If you've ever started a diet or made a resolution to hit the gym, you've run into the plateau effect. It's the brutal force of nature that gives you early success, but then then keeps the needle on your scale firmly in place, no matter how much time you spend on the elliptical.

I amble to work accompanied by sounds that both excite and sympathize because, let's face it, sometimes you want the soundtrack of your day to seem profound and other times you just need to know it will get better.

Make the most of your time. A quality, intense workout always exceeds a long, mediocre workout. On the flip side, remember that too much of a good thing is still too much.

Whether you hit the gym first thing in the morning -- or, like me, end your day with a long-distance run -- it is all too easy for us to counteract our workouts by our actions throughout the day.

Let's exercise and do it well! That is a major ingredient in maintaining a healthy body and a healthy soul.

Just because you're on vacation does not mean the workouts are over! Whether you're lounging by the beach or at the gym, this workout will help give you the legs you've always wanted.

Can yoga be a complete body-mind workout? It can, if you add yoga dance moves to traditional yoga poses to create a complete body-mind workout that includes flexibility, balance, strength and aerobics.

I focused straight ahead at the white wall, and dropped fully into the present. My mind quieted and my body took over.The seconds between deep gasps for air were filled with thoughts of nothing beyond my next breath.

Okay, you've committed to getting fit and healthy 2013. There is a lot to think about when it comes to making the most of your workouts. Here are my three tips for getting the best results possible.

Are you one of the many people who have made a New Year's resolution to exercise regularly and get more fit in 2013? Are you also one of the many who have made the same resolution in the past just to keep it for a couple months, or perhaps a week or two, or maybe not at all?

Many of us think of Pilates as primarily an ab sculpting core workout, but Pilates is great for toning the entire body. This Pilates-inspired arm workout can be done in your home, at your office or in your hotel room.

The beginning of the year is prime time to haul yourself back into the workout studio. These focused fitness classes promise to get your booty back into summer shape, even if it's snowing outside!

Overall fitness doesn't just come from doing one activity over and over and over. If you want to be a good all around, the chances are you'll benefit from diversifying your training a little.

Overindulging and holiday travel go hand in hand this time of year. But being on the road doesn't have to mean gaining five pounds.

Activating our core muscles has been a mantra by many professionals helping their clients in seeking better overall strength, protecting from back pain and improving performance. But what I learned early in my PT practice is that our brains do not know muscles, only movement.

Perhaps you're starting a new fitness regimen, or maybe you've hit a training plateau. Here are 12 easy-to-follow tips to upgrade your workouts. Try them one at a time or all at once and upgrade your training to the next level.