help with flotation and balance. Water aerobics can be performed just about anywhere; from health and fitness clubs to public or private swimming pools to even shallow lakes. All you really need is the motivation and dedication to splash around a little bit (warm weather wouldn’t hurt either).

Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross, mom to three-year-old twins, has teamed up in conjunction with Mott’s to work with Kaboom.org, a charity that helps to encourage kids to spend more time outdoors. Kaboom!, whose vision is to have a playground within walking distance of every child in America, donates funds to help make this dream possible for communities.

Founded in 1995, the organization works with communities to create safe playgrounds, skate parks, ice rinks and even to renovate aging athletic fields. Community members create videos explaining the need for a playground and can be awarded up to $5,000 in funding. In addition, the Kaboom! website offers knowledge and experience to anyone interested through online toolkits, training and technical assistance.

There are often people in the world who inspire me to work harder, run faster, and keep training – even though the sofa calls my name. Catherine of Her Bad Mother is one such person. Having two small children hasn’t stopped her from training to run her first half marathon (while training to run a full marathon!). She’s running to raise funds for research for Muscular Dystrophy.

Listen as she gives us her best tips for those just starting off – those of us who might be overwhelmed at the idea of running 13.1 miles – never mind 26.2.

Having kids changes your life in profound ways. Your every moment becomes about your child – you no longer make decisions that affect you solely, and every choice that you make now has a deeper meaning. (You also no longer have privacy in the bathroom, but we won’t discuss this. It’s the part of Motherhood that has scarred me forever. Ahem.)

One common refrain from moms is, “I’m so busy! I can’t possibly fit in any exercise!” Renee Ross of Cutie Booty Cakes has taken that refrain and blown it out of the water. Listen as she shares her tips on using technology such as Wii Fit to get it done, no matter what.

Exercise is the best and safest way to improve the appearance of the body. Exercise not only improves your appearance, it reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It has also been proven to improve energy levels, sleep, and reduce stress. I definitely recommend implementing exercise into your daily routine, even as much as 30 minutes most days of the week is a great place to get started.

If you’re one of the many people considering plastic surgery, then you need to know exercise is imperative before doing so. By implementing cardiovascular and weight training along with proper stretching into your daily routine, your body will be well prepared for the surgery. This type of conditioning will strengthen your heart, firm your body, and will help quicken the post-surgery recovery. I recommend performing 30 to 60 minutes of cardiovascular training four to five days a week, at least 30 minutes of weight training three days a week, and stretching five to six days a week. Rest is also an important pre-surgery recommendation. Proper rest will ensure safety and success!