You may have seen them in gym: half of a large rubber ball that's flat on one side. They're often blue in color and look like a gigantic outtie belly button. "What are those things?" you wonder. Well they're BOSU balls (or balance trainers). It's latest rave to hit fitness centers across America.

BOSU is an acronym that stands for "Both Sides Up". You can use balls, also referred to as trainers, or balance trainers, on either side. Whether rounded bouncy dome part is up or flat 25 inch platform side is up, you'll get different types of balance challenges.

This cross-training fitness invention has its origins in field of medicine, balance, functional and sports specific training. It offers a different means to make exercise more appealing and effective for average people, fitness fanatics and highly trained athletes.

Physical fitness may be ultimate investment opportunity. Think of it this way. If you are willing to make commitment (investment), you will feel and look healthier, have an abundance of energy, be more self-confident, more productive and discover a more joyous and fulfilling life. These are rewards that money cannot buy and basis of high quality living. And investment in exercise becomes even more attractive when you consider that there is absolutely no down-side risk. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. How much better can it get? How many times can you remember ever having a better offer? Probably never, and yet many of us fail to act on this extraordinary opportunity. We simply choose to procrastinate or ignore proven benefits of exercise!

Here are a few reasons that sometimes inhibit our willingness to "step out" and make a change or take a chance:

- Sometimes our vision gets clouded. We lose track of what is really important. Try to remember what you are trying to accomplish. Sometimes we get so caught up in detail that we forget where we're going.

- If we look at "big" picture, it can seem overwhelming. And bigger task, more overwhelming it can seem. Break task apart into smaller pieces. Want to lose 50 pounds? Go for 10 pounds, five at a time! Need to start an exercise program? Begin with short, simple exercises and slowly expand your routine. The absolute worse approach to exercise is to overdo it when first starting program. We seem to have this all or none mindset where we end up killing ourselves first few times out. We end up stiff, tired, disillusioned, and then we quit. Moderation is key.

- Have you ever not wanted to start something for fear of failure? Take first step and acknowledge fear, then next step will come easier. Fear of unknown scares us so much we don't want to even begin. Once fears are acknowledged, they usually quiet down. Taking first step allows us to go past fear and on to next step.