It's never too late to take The Fit Pledge to “Lose to Live in 2017.”

The fit pledge is a health awareness campaign hosted by the Inner City Purpose Network (ICPN) that aims to bring a national awareness to the number of people who annually dare themselves to lose weight, or discontinue vices that lead to poor health.  The Pledge is meant to challenge Americans to document the progress of their pledge and share how the experience changed their lives through a web-based community as well as encourage Americans to implement a lifestyle change through a health-driven weight loss program (balanced diet and exercise).

Visitors earn the pin after completing a goal-oriented fitness survey.  The pin represents a commitment to losing weight for the right reasons this year — It's a symbol of a promise and awareness.  The campaign also encourages Americans to share their struggle with weight loss, link with other Fit Pledge members, learn more about weight related diseases and more.

The goal is to see more than 5 million people make a pledge to maintain a healthy lifestyle in 2007.  Until May, every 10,000th person who receives a Fit Pledge pin online will be rewarded with a makeover, membership at a health club, and a cash prize.

Make your pledge today, it's free (well basically free as there is a $2.68 shipping and handling fee for the pin).

Have you joined Fit's Dieters Support Group?  If not you totally should because you'll get to read motivational and inspiring stories from people, just like you, looking to get fit.  Recently user misstsapinay shared this incredible story with us in the group:

"Hi everyone!  My name is Laura, I'm 24 years old, and new to the group.  I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have lived here all of my life.

I started to lose weight is because of something very traumatic that happened to me, a few months ago in August 2006.  I was hit on the freeway, coming home from work, by a man who fell asleep behind the wheel of his SUV.  I was immediately rushed to the ER from the scene with minor injuries that could have been a lot worse.  (The CHP officer said that if he'd plowed 1 more inch into my vehicle, it would have hit my gas tank and I'd have died.)  I was very lucky that day.  When i survived I knew that I was being given a second chance at life and things needed to change.  So, I began eating healthier and working out for 15 minutes a day, then 30, and now to about 1 hour a day.  It's been a long process, believe it or not, I turned something horrible into something amazing, and I'm feeling the best as I ever did now =)"

Want to see how much weight she's lost and see fabulous after pictures?  Then,

"So far, I've lost about 80 lbs since my car accident.  I have become a vegetarian and incorporated a healthy lifestyle into my busy work week.

Anyway, I joined this contest sponsored by Star 101.3 FM called April's Biggest Losers.  Basically a group of women, including myself, agreed to lose weight and we have to show up in our bikini's on August 1st to the studio.  The winner will be chosen by whoever loses the highest amount of body fat and will get an all expense paid trip AND a new wardrobe.  Anyway, FIT suggested her site to us and that's how I came here =) I'm hoping that with everyone's help here I can stay motivated and hopefully win!  You can check me out on the radio website here.  I'm the 3rd woman down -- Laura"

Here is how fabulous she looks now...

Doesn't she look great?  Are you motivated now?  I am!  Nothing is better than when someone takes a hardship and turns it around.  So many times people will take hardships as opportunities to dwell, but not Laura!  Way to go!  We're all pulling for you and can't wait to hear updates in the Dieters Support Group.

Do you have a big event coming up like The Oscars?  Or are you just looking to get red carpet ready for the fun of it all?

Kathy Kaehler, trainer to the stars, tells MSNBC the last minute secrets that the stars (perhaps like Penelope Cruz, nominated for Best Actress in Volver) may use for looking so great on the red carpet (aside from being fit year round).

To check out the tips and to see a flashback from last year's red carpet,

• Two weeks before the event -- Increase your workout time (adding 15 to 20 minutes to each session), frequency (hitting the gym at least five to six times a week) and intensity (really go for the burn).  For your cardio workouts, increase the intensity by going up in levels on the machines or adding some sprints or hills to your runs/walks so that you are burning more calories and really getting a good sweat.  For the strength part of your workouts (up to three days a week), focus on alternating workouts of heavier weights/fewer reps with lighter weights/more reps to challenge your muscles in different ways.
• The week before the event – Really watch what you eat.  I tell all my clients to cut sugar, salt and alcohol.  This will help you feel and look lean.  You will also have amazing energy for your workouts.  The day before the event, I recommend sticking with lean proteins and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, and limiting fruit and veggies to avoid feeling bloated or gassy.
• The day of the event – Work out some more.  My favorite exercise for the day of the event is a long brisk walk with hills.  This tightens the legs and hips, and burns lots of calories.  Go for at least 45 minutes.  Follow this by holding the “plank position” for three sets of one-minute holds.  A plank is a yoga move where you start off lying on the floor, tummy down.  Next, support your body by lifting up on your forearms and your toes, keeping your body perfectly straight.  Press your shoulder blades down toward your waist.  Keep your abs pulled in, and your neck aligned with your spine.  Hold for 60 seconds.

Did you cast your ballot yet on Buzz?  You should because one lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a Prada handbag (eek!), while the runners-up will get $50 to $500 gift cards from Sephora, The Apple Store and Neiman Marcus!!!  Click here for official rules.

Who doesn't love a slice of cheese pizza, Lasagna or Anitpasto?  And those Italian desserts like gelato or a cannoli — they're just so delicious, it's hard to hold back.

Each of these are based on a regular restaurant portion:

Antipasto Salad:  136 cals, 8g fat, 13g carbs
Bruschetta (1 piece with tomato and basil):  102 cals, 3g fat, 17g carbs
Chicken Cacciatore:  370 cals, 22g fat, 4g carbs
Capresse Salad:  154 cals, 11.8g fat, 4.2g carbs
Eggplant Parmigiana:  670 cals, 32g fat, 75g carbs
Fettuccine Alfredo:  780 cals, 55g fat, 53g carbs
Parmesan Garlic Bread:  259 cals, 13.4g fat, 29.2g carbs
Lasagna (meat):  400 cals, 17g fat, 36 cals
Lasagna (vegetable):  250 cals, 13g fat, 21g carbs
Manicotti (cheese and tomato):  230 cals, 14g fat, 18g carbs
Minestrone Soup:  260 cals, 6g fat, 28g carbs
Spinach and Mushroom Risotto:  219 cals, 5g fat, 37g carbs
Pizza (1 slice cheese):  222 cals, 5g fat, 35g carbs
Pizza (1 slice pepperoni):  249 cals, 7.5g fat, 35g carbs

Want to see the rest?  Then

Ravioli:  300 cals, 12g fat, 30 carbs
Spaghetti with tomato sauce:  540 cals, 13g fat, 105g carbs
Spaghetti with meatsauce:  650 cals, 16g fat, 90g carbs
Cheese Tortellini:  530 cals, 20g fat, 74g carbs
Veal Parmigiana:  350 cals, 20g fat, 5g carbs

Dessserts:

Cannoli:  142 cals, 7.1g fat, 14.2g carbs
Almond Biscotto: 110 cals, 2.5g fat, 21g carbs
Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato:  241 cals, 16g fat, 24 carbs
Raspberry Napoleon:  243 cals, 4g fat, 34g carbs
Pasticiotti:  305 cals, 12.4g fat, 42.5g carbs
Tiramisu:  310 cals, 15g fat, 39 carbs

Can you trust the calorie display on your favorite cardio machines?

You may have already noticed that you can use an elliptical one day and a different elliptical (different brand) another day and burn a totally different calorie amount even though you did the same amount of work.  Frustrating, I know.

Basically you should use the calorie readout only as a guideline but not as the end-all-be-all of how many calories you burned.  The displays on cardio machines are notorious for being inaccurate and some machines are known to bump up the calorie readout by almost 25% (feel good factor keeps you using their machines, it's a little like vanity sizing in clothing).  The reasoning for the inaccuracies are that the machines do not consider factors in individual fitness levels and the specificity of the exercise.  Also they are not usually re-calibrated after hitting the gym floor.

Want tips on how to get the most accurate calorie readout?  Then

• Enter a body weight that is lower than your actual weight.
• Add an extra few minutes to your workout.
• When using machines with handles, don't let the handles support your body weight for you — they are there to help with balance only.
• Use a heart rate monitor that you have programmed for your personal stats — it will give you the most accurate readout.
• Don't focus on the calories the machine shows you're burning.  Instead, focus on being consistent and increasing your intensity, that way you'll be more successful at maintaining a regular exercise routine.

Fit's Tip:  If two machines show the same calories burned, but one workout seems way easier than the other then don't kid yourself!  You've probably burned fewer calories than the one that felt harder.